History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 110

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 110

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Unobtrusiveness was a marked characteristic of our late associate. Ilis voice was not heard in the streets. Persons would associate with him for months in the midst of this city, and would never think that he had a right to say: "Quorum magna pars fui." But while retiring he was affable. A gentleman by instinct, he avoided topies and allusions which would be painful to those with whom he conversed.

Among those in whom he had confidence he loved to indulge in pleasantry.

By prosperity he was not puffed. Weak hu- man nature is often made very stiff and conse- quential by an increase of this world's goods. but he showed none of that disagreeable conscious- ness which money gives to some people. No poor man was ever humiliated in his presence. Of an inquiring mind, with good perceptive powers, in- terested in public questions, and holding social intercourse every winter with some of the best men of the republic, he was able to impart val- uable information and engage in agreeable con- versation. Thrown much of his life-time with frontiersmen, he admired their energy, but did not adopt their standards. He did not soil his mouth with coarse, profane or indecent utterances. The slang of the roaring fellows in a loggers' camp, or at a military post had no charms.

While the soul is immortal and more valuable than the mortal body which encases it, yet the Ilebrews acknowledged that it was a privilege to have a fine physical presence. The sacred writers turned aside from mightier matters to mention that there was not among the Children of Israel a "goodlier person" than Saul, who from his shoulders upward was higher than any of the people, and that David "was ruddy and withal of a beautiful countenance." The subject of our memoir was excelled by few in the symmetry of his physical development. As a young man his presence was noticeable. An old army offi- cer saw him conversing with a young lady at a party given by a member of congress in Wash- ington. He asked his name, and when told that : he was from what was then called distant Iowa Territory, he replied: "No matter where he re- sides; God never made a finer form."

An old English writer, speaking of a statesman of the days of James I., wrote: "As Ammianus describes a well-shaped man: 'Ab ipso capite, usque, ad ungium summitates recta erat linea- mentorum compage'; 'from the nails of the fingers, nay, from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, there was no blemish in him.' And yet his carriage, and every stoop of his deportment, more than his excellect form, were the beauty of his beauty." Does not this description recall the late chairman of this department of the Minnesota IHistorical Society? At our meeting in September

HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

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st. l'anl. passing his examination with great credit. He was married in February. 1872, to Kathleen Lynes. They are the parents of two children. le is a member of the firm of Frank- lin Steele. Jr., and Company, dealers in agricul- tural implements, wagons, ete .. corner of First street and Second Avenue south. Residence on Nicollet Island.

E. H. Steele. a native of Vermont, was born in 1516. Was employed. in 1868. by the firm of Whitten, Burdett and Young. of Boston, as trav- eling salesman, and continued with them until 1571. at which time he established the elothing business which he is conducting so successfully in this city. Mr. Steele's family consists of only himself and wife. They have a fine residence on Eighth street. This building is heated by steam, titted with electric bells, burglar alarm. etc.

Nicholas Steffes, a native of Germany, was horn December 10th, 1818. Came to America with his parents in 1855, and lived on a farm in Wright county, Minnesota, until the age of eigh- teen, when he volunteered in the Tenth United States Regulars at Fort Snelling, and served his full time of enlistment, le has sinee resided in Minneapolis, He joined the volunteer fire depart- ment in 1875, and served as driver until the or- ganization of the paid department, when he was appointed foreman of Hose Company No. 4. In 1-76 he married Kate Bofferding. Their children are Annie and John.

J. F. Stephens was born Jnly Ith. 1852, in Ches- ter county. Pennsylvania. His father was a mil- ler, and he learned the trade with him. in his na- tive place. He worked at farming for four years previous to comming west in 1572. He reached this city December Ist of that year, and com- meneed work in the Minneapolis mill, filling a minor position at first, but by industry and atten- tion to business advanced to the position of head miller, which position he fills to the entire satis- faction of his employers.

Frank L. Stetson, born December 19th, 1853, m Knox county. Maine, He moved with his pa- ments to Boston, in 1565, and there attended graded schools, afterward went to the Dean Academy at Franklin. In the spring of 1869 he came here and sought employment in the lumber mmills: he had charge of the Northern Pacific Lubrond company's mills at Brainerd in 1878, re-

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

turned here and until the spring of 1880 was fore- man in Leavitt, Chase and Company's mill. since that time has filled the same position with Merri- man and Barrows. He is second chief engineer of the fire department of which he has been a member since 1872. Mr. Stetson's wife was lda Winslow, their marriage occurred in 1877. They have had one child.

