USA > Minnesota > Nobles County > An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota > Part 47
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When the town-hip of Willnont was or- ganized Mr. Sell was one who took part in bringing about the organization. Ile served as chairman of the board of supervisor- from 1900 to 1907. Ile has always taken an active part in business enterprises which have been established in his neighborhood. Ile was one of the organizers of the Lismore Farmers' Elevator company and is one of the trustees of the company. Ile put up the Robert Sell telephone line and is manager of the line and vice president of the com- pany. Fraternally he is connected with the M. W. A. lodge.
ALBERT A. THOMPSON, whose farm is just outside of the village of Lismore, is one of the pioneer settlers of that township. Hi- farm consists of 400 acres in Lismore and Lcota townships.
Mr. Thomp-on was born near the city of Christiana, Norway. in 1834. the son of An- drew Thompson. Both his parents died in Lafayette county. Wis, their deaths oreur ring only one year apart. Albert was one of a family of six children. The family omi- grated to the United States when our sub. jest was thirteen years old and settled in Lafayette county. Wis. There Albert lived until twenty years old. working on farms for fifteen dollars per month. He then start- el out with an ox team and drove through to Noblas county. The first two years in the county he broke prairie land in Grand Prairie township. making his home in a "shanty" which consisted of an overturned wagon box. In 1876 he took as a tree claim
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the northeast quarter of section 2, Lismore township, and on that place he has since lived. Later he bought the southeast quar- ter of section 2 and the southwest quarter of section 35. Leota township.
During his residence in his new home in the early days, Mr. Thompson went through many pioneer experiences. He suffered some from the grasshopper scourge, and many were the inconveniences and hardships he endured on account of his isolated location during the long and severe winters. On one occasion it took him five days to make a trip to town and bring back an hundred pounds of flour. The trip was made on snow shoes and the flour was hauled baek on another pair of the shoes.
Mr. Thompson is a stockholder in the tele- phone company in his neighborhood and in the Farmers' Elevator company of Lismore. Tle is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Lismore township and helped build the church. He also holds a membership in the M. W. A. lodge. He served as school director of his district five years, and was road boss seven years in the early days. Ile built the first bridge put in on the road be- tween Lismore and Adrian. After the vil- lage of Lismore was founded Mr. Thompson engaged in the stock shipping business for a number of years. He shipped out the first car load of hogs from the new town.
Mr. Thompson was married in Mankato. Minn .. June 10. ISTS. to Bertha Colson, who was born in Norway and who came to Ameries when sixteen years of age. To these parents have been born thirteen child- ren, all living. They are: Ida, born March 28. 1879; Frank, born Dec. 14. 1880; Cenetta Sarah, born Feb. 28, 1883: Joseph A .. born March 10. 1885; Henry 1., born Jan. 26, 1887: Aalphia. born April 26, 1889; Anna MI., born June 2G. 1890; Myrtle G., born July 19, 1892; Ethel MI., born Jime 5, 1896: Elmer W., born Feb. 20, 1898; Isabel C., born Ang. 2 1900: Bertha L., born March 28, 1902; Lloyd L., born July 3. 1903.
ANDREW BUCHAN. a pioncer, and for many years a resident of Nobles county. now lives at Custer, Washington. lle was born in Steuben county. New York, Septem- Fer 25, 1836. When twelve years of age he moved with his parents to Racine county,
Wis There he secured his education and grew to manhood. He was married in Dover township. Racine county, in April. 1857. to Miss Delia A. Blandin, who was born in Steuben county. N. Y., April 23, 1837.
Early in the year 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Buchan moved to Kan-as. but because of the di-turbances there they returned to Wiscon- sin that same fall. In the spring of 1861 they took up their place of abode in Shel. don, Houston county, Minn., where Mr. Bnehan engaged in farming.
On August 20, 1862, he enlisted at Cale- donia. Minn., in company F. of the 10th Minnesota volunteer infantry, and served with the union forces two years. Ile was first stationed at Fort Snelling. From there his command went to Mankato, in the vi- cinity of which he took part in the famous Sioux campaign, pur-uing the noted chief. Sitting Bull. to Devil's Lake and beyond. into the British possessions. Mr. Buchan was present at the hanging of the 38 Sioux In- dians at Mankato-the final act of the Sioux war.
After the suppression of the Sioux out- break. Mr. Buchan went sonth and took part in the Vicksburg campaign. There he took sick and nearly died, being di-charged because of disability on April 20. 18G.I.
