History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 103

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 103

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FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.

schools of his native place until 1842, when he came to America with his father and brother, his mother having died when he was fifteen years old. They settled in Philadelphia, and in 1852, came to Minnesota, locating near Faribault in Rice county. Mr. Dunn came to this township in the spring of 1866, and. located a farm in section four, upon which his widow now lives. She was born in Queens county, Ireland, in 1831. They had five children, four of whom are living; Edward, Mary Eliza, and Ann. Mr. Dunn died in August, 1872. Mrs. Dunn superintends the farm, which contains two hundred acres of choice land with a fine resi- dence.

D. J. EGLESTON is a native of New York, born in Holland Patent, Oneida county, in 1842. He at- tended the graded schools of his native place, fin- ishing his education at Hobart Hall, after which he was engaged in clerking. In June, 1863, he came to Minnesota and clerked in a store at Chat- field for four years, then removed to Fillmore vil- lage, opening a general mercantile store, but in 1872, moved his business to Wykoff where he has since had a good trade.

MARVIN EGLESTON was born in Floyd, Oneida county, New York, but removed with his parents to Holland Patent when quite young. At the age of sixteen years he learned the trade of a carriage and ornamental painter, and after leaving Whites- town Seminary, where he graduated in 1861, he engaged in clerking for a year. In the summer of 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty- sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, Company D He was promoted from a Sergeant to Second Lieu- tenant, and a month later to First Lieutenant, and after the battle of Gettysburg, to Regimental Quartermaster, then Brigade Quartermaster, and finally, for meritorious conduct to brevet-Captain. After leaving the army he came to Chatfield, clerked for two years, then moved to the village of Fillmore and engaged in business with his brother, D. J. Egleston. He was married in the latter place in 1869, his wife being a native of New York. They have five children; Lillis S., Willis J., Oliver J., Marvin J., and Harriet L. Mr. Egles- ton, in company with his brother, opened a gen- eral mercantile store in Wykoff in 1871, but dis- solved partnership in 1877, since which time the former has carried on the business alone. He was a member of the Legislature in 1871 and '72.

JOSEPH FITZTHUM is a native of Bohemia, born

in 1853. He emigrated to America with his sister Maggie, in 1865, and first located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he engaged in a brick yard for a short time, afterward working on a farm, and then in a garden near the city. From there he went to Iowa, but came back to LaCrosse and worked in a boiler manufactory, and in 1868, attended school. In the fall of the same year he removed to Onalaska where he worked on a farm and in a hotel until 1870, then engaged in lum- bering. About this time he made a tour of sev- eral western States, but finally settled in La Crosse where he worked in a brewery four years, then came to Wykoff, Minnesota, and erected a substantial two story business block, where he may be found at present conducting a prosperous harness shop. Mr. Fitzthum was married in the spring of 1876, to Miss Lena Grates, a native of Germany, born in 1855. She came to America with her parents at the urgent request of her oldest brother, Leonard Grates, and located at Chaska, Minnesota.

MICHAEL GARRY, one of the foremost farmers of Fillmore county, is a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1825, and there received his education and learned the blacksmith trade. He was mar- ried in 1848, to Miss Mary Glynn, who was born in Ireland in 1827. They came to America in in 1852, located in Clayton county, Iowa, and in 1855, came to this township and settled in section two, which is still their home. 'The farm contains three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred and twenty of which are improved; it has a good house and a fine lot of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Garry have had thirteen children, twelve of whom are living; Anne, Ellen, Mary A., Susie, Emma, Harriet, Michael, Josephine, Fannie, Augusta, Theresa, and Estella.

C. M. HORNE was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1842. He attended the graded schools of his native place and completed his education at North Bay, then engaged in boating on the Erie canal for fifteen years. He was married in 1862, to Miss Isabella Chisholm, who was born in 1844. They have two children, Harvey and Jennie. Mr. Horne was in the grocery business at Grassport, New York, two years, then kept a hotel in Onon- daga county, and in the spring of 1875, came to Iowa and resided on a farm one year. He then removed to Wykoff and opened a saloon, but two years later sold out and engaged in a cigar man-

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ufactory. He was subsequently employed as clerk in the store of Marvin Egleston three years, then engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Banks & Horne, and has since con- tinued in the same.

