History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 111

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 111

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John Thompson, a resident of Minneapolis, is n native of Norway. born in 1813. Learned the trade of shipcarpenter in his native country, and in 1965 came to America. For seven years he resided at Lacrosse, Wisconsin, Being employed in Davidson's shipyards, two years, and was in the saloon business five years. He removed to Minneapolis in 1522, and has since been engaged In the saloon business. He was married to Miss

J. Il. Thompson was born in York county, Maine. August 17th, 1831. Learned the tailor's trade at North Bridgeton, after which he re- moved to Augusta, thence to Minneapolis in 1857. He has been continuously in business in this city since. He was married in this city to Miss Ellen M. Gould of Minneapolis, in 1880. They have had three children: Mattie C., William G., and Nellie 11. Resides 613 Hennepin Avenue.

J. M. Thompson was born at Brooklyn, Min- nesota, October 4th, 1859. Ile passed his early boy-hood on a farm with his parents. then en- tered the Minneapolis Mill, in the employ of Crocker, Fisk and Company. He learned the miller's trade, and has been engaged with the firm since.

R. B. Thompson was born in Kane county, Illinois, in 1819. He came to Minneapolis in 1865, and was with Captain Rollins four years. Ile attended the University one and one-half years. Through the influence of Captain Rollins he he seenred a situation with 11. J. Taylor of St. Paul, in the lumber business, and remained with him five years. Ile then returned to this city and engaged with Merriman and Company, which firm still retains his services. Married Miss Gussie Ringer in 1875. They have one child: Arthur.

T. Thompson is a native of Norway, born in 1853. Came to the United States in 1866, lo- cating at Empire, Minnesota, remaining three years; thence to Minneapolis. Three years later he went to Chicago, and the next year returned to his native country. In 1878 he again became a resident of Minneapolis dealing in flour and feed at 926 First Avenue south. His wife was Annie M. Oleson, whom he married in 1880.

Isaiah Tidd was born March 1th, 1827, at Passadumkeag. Penobscot county, Maine. En- gaged in lumbering there until 1851; he then came to St. Anthony, and in the fall of 1852 went up the Ram river exploring for Blaisdell and Jackins. He was lumbering for them three years, and was with a brother in business seven years. He joined the North Star Barrel Company in 1879, and in 1880 bought into the East Side Co-operative Company as a cooper. Ile was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Fleatham, a native of New York, August 13th, 1851. This was the first marriage in Minneapolis township.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

They bave two children: Etta May and William R.

J. B. Tinkelpangh is a native of Luzerne conn- ty. Pennsylvania, born in 1827. His early years were passed in mechanical pursuits, in the states of New York and Indiana. Ile came to Minne- apolis in 1857, and as a mechanic was engaged in the erection of some of the first buildings in this city and Anoka. In 1863, removed to Mich- igan, and three years later went to Bates county, Missouri, where he resided eight years. In 1877, returned to this city. and has since been manufacturing confectionery in East Minneapolis.

Felix Tissot was born December 21st, 1834, in Lyons, France, in which city he was partially ed- ncated. In 1854, he came to America. and after a brief visit to St. Anthony, repaired to the Bar- rens. St. Mary's College Mission, where he com- pleted his theological education, and on the fifteenth of August, 1858, was ordained at Du- buque, Iowa, after which he was stationed at Wabasha in charge of all the parishes in Waba- sha and Goodhne counties until his removal to Minneapolis in 1866.

E. M. Titterud was born in Norway, January 17th, 1833. Learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country, and in 1866. eame to the United States. Settled in Minneapolis, and after being a journeyman for Dillingham and Veazie a short time, he started a shop of his own in which he still continues at 1110 Washington Avenue sonth. Ile was married in 1866 to Miss O. B. Berg, a native of Norway. They have had eight children. five now living .

O. II. Titus was born in Onondaga county, New York, February 10th, 1849. Ile came to Afton, Minnesota, in 1865 and remained one year and returned to New York. In April 1871, came to Minneapolis, and was with the Pillsburys eight months; then was with G. II. Christian in the Washburn B mill one year; thenee to Chicago where he ran the State mill one year. Was also engaged in milting in other places and returned to this city in 1878. Ile was employed in the Zenith mill three months, then entered the P'ettit mitt where he has since remained as stone-dresser. Ile married Emma Lamson. November 17th, 1872. Albert II. and Carrie, are the children.

