Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 144

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 144

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In his "History of the Sioux War and Massacres of 1862 and 1863," Page 80, I. D. V. Herd, on Gen. H. H. Sibley's staff, wrote, in 1863, of this advance guard: "It is conceded that these men saved the town."

Capt. Flandrau with the main body of his force reached New Ulm about 10 o'clock P. M., and on next morning an organization was effected, giving Capt. Flandrau chief com- mand with the rank of Colonel, and he appointed Buell his Chief of Staff and Provost Marshal, with the rank of Captain. This organization was afterwards recognized by the State authorities, served on the frontier about three months, and was paid accordingly.

The service at and around New Ulm lasted until and includ- ing the 25th of August, 1862. On the 23rd and 24th, the Indians, in large numbers, variously estimated from 650 to 800, well armed, attacked the town, defended by about 250 poorly armed white men, both sides resting during the inter- vening night. At this time, there were in the town also about 1,500 person's, principally women and children with a few aged men, citizens and refugees from the surrounding country.

Before noon on the 24th, the Indians abandoned the attack, and commenced retiring, burning the outside buildings, driving off 'cattle and taking with them other movable property. On Monday, the 25th of August, by order of Col. Flandrau, New Ulm was vacated and all the occupants proceeded down the west side of the Minnesota River to Mankato.

The loss to the whites, which was wholly from the force placed under Col. Flandrau's command, by the organization of Wednesday, the 20th of August, was ten killed and fifty- one wounded; the Indian loss was not ascertainable, as they carried off their dead and wounded, though two, one a leader, were killed within the lines of defense, and could not be so rescued.

At Mankato, on Tuesday, the 26th, Col. Flandrau's original force was disbanded and its members returned to their homes.

Within a few days, by order of Gov. Alexander Ramsey, Col. Flandrau took command of the Southwestern frontier, and the State troops gathered for its defense, with head- quarters at South Bend, Capt. Buell continuing as his chief of staff and serving under him in that capacity; during Col. Flandrau's absences, which became necessarily frequent, he placed Capt. Buell in command. This situation continued for a number of weeks, and until relieved by the arrival of a full regiment of Federal volunteer infantry from Wisconsin, where- upon the services of Col. Flandrau, and of his staff, and of the State volunteers forming his command, ceased, and all returned to their homes, and civic duties.

Upon the organization, later that fall (1862), of the "First Minnesota Mounted Rangers," a regiment of cavalry mustered into the service of the United States, Capt. Buell was appointed and commissioned its Second Major. His commission was dated in November, but he was not mustered in until December. That winter he was stationed at St. Peter, two companies of his regiment being also stationed there, and one at Kastoa, nearby.

At the hanging of the thirty-eight Indians at Mankato,

under command and charge of Gen. Miller, Major Buell was the ranking Cavalry officer, and commanded the cavalry guard there.

The greater portion of this regiment, including Major Buell and most of his battalion, in the following year (1863), formed part of the force under Gen. H. H. Sibley in his campaign against the Indians from Minnesota, through Dakota to the Missouri River. At Camp Atchison, a reserve force was formed in charge of the Expedition's Reserve Supplies under Major Rice, of the Second Minn. Volunteer Infantry, with Maj. Buell in command of the Cavalry part of such reserve force.

When the advance of the Expedition returned to Camp Atchison, Gen. Sibley with his whole command, came back to Minnesota, by way of Fort Abercrombie, and late in that year (1863), the "First Minnesota Mounted Rangers" were mustered out of the Federal Service at Fort Snelling. During such military service, Major Buell was twice a member of and served upon a general court martial and one military com- mission.

Being mustered out with the regiment, Major Buell returned to the duties of Secretary and Agent of the St. Peter Com- pany and in connection therewith, the practice of the law at St. Peter.

In 1866, Major Buell's health requiring a change from office work, they purchased a farm, of 219 acres in Le Seuer County and about two miles east of St. Peter, and moved on to it, both himself and wife devoting their whole time (save such as he gave to his duties as Secretary and Agent of the St. Peter Company), to the improvement and operation of the farm, for about two years.

