History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 94

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

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

He is now road overseer. The family worships at the Methodist church.

Henry Luhman, of Goodhue township, was born in Hay Creek January 6, 1874, son of John and Mattie (Olkers) Luhman, na- tives of Germany, who came to America in 1872, locating at Hay Creek, where the father worked on a farm for three years. In the spring of 1875 they came to Goodhue, purchased a half section of land and carried on general farming. The father died in 1903 and the mother is still living with her son in Goodhne. Henry received his education in the public and German schools of Goodhue. He remained on the farm with his father and also worked on a thresher for several years. In 1900 he rented eighty acres and in 1905 purchased 120 acres and in addition to this owns forty acres of his father's farm. On this land Mr. Luhman conducts general farming and dairying. disposing of his cream to the Goodhue Creamery. Mr. Luhman was married January 10. 1901, to Mary, daughter of Chris and Katie (Holtz) Vieths. who came from Germany to Goodhne township, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Luhman have two children: Ernest A. J., born February 14, 1902, and Alfred II. C., born August 25, 1903. Thy both attend school. Mr. Luhman is a Republican and a member of the German Lutheran church. He is a prosperous young man and merits the success he has thus far won.

John H. Quast, of Goodhue village, was born in Germany December 14. 1868, son of John J. and Marguerite (Behr) Quast, the former of whom followed farming until his death, in 1908. The mother died in 1883. John attended the public schools in Germany, and farmed until 1886, when he came to America and located in Goodhue township. Here he secured work on farms summers and attended the public schools winters. finally finish- ing with a course at Beeman's Business College, at Red Wing. In 1891 he entered the employ of Grondahl Brothers as sales- man at Red Wing. where he remained about six years. He then came to Goodhue, February 20. 1897, and purchased the general merchandise store of K. L. Anderson. He was also appointed assistant postmaster. Soon his growing business required larger quarters, so in 1905 he built the Quast block. one of the finest in the village. On July 1. 1905. he removed his stock to the new building and now carries a full line of dry goods. hats, caps. shoes, rubbers. wall paper, crockery and groceries ; in fact, every- thing required in a general village store. Mr. Quast was mar- ried April 5. 1891, to Mary Augustine, daughter of Peter and Cathrina (Luhman) Augustine. This union resulted in four children : John P., born July, 1892, who attends the Red Wing Seminary, taking a business course; Jacob H., born 1894; Julius E., born 1896, and Aliva E., born 1898. The last three named

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attend the public schools of Goodhue. The mother of these chil- dren died in January, 1903. Mr. Quast is a Republican in politics and has been elerk of the school board and village trustee, as well as mayor. At.one time he was a private in Company G. at Red Wing. Taking. as he does, an active interest in the business development of Goodhue. he is an enthusiastic member of the Commercial Club, which for two years he served as president. The family worships at the German Lutheran church.

John Schafer, of Goodhue township, was born in Germany September 11, 1860, son of John and Gertrude (Stromberg) Schafer, who were also natives of Germany. John received his education in the public schools of Hay Creek and Belvidere, and worked on the farm with his father until June 16, 1887, when he rented 160 acres of his father and in 1890 purchased 160 acres of improved land in Belvidere township. Twelve years later he purchased another 160 acres of land in Goodhue town- ship, and has built a home, barn and other outbuildings, inehuid- ing a large, modern granary, which he erected in 1909. He now carries on extensive farming, has all his land under cultivation and raises fine horses and stock. Mr. Schafer was married June 1, 1887. to Annie M. Fitschen, daughter of Cord and Margaret (Prigge) Fitsehen, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1865 and located in Hay Creek township, where they pur- chased eighty acres of land and carried on general farming, gradually adding to their farm, until they had in all over 400 aeres. They have now retired from active life, sold their farm and reside in Wabasha county. To Mr. and Mrs. Schafer have been born three children: Wesley H., born September 28, 1888; Albert J., born September 26, 1890, and Louis C. A., born Jan- mary 12, 1895. Mr. Schafer is a Republican in his political views, has been town supervisor for some years past, and treasurer for five years; also clerk and treasurer of school district 32 for a number of terms. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Goodhue.