Julius C. Todd was born in Alabama, Sep- tember 30th, 1847. Ile is of African descent

and was a slave in the south until released by President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation. In 1864 he came north to Minneapolis, where he has since resided. Ile is now doing a prosperous business as an expressman.

R. C. Todd was born at Wilkesbarre, Pennsyl- vania, December 24th, 1818. He became familiar with the mason's trade at Newark, New Jersey, in 1833, and commenced business as a contractor in 1847, which he still follows. Was a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, seven years, removing to Madison: thence to Red Wing, Minnesota. Located at Minneapolis in 1870, and has superin- tended the ereetion of nearly all the principal buildings in the city which have been erected since his coming. Some of them are: Harden- bergh mill, First National Bank, Warner's block, Harrison's block and others. He was united in marriage in 1841, to Miss Mary J. Agens, of Plainfield New Jersey.

A. Tollefson is a native of Norway, born Feb- rnary 3d, 1837. At the age of fourteen he learned carpentering, and has followed it since. He came to America in 1861, locating at Lansing, Iowa. Ile built thirteen churches at and near that town. In partnership with his brother, dealt in lumber in connection with his trade, from 1872 until 1878. Ile removed to Minneapolis in 1878, and las sinee been doing a fine business as contractor and builder. Married Miss B. Knutson, of Norway, in 1860, who has borne him three sons and three daughters. Residence, 900 Fourteenth Avenue south.

L. Toscany, proprietor of the Quebec House, is a native of France, born in 1842, and came to the United States at two years of age. In 1874, removed to Minneapolis from Bay City, Michi- gan, where he had resided fifteen years in the ho- tel business. Ile has been proprietor of the Quebec Ilouse since May 15th, 1880. It is lo- eated at 228 First street north.

L. M. Towne was born in Kent county Miehi- gan, July 17th, 1857. Became a resident of La Crosse in 1865 where he remained until coming to Minneapolis in 1874. Worked for the North- western Telegraph Company until December. 1879, when he bought stock in the Telephone Company, and was first treasurer, which position he held till the election of Mr. C. II. Prior. Mr. Towne is at present, auditor of the company.

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

Gustaf Edward Tornevist was born in Wester- gotland. Sweden. November 27th. 1850. Attend- ed the Lyceum at Stockholm, where he studied Uwology, Came to America in August. 1877, and went to California as a missionary to the Scandinavians. In 199 returned to Chicago, was ordained and went back to San Francisco, where he remained until August. ISSO. He then re- erived a call from the congregation at Minneapo- lis. and at once look charge.

F. E. Towers, M. D., was born at Richmond. Vermont, March 6th. 1851. He was educated at Barre. Vermont. graduating from the Goddard l'niversity at that place in 1572. Ile studied medicine at Burlington Veterinary Medical Col- Joe and graduated from the State University of New York with the degree of medical doctor. After graduating he studied one year with Pro- for A. D. Loomis. M. D. taking a special course in physical diagnosis. He practiced in Corry. Pennsylvania, four and one-half years, coming to Minneapolis in May, Isso. where he has since practiced. Located 1119 Washington

. 1. Towers was born at Richmond. Vermont. september 11th. 1553. After receiving a liberal education in his native town he went to New York city in ISTI where he worked one year. He then went to New Jersey, being engaged in the ding business, In 1577 he went to New Orleans and after a short stay returned to his old home, remaining until 1650. He located in Minneapo- lis in June of the same year and started in the boot and show trade, at 1119 Washington Avenue

O. V. Touslev, superintendent of public schools in Minneapolis, was born at Clarendon. Orleans county, New York, March 11th. 1531. He was educated at the common school. Albion Academy. two years at Olerlin. Ohio, and at Williams Col- lege where he graduated in 1951. While in col- lege he studied law, and after graduation went to Albany, New York, into the office of Hill. Cag- ger and Porter. Soon after was admitted to the bạn and spent some tune reading law , history, and in general study in the state library. The next thicc yous he spent a4thng up the estate of los father who had died a number of years before. His mother died when he was this teen years of age In I, he came west, stopping for a time in Ili-

nois and lowa. He invested his patrimony in such channels as to turn his attention from law to teaching, and went to Tennessee where he taught two years. When war was breaking out he came to Indiana, and at New Albany taught in Tous- ley's Academy for ten years. In 1869 he came to Minneapolis and entered the office of Judge Atwater. remaining abont six months when he was called to take charge of the high school, and in 1871, was appointed superintendent of the city schools to take the place of Professor lliskey, deceased. Since that time he has continued to raise the standard of the schools, until now Minneapolis has one of the linest systems of schools in the I'nited States. Professor Tousley was married in 1858 to Miss Susan S. Toll.

