History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 111

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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Edgar Fitch Davis, the genial editor of the Zumbrota "'News," was born in Augusta, Maine, and received his education in the public schools of Eau Claire and North St. Paul, completing his education at the State Normal school at Winona, Minn. He learned the printer's trade in North St. Paul and afterward worked for a short time in Superior. Wis. Subsequently he eame to Zumbrota, where he took up the work on the Zumbrota "News" in 1895. In 1900 he became part owner. He has since been editor and publisher. Mr. Davis was a member of Company

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D, Third Infantry, Minnesota National Guard, for thirteen years, and held all the offices up to captain. He also served with Com- pany D, Fourteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American war. In March, 1905, he was elected village recorder and served three years. Ile was married to Elizabeth Morgan in June, 1905. Mr. Davis is an ideal village editor. He understands the publishing business from writing editorials to running a press, and his paper has a wide influence in the com- munity. Possessing those qualities of good fellowship and kindly consideration which are so desirable in any man, he adds to this good business judgment, a capacity for hard work, and an able and fluent pen. Being yet a young man, his friends prediet for him a still more successful future.

Charles E. Friedrich, in building up a large and successful business, has contributed in no small degree to the general pros- perity which has made Red Wing an example for all citizens of similar size in the United States. Ile is a native of this city, born June 1, 1862, when the early pioneers were still in their prime and some of the old log cabins stood within the limits of what is now the city of Red Wing. He has literally grown up with the town. The parents, John M. and Anna C. (Kempe) Friedrich, the former of German birth and the latter a native of Sweden, came to America in the early fifties, the father locating for a short time at Wacouta, later coming to Red Wing and engaging in the merchandise business which the father followed all his life. HIe died October 12, 1887. and his widow now resides in Red Wing. Of the family of three children, Charles was the oldest. Helen A., the next child in the family, lives in Red Wing. The youngest son was John Il. Friedrich, lieutenant colonel in the Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish-Ameri- can war, who died soon after his return from that conflict. Fur- ther mention of Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich will be found in the military history of the county, which appears elsewhere in this volume. Charles received his education in the public schools of Red Wing, and even as a boy took an interest in the mercan- tile business. After leaving school he engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business with his father, John M. Friedrich:, under the name of C. E. Friedrich & Co., until 1894, when the present company was incorporated, the company now being known as Friedrich & Kempe Company. Of this company, Mr. Friedrich has continued as president and manager. Its snecess may be learned from the description found in the account of the mereantile houses of this city, appearing in this volume. Mr. Friedrich was married December 12, 1894, at Red Wing, to Catherine A. Wolff, daughter of Henry and Amalia (Bottenus) Wolff, natives of German, who came to America in the early

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fifties, locating first in Ohio, then in Iowa, and in 1855 in Red Wing, where the father followed his trade, retiring from active work some twenty years before his death, September 26, 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich have been born three bright children : John C. was born August 22, 1897; Edward II., July 15, 1901, and James K., August 22, 1903. These boys all first saw the light of day in Red Wing. The family resides in a pleasant home at the corner of Seventh and East avenue, the residence being one of the most comfortable in the city. A democrat in politics, Mr. Friedrich has served in a number of important publie capacities, was alderman two terms, member of the city cemetery board two terms and was on the fire board for a similar period. Ilis most distinguished public service has consisted in acting as chair- man. and a most active and interested member of the committees that have wrought for the city its three most important improve- ments. These three committees were: The citizens' committee that promoted the high bridge across the Mississippi; the joint committee of the fire board and city council that located and built the present beautiful city hall, and the committee of the city council that negotiated with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul and consummated the Levee park ordinance. Mr. Fried- rich associates with the Masonic fraternity and attends the Epis- copal church.

