Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 132

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota > Part 132

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).

From 1893 to 1907 the young lawyer diligently practiced his profession, allowing nothing to interfere with his prog- ress in it except a brief service in the Minnesota House of Representatives, to which he was elected in 1902, the first Republican representative ever sent to the legislature from his district, which was the Thirty-eighth. After the session of the ensuing legislature he again devoted himself to his law praetice, and again made steady and permanent progress in it, until 1906, when he was elected judge of probate for Hennepin county by a large vote. In this office he served six years, be- ing re-elected twice by large majorities.

In 1912 the earnest importunities of large numbers of his friends and aequaintanees indueed him to become a candidate for Congress from the Minneapolis district. He won easily at the primaries and as easily in the election which followed, and took his seat in the national House of Representatives at the special session of Congress called soon after the inaug- uration of President Wilson.

Judge Smith was married on January 9, 1895, to Mrs. F. J. Horan. He takes an active part in the social life of

his community through his zealous and helpful membership in a number of clubs and fraternal orders, and contributes to the welfare and advancement of his profession by his connection in a leading way with the Minnesota State Bar Association.

CHESTER SIMMONS.

Second Vice President, Treasurer and manager of the Bemis Brothers Bag Co., was born Dec. 26, 1850, in New York City where his parents had settled upon coming from England, his father being engaged in the mercantile trade. A business life had strong attractions for the boy and upon leaving school he became identified with the Bemis Bros. Bag Company.

It is largely his efforts that have made this Company, with which he has been identified. during most of his thirty years in Minneapolis, so progressive a firm. It has been largely his initiative and farsightedness which has marked this firm as a model in Minneapolis business circles, of pro- gressive and efficient methods.

Mr. Simmons is socially inclined and is a member of both the Minneapolis and the Commercial Clubs. He is actively identified with Trinity Baptist Church, is an active republican although he has never aspired to public office. Fannie A. Bemis became his wife in 1875 and they are the parents of six children, Chester B., Ethel, Lois M., Marmion J., Emily R., and Donald B. Their delightful home on Park avenue is fre- quently the scene of social function, the family maintaining an enviable standing.

GEORGE SUMMERS.

Mr. Summers was born in Scotland, near the city of Glas- gow, on September 16, 1832, and died in Minneapolis on October 18, 1908. He grew to manhood and ob- tained his education, academic and mechanical, in that country. When he came to this country he first located in Brooklyn, New York, and a few years later moved to Chicago, where he also remained a few years. In 1873, or about that time, he became a resident of Minneapolis, and here he passed the remainder of his days. In the prosecution of his business as a contractor and builder he erected many buildings prom- inent in this city, among them the old Hennepin Avenue Methodist Episcopal church. the residence of T. B. Walker, the Minneapolis Bank building, the Zeir block at Fourth avenue and Ninth street, two churches on the East Side and the one at Park avenue and Nineteenth street. He also built and sold the Summers hotel, Drexel Court, and many other structures of equal prominence and importance, continuing his operations actively for over twenty years.

Mr. Summers was first married in Brooklyn, New York, to Miss Margaret Findley. They had four children, all born before they came to Minneapolis, and all still living. They are: William T., who has his home in Pasadena, California; Elizabeth E., who is the wife of C. W. Rohne and lives near Los Angeles, California; Amy A., who is the wife of William S. Twogood, and also a resident of Los Angeles; and Miss Nellie G. Summers, who lives in New York city and is re- nowned there and elsewhere as a vocalist. The mother of these children died in Minneapolis, and on April 17, 1877,

George Kumm vimos

519

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

the father contracted a second marriage, which united him with Mrs. Addie S. (Felker) Wentworth, widow of the late Joseph P. Wentworth, also of this city.

Mrs. Summers, whose maiden name was Addie S. Felker, was born in Barrington, Strafford county, New Hampshire, on April 2, 1840. Her great-grandfather and his two brothers eame to this country from England in Colonial days. The two brothers died soon after their arrival in America, but Charles Felker, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Summers, lived to old age in New Hampshire, and was the progenitor of the American branch of the family.

