Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 138

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 138

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Mr. Sehaefer was born at Baerenthal, near Strasburg, Ger- many, in 1809, and educated in the Strasburg schools. At the age of nineteen, while attending a normal school, he de- termined to come to the United States. He landed at Phila- delphia, soon finding work as a elerk in a wholesale grocery. He went to Canton. Ohio, in 1842, and during the next year built an oil mill at Mishawaka, Indiana, but which was burned with a total loss. A few years later a flood swept away all his possessions and business at Rochester, Indiana. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, and later went to Niearagua, where he engaged in silver mining. only to be again overtaken by disaster. In 1852, on the Atlantic coast. he and six others contracted yellow fever. The six died and his own coffin was prepared. But he recovered. only, how- ever, to suffer shipwreck a few years later as he was return-

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ing after a more successful venture in Honduras. In 1860 he got back to Canton, Ohio, and in 1862 enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He rose to the position of quartermaster of the Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, on the staff of General Jacob D. Cox, thus con- tinuing to the end of the war.

In 1865 he came to Minneapolis and engaged in the lumber trade. He was successful and was soon recognized as not only a good business man but one on whom everybody could place the utmost reliance. He was a modest man, however, and never sought or desired prominence, especially in public affairs. But the people being impressed by his fine business capacity and sterling worth elected him auditor of the county in 1870. This position he filled for four years with credit to himself and decided benefit to the county. In 1878 he was chosen a member of the board of county commissioners, and during the next six years served as its chairman, retiring only a few months before his death. His services to the county in this position were also widely beneficial and they were appreciated by the public at their full value.

In his boyhood Mr. Schaefer became a member of the Pres- byterian denomination, to which he adhered to the end. On coming to Minneapolis he joined Westminster Church and was recognized as one of its most prominent members. The associations and memories of military service were always dear, being ardent in devotion to old comrades. The Grand Army of the Republic has perpetuated his connection with it and his unblemished name in military circles, Jacob Schaefer Post being named in his honor.

Mr. Schaefer's wife was Miss Sarah Miller, a sister of Mrs. John H. Stevens. She accompanied him to Honduras in 1855, and was the first American lady to visit the interior of that country. Their daughter Francisca, now Mrs. W. O. Winston, was born at Yuscaran, Honduras. Mr. Schaefer died March 9, 1885. Mrs. Schaefer survived him almost a quarter of a century, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Win- ston, in February, 1908. A clearer insight into Mr. Schaefer's character can scarcely be given than that expressed in the quotation from one of his friends at the beginning of this sketch. He was true to every element of elevated manhood and to every requirement of duty in all relations of life.

FREDERICK B. WRIGHT.

Frederick B. Wright is a native of the Old Granite State, having been born in Coos County, New Hampshire, January 17, 1856. His father was Beriah Wright, and their forefather, too, was named Beriah and was a captain in the War of 1812. The other Beriah, father of Fred B., was a farmer, character- ized by that sturdiness and public spiritedness which marked the men of New Hampshire. He gave his son good schooling in the district schools, and then the younger man entered the St. Johnsbury Academy. at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, an institution of learning long famous in New England. From the academy Fred Wright was graduated in 1878. For a time he followed the traditions of New England and taught school. Then he turned naturally to the law-for there have been many Wrights who have won prominence in that as well as the medical profession-and entered the law office of George A. Bingham in Littleton, New Hampshire. From there he went to Boston Law School, where he completed his

studies preparatory to his admission to the bar. In 1883 the young man's course turned westward, and he came to Minne- apolis to begin practice. Here the natural trend of affairs led Mr. Wright to take an interest in the political life of the community and his sturdy Republicanism carried him high in the councils of his party. He became active in the affairs of the State League of Republican Clubs during its ascendency in the politics of the state, and was president of that important organization. His activity as an advisor in his party brought about his candidacy for the legislature, and he was elected to the lower house of that body in 1906, as a member from the fortieth district, comprising then the Fourth ward of Minneapolis. During the session of 1907, Mr. Wright was among the foremost members of the house of representatives, was chosen to serve on many of its most important committees, and was chairman of the drainage committee, as such bringing about the revision of the state drainage laws, a task for which he is given chief credit. Mr. Wright served again as member of the house of representatives in the next session, in 1909, and then re- tired to give more time to his profession, although he con- tinued to be sought out as an advisor in the affairs of the Republican party.