After his discharge from the army Mr. Buchan returned to his oll home in Wiscon- sin, but in the spring of 1865 again took up his abode in Houston county, Minn., where he engaged in farming until 1872. He came in contact with the literature of the Na- tional colony, which was advertising Nobles county, and decided to cast his lot with the early settlers of the new country. He made the trip overland in two wagons, bringing hi- family with him, and arrived in Worth- ington May 29, 1872. He at once took a homestead claim on the northwest quarter of section 12. Worthington township. about two miles north of Worthington. and there ho lived and engaged in farming until about 1885. For about two years, soon after mov- ing to Worthington, ho engaged in the . ma- chinery business in company with 1. N. Sater. In 1885 Mr. Buchan purchased a place in Worthington, where he resided three years.
In December. 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Buchan removed to Colfax. Cal. Later they took up their residence at Engene City, Oregon, where
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
they lived several years. From there they webovel to Custer, Washington, which place I- HOW Mr. Buchan's home. Mrs. Buchan died
Thave children have been horn to Mr. and Mi -. Buchan, as follows -: Elward F .. photo- grapher at Worthing.on; William 11., city engineer of Worthington: and Mfred J .. born in Houston county, Minn., March 8. 1568, and died at Ogden, Utah. July 12. 1991.
CHARLES C. BOOTH. Sewant towi-hip fumer, is one of the early day settlers of Voller county, having lived here since he was five years of age. le i- the son ol William H. Booth, of Seward, and was born Heir Mankato, in Blue Earth county, Mlin., Vont. 20. Istiti.
In 18 2 the family moved to Nobles county and the father took a homestead in Seward township. where he has ever since re-ided. One of the first sight- to greet the eye of yonug Booth upon his arrival was a lierd of 25 elk, which he saw abont a mile west of his present home. Our subject was raised on his father's farm and secured his education in the schools of Nobles county. He was married Nov. 20. 1887. to Miss Minnie tos- fer. a danghter of D. JJason Co-per, and a rative of Roscoe, Ill .. where she was born April 10. 1866.
After his marriage Mr. Booth secured his farm of 891, acres on the southwest quarter of section 2G, and has since engagel in farm- ing for himself. He is a member of the Methodist church of Seward township. which was Imilt on his father's land. and which was built principally by him in 1896. Fra- termally he is a member of the M. W. A. and I. O. O. F. lodges. During the last ton year- he has held the office of school treas- urer of district 38.
Wr. and Mrs. Booth are the parents of the following children: Elsie. born Sept. 30. 1558; Clyde. horn June 1, 1991; Alma. born April 21, 1821; Floyd, horn Nov. 27, 1×97: Ruth. horn March 30, 1901.
LEWIS LARSON. One of the pioneer set - tler- of Nobles county is Lewi- Larson, who came to the county with his parents in 1871
when a boy eleven years of age. He is a Bigelow township farmer, owning 140 acre- in section> 26, 25 and 28, as well as 230 acres in Sioux Valley township, Jack-on county.
Lewi- Larson was born in Jemtland, Swed- en, Oet. 7, 1st0, the son of Peter and Brita (Landberg) Larson. The father was born in 1825, and died in Bigelow township April 17, 1904. The mother still lives in Bigelow township. The family came to America in June. 1869, and located in Min- nesota. From June until the fall of the year Peter Larson worked near Minneapolis on the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad. which was then building. About the middle of December he moved to the city of Min- neapolis, where he worked on a tunnel and kept boarding house for the workmen.
It was during the year 1871 that the fam- ily moved from Minneapolis to the new coun- tiy of Nobles county. The father took as a homestead claim the northeast quarter of section 26, Bigelow township, which was his home until his death, thirty-three years later. Having only about $350 when the family arrived in the county, many hardships were endured during the first few years residence there. For some time the family home was a dug-ont. The head of the family secured employment on the new railroad, working with the gravel crew, this seenring onongh to support the family. The crops were al- most a total failure during the grasshopper days.
Until he was twenty-three years of age Lewis Larson resided on the home farm, al- though spending part of the time working ont at farm and railroad work. In 1883 he moved to Sioux Valley township, in Jackson county, where he purchased a homestead right. to which he in time secured title. For almost thirteen years he was engaged in farming there, and then. upon his broth- er's death, he returned to Nobles county to take charge of the home farm.
