History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 71

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1882; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Outline history of the state of Minnesota. 1882; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. Sioux massacre of 1862. 1882; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. State education. 1882; Minnesota Historical Company
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 576

USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

W. P. SERGEANT, one of the active business men of the city, was born in Oneida county. New York, on the 24th of May, 1839, His great-grandfather came to that county as a missionary to the Indians

about one hundred years ago, and secured Gov- ernment land, upon which his son. grandson, and the subject of this sketch were all born. Mr. Ser- geant's father died when W. P. was quite a small boy, and he lived with an uncle, and assisted him on his farm. He afterward clerked in stores, and, in 1861, enlisted in Company I, of the Eigth New York Cavalry, serving three years. He then was employed in a wholesale fancy dry goods house in Utica, New York, until 1868, when he opened a store in Penn Yan. On the 13th of March, 1867, Mr. Sergeant was united in marriage with Miss Harriet I. Stebens. £ In 1871, they moved to Cresco, Iowa, but the same year came to Albert Lea and bought out a lumber firm, to which busi- ness he has since given his attention, also carrying on a farm. Ile is a strong Republican, and has been Alderman four years, acting as President of the Council the two latter years. On the 7th of November, 1882, he was elected to the State Sen - ate by 397 majority over Ex-Lieutenant Governor Armstrong.

REV. O. H. SMEBY was born in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, on the 31st of January, 1851. When he was an infant his parents moved to Allamakee county, lowa, where he attended school, and later entered the college at Decorah, graduating in 1871, after which he attended the Theological Seminary at St. Louis. After completing his studies in the latter institution, he came to Albert Lea, and has since had charge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in this place. He was married in 1876, to Miss Marie Carlson, a native of Skien, Norway, her birth dating the 12th of Angust, 1854. They have had three children, two girls and a boy, the oldest girl being dead.

D. K. STACY, whose parents were among the early settlers of this county, was born in Colum- bus, Warren county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of November, 1842. The family moved to Minnesota when he was fonrteen years old; located first in Geneva, and in 1860. came to Albert Lea. In February, 1862, D. K. enlisted in the Fifth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, Company C. He was on the frontier, and fought against Hole in the Day at the Crow Wing Agency, and was in sev- eral of the heavy engagements in the South, remaining in service until after the close of the war. He was promoted to the otlice of Captain, and received his discharge in October, 1865. Soon after, he was married to Miss Lelia G. Moon, a

401

CITY OF ALBERT LEA.

native of Rock county, Wisconsin. This union has been blessed with three children. It was Mr. Stacy who carried the first mail into the town of Geneva, taking it on his back.

SIMON STRAUSS was born in Kirch Brombach, Germany, on the 22d of March, 1850. He attended the Commercial College at Frankfort on the Main for five years, and after graduating was employed as Assistant Teller in a bank at the same place. In 1876, he emigrated to America, directly to Iowa, where he clerked for his brother, and in September, 1878, came to Albert Lea, and started in business under the firm name of Strauss & Jacoby. His present partner is Mr. Schlesinger, and they keep the largest stock of clothing, gents' furnishing goods, boots, shoes, etc., in the city.

G. O. SLOCUM was born in Rock county, Wis- consin, on the 29th of August, 1840. His early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and in 1850, the family removed to Menasha, where the father of our subject built the first mill in that place. In 1856, they removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, and in 1858, G. O. attended school at Oberlin, Ohio, remaining there two years. He then returned to Illinois, engaged at farm labor in the summer and taught school during the winter seasons. In 1862, he enlisted in the Seven- ty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served eigh- teen months in Company H, and was then dis- charged for disability. During the winter of 1864-65 lie attended a business college in Chicago, re-enlisted the next spring, and served till the close of the war in the Twenty-third Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, Company K. He was married on the 7th of March, 1865, to Miss Mary A. Car- ter, and in 1868, they came to Oakland township, going, a year later, to Hayward, where Mr. Slocum purchased a farm, to which he gave his attention in the summer, and taught school in the winter, also filled some local offices. In 1875, they removed to Albert Lea, and he clerked in the Auditor's office until 1878, when he was elected to his present office of County Auditor. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have been blessed with five children, two of whom are living, both daughters.

