History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 83

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

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Samuel B. Scott, the efficient postmaster at Zumbrota, is a native product of this county. born in Minneola township. June 18. 1870. of New York parentage. His father, Peter P. Scott (married to Betsy. Ann Thomas), was a harness maker by trade. The parents left New York state. where they were born. and came to this county in 1866. locating in Goodhue county. where they bought 160 acres of land. This the father developed, improved and increased. until he owned 340 acres. upon which he con- ducted general farming until his death, March 7. 1901. The mother died June 24. 1908. After receiving his primary edu- ration in the schools of his native township. Samuel B. Scott attended the Zumbrota High School. and then started in business

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

life for himself as a drug clerk. In 1903 he returned to the old homestead in Minneola, which he conducted until 1903. making a specialty of raising thoroughbred short-horn cattle. He made a careful study of the dairy business and in June, 1901, was appointed a member of the State Dairy and Food Commission. serving until February, 1905. Three years later he was ap- pointed to his present position as postmaster. Under his admin- istration the growth of business in the office has been steady and its efficiency has been greatly increased. Mr. Scott has taken an active interest in the civic, military and industrial progress of Zumbrota and Minneola. Ile has served as town clerk, and as school clerk, and was one of the organizers of the Zumbrota Clay Manufacturing Company, early in 1908. He is a Republican in polities and a popular member of the Masons, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. With C. L. Strom he helped to organize Company D. Third Minnesota National Guard, of which he was a member for seven years. Mr. Scott was married in June 29, 1892, at Zumbrota, to Emma Bartean, daughter of David and Joana ( Willet) Barteau, natives of New York state, who came to Zumbrota in 1873 and engaged in the hardware business. The father died in August, 1908, and the mother lives with the Scott family. The fruits of this union are five children-Sumner, born October 23, 1896; Kenneth W .. born April 10, 1897; Lester, born December 30, 1900; Sidney B., born in June, 1903, and Russell B., born September 14. 1906. Sidney B. died in April. 1904.

H. B. Powers, now deceased, the first white settler of Pine Island, was born in Buffalo,. N. Y., January 31, 1836, and went to Pennsylvania in 1852, settling in Wisconsin a short time later. In October, 1854, he came to this county and preempted 160 aeres on section 31. built a cabin and lived two years, later moving on to section 30. Ile operated the first mill in Pine Island for Haggard and Howard, the firm later becoming Leroy and Powers. In 1858 the business was sold to J. A. Tarbox. In 1864 he moved to Roscoe township and there remained nntil August 1879, when he came to Zumbrota and engaged in the meat business with Jacob Closner. under the firm name of Powers and Closner. After several years Mr. Closner retired and Mr. Powers continued the business with his son, George B .. until 1894, when he retired. In 1901 he moved to Mora, Kanabec county, and purchased eighty acres of land, where he lived until his death, March 31, 1905. His wife is still living in Mora with a daughter. Mrs. Charles C. Rogers. Mr. Powers was married in 1856 to Mary E. Miller, born in Pennsylvania, February 28, 1838. To this union were born seven children-Flora Ann. born May 25, 1857, is now the wife of Charles C. Rogers, of

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Mora, Minn. She has the distinction of being the first white person born within the township limits of Pine Island. George B., born in May, 1859, is in Mora, Minn; James Clark, born July 6. 1861, is a grain merchant of Hallock, Minn .; Alice M., born July 29, 1868, is the wife of Charles E. Kolbe, of Mason City, Iowa; Frank E .. born December 16. 1872. works on the 'Soo" line; Mark H. is assistant cashier of the First State Bank, of Zumbrota; William R. is dead.

