History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 78

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

USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 78

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).

Hon. William W. Phelps was born in Oakland county. Michi- gan, in the year 1822; graduated at the university of his native state: practiced law several years, being partner in the law of- fice of General Stevens: was married in 1849 to Sarah B. Mann. He was elected a member of the legislature of the state of Michi- gan. and while a member of that body was appointed by President Pierce register of the land office which was soon to be opened at Red Wing. Mim. This appointment was obtained through the

:30

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

influence of Senator Stewart, a warm personal friend of Mr. Phelps, and one who gave him much encouragement at the be- ginning of his career.

He came to Red Wing in the fall of 1854, and, in connection with Hon. C. C. Graham, began arrangements for opening an office here for the sale of the public lands in the Red Wing land district. The lands were then but partially surveyed, and the territory of Minneosta, with the exception of a few villages along the Mississippi, unsettled, and its natural resources undeveloped.

Arrangements were completed and the United States land office opened for business on the first of February, 1855. Mr. Phelps proved himself a faithful and efficient officer. His duties in the land office made him acquainted with the needs of early pioneers, and he was always ready to help those who came with- out much capital to make a home for themselves in this new country. Such was his popularity that he was elected repre- sentative to congress as soon as Minnesota was admitted to the Union, and while a member of that body did good service for his constituency. He was twice elected mayor of the city of Red Wing. And when in our country's greatest need a call was made upon her sons to maintain, at the peril of life, the suprem- acy of the Union, he was of the number of those who were ready to venture all in the cause of their country.

In all that pertained to the prosperity of Red Wing, from the day of his coming here until the day of his death, his efforts in the extension of business relations, in opening up channels of communication, publie improvements and kindred matters, the attitude and action of Mr. Phelps, as a citizen, has been that of a liberal and far-seeing man. Nor was his influence restricted to his own town or county. He was well known throughout the state as a man who could be relied upon and assist in advancing the best interests of the commonwealth. He died August 3, 1873. and his earthly remains were deposited in Oakwood ceme- tery. A beautiful monument has been placed over his grave.

Lucius F. Hubbard was born in Troy, N. Y .. January 26, 1836. Hle went to Chicago in 1853 and in 1857 came to Red Wing. His first venture in Red Wing was the establishment of the Red Wing Republican. which is still in existence. On the outbreak of the Civil War he sold his newspaper to enlist as a private in the Fifth Minnesota Infantry. He was commissioned captain February 5. 1862; lieutenant colonel March 20. 1862, and colonel in August of the same year. He was wounded at the battle of Corinth. After the fall of Vicksburg .Colonel Hubbard commanded a brigade at the battle of Nashville, where he was again wounded. He was breveted brigadier general for conspicuous gallantry. In 1872 he was elected to the state senate and re-elected two

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOX. I.C. - 1 TILHEN VIN "

C. J. F. SMITH

731

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

years later. He was elected governor in 1881 and re-elected in 1883. In recent years Governor Hubbard has made his home in St. Paul.

C. J. Ford Smith, deceased, formerly of Red Wing, was born in Hudson, N. HI., March 28, 1826, son of Jefferson and Sarah Smith, natives of New Hampshire. He received his education in the common schools of Hudson, and later attended a seminary in New Hampshire for a short time. In 1852 he came west and located in St. Paul, where he was employed in a general merehan- dise store until 1854, when he came to Red Wing and engaged in the mercantile business, which he conducted until 1882, when he sold out and retired from active business life. Mr. Smith was captain of the militia at the time of the Indian massacre and was ordered on guard duty for a short time. He was assistant assessor and revenue collector for the government a number of years. In polities he was originally a Republican, but in later life voted the Prohibition ticket. He was married November 8, 1857, to Elizabeth J. Adams, daughter of Ezra and Electa P. (Ismond) Adams, natives of New York state, who in 1830 located in Illinois, where the father followed his trade of wagon and car- riage making until his death in 1845. The mother passed away in 1883. Mrs. Smith received her education in the public schools and attended the Presbyterian seminary for girls at Jacksonville. Ill. In 1856 she came to Red Wing, began teaching and con- tinued for two years, being one of the pioneer teachers. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was the first held in the Presby- terian church, Rev. J. W. Hancock officiating. They had five children : Harvey P .. born August 8, 1858, now at Duluth ; Albert L., of Helena. Mont., born October 5, 1860; Harriet F., born March 11, 1865, now of Pittsburg. Pa .; Lyman A .. born January 28. 1868, and died January 18, 1877 ; Helen S., of Boston, born February 5, 1873. Mr. Smith was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church, and was one of the elders until his death. He was also a constant attendant and teacher in the Sunday school.

