History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 113

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

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still living on the old homestead at the age of 73 years. To this union were born six children: Margaret (deceased), Michael, Johanna, Edward (deceased), John and James. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

George F. Meyer, one of the hard-working and industrious German citizens of Hay Creek township, is still hale and hearty at the good old age of eighty-one years. He was born in Prussia. Germany, in May. 1828. his parents being Casper and Caroline Meyer, who lived and died in that country, George F. grew to boyhood and manhood in his native kingdom, working on the farm and attending the common schools. With frugality and hard work he saved enough money to come to America, and in 1856 made his venture to America, bringing with him his bride, Mary Tebbe, whom he had married the year previous. The trip from St. Louis to Red Wing was made by boat, after which they hired a conveyance to take them to Hay Creek, where George F. Meyer homesteaded 160 acres, he and his brother William being among the first .settlers in that township. He broke and im- proved the land, erected buildings and for many years carried on general farming. In 1866 he built a water-power flour mill. and in 1891, when the railroad came through, changed the motive power to steam. The mill is now managed by his sons. He also rents out his 200 acres of highly improved land. During the Civil War, Mr. Meyer was drafted, but provided a substitute. He has been treasurer of the township at different times and has served several terms as chairman. To George F. and Mary Meyer have been born six children: William, Mary, Kate, Henry, Annie and Louis.

Alex Mckinley, of Stanton township, has seen a larger part of the progress of modern times in Goodhue county, and has reclaimed his land from the rocky prairie wilderness. When he first came to this state, he landed at Hastings and walked to Stanton township, where he purchased eighty acres of land and began to clear a farm. He built a log cabin out of such timber as was standing in the neighborhood, and kept house for himself. hauling his grain to Hastings with oxen. Near the close of the Civil War he enlisted in Company H, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was stationed at Chattanooga, Tenn., from shortly after his enlistment, February 1, 1865, until October of the same year, when he was discharged with the regiment. After return- ing home he at once resumed farming, which is still his occupa- tion. In 1877 he wooed and wed Mary Van Guilder, daughter of Frederick and Harriet Van Guilder. natives of New York state, who came to Stanton township in 1865, at the close of the Civil War, and have since continued to live here. A short time ago they celebrated their golden anniversary. at which time

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their friends, both near and far. gathered to wish them many more happy years together in the afternoon of life. To Mr. and Mrs. McKinley have been born three children : Mary, the eldest, attends Hamline University and will graduate in 1910: Fred and John. the two younger children, live at home, and assist their father. The family conducts general farming on the place. about three miles out of Cannon Falls village. Some of their eighty- six acres is wild land and pasture, but sixty-five acres are under the plow. giving an excellent opportunity for general mixed farming. They also do some dairying and sell considerable but- ter. As a father. Mr. MeKinley has naturally been interested in education. and has served as school trustee. He votes the Republican ticket, and affiliates with the G. A. R. post. Mr. Mc- Kinley has reached the honorable age of sixty-two years. having been born November 1, 1847. His parents. John and Mary (Dunn) MeKinley. came from Scotland and located first in Maryland, where the father worked in a cotton factory. He came to Goodhne county in 1863 and remained until January. 1864, when he returned to Maryland. In 1867 he took up his permanent home in Stanton township and here ended his days. His wife, mother of Alex. died many years before.

Oscar F. Peters, seven times member of the village council of Cannon Falls. has assisted greatly in mantaining the financial and business integrity of the village. Ile is a native born son, having first seen the light of day in this township. November 18, 1861, son of one of the earliest settlers. After completing the usual branches in the district schools, he came to the village and worked as a clerk in a hardware store, and then. in company with Peter Prink, purchased the business, this partnership con- tinuing from 1889 to 1891, when Mr. Peters purchased Mr. Prink's interest and became sole owner and proprietor. Since then the business has grown greatly in volume and magnitude, the straightforward methods employed in the establishment mak- ing it a favorite trading place. A few years ago Mr. Peters erected a $12.000 two-story briek block on the corner of Fourth and Neill streets. assisting in giving to the village its modern appearance. In addition to owning this block, and the stock in the store, Mr. Peters is interested in the Cannon Falls Canning Company. and the Cannon Falls Farmers' elevator. He was mar- ried September 10. 1893, to Ella Brookner. daughter of Charles Brookner. a native of Rochester. The Peters home has been blessed with five children: Leigh B .. Georgia II .. June. Leona and Bernice. The subject of this sketch is a staunch Republican. a communieant of the Episcopal church and a member of the Masonie order and the United Workmen. John and Christine (Johnson) Peters, parents of Oscar F .. were born in Sweden,

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came to America in 1852, lived three years in Iowa, and then located in Cannon Falls township, purchasing 160 acres in sec- tions 3 and 10. In 1881 they rented the farm to their son, John A., removed to Cannon Falls, and lived a retired life until the time of their decease.