IRA A. TOWN was born in Franklin, Franklin county, New York, on the 2d of April, 1848. In 1864, the family removed to Shell Rock in this connty, and in 1869 our subject attended the Cedar Valley Seminary in Iowa, graduating as Bachelor of tht Sciences in 1873. He then

returned home, but a year later entered the law department of the Iowa State University, gradu- ating in 1875, as Bachelor of the Law, and soon atter entered a law office in Albert Lea. In 1878, he began practice by himself and after the organi- zation of the city of Albert Lea, was one of its first City Justices. He was defeated by a small majority as an independent candidate for the office of Judge of Probate in 1877, but was elected two years later, and is now serving his second term. On the 22d of November, 1879, he was married to Mrs. Fannie V. Steele; of Frederick- town, Ohio. They have one child, a daughter.

LEANDER J. THOMAS, an old settler of this State, was born in Springfield, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of October, 1841. When he was an infant his parents moved to Wis- consin and located in Janesville, Rock county, and in 1857, came to Minnesota. Leander attend- ed select school at Owatonna for two years, and afterward learned the printer's trade. In 1862, he enlisted in Company E, of the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; was in General Sibley's ex- pedition across the plains, and, in the fall of 1863, sent south, and remained in service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged- He was united in marriage on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1868, to Miss Clara M. Colby, a native of Wisconsin. They have one son, Edwin D., born on the 29th of October, 1871. Mr. Thomas has been practicing veterinary surgery for the past twelve years. He came to this place in 1873, and located just outside the city limits, but is now liv- ing in the city, running a feed stable in connection with veterinary business. Mr. Thomas is an hon- orable man, and respected by all who know him.

TORGER L. TORGERSON was born near the capi- tal of Norway on the 6th of August, 1848. His parents came to America when he was about five years old, and first located in Iowa. In 1861, they came to this county and settled in Manches- ter, where his mother still lives, his father having died after coming there. In 1867, Mr. Torgerson was married to Miss Anna M. Fossom, also a na- tive of Norway. They have four children: Anna M., Louis P., Aase E., and George A. Mr. Tor- gerson located on a farm of his own after his mar- riage, and in 1877 came to Albert Lea, where he is engaged in the sale of agricultural implements.

ANDREW L. TOCKLE is a native of Norway, born in Trondhjem on the 16th of December,

402

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY

1835. He there learned the tailor trade, and, in Captain of Company B; in 1865, was made Major 1869, came to America, and directly to Albert | of the regiment, which position he filled until the Lea. Previous to leaving his native country he i close of the war. He then located in Little Rock. was married to Miss Marrette Ennbo. They have one child, Anna M., born on the 23d of October, 1866, who now attends the St. Olal's school in Northfield. Mr. Tockle opened a merchant tailor establishment on the corner of Broadway, and also deals in agents' furnishing goods and sewing machines. Arkansas, and remained ten years, being private secretary of the Governor, and also United States District Attorney two years. He was joined in matrimony on the 6th of August, 1872, with Miss Taylor. In 1875, they came north to Minneapolis, where Mr. Whytoek practiced law until 1878, and then came to Albert Lea which has since been his home, doing a successful business in his profes- sion.

DR. FRED A. TWICHELL is a native of Ver- mont, born in Stockbridge on the 29th of July, 1854. After attending the common schools he entered the Black River Academy, and was subse- quently employed as book-keeper at Lawrence, Massachusetts. Returning to his home in Ver- mont he began the study of his profession in the office of Dr. R. M. Chase, one of the prominent dentists and physicians of the place, and remained with him three years. He came to Albert Lea in April, 1881, and began the practice of dentistry in company with Dr. Street.

WALTER THOMPSON, one the oldest business men of Albert Lea, was born in Buckingham county, England, on the 5th of April, 1840. His parents eame to America in 1854, but he remained in his native country until 1859, and there learned the boot and shoe business. He came to this place in 1863, and opened a boot and shoe store in which he has a good trade. Mrs. Thompson was form- erly Martha Slater and they have a family of five children, four sons and one danghter.