William Freeborn, one of the original proprietors and second mayor of the city of Red Wing, was born in Ohio, moved to Ful- ton county, Ill., as a boy, and in territorial days located in St. Paul. His sister Maria married Dr. W. W. Sweney, and the two families came to Red Wing in 1852. He was a member of the territorial legislature. Ilis generous policy made possible the city of Red Wing as it is today, and to this policy is also due the fact that such rivals of those days as Wacoota and Lake City were rapidly outdistanced as trading and shipping points. Ile and Dr. Sweney gave liberally of land for various enterprises and donated parcels for school, public and church purposes, the land thus donated today representing a value which would amount to several fortunes. An evidence of his generosity is found in Hancock's History of Goodhue County, where that ven- erable clergyman and pioneer says: "The close of the year 1853 was made memorable by the fact that the entire community were invited by that generous, whole-souled town proprietor, William Freeborn, to partake of the annual Thanksgiving dinner at his house. With the exeeption of one or two persons, the invited guests were all present and had a grand social time. It was one of those occasions when the rich and the poor meet together and acknowledge God as the Maker of all, and the source from whence all blessings flow." In the early sixties, Mr. Freeborn

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moved to California, where he died. In his honor, Freeborn county, this state, is named.

William C. Santelman, proprietor of the general store at Clay- bank, was born in llay Creek, September 12, 1877. His parents, August and Mary (Minki) Santelman, natives of Germany, came to America in 1845, and farmed two years at Dayton, Ohio. They then bought 200 acres of land in Hay Creek, where they carried on general farming until 1904, when they retired, and purchased a home in Red Wing, where the father still resides at the age of seventy-two years. The mother died April 10, 1909. In the family are five brothers and four sisters aside from the subject of this sketch : Mary, married, lives in Fargo, N. . D .; Edward, married, conduets the old homestead ; Sophia, married, lives in this state; Henry, married, is proprietor of a general store at Red Wing; Emma, married, lives at Stanton, Minn .; August, married, is proprietor of a store at Frontenae; Minnie, married, lives in Red Wing; George and Benjamin work on the home farm. William received his education in the district schools of Hay Creek and farmed for a time with his father. January 1. 1903. he entered the employ of H. L. Hjermstad in the grocery busi- ness and one year later started a general store at Claybank with Mr. Hjermstad as partner. This store has been very successful and has a good trade, which is gradually growing. Mr. Santel- man was married January 17, 1904, to Annie Sass, daughter of Henry and Mary (Burkhart) Sass, who came to America and located in Wabasha county, where they farmed 160 acres of land. Mrs. Sass died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Santelman have one child, Syviwla M., born September 17, 1905. Mr. Santelman is a Re- publican in polities, but has been too busy to actively engage in political affairs. He is a thorough business man, genial and accommodating, and has a bright future ahead of him.

Henry Lidgerding, Hay Creek township, born in Hanover, Germany, Jannary 9, 1848, has spent practically all his life in this county, his occupation being that of farming. His mother died in the old country while he still a young boy, and his father, leaving young Henry in the care of relatives, came to this coun- try to seek his fortune and to make a home for his motherless son. The father, William, is a resident of Red Wing, having reached the honored and venerable age of ninety years. Henry came to America in 1862 at the age of fourteen years, being met at Red Wing by his father. He went to Hay Creek township. and there grew to young manhood, working on the farm. Later he moved to Goodhue township, but subsequently returned to Hay Creek, where he has lived for the past dozen or so years. He has 240 acres of good land, 160 being under the plow and in a high

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stage of cultivation. The place has been improved, and the buildings remodeled, the whole now presenting the appearance of a model farm. Aside from the usual crops, he raises live stock and does some dairying, making a specialty of settling butter. Mr. Lidgerding is a Republican in politics, and while in Goodhue township served on the board of supervisors. He was married March 6, 1873, to Mary Meyer, daughter of Frederic Meyer, an old settler of this county. To this union were born five children, Fred, Benjamin, Alma, Martha and Edna. The family pays its religious worship at the Methodist (German) church.