In addition to his political prominence Mr. Wright is well known in the circles of the Masonic order. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, and the Knights Templar, as well as of the Shrine. He is deeply interested, also, in the civic organizations of his immediate community. Mr. Wright was married in 1884 to Miss Helen M. Comant, of Greensboro, Vermont, and they have four children.

WILLIAM E. WHEELER.

William E. Wheeler, president of the Northwestern Auto- mobile company, 217 South Fourth street, was born at Menasha, Wisconsin, February 25, 1873. He acquired his early education in the public schools of his native city and then entered Daggett's Business college at Oshkosh. After graduating from that institution, he accepted a position in the offices of a wagon manufacturer at Superior, Wisconsin. In 1896 he came to Minneapolis and for three years was employed by the Deere & Webber company in charge of their bicycle department. This was during the time of the great popularity of the wheel and to keep the supply equal to the demand required alert and energetic business ability in the successful sales manager. At the end of three years he resigned his position with the Deere & Webber company and established himself as a bicycle dealer at 611 First avenue, south. On the advent of the auto- mobile trade, he quickly grasped the greater possibilities of the industry with its menace to the business in which he was engaged and so became the pioneer automobile dealer of the Northwest, and was closely identified with rapid development of the industry. He was not discouraged by the failure of his first investment of $1,000 in an electric, which he finally dis- posed of, after four years, for $125, but handled successively the steam car and the gasoline. In 1903 he became agent for the Ford company and for the next ten years conducted an enormous sale of this car throughout the northwest. The Northwestern Automobile company, of which he is president, with Mr. I. R. Du Sault, secretary, and Mr. William Eggleston, vice president, was incorporated in 1900, with a capital stock

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

of $100,000 and a cash investment of $5,500, which has in- creased to the present investment of $200,000, demanded by their extensive trade. They retain local agents in North and South Dakota, eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin and are now engaged in promoting the sale of the Krit car. The company requires the services of seventy-five employes, includ- ing the office force, salesmen and mechanics and operates a supply department which has become an important phase of the business. In addition to his successful commercial career, Mr. Wheeler has been actively associated with the real estate transactions of the city, erecting several residences and platting the Wheeler addition at Hennepin avenue and Thirty-fourth street. He is the owner of a farm at Rockford, Minnesota, and has extensive land interests in Minnesota, North Dakota and Canada. He is a member of the Civic and Commerce association, the New Athletic club, the Kandijohi Gun club and the Auto club. He was married to Miss Susan Wood at Waukau, Wisconsin, in 1900 and they have one daughter, Elydah Mary Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler and his family are com- munican's of the Lyndale Congregational church.

JOSEPH EDWIN WARE.

Joseph Edwin Ware, the primary factor in founding the St. Anthony Falls Bank and its cashier ever since it was first opened for business, is a native of Morrison, Illinois, where his life began on May 17, 1863. He is a son of Joseph and Martha Emma (Roy) Ware, highly respected citizens of the town of his nativity at the time of his birth. The father was an attorney at law there, and prospered in his business. His son Joseph obtained a high school education in Morrison, then attended Beloit College at Beloit, Wisconsin, and afterward Carleton College at Northfield, Minnesota, being graduated from the institution last named in 1883.

Mr. Ware has been connected with the banking business ever since he left school. He began his career as a book- keeper in the Commercial Bank of Minneapolis, with which he remained until 1885. He then moved to Clark in that part of the territory of Dakota which is now the state of South Dakota, and was there engaged in banking in asso- ciation with his brother until 1888. In that year he re- turned to Minneapolis and operated in this city in insurance and loans until 1893, when he founded the St. Anthony Falls Bank in company with some other enterprising gentle- men.