JOHN WHYTOCK is a native of Buffalo, New York, born of Scotch parentage on the 14th of November, 1835. He attended the publie schools, afterward the Aurora Academy, and when twenty- two years old commenced the study of law which he continued three years. In about 1860, he came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the following year erlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, was en- rolled as First Lieutenant and soon promoted

W. W. WILLIAMS, a son of Rev. John L. and Priscilla D. Williams, was born on the 1st of De- cember, 1840. in Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. His father was a noted divine of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an early abolitionist. He was an agent of the "Under- ground Railroad" and in 1849, removed to Wis- eonsin. W. W. received a common school eduea- tion supplemented by several terms at the Monroe (Wisconsin ) Institute. He commenced to learn the printer's trade in 1858, and has since been in the newspaper and printing business, except two years spent in the drug business at Spring Valley, Minnesota; two years of which he served as Deputy Warden of the Min- nesota State Prison, and a year in the em- ploy of Seymour, Sabin & Co., of Stillwater. In 1864, he came to Minnesota, and the following year purchased the "Preston Republican," which he sold in 1866, and in 1869, started the "Blue Earth City Post." During most of his residence in the latter place he was Postmaster; sold his paper in 1874, and removed to Stillwater. In 1878, he purchased the interest of D. G. Parker in the "Freeborn County Standard" to which he has since devoted his time. Mr. Williams is a clear and fearless writer and has opinions of his own which he does not hesitate to avow and since he has been in this county has exercised a powerful influence in political circles.

403

ALBERT LEA TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER LIV.

TOPOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-TOWN GOVERNMENT-EDUCATIONAL -THE FIRST MARRIAGE.

The township bearing this name is the southern of the two center towns of the county, Bancroft being its comrade on the north, with Riceland im- pinging on the northeast, Hayward on the east, Shell Rock to the southeast, Freeman on the south, Nunda to the southwest, Pickerel Lake on the west, and Manchester to the northwest. It coin- cides with the original government survey, having thirty-six sections.

It may be said to be a prairie town, with numer- ous oak groves; and when first visited presented a most inviting prospect, which will be described further on.

The principal river is the Shell Rock, which flows in an average direction toward the south- east, diagonally through the township. Lake Albert Lea is the largest body of water in town, and is a magnificent sheet, with its irregular but gently curving outline and undulating surround- ing meadows and hillside. Most of it lays in the town, but its length is about eight miles. Pick- erel Lake also laps over into its territory, as does White's Lake, which Col. Lea at first called Lake Chapeau. Goose Lake, a compact little body of water, may be found in section three. Fountain Lake is an artificial pond created by the mill dam erected by Mr. Ruble on his first coming here. It hugs around the northern side of the city in a curvilinear way, and with its graceful foliage, at various points coming down to the water's edge, presents one of the most pleasing views to be found in all Southern Minnesota.

The interest in this town, as well as the whole county, centers in the city which has sprung up here, and retains the same name.

The early settlement of this township has, of . necessity, been given in the history of Albert Lea City, so that very little remains to be said here. A few pioneer notes, however, will be given.

Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer were early settlers, but both are dead. Two sons, Loren and Heman, live on the homestead, and other sons reside in Albert Lea and vicinity. Dr. F. Blackmer, resid- ing in the city, is a son.

John G. Godley is an old settler, and still lives in the township.

The Nelsons are among the very first settlers in the south-eastern part of the town, and still live there.

The old town of St. Nicholas, which, at one time, had lofty aspirations, was located in this township, but as its history is fully depicted in the sketch of the city, no further reference to it will be made here.

TOWN GOVERNMENT.

It would be monotonous to furnish the names of the various town officers from year to year, as many of them have been re-elected from time to time. But it will be sufficient to name the vari- ous gentlemen who have been prominent in the town government up to the time of the organiza- tion of the city government. Among the men who have been town officers we notice: A. C. Wedge, D. G. Parker, John Brownsill, Bernard McCarthy, Luther Parker, H. T. Smith, T. J. Sheehan, F. Blakely, Chauncy Conley, Thomas Smith, Reuben Williams, H. D. Brown, A. B. Webber, Joseph France, E. C. Stacy, F. D. Dud- ley, John Ruble, L. Eaton, George Thompson, Francis Hall, John Wood, A. Armstrong, Charles T. Knapp, James E. Smith, William Morin, Ren- ben C. Cady, Reuben Williams, O. P. Kenfield, J. G. Godley, H. M. Manley, W. J. Martin, A. W. St. John, George Whitman, D. K. Stacy, A. M.

404

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.

