USA > Minnesota > Waseca County > Child's history of Waseca County, Minnesota : from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904, a record of fifty years : the story of the pioneers > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
The Ventura, California, Free Press of August 3, 1900, states that Mrs. J. K. Myers died at the age of seventy-five years, nine months and eleven days. She was born in Vermont, October 15, 1824. Her father, Nathaniel Wood, moved thence to Malone, New York, where he remained until 1844, when he and his family came West to Iowa. There she met Mr. Jacob K. Myers, of Virginia, and they were married in 1845. In 1856, Mr. Myers and family came to Waseea county and pre-empted the quarter section of land constituting the original plat of what is now the city of Waseca. Here they remained, successfully carrying on a farm, until 1867, when they sold the farm to Mr. I. C. Trowbridge. They went from here to Monona county, Iowa, where they resided until about 1874, when they removed to California. Her husband, one son, and two daughters sur- vived her.
Mrs. Thos. Maloney, of Iosco, after an illness of only one week, died August 9, 1900. On Friday previous to her death she com- plained of weakness and of stomach trouble, but was somewhat better Saturday. On Sunday she thought she was getting bet- ter, but on Monday she did not feel so well, and when bedtime came she thought it too warm to sleep in her room on the lower
524
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
floor and wished to go upstairs, where she thought it might be cooler. She started upstairs and when she reached the top step she fell backwards to the floor below, receiving injuries to her spine and about the head from which she did not recover. She lingered until 7 o'clock p. m., Thursday, when God was pleased to take her to enjoy her reward. Mrs. Maloney was born in County Mayo, Ireland, fifty-nine years prior to her death. She came to the United States with her parents when a small girl. They lived near Scranton, Pa., where she married Mr. Maloney in 1862. They came to Iosco in 1863, where she had since lived. Surviving her were her husband, four sons, and four daughters. The sons are John G., James, Richard, and Frank; and the daugh- ters were Misses Anna and Cecilia, Mrs. John Costello, and Mrs. P. Kane.
Christy Hefferon, another of the toiling heroes of earth, was called to his final home, at 10 o'clock p. m., Thursday night, August 23, 1900. He was one of the pioneers of the county, first settling in the old village of St. Mary. He afterwards resided on a farm until the death of his wife, a few years ago, when he moved to Waseca to live. IIe was a native of Ireland, born No- vember 16, 1823, and came to this country when a young man. Ilis remains were conveyed to the St. Mary cemetery and in- terred beside those of his wife. He left no children.
There was a bad railroad wreck on the 1st of September, 1900, in which W. F. Carroll, of Waseca, lost his life. The following particulars were at the time condensed from the Mankato Free Press :
A freight train going east, with a double header to help it up the grade was ready to depart and was backing into the siding to await the arri- val of the St. Peter and New Ulm passenger at 7:50 o'clock. A flagman had been sent up the track to flag the New Ulm train, but he passed up on the outside of the Omaha track. Just at that moment an Omaha freight train pulled along, which obscured the flagman from the C. & N. W. passenger, and the latter rushed on to its doom. The engine on the passenger was backing in, and was in charge of W. F. Carroll, en- gineer and C. O. Sisco, fireman. They hadn't time to jump from their engine had they attempted to do so after the danger they were in was discovered. The tender of the passenger engine struck the forward freight engine as it was on the open switch just before it had cleared the main track, and there was a fearful crash. The wreck was one of the worst that ever took place In or near the city. As the cloud of steam
525
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
which escaped from the two disabled engines and completely enveloped the wreck, cleared away, the awfulness of the crash revealed itself. The two engines were piled up together, a mass of twisted and broken iron. The freight engine was completely dismantled, the cab being en- tirely carried away. Had not the engineer and fireman, Chas. Densil and William Sherman, jumped, they would doubtless have been instant- ly killed. Engineer Carroll was found on the west side of the wreck on the ground on his hands and knees. He was fatally injured, the lower portion of his abdomen being laid completely open, bones badly crushed and his jaw was broken. He was conveyed immediately to bis home, where he died shortly before 10 o'clock.
Mr. Wenzel Kreuzer, the well known wagon manufacturer and blacksmith, died at his residence, in Waseca, about noon, Oct. 7, 1900. He was born March 22, 1851, in Germany, and eame to this country in 1868, when only seventeen years of age. He first stop- ped in Milwaukee where he worked at his trade for three years, and then came as far west as Mankato. There he lived for four years. He married Miss Elizabeth Reuther, at Mankato, in 1873. In 1875 he removed with his family to Waseca, where he had af- terwards resided. When in good health he was a stirring, success- ful business man, and aceumulated quite a property. He was a liberal-minded, good citizen, and an honest, upright man. He had been in poor health for a long time, and his death finally re- sulted from consumption. He left surviving him a widow and six children.
