USA > Minnesota > Watonwan County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 27
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Horace H. Tackels, the grandfather of LaMont Howard Tackels, was of English descent. He married Samantha Webster and they lived for a time on a farm in Michigan. They later moved to a farm near Edgerton, Wisconsin, and then to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he owned a farm in Pleasant Mounds township. He served for two years in the Civil War. Horace H. and Samantha Tackels were the parents of the following children : Minerva, deceased; Martin Van Buren, Hattie, Sylvia, deceased ; Mart, and Charles, deceased.
Martin Van Buren Tackels was educated in the common and high schools of Michigan and Wisconsin. He and Mrs. Tackels are the parents of the following children : Kittie Eleanor, Mettie Grace, and LaMont How- ard. Kittie Eleanor was born on March 7, 1866. She is the wife of W. D. Hadley, of Martin county, Minnesota. They have one child, Frances Ger- trude. Mettie Grace was born on March 4, 1872. She is the wife of W.
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L. Hackney. They have two children, Harrold LaMont and Francis Mar- tin. LaMont Howard, the subject of this sketch, married Helen Killmer, and to this union three children have been born, Mettie Eleanor, Edith Evelyn, deceased, and Marion Helen.
While in high school, LaMont Howard Tackels held positions on the Madelia Messenger and on the Times. He is progressive and well-informed.
W. J. MCCARTHY, M. D.
Dr. W. J. McCarthy, of Madelia, one of the best-known physicians in this part of the state, is a native son of Watonwan county and has lived there practically all his life, being thus thoroughly conversant with the growth and development of this region since the days of the pioneers. He was born on a pioneer farm in Antrim township, Watonwan county, March 2, 1868, son of John and Margaret (Thompson) McCarthy, early settlers in that section of the county, who are now living comfortably retired in their pleasant home at Madelia.
John McCarthy was born near the city of Belfast, in the north of Ire- land, August 15, 1840, son of Edward and Esther (Casement) McCarthy, both natives of that same section of Ireland, the former of whom, a shoe- maker, died when his son, John, the eldest of his four children, was six years old. When not yet twenty-two years of age, in May, 1862, John McCarthy left his native land and came to the New World, landing at Quebec. The next year he came into the Northwest and settled at West- field, Wisconsin, where he married Margaret Thompson, and in 1864 came to Minnesota, locating in Wabasha county, whence, in 1866, he came over into this part of the state and pre-empted a homestead tract, at the same time taking a timber claim in section 12 of what presently became Antrim townhsip, Watonwan county. That fall he assisted in the organization of his home township and secured for it the name of Antrim, in honor of the county in which he was born in Ireland. He took an active part in early civic affairs, was the first clerk of Antrim township and later served for some time as supervisor. John McCarthy was a good farmer and his affairs prospered from the very start. He lived on his homestead farm for fourteen years, at the end of which time, in 1880, he sold his place to advan- tage and moved over into Lincoln township, Blue Earth county, where he bought a farm of four hundred and seventy-nine acres and there established
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his home, remaining there for thirty-four years, or until 1914, in which year he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to Madelia, where they are now living and where they have a beautiful home. During his residence in Blue Earth county, Mr. McCarthy also was active in public affairs and for years was chairman of the local board in his home township. He took an earnest interest in the cause of the schools and his children were given every opportunity to acquire a good education, four of them being gradu- ates of Carleton College. Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy are members of the Presbyterian church and their children were reared in that faith. There are twelve of these children, all living, of whom Doctor McCarthy is the third in order of birth, the others being as follow: E. F., who is living on the old home farm in Blue Earth county; Robert H., who is living on his own farm; James N., also a farmer, who makes his home at Madelia; Garfield, on the old home farm; Oscar, also on the farm; Richard, who was graduated from Carleton College and is now engaged as an assayer in the mines at Butte, Montana; Esther, at home with her parents; Bessie, also at home; the Rev. Samuel McCarthy, a graduate of Carleton College, now pastor of the Congregational church at Chamberlain, South Dakota; Rachel, at home, and Margaret, a graduate of Carelton College, who is now a member of the faculty of the Normal School at Bellingham, Washington.