G. B. Townsend was born at Jay, Maine, May 2d. 1845. Ile lived with his parents on the farm until sixteen, then went to Massachusetts and worked one season on a farm and returned. In 1864, enlisted in the Thirty-first Maine. Re- ceived his discharge at the end of eighteen months, having participated in many of the hard- est fought battles of the war. He returned home, and the next year went to Portland, Maine, and attended the Bryant and Stratton Business Col- lege. In 1877, located at Minneapolis, engaging in different occupations for one year, then was employed by C. A. Pillsbury. His position at the Excelsior mill is that of shipping elerk and salesman.

C. W. Tracy was born in Windsor county, Ver- mont, in June, 1817. Remained There until the age of fifteen. then went to New York city and engaged in the produce. commission and whole- sale grocery business for four years. He then removed to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and remained in grain speculations until coming to Minneapo- lis in 1876. In the fall of that year entered the Millers' Association. In January, 1880, took charge of " Elevator AA" for the Minneapolis Ele- vator Company, and has since held the position of superintendent. He was married in May, 1871. to Miss Mary E. Durkee of Vermont. Their children are Martha, Sherman and Min- nie 1,40.

August Traeger is a native of Prussia, born August 1th, 1821. Came to the United States in 1862. and worked at tin-smithing in Ohio three years; then removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana,

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

thence to Decatur, where he attended to hard- ware business until coming to Minneapolis in 1866. Ile began the manufacture of eaves- troughs; also sold lightning-rods throughout the country. Since 1879 has been proprietor of a billiard halt and sample room. IIe was mar- to Mary Briske. Their children are Emma A., Maria L., August C., Theresa J., Wilhelm F., Bertha C. Louise P., Charles J. and Adolph G.

James A. Tyler was born at Machias, Maine, in 1851. Came to Minneapolis in the spring of 1872, and learned the carpenter's trade; has since continued in that business. He married Miss Ella L. Wilkins, of Middletown, Massachusetts, in 1879. Residence, 216 Twentieth street north. H. M. Leighton, his partner, is also a native of Maine. They are doing an extensive business as contractors and builders. Office and shop lo- cated on Fifth street between Sixth and Seventh Avennes south.

T. S. Tyler was born in 1837 in New York city. In early life he moved with his parents to Michigan. He has traveled through many of the states engaged in the coopering business. In 1876, removed to Minneapolis, and has lived here since that time. ITe is one of the directors of the Co-operative Barrel Manufacturing Company.

A. Ueland, attorney, a native of Norway, was born February 21st, 1853. He attended school in his native country, came to America, June 1871.and attended a course at Barnard's Busi- ness college. Located at Minneapolis and read law with Judge R. Reynolds; was admitted to the bar in May 1877. He was married in this city to Miss Anna Ohlhouse in 1879. Their union was brief: she died in March 1880. O. G. Ueland. his father, was a member of the Norwegian Parliament from 1833 till the time of his death, in 1870.

John Unsgaard is a native of Norway, born January 14th, 1841. On arriving in the United States, located in Michigan. and dealt in Iomber; thence to Minnesota and worked on a farm two years in Goodhne county. Ile became a resident of Minneapolis in 1870, and for three years was in the employ of L. Day and Sons in lumbering. then for four years worked for different boot and shoe firms. March 20th, 1878. he opened the St. James restaurant at 122 Washington Avenue south. Ile married Anna Hegstad in 1873, who bore him one child, William.

Charles II. Upton, of the firm of Lockwood, Upton and Company, was born in Maine, June, 1830. He learned the trade of machinist with P. Muzzy at Bangor, Maine. Ile worked one year in Boston, and came to Minneapolis in the spring of 1858. A shop was opened under the firm name of Scott and Morgan, which was burned in 1862. Went to Montana and remained two years, returning to this city at that time. IIe was foreman of the St. Anthony Iron Works un- til 1879, after which he became a member of the present firm. Ile was married in 1857 to Maria Fenton. Their children are: Ilorace C., Harvey L., Robert, George and Mabel.

