History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 73

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

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Mrs. Ellen M. (Cornell) Warren, the pioneer dressmaker of Red Wing, is a native of Spring Arbor, Mich .. born on May day, in 1844. Her parents, James and Lucinda (Crowl) Cornell, were natives of New York state, and came of old New York state stock. After the death of the father at Spring Arbor, Mich., the mother married S. W. Roberts, of that place. The family came to Red Wing in 1862. and Mr. Roberts engaged in draying and teaming, being also a veterinary surgeon of mueh skill. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Roberts went to Ellsworth, Wis., and there Mr. Roberts practiced his profession until his death, February 22, 1892. Shortly after coming here with her parents. Ellen, as she was then called by her friends, opened a dressmaking estab- lishment with her mother. This was a great innovation in a community where heretofore the women had done their own sew- ing. or else had their "best dresses" made in St. Paul. July 19, 1863. Ellen M. Cornell married Edwin F. Gaylord, of this city. Mr. Gaylord was employed for the remarkably long period of thirty-one years as hookkeeper for T. B. Sheldon & Co. He died -July 30, 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord were born four children. Lillian M., born JJune 29. 1864, married Jolmn P. Con- stantine, a Red Wing cabinet maker. Frederick M., born February 22. 1873. died August 23, 1879. Inez B .. born October 22. 1874, died Angust 24 the following year. Edwin R .. born December 25, 1877. is employed by the Englewood Spring Com- pany at Minneapolis: Mr. Gaylord was a Democrat in polities and for several years held municipal office. His widow was married. for the second time. September 30, 1903, at Hastings, Minn., to Delos A. Warren, of Red Wing. Mr. and Mrs. Warren now live at 41316 Potter street. where they have a very pleasant home. Mrs. Warren is a woman of many attainments, and has has many interesting anecdotes to tell of dressmaking in the early

PUBLIO !

ANTOR. IL

GEO. W. WYMAN'S RESIDENCE

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days, as well as of other important events and people which came under her observation.

George W. Wyman, proprietor of the Pearl, has built up a successful business during his stay in Red Wing, and the present indications argue still better for the future. Mr. Wyman is a native of Akron, O., born January 11, 1851. Ilis father. also named George W., was a native of Walpole. N. H., born February 21, 1806. At an early age he moved to Cleveland, O., which was then by New Hampshire people considered "the west." There he started a clothing establishment which he successfully con- ducted until his death in 1857. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary J. Moore, then returned to Rochester, N. Y., the city of her birth, and there George W. received his boyhood education. His first business venture for himself was in a book and station- ery store, where he remained twelve years, acting successively as clerk, traveling salesman and manager. He subsequently en- gaged in the hotel business, which he has since continued to follow in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. In 1899 he eame to Red Wing, and after looking over the field, decided that there was an opening for a moderate priced commercial house. He accordingly rented a store on Third street and opened a restaur- ant, gradually acquiring possession of the office and living rooms in the same 'bloek, which he converted into lodging rooms. In 1908 he purchased the property on Fourth street that for many years had been used as a residence and office by Dr. A. M. Steph- ens. This he converted into "Wyman Cottage" and the "An- nex," both of which are available for the entertaining of guests. While in Rochester Mr. Wyman served seven years in Company C, Fifty-fourth New York National Guards, reaching the position of first lieutenant. He has shown his interest in the business growth of Red Wing by joining the Commercial Club. He is a . Republican in politics and attends the Episcopal Church. Mr. Wyman was married March 6, 1895, at Muscatine, Ia .. to Dena O. Hastad, daugkhter of L. J. Hastad, now a well-known farmer of Roscoe township, this county. Her mother died several years ago. Mrs. Wyman assists her husband in looking after his busi- ness interests and has proven a most able helpmeet in all his undertakings. In the summer of 1909 Mr. Wyman greatly im- proved his Fourth street property, adding to the main building a wide veranda, which makes it one of the prettiest places on the street. In the "Annex." which has also been recently remod- eled, a large part of the "History of Goodhue County" has been written.