P. J. Lundquist, sheriff of Goodhue county since 1894, was born at Inseby, Skalof Smaland, Sweden, April 17, 1849, son of Swan and Anna Lundquist, both natives of that country. Ile received his education in the schools of Sweden and worked as a mail driver. In 1869 he came to America and located at once in Vasa. this county. where he worked on a farm and on the rail- road until 1872, when he purchased a farm, upon which he carried on general farming until 1883. Ile then located in Red Wing and was appointed deputy sheriff, serving four years. In 1887 he was elected constable and served until 1891. when he was appointed chief of police of the city of Red Wing. His ser- vices in this capacity were rewarded in 1894, when he was elected sheriff of the county. in which office he has since served with ability. In polities a Republican. Ile is a member of the Elks, the A. O. U. W. and the Commercial club. Sheriff Lundquist was married July 6, 1873. to Eva Turner, daughter of Samuel and Stiena Turner, of the township of Vasa. Goodhne county. The mother died in 1903 and the father still survives at the good old age of eighty-nine. To Mr. and Mrs. Lundquist have been born five children, four of whom are now living. Sidney S., born July 21. 1874. is engaged in the grocery business in Red Wing. Aaron V. was born July 23, 1877, and served several years as deputy sheriff until his death December 25, 1906. Ile is sur- vived by a widow, whose maiden name was Vendalia Landberg, and one daughter, born April 7, 1906. Gena C., born January 15. 1881. lives at home and teaches in the public schools at Red Wing. Reuben A .. born December 30, 1883. is married and lives at La Crosse. Wis .. where he is an electrical engineer. Anna C .. born October 28, 1885, is a teacher in the district schools at Vir- ginia. Minn. The family worships at the Swedish Lutheran church.

Watts Sherman was born at Morristown, N. Y .. January 13, 1827, and received his education largely in Michigan. While still in his teens, he started on the road for a manufacturing concern and on June 10, 1856, located at Red Wing. The following year he entered into the mercantile business, the firm name of the com-

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pany being Sherman & Richter. Three years later he purchased a farm in Bell Creek. In Red Wing he took up the grocery busi- ness. Later he removed his store to Third street and the busi- ness is now managed by his son, Frank. Mr. Sherman was mar- ried October 29, 1856, to Delana Richter, daughter of John J. and Henrietta Richter, pioneers of Red Wing. To this union have been born six children : Frank, William, Fannie, Nellie, Gertrude and Leigh. The family attends the Presbyterian church. Mr. Sherman died in 1909.

Charles H. Meyers, county auditor, is a native born son of this county, having first seen the light of day at Red Wing, February 22, 1858. Ile received such education as the country schools of his district afforded and then attended the high school at Red Wing. Being an ambitious youngster, he started work in the store of Henry Gross at Red Wing, while at an early age. Later he saw the necessity for a more thorough business education, and consequently entered the Bryant and Stratton business college at St. Paul. In the fall of 1882 he went to the Red River valley and conducted a general store until 1891. In 1892 he engaged in the shoe business on Third street in Red Wing. In 1904 he cast his lot in the political arena, after disposing of his shoe stock. He was a candidate for county auditor and the same year re- ceived an appointment as deputy city clerk. His services in this office deserved the election as city clerk which he received in 1906. He was in charge of the duties of this office, when he re- signed to take the office of county auditor in January, 1909. He is also clerk of the school board, having served as a member of that body since 1898, three years of which time he was clerk, and two years president. His political platform is that of the Re- publican party, and his religious faith that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the Odd Fellows, the Foresters, the Modern Samaritans and the Knights of Pythias, in several of which he has held office. Mr. Meyers was married October 17, 1883, to Emily Schreiner, daughter of Rev. William Sehreiner, a clergyman of the German Methodist church, at that time stationed at Ft. Dodge, Iowa. The mother died at Ft. Dodge in 1902 and the father is now liv- ing a retired life at Glad Brook, Iowa. To. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers have been born five children: Grace L. was born September 26. 1884; Leon C., born May 3, 1886, is city clerk of Red Wing; Amy L. is attending music school at Chicago; Milton Wallace was born April 3, 1892, and Leslie V. was born February 14, 1901.

Hon. F. I. Johnson has a civic, military and political record of which any man might well be proud. He first demonstrated his ability in public office when he was elected county commissioner in 1875. In this position he served until 1880, when he resigned

