USA > Minnesota > Brown County > History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) > Part 48
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in his political views, holding that in local governmental affairs the general fitness of the candidates for office should be the consideration actuating the suffrage, in preference to a submission to a mere party emblem.
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GEORGE JONES.
Although it has been a few years since the late George Jones, the subject of this memorial sketch, passed from this life, yet he is well remembered by many citizens of Brown county, Minnesota, as a man well worthy of the respect ac- corded him by friends and neighbors. George Jones, who farmed for many years on four hundred acres in Milford township, was an Englishman by birth, born in Manchester on November 16, 1827, and died at his home here on July 16, 1905. He was a son of George and Mary Jones, both natives of England. His father died when the subject of this sketch was but a small child and he was brought to this country by his mother and her parents. The family located near Erie, Pennsylvania, where young George grew to manhood and received his education, working on the home farm. As a young man, he took up his residence in the city of Erie and learned the carpenter trade. With this means of livelihood at his command, he came westward, living in St. Louis for a number of years and working at his trade. From St. Louis he moved to Hastings, this state, where he remained a short time and was married and then with his wife he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, near which town he owned a tract of land. After disposing of that land, they moved to Millville, Clay- ton county, Iowa, where George Jones operated a saw-mill for some two years, and in 1856 they came to Milford town- ship, this county. George Jones pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land, his claim being dated July 16, 1856, land being located on the Cottonwood river. This county at
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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE JONES.
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that time was in the earliest stages of development and the small eighteen by twenty log cabin George Jones built was typical of all other homes in this section. He set about im- proving his land and getting his farm into good condition, farmed there until the time of his death. The Jones family were located here before the Indian outrages of the early sixties and, as did others of this locality, they sought refuge at New Ulm, assisting in the protection of that town from the infuriated Indians. George Jones took a keen interest in the development of this section and was a school director for a number of years. He also served as justice of the peace and in many ways gave his labor and influence toward the advancement of the various phases of community life.
On October 23, 1853, George Jones was united in marriage with Mary Thomas, a daughter of Henry and Esther (Spicer) Thomas. Mary Thomas was a native of New York state, born January 20, 1835, her father having first seen the light of day in 1808 and her mother in 1815. Henry Thomas was reared a farmer and followed that voca- tion in his native state. He and his family came into the great Northwest at an early date and settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they entered land and remained a short time. They then moved to Margaretta county and entered another tract, remaining there also but a short time. In 1853 Henry Thomas joined the stream of gold hunters who were flocking to California and remained there about two years. Returning to this section of the country, he re- joined his family in Wisconsin and the following spring came to Brown county and entered land in Milford town- ship. That was in the spring of 1856 and in this township
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he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1875. His widow survived him until 1907. There were originally eight children in the Thomas family, but five sur- viving at the present time. These are Mary, widow of the immediate subject of this sketch, and the only one remain- ing in this county; Margaret, Minerva, Jane and Caroline.
George Jones and wife had a family of five children, namely: Annie Mary Esther, Henry Thomas, Edna Vir- ginia, Sarah and Herbert. Annie married Anton Richartz; Henry married Hannah Johnson and has four children, Ruth, Anna, George and Virginia; Ruth is the wife of Earl Murray. Edna became the wife of Charles Robertson; Sarah remained unmarried and Herbert chose Bertha Ganska as his helpmeet.
Religiously, George Jones was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and ordered his life by its teachings, while he gave his political support to the Republican party, being especially interested in that party's affairs as related to local matters. Altogether, he was one of the stanch and sturdy pioneers of this section at a time when the influence of a wise and good man did much toward forming the status of its future existence. His widow is the oldest living resi- dent in the county.
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CHARLES LOUIS PALMER.
Charles Louis Palmer, member of the board of county commissioners of Brown county and one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of Prairieville township, pro- prietor of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated six miles from the thriving city of Sleepy Eye, where he has lived since he was ten years old, is a native of Illinois, having been born in the town of Bowen, that state, March 24, 1872, son of Jesse and Letitia (McNeall) Palmer, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois.
Jesse Palmer was a merchant at Bowen, Illinois, and was in business there until 1882, in which year he disposed of his interests at that place and with his family came to Minnesota, settling in Brown county. He bought a half section of land in Prairieville township and there estab- lished his home. He farmed the place for ten years, at the end of which time he moved to Sleepy Eye, where he bought a grocery store, which he conducted quite successfully until his retirement from business in 1911, since which time he made his home in Long Beach, California, until his death, March 20, 1916. To him and his wife eight children were born, Mary, Frank, William, one who died in infancy, Charles L., Harry, Leroy and James.