George Wilkenson, now deceased, was one of the pioneer builders of Red Wing, and many buildings now standing testify to his skill and conscientiousness. His parents, Thomas and

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Jane ( Wilson) Wilkenson, were respected residents of Beckside, Yorkshire, England, where their son was born, March 8, 1818. Amid the "flowering hedges and green lanes" of Old England, George received his education, and reached manhood. In 1840 he took to himself a wife. and started to raise a family of bonny children. The spirit of ambition was in his veins. however, and in 1851 he pulled up the roots of the family tree to transplant it again on American soil, where he and his were henceforth to make their home. The first location of the family was in Du- buque. Ia., 1852, then scarcely more than a frontier village. Two years later he moved to St. Paul, which at that time was also in comparative infancy. In both Dubuque and St. Paul he worked on a number of residences. In the spring of 1855 he came to Red Wing, and seeured the contract for the faithful performance of which he will ever live in local history. that of building the first hall of the now large and influential Hamline University. In the fall of that year he brought his family here. He opened the first lumber yard in the city. and even thus early in pioneer days, while the log cabins of the original settlers were still standing, he established his business of contractor and architectural drafts- man. For several years he was engaged in erecting some of the large business blocks of the city, and later purchased 1,200 acres in the township of Featherstone, where he engaged in raising wheat. Still later he returned to Red Wing and became interest- ed in the retail shoe business, dividing his time between that en- terprise and looking after his various interests. He passed away March 21. 1896. and his wife. August 27, 1895, both at Red Wing. Mr. Wilkenson was a Jeffersonian Democrat until the Civil War, but at the outbreak of that conflict he cast his lot with the Re- publican party, with which he was identified for the remainder of his life. He was a charter member of the Episcopal Church in this city, and his name was many times mentioned at the celebra- tion of the Fiftieth anniversary of that church, held in November, 1908. He was a member of the Red Wing city council, and for years served on the school board, having always raised his voice in favor of every project which tended to the betterment of the civic or school system of the city and county. Seven children survived to bear the mantle of honor and integrity left them by their parents. Mary J. lives in the old homestead at Red Wing. John, who was interested in a retail business in Red Wing for a number of years, located at St. Paul and became a silent partner in the dry goods firm of Tibbs, Hutchings & Co. He died in 1907, leaving a widow and one son, James Humphrey. Thomas has won wide distinetion as president of the Upper Mississippi River Association. He is married and has one son, his home being at Burlington, Ia. Joseph is married and lives in

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Los Angeles, Cal. Albert, also married, is a partner in the whole- sale business house of Greggs, Cooper & Co., at St. Paul. Eva A. lives in Red Wing. She has one son, Harold A. Ana makes her home with her sisters in Red Wing.

Alonzo D. Whitney, another early settler of Red Wing, now deceased, was a native of Florida, Orange county, New York, born September 4, 1815. His parents, John and Susanna (Smith) Whitney, lived and died in New York state. Alonzo, after leav- ing school, took up the business of contractor and builder, and in 1857 came to Red Wing, when in the earliest days of its growth. His services were at once in demand, and many of the early dwellings in this city were erected under his supervision. Soon, however, came the rumors of the disruption of the North and South, and Mr. Whitney raised and drilled a company, but was barred from enlisting on account of the age limit. The Brooklyn Light Guard, of which he was a member, afterward attained distinction on many a bloody field of carnage. Although too old to enlist, the services of Mr. Whitney were highly valued, and in 1861 he was called to Mount City, Ill., where for some four years he was employed by the goverment in the navy yard. In May, 1865, he returned to Red Wing and took up his business, continuing same until 1871, when he was afflicted with a stroke of paralysis, after which he was an invalid for seventeen years, his death resulting January 26. 1889. Mrs. Whitney is living at the age of eighty-nine years, but since last July (1908) she has been in poor health as the result of a stroke of apoplexy. Mrs. Whitney was born in Middlefield, Conn., June 15, 1820, and was married May 9. 1847. her maiden name having been Rosetta Birdsey. This union was blessed with four children. Henrietta, born September 14, 1848, died August 13, 1855. Edgar Alonzo, born August 31, 1850, died July 14. 1853; Emma was born May 4, 1855. May, born September 18, 1858, died December 14, 1859. All the children were born in Brooklyn except May, who was born in Red Wing. Alonzo R. Brink, whom Emma Whitney married December 7. 1880, is a well-known Red Wing contractor and builder. He was born in Easton, Pa., July 21, 1852, son of Mahlon and Ann (Casely) Brink, both now deceased. Mr. Brink is a Republican in politics, and a Mason in fraternal affiliation. For two terms he has served on the city council. Mrs. Brink, who is much interested in historical matters, has preserved her father's papers, and has many interesting letters written during war times, which throw much light on the events of those stirring days.