Mark H. Powers, of Zumbrota village, was born in Roscoe township. this county. February 4. 1876. and attended the schools of his neighborhood, afterward taking a course in the Zumbrota High School. His first regular employment was as assistant to Dr. P. A. Bereman, of Zumbrota. Subsequently he worked three years as mechanic in the Adams Iron Mine, of Eveleth. Minn., and then entered the shipping department of the Greggs, Cooper & Company. of St. Paul. In June, 1905, he returned to Zumbrota and accepted a position as assistant cashier of the Security State Bank. in which capacity he re- mained two years. A similar office was then offered him in the First State Bank, where he has since remained, winning friends among all those with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Powers was married September 22. 1903, at Zumbrota, to Mayme Mc Waters. daughter of James and Esther McWaters. of this place. One child has blessed this union-Kathleen G., born July 10. 1904. Mr. Powers is a Republican in politics and is now serving his second term as village recorder. His popularity is shown by the fact that he is captain of Company D, Third Infantry, Minnesota National Guard. As a charter member of the Zumbrota Lodge. No. 178. Knights of Pythias. he has always been prominent in its councils and as a Mason he is highly esteemd. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Geoge Person, at one time proprietor of the Zumbrota Electric Light plant, came of old Green Mountain stock, having been born in Vermont, December 4. 1831, son of Samuel and Rebecca (Stoddard) Person, both natives of New England. The father, a clothier by trade, brought his family to Zumbrota in the fifties, and here remained until his death, March 13, 1896. His widow survived until January 20. 1906. Subsequent wo re- ceiving his education in Brattleboro. Vt .. George Person came to Zumbrota with his parents, and started his career as a black- smith. erecting the first smithy in the village. Some years later he engaged in the hardware business, and afterward pur- chased the Zumbrota Electric Light plant, which he conducted until 1906, when he sold out and retired, enjoying the well- earned fruits of a life of labor, until his death, June 7, 1907.

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Mr. Person was Republican in politics, and a member of the United Workmen. His religious duties were performed at the Baptist Church. Hle was married August 25, 1864, at La Crosse, Wis., to Mrs. Mary A. Elliott, daughter of Edward and Caroline (McLintoe) Boyles, of Thomaston, Maine. Her father origi- nally conducted a bakery but in the latter years of his life took up hotel keeping. Ile died in Bangor. Maine, in 1861, his wife having died in Thomaston, Maine, in 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. George Person were born three children-Abbie A .. born Sep- tember 21, 1867, married John Stanerson, now of Minot, N. D .; Edward S., born March 4, 1872. was president of the First State Bank, of Zumbrota, twelve years. Ile is now president of a bank at Minot, Minn, N. D. He was for some time captain of Company B, of Zumbrota, then became major in the Third regi- ment, Minnesota National Guards and is now captain of National Guard company at Minot. Charles F., born August 15, 1875, died June 4, 1898. By her marriage to James A. Elliott, Mrs. Person had one son, George, born June 4, 1860, and died in August, 1890.

Ralph C. Nickerson, veterinary surgeon, of Zumbrota, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Cambria, Columbia county, Decem- ber 27, 1859. His parents, Seth and Sarah R. (Clifford) Nieker- son, natives of New York state, removed to Wisconsin in 1845, the father being a blacksmith by trade. From 1863 until 1877, the family lived at Concord, Dodge county, this state, and then came to Zumbrota. The mother died October 25, 1897, and the father, who retired from active practice of his trade in 1890, lives with his son, Ralph C. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the common schools and in the Wesleyan Methodist Seminary at Wasioja, Minn., as well as in the Zumbrota High School. He clerked in a store for a time, but his love for horses soon lead him to the race track, which he followed until 1899, when he entered the Western Veterinary College, at Kansas City, graduating in 1901. He at once opened an office in Zumbrota, where he has met with marked success, and built up a large and profitable practice. In addition to the pursuits mentioned above, Mr. Nickerson was proprietor of a government star mail route from July 1, 1879, to December, 1881. In 1884 he took a trip to the state of Washington, returning the following year. On his trip home he drove seventy-eight horses from Cheney. Wash., to Bozeman. Mont., thenee brought them to St. Paul by rail, and from there drove them to Zumbrota where he sold them. Mr. Nickerson was married December 31, 1878, at Zumbrota, to Kate C. Chaffee, daughter of I. M. and Emily F. (Roan) Chaffee. the former of whom was a native of Connecticut and the latter of England. They came to Zumbrota in the early days. Mr. Chaffee

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

being for many years a carpenter here. also doing some eon- tracting. He died in February, 1897, and his wife in December, 1891. Mrs. Nickerson was born March 17. 1863. To Mr. Nicker- son she has borne two children. Mary C .. born August 26. 1880. wife of George H. Tracy. superintendent of schools in Alden. Minn., and Guy R., born August 27, 1882, a horse dealer of Zum- brota. The family religion is that of the Methodist Church.

