USA > Minnesota > St Louis County > Duluth > Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; their story and people; an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development, Volume II > Part 51
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REV. JAMES HOGAN. For twenty years Father Hogan has been identified with the Duluth Diocese in various locations and capacities, and for the most part has performed his priestly services in the iron ranges and for a number of years past has been pastor of the Church of Blessed Sacrament at Hibbing.
James Hogan was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1876, and from early youth his education was directed toward the priesthood. He at- tended local schools and high schools at Killaloe, entered All Hallows Seminary at Dublin, and was ordained a priest June 24, 1900. Soon afterward he departed for America and reached Duluth in October, 1900. For two and a half years he was vice rector of the Cathedral at Duluth, and in May, 1903, was assigned the parish at Eveleth, but three months later went to Virginia as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish. He remained there six years, for two years was pastor of Sacred Heart Church at East End Forks, and since then has given all his time to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament at Hibbing. Father Hogan is a member of the Kiwanis Club, and is very popular with all classes of citizens in the community.
JOHN M. BROWN. Thirty-two years of residence makes John M. Brown a pioneer of Ely. His name is held in high esteem throughout this community. He is known as a man of industry, reliable and re- sponsible in everything he undertakes. Since March, 1916, he has held the office of postmaster.
Mr. Brown was born at Brechin, Scotland, in January, 1869, son of John and Mary ( Mason) Brown, His parents spent all their lives in Scotland and the father was in the insurance business at Brechin.
With the advantages of the local schools of his native town John M. Brown at the age of fifteen went to work in the finishing depart- ment of linen mills, and was a mill hand until at the age of twenty-one he left for America, his destination being Ely, where his older brother, David, had preceded him and was engaged in the tailoring business. This was in 1890. Mr. Brown on reaching Ely became night clerk at the Exchange Hotel and subsequently entered the employ of the old established mercantile firm of the Miller Store Company, and was with that concern through many faithful years of service. For several years he delivered goods for the concern all over Ely, and in that work as in other employment made many friends and had very sub- stantial backing when he became a candidate for postmaster. Mr. Brown is chairman of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church at Ely and is affiliated with the Foresters.
In 1895 he married Miss Jessie Mollison, also of Brechin, Scotland. They have two sons, Allen and Norman. The former is employed in the local mines at Ely. Norman is in the United States Navy, on duty on the U. S. Prairie with headquarters at San Diego, California.
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WELLS F. MORONG. During the late war the Young Men's Chris- tian Association was brought prominently before the public and none of the boys in the service will ever forget the work of the "Y," but long before that mighty conflict this admirable organization was car- rying on its wonderful efforts in behalf of the young men of the coun- try, and is still so engaged. The various branches all over the country owe much of their efficiency in times of peace, just as they did during the war, to the capable efforts of the secretaries, upon whom rest much of the responsibility of operation. They are men chosen for their spe- cial fitness for the work, and are without exception earnest, sincere and hard-working, laboring for the cause more than for personal advance- ment, and always occupying a leading position among the constructive element of the community in which they are located. One of these de- pendable men, who has devoted the greater part of his life to the work, is Wells F. Morong of Proctor, general secretary of the Duluth, Missabe and Northern Railway Young Men's Christian Association.
Wells F. Morong was born in Maine, October 3, 1875, a son of Daniel Morong, grandson of William Morong, and a member of an old American family that is traced back to France. William Morong was a seafaring man who died at Dennysville, Maine. Daniel Morong also was a seaman and commanded his vessel. He is still living, making his home at Rowley, Massachusetts, to which place he took his family . when his son Wells F. was sixteen years old and the latter spent six years as a hand or shipmate with his father. During the Civil war Daniel Morong enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was made a corporal. He and his wife had a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters are now living, and of them all Wells F. Morong was the fourth in order of birth
Mr. Morong was educated in the public schools of Maine, Day's Com- mercial College of Portland, Maine, and the Young Men's Christian As- sociation College at Springfield, Massachusetts. When he was sixteen years old he began to be self-supporting, and followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, turned to the sea and for six years fol- lowed it, visiting the cities of South America on coasting trips. He then was connected with a wholesale tea and coffee house in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, for two years, following which he became a traveling sales- man. After a short time he took a position as bookkeeper for a whole- sale grocery house of Portland, Maine, but becoming interested in his present line of work decided to devote himself to it, and as such has been stationed in different parts of the country.