HENRY HALL, a native of Ireland was born in 1821, and came to America at the age of seventeen years. He first located in Livingston county, New York, where he attended school and learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed sev- eral years in Mount Morris. He was married at the latter place in 1846, to Miss Mary H. Pelton, who died at the age of twenty-seven years, leav- ing one son, Irwin H. He married his present wife in Bristol, Ontario county, in 1852. This union has been blessed with one child, William L., born in 1860, and lives with his parents. Mr. Hall moved from New York to Wisconsin in 1851, and ten years later located in this place, in section one, where he now lives. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany D, and remained in the service until the spring of 1865, when he was discharged for dis- ability. He owns two hundred and sixty-five acres of choice land and has a fine residence. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are both members of the M. E. Church of this place.

JACOB HOSTETLER, one of the early settlers of this section, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1825, and received his education in his native State. He engaged in farming, and in 1848, came to Wisconsin and resided one year. While there he married Miss Amelia Bropes, who died at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving six children. Mr. Hostetler was farming in Iowa for three years, and in 1853, located in Fountain township, where he resided until 1876. In 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Melvina Ellis, & native of Green county, Wisconsin. They have two chil- ren. In the fall of 1876, Mr. Hostetler moved to the village of Wykoff, and is living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his labors.

H. G. JORRIS was born in Ixonia, Wisconsin, in 1856. When he was quite young his parants moved to Sturgis, Michigan, thence to Poland, Indiana. H. G. attended school there and also at Brazil in the same State. After finishing his edu- cation he taught school three years, then came to Minnesota in the spring of 1877, and was travel- ing in different parts of the State for eight months. He clerked in a drug store in Owatonna

a few years, and in the spring of 1882, in com- pany with James Phillips, opened a a store in Wykoff, keeping a full line of drugs, paints, etc. His father, Peter Jorris, was born in Germany, and now resides in Poland, Indiana, a minister of the Gospel.

P. R. JORRIS was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1851, and is a son of Rev. P. Jorris of that place. He removed with his parents to Sturgis, Michigan, in 1863, and left the parental roof one year later to attend school in Milwaukee. In 1869 and '70, he attended the Normal School in Terre Haute, Indiana, completed his education in 1872, in the Reformed University at Sheboygan, Wis- consin, then taught the parochial school at Terre Haute one year and at Huntington, Indiana, the same length of time. In 1874, he engaged in the lumber business for Mr. John Paul, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the capacity of traveling and collect- ing agent on the line of the Southern Minnesota railroad. He remained in that employment until 1877, then took charge of Mr. Paul's lumber yard in Wykoff, in which business he is still engaged. He also has an interest in a cigar mannfactory at Wykoff, the firm name being Jorris & Gut. Mr. Jorris married Miss Mary D. Wilkinson in 1875, who has borne him two children, one of whom is living, Archibald Rodell, aged five years.

OLIVER JONES was born in 1821, in Onondaga county, New York, where he was reared, and learned the tanner trade of his father. In 1844, he, in company with his brother, C. G., bought out their father's tannery, which, in 1850, was burned but soon rebuilt, they conducting the same until 1856. Mr. Jones was united in marriage in Erie county in 1843, with Miss Lillis S. Atwood. They have had eight children, five of whom are living; Belle R., Orange A., Hannah E., Eva, and Lucy A. Mr. and Mrs. Jones moved with their family to Minnesota in 1856, and located in Chat- field, but three years later bought a farm in this township which has since been their home. Mr. Jones devotes his whole attention to the farm and stock raising, having fourteen hundred acres of land.

G W. KNIGHT was born in Oxford county, Maine, in 1821, and reared on a farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Clara N. Foster in 1850. The same year they removed to Troy, New York, and three years later to Green county, Wis- consin, where Mr. Knight was engaged in clerking

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and farming. In 1856, they came to this county, resided in Sumner township for a time, then moved to their present farm. Mr. Knight has been Chair- man of the board of Supervisors. They have had six children, five of whom are living; Clara E., born in Troy, New York, married George B. Sage and lives in Dakota; George L., born in Green county, Wisconsin, in 1853; F. F., also born in Green county, is now engaged in farming in Da- kota; F. J. was born in Fillmore in 185.7, and now resides in Lake county, Dakota; and E. A., the youngest, was born in this place in 1859, he also is in Dakota. Mr. Knight has some choice land, a fine residence and good out buildings, and is devoting his time grain and stock raising.