From the Waseea Herald of Nov. 9, 1900: Another old settler has gone to her long rest, has "joined the silent majority." Her death was sudden and unexpected. We learn from her sis- ter, Mrs. Maggie Turnacliff, of this eity, that, although Mrs. Weed had been failing in health for some time, she was as well as usual Thursday evening when she retired for the night. About 4 o'clock Friday morning, her husband was awakened by a gurgling noise, and when he spoke to her and raised her head her spirit had departed. The fact is reealled that her mother, Mrs. Wm. Brisbane, died in almost the same way, a few years ago. Helen Brisbane Weed was born in Hawick, Scotland, June 21, 1836. Her father, Hon. Wm. Brisbane, came to America with his family in 1839, and resided in the town of Andes, Delaware county, N. Y., on what was ealled the "Holland purchase." In 1849, the family went to live in the town of Alto, Fond du Lac county, Wis. Ten years later, 1859, they moved to Wilton, in
526
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
this eounty. But prior to this time, while living with her married sister, in Preston, Jackson county, Iowa, Helen married Mr. Benjamin F. Weed, December 6, 1855. In the summer of 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Weed settled on seetion 23, Wilton. She left surviving her, besides her husband, four sons, one daughter, five brothers, and four sisters. She was a most estimable woman, a kind and hospitable neighbor, an affectionate and devoted mother, a good wife, and a true friend. None knew her without feelings of respect and admiration. She was so good, so kind, so gentle in sickness and distress among her neighbors, that her memory will be held dear while life remains with them.
Waterville Advance: "William Gibbs died at his home in this city on Saturday, November 12, 1900, after a hrief illness of five days. The deceased was born on the 9th day of March, 1824, at King's Kipton, Huntingdonshire, England. He was married to Miss Mary A. Howell on December 25, 1848. They came to America in May, 1854, remaining in New York until November of the same year. They went from there to Wisconsin, and thence to Hastings. On May 31, 1856, they settled in Blooming Grove, where they resided until November 11, 1892, when they removed to Waterville.
Mr. Andrew Lynch, one of the very early settlers in the town of St. Mary. died Der. 10, 1900, at 4 o'clock, at an advanced age. He settled on the farm where he died, in the summer of 1856, and lived there continuously until his death. IIe left surviving him three sons and five daughters.
An account of the sad death of Andrew R. Henderson, Dec. 19, 1900, was given in the Madelia Times as follows :
"On his return from dinner, Mr. Henderson dropped into the mill office and chatted a few moments, and then went over to the engine room to resume his duties about the mill. He had noticed that the fan shaft of the condenser was loose and called the attention of the engineer to the fact, saying he thought a collar in the water tower must be loose. Mr. King turned the water off the tower and asked if he hadn't better throw off the belt. Mr. Henderson said he didn't need to, so they both went into the fan room of the condenser, a small space about five feet high. They found the collar all right and oiled the bearings. On leaving the chamber, Mr. King preceded. He had just stepped out of the door when he heard a terrible pounding behind him and, turning saw the body of Mr. Henderson whirling about the shaft, the pounding sound being produced by his limbs striking the roof. King ran into the en- gine room and shut down the engine, but it was too late. The shaft on which the poor fellow was caught revolved at the rate of four hun- dred and fifty revolutions a minute and by the time it had ceased to re-
527
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
volve, life was beaten out, and only a mangled, mutilated mass remained. The shaft was far enough from the floor and ceiling so his head didn't strike. His death was in all probability - instantaneous and painless. When the machinery was stopped it was found that nearly all his clothing had been torn from his body. At the time of the terrible ac- cident, his father, W. A. Henderson, was at the ranch near Dickinson, N. D., taking care of another son, James, who was ill. Mrs. Hender- son, his mother, was quite ill at her home in St. Mary, and Mrs. Andrew R. Henderson, wife of the deceased, was with her married sister who was sick and resided near Echo in this state."
Deceased was born in the town of St. Mary about 1869, his father being Win. A. Henderson, well known in this county and state as an extensive and successful farmer. Andrew attended business college for some time, and in April, 1895, he associated himself with C. S. Christensen, forming the firm of Christensen & Henderson, proprietors of the Madelia Roller Mills. He rep- resented the milling company as a traveling salesman for four years. He was most happily married to Miss Nancy H. Phelps, of St. Mary, on the 30th day of August, 1899.