August P. Olson, Red Wing's efficient assistant fire chief, is a native of this city and has spent all his life here. His parents, Peter and Helen (Whitehamer) Olson, were born in Norway.

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The father came to America in 1862 and after a year in Chicago located in Red Wing, where he took up work at his trade as a shoemaker, which he followed until the time of his death in De- cember of 1874. The mother, who came to this country in 1864, still makes her home in Red Wing. August P., born August 24, 1867, attended the public schools. Subsequently he entered the employ of the Red Wing Furniture Company, for whom he per- formed faithful service for the long period of twenty-two years, being in charge of the finishing department during the latter sixteen years of his employment there. May 1, 1906; he was ap- pointed a member of the fire company as assistant chief, a posi- tion he still retains. For this position Mr. Olson was well fitted, having been a member of the old hook and ladder company four- teen years, five years of which he was assistant chief under Charles Wick. Mr. Olson is a Republican, and belongs to the Elks. the Royal Arcanum. the Yeomen, the Fire Relief Associa- tion and the Phoenix Relief Association. He was married June 26. 1902. to Sadie Stromberg. of Red Wing, by whom he has two children, Leonard A., born May 8. 1903, and Helen E., born May 25, 1905. Peter Stromberg, father of Mrs. Olson, came to America from Germany in 1857 and worked for a time in Red Wing, his first work being to dig out stumps where Main street is now located. He also carried brick and mortar for the court house. Ile was married January 12, 1864, to Elizabeth Fisher, who came from Germany in 1863. They set up housekeeping in Hay Creek, where Mr. Stromberg acquired land until he owned 400 acres. on which he carried on general farming until his death, February 21. 1889. He was a public spirited citizen and served many years in public office, including nineteen years as treasurer. nine years as school clerk, and two years as supervisor. He was also a member of the Bankers' Association of St. Paul. Ilis widow makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Olson. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church.

Charles Brown, now engaged in the coal, wood. coke and gen- eral transfer business, was born in Red Wing. July 12, 1868, son of Robert and Martha (MeGarvey) Brown, natives of Ireland, who came to America at the ages of two and nine years, respec- tively. They spent their childhood in Canada and landed in Red Wing in 1856. The father at once purchased a farm in the town- ship of Featherstone and continued farming until his death. For some time he was with Hamline University and also kept a board- ing hall for the students of that institution. Robert Brown died in November, 1904, and his widow, who still owns the old home- stead, now resides in Seattle, Wash., with her daughter, having reached the ripe old age of seventy-two years. Charles received his education in the public schools and finished at the Red Wing

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 689

Seminary. Upon completing his studies he started life for hin- self as a clerk in the grocery store of Peter Kempe, at Red Wing. After three years he engaged in his present business in 1893, in which line he has since successfully continued. Mr. Brown was married December 26, 1894, to Lena M. Towle, of Red Wing, daughter of D. H. Towle, a farmer of Featherstone township in this county. Mrs. Brown's mother is now deceased and her father, who has remarried, is now living a retired life in Minne- apolis, having sold his farm in Featherstone. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born six children : Marian, born in 1895; Flor- ence I., born January 13, 1897; Charles D., born January 24, 1898; Robert D., born August 21, 1901; Kenneth, born April 15, 1903, and Edward, born in September, 1908. Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He affiliates with the Masons, the United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen. He has never sought public office. It is a matter worthy of somewhat extended note that Mr. Brown was chairman of the parade committee for the now famous cele- bration held in Red Wing, July 3, 4 and 5, 1909. With that energy that has characterized all his efforts, Mr. Brown set at work making the plans, and not only persuaded the leading busi- ness interests of Red Wing to participate in the parade, but also made a notable showing from his own stables. Seldom in any city in Minnesota has there been seen so fine a display of horses and vehicles as Mr. Brown had in the parade that day. Mr. Brown takes a personal as well as a business interest in his horses, being a lover of high grade animals, and his stables contain some fine specimens of horse flesh.