George S. Tether, of Goodhue village, a native of New York state, was born July 7, 1861, son of Francis and Malvina (Cabot) Tether. The father was born May 17, 1831, in Lincolnshire, England, and came to America in 1855, locating in New York state, where he farmed for six years. In 1862 he came to Good- hue township and purchased 130 acres of land, carrying on a general line of farming and stock raising. He retired in 1887 and purchased a home in Red Wing, where he lived until his death, November 12, 1891. The mother lives with her son in Goodhue township. Her parents were John and Lucy (Farmer) Cabot, natives of New York state. John Cabot was a farmer, a mechanic and a carpenter, first coming to Faribault in 1856 and

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then to Goodhue, where he remained until his death in 1879. Mrs. Cabot died in her native state in 1848. There were eight children : Harriet (deceased) wife of Edson Rice: Albert (de- ceased) ; Mary (deceased), wife of Tyler Gorton; Luther (de- ceased) ; Lydia, married to Herman Fisher; Malvina, married to Francis Tether : Louisa, wife of Thomas Branch. and Betsy (de- ceased). wife of Guarts Gorton. Chester Tether, brother of George S. Tether, was born in Goodhue township and received his earlier education in the Goodhue public schools and the Red Wing high school and Hamlin University. He graduated from the chemistry course of the Chicago Medical College in 1897 and now teaches pedigogical methods of advanced science in the Oswego (N. Y.) state normal school. George S. Tether acquired his education in the public school and took up farming with his father. He has managed the farm since 1887, and carries on general farming. doing considerable dairying and also breeding horses. Mr. Tether was married November 1, 1882, to Mary Jane. daughter of Richard and Margaret (McDonald) Stogdill. both natives of Canada. Mr. Stogdill and family came to Red Wing in 1865 and then went to Wisconsin, where he purchased 100 acres of land on which he farmed. In the family were seven children : Mary Jane. Samuel Edward. Edmond Alfred, Lucinda (deceased). Francis Robert. Richard Ilerbert and William Il. Mr. Stogdill died in February, 1891, but his wife still lives in Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Tether there have been born four children : Francis, born. August 4, 1884; Howard L., born August 6, 1889; Florence M., born September 24. 1899, and Clarence W., born August 22. 1906. Mr. Tether is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ilis fraternal affiliations are with the Woodmen. Yeomen and the Independent Order of For- esters. For ten years he was school clerk and for twelve years school director. He held the position of road overseer for twelve years and was constable for two years. Mr. Tether and family are well liked both in business and social circles.

J. H. Bryan, for nearly a quarter of a century the town treas- urer of Burnside. is a native of County Cork, Ireland, born September 27. 1846. His parents, Barnabns and Mary A. (Me- Givern) Bryan. settled in Erie. Pa., in 1852, and some years later came to Goodhue county and located in Burnside township, bring- ing their children, J. II., Thomas. John, Timothy, Eliza, Ellen and Sarah A. They purchased the pioneer house which had been erected by the Rev. J. C. Johnson and started farming, the valley where they made their home being at that time practically a wilderness. Since that time the farm has remained in the family. Of the original family, only J. H .. John and Sarah remain. These three live together on the old homestead. J. H.

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

helped his father develop the land and erect buildings. He and his brother John now own 620 acres, 500 of which is plow- able, and the two carry on general farming and raise cattle, hogs and horses. The buildings are in excellent condition, and the place presents a pleasing aspect. Mr. Bryan served during the Civil War as a sailor on board the battleship Michigan for three years, enlisting as cabin boy and being discharged as second-class fireman. Aside from his services as town clerk, above mentioned, he has served many years as school treasurer. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen at Red Wing. Mr. Bryan was married in early life to Lissette E. Heil- man, by whom he has two children. Thomas B. is a musical instructor in New York City, while Daisy L. is the wife of Elmer B. Palmer, of St. Paul. Mr. Bryan deals extensively in live stock and is noted far and wide for his sagacity as a trader.