Mr. Larson was married near Lake Park. lowa, on November 28. 1889, to Hersa Hardy, a native of Gool Thunder, Minn,, and a daughter of C. M. and Margaret Hardy. To Mr. and Mrs. Larson have been born the fol- lowing children: Bessie, born Oct. 1, 1890; Winnie. born Oct. 10, 1892, Edna. born July 13. 1897; Viola, born Oct. 10, 189S.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ARIEN RUST. One of the large land owners and pro-perons farmers of Summit Lake township is Arjen Rust, whose residence is on section 33. He owns 1,100 aeres of land. nearly all of which is located in Sum- mit Lake township. He has all of seetion 33 except the southwest quarter, the north- west quarter of 34, the northeast quarter of 32. the southeast quarter of 16. the west half of the northeast quarter of 16, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 4. Dewald township. In addition to this land in his own name, his sons own 240 acres in sections 21 and 15, Summit Lake. Of this land Mr. Rust farms a little over 700 acres and rents the rest. Among other real estate he owns 160 acres in Pipestone county. Minn.
Mr. Rust was born in llanover, Germany, Feh. 20. 1847. the -on' of llarm and Gretja (Ramars) Rust. Itis father died in Butler county. lowa, at the age of 84 years. Ilis mother died in Summit Lake township in 1903 at the age of 91 years. Mr. Rust was rai-ed on a farm in his native country, which was his home until nearly twenty years of age, He came to the United States in 1966. arriving at Freeport. III .. June 4 of that year. One year he worked in the city of Freeport, and during the next three years was engaged at farm work in the vicinity. HIo moved to Butler county, lowa, and work- oil for wages until Istr. when he was mar- ried.
The date of Mr. Rust's marriage was Feb. 11, 1877, when he was united in marriage at Baileyville. Ill .. to Ge-ina Lubbers, a native of Germany. To them have been born the following children, all residents of No- bles county : Harm. Henry, Aaron. George, Albert. Bernard. Annie and Ella.
After his marriage Mr. Rust hogan farm ing for him-elf in Butler county, which he followed there until 1887. That year he came to Nobles county and bought the north half of seetion 33, Summit Lake township. Later he bought the other property described before and has ever since been engaged in farming. Mr. Rust was a member of the township board two years and was road over- scer for many years. Hte has served as di: rector of school district 88 since it was or- ganized. Ile is a member of the Worthington Baptist church.
GUY C. FELLOWS. One of the pioneer settlers of Elk township and one of the best known farmers in that precinct is the gen- tleman whose name heads this sketch. lle has been engaged in farming there for thirty- one years.
Mr. Fellows is a native Minnesotan, hav- ing been born in Houston county May IS, 1857. Itis father was Milton Fellows, one of the prominent men among the early day settlers of the county. He was born at Haverhill, New Hampshire, April 29, 1830, and in an early day came to Minnesota. He enlisted in a Minnesota regiment at Rice- ford and served during the civil war, tak- ing part in many important engagements. In May, 1877, he came to Nobles county and took a homestead claim in Elk township, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred May 4, 1880. Milton Fellows was married to Julia Buckland July 4, 1851. She was born in New York state April 1, 1×35, and died at the family home in Nobles county July 5, 1885.
Guy Fellows lived with his parents in Houston and Fillmore counties until he was ten years of age. The family then moved to Ray county, Mto., and there Guy spent the next ten years of his life. tle was raised on his father's farm and received a graded school education in Minnesota and Missouri. It was in May. 1877. that Guy came to Nobles county with his parents, and Ju- home has ever since been on the south- east quarter of section 10, Elk township. Upon reaching his majority he took a home- stead elaim in Bloom township. but ou ac- count of his father's illness he was forced to relinquish it. After the death of the elder Fellows the heirs proved up on the homestead. Guy purchased the interest of the other heirs and has farmed the place ever since the death of his father.
At Worthington on May 22, 1883. Mr. Fol- low. was united in marriage to Mis- Nettie Groen, who was born in Buffalo county. Wis .. in 1858. To them have been born the fol- lowing children: Amos Vergil, Edna May, George Clement. Julia Irene. Ida Belle and Minerva. all of whom reside at home.
Mr. Fellows has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the community in which he resides. Ile has served as Elk's
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wwyn cleik for sixteen years. lle is clerk of lu- school district and has held a school ollie for the last twenty years or more. He has also served as township assessor. He holds a membership in the Odd Fellows lodge of Worthington and was one of the clanter members of that lodge.
JAMES H. MASAWELL, of Worthington, j- one of the pioneer settlers of Nobles county, having arrived with the colonists of 122, and having made his home here ever ince.