In 1907 he was sent to Proctor and has superintended the erec- tion of the present Y. M. C. A. building, which was constructed exclu- sively for the use of the employes of the Duluth, Missabe and North- ern Railroad. It is equipped with all modern conveniences for conduct- ing all of the departments, including a large gymnasium and swimming pool. It has a large and enthusiastic membership, and the influence for good exerted over the men is unquestioned.
Mr. Morong was married September 7, 1907, at Portland, Maine, to Miss Caroline Clark, who was educated in the public schools of that city. Her parents are of Scotch descent. Mrs. Morong is a worthy as- sociate of her husband in social uplift work, and has been very active in the United Society of Christian Endeavor and is one of the branch organizers of this association. While at Portland, Maine, she was presi- dent of the local organization. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morong are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and since coming to Proc- tor have been zealous in their efforts in behalf of their church here. They have three children, namely : Daniel, who was born March 2, 1910;
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Merrill, who was born December 24, 1912, and Lydia, who was born July 16, 1914.
MICHAEL F. CHALK is a Duluth pioneer. He first knew this city over forty years ago and has been a resident there forty years. His name is especially familiar to all the Great Lakes transportation inter- ests centering at Duluth. For many years he has held the responsible office of federal steamship inspector.
Mr. Chalk was born September 1, 1851, in the state of Rhode Island, a son of Michael and Catherine (Ragen) Chalk. His father, a native of Connecticut, was a life-long mechanic and followed his vocation both in the United States and Canada. He died in 1888. Michael F. Chalk was second in a large family of children. He attended school only a few terms, and acquired most of his education by active contact with men and affairs. At the age of eleven years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of mechanic and boilermaker. He served thirty-two months in Connecticut and then took up another vocation, becoming a fireman on a Great Lakes steamboat. He was on Great Lakes boats plying between Buffalo, Collingwood, Chicago and Duluth for ten years or more. In 1880 he located permanently at Duluth, and for five years was chief of the fire department of the city. Later he became local inspector of steamboats, and in that capacity has inspected for the Fed- eral Government all the boats in a large territory, including part of the Mississippi River and northern Minnesota. His offices are on the sec- ond floor of the Federal Building.
Mr. Chalk has witnessed Duluth grow from an outpost on the north- western frontier to a splendid city of over a hundred thousand popula- tion. He is a recognized authority on many matters connected with wa- ter transportation. His character has always been that of a thoroughly progressive citizen and deeply interested in everything intended to pro- mote the growth and development of Duluth. He is a member of the Elks order. Mr. Chalk married in 1876. His wife died in 1888, leaving him one daughter, Miss Pearl Chalk of Duluth.
JOHN A. HARRI. A hardware merchant at Ely for the past thirteen years, John A. Harri is one of the best known of local citizens, and has called Ely his home for thirty years. His has been an honorable record whether in connection with business, with public affairs or as a soldier of his adopted country.
Mr. Harri was born in Finland in 1880, son of Edward and Mary Harri, who were born in the same country, the former in 1854 and the latter in 1856. Both are now residents of Ely. When they brought their family from Finland during the eighties they lived for a short time at Ironwood, Michigan, then for four years at Port Arthur, Canada, and in 1891 established their permanent residence at Ely. Edward Harri for a short time was employed in the Chandler Mines, and later became a contractor supplying the mines with timber and lumber. For the past ten years he has been in the cattle business, owns several tracts and par- cels of land, and has a summer home on the lake. Of the family of Edward Harri, six sons and two daughters, seven live on the Ranges in Minnesota.