John Lind was born at Kenna, Sweden, March 25, 1854. The family. came to America in 1867, settling in Goodhue county, Minn. Here John lost his left hand by accident while laboring to support the family. By his untiring energy and perseverance he was able to attend school, and in 1870 obtained a teacher's cer- tificate. In 1873 he moved to Sibley county, and moved to New Ulm the year following. He had for some time cherished the idea of entering the legal profession and with this object in view he devoted himself to the study of the law in private, partly by himself and partly in an attorney's office in New Ulm. In 1875

:32

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

he attended the law school at the State University and graduated in 1876, was admitted to the bar, and opened a law office at New Ulm the year following. Upon his graduation from the university he was elected superintendent of schools of Brown county. In 1881 he was appointed receiver in the U. S. land office at Tracy, a position he held until 1885. These duties, however. did not pre- vent him from continuing in his legal profession. in which his emi- nent talents soon made him distinguished. But not only did Lind become noted as one of the most able lawyers in his part of the state. but his great ability in public life and his excellent qualities as a man soon convinced the people of the state of Minnesota of his eminent fitness for representing their commonwealth in con- gress. Consequently, in 1886, he was elected to congress on the Republican ticket from the Second congressional district, re- elected in 1888 and again in 1890. In 1896 he was the candidate of the Democratic party and the People's party for governor, but was defeated. During the Spanish-American War he was appointed regimental quartermaster of the Twelfth Minnesota Infantry with the rank of first lieutenant. While encamped at Camp Thomas. Chickamauga Park, the Democrats and Silver Re- publicans nominated him for governor. and he was elected in 1898. He is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Minneapolis. He was married in 1879 to Alice Shepard. They have three children.

David Hancock, or "Uncle Dave." as he is lovingly called, was born April 22. 1812. in Worcester county. Mass. He went to Vermont with his parents. learned blacksmithing. which he car- ried on with his brother, and then went to work on a Connecticut steamboat, of which he afterwards became captain. He came to Red Wing June 12. 1854, and in partnership with Thomas Lo- water ran a stage line. He took a contract for delivering mail once a week from this city to Austin and St. Nicholas. Minn .. but being of an accommodating disposition. gave a semi-weekly service instead. As assistant of Sheriff Harry Hoffman, who first went east and was then appointed postmaster. Mr. Hancock was practically the real sheriff. and to him belongs the honor of tak- ing the first prisoner from this city to Stillwater. Mr. Hancock then went to live in Goodhue township, where he enlisted in the Civil War. serving one year as drum major. From his discharge until 1877 he engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi and in the latter year practically retired. He was also the first cap- tain of the Nellie Sheldon, one of the early ferry experiments across the river at this point. David Hancock has twice been married, first to Adeline Stearns, and after her death to Olive Field. Ile is the father of six children.

James M. Goodhue. Minnesota Territory was organized March

233

HISTORY OF GOODICE COUNTY

3, 1849. and nine days thereafter James M. Goodhue (after whom Goodhue county was named) arrived in St. Paul with press, type, etc., to commence the publication of a newspaper. Mr. Goodhuc was a graduate of Amherst College, and a lawyer by profession, and like many another a man before and since his day and gen- eration, became a newspaper editor by accident. Says Mr. Niell : "Ile had been invited to take the oversight of a press in the lead regions of Wisconsin during the temporary absence of its eon- ductor, and soon discovered that he increased the interest of the readers in the paper. From that time he began to pay less at- tention to the legal profession and was soon known among the citizens of the mines as the editor of the Grant County Herald. published at Lancaster, Wis." While residing at Lancaster he became interested in the territory of sky-tinted waters (Minnesota). "In April, 1849. he found St. Paul nothing more than a frontier Indian trading settlement. known by the savages as the place where they could obtain Minne Wakan, or whiskey, and wholly unknown to the civilized world."