THE ELECTION OF 1900.
The election this year was an exciting one-the struggle being substantially the same as it was in 1896. The local result was as follows: Wm. MeKinley's majority was 589. John Lind, for governor, dem., and populist, received a majority of 33. For representative, G. E. Brubaker, rep., received 1,675 votes, and Raymond Doyle, dem., 1,439; county auditor, C. H. Bailer, rep., 1.650, and P. J. MeLoone, dem., 1,516; treasurer, Otto C. John- son, rep., 1,543, and Jos. T. Dunn, dem., 1,610; sheriff, Milo A. Hodgkins, rep., 1,362, Frank Collins, dem., 1,809; register of deeds, Walter Child, rep., 1.417. and John M. Wollschlaeger, dem., 1.760; judge of probate, G. A. Wilson, rep., 1,905, and Chris. Strunk, dem., 1,203; county attorney, F. L. Farley, rep., 1,241, and John Moonan, dem., 1,934; clerk of court, Henry Reynolds, rep., 1,577, and W. H. Stearns, dem., 1,546; school superintendent, L. J. Larson, rep., 1,656, and F. J. Remund, dem. and populist, 1,643; county commissioner, First district, H. J. Hanson, rep., 283, and John Y. Brisbane, ind., 209; commissioner of Fifth dis- trict, Herman Weckwerth, rep., 261, and Joe. S. Root, dem., 254. N. M. Nelson, court commissioner, O. L. Smith, surveyor, and Dr. H. G. Blanchard, coroner, were elected without opposition.
CHAPTER LXX, 1901.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT MATTERS-FOURTH OF JULY STORM, NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING-DEATH OF BISHOP WHIP- PLE-DIED: MRS. TERRENCE LILLY, JOHN MORGAN, MARY RE- MUND, O. POWELL, ANDREW NELSON, W. H. HARMON, JOSEPH T. DUNN, ELLA J. BALLARD, EDWARD MOYLAN, SR., JOSEPH MANTHEY, MRS. PETER BECK, MRS. J. M. WOLLSCHLAEGER, MRS. ERI. G. WOOD, JESSE R. WEED, ED. I. SCHOLER, MRS. O. T. HAGEN, GULLICK KNUTSEN, T. K. ALLAND, ROGER GARAGHTY, OF BLOOMING GROVE, FERDINAND HOLZ (HANGED), S. W. MYRICK, A. CALLAHAN, MRS. A. N. ROBERTS.
The new board of county commissioners of Waseca county, met in regular session at the auditor's office on the 8th day of January, 1901. Members present, H. J. Hanson, M. H. Helms, Fred McKune, Herman Ewert, Herman Weekwerth. The board organized by electing Commissioner Herman Ewert, chairman.
The Radical of Waseca, was chosen as the official paper of the county for the year.
At the meeting of May 18, it was ordered that the bid of Gil- lette Herzog Manufacturing Co., of Minneapolis, Minn., for the construction and completion of two steel bridges for the sum of $911.25 be accepted, and also that $100 be appropriated to the town of Woodville to be expended in grading in section 13.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING JULY FOURTH, 1901.
Loren Wood, wife, daughter, Luman S. Wood and their sister,. Florence, narrowly escaped drowning during the terrible thunder storm. of the afternoon of July 4. They were rowing for the north shore of Clear Lake, Waseca, when a sudden storm arose
529
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
as they were off Maplewood Park. They started for the shore, but the storm overtook them, and their boat swamped and capsized. It was fortunate indeed that both Loren and Luman were good swimmers, level headed, and familiar with the lake. The women, too, evinced the most wonderful courage and good sense. Several persons at the park saw them as they went over- board, and among the number were W. L. Grapp, and E. A. Me- Adams, who immediately manned a boat and started to their assistance. Unfortunately one of the oar locks to the boat gave out and the rescuers were forced to make for the shore, landing at the foot of Von Sien's hill. They sprang ashore and ran as fast as possible back to the park where they found another boat and immediately started out again. This time they reached the shipwrecked persons, who were bravely clinging to the sides of their half-submerged boat. They took Mrs. Wood and her daughter safely to land, returned at onee and took Miss Florence ashore, Loren and Luman insisting upon remaining for fear of overloading the rescuing boat. In the meantime, Prof. George Alden had secured a boat and started to the rescue. Being near sighted, and the rain coming down in sheets, he passed the Wood boat and searched for some time before finding it. He finally found the Wood brothers shortly after Miss Florence had been rescued, and took them on board. Several times dif- ferent ones of the Wood party were separated from their boat by the force of the terrible gale and it required the utmost skill and coolness to regain their hold. Many times the waves rolled over and entirely submerged them, requiring all their strength and courage to maintain themselves. Very few persons would have lived through such an experience. Messrs. MeAdams, Grapp, Alden, and Peterson were entitled to all the credit that could be bestowed upon them for their courage in facing such a storm to go to the relief of the shipwrecked. There was general rejoicing as the news spread that all were saved.