Tyrer. John Ross, F. B. Frost, Charles Kittleson, William Hazelton, Ole J. Ellingson, Joseph Green, G. D. Ball," Lewis Hager, M. M. Luce, A. E. Johnson, W. C. Lincoln, M. W. Greene, D. N. Gates, C. G. Jonsrud, and D. R. P. Hlibbs. As to the business of the officers of the town, it was of course mostly of an exeentive character, but legislative within certain limits.

In 1861, a pound was ordered to be built. In 1863. a petition was considered in relation to a bridge at Ruble's. In 1868, the Southern Minne- sota railroad made a proposition to several towns in the county to vote aid to the company. Albert Lea was requested to vote 840,000, while six of the towns were asked for $15,000 each, and seven of them were invited to contribute $10.000 cach.

At one time in the history of the town, the powers of the town board were enlarged by the legislature, and numerous ordinances were adopted to be in force in the village.

The government has been in accordance with the wishes of the town, the powers delegated to the Supervisors and other officers never having been abused in any notable instance.

On the 8th of October, 1864, the town vot. d $25 to each volunteer duly credited, and $225 was paid on that account. During that year thirteen enlistments were eredited on the quota of the town.

EDUCATIONAL.

There are five schoolhouses in the township, as follows:

Distriet No. 37 has a house located on the northwest quarter of section twelve.

District No. 14. The juveniles of this district meet for instruction in a neat schoolhouse on the northeast quarter of seetion fourteen.

District No. 54. The schoolhouse of this dis- trict is situated on the northwest quarter of section thirty-five.

District No. 68. This house is on the sonth- west corner of section twenty-nine.

District No. 110 is the next to the last organ . ized in the county, and has its schoolhouse on the northwest quarter of section twenty-eight.

School is kept in these buildings a great por- tion of the year, and the standard of both teachers and scholars is up to that of any other portion of Freeborn county.

THE FIRST MARRIAGE.

January 13th, 1857, was an eventful day in Albert Lea. for then occurred the first marriage in the township, and it was none of your time affairs: it wa's a double wedding, and the people began to feel that the semi-civilization of pioneer life was fast giving way to a condition of enlightment. C. C. Colby and Ellen Frost, David Hard and Mary A. Colby were the especially interested and interesting parties. The event happened at the house of John Colby. Squire Clark was employ- ed to secure the nuptial knot.

The old settlers will remember that the squire was not noted for his literary genius, for his deli- eaey or polish, but he was the only available authority vested by the infantile commonwealth of Minnesota, to declare the banns indissolubly fixed, and so ho consented to do the best he could under the circumstances.

The guests were assembled and the parties stood up in the magisterial presence, to be legally uni- ted, as they already were heart to heart, with a single ceremony for both couples.

Here was a perspiration provoking predicament for this lugubrious limb of the law. In his per- plexity he glaneed over a marriage ceremony he bad picked up somewhere, but there was no double attachment, either "back action" or otherwise, and he was totally lacking in the ability to improvise the requisite amendment, or to modify the docu- ment to meet the present emergency. So. after reading it over to himself, and seeing no possible way to make the ceremony appear ritualistie, in his desperation he blurted out, "I pronounce you husbands and wives, and you may now go where you please, by Gosh!"

This constituted the nuptial ceremony, no one gave the brides away, no questions were asked, no rings were presented, no prayers were offered, and it may be added, no expensive bridal trossean was provided in either case.

Of course whatever else was dispensed with, the bridal tour could not be omitted, and so the only pair of horses in town was called inte requisition. and the outfit went to Shell Rock where an im- promptu dance was got up at George Gardner's, and "they chased the hours with flying feet" until morning, when the jaded party started for home: but a snow storm had so blocked the road that when three miles away. the team had to be aban- i doned, and the rest of the way was made on foot.

405

ALBERT LEA TOWNSHIP.

They were a jolly party, and all enjoyed them- selves except 'Mrs. B,' whoever she was, whose prodigious weight carried her down through the snow at every step.

Notwithstanding the informality of the techni- cal joining, the marriage "took" as they say about vaccination, and twenty-five years afterwards the silver wedding of one of the couples was celebra- ted here, as is recorded in the proper place.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN BURGLAND, one of the prominent men of this county, is a native of Sweden, born on the 29th of November, 1834. He remained at his birth place until 1854, when he married Miss Anna M. Johnson and the same year bought a farm which he carried on until 1862, then engag- ed in the lumber business. In 1868, they emi- grated to America, came directly to Albert Lea and bought a farm in section twenty-seven, which now contains over two hundred acres. He has a family of nine children.