In religious affiliation Mr. Ware is a Presbyterian, and he takes a cordial interest in the social life of his com- munity as a member of the Minneapolis Commercial club. He was married in Red Wing, Minnesota on April 28, 1886, to Miss Kate Belle Webster. His active and constant personal attention to the business of the St. Anthony Falls Bank has made that institution what it is in a large measure, and his genial and obliging nature has done a great deal to render it popular among the people of this city.

CHARLES C. WEBBER.

Mr. Webber is a native of Rock Island, Illinois, where his life began on January 25, 1859. His parents were Christopher

C. and Ellen S. (Deere) Webber, the former a scion of old New Hampshire families and the latter of Vermont households established in Colonial times, and a daughter of John Deere, the plow manufacturer.

The father was a merchant and manufacturer at Rock .Island, Illinois, and died there. They had five children who grew to maturity: Charles C .; the subject of this brief re- view; Mrs. W. G. Mixter, who is now a resident of New Haven, Connecticut; Mrs. T. A. Murphy, whose home is at Rock Island, Illinois. The head of the house was successful in his business undertakings and a man of high standing in his community.

Charles C. Webber obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and at Lake Forest Academy in the city of the same name in another part of his native state. He attended the academy three years, completing his course of instruction there in 1877. He at once began his business career on leaving school in the line in which he is now en- gaged and with which he has been connected from the start. After passing three years in the employ of Deere & Company, manufacturers at Moline, Illinois, working in the office and on the road as a salesman, he came to Minneapolis in Jan- uary, 1881, when the firm founded its business in this state, to take charge of the interests of the house here. For twelve years the firm bore the same name here as in Illinois, but in 1893 the business was incorporated under the name of the Deere & Webber company. He is also vice-president of the old firm of Deere & Company at Moline, Illinois.

In the fiscal agencies of magnitude, which are numerous in this Northwestern metropolis, Mr. Webber has long taken an earnest interest and an active part. He is a director of the Security National Bank and the Minnesota Loan and Trust company, and a trustee of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank.

He is an independent Democrat in political faith and prac- tice, always willing to perform a good citizen's full duty to- ward securing the best government, local and general, but never seeking or desiring to aid in administering it as a pub- lic official. In church relations he is a Presbyterian, and among the social organizations in the community he has allied himself in membership with two, the Minneapolis club and the Commercial club. He was married in Rochester, New York, to Miss Mary M. Harris of that city.

OLIVER F. WARNES.

Mr. Warnes is the head miller of the West Side Mills of the Pillsbury Company, and has personal supervision of the production of at least 10,000 barrels of flour a day, which is about half of the output of all the Pillsbury mills.

He was born June 19, 1856, at Polkton, Michigan, and as a child was taken to Wisconsin. His father, I. Warnes, was for years a practical flour miller in New York, in Michigan, and later at Neenah, Wisconsin. Oliver began learning the trade under his father, and in a few years became familiar with every detail in the process of manufacturing flour.

In the spring of 1877, Mr. Warnes came to Minnesota, find- ing employment in the Trust mill at Minnesota City, where he dressed millstones for one year. The Hungarian process of flour milling was then attracting attention, and many lead- :

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA -

ing millers were adopting it. While at Decorah, Iowa, Mr. Warnes was among the first practical millers to operate that process in this country. He helped to install the Hungarian machinery in a new mill at Stillwater, one of the first of the large mills to adopt the system. When it was started a dele- gation of millers from Minneapolis visited it to inspect its workings and were 'convinced of its superiority.

Mr. Warnes then worked one year in the Crown Roller Mill, in Minneapolis, then returned to Stillwater to become second miller in the mill where he had formerly worked. He was employed in that position at the time of the historic mill explosion in Minneapolis, in 1878, visiting the scene of destructon next morning.