His health was so much improved by this experience, that he returned to the practice of law in St. Peter, still however continuing his residence upon and the operation of the farm for about four years more. Then they moved back to the town, disposing of the farm, and he entered again upon the practice of the law, continuing it until August, 1874, when he resigned his position as Secretary and Agent of the St. Peter Company and moved back to Indianapolis, Ind., Mrs. Buell having preceded him a few months.

Major Buell practiced law there until 1885. In that year he was appointed Clerk of the Yakima Indian Agency in Washington Territory. He served there about one year, and then, his wife's health having failed, he resigned and took her east for treatment. They went to Philadelphia, and remained there two years, during much of which period Major Buell was engaged with established firms in the practice of his profession in that city.

In 1889, he brought his wife west for her health and came to Minneapolis, where Mrs. Buell died in 1893. He has lived in this city ever since with a few slight intermissions. Part of two years he passed at Nashville, Tenn., and has spent one winter and spring in Florida for his health.

Major Buell is an ardent political worker; allied with the Democratic party. He joined the Grand Army of the Repub- lic in 1888, in Philadelphia and still keeps up his membership in George G. Meade's Post, in that city. His secret society affiliations have been with the I. O. O. F. and the Masons. He was reared a Methodist, but upon his marriage joined the Epis- eopal church to be with his wife. About twelve years after her death, he joined the Catholic Church in Nashville, Tenn., and in Minneapolis is a member of the "Church of the Incar- nation," Rev. J. M. Cleary's Parish. For about four years

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Major Buell has resided with relatives at 3709 Pillsbury Avenue.

His interests have always been those of a student of polit- ical and economieal affairs, and he has been for years devoted to the teachings of Henry George, having been Secretary of the loeal society of advocates of the single tax.

Major Buell has living relatives of his immediate family, the oldest eight years younger than himself, as follows: A brother, Hon. John L. Buell, of Quinnesec, Michigan, a retired lawyer and now extensive farmer, who was an officer of the U. S. regular army, serving under Gen. George B. Mcclellan in his campaign against Richmond and subsequent battles around Washington, during the Civil War, afterwards resign- ing from the Army as it became necessary for him to take the administratorship of his father's estate; a sister, Miss Almy Buell, of Cineinnati, Ohio; another sister, Miss Ann J. Buell, who, as "Sister Ann Cecelia," is a member of the Catholic Order of "Sisters of Providence," having their mother house at St. Mary's, Vigo County, Indiana; a nephew, Don Carlos Buell, residing on a farm near and doing business in Nashville, Tenn., the only child of another brother, Gen- George P. Buell, who died in 1881, an officer of the United States Regular Army; and two nephews, Robert and John Howes, sons of another sister (deceased), and who reside in a western state.

HON. JOHN FRANKLIN CALHOUN.

Is a native of Licking eounty, Ohio, where he was born April 28, 1854, being taken as a child by his parents, David and Caroline Calhoun, to Mercer county, Illinois, where he obtained his early education in "Doaks" schoolhouse, Keiths- burg Township.

At the age of thirteen he was employed as a "printer's devil" for a time, and also partially learned the earpenter trade. However, with a mind set on being a merehant he seeured a clerkship in so continuing eight years, where he engaged in merchandising first in the retail and afterward in the wholesale and retail dry goods trade.

In 1881 he came to Minneapolis and engaged in the real estate and loan business, devoting attention largely to prop- erty and investments for owners outside of the city, and in which lines he has the management of extensive interests.

In his political faith and allegiance he is a Republican and has ever taken an earnest and serviceable interest in publie affairs. In 1902 he was elected to the State Senate from the Fortieth Senatorial district, and in 1906 was re-elected, serving in the sessions of 1903, 1905, 1907 and 1909. He was energetic and active, especially in warding off measures that were against the business interests. He is also given eredit for the law of 1909 which prohibits the payment or receiving of rebates in the procuring of insurance contracts.

January 20, 1879, Mr. Calhoun was married at Galesburg. to Clara Zenora Edwards, a danghter of Hon. John Edwards, who was a member of the first legislature of the State of Indiana. Three children have been born to them: John Edwards, associated with his father; Frederick D., an illus- trator in New York eity, and Beatrice Z. Mr. Calhoun is a member of the Minneapolis and the Commercial clubs and is a thirty-third degree Mason.