Dr. W. J. McCarthy is a student as well as a physician and is ever keeping abreast of the wonderful advancement that is being made in modern medical science. He was well equipped by preparatory study for the prac- tice of his profession and from the days of his youth his studies were pur- sued with his ultimate profession in view. Upon completing the course in the public schools of Antrim township, he entered Carleton College, from which he was graduated in 1894. In the fall of that same year he matricu- lated at the medical department of Northwestern University at Chicago and was graduated from that excellent institution, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1897. This admirably equipped for the practice of his chosen profession, Doctor McCarthy returned to his home state and located at Madelia, where he opened an office and where he has been practicing ever since, long having been regarded as one of the leading physicians of this part of the state. He is a member of the County Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and takes an earnest interest in the affairs of these several professional organizations. Doctor McCarthy is "independent" in his political views and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. For two years he served as mayor of Madelia and in other ways has done his part in the
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civic life of the community. He was president of the school board for twelve years and a member of board for three years more.
Doctor McCarthy has a most competent and admirable helpmate in the labors of his exacting profession, Mrs. McCarthy, who, before her mar- riage, was Lella Clark, a daughter of John Clark, taking her part, together with the Doctor, in the various social and cultural activities of Madelia and ever interested in such measures as are designed to advance the common good hereabout. Doctor and Mrs. McCarthy have two sons, Donald and Richard. They are members of the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in the various beneficences of the same. Doctor McCarthy is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the blue lodge at Madelia; of the chapter at St. James and of the commandery at New Ulm. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.
GEORGE DRAKE.
There is a certain distinction in being a native of the Empire state, which has furnished many great men to our national life and has from the beginning been a potent factor in the affairs of the Union. One of those who hail from within her borders is George Drake, farmer of Fieldon town- ship, Watonwan county. He was born in Monroe county, New York, Sep- tember 26, 1844, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Perrin) Drake. Grandfather Thomas Perrin was a native of England, a miller by occupa- tion, and he finally settled at Rochester, New York. Isaac Drake was also a native of England and was married there, and five of his children were born in that country. He then removed with his family to America and settled in the state of New York, locating in Monroe county, where he engaged in farming, removing to Cheboygan county, Wisconsin, in 1854, buying eighty acres there, on which he spent the rest of his life. He was a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married, and his family consisted of the following children: Mary, James, John, Eliza, William, Jane, George and Isaac.
George Drake grew up on the farm where he worked when a boy and he received his education in the public schools. In 1867 he came to Minne- sota and took up a homestead in Fieldon township, Watonwan county, but did not prove up on it. Later he purchased eighty acres on which he has
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since resided. He was a pioneer. There were but ten miles of railroad in the state when he came to Minnesota; the country was sparsely settled, and dangers beset him on every hand, not the least of which were prairie fires. He worked hard and developed a productive farm from the raw prairie. He first built a small pine house on his land, in which he lived fifteen years. He set out the first tree-a cottonwood-in the township. He has since set out trees of the following varieties: Cottonwood, maple, box-elder, elm, ash, and willow, and now has attractive surroundings to his home. He built his present dwelling in 1889, and his barn in 1908.
Mr. Drake was married in 1869 to Ellen Johnson, a daughter of War- ren Johnson, a pioneer in Minnesota. To this union one child has been born, Earl H. Drake.
Politically, Mr. Drake is a Republican. He has never cared for public office. He is a member of the Baptist church.
JACOB BROGGER.
An influential citizen of Butterfield, Watonwan county, is Jacob Brog- ger, banker, who has long been one of the boosters of his community and has promoted its interests in all legitimate ways.
Mr. Brogger was born in Norway, January 3, 1877, and is a son of N. C. and Margrethe (Jervel) Brogger, both natives of Norway, where they grew up, attended school, were married and established their permanent home, and there they still reside. The father is a minister in the Lutheran church.