Mr. Maxwell was bom in Lyndon, White- -ile county, III., Feb. 19, 1845, the son of Ambrose 1. and Artimisia E. (Hulce) Max- w.Il, of Scotch and German descent, respec- tively. The father of our subject was born in Delhi, Delaware, county, N. Y., and died at Worthington March 3, 1901. The mother was born in Deposit, Delaware county, N. 1. She died Dec. 12, Jsst. J. H. Maxwell was raised on a farm, and during his boy- hood days divided his time between farm work and attending school. In the public - hools of Lyndon and other points in White- side county he secured his education, com- pleting it with a one year's course in the school of Buffalo, III. With the exception of one year in Ogle county, Ill., and one war in the army Mr. Maxwell resided in the county of his birth until his arrival in Nobles county in 182.
He enlisted in company B. of the Seventh Minois cavalry, at Polo, III., Sept. 5, Isol, and was immediately sent to the front. sering service with Gen. Pope in south- eastern Missouri. By reason of sickness, his service wa- short, and he was di-charged Ich. 21, 1s62. le reentered the army June 1. 1502, when he enlisted at Polo in com- pany K. of the 69th Illinois infantry, for a period of three months. The enlistment of this regiment was for the sole purpose of guerding rebel prisoner- in Chicago and for transferring them to Vicksburg for exchange. The regiment took 10,000 prisoners south and successfully mangel the exchange. Mr. Maxwell secured his di-charge Det. 6, 1862.
Viter his army service Mr. Maxwell ro- omned to his home in Whiteside county. III .. and during the year IMB engaged in farm- ing. In June, ISGI, he began learning the carpenter's trade, under his father's tutor-
age, and followed carpentering mming the re- maining eight years he lived in Illinois. Mr. Maxwell first became acquainted with Nobles county through the advertisements of the National Colony company in the Toledo made, of which publication he was a sub- striber. Although the advertisments did not state where the colony was to be located. Mr. Maxwell became interested, and decided lo cast his lot with the colony. In the sun- mer of 1872 he made the start, making the bin by team, and bringing with him his wife and two children.
Hle murived in Worthing.on August 16, and soon thereafter filed a soldier's homestead on section 12, of Dewald township, where he took up his residence. In Isi4 he lost his crop by grasshoppers, and in October he and his family returned to Hlinoj -. There he spent the winter working at his trade, but returned to his claim in the spring of 1875. That year he raised a big erop, but the fol- lowing year lost all by the hoppers. He and the family again returned to Hlinvi-, making the trip by team, but in August, IST7, he come back to Nobles county, which has been his home ever since. He resided on the farm entil 1895, when he moved to Worthington, since which time he has worked at his trade.
Mr. Maxwell has taken a prominent part in politie- ever since he has lived in the county. lle was chosen supervisor of De- wald township at the first ammal meeting in March, 1873, and thereafter until his re- moval from the township, twenty-two years later, he held the office of supervisor or jus- tire of the peace continually. He also serv: ed as clerk ot the school board of the di -. friet in which he resided practically all of that time. He has been a member of the county canvassing board more time- than any man now living in the county. In 1892 he was the farmers alliance and democratic romince for the office of representative from the district composed of Nobles, Murray. Rock and Pipestone counties, and out of a total vote of about 5,500 he came within 65 votes of being elected.
At Lymlon. Il .. on May 10. 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Maywell to Sarah L. Scott. to whom was born one daughter. Carrie L. Maxwell, now living in New York. Mrs. Maxwell died in 1870.
Mr. Maxwell's second marriage occurred Aug. 23, 1871, at Erie, III., when he was
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BIOGRAPIIICAL IIISTORY.
united in the bonds of matrimony to Mrs. Nellie Coburn. To this union have been born six children, as follows: Louis (deceased), Maurice, now of Ballard, Wash .; Willie (de- cea-ed), Ruth (Mrs. William 1. Saxon), of Worthington; Florence (Mrs. Merle Meach- am). of Ballard, Wash .; Lucile (deceased).
Mr. Maxwell is a member of the First Baptist church of Worthington and of the G. A. R.
JOHN J. FITCH. Among the few sur- viving settlers of Nobles county who came prior to colony days is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, now living a retired hfc at Worthington. For over thirty-seven year- Mr. Fitch has been a resident of No- bles county, and few are there who have a longer perior of continuous residence to their credit.