Henry McLain Johnson, overseer of the county poor farm in Burnside township, has won much praise from the citizens of this county for his capable management of that institution. He serves well the interests of those who taxes support the place, and at the same time is considerate and gentle with the homeless and friendless who find in the almshouse that refuge which Providence has denied them elsewhere. Mr. Johnson was born in Frontenac, this county, September 5, 1877, a son of Hans and Gurine (Peterson) Johnson, who were the parents of nine chil- dren : Mary, John (deceased), Lesa, George, Henry, Maude. Elizabeth, Edith and Florence. The father and mother came from Norway in 1866 and soon afterward purchased a farm in Frontenac, where they raised their large family of children. The father died October 18, 1908. Henry M. received such education as the district schools afforded, and then took a short course in a business college. With his father as instructor, he thoroughly mastered farming, and remained on the home place until 1893, when he was offered his present position. The poor farm consists of 164 acres, and here Mr. Johnson carries on general farming. Before taking county office, Mr. Johnson held several township positions in Frontenac. He is a Republican in politics and a popular member of the United Workmen.

Albert and Alfred Olson, known as the Olson Brothers, have a well-cultivated farm of eighty acres, in Hay Creek township, about five and a half miles from the center of Red Wing. They have erected some good buildings, and carry on general farm- ing and stock raising. Being progressive young men, they are on the high road to prosperity and success. Both were born in Sweden, and in that country were educated. They came to this country and after a stay in Red Wing, they located on the place where they have since remained. Alfred is not married. Albert was married in 1895 to Annie Hanson, by whom he has four children : Walter. Karl, Agnes and Ernest. The Messrs. Olson both vote the Republican ticket, but have never eared to run for publie office.

Erick J. Helle' was born on the homestead in Holden town- ship, October 28, 1875, son of J. J. and Carrie (Trove) Helle, natives of Norway, who came to America and located in Wis- consin, later coming to Minnesota, loeating at Cannon Falls, and subsequently at Holden, where they purchased 160 acres of land, which the father improved, built a stone house and later a barn

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and other outbuildings and carried on general farming until 1904, when he retired from active life, but still lives on the home- stead. Erick received his education in the schools of Holden and took a short course at a seminary in lowa. He then took up farming at home and in 1904 rented the farm and raises horses and stock. Erick is one of seven children; Carrie, married to Christopher Otterson, living in North Dakota; Edward, now of North Dakota; John, now of Richland, N. D .; Nettie, married to M. O. Standy, of Richland county, North Dakota; Andrew, living at home; Peter, of North Dakota, and Eriek, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Helle is a Republican in his politics. He is a member of a literary society, and of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Timothy E. Perkins, living on section 16. Featherstone town- ship, has gained a national reputation as an apple grower, his seedling apples having taken first prize at the annual meeting of the American Pomelogical Society, held at Boston, Mass., as well as the gold medal at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. He was born in Franklin county, Maine, December 7, 1833, his par- ents being Timothy F. and Thirza (Ellsworth) Perkins, both na- tives of Maine. They came to Minnesota in 1862, and purchased land in Featherstone township, where the father engaged in gen- eral farming until within a short time of his death, when he re- turned to Maine and ended his days at the age of eighty-two years, having been a farmer all his life. The mother took up her residence with her son, Timothy E., and died at the age of seventy-two years. Timothy E. attended the schools of his neighborhood. and there grew to manhood, remaining in his native town until about thirty years of age. April 13, 1864, he came to Featherstone, and for three years farmed in partner- ship with his father, afterward purchasing his present farm of 266 acres. On this place he has put many improvements, inchid- ing a good house, well-kept barns and other buildings. and here he carries on general farming, stock raising and pomelogical pursuits. He is a Republican in politics and has served as treas- urer of his township one term. He affiliates with the Methodist church and at one time was a member of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Perkins was married March 26, 1861. to Rhoda A. Boston, also a native of Franklin county, Maine. From this union eight chil- dren have resulted. six being now alive. Charles E. is an orange grower in Porterville, Cal .; Fred O. is assistant general agent of the International Harvest Company at Sioux Falls, S. D .; Wil- liam J., like his brother, Charles E., is an orange grower in Por- terville. Cal .: George A. is a physician and surgeon at Diekens, N. D .; Timothy L .. works the home place and Thirza Etta is the wife of Britton G. Featherstone, of Featherstone township.