Charles L. Palmer was about ten years old when his parents came to Brown county and his schooling was con- tinued in the district school in the neighborhood of his home in Prairieville township, in the meantime aiding his father
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in the development of the home place. In 1899 he took charge of the home farm and has since managed it, and is looked upon as one of the most substantial residents of that community. Mr. Palmer has long taken an active interest in local civic affairs and for five years served on the town- ship board. In 1915 he was elected county commissioner from his district and is now serving in that capacity.
In 1903 Charles L. Palmer was united in marriage to Isabelle Garrioch, daughter of Harry and Helena German (Bauman) Garrioch, pioneer settlers of Nicollet county, who came here from Scotland in 1858, and to this union two children have been born, Letitia and LaDonna. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Congregational church of Sleepy Eye. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Masonic lodge at Sleepy Eye and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that order.
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ROBERT C. DITTBENNER.
Robert C. Dittbenner, a well-known and progressive young farmer of Eden township, this county, manager of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in that township, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the farm where he still makes his home, January 30, 1885, sec- ond and younger son of August and Catherine Dittbenner, both natives of Germany.
August Dittbenner was a boy when he came to this country with his parents and he grew to manhood on a homestead farm in Cottonwood township. He learned the blacksmith trade and for a time worked at that trade in New Ulm, also being an active defender of that place, in the In- dian massacre of 1862, later homesteading a farm in Eden township, where he spent the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of five children, the subject of this sketch having three sisters, Emma, Adelia, and Lillian, and one brother, Ferdinand.
Robert C. Dittbenner was reared on the paternal farm in Eden township and has lived there all his life. He completed the course in the county schools at the age of nineteen, in the meantime assisting his father in the de- velopment of the home farm, and upon the death of his father assumed charge of the farm and still lives there, be- ing recognized as one of the most energetic young farmers in the neighborhood.
In 1909 Robert C. Dittbenner was united in marriage to Hulda Rohde, one of the thirteen children of William
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Rohde and wife, of Eden township, and to this union one child has been born, Bessie. Mr. and Mrs. Dittbenner are members of the Lutheran church and take an active part in the various good works of their home community. Mr. Dittbenner is an "independent" voter.
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EMIL RASMUSSEN.
One of the busy men of the town of Evan, Minnesota, is Emil Rasmussen, postmaster and merchant, who was born on October 2, 1868, in Denmark. He is a son of Hans and Kirstine (Larson) Rasmussen, both natives of Den- mark also, where they grew up, attended school and were married. The father owned a small farm in that country, which he operated until 1896 when he brought his second wife and daughter to Brown county, Minnesota, and bought the townsite of Evan, sold it out in lots and returned to Denmark in 1898, where his death occurred in 1912. His wife died when their son Emil was seven years of age. They had two other children-Rasmus, Sr., and Rasmus, Jr.
Emil Rasmussen spent his boyhood in Denmark where he received his education in the common schools, leaving school at the age of fourteen and went to work in a general store, in which he remained for six years, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of the business. He then immigrated to the United States, in 1889, coming directly to Evan, Minnesota, but soon thereafter went to Sleepy Eye where he worked in a store for two years, then returned to Evan and worked a short time for a merchant there, then formed a partnership with Andrew Clausen and bought the store in which he had been employed, and continued to operate the same under the firm name of Clausen & Ras- mussen for two years, when his partner sold out to Chris Mogensen, with whom Mr. Rasmussen has since been in partnership, and are doing a good business. Mr. Rasmus-
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sen was appointed postmaster in 1891 and has retained the office for twenty-four years successively, his long retention being evidence of his satisfactory services to the department and the people.
Emil Rasmussen was married in 1893 to Matilda Ras- mussen, a daughter of Martin and Christiana (Madsen) Rasmussen, both natives of Denmark, from which country they came to America in 1869 and finally established their home in Prairieville township, Brown county, Minnesota, where Matilda Rasmussen was born, reared and educated. She was one of six children. She has borne her husband two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other, Victor Martin Rasmussen, attended a veterinary college in Kansas City, Missouri, from which he graduated in April, 1916.
Politically, Mr. Rasmussen is a Republican. He is a member of the Danish Lutheran church of which he is treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic order, both blue lodge and chapter, at Sleepy Eye.
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WILLIAM G. McPHEE.
In financial circles of Brown county the name of Will- iam G. McPhee, cashier of the State Bank of Evan, Minne- sota, is well and favorably known. He was born at the town of Home, Brown county, February 18, 1875, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Simpson) McPhee, both parents born in the province of Ontario, Canada. There they spent their earlier years, the father working on a farm and in the lumber camps until he was thirty years of age, when he left Canada, in 1873, coming to Brown county, Minnesota, where he bought eighty acres of land in Home township, which he farmed for a period of thirty years, then purchased a farm in Eden township of four hundred acres, and after living there for ten years, engaging extensively in general farm- ing, he retired from active life, moving to Franklin, Minne- sota, where he now resides. His family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: William, Jessie, Archibald, Edward, Mary, Roy and Sarah.
