History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 93

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

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Thomas Maley, of Goodhne, is the inventor of Maley's Quack Grass machine, a device for ridding farmers of one of their greatest grass pests. A working model which was on exhibition at the Minnesota state fair last year met with high approbation and has proven of great practical value. It is patented in the United States and Canada and is sure to result in an important industry. The inventor of this machine was born in Great Bar- rington, Mass., September 1, 1856, and came west with his parents as an infant. receiving his educational training in the public and high schools of Zumbrota. In early life he sold imple- ments for L. D. Woodbury. and later dealt in pianos and organs. subsequently teaching school. As an educator he was particu- Tarly successful, and among those who passed under his tuition

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were such men as Edgar Biglow, representative from Goodhue county, and Charles Taylor, mayor of Mankato. After teach- ing school for several years. Mr. Maley entered the employ of the La Grange mills, at Red Wing. He then returned to the farm, remaining two years, and later worked for the St. Anthony and Dakota elevator, buying grain. In August, 1888, he moved his family to South Dakota, and lived there until the following year, in the meantime spending a short time in Zumbrota, attend- ing to the sad duties of burying his wife. He came to Goodhne in 1889, engaged with the T. B. Sheldon Company, of Red Wing, erected an elevator and purchased grain for that company until 1902, when he built a large elevator, since which date he has been local manager for the Red Wing Malting Company. In polities Mr. Maley is a Republican, and has served as supervisor, road master and school clerk. While in North Dakota he was chief of the fire department. In times past he has been an officer of the Modern Woodmen and the United Workmen, in both of which he still maintins his membership. Mr. Maley was married in 1878 to Kate Woodbury, of Zumbrota, daughter of Lorenzo and Katherine (Glidden) Woodbury, natives of Ver- mont, who came to this state in 1865 and located in Wabasha county, where they carried on general farming near Mazeppa. To Mr. and Mrs. Maley five children have been born. Levi William, a graduate of the State University, is in the electrical and telephone business in Fargo. N. D. Elsie died in South Dakota. Bertha and Harold, twins, graduated from the Zum- brota high school and are both located in that village. Eva Elizabeth, also a graduate of that school, is a clerk for F. E. Mervin, of Zumbrota. The mother of these children died in April, 1889, and Mr. Maley was married in 1904 to Rose J. Eastman, by whom he has two children, Lysle and Oryall, both attending school in Zumbrota. Mrs. Maley's father, Christopher Eastman, was a member of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the charge at Gettysburg. William and Elizabeth (Leonard) Maley, parents of Thomas H. Maley, were natives of Ireland. The father was a farmer and tanner by trade, and at the age of sixteen years located in Massachusetts, where he remained on a farm a short time and then took up the trade of tanner until 1857, when he moved to Minnesota. He was one of the first persons to take the trip from Chicago to Galena by rail, making the journey in the first regular train that was run over that line. Loeating near Mazeppa, he took up 160 acres, which he cleared and broke, ereeting a house of native lumber. He later added to his possessions until he owned a place of 243 aeres, continuing until his death in 1876, after which his wife went to Aberdeen, Wash., where she lived until

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October, 1906. There were two children older than Thomas, who are deceased. Mary Jane, the younger sister, married Levi Woodbury, now a retired hardware merchant of Zumbrota. A younger brother, Leslie, is now living in Aberdeen, Wash.

J. H. Nibbe, an active farmer of Goodhue township, has been prominently identified with the public life of the vicinity for many years. Ile has been township chairman eight years, has served on the town board a similar period, has been assessor six years and has served on the school board for many terms. In commercial life he is no less distinguished, being one of the organizers of the Goodhue Co-operative store, of which he is a director and member of the executive board; and president of the Farmers' Warehouse Company, a position he has held for the past six years. Mr. Nibbe was born in Germany, July 27, 1853, and in that country received his education, coming to this county in 1868, and engaging in farming with his father until 1876, when he purchased 160 aeres in Goodhne township, where lie now carries on general farming, owning 154 acres in addi- tion to his original purchase. Ilis place is well equipped with all the latest farming appliances, and in addition to raising the usnal crops he owns fourteen head of horses, thirty-three head of cattle and thirteen sheep, as well as a number of hogs. Mr. Nibbe was married in November, 1876, (to Lizzie Darhling, daughter of Charles and Anna Darhling, natives of Germany, who located in Hay Creek township in 1856, taking up 160 acres of land and carrying on general farming until their death. The father died in 1891 and the mother in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Nibbe have been blessed with fifteen children, fourteen of whom are living. They are: John J., proprietor of a general store at Chippewa Falls, Wis .; Carl Fred, of Richland county, North Dakota: Mattie Louise, wife of D. 1. MeHugh, manager of a grain elevator in North Dakota; JJohn Henry, a lawyer, of Bill- ings, Mont .; George E., who died in May, 1907; Clara Ann, a clerk in Goodhne village; and Lydia, Bertha C., Annie Margaret, Margaret Lena, Peter C. R., Clarence O. B., Florence Philippine, Raymond W., Blanche M. and Walter A., all at home. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church. Jacob and Mattie (Stehn) Nibbe, parents of the subject of this sketch, came from Germany in 1868 and located in this township. Two years later they purchased eighty acres and to this added from time to time until they owned in all 480 acres, upon which the father carried on general farming until his retirement in 1877. He died in 1902 and his wife passed away December 24, 1878. In the family, aside from J. H., there were four brothers and one sister: Peter, Jacob, John, Herman and Mary, the latter of whom is now the wife of John Gardan.