RM YORK ! GRADY

.. 17ANS

HARRISON MILLER

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Laura died at six years and Bertha at nine years of age. All the children except Charles E. were born in Featherstone town- ship. He was born in Maine before the family came west.

Peter and Andrew Peterson, two well known farmers of Leon township, are estimable citizens in every respect and are well thought of by their large circle of friends. They are both natives of this state, born in Nicollet county, the former in 1859 and the latter in 1861. Their parents, Abraham and Margaret Peterson, came from the old country in 1857 and settled in the county where their sons were born, remaining there six years. Then they came to Leon township, where he purchased the farm which is still in the family and where the boys went to school. The mother is dead, but the father is still living, having reached the ven- crable age of 90 years. Besides the brothers there was in the family one sister, Anna, now the wife of John Anderson. The Peterson's farm consists of 160 aeres, upon which the brothers carry on general mixed farming. Both vote the Republican ticket, but neither has cared to seek the duties of public office holding.

Harrison Miller, another sturdy old pioneer, died at his home in the township of Stanton August 21, 1909. Ile was born in Ver- mont in February, 1828, and in January, 1854, was married to Harriet Ellis, daughter of Noah Ellis of Thedford, Vermont. He then bought a farm in Wisconsin near Beaver Dam, where they lived four years. In the spring of 1858 they moved to Stanton, having purchased the farm the fall before. On this place they have lived for fifty-one years. He carried on general farming and became one of the substantial residents of the community. Mrs. Miller died on the farm in April, 1906. Four children sur- vive : Alvin Miller, of Seaside, Ore .; Nelson Miller, a prosperous farmer of Stanton; Mrs. Cora Whitson, who is still living on the old farm, and Dr. F. C. Miller, who resides in Olivia, Minn., and has an extensive practice. Mr. Miller was a Mason and a member of the United Workmen. As a neighbor he was liked, as a father and husband he was loved, as a citizen he was respected, and as a friend he was held in trnest regard. It is such men as he who, from the beginning, have made Goodhue county a place of peace and quiet, and saved it from the disorderly years which so often mark an early settlement in a wild territory.

John Collins Applegate, the gifted editor of the Cannon Falls "Beacon," and widely known for his fight in behalf of the small shipper against the monopolies, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., July 22, 1860, son of James P. and Mary Elizabeth Applegate, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and died in 1868 and the latter of whom was born in Pittsburg. Pa., and is still living. John C. received his education in the public schools. in Poland

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Union Seminary (Ohio) and in Oberlin College (Ohio), taking the scientific course. In December, 1903, he purchased the Can- non Falls "Beacon" and in the spring of 1904 inaugurated the campaign for regulation of railroad rates and traffic practices. He led this fight through the "Beacon" and by personal appeal to business organizations throughout the state, and became a recognized authority on this question. The fight which he in- augurated and assisted in conducting accomplished a reduction of rates of thirty per cent on all interstate traffic and the correc- tion of many other abuses. It also resulted in the passage of the de- murrage law, the two-cent passenger rate law. the anti-pass law and other reforms along the same line. Mr. Applegate is recog- nized as an editorial leader in the anti-saloon fight for clean polities and independent party action. Ile is also a strong advo- cate of tariff revision downward and has exerted some influence along this line in the "Beacon. " Ile is a strong supporter of the Roosevelt policies and has condemned without qualification the Payne-Aldrich tariff law and the forces and methods that en- acted it. Aside from his interest in the "Beacon," Mr. Apple- gate holds stock in the Cannon Falls Creamery Company and is an advocate generally of all that tends toward the civic and in- dustrial improvement of Cannon Falls. Being of a sociable nature, he has taken an active part in the Masons. the Samari- tans. the Elks. the Cannon Falls Commercial Club and the State Editorial Association. April 23. 1888. Mr. AApplegate was mar- ried to Harriett L. Van Campen. a native of Cannon Falls, daugh- ter of an old pioneer family. Mr. and Mrs. Applegate have three children: Roszella Charlotte. born April 30, 1891: John Collins, Jr., born December 10. 1906 and died August 21. 1909, and Mary Adelia. born July 5, 1908.