Andrew J. Nerhaugen, of Zumbrota village, was born in Land. Norway. January 6. 1829. son of Johannes and Marit Ner- haugen. With his parents and two brothers he came to America in the year 1848. and located on a farm near Oxfordville, Rock county. Wisconsin. Here he lived until 1855, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Pine Island township, where he pre- empted 160 acres of wild land. This land he cleared and broke, and here he built a home in which he lived until in 1905, when he sold and removed to the village of Zumbrota. where he pur- chased a home and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Ner- haugen has been twice married. In the spring of 1857 he was married to Ingeborg Myran, by whom he had six children- John, of Zumbrota : Peter. of Anoka: Julia (Mrs. N. Simonson). of Brainerd; Edward and Sophie, of Minneapolis, and Albert, who died in infancy. His second wife. Mary Halvorson, died February 8. 1906. She was born in Land, Norway. in 1845, came to America in 1869. and was married to Mr. Nerhangen in 1871. By this union there were eight children-Alphine, who died in 1878: Clara, who died in 1902: Carl, of Watertown. S. D. ; Selmer. of Zumbrota ; Alfred. of Seattle, Wash ; Emily. Josie and Stella. who live at home. Mr. Nerhaugen is a member of the Intheran Church.

Thore Olson, farmer and stock buyer, lives in a pleasant residence on the outskirts of the village of Zumbrota. He is a native of Norway, born August 18. 1854. son of Ole and Anna (Lyseng) Olson, the former of whom died in Norway and the latter of whom came to this country in 1856 and died in the fall of 1898. Thore was brought to this country as a boy of two years. and was raised at Manitowoc. Wis .. where he received his education. He spent his young manhood in farming and railroad work. and in 1876 went to Benson. Minn. In 1881 he located in Larimore, Grand Forks county. N. D .. and engaged in farming and stock dealing until 1890. when he came to Minneola township and purchased 240 acres. In 1898 he rented this farm and purchased 115 acres on the borders of the village of Zumbrota, where he erected a new home. He now deals in stock. and condnets the home farm. Mr. Olson has devoted his life to hard work, and has never cared to mix in public affairs. He is a faithful husband and a loving father, justly proud of

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his fine family of children. He is one of the respected members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Olson was married, JJune 18, 1880, at Benson, Minn., to Marie Hanson, both of whose parents' are now deceased. This union has been blessed with eight children- Ole is dead; Ama is dead: Ole T., Theodore, Oscar, Olga. are living : Elmer and Mabel are dead.

Fredrick L. Marvin, who conducts an extensive produce busi- ness in Zumbrota village, the amount of his transactions reaching something like $25.000 a year, was born in Rome. Ohio, June 28. 1845. son of Albert and Anna (Rogers) Marvin, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio. In 1855 the family moved to Monticello, Iowa, where the father engaged in retailing agricultural implements until 1880, when he retired. Albert Marvin was a staunch Republican, and a noted stump speaker. He several times toured the state of Iowa during polit- ical campaigns. and also served Jones county in the legislature. He died in June, 1887. at eighty years of age, and his wife lived to be eighty-eight. At once after leaving school in lowa. Fred- erick migrated to Nebraska. In 1870 he took up 160 acres in John- son county, that state, and carried on general farming. In 1887 he went to St. Paul and in September of that year came to Zumbrota, where he has since engaged in buying and shipping eggs, poultry, fruit and vegetables. This has not only proven a profitable venture for Mr. Marvin, but has also furnished the farmers with an outlet for their garden erops and poultry products. Mr. Marvin belongs to the United Workmen, but has never sought the excitement of public life. either in fraternal or political circles. He was married October 24, 1866. at Monticello. Iowa. to Jennie S. Tucker, daughter of Samuel Tueker, a wagon manufacturer. Both her parents are deceased. A son and a daughter have blessed the Marvin home. Frank A., born in Nebraska, is in the gas business at Watertown, S. D .: Lillian B., was also born in Nebraska.

Otto F. C. Miller, a Zumbrota meat dealer, is a native of the village, born October 13, 1878, son of August Miller and Mrs. Anna (Pagel) Miller, who previous to her marriage with Mr. Miller was Mrs. Anna Wallaue. The parents, natives of Germany. came to America in 1872 and 1869, respectively, and settled in Wisconsin, later coming to Goodhue county and locat- ing in Red Wing in 1874. In that city. the father followed his trade of meat cutting and in 1876 was married to Mrs. Wallauer. In 1877 he started in business for himself. In 1886 he took E. V. Ramharter as a partner and later sold the entire business to him. Subsequently he engaged in stock buying until 1901. In that year he and his son started in the meat busi- ness as partners, under the firm name of August Miller & Son.