Bennett I. Melin, of Burnside township, has seen life in three countries-Sweden, where he was born; Mexico, where he has worked, and America, which has been his home practically since early youth, and of which he is a prosperous and well-to-do citizen. He was brought to this country by his parents in 1856, at the age of three years. While looking about for a location they stayed thirty days in St. Paul. and then settled in Carver county, this state, remaining there three years. After a short time in Afton, Washington county. Minnesota, they again re- turned to Carver county, and there remained until 1863, sharing in the pioneer development of that section of the country. Their first home in Goodhue county was on a farm in Featherstone township, where they remained from 1863 to 1865, going in the latter year to Burnside township, where the family residence was established. The father died in 1884. Bennett T. was twelve years of age when his family came to Burnside. ITis education was obtained in the district schools and at Minneapolis, since which time, with the exception of a short period spent in the sugar industry in Mexico, he has made his residence on the old homestead. Mr. Melin is a Republican as far as broad and general principles are concerned, but to a large extent he votes independently. He has been town treasurer and a member of the school board. In 1879 Mr. Melin was married to JJulia An- derson, daughter of John Anderson, who settled in this county in 1860.

S. A. Thompson, who carries on general farming on a place of 135 acres in Burnside township, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1846, a son of William and Nancy (Kennedy) Thompson, of whom a sketch will be found in this history in connection with the biography of Thomas J. Thomp- son, of Red Wing. S. A. was brought to this county by his

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

parents in the early fifties, and grew to young manhood on the home farm in Burnside township, helping his father and brother with the breaking, developing, cultivating, etc. He then moved to Chippewa county, this state, where he remained in all thirty years. For a larger part of the time he was a farmer, but kept a store in Maynard, in that county, six years. During his long stay in Chippewa county he served in a number of public offices, including that of assessor. and to him also belongs the honor of having done the first township work on the roads of Stoneham, in that county. A few years ago he came back to the old home- stead in Burnside township, where he now resides and carries on general farming. He is a Republican in politics, and was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Thompson is well liked throughout the township.

N. G. Sandberg, of Burnside township. a public spirited cit- izen and an earnest advocate of good roads, was born in Sweden August 5. 1850. son of Karl and Christina M. Sandberg, who lived and died on a farm in the old country. N. G. was educated in the public schools of his native land, and in 1871 came to America, locating for a time in Red Wing. He then came to Burnside township, where he has since remained, engaged in farming. His place is in a pleasant location about five miles out of Red Wing, and the house and buildings are modern and well kept. Mr. Sandberg keeps a dozen head of good cows. makes a spe- cialty of dairy farming and sells butter in the city. A Repub- lican in politics, he has served as a member of the town board of supervisors five years and as school treasurer for several terms. He was married in 1880 to Clara E. Bunch, by whom he has one child, Karl Q .. a pupil in the Red Wing high school. Edna H. Anderson, a niece of Mrs. Sandberg, has been a member of their family since 1898. She is also a student in the Red Wing high school. Q. Bunch, father of Mrs. Sandberg, was born in North Carolina October 4, 1826, and lived successively in Ohio and Michigan. He came to Red Wing in 1856 and later located in Burnside. Mr. Bunch was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company D, 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. By his first wife, Helen S. Rudd, whom he married April 3, 1856, he had two children, Clara E., born December 10, 1857. and Helen S .. born April 10, 1869. By his second wife, Mary A. Buck- master, whom he married November 10. 1870. he had three chil- dren : Ellen I., born February 14, 1872; Frank, born August 19, 1874. and Alice M., born December 23, 1878.

John Nelson, of Burnside, a veteran of the Civil War and of the Indian campaign, was born in Norway November 12, 1844. a son of Nels and Ingebor Nelson, who came to the United States in 1848, and located in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1855 a part

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of the family came to Goodhue county, followed in the fall of 1857 by John and his sister. John received his education in the common schools and also had the advantages of one year's tuition in Hamline University, at that time located in Red Wing. He took up farming on the home place, remaining until 1862, when as a youth of eighteen years he enlisted in Company F, 6th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, August 11, 1862. He took part in the Indian campaign under General Sibley, being sent with his regiment to the rescue of the detachment beleagured by the Indians at Birch Coolio. In the battle of Wood Lake. September 23. the regiment held an important position. Mr. Nelson par- ticipated in all the battles of the memorable Sibley campaign. June 15, 1864, he went south with the regiment, and was at Helena, Ark .. and St. Louis, Mo., until January, 1865, when the regiment was sent to New Orleans and assigned to the 16th army corps. He participated in the engagements of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. in April. 1865, and was discharged with the regiment at Fort Snelling Angust 27. 1865. After returning home. Corporal Nelson taught school one year. He then elerked seven years, and having been frugal and saving. gathered enough to start a store of his own. This store he con- tinued fourteen years, after which he interested himself in the . veneer and hardwood lumber business. In 1900 he moved to the place in Burnside township which he now operates. He has 296 acres of land and is engaged in general farming, keeping dairy cois, ete. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as super- visor of Burnside township. Mr. Nelson was married in 1874 to Luey E. Bussitt. by whom he has one child, R. J. Nelson, em- ployed with the Fairbanks. Morse Company, in St. Paul. After his first wife's death Mr. Nelson was married to Jessie Eames, by whom he has three children: Horace E., Frances C. and Walter H. Nelson.