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John H. Albers is a native of Goodhue township, born August 12, 1875. He received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and farmed with his father for some years, also learning the carpenter's trade. Later he purchased a home at the same time doing considerable carpenter work in the village of Goodhue. He is a Republican in politics. but has never actively engaged in political affairs. Mr. Albers was married February 8, 1905, to Mary Behens, daughter of JJohn and Anna (Tipke) Behens, farmers. of Zumbrota township. To Mr. and Mrs. Albers have been born three children: Edna, July 29, 1906; Wilmet. September 17, 1907, and Viola, February 13, 1908. Peter and Margaret (Fitchen) Albers, parents of John HI., came to America from Germany in May, 1873. and located in Good- hue township, where the father purchased a farm of forty acres in section 16, on which he carried on general farming, also doing carpenter work in the neighborhood. In 1902 he purchased 160 acres in sections 1, 2 and 11, in Zumbrota township, where he is now engaged in farming. In the family were eight children, aside from John IL .. who was the oldest. They are. in the order of their birth: Peter, a farmer; Christ, deceased; Henry. de- ceased; Anna, wife of John Reese, a farmer, of Zumbrota ; Mattie, of Zumbrota; Christ and Margaret, who are at home, and ('ath- erine, deceased.

John N. Banitt, proprietor of a general store at Goodhue vil- lage. is a native of this township, born March 8, 1875, son of Hans and Rebecca (Diercks) Banitt, who emigrated to America in 1874 and purchase 100 acres of land in Goodhue township, where they carried on general farming about one year. They then disposed of the place and purchased 137 acres in Zumbrota township, where they lived until the father's death, in January, 1899. The old homestead has since been sold and the mother resides in Zumbrota township. Nine children were born to Hans and Rebecca Banitt. They are: Margaret, married to John Bercholtz, living in Goodhue township; Jacob, living in Zum- brota township; Peter and Henry, also living in Zumbrota town- ship; Harry, who died December 14, 1907; Mary, wife of Henry Stechmann, living in Zumbrota township; Gesche, wife of William Borghschatz, living in Zumbrota township; John, the subject of this sketch, and William, who clerks for his brother at Good- hue. John N. Banitt received his education in the public schools of Zumbrota township, and after leaving school clerked for O. Parker, at Goodhne, in a general store, for four years. After working the following year on a farm he entered the employ of O. N. Berg, of Zumbrota, clerking in a general store four years. October 29, 1900, he bought the stock of O. Parker, at Goodhne, and started in business in partnership with O. N. Berg and L.

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.J. Henning. This partnership continued two years, after which the firm became Berg & Banitt. Then F. E. Davis purchased the Berg interests. In May, 1907. Mr. Banitt became sole pro- prietor. Mr. Banitt was married September 28, 1898, to Lizzie A. Kopplin. daughter of Alex and Augusta Konig, natives of Germany, who came to this country many years ago. Here the father was employed as a farmer. a bookkeeper and a school teacher. but has now retired. The mother died at Bellingham. Minn., in 1897. The Banitt home has been blessed with three children: Edna Cecelia, born July 2, 1900; Cecelia Rebecca, born March 5, 1903, and Walter John, born January 2, 1907. The family worships at the German Lutheran church.