Conrad Schaffer is the son of Adam and Catherine (Steitz) Schaffer. pioneer residents of Minnesota. natives of Germany, who came to America in 1848 and located in Wisconsin for a short time and then moved to Stillwater. Minn., where they were among the first settlers. Here their son Conrad was born March 13, 1855. and when he was but a child they moved to New Trier. Dakota county. Minnesota, where his parents resided until death called his father in 1895; his mother, who is ninety years of age, now resides with her above named son. It was at the village of New Trier that Mr. Schaffer received his education. in a little log school house. At the age of nineteen he started out to fight life's battle, coming to Welch. Goodhne county, on a farm his father had given, of 160 acres, which was then all timber and wilderness. He set to work and cleared the farm, which is now all under cultivation. and besides all the modern buildings which lie erected he also has one of the largest orchards in Goodhne

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county. In 1875 he was married to Annie M. Gerlach, daughter of Godfred and Teresa (Seufert) Gerlach, also natives of Ger- many and pioneer residents of Minnesota, living at New Trier at the time of their daughter's marriage to Mr. Schaffer. He took his wife to his home in Welch, where they still reside. Here, with their children, Mr. and Mrs. Sehaffer worked and saved un- til they had acquired about 440 acres of land, all of which is worth about $100 per acre now. Eleven children were born to them, six boys and five girls, ten of whom are still living, Mary. the third child born to them, dying at the age of ten years. The two oldest daughters are married. Teresa to Phillip Pasch of Car- los. Minn .. and Catherine to Charles Diederholt of Welch, Minn .; and the three oldest sons are also married. George to Lucy O'Roark, Lonis to Lizzie O'Roark and August to Clara Ruhr, all residing on farms of their own adjoining their father's farm: his daughter Caroline is stenographer for the Charles Betcher Lumber Company of Red Wing, Minn., and Joseph, Matilda, William and Frances are still residing with their parents. A school office is the extent of Mr. Schaffer's public career, and he is not allied with either political party, being an independent voter. Mr. Sehaffer and his family are all members of the Roman Catholic Church. IIe is a stockholder of the Welch Creamery. where he furnishes several hundred dollars' worth of cream each year. being the owner of about one hundred head of fine blooded cattle.

Adolph Grosse, Hay Creek township, was brought to this county by his parents during the early rush of German immigra- tion. He was born in Prussia. Germany, August 21, 1848, son of Frederick and Mary (Herder) Grosse, also natives of Prussia. The family came to America in 1857 and in the city of Chicago. for two months, the father, Frederick, followed his trade of stone masonry. September 27, 1857, they landed at Red Wing, then a small village, and lived in Red Wing until the spring of 1858, then went to Hay Creek township where, after the proper pre- liminaries, they homesteaded 160 acres of land. In connection with breaking the land, improving the place, erecting farm build- ings, etc., Frederick Grosse followed his trade as a mason until 1868, and died in October, 1879. Adolph was nine years of age when he came to America. He was sent to the neighborhood schools, and grew up on the farm. Upon his father's death he inherited the home farm of 160 acres, but makes his home on a place of 40 acres adjoining the village of Hay Creek. He owns in all 200 aeres of good land, upon which, until 1907. he carried on general farming. He has now turned the management of the place over to his son Edward. Mr. Grosse's public record has been one of honor and distinction. For twelve years he ably

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served the county as a commissioner and, aside from this, has been chairman of Hay Creek township several terms, town clerk seventeen years and a justice of the peace for a long period. At the present time he is secretary of the Hay Creek Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Odd Fellows, the United Workmen, the Foresters, the Sons of Herman and the Red Men. Mr. Grosse was married September 27, 1868, to Minnie Ahlers. daughter of Charles Ahlers. an early settler of this county. To this union have been born thirteen children of whom the eight living are Edward, Emma. William, George, Arthur, Fred, Clara and Laura. Mrs. Grosse died April 3, 1893.

