History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 105

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 105

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whom are living; Mary, Marian H., Charles, Ezra and Ursa. Mr. Arnold has two hundred and eighty acres of choice land. During the Rebell- ion he was a member of the board of Super- visors.

ALONZO BARBER was born in Scott, Cortland county, New York, on the 14th of October, 1818, where he attended school and worked on his father's farm. When twenty-one years old he engaged in dressing flax, at which he worked seven years. He then built a shop and operated a turning lathe, circular saw, etc., and manufac- tured shoe pegs, broom handles, fork handles, and made furniture to order. On the 2d of February, 1846, Hannah Calgrove became his wife. They have one child, Amos. In 1865, he sold his busi- ness and purchased a farm in his native State, but in three years sold it and came to Minnesota and bought a farm in Fountain, section four, where he still lives. Mr. Barber is one of the present Supervisors.

ANDREW BENSON was born in Norway in 1851, where he grew to manhood on a farm. In 1870, he emigrated to America and located in Rushford, Minnesota, where he was engaged in clerking. Four years later he came to Fountain, where he had a general merchandise store which he con- ducted five years, and since that has been engaged in the saloon business. In the fall of 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophie Sever- son, a native of Iowa, born in 1857. They have two children; Bessie, four years old, and an in- fant.

ROYAL C. BELLUS was born in Fairfax, Frank- lin county, Vermont, in 1851, where he resided with his father on a farm until the fall of 1874, when he went to Illinois and taught one term of school. The following spring he came to Minne- sota, and after teaching awhile engaged with Milo White, a merchant in Chatfield, six years, three of which were spent in that village and three in this, running a branch store. In 1881, he en- gaged in the mercantile business in company with his brother-in-law A. C. Case, succeeding Milo White; the firm name is Bellus & Case. Mr. Bellus is Postmaster, having been appointed to that office in May, 1880. His wife was formerly Miss Ella Burton, a daughter of Joshna Burton, of High Forest, Minnesota.

ENSIGN G. BOLLES is a native of Cortland county, New York, born in 1834. He came to

Fillmore county in April, 1856, and made a claim of his present farm which now contains three hundred and sixty acros. Mr. Bolles is one of the prominent men of this place, and has been Chair- man of the board of Supervisors for the past four years. His wife was formerly Jane E., daughter of William and Sarah Bolles. She was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1830, and came to Minnesota in September, 1855, her parents coming three years later. Mr. and Mrs. Bolles had three children; the two oldest, Florence S. and Mary Jane, died in childhood. Sarah V., their surviving daughter, was born in 1872.

A. O. CASE was born in Essex, Crittenden county, Vermont, in 1847. His father, Lyman Case, came to Minnesota with his family in 1856. There were ten children, six of whom are living, five sons and one daughter. A. C. enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served till the close of the war. His oldest brother, Her- man G., served four years in the Second Minne- sota Regiment, and now lives in Mower county. Gibial was a Captain in a colored regiment, served three years, and he also is a resident of Mower county, being County Treasurer. Norman served about two and a half years in the Second Minnesota Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga. After the war Mr. Case, the subject of this sketch, was engaged in farming for a time, then in the stage business and mail carrying, and later in the insurance and real estate business with his brother, R. A. Case, of Chatfield. He came from the latter place to Fountain in the spring of 1877, bought what was then known as the Hicks House, which he rebuilt and refitted, changing the name to the Case House, and still owns and conducts the same. He is also a partner in the general mercantile house of Bellus & Case. Mrs. Case was formerly Miss Mahala Burton, daughter of Joshna Burton, who died in the army. They have three children; Frank A., nineyears old; Nettie Maud, seven years old, and Jessie Gertrude, aged one and a half years.

W. A. CONRAD was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1856; moved with his parents to Kenosha, Wis- consin, where he grew to manhood and received a thorough education. When nineteen years old he came to Grand Meadow, Mower county, Minnesota, where he was telegraph operator for a few months. In 1875, he located at Wells, and was depot agent five months. He served as railroad and

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depot agent in different places until April, 1882, when he came to Fountain and has since faithfully filled the position of station agent. On the 9th of December, 1880, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Jaquish, a native of Penn- sylvania. His father Dedrick Conrad, was born in Germany and still lives in Kenosha, Wis- consin, sixty-six years old. His mother, Eliza (Krase) Conrad, is sixty years of age. Mrs. Con- rad's father, Joseph B. Jaquish, lives in this county on a farm.