FRANCIS A. CHAMBERLAIN.

Francis A. Chamberlain, president of the Security National Bank, was born in Bangor, Maine, April 20, 1855, a son of James T. and Caroline (Emery) Chamberlain, the father being a merchant. In 1857 he removed to Red Wing, Minnesota, where Franeis A. attended the public schools. He was also a student of Hamline University, and for two years attended the State University.

His first business engagement was as collector for' the Merehants National Bank of Minneapolis, the city directory for 1877 naming him as a messenger of the above institution. His aptitude, integrity, fidelity and other business attributes attracted attention, and, soon after the Security National Bank was founded, he was given a position in its employ. The same qualities were ever evident and resulted iu promo- tion, passing from one position to another, until he was ehosen the head of this important bank. Wisdom and pru- dence have marked the management, this institution having be'eome one of the strongest and most popular in the North- west.

Mr. Chamberlain is also a director of the Hennepin County Savings Bank, a direetor and ex-president of the North- western National Life Insurance company, and a director of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine company. He is also president of the Clearing House Association. In fraternal relations he is a Freemason, and his social affiliations are with the Minneapolis, Athletic and Minikahda clubs. In religious connection he is a Methodist. He was married May 23, 1883, to Miss Frances T. Foss, daughter of Bishop Cyrus D. Foss. They have three children, Cyrus, Ruth and Caro. The father has taken a cordial and practical interest in the growth and improvement of Minneapolis and given cheerful and material aid to the promotion of its welfare. He is esteemed as one of the city's most useful and representative residents.

J. D. EKSTRUM.

Jolın D. Ekstrum, president of the Flour City Fuel and Transfer Company, 40 West Lake street, and manager of the Interstate Fuel and Transfer Company, is a well known busi- ness man of Minneapolis. He was born in Sweden in 1873. When but nine years of age he aeeompanied his mother to America and Minneapolis. They eame to join the husband and father, Solomon Ekstrum, who had preceded them a few years before. He was engaged in the business of mason con- tracting until his retirement in late years from all business activity.

John D. Ekstrum attended the city schools and meanwhile seized every opportunity to make his start in the business world, finding employment mueh of the time in teaming for his father. A little later he went on the poliee foree and was appointed sergeant of the fifth preeinet. In 1889, after three years' service on the force, he established himself in the fuel business, starting with a capital of $100, which has increased to $100,000. Shortly after his suceessful start in business, he took into partnership Mr. N. L. Johnson, and within the next few years was laid the foundation for the rapid development of the firm's interests. At the end of four years John Olson joined the partnership. In 1911 the Company was ineorporated with a capital of $100,000. and

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

additional capital added, with J. D. Ekstrum as president, N. L. Johnson, secretary and treasurer, and John Olson, vice president. In the same year a number of yards were added. They now operate nine branch yards and employ about 90 men.

The company has become engaged in the transfer and storage business since its incorporation and the profits have equalled those of the longer established fuel industry. It also owns a wagon and paint shop where a number of workmen are employed in the building of wagons and vans. Aside from his prominent association with the Flour City Fuel and Transfer Company, Mr. Ekstrum is manager and partner in the Interstate Fuel & Transfer Company, 2407 East Lake street, which has a prosperous trade, operating three yards. Mr. Ekstrum is a director of the Minneapolis State Bank. He is president of the Westside Commercial Club, was one of its organizers in 1908, and since that time has continued to serve on its board of directors. He is also president of the Swedish-American club, which has about 300 members. He is a member of the Odin club and of Zion Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican. His marriage to Miss Ida K. Nelson of Minneapolis, occurred in 1901, and there are four children, John D., Jr., Martha, Robert, and Bertill.

ROBERT WINTHROP CUMMINGS.

This gentleman, who was a member of the first village council of St. Anthony, was born on June 19, 1825, and was the youngest of the six sons and three daughters of Andrew Cummings of Williamsport. Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and of Scotch ancestry. When he was but seven or eight years old his father died, and he was cared for by an older brother. He passed eight years at a private academy in York, Pennsylvania, then taught school one winter. At the age of nineteen he turned his face Westward, and arrived at St. Anthony Falls before the end of the year, 1844, this region being then in its state of primitive nature. It did not meet his desires, and he returned to the St. Croix Valley, and took up a tract of government land at Cottage Grove, in Washington county, but in 1847 returned to St. Anthony. He was a gentleman of good education, courteous manners and attractive personality, and immediately became popular. At the election of 1848, of which S. W. Farnham and Caleb D. Dorr were judges, twenty-three votes were cast in St. Anthony. Stillwater was then the county seat.

Mr. Cummings took an immediate and energetic interest in his new home and within a short time saw wonderful trans- formations. The region developed steadily and increased in population rapidly. The first eity council, of which he was a member, convened April 13, 1858, tbe other aldermen being Benjamin N. Spencer, John Orth, Daniel Stanchfield, Edward Lippincott and Caleb D. Dorr.

Mr. Cummings took up a claim on rising ground, beyond the flat east of the river, a part of which later became Maple Hill Cemetery, and part Ramsey & Lockwood's Addi- tion to St. Anthony and a part Cummings Second Addition. For some years he clerked, but was always interested in the advancement of the community and the enjoyment of its residents. In 1851 he helped to organize Cataraet Lodge of Freemasons, of which he continued to be a member, and he

was also a Knight Templar. He was also a trustee of John Potts Lodge No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the first fire company organized in the city he was first assistant foreman.

He also took an active part in all public affairs. In 1856 he helped to organize the Republican party, and at a special election in 1860, just after the organization of the new county, he was elected one of the county commissioners. He did not, however, seek political honors, accepting them re- luctantly. In 1854 he opened a real estate office, and during the remainder of life engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business, and through investments in these lines accumulated a fortune of nearly one-half a million. He laid out Cummings' Addition, Cummings' Second Addition and Cummings & Brott's Addition. He was frequently chosen guardian and trustee of estates, and his counsel in business matters was valued. At the time of his death he was presi- dent of the East Side Loan Association and vice president of the Minneapolis Savings and Loan Association.

Mr. Cummings was married January 17, 1854, to Miss Martha J. Estes, who was born in Maine and came to St. Anthony with her parents. She was a sister of Mrs. S. W. Farnham and Mrs. Charles W. Stimpson. Some time before his death he removed to 2301 Portland avenue, where his family is still living. He died September 11, 1891, and having been closely connected with so many people and with inter- ests of such extensive diversity the loss of his presence and services was keenly felt.

Mr. Cummings was honest, kindhearted and benevolent. He enjoyed the respect and confidence of all. He was tall, possessed of a fine, frank, open countenance and an engaging smile. No man excelled him in courtliness or in genial and generous deportment. Two daughters were born of his mar- riage, Mrs. Minnie C. Winthrop and Louise R. Cummings, both of whom are with their mother, and like her, are absorbed in business affairs. The daughters were educated at the University and all belong to the Church of the Redeemer.

There is also a granddaughter in the family, whose maiden name was Louise Cummings Winthrop. She is now the wife of George Deming Grannis II, who was born in Syracuse, New York, and resides in that city. She is a graduate of Smith College, of the class of 1909. She traveled extensively in Europe before her marriage, and is devoted to music, being a fine organist. Her husband is a graduate of Williams College and a lawyer in active practice.

JAMES H. DURYEA.

Having rendered the city and state signal service in an official way, and being now one of the leading real estate men in Minneapolis, with an extensive and profitable business, James H. Duryea has made a record of private enterprise and service that is creditable alike to himself, to the eitizen- ship of Minnesota, and to American manhood in general.

Mr. Duryea is a native of Plainfield, Will county, Illinois, where his life began on November 7, 1853. He is a son of George T. and Eliza Duryea. In 1857, when he was four years old, his parents moved to Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where the father bought a claim. Within the same year they moved to near Chester, where the father

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

passed the remainder of his life. He was born in Orange county, reared in Sullivan county, New York, and became a resident of Illinois in the early period of its history. He died on his farm at the age of seventy-two. The mother survived him several years, having her home at Kasson, Dodge county.

When they entered Minnesota there were no railroads or telegraph lines, and they brought to the state the news of the passage by congress of an act enabling the people to adopt a constitution. This was completed and Minnesota admitted to the Union the next year, 1858. James remained in Olmsted county until he was past the age of thirty. He was educated in the public schools and at the Rochester high school. He then taught school eight terms, when he became a traveling salesman for the McCormick Machine company for five or six years. He then worked in the office of the general agency of the company at Red Wing until he was obliged to return to his home to manage the farm and care for his parents, and in the course of a few years became the owner of the old homestead.

In 1887 Mr. Duryca became a resident of Minneapolis as a traveling salesman in the same line that he had formerly followed. Later he became city salesman for the wholesale hardware house of Wyman & Partridge, with which he re- mained six years. Since 1901 he has been engaged in the real estate business with dealings on the North Side as a specialty. He served one term of four years as alderman from the Tenth ward, being elected as a Democrat. He served on the leading committees and was energetic in his efforts to secure a sewer and bridge on Thirty-second avenue north. He was placed on a committee to act in conjunction with a similar committee from St. Paul as representatives of the Twin Cities at the St. Louis Louisiana Purchase exposi- tion. The two cities united in the erection of a building in which each had a manager.

Mr. Duryea was a pioneer in the good roads movement. He advocated before the Real Estate Board a tax of one mill for good road construction and maintenance, and was a member of a committee to act jointly with a St. Paul committee before the legislature in this behalf. The desired legislation was secured for the two counties involved, this beginning having since resulted in the enactment of the present good roads laws, applying to the whole state. While in the council he also secured the passage of an ordinanee to require the grading of streets in new additions to the eity before lots in them were sold. This was bitterly con- tested by real estate inen, and after two years' agitation was killed.

Mr. Duryea is a Democrat of the old school, loyal and effective in service to his party. He has frequently been a delegate to its conventions, local, county and state, and while living in Olmsted county was once nominee for the office of register of deeds. He is a member of the North Side Commercial club, and also prominent in the activities of Highland Park Presbyterian church. For a number of years he was one of the trustees of this chureh, and also taught a class of men in it in Bible study. In 1886 he was married in Sullivan county, New York, to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth M. Duryea. They have no children of their own, but are rearing and educating Marbry Olson from the age of ten.

EDMUND EICHHORN.

Mr. Eichhorn took an active part in the life of his home community, civil, social, industrial, commercial and fiscal. He was the first president of the German-American Bank, serving that institution three years as its head; and after giving up this office he continued to serve it as a director until he went to California some ten or twelve years before his death, which oceurred in Minneapolis on May 14, 1907, while here on a visit. He made an excellent record as president of the bank, and it flourished and grew rapidly under his man- agement. And everything else that he was connected with in a business way did the same. He dealt extensively in real estate, insurance and loans, and served long as a notary public. In 1873 he also founded the firm of E. Eichhorn & Sons, real estate dealers, with offices at the present time in 125 Temple Court, and until he left this state was at the head of it.

The present head of the firm of E. Eichhorn & Sons is Arthur E. Eichhorn, one of the sons of Edmund, and himself one of the leading business men of Minneapolis. He was born in Wisconsin on August 27, 1856, and entered his father's real estate office as a clerk in 1873. His connection with the business has been continuous since that year, and he has studied its requirements and property values in all parts of the eity to such good purpose that he has made himself an authority on all subjects connected with real estate of every kind and description here.

Arthur E. Eichhorn possesses fine natural faculties for business and special fitness for the line in which he is en- gaged. These were carefully trained and developed under the direction of his father, and when the latter was ready to retire from active pursuits, the son was well qualified to fill the place the retirement made vacant. His brother, Alvin A. Eichhorn, and J. William Dreger, a sketch of whom is pub- lished elsewhere in this volume, are associated with him in the firm, and its business is very extensive and involves many transactions of considerable magnitude. Arthur was one of the original stockholders in the German-American Bank, and he is now a member of its board of directors, residing at 1119 North Sixth street, in this eity.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 144

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