II. A. Stetson. a native of Lincolnville, Maine. was born in 1849. Came to Minneapolis in the fall of 1867 and was employed in saw mills five years ; then in company with W. C. Stetson, his brother, built the mill which bore their name ; after operating it three years disposed of his in- terest and went to work on the Chicago, Milwau- kee and St. Paul railway. In April, 1879, en- gaged to work in the mill for his brother. who sold in 1880 to Wheaton, Reynolds and Company, and he has been with them since. He married Lillie Ilowe, in 1876. Blanche and Alice are their children.

W. C. Stetson was born October 16th, 1841, in Waldo county, Maine. Hle came to St. Anthony in 1857 and worked in different mills fourteen years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ninth Minne- sota Volunteers. After service he returned to Minneapolis and in 1871 built a planing mill, in company with his brother; they operated the mill eight months, then he bought his brother's share and sold a half interest to B. F. Nelson. In 1878 they built the St. Louis, and the year following Mr. Stetson closed out his interest in both mills. JIe built in 1880 the Farnham and Lovejoy mill, and has since operated it for them. In 1859 he married Catharine Griffin.

Frank Stevens, a native of Worcester county, Massachusetts, was born July 5th, 1853. Worked in that state at different lines of business until April, 1878, when he removed to Minneapolis, and after clerking in a grocery store until 1879 he embarked in the same for business himself. He had a fine trade up to December, 1880, when, de- siring a change he sold, with the intention of en- gaging in other enterprises.

Col. John II. Stevens, the pioneer of Minne- apolis proper, is a native of Lower Canada. Ilis parents, who were natives of Vermont, emigrated from there to one of the eastern townships of Lower Canada, where John H. was born, June 13th, 1820. The family trace their descent to

the so called French ITugnenots, who emigrated to New England, coming over with other Puritans in the May-flower. Gardner Stevens. his father, was an extensive farmer, and gave his sons a lib- eral education. At an early day Mr. Stevens de- termined to become one of the pioneers of the far west. Ilis first move was to the lead mines of Illinois and Wisconsin. During the war with Mexico, he served with the army of invasion and after the war closed. he came to the territory of Minnesota, which had recently been set apart from lowa. Ile located on the original town- site of Minneapolis, opposite the beautiful and picturesque Falls of St. Anthony; here he lived alone and desolate with the Indians. The nearest habitation of white men was Fort Snelling. Since that time vast and wonderful changes have been made, such as but few men have witnessed in the short space of thirty-two years. Ile has lived to see grow from his humble home a city of fifty thousand souls, and should he be spared un- til he reaches his three score and ten, he will doubtless behold a city of over one hundred thou- sand inhabitants. He has frequently been hon- ored with seats in the senate and house of repre- sentatives in the state legislature, and has also held high and responsible ollices of trust and honor, both civil and military with the greatest success and credit. lle was married May 10th, 1850, in Rockford, Illinois, to Miss Francis II. Miller, of Oneida county, New York. Their children living are, Kittie D., wife of P. B. Win- ston Esq. of this city; Sarah, who resides with her parents; Orma, a graduate of the city high school; Francis H. Gardner, their only son, is a civil engineer.

Rev. Daniel Stewart, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Amsterdam. Montgom- ery county, New York, July 17th, 1811. spending most of his early life in that vicinity, pursuing academical studies at Johnstown, under the Rev. Gilbert Morgan. Entered Union college in 1830, graduated in 1833. After graduating went to Europe, traveling in England, Scotland, Ger- many and France; on returning, entered the The- ological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1835, graduated in the class of '37-8, under Drs. Alexander and Miller. After leaving the semi- nary, was called, accepted and settled over the

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Levi M. Stewart is a native of Maine: received there an academic education, and afterward grad- uated frem Dartmouth college: is also a graduate of the law school at Cambridge. After practicing law erecessfully for a time in his native state he came West. and has been a resident of this city since 1550. His office is at the corner of Wash- ington and Nicollet Avenues.