William Felker, the grandfather of Mrs. Summers, was a native of Barrington, and Charles Felker, her father, was also born in that town and passed his whole life on the old home- stead, which is still in the family. As a youth of sixteen he enlisted in the American army for the War of 1812, and he served through that contest between the young Republic and the Mother country. One of his grandnephews, Hon. Samuel D. Felker, is now the honored governor of New Hampshire. Mrs. Summers' mother, before her marriage, was Miss Polly Swaine, and was born in Strafford, New Hamp- shire. She died at the age of seventy-two, and her husband at that of ninety-three.

Mrs. Summers was first married in Boston, Massachusetts, by Rev. Phineas Stowe, on August 8, 1862, to Joseph P. Wentworth, of Milton, New Hampshire, also of old New England stock. He engaged in wholesale merchandising as a dealer in notions at Groton Center, Massachusetts, and con- tinued his operations at that place until 1867, when failing health forced him to seek a more congenial climate, and they then came to Minneapolis. The husband opened a retail notion store at the junction of Washington and Hennepin avenues, which he kept until 1869, and then bought a lot at the corner of Eighth street and Third avenue south, in the rear of the site of the present Minneapolis Club building. He built a store on this lot and devoted his energies to selling groceries and notions.

But the malady which had driven him from his native state was too deep-seated to be overcome. It was tubercu- losis, the dread white plague, and soon after he opened his new store it began to make rapid progress, and brought on his death in 1870. He was a gentleman of superior mental endowments and highly educated. By his marriage with Miss Felker he became the father of two children, both of whom died in. childhood.

Soon after Mr. Wentworth's death his widow sold the business, and gave all her attention to her children while they lived. She and her husband had become members of the old Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, and she re- mained in that congregation until the Hennepin Avenue church of the same denomination was organized, when she became one of its seventy-four original members. Only three of these besides herself are still living. They are Levi Long- fellow, Mrs. Thorpe and Mrs. Helen Horton. Mr. Summers and his first wife were also among the seventy-four orig- inals. The present Mrs. Summers still belongs to that church,' and her interest in its work for the good of mankind never stops. Years ago she was a Sunday school teacher in it, and she has also been active in all the organizations of its lady members for benevolent and beneficent purposes.

When Mr. Summers retired from business he built a resi- dence for his family at White Bear Lake. This was their

summer home for fifteen years, and most of the winters were passed by him and his wife in travel.

Mrs. Summers had no children by her second marriage, but the offspring of Mr. Summers were at an age to need the care and direction of a mother when she entered the family. They have all commended her as an excellent parent and frequently expressed their gratitude for the considerate attention, wise counsel and useful discipline she gave them. Their father possessed admirable qualities of mind and char- acter, and, like the first husband of Mrs. Summers, was a man of lofty ideals and pure life.

FRED L. SMITH.

Fred L. Smith, the pioneer living printer of Minneapolis, has been a resident continuously for fifty-seven years, and almost continuously has been connected with the printing trade, and much of the time with newspaper publishing. He helped publish the first city directory, and has aided in the publish- ing of every directory since.

He was born in Lee, Maine, July 2, 1843, coming in the early summer of 1857, to what is now Minneapolis. He re- ceived a diploma entitling him to teach from the Lee Normal Academy and also attended short sessions in the old black school house on University avenue.

He first secured employment in the dry goods store of Minor Ball, and in September, 1857, began his 'connection with the printing trade as "a devil" in the office of Messrs. Croffut & Clark and a carrier on the Fall's Evening News, the first daily paper printed at St. Anthony. After its demise in 1861, he worked on the old St. Paul Pioneer, as a journeyman printer for two years till he was made foreman of the job department, so continuing for two years longer. His services must have been of a high order, as his pay was $27 a week, which was unusually good for the time, and especially so for a youth of twenty.

He returned to Minneapolis in 1865 starting the Weekly Chronicle and a job printing office. The Chronicle afterward became a daily, and, in 1867, was merged with the Atlas into the Minneapolis Daily Tribune. He was kept in charge of the mechanical department of the new paper with special con- trol of the job department until 1871. In company with C. W. Johnson, then city editor of the Tribune, he started the first exclusively job printing establishment and which rapidly grew to such proportions that frequent removals to more com- modious quarters were required.