JAMES EARLEY was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, in 1837. When he was quite young his parents moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he made his home until 1846. In the fall of that year he came to this county, taking a claim in Fountain, section nineteen. In 1863, he was married to Lucretia Bilger, a native of Penn- sylvania. In the fall of 1864, Mr. Earley enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company D, went south and served till the close of the war. He was discharged in June, 1865, and returned to his farm which he has since improved, also bought more land and now owns two hundred acres. Mr. Earley's mother died in Ohio, in 1855. His father came west with him and died in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Earley have had seven children; George, James, Jane, Edwin, Ellen, Martha, and Anna. James died in infancy, and Jane in 1871, aged five years.

EVAN ERICKSON was born in Norway, in 1845, and learned the trade of a shoemaker in his native country. He came to America in 1872, and re- sided in Spring Grove, Houston county, a short time, then came to Fountain and established his present boot and shoe business. He was married to Miss Jennie Allinson, a native of Norway. They have had six children, only one of whom is living, Edward Julius.

GIBSON ESSINGTON was born in Perry county, Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1822. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Hamilton county, Indiana, where Gibson lived until 1845, when he married Miss Sarah A. Finch, a native of the latter State. In 1856, they came to Minne- sota and located in this county, in Fountain, sec- tion thirty-one, where he now lives. They were blessed with nine children; Hiram F., who enlisted on the 6th of October, 1861, in the Third Minne- sota, Company O, and died at Jefferson barracks, St. Louis, on the 3d of November, 1863, aged sev-

enteen years; Oliver H. enlisted in October, 1863, in the Seventh Minnesota, Company E, and was shot in a battle on the 14th of July, 1864, sixteen years old; Charity J., Amanda E., J. Clinton, Susie C., Henry C., Elma E., and Allie C.

DANIEL D. FARRELL is a son of James Farrell, one of the earliest settlers of Chatfield, who was born in Ireland in 1820. His parents came to America and settled in Philadelphia when he was nine years of age. He was married and five of his children were born in the latter city. He brought his family to Iowa, in 1852, and to Chatfield the following spring. They resided there until 1862, then removed to this township and located a claim in section three. He had seven children, four of whom are living; Daniel D. and three sisters, Mrs. C. J. Rice, Mrs. R. A. Fogle, and Mrs. Mary E. Sperry. Daniel D. and his brother, George G., served in the army during the rebellion. The latter was born in Philadel- phia in 1842, served three years in the Sec- ond Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, then en- listed in the First Minnesota Regiment, was pro- moted to a Lieutenancy and discharged at the close of the war. He died in Fountain in July, 1871. Daniel D. was also born in Philadelphia, in December, 1846. He enlisted in Company A, of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing till the close of the war, and participated in the battles of Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, was at the siege of Atlanta and in Sherman's "March to the sea." He graduated at the Philadelphia Commercial College in 1866, after which he was engaged in teaching school, book-keeping, etc., for several years. He has been in the grain and wood business in this place since 1878. He married Miss Emily S. Case, daughter of S. Case, who came to Fillmore county from Massachusetts, in 1860. They have five children.

R. L. FLEMING was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of January, 1830. He worked on a farm until fifteen years of age, then was on a canal boat a number of summers, going to school during the winter, and finishing his edu- cation at Albion College, Erie county. When eighteen years old he purchased his time of his father, and in 1849, went with a drove of cattle to Wyoming county, from there to Albany, and thence to Massachusetts, working on a farm in that State a short time. In 1850, he returned to Pennsylvania, and in the fall of the same year

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went to the Isthmus of Panama, where he helped to drive the first piles on the railroad. He came home sick, and the next year started once more on the canal, and in six years cleared $2,400. In the spring of 1856, he came to Minnesota, located in Fountain, in section twenty seven, returned east, but finally settled permanently on his farm in 1857. On the 29th of January, 1859, he was married to Miss Martha E. Watson, who was born in 1834. They have had seven children, six of whom are living; Mary E., Flora B., Jennie E. Mattie M., Robert H., and Thomas. Mr. Flem- ing was Chairman of the board of Supervisors sev- eral years, Assessor one term, County Commis- sioner three years, and was in the Legislature in 1874 and '75. He has seven hundred and fifty acres of land, well improved, with good buildings.

WILSON C. GARRATT, a native of Canada, was born in 1830. His parents were natives of New York, and returned to that State soon after the birth of Wilson. The latter was one of the earli- est settlers of Fillmore county, coming in March, 1853, and first made a claim in Harmony town- ship. He soon after settled in Waukokee, Preston township, and in 1861, enlisted in the Second Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, Company A., and served two and a half years as private, was then promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant, in which ca- pacity he served till the close of the war. He was in the battles of Mill Spring, Perryville, Chicka- mauga, Siege of Atlanta, and Sherman's "March to the sea;" was wounded in the battle of Resaca, Georgia, for which he draws a pension. After the war Mr. Garratt went to what is now Jackson county, and helped to organize that county; was appointed its first Register of Deeds, elected the following spring, and held the office eight years. In 1874, he moved to Chatfield, and a year later to Fountain, where he has since been a dealer in furniture, flour, etc. He was Town Clerk two years, President of the Village Council two and a half years, and in May, 1882, was appointed by Gov. Hubbard, Notary Public, a position which his long experience as Register of Deeds renders him well qualified to fill. Mrs. Garratt was form- erly Miss M. Crosby, daughter of Isaac Crosby, an early settler in the town of Chatfield. They have three children; Hattie, May, and Thomas.

D. C. GREEN was born in Jefferson county, New York, and reared on a farm, receiving his educa- tion at the district school. When seventeen years

of age he engaged in a saw-mill as foreman. work- ing some time in his native county, and later in Canada. On the 19th of July, 1853, he was mar- ried to Miss Martha Laidlow, a native of St. Law- rence county, New York. In 1859, he engaged in mercantile business in Diana, Lewis county, in the latter State. In the fall of 1860, he sold and came to this State, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bristol. He then went to Wiscon- sin and remained until February, thence to New York, and in March came back to Minnesota. He worked a farm two years on shares in Chatfield. In 1865, he purchased a farm in the latter town ship, lived there three months, then sold and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fountain, section five. He improved the land and built a house and barn, and now resides here. Mr. and Mrs. Green had two children, both of whom are now dead.

JOHN M. HAM was born in Cortland county, New York, on the 10th of January, 1838. His younger days were spent at school and at work on a farm. In 1860, he came to Minnesota, settling in Fillmore township, where he spent the winter. In the spring he came to Fountain and engaged with Robert Fleming. He joined a volunteer com- pany under Captain Colburn, in September, and west to fight the Indians. In one month they were relieved by government troops, and he re- turned to Mr. Fleming's. He married Miss Han- nah Watson in 1862. In the fall of 1864, he en- listed in the heavy artillery and went South, being at Chattanooga when Lincoln was assassin- ated. He was discharged in June, 1865, and re- turned to his farm in Fountain, sections twenty- seven and twenty-eight, which he had previously bought. Mr. and Mrs. Ham have been blessed with six children; Melvin, James, George, Luther, William, and Flora.

T. J. Hollen was born in Norway in 1853, reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1874, he came to America and located in Lake Mills, Iowa, worked at his trade four or five years, and then kept a saloon. He came to Minnesota in July, 1881, located in Fountain, and has a saloon and billiard hall. His father and mother died in Norway.

JOHN JOHNSON is a native of Norway, born in 1850. His father died in that country in 1952, and in 1861, his mother brought the family to America and first settled in Spring Grove, Hous-

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· ton county, then came to Lanesboro, where they still live. John left his home in 1874, came to Fountain and took charge of the lumber yard of John Paul, of La Crosse, which he conducted until September, 1880, when he opened his pres- ent store, keeping a large stock of hardware and farm implements. His brother, Charles Johnson, and H. Christopherson, who are in business in Lanesboro, are also interested in the business here. Mr. Johnson Married Miss Emma Thorson. They have been blessed with three children; Ilot, Nor- win, and an infant daughter, Jahsie.