(. F. Stimson was born April 19th, 1822, in York county. Maine. He was in the lumber Imsiness at Washington. Maine, four years; in June. IsAs, removed to Stillwater. and the same year to St. Anthony, being engaged in Jumbering most of the time until 1879. He. in company with William Simpson and AA. Rogers, built the mill now owned by Farnham and Lovejoy, also the building now occupied as a paper-mill. Mr. Stimson served one year as treasurer of Ramsey county, while St. Anthony was in that county. Ile moved to his farm near Elk River in 1879. His marriage with Olive Estes occurred in 1850. Children: Albert. Ella. William and one who died in infancy.

E. 11. Stockton, M. D .. was born October 4th, 1-27. in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Attended school at Trenton. New Jersey. and studied med- icine at Philadelphia. In 1849 he attended two courses of lectures at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. Followed his profession in Ohio and Indiana until 1865; since that time he has been in practice at Minneapolis. In 1869 he was made a member of the State Medical Society, and is one of the city board of health. Dr. Stockton married, in 1871, Miss Rose Wilson of Indiana.

Alvin stone was born in Salmon Falls, New Hampshire, October 13th. 1825. In ISAS made an extended four in the South; returned the next year. and in 1×50 came lo Minneapolis. His pincipal occupation has been painting; he has Jen a member of several different firms, and has done a very large business by contracts. In Sep- lemulas. 1851. Mr. Stone returned to his native Date: the following March married Elizabeth Condwin, at Lowell, Massachusetts, and at once Game West. They have had seven children; Dos bving me Hattie and Harris.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

consin, was born August 18th, 1845. Learned the machinist's trade at the Bay State Iron Works, and after serving his apprenticeship re- mained with the firm four years. In 1867, in company with his brother, he commenced manu- facturing steam engines, but in 1870 he came to this city and was with the North Star Iron Works until he started his present business. Ilis wife was Etta Banker, whom he married in 1868, at Milwaukee. They have two children, Clarence and Herberd.

J. F. Stranahan was born July 18th, 1854, at Bunker Hill. Michigan. In 1856, accompanied his parents to Minnesota and located in Goodhue county. At the early age of fourteen he com- meneed learning carpentering; went to North- field in 1870 and two years later removed to St. Paul, where he assisted in building S. Mayall's block, Dr. Dewey's residence, and several other fine buildings. Since 1879, has lived in Minne- apolis. Ile married Jerusha Hamilton in 1877. They have one child, Winnie.

J. H. Strothman, a native of Wisconsin, was born August 18th, 1845. at Milwaukee. Attended school there, and served an apprenticeship as machinist in the Bayfield Iron Works. In 1869, came here, and wasat the North Star Iron Works until IS72; since that time he has been in the em- ploy of O. A. Pray and Company as foreman. Was married in March, 1872. Of their four chil- dren, Morris only, survives; Nellie, Jennie and an infant have passed away.

Daniel Sullivan, a native of Maine, was born in IS47. IIe came to Minnesota in IS7S. and lo- cated at Minneapolis. IIis place of business is No. 13, First street north.

Elmer II. Sumner, born at Bangor, Maine, January 3d, 1853. Came to this city in 1877 and engaged in lumbering during the winter months. Kept a restaurant two years on Nicollet Avenue, and since August 1SS0, has been in the same busi- ness at No. 1, First street north; his wife has the management of the restaurant in his absence. Mr. Sumner married Mary Fay in 1872. They have one son, Eugene.

Byron Sutherland, born July 15th, 1846, in Westfield, New York. Moved to Pennsylvania and enlisted in 1862; he was wounded at Spott- sylvania in 1864, and the next year was transfer- red to the veteran reserve corps on account of

disability; in July 1865, he was honorably dis- charged. He attended school in Pennsylvania until 1870, and then read law at Jamestown, New York. In the fall of 1872, taught in° Penn- sylvania, and the same year was elected superin- tendent of schools in Warren county; he contin- ued reading law and was admitted to the bar in 1875; the next year. removed to Minneapolis; his office is at 201 Nicollet Avenue. He married in 1877. Sarah Brown; she has borne him one son, Renne.

George Sverdrup was born in the western part of Norway, December 16th, 1848. IIe attended school at Christiana from 1862 to 1865, when he entered the University in the city of Christiana. During 1870, he traveled through Italy and Ger- many, and in 1871, passed theological examina- tion at the University. The year IS73, he spent in Paris, in the study of the Semitic languages, Assyrian antiquities and other sciences con- nected with the study of the okl testament. In 1874, he received a call from this conference since which time he has been closely identified with the history of Augsburg Seminary.