It was Mr. Goodhue's intention to call his paper "The Epistle of St. Paul," and he had so announced in a prospectus published in February preceding. In the first isue of his paper, however, which was made on the 28th day of April, he announced a change of title, in the words following: "The paper was to be called 'The Epistle of St. Paul.' but we found so many little saints in the territory jealous of St. Paul that we determined to call our paper . The Minnesota Pioneer.' "'

"The editor of the Pioneer, " says Minnesota's historian, Neill, "was unlike other men. Every action, and every line he wrote, marked great individuality. Ile conld imitate no man in his manners, nor in style; neither could any man imitate him. At- tempts were sometimes made, but the failure was always very great. Impetuous as the whirlwind, with perceptive powers that gave to his mind the eye of a lynx, with a vivid imagination that made the very stones of Minnesota speak her praise; with an in- tellect as vigorous and elastic as a Damascus blade, he penned edi- torials which the people of this territory can never blot out from memory. His wit, when it was chastened, cansed ascetics to laugh. His sarcasm upon the foibles of society was paralyzing and unequaled by Macauley in his review of the life of Barrere. When in the heat of partisan warfare all the qualities of his mind were combined to defeat certain measures; the columns of his paper were like a terrifie storm in midsummer amid the Alps. One sentence would be like the dazzling, arrowy lightning. peel- ing in a moment the mountain oak, and riving it from the top- most branch to the deepest root; the next, like a crash of awful thunder; and the next like the stunning roar of a torrent of

$34

HISTORY OF GOODIICE COUNTY

many waters. To employ a remark made at his funeral. 'With the ingenuity of Vulcan, he would hammer out thunder bolts on the anvil of his mind, and hurl them with the power and dexterity of Jove. '

"As a paragraphist he was equaled by few living men. His sentences so leaped with life that when the distant reader perused his sheet he seemed to hear the purling brooks and see the agate pavements and crystal waters of the lakes of Minne- sota. and he longed to leave the sluggish stream, the deadly malaria, and worn-out farms. and begin life anew in the terri- tory of the sky-tinted waters. When the immigrant from week to week was disposed to despond and give way to the distress of homesickness. the hopeful sentences of his paper in relation to the prosperous future chased that dismal feeling away."

Such were the characteristics of James M. Goodhue, the pioneer editor of Minnesota. who was born at Hebron, N. H., March 21. 1810. and who died at St. Paul on Friday evening, August 27, 1852, at half-past eight o'clock. His usefulness had just commenced. At the beginning of his manhood's glory he was called to the brighter shores of the Eternal Beyond. . Minnesota never had, and never will have, a truer. more ardent or enthusias- tic friend than James M. Goodhue.

Hart N. Cook, chief of the Red Wing fire department, is a na- tive of Watertown. N. Y .. born December 5, 1857, son of James H. and Sarah A. (Barney) Cook. both natives of New York state. Hart N. received his early education in the public schools of his native city and supplemented this training with a course in the Hungerford Collegiate Institute at Adams, N. Y. After leav- ing school he assisted his father on the farm and then learned the machinist trade with the Davis Sewing Machine Company. In October. 1883, he entered the St. Paul fire department and in March of the following year was promoted to the position of lieutenant. In July of the same year he was made captain, re- taining that position until 1889. when he was promoted to as- sistant chief engineer. After nine years' faithful service in this capacity he became the chief of the department and served three and one-half years. In 1904 came to Red Wing as chief of the fire department, which position he has since retained, greatly to the satisfaction of the people of the city.|

Otto A. Ulvin, manager of the savings department of the Goodhue County National Bank. is a native of Norway, but has spent the larger part of his life in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He was born June 18. 1867, a son of Andrew and Gunhild M. (Lar- son) Ulvin, who came to America when young Otto was a child of five years, and located in Pierce county, Wis. Otto received his earliest education in the publie schols of Pierce county, and sup-

:35

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

plemented this with studies at the Red Wing Seminary and at the Curtiss and Rosenberger Business College at Red Wing. For one year he taught school, and in 1888 engaged in the general mercantile business at Esdaile, Wis. In 1895 he opened a grocery establishment in Red Wing, which he conducted until 1907, when he accepted his present position with the Goodhue County Bank.

P. J. Lundquist, sheriff of Goodhue county since 1894. P. J. 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 farmed and worked on the rail- road until 1872, when he purchased a farm, upon which he carried on general farming until 1883. He then came to Red Wing and was appointed deputy sheriff, serving four years. In 1887 he was elected constable and served until 1891. when he was ap- pointed chief of police of the city of Red Wing. In polities a Republican, he is a member of the Elks, the Modern Woodmen and the Commercial Club.