E. D. KELLOGG is a native of Warren county, New York, were he was born in 1833, and reared to agricultural pursuits. He removed from that State to Minnesota in the fall of 1855, and im- mediately located a farm in section one of this township, which has since been his home. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors for two years, being Chairman a part of the time. In the fall of 1859, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth Crowell, a native of Ohio. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living; Ann E., Judson, Francis A., Alfred D., Russell, Mary E., Harry, and George P.

L. G. KILBORN is the son of A. G. and Mary Ann (Stevens) Kilborn, who were early settlers in this county. L. G. was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1847, came with his parents to Chatfield in 1858, and there received his education, graduating from the High school. After leaving school he'engaged in clerking, was in the Post-office three years, and also in mercantile houses. In 1871, he became manager of an establisment at Wykoff. His wife was born in 1851, in Chicago, where the marriage ceremony took place in 1874. They have had two children; Rowley G., aged seven years, and Julia J., who died in December, 1881, aged nineteen months.

CHARLES A. LIPE was the second white child born in Fillmore county, his birth occuring in Preston in 1857. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Southern Minnesota Railroad company; was telegraph operator at Lanesboro a year and a half, then station agent at Preston three years, since which time he has held the same position at Wykoff. He was married near Preston in 1882, to Miss Hattie J. McGowan, who was

born in this State in 1863. Her parents are na- tives of New York. Mr. Lipe's father was born in New York and his mother in Wisconsin.

LEWIS MANTOR was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, in 1806, but removed with his parents to the head of Seneca Lake, Steuben county, New York, where he received his educa- tion, and afterward learned the carpenter trade in Avon, Livingston county. He was married in the Jatter place in 1828, to a daughter of Judge Nor- man Davison. They moved to Michigan and Mr. Mantor was engaged at his trade and in the man- ufacture of lumber. His wife died in 1838, and was buried in the Ashfield Cemetery. In March, 1856, he came to this place and has built a large share of the dwelling houses and stores in the vil- lage, continuing in the business until 1876, when he opened his present furniture establishment in which he has a good trade.

P. M. MOSHER, one of the early settlers here, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1844. He removed with his parents to Iowa in 1855, and the year following came to this place, where he attended the graded schools, afterward the High school at Chatfield, and finished his edu- cation in the Commercial College at Chicago. He then returned here and engaged in clerking in different mercantile houses until 1877, when, in company with Mr. Robbins, he opened a general merchandise establishment and has since continued in the business, the firm name being Robbins & Mosher. Mr. Mosher was united in marriage, on the 15th of December, 1866, with Miss Marion Durfey, a native of Ohio. They have been blessed with five children; Halcie P., Lucian M., Wini- fred, Grace, and Harvey. Mr. Mosher has held the office of Town Clerk and Postmaster and in 1877 and '78, was a member of the State Legislature.

C. H. MORSE was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, in 1850, and received his education in his native place. He came to Minnesota in 1869, engaged in the harness business at Blue Earth City, and in 1874, moved to this place, continuing the same employment until 1881, when, under the firm name of Morse & Robbins, he opened his present store, keeping a full line of drugs, paints, oils, etc. He has been Town Clerk for the past three years. His wife was formerly Miss Jennie A. McKisson, who has borne him two children, Edith L. and Nellie A.

JOSEPH A. PULFORD is a native of England,

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born in 1826, and came to America at the age of eighteen years. He first located in Tompkins county, New York, where he attended school for a time. He came to Minnesota in 1856, and was one of the first settlers in this township, locating & farm in section fifteen, where he still lives. He married the widow of William Norton, of Tomp- kins county, New York. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are now living; James H., a farmer in this county; John, residing in Dakota, and Annie, who is married and lives in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford have had four children, two of whom are living; Charles A. and Susie A. Mr. Pulford served in the Tenth Minne- sota Volunteer Infantry, Company E, enlisting in 1862, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

WILLIAM PULFORD was also born in England in 1846, and came with his parents to America when three years old. They resided in Tompkins county, New York, until 1856, when they removed to this place and located in section fourteen. Wil- liam attended school here, and learned the miller trade, at which he was engaged several years. In 1871, he was married to Miss Ellen Garry, a native of Ireland, born in 1854. They have had three children, two of whom are living. In the fall of 1862. Mr. Pulford enlisted at St. Paul in the First Minnesota Cavalry, and remained in the service until the close of the war.