W. D. Sutton, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, was born in 1837. Enlisted in 1861 and served three years. In 1864 he went to Chicago and fol- lowed his business of contracting and building for seven years. then after a short residence at St. Lonis removed to Memphis. and three years later to Iowa. In 1875 went to Wright county, Min- nesota, and bought the farm he still owns. In October, 1880, he came here to work at his trade. Ilis marriage with Martha Lawson occurred in in IS65. They have one child, Minnehaha.

N. P. Swanberg, a native of Sweden, was born in 1838. Emigrated to America in 1869, and lo- cated at Hastings, Minnesota. and engaged in carriage making. In 1870. removed to this city and after working about three years for different parties established the Minneapolis carriage works at 605 Third street south.

Peter P. Swensen, born in Sweden, February 10th, 1844. When ten years of age came to America with his parents and lived on a farm in Minnesota until 1861, when he enlisted. but was rejected because of being under age; he then went to Dubuque, Towa, enlisted in the regular army and served three years. Ile then went to Tennessee and engaged in the grocery business;

III. I RY OI HENNEPIN COUNTY.

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CHAPTER LXXXIII.

BIOGRAPHICAL. T. F AND V.

.J. W. Tamm was born at Logansport, Indiana, in 1518. Learned milling at Manmee City. Ohio. In 1552 he became a resident of Minneapolis and engaged in the Arctic mill; he had charge of that mill for six years. Next he was employed in the Phenix. and has superintended it since. He was married in 1575 to Miss Alice Isenberger of Logansport.

Melvin C. Tate was born at Peekskill, New York. February Ist. 1851. Went to Duluth, Min- nesota. in 1871: remained three years working in a general merchandise store. also a short time in a hotel. In 1571 he came to St. Paul, the next year locating in Minneapolis. In October, 1880, in company with Mr. Boardman. he opened a res- fanrant al 211 Nicollet Avenue. He was married 11 1575 10 Theresa Windolph, who has borne hun three children. Laura is the only one living.

1. B. Taylor, a resident of Minneapolis, came from New York four years since. Isa wholesale dealer in grain, and is the first and only man here who makes a specialty of wholesale dealing. Previous to starting in business in 1879 he bought wheat for the Millers' Association. Office over sccmity Bank.

B. 1 .. Taylor. D. D. S .. 211 Nicollet Avenue, Was born at Westchester, Pennsylvania, in 1832. Received the principal part of his education in His native place. He came to Chicago in 1856, and two years later to Minneapolis. He grad- Batel fron the Pennsylvania Dental College at Philole Iplna m 1869, and has since been in den- id prac hier in this city. He was married in 1866 to Hamet Huribut, of Little Falls, New York.

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643

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Alice and Ilenry are their children. Residence 620 Fifth street south.

F. C. Taylor was born in Lewis county, New York, October 12th, 1846. There he received his early education and training. Ile located in Min- neapolis, December, 1871, and was employed as clerk in a grocery store until 1876, when he started in the same line for himself and has since been doing a prosperous business. Ile was married in 1870 to Mary Hinton, of Lewis county, New York. They have two children, Charlotte A. and Frank G.

C. E. Tenant was born at Lisbon, Lawrence county, New York, in 1845. At the age of nine years, he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. ITe resided in that state until 1878, removing in the spring of that year to Red Wing, Minnesota. Ile remained one summer, then removed to Still- water, where he resided until his coming to Min- neapolis in 1880. Ile joined the Henn p'n County Barrel Company the same year. In 1833, he en- listed in the Thirty-second Wisconsin, under Col. De Great, and served until the close of the war. Resides at 412 Twelfth Avenue south.

G. II. Tennant was born in St. Lawrence coun- ty, New York, 1847. Came to Minneapolis in 1867 and for three years was engaged in manu- facturing shingles, with Bassett one year and with Morrison Brothers two years. He was then in St. Louis one and one-half years in the manu- facture of eave-tronghs. On returning he entered into partnership with Witbeck, Potter and Com- pany in a planing mill and box factory and two years after added the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. In 1875 the firm dissolved. Mr. Eldred then became proprietor of the planing mill, which Mr. Tennant superintended for him two years. In 1875, in company with Mr. Rus- sell, built the East Side planing mill. He was married to Elizabeth Blackney, in 1870. Their children are: William S. and Grace.