Hans H. Danielson, also known in the early days as Hans Henry and Henry Danielson, now deceased, was one of the pioneer settlers of Goodhne township. He was born in Norway. December 18. 1832, and was brought to America by his parents as a boy of ten years. His education was received in the public schools of Albion, Wis., and in that town he also followed farm- ing, blacksmithing and carpenter work. In 1855, with the influx of Goodhue county immigration. he settled in Goodhue township and took up a government claim of 160 acres, bringing the wild land to a high state of enltivation. Thirteen years later he sold his farm and purchased 160 acres in Belvidere township, where. as before, he carried on general farming and stock raising, also operating an ingenious engine and threshing machine which he built himself. He was supervisor and pathmaster of his town- ship, and a director of school district 32 for many years. He also affiliated with the G. A. R. In his latter years Mr. Daniel- son was handicapped by the loss of a leg. that member having been wounded by a cannon ball and later amputated during the Civil War, in which terrible conflict he served as a member of Company G. 7th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. After receiv- ing his wound he was taken to the hospital at Evansville, Ind., and in 1865 was discharged with honor at the cessation of hos- tilities. Mr. Danielson was married August 17, 1856, to Eliza- beth Anderson. who is still living on the old homestead. By this union twelve children were born : Caroline A. is Mrs. M. C. Morgan. of Zumbrota. Hiram B. is a farmer, of Lincoln county, this state. Augustus J. is a farmer, of Lincoln county. this state. Jennie M. is Mrs. H. C. Hanson, of Lincoln county, this state. Minnie C. is deceased. Danene S. is Mrs. N. A. Herrick, of Lincoln county. Wesley R. was killed by a train wreck. Oscar A. is an inventor of considerable note and lives in New York City. Irene E. is a missionary in Ecuador, South America. Ida P. is a missionary in Kansas City. Mo. Sarah E. is dead. Edna H. lives at home. Mr. Danielson died in 1909. sincerely mourned

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by a large circle of friends to whom he had endeared himself by his sterling qualities. Halvor Danielson and Anna Ingerbret- son. his wife, parents of Hans H. Danielson, came to America from Norway in 1842, and ended their days in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. Bjorn and Catherine (Von Krogh) Anderson. par- ents of Mrs. Hans II. Danielson. came to America from Norway in 1836 and located in Dayton. Ill .. where the father worked at his trade as cooper until locating in Dane county. Wisconsin. where he purchased 160 acres, which he cultivated until his death, in 1850. His wife died in 1881. Mrs. Danielson now lives on the old Danielson homestead in Belvidere township, and is well liked for her patient and pleasant disposition.

Fredrich Vollmers, a well known farmer, of Goodhue town- ship, was born in Germany. January 16, 1872, son of John P. and Anna (Bomback) Vollmers, natives of Germany. After the death of the father. in 1887, mother and son determined to seek their fortune in America, and accordingly set sail in 1888. Upon reaching Belvidere. Fredrich worked for a time on a farm, and then pursued a similar vocation in Zumbrota. after which, in 1901. he purchased 160 acres in the township of Goodhue, where he now lives and carries on general farming, also breeding horses and stock with great success. His mother now makes her home in Featherstone township. Mr. Vollmers is a Repub- lican in politics. He was married December 17, 1896, to Maggie Reese, by whom he has three children, William D., Arthur P. and Minnie. all living at home. Mrs. Vollmers is the daughter of Detrich and Engle (Hendricks) Reese. natives of Germany. who came to America some years ago and located in Goodhue township, where they purchased 160 acres of land and carried on general farming. Her father and mother are now both dead. Mr. Volhners has two brothers and four sisters. Henry and John are proprietors of the Vollmers House, in Red Wing. Mag- gie M., who died in 1908, was the wife of Charles Dahling, of Hay Creek. Mattie is the wife of Christ Hinck, a Featherstone farmer ; Mary is the wife of John Augustine, also a Featherstone farmer, and Annie is the wife of Ernest Wildt. a farmer living in Germany.

Dwight Cordyon Pierce, the genial postmaster and hustling newspaper editor of Goodhue village. is of Wisconsin birth, hav- ing first seen the light of day in Milwaukee, December 12, 1868. son of James M. and Harriet Maria (Carey) Pierce, natives of New York state. The father, who was a farmer near Milwaukee. Wis., came west in 1875 and located in Oskaloosa. Iowa, where he purchased 100 acres of land and engaged in general farming until 1880, when his wife died. He then entered the employ of the Towa Central railroad, purchasing horses and supplies for