Thor Erickson, jeweler, is one of those men who, without seek- ing notoriety or display. quietly pursue their own path in life, and by their honesty and industry make up the solid and con- servative elements of the communities wherein they reside. He was born in Nannestad Prestgjeld. Norway, February 13, 1843, son of Erick Thorson and Karn Hawkinsdater, both natives of . Norway, the former of whom was a shoemaker by trade. The mother died in 1869 and the father in 1870. The schools of Norway afforded Thor his early education. after which he learned the jewelers' trade. He came to America in 1865, and for two years worked in Fillmore county, Minnesota, removing in 1867 to Bloomingdale, Vernon county, Wiscinsin, where he worked at his trade three years. From 1870 until 1893, a period of twenty- three years, he lived in Melvina. Monroe county. Wis. In 1893 he opened a jewelry store in Red Wing, and here he has since re- mained, his hard work, his square dealing and his uncompro- mising honesty having won for him an enviable position in the city. He carries a heavy stock, enjoys a large trade and does an extensive repairing business. He is a Republican in politics. and while at Melvina served many terms as road overseer. Mr. Erickson was married April 13, 1867, at Bloomingdale. Wis., to Mary M. Olson, a native of Norway. Her parents came to Amer- iea in the early days and located at Coon Valley, Wis., later going to Bloomingdale in the same state, where the father engaged in farming. After his death the mother went to Melvina, Wis., where she lived to the good old age of ninety-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been born seven children-Edward, deceased ; Alice, of Minneapolis; Charles, a Minneapolis jeweler; Anna, married to J. M. Billo, of Red Wing; Herman, deceased;

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Matilda, deceased. and Gustave. Mrs. Erickson died February 17, 1908, at Red Wing.

William M. Ericson, county attorney and well known in fra- ternal circles throughont the state, is a native born son, his natal appearance having been at Red Wing, July 15, 1880. His parents. John F. and Johanna Marie (Helsing) Ericson, came to America in 1870, located a short time at Lake City, then went to Chicago, where for three years he followed the shoemaking trade. July 8. 1874. the parents came to Red Wing. where they have since re- sided, the father being still in business at Ringstrom's shoe store. In the family there were five children. George E. is now a leading attorney of Spooner, Wis. William M., the second son, is the subject of this sketch. Esther O. lives in St. Paul. Alice A. is Mrs. Bruce P. Canfield, of St. Paul, and Lillian M. F. is employed by her brother William M. as a stenographer. As a boy, William M. attended the schools of Red Wing, standing well in his classes. During the years 1898-1900, while attending the high school, he was the agent for the Minneapolis Journal and delivered the papers around this city. He graduated with honor from the Red Wing High School. class of 1900, and then studied law with Ilon. F. M. Wilson, at the same time serving as reporter and edi- torial writer for the Red Wing Daily Republican. As the result of his diligent studies he was admitted to the bar in 1906 and from March 1 to December 1 of that year was in partnership with his preceptor. December 1 he opened an office of his own, and in November of that year was elected county attorney. his services giving so much satisfaction that he was re-elected in the fall of 1908. He is a Republican in politics. Attorney Ericson has passed through the chairs of the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the prominent Elks of the state, being esteemed leading knight of the local lodge. He is also great sachem of the state lodge of Red Men and chief of records of the local tribe of Red Men. His other fraternal associations inchide membership in the Odd Fellows. Modern Woodmen, the Foresters, the Yeomen, the Workmen, the Eagles, the Scandinavian Benevolent Society, the Red Wing Commercial Club. the American Society of Curio Collectors, the "Bill Club," the Aurora Ski Club, of Red Wing, the Red Wing Rod and Gun Club, the Goodhue County Historical Society, the City Hospital and Civi League. He is president of the Florodora Club. His religions faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Charles A. Erickson, proprietor of a large wagon-making es- tablishment at Red Wing, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Sweden, December 25, 1841. son of Erick and Sarah Carlson ) Erickson, who tilled the soil in their native land. They came to America in 1857, located in Red Wing, and became well-