In 1880, to accommodate their rapidly growing business, they erected a four-story brick building at Third street and First avenue south. They were laughed at for building so far from the business center, but soon afterward the post office was built across the street and the Chamber of Com- merce at Third street and Fourth avenue south. Mr. John- son retired in the early nineties to become chief clerk of the State senate, the firm becoming Harrison & Smith, and in 1899, incorporated, as the Harrison & Smith company. In 1900 another change was made, to Seventh avenue south and Fourth street, its counting room covering the site of the frame dwelling in which Mr. Smith lived during the first twelve years after marriage. In 1907 the plant enlarged to its pres- ent size of about 35,000 square feet.

Mr. Smith has ever stood for advancement and improve-

520

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ment in all that pertains to his craft as in all involving the welfare of the community. He was Alderman from the Fifth ward for five years, part of the time as president, resigning in 1881. He served twelve years, 1896 to 1908, on the park board, of which he was also president for two years.

Ile was made a Mason in Cataract Lodge No. 2 early in life and served as its Worshipful Master three years, during which the present temple was erected. He is Past High Priest of St. Anthony Falls Chapter, R. A. M., is Past Illustrious Master of Adoniram Council and Past Eminent Commander of Darius Commandery K. T.

For 25 years he was President of Minneapolis Typothetae, when he was made honorary President for life and he is a member of the Executive Committee of the United Typothetae and Franklin Club of America. For many years was secre- tary of all the local Scottish Rite bodies. He was married in 1868 to Miss Roxana G. Sinclair. They have two children, Henry in the office; Agnes, wife of H. C. Rompage.

Mr. Smith is universally recognized as the dean of the printing business in Minneapolis, being awarded the title by long service, rectitude of conduct, and the uprightness of mo- tives in all dealings with his fellow men. He has steadfastly stood for what he considered right, regardless of consequences to himself, and by an upright life has earned the lionors bestowed upon him.

F. A. SAMELS.

F. A. Samels, president of the Citizens State bank and well known financier, is a native of Luxemburg, Germany, and at one year of age was brought to Aurora, Ill., there passing his boyhood and receiving his education in its schools. He then located at Monticello, Iowa, as a dealer in agricultural implements and was also interested in real estate transactions, investing in improved farm lands in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota. He came to Minneapolis in 1882 as state representa- tive for the Chamberlin Plow Company of Dubuque, Iowa, and officed with Mr. Charles Shatto on Washington avenue, for four or five years. Mr. Samels has continued his residence in Minne- apolis with the exception of twelve years spent in Lakeville, Minnesota where he established the Dakota County State bank, the first in that loeality, of which his son, William A., is eashier. Mr. Samels has extensive banking interests in the northwest and is associated with his brother in the opera- tion of the Dakota County State bank at Lakeville, Minnesota, the Martin State bank at Martin, North Dakota and with Mr. T. O. Gulack of Minneapolis in the First State bank at Keitlı, North Dakota. He also is a stockholder in the Kannan State Bank at Kannan, Wis., and with others has recently organized the Harriet Bank in Minneapolis. Mr. Samels' carcer has been largely identified with the banking business although his ability has carried him successfully into other lines of commercial activity. He is a member of the Samels Brother's & White Canning Company located at Shaska, Minnesota, and representing an investment of $40,000 and also continues his real estate interests. He erected the business block on the corner of Lake and Bloomington streets which is now owned and occupied by the Citizens State bank. Mr. Samels was married in Minneapolis, in 1882 to Miss Mary B. Karcher of Shaska, Minnesota. They have five sons: Frank W., lumber- man and dealer in agricultural implements in Martin, North

Dakota; John P., vice president and manager of the State bank of Martin, North Dakota; William A., cashier of the Dakota County State bank at Lakeville, Minnesota; George E., the cashier of the Citizens State bank of Minneapolis and Fred A., junior. The Citizens State bank which was promoted and established by Mr. Samels ha's proved one of his most successful enterprises and an important addition to the banking institutions of the city. Its location on a thriving business 'corner at a distance from the center of the city has demonstrated its advantages and justified the selection of the promoters. The bank was organized December 1, 1912, and opened February, 1913, and after one year's operation shows a handsome surplu's and deposits amounting to $215,000. It was incorporated with a capital of $25,000, with Mr. F. A. Samels, president, T. O. Gulack and N. D. Samels, vice presi- dents. G. E. Samels, cashier and other directors are C. B. Stringer of Osage, Iowa, T. O. Gulack of Minnesota and M. L. Fosscen, Minneapolis.