In 1885 his services were secured for the Pillsbury B mill, and in November, 1889, he was appointed head miller of the company's big mill at Anoka, where he remained for twenty years. This was at first a 750 barrel mill, but he enlarged its capacity to 1,500 barrels a day, employing forty-five men. In 1909 the company gave him charge of the "B" and the Anchor Mills in Minneapolis, in addition to the one at Anoka. He was soon made superintendent of the Palisade Mill, with gratifying results. Of the Company's whole output, which is in excess of 20,000 barrels a day, fully one-half is pro- duced under his immediate oversight and direction.

While living at Anoka, Mr. Warnes was a member of the School Board and the Library Board of that city, and for a time served as a bank director. But his life work has been devoted principally and without a break to flour milling in which industry he is considered an expert and authority. .

Mr. Warnes was married at Stillwater in April, 1882, to Miss Laura W. Weatherbee, a native of Bangor, Me. They have one daughter, Carrie W., wife of R. L. Fairaisn, now general passenger agent of the Eastern Division of the Cana- dian Northern Railroad in Toronto, Canada. Mr. Warnes is a York and Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Past High Priest of Anoka Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. In religious affiliation he is a Universalist and belongs to the Church of the Redeemer.

FRANK H. WADSWORTH.

Soon after the first settlement of European colonists in New England two brothers, William and Christopher Wads- worth, left Yorkshire, England, and came to this country. William located at Newton, near Cambridge, Massachusetts, was selectman and became prominent and influential. When Governor Winthrop oppressed the citizens by seeking to limit the privilege of suffrage to the members of the church to which he belonged, William Wadsworth joined the famous liberal preacher, Hooker, in a demand for the total separation of church and state. Their efforts being unsuccessful, in 1636 they removed to the valley of the Connecticut, where they expected to enjoy greater freedom of conscience and the right and opportunity of governing themselves.

John Wadsworth, who was the first lawyer licensed in Connecticut settled at Farmington in 1641. The title to his land was acquired directly from the Tunxis Indians, descended to the eldest son through eight generations, finally reaching Winthrop M., the father of Frank H. and Henry H. On October 31, 1687, when the tyrannical governor, Sir Ed- mund Andros, sought to seize the charter of the colony,

granted by King Charles I, in 1642, Capt. Joseph Wadsworth, a brother of John, seized the precious document, carried it away in the dark and hid it in the historic Charter Oak. Later the charter was again restored, and continued to be the fundamental law of Connecticut until 1818.

After hiding the charter Joseph Wadsworth fled to the plan- tation of his brother John at Farmington. On this old plan- tation Frank H. Wadsworth was born, March 2, 1859, and there remained until he reached the age of twenty-five. He attended the common schools and two or three seminaries, and was graduated from the law department of Yale College in 1882. He became a resident of Minneapolis in 1883, and has since then been actively and extensively engaged in the practice of his profession.

The old Wadsworth homestead at Farmington, has been the scene of historical events of importance, not only to New England, but the whole United States. The first Guernsey cattle brought into this country went to that farm, and in Farmington, Conn., the first creamery in New England was established. The owner of the farm at that time was Win- throp M. Wadsworth, the father of Frank and Henry, who was president of the State Agricultural Society and also of the State Dairymen's Association, which controlled eighty cream- eries and wielded an influence that has been felt in every locality where dairying is carried on.

The firm of Wadsworth & Wadsworth, composed of Frank H. and Henry H. Wadsworth, is the oldest law firm in Min- neapolis, being established September 7, 1883, and in civil and real estate law its practice is extensive. The members of the firm are not office seekers, but both being Republicans, they have worked earnestly for the success of their party. Their business, however, has engaged them mainly, and many large estates have been handled by them. They have placed in use in Minneapolis more than two million dollars of East- ern capital; and have themselves in late years been active builders, especially in the line of tenement and apartment houses.

Frank H. Wadsworth is given credit for having prepared the first and only complete history of the water power of the city, including the reservoir and preservation of the Falls. His work on this subject has won high praise and is held to be of inestimable value, especially by the Water Power company, which has complimented the author cordially on his worthy effort. He was married in 1888 to Miss Mary L. Mattison, of Oswego, New York. They have two children: Winthrop M., who is a student in the University of Illinois, and Kate, who is a student in the University of Minnesota.