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

construction work. After some years of this work he became purchasing agent for a railroad contractor of Salt Lake City, Utah. He now lives in retirement in Boise City, Idaho. Dwight C. received his education in Big Rapids, Mich., and attended the graded. the high and the business schools of that place. He then took up newspaper work. coming to this county first in 1885. After taking charge of the Zumbrota "Independent" two years he did similar work in St. Cloud, this state, and in 1896 established the Goodhue "Enterprise." This is a bright, newsy paper of 700 circulation. and its influence has ever been exerted in favor of everything that tends toward the civic, moral and industrial betterment of the village and county. Mr. Pierce's popularity grew, and on January 1. 1900, his appointment as postmaster met with general approval. Mr. Pierce is a Repub- lican in politics and has taken an active interest in political affairs, having served as secretary for the Republican county committee on several occasions. Being a public spirited man, it is natural that his attention has been directed toward sanitary problems, making his services on the board of health most effi- cient and disercet. As a member of Company D of the state militia he proved a faithful soldier, and his presence is always gladly welcomed in the Masons, the Elks and the United Work- men. Mr. Pierce was married October 3. 1889. to Florence Cram, of Zumbrota. daughter of James and Lucinda (Dickinson) Cram, whose father was originally a contractor and builder, but who later took up the furniture and undertaking business, in which latter he has remained nearly forty years. Mrs. Pierce is a woman of many accomplishments, and has been an able helpmeet of her husband in all his undertakings. The family faith is that of the Congregational church.

Herbert P. Sawyer, M. D., of Goodhne village, one of the well known physicians of Goodhue county, has built up a large prac- tice, being in every respect an ideal village doctor, true to the ethics of his profession and faithful in his administration of the duties of his high calling. He has allied himself with the county and state medical societies, and as a member of the board of health has done most efficient service. Dr. Sawyer was born in Berlin. Steele county. this state, November 25, 1870, and re- ceived his education in the public schools of that place, also attending the high school at Owatonna. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Minnesota in 1895, and at once opened an office in Goodhue village, where he has since remained. Philo and Catherine (Bettschue) Sawyer, par- ents of Dr. Sawyer, were married in Minnesota, the mother being a native of Illinois and the father of Hyde Park, Vt. In 1856 the father located in Berlin, Minn., and pre-empted 160 acres,

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upon which he carried on general farming until his death, in August, 1893. The mother died in July, 1902.

Oscar F. Nelson, a rising young business man of Goodhue, was born April 19. 1877, son of Peter Nelson, who came to America from Sweden in 1876, locating in Vasa, Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he worked at the carpenter trade for about three years. He then bought 160 acres in Goodhue township and followed general farming up to the time of his death, March. 1895. The mother died in November. 1906, at St. Paul. They had four sons: N. John, engaged in the banking business at East Grand Forks, N. D .: E. Alfred, Editor of the Hallock (Minn.) "Weekly"; Frank J., a partner of Alfred in the news- paper, and Oscar F. One sister died in infancy. Oscar F. received his education in the schools of his neighborhood. Shortly after leaving school he entered the secret service of Pinkerton at St. Paul for two years, 1897 and 1898. He then purchased the old homestead and took up farming for eight years, after which he sold the farm, January 1. 1907. and with a partner, C. R. Johnson, entered the hardware business in Goodhue village, carrying a full supply of goods usually handled in such a store, including farm machinery and carriages. This establishment has been very successful in every way. Mr. Nelson was married June 27. 1901. to Lorena G. Johnson, daughter of C. R. and Emma (Sundell) Johnson, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Johnson came west, and still farms in Goodhue township. Mrs. Johnson died March 17, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson there have been born two children : Bernice L., born December 7. 1902. and Vernon Sidney, born June 18, 1907. Fraternally Mr. Nelson associates with the Knights of Pythias, several Masonic chapters, including the Knights Tem- plar, the Modern Woodmen and the Yeomen. in the latter of which he serves as foreman. Politically he is a Republican and has served as a member of the town board two years and as clerk of the school board three years. He has also been village re- corder. In all of these public capacities he has given much satisfaction, and in private life he enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends.

Christian R. Johnson, hardware merchant. of Goodhue village, was born December 19, 1842, in Denmark, where he lived until 1857, when he came to this country with his parents. He at- tended the American schools a short while after his arrival here. and worked with his father for a time, after which he pur- chased 220 acres of land in Goodhue township, where he carried on general farming until January 1, 1907, when he engaged in the hardware business in company with O. F. Nelson, in the village of Goodhue. This partnership still continues, and the