George W. Fulcrut, progressive. prosperous and well-informed farmer of Belle Creek township, as a native of Pennsylvania, born April 21, 1829. Upon leaving school he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed after moving to Red Wing in 1856, en- gaging also in contracting and building and making sash and doors. In 1860 he purchased 130 acres of land in Belle Creek and at once moved on the place. taking up general farming. From that time he made various purchases until his retirement in 1901, when he owned a farm of 320 acres of highly cultivated land. He now rents the place and is enjoying a well-earned rest after years of toil, sacrifice and frugality. A fine old gentleman in every respect, he enjoys the confidence and admiration of the younger generation, being often sought for advice and counsel. He still votes the Republican ticket, and in his more active days served. the township as supervisor and school district No. 39 as di- rector. By his good wife, Mary E. Bush, whom he married Octo- ber 20, 1853, he has had seven children: Rose L., born August 12, 1854, lives at home with her parents; Charles. born July 1, 1858, met with a sad death by drowning in Dakota; Frank C., born January 9, 1861. is a merchant in Norton, Kan .; Clara Ellen, born May 16, 1864, is the wife of J. T. Warwick of Belle Creek ; Bessie Marie, born December 14, 1866, married Patriek Rowles, a farmer living in Belle Creek ; Samuel Guy. born July 19, 1869, is a travel- ing salesman out of Minneapolis; George Daniel, born February 2, 1872, is a farmer living in Belle Creek township. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Fulerut is the daughter of Joseph and Lucretia (Put- nam) Bush, and granddaughter of John Bush, who fought under Braddoek in the Revolution. The father was a native of Con- necticut and the mother of Great Barrington, Mass., the former dying in August. 1841, and the latter June 7, 1840.

Michael and Sarah (Coleman) Fulerut, parents of George W., spent their entire life in Pennsylvania. the father being a lum-

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berman of German parentage. He died in 1886. The mother was of English parentage and died in 1891.

Lars E. Larson has served as chairman of the town of Min- neola three years, as supervisor six years, as school director of Distriet No. 92 twelve years, and as clerk of the school board twelve years. He has been treasurer of the Minneola Norwegian Lutheran Church and Parochial School twenty-five years and is a member of the building committee of the church. He is also a director in the elevator and creamery companies. Mr. Larson was born in Norway August 8, 1846, son of Elling and Solva (Peterson) Larson, who came to America in 1856, located in Dane county, Wisconsin, until 1860. In that year they came to this county and located in Belle Creek township. where the father purchased 160 acres of land, which he broke and improved, erect- ing several buildings and establishing a home. Father and mother are both deceased. Lars E. was trained in the schools of Norway and for a short time after his arrival in America at- tended the schools in the neighborhood of his parents' farm. He remained on the home farm until 1868, when he purchased 80 acres in Minneola township, to which he later added 120 acres, making in all 200 acres. He built a house and barn (personally superintending the building, doing considerable of the work him- self), improved the land and carried on general farming for many years. In late years he has rented his farm. Ile was mar- ried, December 30, 1868, to B. Furan, daughter of John and Ingerburg Furan, natives of Norway who came to America in 1865, located in Belle Creek, took up 160 acres and there remained until 1870, when they sold out and moved to Murray county, this state, where they purchased 170 acres. They then moved to Tracy Lyon county, and still later to Canby, Yellow Medicine county, where the father died in 1899. The mother is still living. Mrs. Larson died March 28, 1909.

Michael Doyle is one of the grand old men of Goodhue county, his name and that of his father and brothers being inseparably connected with the early history of Belle Creek. A thorough Prohibitionist in politics, he has been county commissioner six years, representative two different times, town clerk fourteen years, chairman of supervisors one term, constable two years, clerk of school district No. 41 eight years, and internal revenue collector at St. Paul four years, having also served on many im- portant Democratic and Prohibitionist county and state commit- tees. Since 1890 he has been secretary of the County Alliance ; he is a prominent member of the Old Settlers' Associations of the county and state, and for many years was master of the Grange. He also belongs to MeKinley Post, G. A. R., at Cannon Falls. Mr. Doyle was born in Troy, N. Y., April 29, 1837, and after

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 113

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