DEATH OF BISHOP WHIPPLE.
Henry Benjamin Whipple, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Minnesota, died at his home in Faribault at 6 o'clock, on the morning of Sept. 16, 1901. He had been ill only a few days. The week before he suffered a severe attack of inflammation of
530
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
the throat and lungs, but rallied and was considered out of danger. Sunday evening there was a serious relapse, followed by death early Monday morning. Bishop Whipple was born at Adams, New York, February 15, 1822. In his early manhood he engaged in mercantile business. In 1847 he relinquished busi- ness and became a candidate for orders in the church, and in 1849 was ordained deacon. In 1850 he was ordained priest and served as pastor of different churches until June 30, 1859, when he was elected bishop of the diocese of Minnesota. As bishop he was eminently successful. Seabury Divinity school, Shattuck military school, and St. Mary's hall, all at Faribault, are among the institutions founded by the dead prelate. He was a good man, and his influence, as a rule, was for higher moral living, for nobler aims in life. He died full of years and good deeds, and will be mourned by the old settlers of this state, regardless of seet or creed. He brought honor upon our state and nation, and his name will be revered by coming generations.
THOSE WHO CROSSED THE RIVER OF DEATH IN 1901.
Jan. 4, 1901, Mrs. Terrence Lilly, an old settler of this coun- ty, quietly fell asleep at the residence of her son, B. J. Lilly, of Waseca. She was born in Ireland, seventy-seven years before, came to this country in 1847, and lived first in Cincinnati, Ohio, She and her husband afterwards removed to Illinois, where they remained two years. They came to Min- nesota in 1856 and settled in the town of St. Mary, where she experienced the hardships incident to frontier life. Her husband, many years her senior, died nine years before, at the age of eighty-two. She was a good Christian neighbor, a devot- ed wife, a kind mother. Funeral services were held at the Catholic church in Waseca and her remains rest in the Janesville Catholic cemetery beside those of her husband.
Mr. John Morgan, of Iosco, passed to his long rest Jan. 25. 1901. He had been ill of heart trouble for some time, but the evening before his death he sat up for a few hours, talked with all in the house and, after going to bed, slept soundly and natur- ally. The first signs of death occurred about 7 o'clock next morn- ing, when he seemed to be in a stupor. This lasted about an hour, when he went to sleep as easily as a child, to sleep the long sleep
531
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
of death. He was born in the county of Derry, Ireland, in No- vember, 1830. At the age of fifteen he went to Scotland and there seeured work in an iron mine. He was employed there un- til 1849, when he sailed for the United States, landing at New Orleans after a seven weeks' voyage. Ile pushed on up the Mississippi river to his destination at Shellsburg, Wiseonsin, where he engaged as miner in the lead mines. There he saved his seanty earnings until he had enough to send for the rest of his family, a father and five sisters. He next found employ- ment as a boatman on the Mississippi river for a number of years. He also had the honor of working on the boat that went from St. Paul to Traverse on the Minnesota river, and carried the com- missioners, ineluding Gov. Ramsey, that made the treaty with the Indians for lands west of the Mississippi river, on July 23, 1851.
Mrs. Mary Remund, widow of the late John Remund, was one of the oldest settlers of Waseea county. She was born in Swit- zerland and married Mr. Remund in that country. In February, 1856, she and her husband moved to seetion 15, Blooming Grove, where they lived until 1876. Then they went to Vivian, where they remained until 1882, when they sold their farm and removed to Wilmot, S. D. Mr. Remund died at that place in 1894. In February, 1900, Mrs. Remund eame back from Wilmot, and lived until her death with her daughter, Mrs. H. W. Bluhm. She was taken with that dread disease, pneumonia, and died Feb- ruary 28, 1901. She was the mother of ten children, seven of whom, five sons and two daughters, survive her. The sons and one daughter reside near Wilmot, the other daughter being Mrs. H. W. Bluhm, of Vivian. Mr. Bluhm accompanied her remains to Wilmot, where they were deposited beside those of her hus- band.