Frank G. Hickman, Red Wing, who has charge of the metal work of the Red Wing Boat Company, was born in Buffalo, N. Y .. July 24, 1856, son of Peter and Margaret (Gabriel) Hiekman, natives of Germany, both having been born on the banks of the historie and picturesque Rhine. They came to America in the early forties and located in New York state, where they were married, the father engaging in wagon making at Buffalo until coming to Red Wing in 1868, still following the same business here with his brother under the firm name of Hickman Brothers for three years. Afterward he conducted the business alone as sole owner and proprietor until his death, February 4, 1878. His wife died in 1871. After receiving his education in the excellent publie schools of Buffalo, Frank G. came to Red Wing with his parents and at once started work as clerk in a confectionery store, remaining three years. His next employment was with E. L. Baker, where he thoroughly mastered the tinning business. In this vocation he has since continued, now doing all the tin,

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iron, copper and brass work for the Red Wing Boat Company. He is a Republican in politics, belongs to the Episcopal Church and affiliates with the United Workmen and the Degree of Honor. For several years he was a member of the volunteer fire department and for eight years served as secretary of Cat- aract Hose Company, of which for several years he was also the captain. Mr. Hickman was married April 24, 1884, at Red Wing, to Hattie Beilfeildt. daughter of Henry and Mary (Spore) Beil- feildt, natives of Germany. Her parents came to America in 1844, locating first at Galena, Ill., and then at Brownsville, Minn., where the father was engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business. He joined the Union army and served several years. After the war he returned to Brownsville and in 1881 came to Red Wing, where he became a wheat buyer for the Diamond Joe jacket line. After several years he retired and went to Zumbro Falls, Minn .. where the family still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Iliekman have been born two children. Margaret, born Septem- ber 25, 1888. is now assistant librarian at the Carnegie-Lawther library at Red Wing. Roland II. was born October 19. 1893. Both children live at home, 903 West Fourth street, this city.

John O. Hanson, proprietor of a successful general store at 340 East Seventh street, Red Wing, was born in Sweden, May 15, 1855, son of John Gustave and Christine (Anderson) Hanson, who came to Red Wing in 1866, from Jankoping, Sweden. The father followed his trade as carpenter until 1879, when he went to Welch township, purchased 140 acres of land and did a gen- eral line of farming, combined with carpenter work and contraet- ing. Hle built his own home and barns, and also erected many of the buildings in the neighborhood. John Hanson died October 18, 1908, and his wife March 18, 1904, at the age of eighty-five years. There were two children in the family besides John O. They are both living in Welch, Oliver being a farmer and his sister Christine, now Mrs. Hagander, is the wife of a farmer. Jolin O. was sent to the public schools in Sweden, and after com- ing to Red Wing with his parents at the age of eleven years, at- tended the Red Wing sehools until fourteen years of age, when he entered the employ of D. C. Hill. Subsequently he clerked two years in a shoe store. and later entered into business for him- self with a partner, the firm name being Hanson & Peterson. After four years in this company he sold out. and entered the employ of the Belanger Brothers, dry goods merchants, as a clerk. Ilis record with this company consisted of faithful service for a period of sixteen years. In 1901 he had saved sufficient money to warrant his starting in business for himself. Since that time he has successfully conducted his present store. He owns his store building and a comfortable home, together

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with some other property. Mr. Hanson is a Republican in poli- ties, and belongs to the Scandinavian Relief Association and the Scandinavian Benefit Association, in which latter he has been president for the past two years. The family worships at the Swedish Lutheran Church. Mr. Hanson was married April 8, 1883, to Magdeline Anderson, a daughter of Christian and Pet- tronelle (Darlow) Anderson, the former of whom was in the tailoring and clothing business in Norway until his death in 1884. The mother died in the same country in 1898. Mrs. Han- son has three sisters. Two live in Norway and one is wife of the Rev. Wald, in Tacoma, Wash. She also has two brothers, Christ Anderson, who is in the building and constructing business in Chicago, and John Dahr, a Chicago printer. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have been born six children. Gustaf, born Jannary 11, 1884, works with his father in the store. Harold is a clerk at the store of Adler, Schacht & Co. He was born July 12, 1885. Ar- thur W., born October 28, 1887, is in the store with his father. Alice Francis was born February 12, 1890; Aurelia Agnes De- cember 22, 1894. and Harriet Hermenia Gertrude October 7, 1897. All the children live at home.