Mr. Samels is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The New Athletic Club and East Lake Street Com- mercial Club.

ALBERT MILLARD SHELDON.

A. M. Sheldon is a typical Minnesota man. He was born in Minnesota, was educated in Minnesota, married a Minne- 'sota girl and has lived in the state all his life. He was born in Owatonna on May 15, 1868, and graduated from the High Sehool in 1886.

He began his active business career in the First National Bank of Stillwater, as bookkeeper. Three years later he organized and started the Prince, Sheldon and Company priv- ate bank at Cloquet. He continued as manager until 1896 when he came to Minneapolis to enter the grain business, with P. L. Howe organizing the Imperial Elevator Company. The concern has been notably progressive and successful and Mr. Sheldon has continuously remained as active manager and treasurer.

Socially Mr. Sheldon is a member of the Minneapolis, Mini- kahda and Lafayette Clubs and is a regular attendant at Plymouth Congregational Church. Miss Wilhelmine C. Hee- gard became his wife in June, 1893. They have one child, Ralph Millard Sheldon, who is receiving his education at Princeton University.

LAZARUS TILLENY.

Lazarus Tilleny is one of the pioneers of Hennepin county, and a character with uncommonly wide acquaintance. His home acres have been his abiding place since 1860, and his reminiscences include tales of deer shooting around Lake Harriet as well as other narratives of pioneering in the East, the Northwest and the Far West. In many ways his has had a remarkable eareer. Mr. Tilleny was born January 30, 1831, in Plymouth, England, and was brought, an infant, to Canada by his parents. His father died before Lazarus was three years old, and then took place a notable incident in his life. His mother and her five children went to Vermont- on foot, Lazarus being carried on his mother's back or on

2. Tillony

521

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

the back of an older brother. He grew up on their farm in Vermont, and when he was twenty years old made another notable journey. In company with a 'consider- able party of Vermonters, he went to California, answering the call of the gold fever which lured thousands to the new Eldorado. They went by way of the Isthmus of Panama, walking aeross the isthmus. Mr. Tilleny recalls with gusto his prowess on this journey. At one point on the crossing, it was necessary to cross a stream on a footlog. The log had become worn smooth of bark, and none of the party but Mr. Tilleny could walk on it. He was used to logging, be- cause of his experience in Vermont, and so it fell to him to help the others of the party across. All the others, including two young women, were pulled across by Mr. Tilleny.

For a year and a half he prospected on French creek, in California, and then sold his claim, coming out with about $30,000 in gold. After a visit home he soon returned to California, and established a dairy near San Francisco. He also dealt in young stock. Finally, after four or five years, he sold out to advantage and returned to Vermont in 1859. He had lived when a boy with a man named Stanton, being a playmate with Stanton's daughter, Lydia Ann. And when he returned from California in 1859, he married his child- hood companion. They came west at onee, and settled at Star Prairie, Wisconsin, where he bought 200 acres of land. After one year they sold and in 1860 came to Hennepin county, buying 120 acres, mostly brush land, near what are now the western city limits of Minneapolis. Mr. Tilleny cleared the land, converting it into a good farm. About 1887 he ereeted the house in which he now lives, and sold 100 of the original 120 acres, on which for more than a quarter of a century he had raised wheat and carried on successful farming operations. He still retains about twelve acres of the original farm, and Excelsior avenue, one of the most beautifully tree-lined drives in Hennepin county, was donated as a highway by Mr. Tilleny, the gift including the tree- planting which he had done.

Mrs. Tilleny died January 11, 1904. They had no children who grew to maturity. But Mr. Tilleny stands in the place of a parent, so far as tics of affection are concerned, to Clement George Townsend, now of Duluth, son of Phebe Townsend, who has been housekeeper for Mr. Tilleny for twenty-one years.