William G. McPhee is the only member of his family now residing in Brown county. He grew up on the home farm where he worked during the summer months, and re- ceived his education in the public schools of Home town- ship, leaving school at the age of nineteen years and began teaching, which he followed five years, then bought one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Eden township, which he farmed, teaching school during the winter months, con- tinuing thus for three years, then engaged in farming ex- clusively for five years, when he sold out and removed to
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Sleepy Eye, engaging in business in that town for one year, after which he removed to Evan where he was a grain buyer for seven years, then became associated with the State Bank of Evan as cashier, in 1914, which position he still holds to the satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons. This bank has a capital and surplus of seventeen thousand dollars, and did a total business last year of one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars. It is rapidly growing, due in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. McPhee, who is not only able but honest and faithful in the discharge of his duties.
William G. McPhee was married in 1901 to Katherine Grimes, a daughter of Edward and Mary Grimes, both na- tives of Ireland, from which country they came to the United States in early life, and finally established their future home in Brown county, Minnesota, where Mrs. Mc- Phee was born, reared and educated. Her parents were among the pioneers of Brown county, having settled there about the year 1868. They had a family of seven children- three boys and four girls. Mr. McPhee and wife have one child, Harold McPhee, twelve years old, who has finished school at Evan and is now a student at Sleepy Eye.
Politically, Mr. McPhee is a Democrat. He has been a justice of the peace, also recorder of the town of Evan, was trustee of Eden township for two years, giving entire satis- faction to the people in all these offices. He is a member of the Catholic church at Sleepy Eye.
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GUS LAMBRECHT.
Gust Lambrecht, farmer, one of the substantial citizens of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, was born in New Ulm, this state, on May 16, 1863, being the eldest child of August and Augusta Lambrecht. There were orig- inally five children in the family, but now only Robert, Ida and Gust are living.
August Lambrecht was born on August 13, 1824, and his wife, Augusta, November 22, 1844, both being natives of Germany. August was a shepherd in his native land and emigrated to America when a young man. He located in Wisconsin where he worked as a farm hand, was married and in 1862 came to this county and located in New Ulm, just a few days before the Indian outbreak. He labored for the defense of that place and was twice wounded. After affairs had quieted down, he rented a farm in Sigel town- ship, where he remained for one year, and in 1863 home- steaded eighty acres in Milford township. He broke sod and put it under cultivation and gradually increased his holdings until at the time of his death in 1899 he was possessed of four hundred and forty acres of excellent land.
Gust Lambrecht received his education in the early pio- neer schools of Milford township, making the most of the meager opportunities offered and farmed with his father until 1895, when he purchased the farm of two hundred and twenty acres on which he now resides and started out in life for himself. He has all his land under cultivation and puts about one hundred and thirty acres to grains each year and
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feeds for the market an average of eighty hogs annually. Through careful attention to seed, etc., his yield on corn is something above the average for this section. Within the last few years, Mr. Lambrecht has put some six thousand dollars on his homestead in the way of improvements in buildings and has an attractive home. A beautiful grove adds greatly to the appearance of the place.
In 1891, Gust Lambrecht was united in marriage with Emma Schroer, daughter of Henry Schroer, and to their union have been born seven children, namely: Alma, Arthur, Edwin, Alfred, Fredie, Martha and Elsie. Mr. Lambrecht and family are members of the German Luth- eran church, in the work of which they take a commendable interest. Politically, he votes independently, and evinces more than the usual interest in local political affairs. He is now a member of the school board and has served as road supervisor, his duties being discharged to the satisfaction of all concerned. As a man and citizen, he is eminently en- titled to the high esteem in which he is held by those who know him.
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WILLIAM DEHN.
William Dehn, a farmer of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, was born on the same farm where he now lives on June 2, 1856, being a son of John and Johannah (Hochschild) Dehn, both natives of Germany.
John Dehn was a blacksmith and devoted his time to that trade until his emigration to America. After coming to this country, he located in Chicago, where he remained three or four years, still blacksmithing. It was while living in Chicago he met and married Johannah Hochschild and in 1855 they came to this county with the Chicago Land Asso- ciation, which brought many of the earlier settlers to this section. John Dehn was among the very earliest settlers of this county and for many years was one of its sturdy pio- neer citizens. Upon coming here he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, all virgin land, upon which the foot of white man had scarcely rested. He broke the sod him- self and erected a small cabin, living under the most primi- tive conditions. He came overland from St. Paul and had no team, his sole possessions in the way of live stock being a cow and her calf. John Dehn was beginning to make some headway toward the redemption of his land when the In- dian outbreaks occurred in the early sixties and with others of this section he fled to New Ulm for safety, losing most of his possessions. After affairs had quieted down, he decided to remain in New Ulm, and did so, operating a blacksmith shop there for seven years. He then returned to his farm and remained there actively engaged in work, until a few
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years before his death. After giving up active work, he made his home on the old place with his son, the immediate subject of this sketch. John Dehn passed away in 1897, his widow surviving him ten years. They were the parents of two children, William and Mary.