Jacob Brogger grew to manhood in his native land and there received his education. When twenty years of age he set sail for "the land of the free," and terminated his long journey at Butterfield, Watonwan county, Minnesota, where he has continued to reside. He had little capital upon reaching this place, and in order to get a start worked two summers on the farm, then clerked in the store of C. N. Sonnesyn in Butterfield, for four years. In 1903 the State Bank of Butterfield was organized, and Mr. Brog- ger was offered the position of assistant cashier, which he accepted. In 1904 he became cashier, and in 1908 was advanced to the presidency, which posi- tion he still holds. He has been the prime motive power in this safe and popular institution from the first and his industry, honesty and sound judg- ment have made it a decided success. A general banking business is carried
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on, and the bank has modern fixtures. He is also interested in real estate and has done considerable business in this line.
Mr. Brogger was married in 1903 to Emma Brynildson, a native of St. James, Minnesota, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of Fred Brynildson and wife. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, named as follow: Ragnhild, Niel, Maureen and Jacob Brog- ger.
Mr. Brogger is a Republican in politics and has been active in public affairs for some time. He served as village recorder for a period of six years, and is now county commissioner. Religiously, he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accom- plished in a strange land, unaided and alone, and without capital, forging his way to the front over obstacles that would have discouraged most men.
M. C. VOLD.
M. C. Vold was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, August 6, 1887, a son of C. J. and Julia Vold, both natives of Norway. They came to America in 1840 and located in LaSalle county, Illinois, where they lived until 1878, when they moved to Story county, Iowa. There the father died in 1912; the mother is still living.
M. C. Vold was educated in the common schools of Story county, Iowa. He started out to make his own way at the age of sixteen, working at odd jobs as he could find them. The first steady employment he found was a position as a clerk in a store, at Southernland, Iowa. The wages were small, but he stuck to his job for three years and made good. His next place was at Soo Rapids, Iowa, where he held a clerkship in a store for five years. In 1894 he started in the grocery business in Chicago, and con- ducted that business for about three years. Then he went to Alto, Iowa, and worked there for about four years; then started a general store at Sulphur Springs, Iowa, in partnership with C. P. Comelinson. He dis- posed of his interest there and, in the fall of 1902, he came to Jeffers. Here, in company with his former partner, he opened up a general store. In 1912 he bought the interest of his partner and has since been carrying on the business in his own name. He is also interested in real estate, being the owner of farms in Cottonwood and Murray counties.
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Mr. Vold was married to Amanda Anderson. To this union five chil- dren have been born: Harold M., George A., Leslie C., Helen A., who died when young, and Neida M. Mrs. Vold is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Vold affiliates with the Republican party.
JOHN S. ENGLIN.
John S. Englin was born in Adrian township, Watonwan county, Janu- ary 9, 1872, a son of Swan and Kari (Swanson) Englin, who were both born in Sweden. Swan Englin was a farmer and wagon-maker while living in Sweden. He came to America in 1870 and located for a short time in St. Peter, Nicollet county, Minnesota. There he was employed in the con- struction of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad, between St. Peter and St. James. In 1871 he came to Adrian township, Watonwan county, and located on a farm in section 12, and, in 1874, he located a home- stead in section 10, Adrian township. He lived on this farm for the rest of his life. He died in April, 1912. His wife, to whom he was married in 1871, is still living. Swan Englin was a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. He was a Republican and served as treasurer of Adrian township.
John S. Englin is said to be the first boy born in Adrian township. The other children in this family are: Anna. Emma, Ida, Mary and Carl.
John S. Englin was educated in the public schools of Adrian town- ship, and during his early years worked with his father on the farm. In 1899 he bought a farm, located across the road from that of his father, and began farming on his own account. His farm comprised two hundred acres, a fine body of land. He continued to operate this farm until 1914, when he discontinued the farming business and, in partnership with A. J. Samuel- son, opened up a hardware and implement store in Darfur. He has since given his attention to this business, and still owns his farm, which he man- ages through renters.