THOMAS PULFORD, one of the early settlers of this place, was born in England in 1848, and came with his parents to America when three years old. They resided in Tompkins county, New York, a ' few years, and came to Minnesota in 1856, settling in section fourteen in this township. Thomas . purchased a farm in section sixteen in 1871, and has since made it his home. He was married in November, 1872, to Eliza J. Rees, a native of Illi- nois, born in 1851. They have three children; Hattie May, William F., and Rosa M.

J. H. PHILLIPS, M. D., was born in St. John, New Brunswick, and moved with his parents to Chicago in 1857. He attended school in that city and graduated from the Rush Medical College, after which he practiced his profession in Chicago for a time. In June, 1878, he came to the village of Wykoff, and has since built up a good practice, also keeping a drug store under the firm name of Jorris & Phillips. He was married in August, 1878, to Miss Alice Vanosdel, who was born in 1

Chicago in 1858. They have one child, aged two years.

J. A. RUTHERFORD is a native of Louisville, Ken- tucky, born in 1853. When he was nine years old ' his parents moved to Mower county, Minnesota, and located near Austin. His parents both died before J. A. was fourteen, and he then went to Austin and learned the blacksmith trade, at which he was engaged in St. Paul for several years, and afterward in other cities. He was married in Wykoff, in the fall of 1876, to Miss Annie O'Hara, a native of New York. They have three children; Rosa, Harry, and Leo. Mr. Rutherford settled in Wykoff in July, 1877, and opened a blacksmith shop, iu which he has since done a good business.

MARCUS ROBBINS was born in Wardsborough, Windham county, Vermont, in 1808. He removed with his widowed mother to St. Lawrence county, New York, when about nine years old. After fin- ishing his education he learned the trade of a moulder, at which he was engaged for a time, also in merchandise and buying and selling stock, and in the real estate business. He was joined in mar- riage, in 1835, to Miss Fanny Hubbard, who was born in St. Lawrence county in 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins came with their family to Minnesota in September, 1859, and located in Jordan town- ship, where they resided until coming here in November, 1873. He is engaged in farming, hav- ing about twelve hundred acres of choice land, and also deals in real estate. He was County Commissioner in 1870, and has held the offices of Justices of the Peace and Assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have had six children, five of whom are living, all born in St. Lawrence county, New York; Marcus J., who was born in 1836, is now living in Jordan township, practicing law; Calvin H., a sketch of whose life follows this; Hortense, whose birth occurred in 1844, is married and re- sides on a farm in Jordan township; Fred. was born in 1849, and is of the firm of Robbins & Mosher, in the village of Fillmore; and Herbert, born in 1852, is also of the latter firm. In 1853, while a resident of New York, our subject was ap- pointed by President Pierce, Deputy Collector of Customs in the district of Oswegatchie, holding the position for six years.

CALVIN H. ROBBINS, M. D., a native of St. Law- rence county, New York, was born in 1840. He attended school in that State until coming here with his parents in 1859, then entered the Chatfield

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schools, and afterward took a course in the Medi- cal College at Ann Arbor, Michigan, completing his studies at Keokuk, Iowa. In 1866, he came to the village of Fillmore and began the practice of his profession. The same year he married Miss Rosilia E. Mosher, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, born in 1848. They have four chil- dren; Marcus P., Hortense R., Fanny E., and Ger- trude. Dr. Robbins moved to the village of Wykoff in 1875, and beside his professional duties is engaged in the drug business. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1876, and has held local offices.

JACOB RAU was born in Germany in 1831, and received a thorough common school education in his native country. He came to America in 1852, and to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1858, where he resided until 1877, when he came with his family to this place. Mr. Rau's life has been spent mostly in mercantile pursuits.