William Dehn received such education as the limited school facilities of Milford township and New Ulm afforded at the time of his youth, taking up work with his father on the home place later on. At the time of his marriage in 1883, William rented the home place from his father, and at the time of the latter's death, bought out his sister's in- terest. His farm at present consists of two hundred acres, well improved and showing good management. Since se- curing possession of the entire place, he has spent about four thousand dollars in the way of improvements and is eminently deserving of the success which is his.
On June 7, 1883, William Dehn was united in marriage with Martha Backer, daughter of John Backer, and to their union have been born five children, namely: Fred W., Louis, August, Herbert and Eltor. Fred married Ida Roll- off, while Louis chose Viola Knees as his wife. He is the father of two children, Elenora and Melvin.
Mrs. Dehn holds religious membership with the church at New Ulm. Mr. Dehn is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. In politics he votes independently, chos- ing the man individually rather than endorsing any one party's whole ticket.
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PHILIP KNEES.
Among the successful farmers and substantial citizens of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, is Philip Knees, to a short sketch of whose career the attention of the reader is now directed. Mr. Knees was born in Illinois on December 22, 1854, his parents, William and Mary Knees, having settled for a time in that state after reaching this country from Germany. For further particulars of the Knees family, please refer to the sketch of Albert Knees, brother of Philip, presented elsewhere in this volume.
Philip Knees was a small boy when his parents settled in Milford township and it was in the schools of this place he received his education, making the best of the limited opportunities offered in an educational way at that time. He remained on the home farm assisting the father until twenty-seven years of age, when he started out in life for himself. His first venture was the farming of a rented tract of land, where he remained a few years, and then made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, same being the nucleus of his present farm of two hundred acres. For his first purchase he paid a price of twenty dollars per acre and has in all put about five thousand dollars' worth of im- provements on his farm, which is one of the modern and up-to-date homesteads of the county. In addition to the residence and other buildings erected, Mr. Knees set out a grove, which is now a thing of beauty and adds much value to his land. Philip Knees conducts his farming along mod- ern lines, putting on an average of forty-five acres to corn
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per annum with ninety acres to various small grains, realiz- ing the usual yield for this section.
Philip Knees has been twice married, his first wife be- ing Rosa Layman, with whom he was united in marriage in 1881. She was a daughter of Fred Layman and after her death he married Josephine Friedmann, daughter of Frank Friedmann, and to that union three children have been born. Viola, the eldest, became the wife of Louis Dehn and is the mother of two children, Laura and Melvin. Alma married Ernst Ralloff and the mother of one child, Evelyn. Harvey, the youngest of the family, is still at home with the parents.
Philip Knees and family stand high in the estimation of all of their community. In politics, he is an independent voter and always interested in the proper administration of affairs, particularly relating to local matters.
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JOHN GAREIS.
John Gareis, numbered among the progressive citizens of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria on December 6, 1864, a son of John and Ricka Gareis, both natives of the same place. John Gareis, the eldest, was a farmer in his native land and followed that vocation throughout his life. He, with his family, emigrated to America in 1872, came to this state and located in Milford township on the land where the imme- diate subject of this sketch now resides. The farm at that time consisted of one hundred and twenty acres in farming lands and twenty acres in timber, and on that tract John Gareis, the elder, passed the remainder of his life. His death occurred in 1910, his wife having died in 1894. He took a keen interest in the development of this section and served as road overseer for a good many years.
John Gareis was one of a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living. John was young when brought to this country by his parents and received his education in the schools of this township. He remained under the par- ental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he became a farmer on his own account, having purchased one hundred and forty acres from his father. At the present time he owns two hundred and ten acres, all of which is under culti- vation except ten acres, which is in timber. Mr. Gareis divides his attention between general farming and the rais-
(19a)
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ing of a certain amount of live stock and is quite successful in carrying out his plans.
On June 29, 1893, he was united in marriage with Alma Krause, born on August 29, 1874, in Milford, a daughter of Henry Krause, and to their union has been born a family of six children, namely: Walter, Ellen, Alma, Harry, Arnin and Roy, all unmarried and at home with the par- ents. Mr. Gareis and his family are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a commendable interest. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party and like his father before him, he is interested in the question of good roads. He has been road boss for a good many years and is now also serving as town- ship supervisor of Milford township. Mr. Gareis is one of Milford township's progressive citizens, always interested in the development of any phase of community life.
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