John Larson, of Burnside township, was born. in Sweden August 24, 1838, son of Lars Erikson, native of Sweden. Both parents died there. John received his education in Sweden and came to America in 1866, locating at Red Wing. In 1870 he came to Burnside and purchased land, which he broke and im- proved, built a home and all buildings necessary and carried on general farming, which he now continues with great success. In 1870 he was married to Martha Peterson, a native of Sweden. They have no children. Mr. Larson is a Republican in his polit- ical views. They attend the Lutheran church.

Fred Van Guilder, of Stanton township, comes of the hon- ored Knickerbocker stock, his forebears having been among those sturdy Hollanders who settled New York state. The original Van Guilder, founder of the family in America, fought in the Revolution, and the account of the courage of this valiant old

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

soldier is still a part of the history of the early days of the Empire State. The subject of this sketeh was born in New York state February 24, 1841, son of Daniel and Mariah (Alcott) Van Guilder, both natives of the Empire state. He received his edu- cation in the schools of his neighborhood. and at the call to arms in 1862 enlisted for two years in Company K, 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry. After the expiration of the term of enlistment he came to Stanton township and farmed for a while. but the love of his country was strong in his heart. and after a while he again went east and enlisted in Company A, Sth Ver- mont Volunteer Infantry. serving until the close of the war. Hostilities concluded, he came to Stanton township once more and purchased the place upon which he has since resided. He cleared the land himself, brought it under enltivation and carried on general farming. an ocenpation in which he continues at the present time. Aside from raising the usual erops, he also does dairy farming and sells considerable cream. He also raises sheep, a subject to which he has given much thought. The farm, which with its neat house and well-kept barn, presents a strong contrast to the wild land upon which Mr. Van Guilder first built his rough log cabin, originally consisted of 194 acres, but forty acres was recently sold to a son. leaving 154 acres. Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican in political views and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, but of late years he has at many elections voted independently on those occasions when the merits of the candidates seemed a greater issue than the platform of the parties. He has for some years past affiliated himself with the MeKinley Post, No. 92, G. A. R .. at Cannon Falls. Although not an office seeker. he has consented at various times to serve as road overseer and on the school board. Mr. Van Guilder was married in 1859 to Harriet Cooper, daughter of Matthew and Mary Cooper, who on July 3. 1909. celebrated the fiftieth anni- Versary of their marriage. The Van Guilder home has been blessed with seven sturdy children : Mary, Carrie, Fred, Nathan, Daniel. Charles and George. all of whom are alive.

Alvin Van Guilder was born in Stanton township February 14. 1869. son of Albert and Jane (Winchell) Van Guilder, natives of New York. who spent their early life there, the father being engaged at his trade of cooper, and later in farming. They came west with Fred Van Guilder and purchased land in Stanton township, which the father improved, carrying on general farm- ing. They had a family of ten children, all of whom are living : Henry, Frank. Albert, William, Alvin (the subject of this sketch), Herbert, Edith, John. Samuel and JJames J. The father is still living in Waterville, Minn. The mother died in 1901. Alvin received his education in the common schools and worked on the

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home farm, later purchasing 140 acres of land in Stanton town- ship. During his twenty years' ownership he has greatly im- proved the place, remodeling the buildings and developing the land, 110 acres of which is under cultivation. He carries on gen- eral farming. keeps a number of good cattle and disposes of con- siderable eream to the Cannon Falls creamery. In 1889 Mr. Van Guilder was married to Cynthia Deline, daughter of J. J. and Eliza (Housel) Deline, who were old settlers of this county. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Van Guilder have one daughter, Ruth, who attended the high school at Cannon Falls, but who is now at home and devotes considerable of her time to the study of music. In politics Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican.