John A. Harri acquired most of his education at Ely. It was the main business of every member of the Harri family to get out and hustle as soon as age and strength permitted, and John Harri was well equipped for a strenuous participation in the work of the world, being big and strong. As a boy he went into the timber and soon became an adept in all branches of logging and lumbering. During the Spanish-American
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war he served as a member of Company L of the Fifteenth Minnesota Regiment, and later went to the Philippines in Company C of the Thir- ty-fourth United States Infantry, under Captain George E. Gibson. Mr. Harri participated in twenty-three engagements during the Filipino in- surrection, an honorable service record such as few men on the Ranges can excel.
Mr. Harri established himself in the hardware business in 1908, and has a large patronage and his business ability and personal character have won him a great leadership and popular following. In 1903 he married Hilma Mieltunen of Ely. They have a family of four sons and four daughters. Mr. Harri is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Eagles, Woodmen of the World, Moose and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and has joined in heartily with the program of the Commercial Club, which has contributed so much to the improvement and advancement of Ely in recent years.
MICHAEL H. GODFREY has given a quarter of a century of service to the Oliver Iron Mining Company and is one of the veterans in the service of that corporation and is its district manager at Hibbing. Ev- erything connected with the mining, transportation, marketing and man- ufacture of iron ore has attracted the study, thought and effort of Mr. Godfrey, and he is one of the readily recognized experts in the range country of northern Minnesota.
Mr. Godfrey has spent practically all his life in the great mining sec- tion of the north. He was born in Champion, Michigan, April 13, 1872, son of Robert and Bridget (Hogan) Godfrey. His parents were born in Ireland, were married after they came to the United States, and since 1898 have had their home at Hibbing. They reared a family of ten children.
Michael H. Godfrey grew up in his native state, completed a high school education at Champion and for one year attended college at Jo- liet, Canada. While there he became well versed in the French lan- guage, and that knowledge had much to do with some of his early ad- vancements in business. For a time he clerked in a postoffice at Nor- way, Michigan, and for about three years was employed there in the store of the Penn Iron Company. It was his knowledge of French that brought this appointment. He was soon in the accounting department and had much to do with handling trade and other work involving the use of the French language.
Mr. Godfrey came to Virginia City on the Mesaba Range in Min- nesota in February, 1893, and was first employed in the accounting department by the Merritt brothers. After the shutdown of the Minne- sota Mine, in which he was working, in August, 1893, he was transferred to the Mountain Iron Mine in charge of the accounting department. In September, 1895, he was transferred to Hibbing, and began work under Pentecost Mitchell, now vice president of the Oliver Iron Mining Com- pany. Since then continuously for a quarter of a century he has been with the Oliver Company, has been promoted through various grades and since April, 1917, has been district manager of the Western District for the Oliver interests. The years of undiminished enthusiasm, constant study and initiative and enterprise have brought him notable advance- ment and a place of high influence in the industrial life of the north.
He has likewise been closely identified with the public welfare of Hibbing, and in the early days of the village served as a member of the council. He is a Republican and a member of the Catholic Church. On October 12, 1897, Mr. Godfrey married Cecelia Gandsey, who died in 1916. Of her eight surviving children one son was a soldier in the World A
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war. In February, 1920, Mr. Godfrey married Mrs. Mary E. Kramer, of Duluth.