HON. CADWALLADER COLDEN WASHBURN.

Governor Washburn was born in Livermore, Oxford county, Maine, on April 26, 1818. He was a son of Israel Washburn, some account of whose life will be found in a sketch of his younger brother, the late Hon. William Drew Washburn, which appears elsewhere in this work. The son had no academic advantages, and his attendance at the public school in his native town ended when he reached the age of eigli- teen years. During the next three years he was engaged in several different occupations, including clerking in a country store, teaching a village school and clerking in a postoffice, all of which were useful to him in preparing for his great

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

eareer, for he was always observant and studious, and made every hour of his time and every phase of his experience serviceable in helping him up the steep ineline to complete success, of which he determined in early life to reach the summit. He also began the study of law in the office of his uncle, Rewel Washburn, a prominent lawyer of his native town.

When Mr. Washburn attained his majority he determined to seek a new home and ampler opportunity for the employ- ment of his business capacity in what was then the far West, and took up his residenee at Davenport, Iowa, where he taught school for a time, then joined the Iowa Geological Survey under David Dale Owen. He was prepared for use- fulness in this connection by a study of surveying and practice in the profession before he left Maine. He also continued his law studies as he had opportunity, as progress was the law of his being and he was ever obedient to it.

In 1840 Mr. Washburn was appointed surveyor of Rock Island county, Illinois, but two years later he moved to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and began the practice of law. For this purpose and others he formed a partnership with Cyrus Woodman, agent of the New England Land company, and while practicing law was his principal business, he also availed himself of the crowding opportunities for good in- vestments in timber lands. whereby he laid the foundation of a large fortune. In addition to extensive holdings in the pine region of Wisconsin he acquired large tracts of similar land in this state and also seeured interests which com- manded the riparian ownership of the Falls of St. Anthony.

Mr. Washburn and his partner also established a bank at Mineral Point, and thus, through his law practice, his deal- ings in land and his financial operations in the bank, he be- eame widely and favorably known throughout Southern Wis- consin. In 1855 he was elected to the Thirty-fourth Con- gress. and was twice re-elected, serving six years in all, his third term ending on March 4, 1861, and having at the end of that period a national reputation of the first rank. By the end of his last term in Congress the Civil war had begun, and this eminent patriot determined to help to enforce on the battlefield the principles he had so ardently espoused in the councils of the nation. He therefore declined another term in Congress and turned his energies into military channels in defense of the Union.

Mr. Washburn entered the war at its beginning and laid down his sword only when peace had been re-established. He recruited the Second Wisconsin regiment of Cavalry and was made its commander with the rank of colonel. Promotions in the service followed rapidly, due in part to the confidence President Lincoln, who knew him well, had in him, but all earned by meritorious service. In June, 1862, he was com- missioned brigadier general, and in November of the same year major general of volunteers. He served in the Vicks- burg campaign, had command of the Thirteenth army corps in a series of brilliant exploits on the gulf coast, and was finally placed in charge of the military district of Western Tennessee at Memphis. His services throughout the war were valiant and skilful and vastly useful.

At the elose of the war General Washburn returned to Wis- consin and was again elected to Congress for two terms, serv- ing from 1867 to 1871. This was during the important era of reconstruetion, and his services in rehabilitating the states which had been in the Confederacy, and restoring order and harmony, were also signal and highly appreciated. His last

serviee in the National House of Representatives was followed by an immediate call to the governorship of Wisconsin, which he filled during the years 1872 and 1873. He gave the state a thoroughly practical business administration which eon- tributed greatly to its advancement and prosperity.

By the end of his term as governor he found his business interests crying aloud for attention from him, and he re- tired from public life to give them that attention. He had large holdings in the pineries of Wisconsin, and he founded lumber factories on a large scale in La Crosse. He had married Miss Jenny Garr of New York, and for her and the two daughters who then constituted the family, he built a handsome residence in Madison, the capital of the state.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 138

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