Few men are more widely known in Hennepin county than Lazarus Tilleny. For one thing, he is a famous trout fisher- man; for another, he is a great hunter. And for still an- other, he has an oddly unconseious habit of the use of swear words. Mr. Tilleny does not defend the habit; but those old friends who know him best say his picturesque stories of early life in Vermont; of gold mining in the days of Bret Harte in California; and of hunting and fishing in the wild country of Minnesota when he was a pioneer, would not seem half so spicy did not the rugged old man interject into his penetrating commentaries on life and events the emphasis carried in an expert's use of words which would be profane used by a less skilful and intelligent raconteur.

ALBERT W. STRONG.

Albert W. Strong, president of the Strong-Scott Manufac- turing company, was born at Fondulae, Wisconsin, January

7, 1872, the son of T. F. and Susannah Strong. He became a resident of Minnesota when a lad of nine, his father re- moving at that time to Faribault and four years later locating at Minneapolis where he resided until his death. A. W. Strong completed his preparatory studies in the Central High school and entered Trinity college at Hartford, Conn., where he became a student of mechanical engineering. After spend- ing two years in that institution, he continued his course at. the University of Minnesota. In 1894 he started upon his business career as superintendent of the shops of the Hard- wood Manufacturing company and remained in their employ for three years when he became engaged in his present enter- prise, buying the Minneapolis plant of the Wilford & North- way Manufacturing company. He assumed management of the business details of the industry which had been operated for fifteen years and spent the first few years traveling through the northwest and establishing the successful and extensive trade which the firm conducts in that territory. The 'company was incorporated in 1897 with a capital stock of $32,000 under the name of Strong & Northway and in 1903 became the Strong-Scott Mfg. Co. A. W. Strong is president, C. H. Scott, vice president and treasurer. They manufacture a general line of machinery for flour mills and grain elevators, including transmission machinery and a number of patented articles, scouring cases and cleaners. They handle large con- tracts for the fitting up of mills and elevators throughout. the great grain districts, from Minnesota to Montana and Canada, eighty per cent of their sales being outside the city. The industry has enjoyed a steady growth and now shows a remarkable increase in its annual business. The factory is. located on South Third street and employs seventy-five ex- pert workmen. As president, Mr. Strong's business career ha's been identified with its success and prosperity. Mr. Strong is prominent in social organizations of the city, has served as president of the Minikahda club and a member of the Minneapolis, Lafayette and Auto Clubs, being a trustee in the latter. He is a member of the Civic and Commerce association and a communicant and vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church. He was married to Miss Grace Swift, a daughter of Lucian Swift and they have four children, Lucian Swift, Elizabeth Grace, Albert W., Jr., and Jane.

EBENEZER JAMES HALL SCRIMGEOUR.

Mr. Scrimgeour was born at Newburg, Orange county, New York, October 5, 1806, the only son of Rev. James Scrimgeour, a celebrated minister of the Associate Reformed church, who was of Scotch ancestry and nativity. He was highly educated in his native land, ordained for the ministry and engaged in preaching there for two years, when he came to the United States, but never conversed extensively about Scotland or his forefathers. He came a bachelor, and when married and his son was born he was named in honor of a noted Scotch divine .. The son was in school when his father, on his death-bed, sent for him to come as rapidly as possible, as he had an important communication to make to him. But in spite of the utmost haste, the father died before the son's arrival, and the communication was not made. The family coat of arms indicates that it is descended from the Scrimgeour of

522

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

noble rank who is honorably mentioned in Highland history as one of Scotland's noted chiefs.

E. J. Scrimgeour lived with his guardian, David Andrews, a wealthy merchant in New York, continuing his studies until he acquired a thorough classical education. While at Enfield, Connecticut, during a vacation, he met Miss Mary Morrison, whom he married in 1830. He then engaged in merchandising in that neighborhood for some twenty years, in fact, until lie removed to Minneapolis in 1856.

He bought lots at the corner of Fourth street and Second avenue north erecting a dwelling. The streets were then laid out through that section but not traveled. Indians camped on near or adjoining lots. Charles Hoag lived on another corner of the streets named, there being but few other houses in the locality, the surrounding land for some distance being wild and unoccupied. Mr. Serimgeour foresaw that a great city would arise, but, dying June 30, 1865, did not live long enough to see even a railroad built to the town. His widow married Rev. John Howson, of Thompsonville, Connecticut, where they lived until his death, when she returned to Min- neapolis making her home with her children until her own death in 1890.

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.

Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 132

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co. Number of Pages: 1190

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190