EMERY RATHBORN was born in New York in 1831, and received his education in Livingston where he grew to manhood, engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. In the fall of 1858, he came to this place and located a farm in section thirty-one upon which he lived twenty-two years. He was joined in matrimony in 1871, with Eva Krauser, a native of Germany. Mr. Rathborn enlisted in the · Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company C, on the 11th of October, 1861, served three years and was honorably discharged. While in the army he contracted a disease from which he has never fully recovered. In 1880, Mr. Rathborn removed to his present farm in section twenty-nine. He is the father of two children, Emery P. and Le- nora M.

HERMAN STEPPE claims Germany as his place of nativity, his birth occurring in 1846. He received a good education and learned the trade of a cabi- net maker in his native country, and afterwards served in the German and French armies. In 1871, he came to America, directly to this county, and located in Carimona township, where he en- gaged in the furniture business. He was united in marriage in 1872, with Miss Bertie Siebert, a native of Buffalo, New York. They have had four children, three of whom are living; Amelia A., Bertie A,, and Mary. In June, 1877, Mr. Steppe moved with his family to Wykoff and opened his present fine furniture store, and has since done a good business.

GEORGE F. STEWART was born in Galena, Illi- nois, in 1845, and removed with his parents to Delaware county, Iowa, when two years old. In 1857, they came to this township and settled in section twelve where George grew to manhood and bought the farm. He was married in Chat- field to Miss Emily Tyson. They have had three children, two of whom are living; Ethel L., aged nine years, and Edwin F., aged four years.

THOMAS J. STEVENS was born in Geneva, Ashta- bula county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He came with his parents to Spring Valley in the spring of 1857, and there attended school and learned the miller's trade, at which he was after- wards engaged in this State, Nebraska, and Kan- sas. On the 25th of May, 1865, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Roberts, a native of Ohio. She was a lady of amiable qualities and fine christian deportment. She died at the age of twenty-eight years; leaving five children; Arthur L., Henrietta A., Jefferson L., Ernest E., and Bertha L. His present wife was Marena A. Jenkins, a native of Pennsylvania, the marriage taking place in March, 1877. They have two children, Elizabeth S. E. and Alice L. Mr. Stevens resided in Ne- braska and Kansas a few years, but finally re- turned to Fillmore county, being satisfied that the advantages are as great here as further west. He has leased Joseph L. Chandler's flouring mill, which he is now operating.

FRED SHERMAN was born in Oswego county, New York, in 1852. He removed with his parents to Minnesota when seven years old and lo- cated near Rochester, where he received his educa- tion and learned the harness maker's trade. He was employed in that business in Winnebago City two years, and then was engaged in farm- ing five years. He came to Wykoff in 1879, and has since devoted his time to the machinery trade, doing a good business. He was married at Preston in 1879. His wife is a native of Canada.

GEORGE SHEPPARD, one of the early settlers in this vicinity, was born in Germany on the 27th of November, 1818. He came to America with his parents in 1827, and located in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and learned chair making and painting. He was mar- ried in the latter State to Miss Hannah Yost, in 1844. Two years later they moved to Cumber- land county, Indiana, and in 1856, to Dodge county, Wisconsin, coming to Fillmore county six

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months after and locating on the present site of the village of Fillmore. Mr. Sheppard was engaged in the manufacture of lumber a few years, then in various occupations, and subsequently moved to Jordan, returning to this township in 1874. - His farm, which contains two hundred and sixty acres, is situated in sections nine and ten; he has a fine brick residence and good barn and other buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard have had seven children, five of whom are living; Albert, Harvey, Emeline P., William, and Edwin. Mr. Sheppard has filled several local offices since his residence.

W. J. STEWART was born in Wisconsin in 1843, and moved with his parents to Delaware county, Iowa, when two years old. They came to this township in 1857, and W. J. was reared to farming pursuits and learned the carpenter trade. In 1862, he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company K; served three years and was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. Mr. Stewart was joined in matrimony in 1867, with Miss Adelia Ann York, a native of Racine county, Wisconsin. He resided on a farm until. 1881, when, in company with Mr. Smith, he opened a blacksmith and wagon making establishment, the firm name being Smith & Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are the parents of five children; W. G., J. F., Vernon G., G. F., and Mary E.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 103

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: