History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 72

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 72

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ganized, in less than three days, at the request of the Governor, one hundred and twenty men, mounted and armed with rifles, with whom he pro- ceeded to the Blue Earth Valley to protect settlers and prevent invasions of the murderous Sioux in- to the settlements of that Valley. This company remained in the service about five weeks and until relieved by regular troops. In April, 1863, he was appointed by President Lincoln, Paymaster in the army, and served about one year in the West- ern department, when he resigned on account of ill health. Col. Colburn was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1857, and was chair- man of the committee on banking. In 1858, be was elected to the Legislature. He was a member of the House in 1867 and 1871, and during both sessions was chairman of the judiciary committee. For eight years he held the office of County Attorney of Fillmore county. In 1850, he mar- ried Miss Mary J. Eames, of South Reading, (now Wakefield ), Massachusetts. She died at Preston on the 9th of July, 1874. They had four chil- dren; the second died in infancy, and Medora I., the eldest daughter, died of consumption at the age of twenty-one, and the youngest daughter, Mary E., died of the same disease at the age of twenty-two. The youngest son, W. E. Colburn, is married and now living in Preston. While feel- ing an interest in the political affairs of the coun- try, Col. Colburn has had but little relish for po- litical contests as they are usually conducted, and seldom participates in them, although in former years he occasionally did some canvassing. He has been identified with the republican party since its first organization, but has never been a poli- tician.

JOHN CARNEGIE was born in Scotland in 1821, and when three years old came with his parents to America. They landed in Quebec, and resided in Montreal for a time, then moved to Cornwall, On- tario, where John was engaged in watch-making in company with his father. He then went to Prescott, where he learned the machinist trade, and afterwards was employed at the latter in Ot- tawa. He was married to Miss Jane McGowen in 1840. In December, 1855, he came to Minnesota and located in Harmony township, Fillmore county, where he took land, but soon went to Car- imona and built a steam saw-mill, which he after- wards traded for a farm in this place, in section thirty. Mr. Carnegie participated in the Indian

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war in 1862, and in August, 1864, enlisted in the Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany A, serving till July, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge at Fort Snelling. Mr. and Mrs. Carnegie have had nine children; Wil- liam, Christian, James, Margaret, George, Alexan- der, John, Frank, and Sarah. William, the eldest, enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry in 1864, and died while in service, aged twenty years.

WILLIAM W. FIFE is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Philadelphia on the 1st of November, 1830. When he was an infant his parents moved to Mifflin county, where his father died in 1834. William learned the carpenter and also the mill- wright trade when young. He was engaged at the latter in the South until 1853, when he moved to Illinois, and two years later to this place. He was engaged at both his trades for several years, and filled a number of local offices. On the 11th of January, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Eliza Foote, who died in May, 1878, leaving five children. The maiden name of his present wife was Susanna Seely, whom he wedded on the 11th of September, 1879. The result of the union is one child. Mr. Fife opened a lumber yard in 1870, and has since done a prosperous business.

WILLIAM GINDER was born in Germany in 1829. In 1832, his parents joined a colony of English immigrants and sailed for America, but while on the ocean his father died. The remainder of the family arrived in Toronto, Ontario, after a long and stormy voyage. They went to Collinwood, and thence to a new home about forty miles from any habitation, where they remained several years, during which time they experienced much suffer- ing and want. His mother was married in 1835, at Markham, and soon after moved to Stratford, where William resided until twenty-one years old. He then left home, but remained in Canada until coming to Minnesota in 1855, and taking land in what is now Preston. In 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Deibold. Their children are Ellen, Charles, Rebecca, Hannah, Alfred, and Minnie. Mr. Ginder erected his present dwelling in 1864, and in 1880, built a fine barn.

A. D. GRAY, one of the old settlers of this county, was born in New York on the 13th of No- vember, 1845. His parents moved to Pennsylva- nia when he was seven years old, and in 1854, his

father came with his family to Minnesota. They drove the entire distance, and arrived in Newburg after a journey of six weeks. A. D. resided with his parents and attended the public schools until 1863, completing his education in the Iowa Uni- versity. After graduating he returned home, and taught school in that vicinity ten years. On the 24th of March, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Seely. The result of the union is six children, three girls ond three boys. Mr. Gray was constable of Newburg in an early day, Justice of the Peace six years, and held other local offices. In 1877, he was elected County Commis- sioner, in which capacity he served until 1877, when he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and still holds the office. He was admitted to the bar in 1881, and now is doing a, good business, the firm name being Gray & Thompson.

THOMAS HALL, one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of England, born in Lincoln on the 22d of January, 1828. He was reared on a farm, coming to America/in 1847. He resided in Buffalo, New York, two years, then moved to Car- lyle, Illinois, where he owned a grocery store. While there he married Miss Martha E. Williams, the ceremony taking place on the 20th of May, 1850. In 1852, they came to Stillwater, Minne- sota, but the following year returned to Illinois. In 1855, they located in West Union, Iowa. The following year Mr. Hall came to Preston, took a claim, and soon after bought out J. B. Frazer, since which time he has carried on a grocery store. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had four children, three of whom are living, respected citizens of this place.

LARS O. HAMRE was born in Vestre Slidre, Val- ders, Norway, on the 9th of August, 1840. He attended the schools of his native country until seventeen years of age, when he came to America. For two years he found employment in Decorah, Iowa, farming and attending and teaching school. He then moved to Spring Grove, Houston county, and thence to Greenfield, in the township of Har- mony, Fillmore county. There he opened a small store, but, unfortunately, ten days after starting, nearly all his goods were stolen, and on account of limited means he was obliged to abandon the en- terprise. He then moved to Elliota, and finally to Preston. On the 27th of December, 1869, he was married to Miss Rachel Wilson, and they have been blessed with four children. Mr. Hamre was engaged as clerk in the store of A. Howell five

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years. In 1871, he was elected Register of Deeds, and served in that capacity eight years. Near the close of his term he became interested in a set of abstracts of title, to which he has since given his whole attention.

JOHN HALVERSON was born in Norway on the 21st of January, 1854. He came to America and directly to this county, locating in Bloomfield township, when but fifteen years old. He was en- gaged in farming two years, then attended school here and at Albert Lea, remaining in the latter until 1872. After finishing his education Mr. Hal- verson entered the employ of James P. Tibbetts in this village, and two years later- was given the charge of his store at Fountain. In 1876, he opened a drug store of his own in the latter place, and continued in the business until 1880. Miss Lena Fredrickson became his wife on the 22d of May, 1876. They have three children. While in Fountain, Mr. Halverson held the office of Post- master four years. After selling his store there he came to Preston and opened his present mercan- tile establishment, the firm name being known as Halverson & Thomas.

ANTON IBACH, a native of Germany, dates his birth in Baden-Baden on the 15th of July, 1833. He came to America in 1850, and was engaged in farming near Buffalo, New York, two years. He afterward lived in Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1856, came to this county, locating in Carimona town- ship, and was engaged at the stone-mason's trade. Miss Theresa Lomen became his wife on the 12th of April, 1858, They had six children, three of whom are living. Since 1859, Mr. Ibach has been a resident of this place, opening his saloon a year after coming, and has since continued in the business. His wife died on the 24th of November, 1879. In 1881, he married Miss Hannah Bolman, the ceremony dating the 10th of August.

HENRY JONES, M. D., dates his birth in Nashville, Ohio, on the 13th of March, 1845. When nine- teen years old he enlisted in the Sixtieth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry; was wounded and confined in the hospital ten months, and received his discharge after a service of a year and a half. He then re- turned to his former home in Nashville, and in 1865, moved to Prophetstown, Illinois, where he attended school and afterward studied medicine with Dr. J. H. Mosher. He entered the Rush Medical College, and was graduated in February 1871, after which he came to this county, and

practiced his profession in Granger for about one year, then came to this village. He was united in marriage, on the 24th of December, 1874, to Miss Bertha A. Loomis, who died in October, 1878. Miss Ella E. Gray, of Decorah, Iowa, was the maiden name of his present wife, the marriage taking place the 19th of June, 1881. Since com- ing here Dr. Jones has established a good practice, and made many friends. The doctor is also en- gaged in the practice of dentistry in which he is doing a lucrative business.