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to become a candidate for the high office of state senator. Over- whelmingly elected, he soon made himself a power in the senate, and the people of the county returned him to his seat two times. his services covering the three terms of 1881, 1883 and 1885. In addition to this he has served ten years on the state board of equal assessments, has been chairman of the township eleven years, and treasurer of school district 42 for over thirty years. In business, religious and fraternal circles he has been no less prominent, having been president of the Farmers' Mutual Insur- ance Company, of Vasa, seven years; president of the Farmers' Elevator at Cannon Falls many terms; treasurer of the Spring Garden church twelve years; trustee of the Orphans' Home at Vasa twelve years and a director in the Scandinavian Relief Association thirty years. Mr. Johnson was born in Sweden, De- cember 25, 1840, son of John Carlson and his wife, Carrie John- son, also natives of that country. It was in 1858, at the age of eighteen years, that the subject of this sketch first came to the shore of the country of which he was later to become so promi- nent a citizen. After working on the St. Croix, Apple and Snake rivers as a lumberman, with Stillwater. Washington county. Minnesota, as headquarters, he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. August 14, 1862. This company was sent on the Indian expedition, and was stationed at Ft. Snel- ling, at Ft. Abercrombie or on the frontier until the spring of 1864, commanded by that valiant old warrior. General Sibley. After spending some time in the Bad Lands and on the banks of the Yellowstone river, as well as in Idaho, the company returned with the regiment to Ft. Snelling and was then ordered south, to Murfreesboro, later participating in the battle of West Nash- ville. January 1, 1865, found them at Washington, after which they were attached to the Twenty-third Army Corps, and ordered to Ft. Fisher. This fort, however, was captured before their ar- rival, and they accordingly went to Newbern, N. C., and subse- quently to Kingston, N. C., where the army engaged in battle with the command of General Johnson. At Gouldsboro, N. C., the regiment took part in another engagement and then partici- pated in a part of Sherman's march to the sea. Remaining with Sherman until the time of Lincoln's assassination. the company was ordered to Kingsboro, N. C., and then to Charlotte. N. C., where the mustering out took place JJuly 11, 1865. On August 1. 1865. the soldiers received their honorable discharge at Ft. Snel- ling. After the war. Mr. Johnson returned to Vasa and lived until 1868, when he moved to Leon township, where he has since conducted general farming on 255 acres in section 1, Leon town- ship. Of late years the son has rented the place from his father and has general charge of the farming operations. The house

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is comfortable and the barns well kept, everything about the place bespeaks thrift, intelligence and hard work. Mr. John- son was married in 1865 to Anna Larson, who died in 1875, leav- ing four children : Edward A., now clerk of the court at Kittson county, Minnesota : Levi E., farmer living in the same county ; Esther O., wife of Peter Johnson, of Cannan Falls, and Anton E., now living in California. Anton E. is a veteran, as well as his father, having served in Company F. Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in the Philippines. Upon his return to San Francisco he worked two years as a bookkeeper and then became a traveling salesman on the Pacific coast. By Christine Johnson. whom Senator Johnson married in 1876, there were four chil- dren : Alice, Clarence. Susie and Isadore. Clarence manages the home farm, and Susie and Isadore are deceased. The mother of these children died in 1887 and Senator Johnson then married Mrs. Wilhelmena Ilaggstrom, daughter of G. M. Magnusen, who still survives.

Albert George Scherf, a progressive and prosperous jeweler of Red Wing, is a native of this county, born December 20, 1862. in Hay Creek township. His father was Anton Scherf, and his mother, Elizabeth E. Kattergrolin, whose brother and a Mr. Barnes were the first men to make brick in the city of Red Wing. The father was a native of the Black Forest district, in Germany. and the mother was born in Westphalia. Germany. Anton Scherf came to this country in 1852, and for a time worked with his brother on the famous first suspension bridge across the Niagara, coming to Wacoota in 1854, where he engaged in steamboating and rafting on the Mississippi river. continuing for several years. In 1860, he pre-empted 160 acres at Hay Creek, and to this added from time to time until he was the proud possessor of 593 aeres of rich land, all in one farm and mostly under cultivation. There he continued farming until 1903, when he moved to Red Wing. where he and Mrs. Scherf are living, but still owning the old homestead in Hay Creek. They were married at Red Wing, No- vember 2, 1861. Albert G. attended the district schools of Hay Creek, and after one year at the high school of Red Wing, took a four months course at the Curtiss Business College of Minne- apolis, after which he entered Wesleyan University of Mt. Pleas- ant, Iowa, graduating in 1890. Thus equipped, with an excellent education, he taught school two years in his native town, and for a time acted as agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany. His next occupation was as representative of the "Human World," of St. Paul, for which he was manager one year. He subsequently worked on his father's farm eight years. In 1901, while on the farm, he was sent to the legislature from the Red Wing district, and at about the same time, in partnership with