Obadiah Powell, one of the prominent and highly respected old settlers of the county, was born Feb. 1, 1828, at Hartsville, Steuben county, New York. His forefathers were among the early settlers of America and he was a typical Ameriean farmer. He arrived in Woodville in 1856, taking the elaim where he re- sided the remainder of his life, May 6, 1856. On July 5, 1857, he married Miss Mary Jane Gray. He helped to organize one of the first, if not the first, school distriet in the county, was elected
532
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
its first elerk, and was either clerk or treasurer of the district for many years. He was the first chairman of the board of super- visors of Woodville, and for two years, under the supervisor sys- tem, represented his town on the county board. He was a member of the board of supervisors of his town most of the time till 1869, when he was elected eounty commissioner of the first distriet- Woodville and Blooming Grove. He was re-elected, served two years, and then resigned. He was afterwards town supervisor for two years, and for many years elected and re-elected town treasurer until failing health admonished him to refuse the office longer. He held various offices in the I. O. O. F. organization, of which he was an honored member. He also served two years as a member of the state board of equalization. He was an active and highly respected member of the Waseca County Horsethief Detective association, and was its treasurer for a long time and until February, 1900. He was siek of dropsy for many months prior to his death which occurred April 3, 1901, at 3 o'clock p. m. He left surviving him a family consisting of his widow, five sons and three daughters.
On April 11, 1901, Mr. Andrew Nelson, of Blooming Grove, went to his long rest. Although he had been ill for months, he was able to be up and about the house an hour before he die l. Just before he expired he arose from his bed and said to his son Oscar that he was about to die. He was assisted to a chair and died within a few moments. Deceased was born in Sweden, Au- gust 29, 1829, and was in his seventy-second year. He was among our first settlers and one of the most honorable of men. A sketch is given of his early life elsewhere in this work.
W. H. Harmon was one of the early settlers in Vivian. He was born in Berkshire eounty, Massachusetts, Jan. 27, 1827. At the age of twenty-two, he married Miss Esther Smith, by whom he had eleven children. His wife died in Vivian May 14, 1873. He afterwards married Ellen Mycue, of that town, who died a few years ago in Waseea. Deceased was one of the pioneers of the state, having lived first in Blue Earth county, in 1857, and a year later on section 32, in Vivian, where he resided until he removed to Waseea. At one time he was quite wealthy, but in the erash of 1892-3 he lost nearly all his property, and became much de- pressed. He was a member of Tuscan lodge No. 77, A. F. and
533
CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
A. M., and was always esteemed an honorable, upright man. He died at the home of one of his daughters, Mrs. John Elmore, near Alma City, April 19, 1901, in his seventy-fourth year.
Mr. Joseph T. Dunn, county treasurer at the time of his death, was born in Park county, Indiana, November 21, 1855. His pa- rents, William and Mary J. (Baird) Dunn, were born in Ireland and were of Scotch origin. His parents settled in Otisco in 1856, being among the very early pioneers of the county. His mother died in 1871, and his father in 1884. March 21, 1877, he married Miss Lena Beck, then of Steele county, Minnesota, who survives him. He had six children, two sons and four daughters. For many years he was engaged in buying and selling cattle and hogs, and was very well known to most of the people of the county as an honorable, upright man. He was personally very popular. Three times he was a candidate on the Democratic re- form ticket for county treasurer and each time received many more than his party vote. He was for years a prominent member of the Waseca County Horsethief Detective society, and at the time of his death was its captain of riders. He was also an hon- ored member of the I. O. of O. F. lodge in Waseca. He died of pneumonia, April 18, 1901, after an illness of about a week, at the age of forty-five years, four months, and twenty-eight days.
A. J. Jordan, for many years of St. Mary, and later of Wa- seca, died April 4, 1901, at his home. He was about sixty-four years of age, and died of a complication of diseases. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to this country when about thirteen years old. His parents first lived in Massachu- setts, afterwards in the state of New York. He afterwards went to Pennsylvania, where he married Mary Loftus, July 7, 1856. They came, very soon after marriage, to this county, settling in St. Mary. He was quite a politician, in his way, and served one term as county commissioner.
Miss Ella J. Ballard died at St. Barnabas hospital, Minneapo- lis, Wednesday, May 1, 1901, at 5 o'cock p. m., after an illness of only four or five days. Her death was caused by blood poi- soning from an internal pelvic abscess, which must have devel- oped very rapidly, as she was apparently in good health nine days before her death when she spent the day shopping with her
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.