Samuel H. Haynes, now retired. has for a long period of years been identified with the banking and business interests of Red Wing, and has also served with credit in several public offices. He is of eastern birth, having first seen the light of day at Speedsville, Broome county, New York, December 29, 1849. Ilis father, William Haynes, was in the mercantile business in New York state at the time his son was born. Later, having been ruined in business through the dishonesty of a clerk, William Haynes started west to seek his fortune and engaged for a year as a bridge carpenter with the C., B. & Q. railroad, then building from Chicago to Burlington. Subsequently he brought his fam- ily to Knox county, Illinois. After selling lumber for a Chicago firm as their agent at Altona, Ill., he came to Minnesota in the fall of 1858. The trip to this state was made overland with a team of horses. the journey requiring abont a month. Many in- teresting experiences fell to the lot of the traveler in that long journey, which in after life he often related to his son and friends. Reaching Red Wing. he decided that this city, then only a small village in the first decade of its settlement, was an ad- mirable place for a home, and accordingly after getting settled himself, he moved his family here in the spring of 1859. For seven years he cultivated a farm, and then located in the city of Red Wing. He owned about 400 acres of land, considerable of that amount being land in Wisconsin which he cleared himself. Ile died in March, 1905, and his wife died in 1891. Samuel II. attended the public schools of Red Wing, and also

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took a course in Hamline University, at that time lo- cated in Red Wing. At the age of eighteen he learned the harness making trade, and after four years started in the harness business for himself with his father. At the end of four years his health failed, and he went to Wisconsin and worked three years farming. The succeeding five years were spent in the office of the Goodhue county treasurer, after which he spent two years as clerk of the probate court. Five months as cashier at the Minnesota Elevator Company, which operated thirty elevators and a large flour mill, demonstrated his ability, but ill health again caused him to retire. He spent a short time in the east, then served as deputy register of deeds one year and deputy county anditor five years. In 1892 he became general bookkeeper for the Goodhue County Bank, remaining fifteen years. During this fifteen years he witnessed many changes in Red Wing. and had an opportunity to observe closely the finan- cial conditions which have contributed so greatly to its growth. In 1907 he retired from active work, and since that time has lived practically a retired life, although there are still several matters which engross his attention, his specialty being book- keeping and auditing. He has also been in the service of the state tax commission for four months in Duluth. He is vice president of the Red Wing Building Association and secretary of the Red Wing and Trenton Transit Company. Four years he was alderman from the Second ward and for two years was chair- man of the finance committee of that board. He was on the board of health for four years. A charter member of Company G, First Regiment, Minnesota National Guard, he was compelled to leave the service after two years and a half on account of ill health. In the Knights of Pythias he is a well-known and influential member, having filled all the chairs in the local order and represented Red Wing at the grand lodge five sessions. For twenty-three years he has been keeper of records and seals in that lodge. Mr. Haynes was married in the fall of 1886 at Minne- apolis, to Julia C. Coleman. daughter of Mrs. Mary Coleman, of Minneapolis. Her mother lives at Red Wing. One daughter, Jessie M .. is now attending Hamline University at St. Paul. The family religion is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Hugo J. Herder, Red Wing, has made his own way in the world since coming to this country with his parents as a youth, and his success has been due to his industry, his perseverance and his devotion to hard work. His adult years have all been spent with his present firm in the grocery business, and he is conse- quently well versed in all that appertains to that line of com- merce. He was born in Berlin, Germany. March 6, 1865, and in that historie old city spent his early boyhood, attending the high

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC 11R ARY

LATER I.

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schools and the Berlin Seminary. His father, Frederick (married to Mary Schmidt) was a dealer in coal and wood in his native city. In 1879 the family came to America, and lived in the town- ships of Featherstone and Hay Creek, until 1883, when they moved to Red Wing. In this city the father died, December 21, 1900, and the mother still makes her home here. When the fam- ily came to Red Wing, Hugo, then a youth of eighteen years, started as a clerk in the store of C. E. Friedrich & Co., remaining in this capacity until 1894, when the company was in- corporated under the firm name of Friedrich & Kempe Co. Ten years later Mr. Herder was elected secretary and treasurer of the company, a position he has since retained, his record being one of honor and success. He is a Democrat in polities, and like his partners in business, he has persistently refused to allow his name to be used in connection with candidacy for public office, although he is much interested in all the great publie questions of the day. April 25, 1894, Hugo J. Herder was married at Red Wing to Kate Taggart, a native of Hartland, Wis., daughter of John and Bridget Taggart. natives of Ireland, who afterward took up agricultural pursuits in Wisconsin. Her father died in 1886 and her mother ten years later. The Herder home has been brightened by the presence of two children, Justin M., born May 30, 1896, and Harry J., born December 9, 1898, both pupils in the parochial schools of this city. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Herder pays fraternal allegiance to the Masons and Modern Woodmen.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 73

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