CHARLES H. JACOBSON, M. D., is a native of Nor- way, born on the 17th of May, 1856. He attended schools in the "Old Country" until coming to America in 1871, and located in Preston, Fillmore county, where he was engaged in the drug store of A. Weiser for five years. He then entered the Ben- nett Medical College, of Chicago, graduating in March, 1879, and later graduated from the Chi- cago College of Ophthalmology and Otology. Dr. Jacobson came to this place immediately after completing his studies and has since been in active practice.

A. H. KRAMER was born in Canada on the 3d of March, 1848. He commenced learning the car- penter trade when fourteen years old, and in 1865, came to this township and entered the employ of Jacob Kramer as salesman and book-keeper. On the 21st of January, 1874, Miss Celina M. Rogers became his wife. She has borne him two children. In 1875, Mr. Kramer took charge of a flour-mill in Peterson, and four years later opened his present general mercantile store. Mr. Hard entered the firm as partner in 1881, and the firm is now Kramer & Hard. He also owns an interest in a flour-mill and creamery.

GEORGE ALLEN.LOVE, M. D., a native of Illinois, was born in Woodstock, McHenry county. When he was about five years old his parents moved to Manchester, Iowa, and two years later came to this county, locating in the town of York, where they were among the pioneers, George came to Pres- ton when sixteen years of age, and attended school for four years, after which he entered the office of Dr. John A. Ross, where he studied medicine until 1871, then took a finishing course in the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, graduating in 1874. He came immediately to this place, and in 1877, was married to Miss Mary J. Kingston, the ceremony taking place on the 5th of March. Their union has been blessed with two children. Dr. Love was in

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company with Dr. Ross for two years after settling here, since which time he has been alone.

WILLIAM LOEFFLER was born in Meiningen, Germany, in 1851, and came to America in 1873. He came directly to Chicago, remained there fifteen months and then came to this county, in 1875. He subsequently went to St. Louis and was employed in a publishing house until 1881, when he returned to this county and located at Preston. He carries on a restaurant and confec- tionery store and is doing a prosperous business. On the 18th of August, 1880, he was joined in marriage with Miss Fanny Neumann, whose ac- quaintance he had formed while on a short pleas- ure trip to his home in the "old country," in 1879.

SAMUEL A. LAUGUM is a native of this county, born in Bloomfield on the 18th of August, 1857. He attended successively the Marshall Academy, of Wisconsin, the Decorah High School, and Augsburg Seminary, of Minneapolis. After com- pleting his education, he returned home and taught school until 1876, when he was appointed Deputy Register of Deeds, holding the same four years. Since 1881 he has displayed his skill as Sheriff of the county. On the 14th of September, 1878, the marriage ceremony of Mr. Langum and Miss Emma C. McCollum took place. They have two children, Alfred H. and William M., the latter of whom died in infancy.

AMOS LONG dates his birth in June, 1836, in Alexandria, Maryland, and when twenty years old came to Minnesota with his parents. His father took land in sections eight and nine, Preston towns ship, and in 1874, Amos bought eighty acres ad- joining, but still lives on the old homestead. He was united in marriage, on the 10th of June, 1860, with Miss Mary Reihl, a native of Canada. Eight children have been born of this union, four of whom are living; Annie B., Michael A., Lydia R., and Benhart A. Those, dead are, John, aged four years, Mary C., also aged four years, John Sher- man, aged sixteen years and seven months, and Alexander, who died in infancy. Mr. Long's father died on the 1st of March, 1879, and his mother on the 10th of the following October.

ROBERT MCCOLLUM, deceased, was born in Scotland, and left his native land for America in 1856. He came directly to Wisconsin, where he left his family and continued his search for a home, finally locating in section twenty-two Pres-

ton township. Before leaving Scotland, he mar- ried Miss Janet McNee, in 1846. Their children were eight in number, two of whom are dead; those living are Margaret, Helen, Johu, Christian J., Peter, and George J. Mr. McCollum died in 1873, mourned by a large circle of friends.

WILLIAM A. NELSON was born in North Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio, on the 12th of February, 1849. He came with the family to Fillmore county in 1864, and located in Amherst township, where he attended school until 1867, then entered the Shattuck School, at Faribault, and remained eighteen mouths, also attended the State University one year. He subsequently taught school in this county till 1874, when he Assisted W. W. Braden in the County Treasurer's office until 1881, was then elected Couuty Treas- urer, which office he has since filled. On the 4th of January, 1882, Miss Martha A. Loomis became his wife.

JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, & native of Limerick county, Ireland, was born on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1831. His father died when Jeremiah was four years old, and in 1843, the family emigrated to America. His mother died soon after in Illinois. Jeremiah located in Freeport, Illinois, and remained until 1857. Miss Elizabeth Plunkett became his wife on the 13th of Angust, 1855. They came to this place after leaving Freeport, and Mr. O'Brien engaged in the hardware and general mercantile business in company with his brother for two years. Then sold his interest and opened a hardware store, in which business he has since been engaged, and is now one of the oldest traders in the town.

JOSEPH OBER, one of the early settlers of the place, is a native of New Hampshire, born in Hills- borough county, on the 5th of September, 1811. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, moving to Vermont when fourteen years old. He was mar- ried on the 7th of November, 1836, to Miss Ros- ana Chatfield. In 1854, they moved to Illinois, and the following year to Houston county. In 1857, he came to Preston and rented a hotel for six months, then erected his present brick build- ing, which is known as the Minnesota House. Mr. and Mrs. Ober have had nine children, six of whom are living.

H. C. POOLER, a native of New York, was born in Lewis, Essex county, on the 16th of December, 1841. When quite young he moved with his

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parents to Scott county, Iowa, and at the age of fourteen years commenced driving stage from Davenport to Le Clair. In 1861, he enlisted in the Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company F, serving nearly four years. After his discharge he returned to Iowa, and on the 4th of July. 1864, married Miss Harriet A. Brow, of Decorah. They moved to McGregor the following year, where Mr. Pooler was engaged in the dray business in the employ of Austin & Pratt until 1876, then opened a livery stable and conducted it until 1880. He has since been a resident of Preston, engaged in the livery business. Mr. and Mrs. Pooler have had four children, one of whom is dead.

H. V. PETERSON is a Canadian by birth, his na- tivity dating in Northumberland county, Ontario, the 11th of December, 1856. When he was seven years old he came with his parents to Lake City, Minnesota, where he received his education. At the age of sixteen years he entered the North- western Telegraph Institute, at Janesville, Wis- consin, and in 1873, was given a position as tele- graph operator at Winona. He was was after- ward stationed along the line of the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad until 1877, when he had charge of a store in Minneapolis for the St. Louis Railroad Company, for a year. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and had charge of several sta- tions on the different branches of their road. On the 28th, of April, 1881, he was joined in marriage with Miss Clara Seavey, of Clinton, Iowa. Since January, 1881, he has been in this place engaged as agent and operator for the Narrow Guage line.

F. READ is a native of England, born in Lon- don, in 1841. He came to America with his parents in 1857, and settled in Preston, in 1858. There are four children in the family, two sons and two daughters. W. K. is in business in Carimo- nia, where he resides and is Postmaster, and the daughters live in Preston. Mr. Read, the subject of this sketch, married Miss Carrie E. Kington, a native of New York. Her parents are George and Elizabeth Kingston, who settled in Amherst town- ship, in 1856, Mr. Kingston being a minister in the M. E. Church. The family consisted of five child- ren, four of whom are living and all residents of Preston. Mr. Read has been with Mr. James P. Tib- betts in the the dry goods and drug business since 1874, ond took charge of the store in Fountain in December, 1881, but is residing there only tempo-

rarily. He owns several residences in Preston and a farm in Fountain township.

S. M. SHOOK was born in Pennsylvania, in 1824. Since the age of ten years he has supported him- self, learning the wagon-makers' trade when young, and afterwards worked at the carpenter trade. He was joined in matrimony with Miss Catharine Barkley in 1845, They came to Minnesota, arriv- ing in this township in April, 1855, and pre- empted land in section seven, which is still their home. Mr. Shook assisted in building the first mill and also the first house in the village. He devotes his time to the cultivation of his farm, and in 1874, built his present frame house. Mr. and Mrs. Shook have had eight children, two of whom died in infancy, and one, Susan, at the age of eleven years; those living are T. T., Myers C., Lizzie, Adelina and Cora L.