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In 1906 his son sold out his interest to Hospodarsky and Lapprell, who with August Miller. carried on the business for about nine months, when they purchased the business. Otto Miller then started a new meat market and August Miller worked with him until 1908, when he moved to Deer Lodge, Tenn., where he owns 900 acres of farm and timber land. There the mother and father still live. Otto F. C. attended the public schools of Zumbrota and after school took up the meat business. In 1901 bought out the firm of Kolbe & Kalass, and as mentioned before in this sketch. carried on business with his father until 1906, when he sold out. He spent .the next year in preparing his present residence on Fourth street and in 1907 again took up the meat business. He is interested in the Zumbrota Clay Manu- facturing Company, is an independent voter and belongs to the German Lutheran Church. The father served both as alderman and marshall of the village. O. F. C. Miller was married, June 9, 1903. at Goodhue, to Annie S. Hilderbrandt, daughter of Christ and Sophia Hilderbrandt, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1864 and located in Goodhue county, where they engaged in farming. Mr. Ililderbrandt died in 1878 and his wife in 1902. August Miller was one of the men who assisted in building up the village of Zumbrota. He is a kind and honest man and well liked by all who know him.

A. J. Miller, one of the carly pioneers of Zumbrota, was a native of England, born in Southfork, May 21, 1833. In that bonny corner of old England he spent his carly boyhood and at the age of twelve years came to this country and lived in New York until 1859. when he came west and took up a homestead in Goodhue county, five miles east of Zumbrota, where he lived for the remainder of his days. In the early times he ex- perienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. He hauled his wheat to Lake City with a yoke of oxen, taking several days for each trip, and sleeping out of doors when night overtook him, letting the oxen forage as best they could on the grass along the trail-for road it could hardly be called in those days. Ready cash was serace, and Mr. Miller was glad to cut wood at twenty-five cents a cord. In the latter part of his life affairs took on a different aspect. Being a shrewd business man, he in- vested his money in real estate, and at his death left a fortune of $80,000, all gained by his own efforts. He died February 22, 1882, aged fifty years, nine months and one day, and was laid to rest in Mazeppa cemetery. A. J. Miller was married, October 27, 1861, to Amy A. Davis, of Chester Wabasha county, who proved a most able helpmeet in all his undertakings.

Anton Grossbeck, whose farm lies largely within the village limits of Zumbrota. is of Teutonis origin, born in Germany. July

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17, 1855. His parents, Wenzel and Frances Grossbeck, came to America in 1856, farmed near La Crosse, Wis., from that year until 1879, then moved to Wabasha county, this state, where the father ended his days as a farmer. The mother, now ninety-two years of age, makes her home with her son, Anton. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of La Crosse, and assisted his father on the farm until 1877, when he came to Mazeppa, Minn., and purchased eigthy acres. To this tract he added from time to time until he owned 240 aeres, largely timber land, which he cleared and prepared for crops, im- proving the place by erecting a pleasant home. In 1898 he sold out and purchased 110 acres within the village limits of Zum- brota. In addition to this he owns seventy-one aeres in section 30, Zumbrota township, near his village property. Here he carries on general farming. Mr. Grossbeek is a hard working, industrious man, and a law-abiding citizen, a genial companion and a loyal friend. He votes the Republican ticket, but has never cared to engage actively in political affairs. His wife, Sophia, whom he married October 23, 1895, was born in Pine Island township, January 24, 1857, daughter of Henry and Sophia Ahneman, natives of Germany. Mrs. Grossbeck is a thorough housekeeper, and a good wife.

Arthur E. Mosher, of Zumbrota village, was born in Zumbrota township, May 11. 1871, and received his education in the public schools. After finishing his schooling he engaged with his father in the harness business, to which enterprise a line of shoes was later added. He continued in this business until 1906, when he was appointed assistant cashier of the First State Bank of Zum- brota, proving himself so efficient, that after two months was elected cashier, which position of trust he held at the time of the consolidation, being now connected with the Security State Bank. He is also interested with Mark H. Powers in the insurance busi- ness. Mr. Mosher has been village treasurer two years, being also a member of the Modern Samaritans. He was married Janu- ary 25, 1901, at Winona, to Florence Angle, of Sparta, Wis., daughter of O. F. Angle, one of the prominent business men of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher have three children-Geraldine, born February 9, 1903, and Dorothy, born May 15, 1906; Florence S., born August 3, 1909. Arthur E. Mosher is the son of William and Julia E. (Smith) Mosher, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Hartford, Conn. They came west in the early fifties and settled in Mazeppa, Minn.