In 1890 John S. Englin and Amanda E. Carlson were united in mar- riage. Mrs. Englin is a daughter of John A. and Brita Carlson. To this union five children have been born: Arthur B., Oscar R., Albert A., Aton F., and Richard E.
Mr. and Mrs. Englin are members of the Swedish Lutheran church. Politically, Mr. Englin is a Republican. For about nine years he served as treasurer of Adrian township, while a resident on his farm in that township.
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JOHN PEDVIN.
It is not every man that can become a good locomotive engineer. Some lack the courage, the keen eye, the steady nerve and the prompt decision, as well as other characteristics, necessary to the successful engine driver. John Pedvin, of St. James, Watonwan county, seems to possess such attri- butes, for he has made good on the road.
John Pedvin was born in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, December 15, 1863, and is a son of Daniel and Jane (Moore) Pedvin. The father was a native of the Island of Guernsey in the English Channel, his birth having occurred on April 9, 1820, and the mother was born on February 24, 1828, in London, England. They were married in England in 1850, and they came to Minnesota in 1852. locating near St. Peter, later moved to Rapidan, Blue Earth county, and in 1868 to Watonwan county, where the father took up a homestead of eighty acres in Riverdale township, later buying eighty acres more. He developed a good farm and finally made a visit to his old home in Guernsey Island, where he married his second wife. Coming back to America he spent some time at St. James and at Beatrice, Nebraska, but went back to Guernsey Island, where his death occurred in 1906. His first wife, the mother of John Pedvin, died on June 27, 1878. Nine children were born, namely: Daniel, born in England, December 1, 1852, died on May 28, 1903; Jane. August 23, 1855; Thomas, July 19, 1857, died on February 25, 1895; Rachael, November 20, 1859; Elizabeth, October 7, 1861; John, subject of this sketch: Julia Ann, September 24, 1866, died on November 13, 1896; Frederick W., February 2, 1868, died on October 8, 1907; Evaline Carrie, September 18, 1870. Daniel Pedvin was a Repub- lican, and he held a number of local offices. He was a member of the Epis- copal church.
John Pedvin was reared on the farm in Riverdale township and he received his education in the district schools there, walking four miles daily to school. He began life as a farmer, owning a good place, which he finally sold, and entered the railroad service in 1882, in which he remained until 1885, when he farmed again for two years, returning to the road in 1887 and has worked continuously on the road ever since. He was fireman on the Omaha railroad until September 11, 1890, when he was promoted to engineer and he has had charge of an engine ever since. He lived eleven years at Sioux City, but the rest of the time since 1887 he has lived in St. James, returning here in 1897. He built a residence here, in which he lived
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until 1913, when he sold it and built an attractive modern residence, where he now lives.
On July 1, 1884, he married Carrie Olson, a native of Washington county, Minnesota, where she was born on August 16, 1866. She is a daughter of Adam and Isabel (Wright) Olson. He was born in Sweden, January II, 1834; she was born in England, February 18, 1828. Adam Olson came to Minnesota when a young man. He served in the Union army during the Civil War. He was married in this state and lived in Washing- ton county until 1878, when they moved to Riverdale township, Watonwan county, where the father bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is the amount of land he still owns. He purchased more land, but sold it later. He is now living retired in St. James. Mrs. Olson died on March 10, 1895. They were parents of four children, namely: Oliver Andrew, who lives in Noonan, North Dakota; Carrie, wife of the subject of this sketch; Adamn, who died in March, 1888, when twenty years old; Eva Isabel lives in Noonan, North Dakota.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pedvin, namely: Esta Luella, born in 1885, died in St. James in 1887; Laura Isabel, February 12, 1891, is a graduate of St. James high school.
The farm which is owned by the father of Mrs. Pedvin is the one on which the Younger brothers were captured after the famous Northfield bank robbery. Mr. Olson has been twice married, his second wife being known before marriage as Anna Nasman, and to this union one son, John, was born on January 2, 1900.
Politically, Mr. Pedvin is a Republican. He is a member of the Epis- copal church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
CHARLES LARKIN.