MARTIN CAREY was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 28th of August, 1850. When fifteen years old he commenced going to the pineries during winter seasons, and in 1871, came with his parents to this county and settled on a farm in this township. In 1874, be bought land for himself and has since made it his home. He was married on the 30th of June, 1875, to Miss Mary Tracy, who has borne him five children, four of whom are living. Mr. Carey has held several local offices.

OWEN DOYLE, one of the early settlers of Free- born county, was born in Carlow county, Michi- gan, on the 1st of March, 1820. His father died when he was eight years old, and when fifteen lie emigrated to America, settling near Kingston, in Canada, where he was engaged in farming for eight years. In 1850, he married Miss Bridget Murphy. From 1843 to 1853, he had no settled home, but in the latter year located in Columbus, Ohio, and resided there three years. He then came to Burlington, Iowa, and three years later to this township, having since made his home in section eleven. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle have had eight children, three of whom died in infancy, and five are living.

OGDEN EDWARDS was born in Jefferson county, New York, on the 5th of May, 1826. He assisted his father on the farm until 1854, when he bought land of his own. On the 28th of February, in the

latter year, he was married to Miss Prudence Doughkuse. In 1859, Mr. Edwards went to Cal- ifornia and engaged in mining two years, then returned to his native State and again carried on a farm. In 1866, he came to this place and bought a farm in section one, where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have had four children; Charles D., John, Frederick J., and Ada, John died at the age of two years and six months.

OLE J. ELLINGSON is a native of Norway, born on the 26th of January, 1825. When twenty- three years of age he enlisted in the Norwegian army; spent one year in Germany, and remained in the service until the 16th of April, 1853. The following day be started for America, having the year before married Miss Engel C. Eriekson. They first located in Allamakee county, Iowa, but in 1856, beeame pioneers of this county, settling in Bancroft. In 1859, Mr. Ellingson was elected County Treasurer and moved to Albert Lea; held the office two years and in 1861, enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company F, serving till 1864. He then returned to this place, and has sinee devoted his time to agricul- tural pursuits. He is the father of eight children.

ANDREW O. FROSAGER is a native of Norway, and dates his birth on the 26th of October, 1846. He resided with his parents until the spring of 1871, when he came to America and settled in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. In 1874, he removed to Marquette county, Michigan, where he engaged in mining and railroading one year; thence to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and in 1876, came to this county. He bought a farm in Albert Lea two years later, and has since devoted his time to its cultivation. He was married on the 24th of December, 1877, to Miss Ellen Torgen- son.

JOHN G. GODLEY, one of the early settlers of Freeborn county, was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, mn 1837. He was engaged as book-keeper for two and a half years in his native place, and in 1854 came to America, settling on Long Island. He moved from there to Chemung county, New York, and a year later came to Richland City, Wisconsin. In 1857, he moved to this township, and elaimed land in section eighteen, where he "batched" it six months and returned to Wiscon- sin. In 1860, he came again to his claim, and in February, 1862, enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; was Chief Clerk in the Quar-

406

HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.

termaster's department for two years and six months, and returned home in 1866. The same year he sold his former farm and bought his present, which contains two hundred and forty aeres. On the 15th of April, 1868, he was mar- ried to Miss Maggie Slater, who has borne him one child, Anna M.

S. C. JASPERSON was born in Denmark on the 18th of April, 1838. When he was twenty-one years old he enlisted in the Danish army and served three years, then returned home and engaged in farming. He was married on the 7th of April, 1860, to Miss Johanna M. Jostenson The result of the union is seven children. Mr Jasperson eame to America in 1867, settled in Chicago, where he learned the earpenter trade and worked at the same four years. He then went to Tennessee and engaged in the construction of rail- roads one winter, and in the spring of 1871, came to this county and bought a farm in Bath town- ship. Since 1875, he has been a resident of Albert Lea, his farm being in section ten. He is the fa- ther of seven children.

OLE A. JOHNSON is a native of Norway, born on the 17th of December, 1831. He was married be- fore leaving his birthplace, to Miss Elizabeth Goegerson. They emigrated to Ameriea in 1859, and settled in Waupaca county, Wisconsin; three years later moved to a farm in Winnebago eounty, and in 1868, came to this township. They have a family of eight children.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.