Johannes Temstedt was born in Westmand- land, Sweden, June 22d, 1847. After finishing his theological studies at the Lyceum, at Stock- holm, he came to America in August, 1875. Af- ter remaining in New York until the following summer, he was ordained at Jamestown, New York, on the 25th of June, 1876. Thence com- ing west to Illinois, he presided over churches at Batavia, Bethlehem and Aurora for about two

years. July 20th, 1878, he removed to Minneap- olis, and has since presided over Augustana and Bethlehem churches.

Andrew Tharalson was born in Norway. Jan- uary 9th, 1846. llere he passed his youth and acquired a knowledge of cabinet making. lle emigrated to America in 1866. settling at Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at his trade until 1869. lle then removed to Minneapolis, following his trade until 1870. when he started in the grocery business which has been growing rapidly. IIe was elected to the state legislature of Minnesota, in 1878. and re-elected in 1880. Ilis marriage with Tirja Tentz took place in 1868, in Norway Their children are: Taly, Emma, Edward, Con rad and Amalie.

Charles Theilen is a native of Prussia. horn June 5th, 1812. Received his education there and served in the Prussian army three years. In 1853 he came to America, locating in Indiana, thence to Chicago, and on to St. Anthony by team. Was one of the early pioneers and en- dured the hardships of frontier life. In 1859 he purchased the lot where he now lives, and erected a stone house which has since been his home. Ile worked in saw mills for five years, after which he engaged in mercantile business, contin- ving until 1878. He then sold to his son, retiring from active business life. Was married in Prns- sia, 1837, to Miss Mary G. Schildgen, who bore him eight children, four of whom are living : Nicholas, Anna M., John and Annie. Mr. Thei- len was a member of the city council in 1874-'75.

Lonis Theobald is a native of Germany, born in 1831. Came to the United Stated in 1851, re- maining in New York nine months; thence to St. Louis where he resided about four years. In 1856 he removed to New Ulm, Minnesota, being in the mercantile business twenty years ; was also engaged in a grist and saw mill. Located in Minneapolis in 1874, and opened a saloon in 1880, known as the Teutonia Ilall. lle was united in marriage with Anna Meyer, in 1855. Sophia, Bertha and Vietor HI. are their children.

B. Thibodean was born in Aroostook county, Maine, in 1846. Here he remained until 1864, then went to Bangor where he learned the trade of shoemaker, and worked at it in various places throughout the country. He removed to Minne- apolis in 1878 and after a short period he resumed

644

HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

his trade and also made boot and shoe paes for a firm at St. Paul. In April. 1850. he opened an establishment of his own for the special purpose of manufacturing boof and shoe paes. Married in 1571 to Mary Poirie, of Nova Scotia, who has borne him five children, three living: John. Clara and Joseph.

Anthony Thomley was born in Norway. 1838. Came to the United States in 1851. He went to Wisconsin, where he remained six years, with the exception of a few months passed in Minnesota. In 1862 returned to his native country. remaining eight years. lle then came to the I'nited States, locating at La Crosse. Wisconsin. remaining also a short time at Eau Claire. In 1879 he became a resident of Minneapolis and opened a saloon at 223 Washington Avenue south. He married Mary Johnson of Ean Claire, in 1871. Ira A., and Annie are their children.

E. P. Thompson was born at Lowell, Massa- chusetts. in 1519. Moved to Zumbrota, Minne- sola, in 1865, and in 1969 went to St. Paul to learn the jeweler's trade and remained until coming to Minneapolis in 1522. He began in that business soon after his arrival and has since continued. having a thriving trade. Located at 105 Wasli- ington Avenue south. He married Lizzie C. 1all in 1576. Lottie M. and Clara L. are their children.

John Thompson was born in 1832, and is a na- tive of Canada. He moved to Milwaukee, re- maining one and one-half years; thence to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, where he remained four years. In 1573 he located at Minneapolis, and five years later joined the Co-operative Barrel Company. and has remained with them since. Is a cooper and has followed his trade twenty-eight years. lle was united in marriage, in 1so1, to Miss Maria Powers, They are parents of six children. Residence. 1107 Fourth street south.

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History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 110

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 738

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738