Charles Larkin, a successful farmer of Fieldon township, was born on February 4, 1875, in Blue Earth county, the son of Timothy and Catherine ( Heren) Larkin.
Peter Heren, the maternal grandfather of Charles Larkin, was a native of Ireland and came to America late in life, after the death of his wife. His daughter, Catherine, the mother of the subject of this sketch came with
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him. They located for a time in Jersey City, New Jersey, after which they moved to Wisconsin and later to Watonwan county.
Timothy Larkin was a native of Ireland and came to the United States when fifteen years of age. He lived for a number of years in the east and there married to Catherine Heren, whose father, Peter Heren, after this made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Larkin. The family moved first to a farm in Wisconsin and later came to Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Thirty- five years ago, they purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where Charles Larkin now lives. He and his family were members of the Catholic church. Timothy Larkin died on September 19, 1901. Mrs. Larkin survived him until December 22, 1908.
To Timothy and Catherine Larkin were born the following children : John; Thomas; Edward; Gilbert and William, both deceased; Charles and Mary.
Charles Larkin was married on February 4, 1914, to Edith Rooney, of Blue Earth county, and the daughter of Thomas Rooney and wife, pioneers of that section.
LORENZ LEFFLER.
Lorenz Leffler, a well-known and well-to-do stock farmer and large landowner, of Dale township, Cottonwood county, proprietor of four hun- dred acres on rural route No. 2, out of Windom, a stockholder in the Farm- ers Elevator Company at Carson and in the Delft Rural Telephone Com- pany, is a native of Germany, born on July 16, 1864, son of Christ and Elizabeth Leffler, the former a carpenter, who were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the first-born, the others being John, Conrad and Elizabeth. Christ Leffler died in his native land years ago. His three sons came to the United States.
Lorenz Leffler grew to manhood in his native land, receiving his edu- cation in the government schools, and became an expert farmer. When he was twenty-one years of age he married Elizabeth Thomas and immediately thereafter he and his wife came to America, settling in LaSalle, Illinois, where for six years he worked in a factory. He then went to Iowa, where he rented a farm of one hundred and ninety acres and did well, increasing the extent of his operations until he was renting three hundred and twenty acres. In 1906 he came to this part of Minnesota and bought a partly improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Dale township, Cotton-
LORENZ LEFFLER AND FAMILY.
HOUSE AND BARN OF LORENZ LEFFLER.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ARICH T LAEN
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wood county, the farm on which he is now living, but did not occupy the same until 1913. In 1910 he erected a substantial dwelling on the place, but continued his farming operations in Iowa until 1912. A year later, in 1913, he and his family came to this state and occupied the Dale township farm, where they since have made their home and where they are very pleasantly situated. The year in which Mr. Leffler came out here to stay permanently he bought an additional quarter section in Dale township, which his son, Henry Leffler, now occupies. In that same year Mr. Leffler built a large barn, thirty-eight by sixty, on his place and an addition on the barn measuring sixteen by sixty. In addition to his general farming, he has gone in somewhat heavily for stock raising and has done very well. He is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. He has given proper atten- tion to general local business enterprises and is a stockholder in the Carson Farmers Elevator Company and in the Delft Rural Telephone Company. He and his family are members of the German Reformed church and take a proper interest in all local good works.
To Lorenz and Elizabeth (Thomas) Leffler have been born six chil- dren, Christ, Henry, Elizabeth, John, Tony and Raymond. The eldest son, Christ Leffler, makes his home in Windom. Henry Leffler married Matilda Brandenburg and lives on his father's second farm, and John Leffler mar- ried Okkea Bonk and lives on a farm in Iowa. The remaining three chil- dren are at home with their parents.
B. J. SCRIBNER.
B. J. Scribner, one of Antrim township's successful farmers was born on July 5, 1865, the son of John B. and Sarah (Wilson) Scribner.
Edward Wilson, the maternal grandfather, a native of England, came alone to the United States at the age of fourteen and located in the state of New York, where he later farmed. He remained a few years and mar- ried, after which he came to Winona county, and after a few years later to Blue Earth county, where he made his home.
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