William E. Mosher, of Zumbrota village, was born in Onan- daga county, N. Y., March 11, 1843, son of John and Louisa (Marvin) Mosher, both natives of New York state. The father came west in the spring of 1859. locating at Chester, Wabasha

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county. and purchased farm land on which he lived until 1871. when he retired from active labor and moved to Lake City, where he died October 28. 1875, the mother having passed away in 1850 in New York state. William E. received his early edu- ration in New York state, coming west with his father in 1859, where he assisted with farm work until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, when he joined the union army. enlisting at Fort Snelling. October 15, 1861. in Company G. Third Minne- sota Volunteer Infantry. serving until January, 1864, when he reenlisted in same company remaining with his regiment until September 23. 1865. when he received his honorable discharge at Fort Snelling, when the regiment was mustered ont. He was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro. Tenn .. November 18. 1862, and was confined in a Southern prison when the Indian outbreak occurred. He was accordingly paroled. and sent to Minnesota to fight the Indians. While fighting in the South he partici- pated in the siege of Vicksburg and, was also at the capture of Little Rock. and engaged in numerous other battles. After the war he returned to his farm in Chester. In the spring of 1866 he moved to Mazeppa and opening a harness shop, which he eon- ducted until 1869, when he sold out and removed to Red Wing, engaging in the same business. 'In 1872 he left Red Wing, going to Zumbrota. where he followed his trade for one year, then went to Swift county and homesteaded 160 acres of land, which he proved up, worked and improved, erecting a home and other necessary buildings. He subsequently returned to Zumbrota and moved his family to Swift county, where they remained on the claim until 1878. Returning to Zumbrota, he again engaged in the harness business until the spring of 1907 under the firm name of W. E. Mosher & Son. Mr. Mosher still owns the store building. He is at present connected with the Butter and Eggs Company, of Red Wing, and has also been its buyer for the past five years. Ile has been oil inspector of the county for three years. Politically. he is a Republican and has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for twenty- eight years. Hle belongs to the Scofield Post No. 121, G. A. R .. is commander of the Post. and is also president of the Old Settlers' Society of Goodhue county. Mr. Mosher was married October 15, 1867. at Mazeppa. to Julia Smith. of that place, daughter of W. B. and Mary (Bridges) Smith, both of New England stock. natives of Deep River. Conn. Upon coming west in 1857, they located in Mazeppa, Minn., where the father was a farmer and clerk. He died May 29. 1886. and the mother in 1866, both in Mazeppa. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher have four children- Jennie E .. born May 19, 1869. married A. E. MeIntire. connected with the St. Paul Daily News; Arthur E., born May

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONO .

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11, 1870, is connected with the Security Bank of Zumbrota; Prof. W. J., born January 29, 1876, graduated from the State University, and is a teacher in Red Wood Falls, Minn; Glen W., born March 14, 1881, lives at Huron. S. D., engaged in real estate business. the firm name being Wilson & Mosher. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher attend the Methodist Episcopal church. They are good citizens, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

Toger J. Hovland, of Zumbrota village, was one of those men whose deaths leave a real vacancy in the community. He was kind hearted and sincere, frugal and thrifty in his habits, yet generous to others, a faithful friends. a considerate husband and a loving father, a good citizen and a consistent Christian in every respect. Born January 6, 1843, at Sovde, Stavenger, he was brought up in a Christian home and attended the public schools. At twenty-four years of age, determined to seek the wider opportunities of the new world, he came to America and took up his residence at Keokuk. Iowa, in July, 1857. In August of the same year, he came up the river to Red Wing, and after residing there for a short time came to Wanamingo township and followed general farming until 1875. when he purchased a · larger farm in Roscoe township. In 1905 he retired, and after purchasing a beautiful residence came to Zumbrota village, where he resided until called to his Heavenly rest and reward. - Mr. Hovland was married, October 10, 1858, to Aasa Waese, who came from Norway to America in 1857, about a year before her marriage. She is now living in her home in Zumbrota village, being made happy by the esteem and friendliness of her neigh- bors and the love of her children. She is still well and in the best of health. although more than seventy-five years of age, having been born in July 11, 1834. To Mr. and Mrs. Hovland were born eight children-Andrew lives in Zumbrota: Cornelius lives in Roscoe, as does also Martin; Henry lives in Duluth; Oscar farms on the old homestead in Roscoe township; Joseph lives in Duluth and Sarah and Bertha are at home.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 83

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