JOHN JOHNSON was born in Norway in 1832. He came to America with his parents in 1848, and located first in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. In June, 1855, he came to this county and located in Fountain township, section fourteen, where he still resides. In December, 1858, he married Miss Anna Johnson, a native of Norway, born in 1836. They had seven children, six of whom are living; Julia, Caroline, Beatta, Nils, Mary, and Henry. Fred., who was two years and seven months old, was scalded to death by falling backwards into a kettle of boiling water. In 1864, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the First Minne- sota Heavy Artillery, was mustered in at Fort Snelling and served till the close of the war and was honorably dicharged at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee.

JOHN KEMPLE is a native of l'ennsylvania, born in Union county in 1842. He grew to manhood in the village of New Columbia, and there received his education. In the spring of 1861, he removed to Minnesota, and settled in Fountain township, section thirty -four, where he still resides. He was married in November, 1863, to Miss Mary Jane Sturges, the ceremony taking place in Chatfield. They have been blessed with five children, four of whom are living; Charles J., Thomas, Effie and Robert.

ANDREW LEVEY was born in New York in 1833, where he grew to manhood on a farm and received bis education. In 1853, he removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1855, then came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, section twenty-three, and remained one year. He returned to Illinois in 1856, re- mained six or seven years, then moved to Marshall county, Iowa, where he remained engaged in farm- ing until the fall of 1873, then returned to his farm here where he still resides. He was married

in 1859, to Miss Mary Osborn, a native of New York. She died in Fountain in 1873. They had, four children, three of whom are living; Weber, Ida, and Annie. His present wife was formerly Miss Isabella Wemer, a native of Indiana. They have two children; Peter and Emma. In 1862, he enlisted in the One hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, Company B, was mustered in at Springfield and remained in the service one year when he was discharged on account of injuries received at the siege of Vicksburg.

E. H. LEARNED is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Crawford county in 1852, and removed with his parents to Minnesota in the spring of 1861. When E. H. was seventeen years old the family returned to his native county, where he re- ceived the greater part of his education. In 1872, he was joined in marriage with Miss Susie I. Hay- ford, also of Pennsylvania. In 1872, Mr. Learned returned to Minnesota and located in Spring Val- ley, where he dealt in grain for three years, then moved to Oakland, Minnesota, and engaged in the same business. In October, 1880, he removed to Fountain, where he is buying and shipping grain to Chicago and Milwaukee. He is the father of four children; Orvill S., Adelaide M., Abijah E., and John J.

PATRICK MANGAN is a native of Ireland, born in 1833, and was brought up on a farm. In 1852, he emigrated to America, and located in Onondaga county, New York, where he clerked for a time, but finally went into business for himself with a stock of groceries and provisions in Syracuse, and re- mained in that business until July, 1866, when he came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, buy- ing one hundred and sixty acres where the village now is. He sold his land to the railroad company for $3,000, and bought on section twenty-four in the same township, where he still resides. He was married in Syracuse in 1856, to Miss Margaret Fegerson, a native of Ireland, born in 1833. She died in Fountain leaving six children; John, Ed- ward, Timothy, Mary, Patrick, and Anna. He and his sons have three hundred and twenty acres of land with fine buildings, and carries on a grain and stock farm. He has been Justice of the Peace, a member of the board of Supervisors, and is Assessor at present, having had the office for a number of terms.

WILLIAM MEANS was born in Shelby county, In- diana, on the 6th of July, 1833. His younger

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days were spent at school and on the farm. In 1855, he came to this county and settled in Foun- tain, section thirty-three. In 1859, he was joined in marriage with Miss Mattie Dillever, a native of Marion county, Indiana. In October, 1864, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery and went to Fort Snelling, where he remained until the 25th of November, then went South and joined Gen. Thomas at Nashville. He was dis- charged on the 25th of June, 1865, and returned home by the way of Winona. He has since de- voted his time to farming, paying considerable attention to fruit growing, and is one of the few successful apple growers in Minnesota. He is also engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of fine horses. He lived in a log house until 1875, when he built the frame house in which he now resides. In 1866, he erected a barn, 40x52 feet. Mr. and Mrs. Means have had six children; Mel- vina, Ulysses, George H., Daisy, Charlie V., and Lillie May. Melvina died in 1867, seven years of age, Daisy died in infancy on the 14th of Octo- ber, 1877.