Mr. Fitch was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1844, and when eleven years of age moved with his parents to Jefferson, Wis. There he grew to manhood, and there for several years he engaged in teaming. Ile entered the union service during the war of the rebellion, enlisting in company F', of the 25th Wisconsin volunteer infantry Aug. 14, 1862. Ile was at once sent to the front and participated in the battles of Port Gibson, ( linton, Raymond and Jackson, in Missis- sippi, and Champion Hill. In the last named engagement, which occurred May 16, 1863, he was struck by grape shot in the left thigh and so badly wounded that he was given his discharge in the summer of 1864.
After his discharge from the army Mr. Fitch returned to his home in Wisconsin and again took up his occupation of teaming. Ju 1871 he went to St. Paul, and there seenred the position of head teamster with Col. A. A. Allen, railroad contractor. who had the contract for grading the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad through this part of the state. Mr. Fitch early in the year IS71 set out on his new duties, and supervised the work of grading along that part of the road which passed through Nobles county. He was the first man to drive a team through Hersey township along the right of way of the proposed new railroad. Soon after his ar- rival in this part of the country he decided to make his future home here, and in June, 1871, filed on the northeast quarter of section
34, llersey township. Ile was among the first to secure a homestead in the new country, and is one among the very few, if any, who still own the land of their original filing.
For a little over two years Mr. Fitch held the position of head teamster nuder Col. Allen. Then in the fall of 1873 he mov- ed onto his homestead, and during the next twenty years engaged in farming. lle was married at Worthington July 9, 1878, to Millie Campbell, danghter of Robert and Grace Campbell. MIrs. Fitch's parents were natives of Scotland, but both came to Amer- ica when young and were married in New York state. To Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have been born five children of whom are living: Net- tie, born in llersey township July 15, 1882, married to Fred North, and now lives in Larimio, Wyoming; Mary, born in Hersey township, now a school teacher of Lorain township; Roy, born Oct. 21, 1888, now re- siding with his parents.
Mr. Fitch left the farm in October, 1893, and has since lived a retired life in Worth- ington, where he owns a fine residence.
EDWARD II. BASSETT ( 1842-1897), dur- ing a residence of twenty-two years in De- wald township, became one of the highly respected citizens of Nobles county and a power for good in the community in which he lived.
Mr. Bassett was a native of New Haven, Conn., where he was born Dec. 21, 1842. lle descended from a Scotch family which lad resided in America several generations. The grandfather of our subject was Henry Bassett. who was also a native of Connecti- ont. Our subjeet's parents were Henry and Minerva L. (Linds) Bassett. Henry Bas- sett was . a cabinet maker by irade, but spent much of his time farming. From New Haven, Conn .. ho moved to Bristol. Kenosha county. Wis., where he worked on a farm until 1850, and then moved with his family to Benton county, Iowa. In 1853 he moved to Morristown. Rice county, Minn., where he preempted 160 aeres of land and farmed until 1865, when he sold ont and moved to Faribault. He died there Jan. 4. 1878.
Edward HI. was the eldest child. lle ae- companied his parents on their varions re- movals. and attended the public schools until 12 years of age. He then worked at farm
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work until Is years old. When the civil war luke out we Gul him residing at Mor- n-town, Min. He enlisted April 29, Istil, company G. first Minnesota volunteer in- lantry the regiment that ouverel itself with glary on the battlefield of Gettysburg. He was at once sent south and lagan an active campaign. He took part in thirty four bat - tjes of the war, including the first battle of Bull Run, Fair Makes, Antietam, Mine Run una Gettysburg. W'er a thice year-' service, Mr. Bassett returned home for a short visit, und then weenlisted in battery L. first Min. Desota heavy artillery. He went to Chat- tanooga. Ten., and took part in the battle of Nichville and other engagements. He was honorably discharged Sept. 27. 1865.
After the war Mr. Bassett returned to his home in Morristown. Minn., and the following Wear went to Redwood county, where he re- minel part of one season. He then re- mol with his paren's to Faribault, and in that city on March 22. 1871, was united in marriage to Hattie A. King. eldest daughter of Benjamin anl Sallie (Norton) King. na- tives of Vermont. Mrs. Bassett was born in Vermont and came with her parents to Min- nesota when fourteen years of age. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bassett located in Lesueur county. Minu .. where they resided on a farm until 1875. That year they came 14 Nobles county and Mr. Bassett took a soldier's homestead of 100 acres in Dewall township, just north of the present village of Rushmore. There he resided until his death, which occurred April 9. 1897. Mrs. Bassett resides on the home place, which is one of the finest improved farms in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bassett were the parents of eleven children, of whom the following nine are living: Carie, Lewis B., Elmer II., Geo. 11., Edward N., Luclia A .. Bernice A., Morton TI .. Marguerite.
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