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establishment is one of the leading stores in the village. Aside from the usual lines of hardware, the company carries farming machinery and wagons, and enjoys a large trade. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics and has served as justice of the peace and as clerk of school district 105. He is a member of the E. A. Welch Post. G. A. R., having enlisted in the Civil War shortly toward the close as a private in the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artil- lery under Captain Carney. By Emma Sundell, of Chicago, whom he married in 1870, he had ten children. The oldest and the youngest died in infancy. The others are: Albert, Lorena, Maynard, Georginna, Bernard Lewis. Winnie Ida, Clarence Gar- field, Lulu Mande. Myron Herbert and Sidney Percy. The mother of these children died in 1895. and Mr. Johnson was mar- ried March 19, 1902, to Amanda Emmaline Swanson, by whom he has four children : Laverna Mae, Dorothy Anne, Raymond and Harland. The family faith is that of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Carl and Elizabeth Sundell. parents of Mrs. Emma Johnson, came to America in the early fifties and lived both in New York state and Pennsylvania before coming to Red Wing. The father worked at his trade as a shoemaker until 1862, when he enlisted in the Civil War. He served about twenty-seven months. and met his death by falling from a wagon while still in the service. His death left his widow to provide for four chil- dren. Later she married O. P. Ilougher. The parents of Mrs. Amanda Johnson located in this country, where her father, who had previously been a miller, became a stone mason, and followed that ocenpation until his death, in 1908. at the age of eighty years. His wife is also dead. John Larson and Catherine Han- son, parents of Christian R. JJohnson, were married in Denmark and came to this country in July. 1857. After living in Red Wing two years, they pre-empted 160 aeres in Goodhue township, which the father broke and improved, and with the assistance of his sons, Lewis and Christian. farmed until 1884, when he died, his wife having died in 1883. Peter, the other brother in the family, was drowned in the Mississippi river while on a canoe trip. in 1858.

Jacob Hadler, a retired farmer of Goodhne township, was born in Germany September 10. 1836, and came to America in 1865, locating for a short time in Red Wing. and then working six months in Hay Creek and Featherstone. Ile next rented a farm of 240 acres in Belvidere township, and in company with a partner cultivated sixty-five acres. During the first year the two partners lived in a log cabin, and raised grain and corn. Ile remained on this farm three years in all. and in 1869 came to Goodhue township and purchased eighty acres of land for general farming purposes. To this farm in 1878 he added eighty

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aeres more, and carried on general farming and stock raising until 1907, when on account of failing health he found it advis- able to turn the management of the place over to his sons, John J. and Herman H., who have continued with success the work which their father so faithfully performed for so many years. Mr. Hadler is a Republican in politics, as are also his sons. Hc was married May 24, 1868, to Catherina Krimson, by whom he has seven children : Margaret, born in 1870; Peter, born in 1871; Catherina, born in 1872: Jacob, born in 1874, and another Peter, born in 1876, are all dead, while John J. and Herman II., who conduct the home farm, were born in 1878 and 1880, re- speetively. The family faith of the Hadlers is that of the German Intheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Jurgen Krimson, parents of Mrs. Hadler. both died in Germany, in which country they spent their entire lives.

Gustaf R. Ericson, of Goodhue village. was born in Sweden, April 29, 1855, son of Erie and Dorothea (Renberg) Ericson, the former of whom was a shoemaker and farmer until his death in 1872. The mother died in 1901. The family consisted of two sons and three daughters, the latter of whom are: Ilildur, who is married and lives in Chicago; Ella, wife of Gustaf Wall, a car- penter at Hayfield, Minn .; and Anna, married to C. Carlson, a farmer living in Sweden. Gustaf acquired his education in the public schools of Sweden and the Red Wing Seminary, after which he worked for three years farming. He then rented eighty acres of land in Goodhne township, where he carries on general farming and dairying, owning twenty-six head of cattle and shipping his cream to Zumbrota and St. Paul. Mr. Ericson was married April 20, 1889, to Ellen Maria daughter of Andrew and Sophia (Johnson) Newman, who came from Sweden to America in 1869, locating at Goodhne, where they purchased eighty acres, on which they followed common agriculture until they retired, in 1890. Mr. Newman died in 1891 and his wife February 17, 1873. Mrs. Erieson has one sister, Justine, married to Ludwig Schultz, a truck farmer, living at Excelsior; also one brother, Arad, who died May 3, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Ericson are parents of six children: Dwight S. E., born July 5, 1890; Myrtle, born May 2, 1892; Palmer E. N., born September 24, 1893; Mamie F. A., born March 5, 1898: Vincent R. T., born June 2, 1903, and Joyce V. R., born July 14, 1905. Dwight attended the agricul- tural department of St. Anthony's school, at Minneapolis, and is now taking a course in bookkeeping at the Red Wing Sem- inary. Myrtle is attending the Red Wing high school and will graduate in 1910. The others are all at home. Mr. Ericson is an independent voter and has served as clerk of the school board.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 93

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