737

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

known citizens, the father dying in January, 1857, and the mother March 19, 1883. After receiving his boyhood education in the schools of his native land, Charles A. came to America with his parents, and for a short time attended the Red Wing schools, afterward engaging in various work until the outbreak of the Civil War. March 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company HI, Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, for three years. The record of this company and regiment will be found elsewhere in this history. The company muster-out roll contains the following: "Private Charles A. Erickson, wounded in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864. His descriptive roll on file at the adjutant general's office states that he was in all the campaigns with his regiment from the first skirmish at Corinth, Miss., May 25, 1863, until the battle of Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864, the regi- ment during that time having marched seven or eight thousand miles and participated in more than twenty engagements with the enemy. He has always been a faithful soldier." This tribute was signed by Hawley, chief assistant mustering offieer. Pri- vate Erickson was discharged from service March 27, 1864, at Alexandria, La., and re-enlisted the next day, serving until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge. Sep- tember 6, 1865, at Demopolis. Ala. Returning to Red Wing, he took a three years' course in Hamline University, and then stud- ied law for one year. For a time thereafter he clerked in the hardware store of C. Betcher & Co., and in 1873 opened a small shop for the manufacture of sleighs, wagons, and the like. Since that date he has continued in the same business, enjoying a constantly increasing trade, employing continuously a force of from six to ten men. He purchased his present property on Main street in 1878, and has several times remodeled the place to suit the convenience of his business. In addition to this property he owns a pleasant home at 415 Bluff street, all his possessions being the result of his perseverance and industry. For four years he was a member of the city council and one year served as presi- dent of that body. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Seandinavian Relief Association and A. E. Welch Post, No. 75, G. A. R. Charles A. Erickson was married at Red Wing, July 6, 1873, to Augusta Albertina Foss, a native of Sweden, born October 4, 1852, who came to America with her parents, Charles J. and Charlotte C. (Erickson) Foss, in 1854. They located at Geneva, Ill., until 1856, then came to Goodhue township, this county, and located on a farm. The mother died there March 19, 1883, and the father brought his family to Red Wing, where he died May 19, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been born eight children. Hilma S., born May 5, 1874, married C. A. K. Johnson, postal clerk in the Red Wing post office. Wilhelmina C.,

738

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

born Feb. 15, 1876, is a successful school teacher. Charles E., born Sept. 3, 1877, died March 13, 1881. Arthur B., born April 8, 1880, died Sept. 21, 1898; Anton T., born Dec. 4, 1882, died June 8, 1901; Edna V., born March 10, 1885, is stenographer and clerk in the Red Wing post office; Ruth A., born Feb. 9, 1891, died April 1 of the same year, and the youngest child died in infancy. Mr. Erickson attends the English Lutheran Church and the fam- ily worships at the Swedish Lutheran Church.

John J. Ferrin, furniture dealer and undertaker, of Red Wing, has the honor of having assisted with the finishing of the artistic wood work of many of the larger public buildings of Chicago. He is a native of New York state, born at Jamestown, March 2, 1860. Ilis parents, Matthew and Margaret (Donahue) Ferrin, came to America from Ireland in the early days, the father living in Jamestown, and the mother in Buffalo, N. Y., until their marriage. Father and mother are both deceased. John J. attended the graded and high school of his native town, but started in work for himself at an early age. His first season as a laborer was spent in learning the brick-layers' trade. Then he learned furniture and cabinet finishing, following this oeeupa- tion twenty-nine years in various employes. He worked eight years with the Martin Bros. of his native state as assistant fore- man, afterward entering the employ of Booth and Osgood, of Chicago, manufacturers of school, church and office supplies. With this fim he had charge of the finishing department, one of the big contracts at which he worked being the furnishing of the Chicago post-office. After leaving this employ, he was fore- man, two years, for the Rothchilds, of the same city, manufactur- ers of saloon and hotel fixtures. As foreman for R. F. Misner, with whom he was next employed, he worked on the furnishings of the Public Library and of the old Chicago City Hall. Labor troubles over the brick layers of Chicago. threw him out of em- ployment, and consequently, on July 19, 1887, he came to Red Wing, entering the employ of the Red Wing Furniture Manu- facturing Company, on trial. After the three weeks' test was concluded, he was given a position in their finishing room, re- maining in this employ about thirteen and one-half years. In 1899 he started in the retail furniture business with Magnus Carlson, still holding for a short time, his position with the manu- facturing company. His retail business, however, increased so rapidly that it soon demanded all of his attention. On January 13, 1906, Mr. Ferrin purchased his partner's interest and added an undertaking departement to the establishment. In politics, Mr. Ferrin is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen twenty years and has passed through all the chairs of that order. He is grand Knight of the Knights of

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.

History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 78

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