ANTON PETERSON was born in Norway, in 1852, and came to America with his parents in 1861. The family settled in Rock county, Wisconsin, and two years later came to this place which has since been their home. Anton was for some time en- gaged in mercantile business in Fountain, the firm name being Benson & Peterson, but in August, 1880, he took charge of the lumber yard of John Paul, of La Crosse, succeeding John Johnson. Mr. Peterson has one brother, Ole, who lives with his parents.

PROF. C. S. POWERS is a native of Canada, his father, however, was born in Vermont and his mother in Ireland. Prof. Powers is a self-educated man, and in early life turned his attention to the study of scientific subjects. For some time before leaving Canada he was editor of the "New Castle Garland," a literary paper of much merit. In 1858, he entered the lecture field, traveling through various States, and at the same time re- ported for the Toronto papers, having since de- voted most of his time to the two occupations. For many years he was identified with the republican party, but in 1876, endorsed the Greenback move- ment and became one of its most stalwart sup- porters. In 1878, he was editor of the "Dollar Weekly," a paper published in the interest of the Greenback party, at Wykoff. The following year

the "Fillmore County Radical" was established, and he became its editor and still publishes the same. Prof. Powers has twice represented his dis- trict in the State Senate. He possesses great versatility of talent and is a fluent, forcible, and impressive public speaker. He is related to Hiram Powers, the eminent sculptor, and has partaken, to some extent, of his genius, being an accomplished worker in marble, to which he is now devoting some attention. Mrs. Powers was formerly Mary A. Bailey, a native of Canada. They have four children; Helen, now Mrs. James M. Moore; Mattie M., wife of C. W. Green; Albert W., and Fred- erick F. Albert W. Powers was born in New Castle, Canada West, in 1850. He began the study of medicine in 1869, with Dr. L. Redmon, of Pres- ton. He entered Rush Medical College a year later, and is now a practicing physician in Fountain. Fred F. has been eight years in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- pany, as station agent and telegraph operator, and is now located at Hokah.

JAMES A. SCOTT, deceased, one of the early set . tlers of Fillmore county, was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 6th of October, 1823. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade. In 1847, he moved to Davis county, Iowa, and bought a farm. In 1853, he went to California, taking a herd of cattle with him. He was engaged at his trade there six months, then returned to Iowa. On the 19th of March, 1855, he married Miss Marian McMasters. The same month they came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, where he staked out a claim in section four. He im- proved the land and built a house in which he lived until his death, which occurred on the 11th of December, 1874. He was an industrious man and a good citizen, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was the father of five chil- dren; Alice, Lucius, Henry, and twins, Abiram and Loraine. His family now occupy the home- stead.

JAMES H. SHERMAN, a native of Washington county, New York, was born in 1834. He went to the South in 1865, but the following year came to Minnesota and resided in this township one year, then went to Fillmore and engaged in farming. In September, 1878, he opened a general mercan- tile store in this place, and also deals in millinery goods. He owns a farm of two hundred acres in Fillmore township. His wife was Martha, daugh-

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ter of Thomas Davidson. They have three chil- dren; Alfred, Thomas, and Katie.

WILLIAM SHIPTON, a native of Pennsylvania, was born on the 81st of March, 1836. When he was eighteen years old he worked at the black- smith trade. He was engaged at that three years, then was in William Mason's axe factory until 1856, when, on account of failing health, he came to Minnesota and took land in Fountain, section twenty-nine. In 1858, he returned to Pennsylva- nia and worked in the same factory until 1862, since which time he has been in this State, return- ing frequently to his native place. In 1870, he settled permanently in Minnesota. He was in Fillmore three years, then improved his farm where he now lives. In 1875, he built his present frame house, and in April of the same year, Eliza- beth Croue, widow of Myron Philips, became his wife. They have one child, Nancy May. Mrs. Shipton had one child by her first husband, named Russell Philips.

EDWARD STEVENS was born in Ireland in 1831. In 1847, he came to America with his parents, who settled in Onondaga county, New York. In 1853 they moved to Davis county, Illinois. One year later Edward came to Minnesota and settled in Fountain. In 1860, he enlisted in the regular army, Fourth Regiment U. S. Heavy Artillery. They were sent west to the frontier, and in April were ordered to Washington, passed through Bal- timore the day before the massacre. He was with the regiment until his time expired, and in March, 1865, returned to Fountain, and now lives on his farm in section sixteen.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 105

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

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