F. A. BREWER. It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to bestow her favor upon the indolent and ambitionless, and only those who seek her untiringly are recipients of her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential business man and representative citizen whose name introduces this sketch it is plainly seen that the pros- perity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
F. A. Brewer was born November 28, 1854, in Oakland County, Michigan, the second in order of birth of the six children born to Addi- son P. and Salinda S. (Graifs) Brewer. His father was a civil engineer and surveyor by profession, and became one of the pioneer lumbermen of southern Michigan, probably having had as much as any other man to do with the cutting off of the great pine forests which at one time covered great districts in the southern part of the state. He died in 1905, in Sag- inaw, Michigan, where he had resided during the greater portion of his life. F. A. Brewer received a fair education in the public schools of his home community, and when old enough became associated with his father in the lumber business, remaining with him for five years. In 1880 he removed to Duluth, Minnesota, where he formed a partnership with a Mr. Duncan, under the firm name of Duncan & Brewer, and engaged in the lumber business. They were successful in that enterprise, and in 1900 the concern was incorporated, Mr. Brewer becoming president of the company and Mr. Duncan its secretary and treasurer. This company was one of the pioneer lumber companies in this section of Minnesota, cutting and sawing a large amount of timber, and continued in active operation until the accessible timber in Minnesota and Michigan was practically exhausted. This company also engaged extensively in the logging and lumber business in the southern states until about 60 per cent of the timber in Alabama and Louisiana had been cut off. One of Mr. Brewer's sons is now engaged in southern operations. Since 1904 Mr. Brewer has not actively followed the lumber business, being inter- ested in other lines of industry. While he has given a great deal of his attention to the lumber business, he has also been financially interested in a number of other industrial enterprises, and in this way he has been a potent factor in the development of the commercial life of Du- luth, being a director in several of the most important business enter- prises operating in Duluth. He has taken a great pride in its growth, and has consistently boosted the city and its interests wherever and whatever way possible.
In 1877, in Saginaw, Michigan, Mr. Brewer was married to Jennie Duncan, and to them have been born three children, Charles D., Florence and Walter D. Mr. Brewer is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Club, the Kitchi Gammi Club and the Duluth Golf Club. He has taken a keen interest in the public affairs of his city, especially as pertaining to educational affairs, and for twelve years he gave effective and appreci- ative service as a member of the City School Board. He is proud of Duluth and of the grand state of Minnesota and zealous of their pros- perity and progress. He is a man who in every respect merits the high esteem in which he is universally held, for he is a man of public spirit and exemplary character.
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FRED A. KLASS. While his primary aim during his quarter of a cen- tury residence at Hibbing has been to build up a substantial and prosper- ous business, Fred A. Klass has at the same time performed the duties of good citizenship, and is not only one of Hibbing's oldest merchants but one of its most esteemed residents.
He was born at Oconto, Wisconsin, March 14, 1870, son of William and Anna (Heinrichs) Klass, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. His father came to the United States at the age of fifteen in 1848, about the time of the German revolution, when so many high class Germans left the fatherland. He grew up in Wisconsin and spent his life in that state, being one of the pioneer lumbermen of Oconto. He also served as county sheriff for several years, and later as assessor of his county.
Next to the oldest in a family of ten children, Fred A. Klass grew up in Oconto and in 1886 graduated as a member of the first class of the local high school. The following year he clerked in the postoffice. He then began an apprenticeship to learn the jeweler's trade. The provisions of the apprenticeship were such that he had to depend upon himself for a living and he earned a living by working at intervals in lumber camps.
It was through the presence of friends at Hibbing that Mr. Klass came to the village in 1895. There was little to commend it as a busi- ness or municipal community. It was two years old and all the business was located along Pine street. In the Cox Building in December, 1895, Mr. Klass opened up as a local jewelry merchant, though in the absence of capital he had little more than a watchmaker's bench. He furnished a service equal to the needs of the community, and it has always been his ambition to keep his store a little bit in advance of the needs of the community. His establishment today is second to none in the town, and his prosperity has been proportioned accordingly.
Nothing tending to the betterment of the community has failed to re- ceive his consideration and effort. He served two terms as a member of the Village Council and during the World war was actively identified with several committees to promote the sale of Liberty bonds, the rais- ing of funds for Red Cross and other purposes. Mr. Klass is a Re- publican and a member of the Kiwanis Club, Algonquin Club, the Ma- sonic lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On October 14, 1897, he married Miss Frieda Hartman, of Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, only daughter of August and Johanna (Weyrich) Hart- man. They have one son, Frederick, born August 8, 1898. He finished his liberal education in the University of Minnesota, and during the war was enrolled in the Students' Naval Reserve Unit. He married Miss Hazel Hansen, who was reared and educated in this county and also attended the University of Minnesota.
W. H. APPLEBY. In compiling this volume of representative citizens of Duluth and St. Louis County occasion has been afforded to give the records of men in many walks of life; here will be found appropriate mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we pre- sent a resume of the career of one of the enterprising and successful con- tractors and builders of this city, where he has lived for a score of years and where he has attained to a high degree of success in his chosen field of labor.
W. H. Appleby was born in Toronto, Canada, on the 18th day of April, 1861, and is the second child in order of birth of the nine chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Guy Appleby. His father, whose death oc- curred in 1908, was a prominent and successful building contractor. W. II.
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Appleby received his educational training in the public schools of Toronto, and at the age of nineteen years was apprenticed to learn the trade of a sash and door maker in a factory in Toronto. In 1887 .he came to the United States and was here employed at his trade as a journeyman up to 1900. He then came to Duluth and engaged in gen- eral contracting, in which he has met with a very gratifying degree of success, being considered one of the most capable and reliable contractors and builders in the city. Among his first contracts after coming here was the building of a number of first-class residences for the Lakeside Land Company, and since then he has erected many of the most expen- sive, substantial and attractive residences in the city, including the Siber- stein home at Twenty-first avenue and First street, the Henry Abrahams home, known as "Oak Hall," at Twenty-third avenue and Third street, the Pattison home at Twenty-fifth avenue, East, and Greysland road, be- sides many others of a similar character all over the city, as well as business blocks, garages, etc.
Politically Mr. Appleby gives his support to the Republican party, and his religious affiliation is with the Congregational Church. He is a member of the Citizens' Club and enjoys a wide acquaintance through- out the city.
On November 2, 1888, in Duluth, Mr. Appleby was married to Mary McCullen, whose death occurred on February 11, 1911. To this union were born four children, namely : Marion, now the wife of E. M. Nelson ; Hazel, the wife of A. E. Freedman; Howard, in the employ of the Oli- ver Mining Company, and Richard, who is a student in the Duluth High School. A man of high moral character, unimpeachable integ- rity, persistent industry and excellent judgment, he stands "four square to every wind that blows," and occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens.
HARRY W. ANDERSON is a graduate dental surgeon from the Univer- sity of Minnesota, and in a few years has built up an exceptionally large practice at Aurora.
Doctor Anderson was born at Waite Park, near St. Cloud, Minne- sota, August 21, 1896, son of William and Clara (Petersen) Anderson. His parents were natives of Sweden, were married in the United States and are still living at St. Cloud, his father being sixty-eight and his moth- er sixty-two. His father is in the repair department of the Great North- ern Railroad at St. Cloud. Both parents are active members of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
The youngest of six children, Harry W. Anderson was reared and educated at St. Cloud, and completed the work of the St. Cloud High School in 1915. While carrying his studies in the dental school of the State University he enlisted early in the World war and was attached to the Medical Reserve Corps. He graduated with the degree D. D. S. in 1919, and soon afterward located at Aurora. Doctor Anderson is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a mem- ber of the Duluth, State and National Dental Associations.
GEORGE T. AYRES, M. D. A long and able service has been per- formed by Doctor Ayres as a physician and surgeon at Ely, where he is one of the proprietors of the Ayres & Parker Hospital, and from 1899 to 1908 was assistant to Dr. Charles G. Shipman.
Doctor Ayres was born at Kalida, Ohio, in February, 1875, son of Samuel D. and Ann A. (Myers) Ayres, his father a native of Stark County, Ohio, and his mother of Putnam County, Ohio. The mother now lives with her son at Ely. Samuel D. Ayres was a first lieutenant
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in the Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, served with General Thomas at Chick- amauga and his life was shortened by the the arduous nature of his duty as a soldier. After the war he was a general merchant at Kalida and also filled the office of justice of the peace.
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