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his brother, Fred A., opened a hardware and farming implement establishment on Bush street, which was soll to Augustine & Wilson in 1907. Mr. Scherf moved his family to Red Wing in 1904. In June. 1905, he launched in the jewelry business on Third street. where he has a large business. He also owns 200 acres of land in Ilay Creek township adjoining his father's farm. Mr. Scherf was one of the many called upon to mourn after the Lake Pepin disaster, July 13, 1890. His brother Martin (born in 1867), and his aunt. Mary Scherf. together with the latter's daughter, lost their lives in that catastrophe. A sister, Matilda (., born December 2. 1864. died in 1897. While at college, Mr. Scherf was captain of one of the University Cadet Corps. and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias. the United Workmen. the Royal Areanum, the Elks, Red Men. and the Red Wing Commercial Club. He is an independent voter. for two years served as justice of the peace in Hay Creek. and is at present connected with the Red Wing Telephone Company. The family religion is that of the Metho- dist and English Lutheran churches. The subject of this sketch was married in Hay Creek township May 6. 1897. to Emily Saupe, born September 6. 1872. daughter of Frederick Saupe, a native of Germany. and an early settler of Hay Creek. To Mr. and Mrs. Scherf have been born four children: Horace E., born March 6, 1898: Eugene P .. born April 18, 1900; Jerome E., born May 2, 1903, and Ruth D., born April 27. 1905. The children are all at home.

Hon. John W. Peterson, one of the county's distinguished citizens, has been active in political, church, military and agricul- tural eireles. He was born March 30. 1838. in Gardsby. Sweden, the second child of his parents, who were natives of Smoland, Sweden. The father brought his family to America in 1856, mak- ing his first settlement in Chisago county. this state, two miles from Chisago City. There he established his home and raised his family on a farm of eighty acres. which he purchased soon after his arrival. In his family were five children. John W. at- tended the schools of his native land, and worked on the farm with his father, coming to America with the family at the age of eighteen years. In August. 1862. he enlisted in Company I. Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. subsequently was promoted to corporal and still later to sergeant. He was sent from Ft. Snelling against the Sioux Indians, and was one of that heroic band which attacked 1.500 Indians at Birch Cooley. rescuing 150 brave men who for days had been holding out against that howl- ing mass of savages. Sergeant Peterson was with the soldiers who followed the Indians to Yellow Medicine county. where General Sibley released 170 white women and children. The pur-

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suit continued the next spring to Big Bend on the Missouri river. On December 26, 1862, Sergeant Peterson was among the soldiers who witnessed the hanging of thirty-nine of the ringleaders of the murderous Sioux at Mankato. Afterward he was at Helena, Ark .. as a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps, having been in the hospital several weeks. He was discharged May 10. 1865. In the spring of 1865 he came to Vasa, where he and his brother-in- law had purchased a quarter section of land. Today his farm is excelled by but few in the township, his well tilled acres and fine buildings being models of their kind. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time has continued a con- sistent Republican. Hle has been town clerk and justice of the peace as well as a school officer. In 1872 he was elected to the state senate and served two terms with distinction. In 1885 he was sent to the house of representatives, and in 1890 was again elected to a term in the senate. In addition to farming, he has been an auctioneer for forty years, there being few men in the state more gifted in this line than he. It is worthy of note that he recently celebrated his seventy-first birthday by holding an auction sale. For many years he was treasurer of the Swedish Intheran church at Vasa, and as is mentioned in the history of the township which appears in this volume, took an active part in the collecting of the money to complete the splendid edi- fice now occupied by the congregation of that church. He has also been an active member in the G. A. R. John W. Peterson, in 1868, took as his life-partner, Carrie Johnson, daughter of Eric Johnson, of Vasa township. Five children have resulted from this union. Lizzie is the wife of William Tilderquist. a civil engineer. Arthur has been town clerk of Vasa for ten years. Edith lives at home. Elmer G. is a dentist in Duluth, this state, and Mollie married O. F. Peehl, who lives in Vasa. Mr. Peterson has 200 acres of land, upon which he carries on general farming and stock raising. Although past his three score and ten years, he is still in the prime of his activities, and is a fine type of the men of Swedish birth who, while honoring the traditions of their noble race, have become true American gentlemen in every sense of the word.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 111

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264