AUGUST SCHAENBAUM is a native of Mecklen- burg, Prussia, and dates his birth the 16th of July, 1827, he was reared on a farm, coming to America in 1853, and locating in Anglaize county, Ohio. He came to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1855, and was employed in a brewery until 1858, when he came to Preston and opened a saloon and billiard hall in which business he has since been engaged. He married Miss Caroline Schultz on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1860. They have seven children. Mr. Schaenbaum is one of the village aldermen.

M. F. THIEME was born In Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of August, 1837. He came to Ameri- ca when a youth of eleven years, and settled in Milwaukee, where he learned the harness makers' trade. He afterward worked at his trade in Chi- cago, St. Louis, and New Orleans, returning to Milwaukee in 1862. In January of the latter year he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company A, was wounded after a service of thir- teen months, received his discharge and again re- turned to Milwaukee. In 1863, he married Miss Annie Tistelson, who has borne him six children, five of whom are living. The same year they came to Preston and Mr. Thieme opened his present har- ness shop, his wife carrying on a millinery depart- ment in the same building.

R. E. THOMPSON, is a native of this county, which has always been his home, born in Preble township on the 7th of March, 1857. He was edu- cated at the schools of Newburg, the Institute of Decorah, Iowa, and at tne Winona Normal school. He subsequently taught until 1879, when he en-

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tered the office of H. R. Wells and studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1881. The firm of of Gray & Thompson was soon after formed and they have since done a good business. Mr. Thompson was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Court in 1881.

JAMES P. TIBBETTS, one of the prominent bus- iness men and early residents of this place, is a native of Maine, born in Brewer, Penobscot county, on the 22d of May, 1830. He remained at home on a farm until twenty-two years old, then started on a trip through the New England States and the British Provinces, engaged in the photographer's business, and selling jewelry. In 1855; he came to this county and took land in Harmony township, and the same year erected & building in this place which, in an early day, was used for school, hotel, and various other purposes. He continued in his former occupation, traveling in the West and South, and making this his home. Located here in 1861, and bought J.W. Krees' stock of drugs, in which business he has since continued, at one time carrying on two stores bere, besides one in Lanesboro and another at Fountain. Miss Mary E. Vroman became his wife on the 26th of February, 1862. They have been blessed with three children. Mr. Tibbetts has filled a number of local offices since living here, and was Justice of the Peace for seventeen years.

ALEXANDER WATSON was born in Moneyshire, Scotland, on the 10th of April, 1826. At the age of fifteen years he commenced learning the shoe- maker's trade, at which he was engaged in his native place eleven years. He then came to America and resided in Cattaraugus county, New York, until 1855, when he came to Iowa, but re- turned to New York two years later. He was married on the 6th of August, 1857, to Miss Mary Ann Parker. They have had two children, only one of whom is living. In July, 1862, they came to Winona, Minnesota, where Mr. Watson was engaged at his trade until January, 1865, when they moved to this place. He opened a boot and shoe store, which is now the oldest establishment of the kind in the village, and is doing a good business.

CHARLES WEBB dates his birth in Clinton county, New York, on the 11th of July, 1848. He was reared on a farm, and in 1863, enlisted in the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Company A, serving two years and six months. After his dis-

charge, he resided in his native State until coming to Decorah, Iowa, in 1865. He remained there, engaged in the insurance business, until removing to Preston, in 1873. On the 28th of November, 1868, he was united in matrimony with Miss Eunice Dayton, who died in Decorah, Iowa, in 1874. Miss Alice Loomis was the maiden name of his present wife, the marriage ceremony taking place on the 20th of January, 1876. They have one son, William. In 1874, H. R. Wells estab- lished a bank, of which Mr. Webb has since had charge, also doing an extensive insurance business.

A. WEISER, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in York, York county, on the 6th of July, 1833. He was engaged in farming pursuits until the age of twenty-one years, then entered mercantile life in the western part of that State, and in 1857, came to Decorah, Iowa, where he formed a partner- ship with his brother in the drug business. On 14th of August, 1861, Miss Olive L. Rogers be- came his wife; she died in September, 1867, leav- ing three children. He came to Preston in 1866, and opened a small drug store, but in 1875, moved to his present large and finely furnished building. In 1876, he married Miss Ida Norman, a daughter of one of the pioneers of this county, the cere- mony taking place on the 6th of June. This union has been blessed with two children. Mr. Weiser owns the finest brick residence in this locality.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 72

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

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