Wallace Van Guilder, of Stanton township, was born in New York state June 28, 1843, son of Phenner and Jane Van Guilder, natives of New York state, where they were engaged in farming until their death. Wallace Van Guilder received his education in the common schools of the state, and worked in a stave fac- tory for several years. When the war broke out he enlisted, in July, 1862, in Company B, 14th Vermont Volunteer Infantry, served in the Army of the Potomac and took part in all the battles of the campaign, including the battle of Gettysburg. He. was discharged in Vermont in 1864. After his return home. on receiving his discharge from the army, he decided to come west. locating in Cannon Falls, where he worked in the hotel for a time, after which he rented a farm in partnership with his cousin, and engaged in farming. He went back later, to New York, and worked for one year for an old comrade, after which he again returned to Cannon Falls and purchased 182 acres of land in Stanton township, where he has been engaged in general farming for twenty years. IIe was at one time also engaged in ball playing, being a professional. He played with the Minne- haha club, of Northfield, Minn., which held the championship of Minnesota until they disbanded in 1868. All the improvements on his land and buildings have been made by himself, and about 120 acres is under cultivation. He is now retired and his stepson rents the farm. Mr. Van Guilder was married in November, 1869, to Aribell Poe, daughter of Richard and Margaret Poe, by whom he had three children: Milton A., living in Stanton; Julia, who married Dr. Houston, now of Montana, and one ehild who died in infancy. His wife died, and later he married Mrs. Matilda Saylor, who had three children by her first marriage, Elizabeth, Frank, now deceased, and Lester, the latter of whom rents the farm. Wallace and Matilda Van Guilder have one son, Jesse, who is attending the State University, where he is pre- paring to practice dentistry. Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican,

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but has never sought or held any public office. He affiliates with the George Mckinley Post, No. 92. G. A. R., of Cannon Falls. Mr. Van Guilder's uncle and grandmother were victims of the Indian massacre near New Ulm, Minn.

Francis Goudy, Sr., one of the large farmers of Stanton town- ship. has been assessor of his township for about thirty-five years, and has also served a long period as school clerk. He comes of good old stock, his ancestors being of that sturdy and devoted race who people the northern part of Ireland. Born in County Down, in that country, August 3, 1838, he came to America in the dawn of his early manhood and settled at once in Stanton township. He worked four months as a farm hand, then rented a farm a short time, and subsequently made his first start as a land owner by purchasing eighty acres. On this land he built a log cabin. and lived in it five years. From this small beginning has grown his present prosperity. He now owns '563 acres of tillable land. aside from several tracts of timber. He has made all the improvements on the place, which is eight miles from Cannon Falls village and four miles from Stanton village. Aside from general farming, he engages in dairying and owns some excellent stock. Mr. Goudy faithfully adheres to the Republican party, and affiliates with the Masonic lodge at Cannon Falls. He was married in 1865 to Bridget MeWeeney, who has proven a good wife and mother. To this union has been born a goodly number of sturdy children. They are William R., A. P., Francis. James A., Marie M., Nathaniel, Robert J., John T., George H. and Elizabeth A., all of whom are at home. Annie, the fourth child, is dead. Mr. Goudy was one of the organizers of the Stanton cheese factory and was secretary and manager of the same for about ten years of its first existence. He also assisted in organizing the Stanton Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, in 1895, of which company he was elected treasurer and still holds that office.

Andrew Felien owns a fertile farm of eighty acres in Stanton township, where he is rearing a family of ten sturdy children. He was born in Sweden April 22. 1860, son of Andrew and Kate (Johnson) Feline, who lived and died in the old country. In 1882, at the age of twenty-two years, Andrew left the shores of his native land and made his first venture in America as a work- man in St. Paul. He also labored for a short time in Spring Garden, but a short time later came to Stanton. When he first came here he worked about five years as an employee of Johnson Miller. Subsequently he rented Mr. Miller's farm, but three years later went to Dakota and tilled the land there seven years. About a dozen years ago, he came back to this township and purchased the farm which he now owns. Here he has made many

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 94

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