Franklin M. Upham was born at Chelmsford, Massachusetts, in 1846. Received his education at Lowell commercial school. In 1866, went to Arlighton. and engaged in the wholesale meat and provision business; he remained about eleven years, having a very successful trade. He came to Minneapolis in 1878 and purchased a building site on the east side near the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Short Line railway. Ile returned to his native state and disposed of his property there; on returning, he formed the company of Upham, Wyman and Company, who built a large refining house, and are now doing an extensive business. At the age of twenty-one his sole property consisted of one horse and wagon. Ilis business now amounts to $150,000 annually. Was married to Miss Mary Lawrence. in 1874. They have two children. Laura and Mary.

R. P. Upton was born at Dixmont, Penobscot county, Maine. December 9th. 1820. Came to St. Anthony in Jime, 1850. and started a nursery and poultry-yard on Nicollet Island in the spring of 1851; the summer following he opened a gro- cery on Main street. He conducted the nursery two years, and in 1853 added to his grocery a general variety. The next year he went into partnership with Rollins and Eastman in a flour- ing mill, under the firm name of Roll ns. Upton and Eastman. After three year's existence the firm changed: Upton and Brother owned one- halt interest in the mill. In 1858, removed to Kingston, Meeker county, and ran a mill four years. During the Indian outbreak he built a stockade around his mill, and continued to run it. In 1862 Ire returned to Minneapolis, and the next year took a trip to Nevada, remaining five years.

HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

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Nathan Clark, of the United States army. Their union has been blessed with twelve children. seven of whom are living. Elizabeth A., who married 1T. V. Hall and resides at Honolulu: Horatio seymour, who married Miss Harriet Hemiup ; Mortimer, who married Miss Sarah Adams of Providence: Samuel Houston. Paul Ledyard, who married Miss Alice Davis of Minneapolis ; John Bisley and Carl Ernest. Mrs. Van Cleve is a lady of refinement and great force of character. she was one of the original founders of the "Sis- terhood of Bethany." Since its formation she has held the position of president. and through her activity and zeal has enlisted the active sym- pathy of a large community. She is one who is heartily in sympathy with every undertaking which tends to enlighten and elevate society.

Charlotte Onisconsin Van Cleve is the daughter of Nathan Clark, of Houston, Massachusetts, and Charlotte A. Clark, of Hartford, Conneeti- (11. Her father was major of the Fifth Regiment of I'nited States Infantry. Early in the spring of 1-19 his regiment was ordered from near Buf- falo, New York, to Fort Crawford (Prairie du- Chien . at that time far beyond the limits of civi- lization. and "almost out of the world." Mrs. Clark, though in delicate health, with her little son, accompanied him through the trackless and unknown country, the journey being made in goverment wagons, and the time consumed in traveling from Buffalo to Fort Crawford. covering two months. And here, on the banks of the Mis- «Issippi. in the rude frontier fort, less than one hour after their arrival, little Charlotte, the sub- jest of this sketch. first opened her eyes and began the battle of life. Poor little girl, it looked fot a time as though the odds of the battle were all against her: for what with a mother too feeble 10 aflord her proper nourishment, and not a cow within possible reaching distance of them, she Was obliged to eke out a precarious existence on a kind of manufactured pap, prepared from the 11 im furnished by the government for the fort, 1 ut which had been water-soaked in transporta- tion, until the green mould stood three inches deep around the sales of the barrel. But too much work was in waiting for those little hands, and so in spite of privations and hardships, she wed an I prospered.

Hier a few weeks rest at Fort Crawford, the

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649

BIOGRAPHICAL.

regiment embarked on keel boats, and proceeded up the Mississippi, their destination being the present site of Fort Snelling. This part of the journey occupied six weeks. As they were the pioneers they lived in their boats till they could build better quarters. Charlotte's life continued to be that of a soldier's child in fort and eamp until her sixteenth year, when she lost her father, Major Clark dying at fort Winnebago. Know- ing that he must die, and feeling distressed at the idea of leaving his young and helpless family alone, without any natural protector, so far from kindred or friends, he begged that the engage- ment between his young daughter, and one of his officers, might be consummated by marriage immediately after his death. And so Charlotte Clark, not quite sixteen years old, became the wife of Horatio P. Van Cleve, ten years her sen- jor. Thus early she took up the heavy burden of work and care never to lay it down till she lies down with it in her grave.

Since her marriage. her life has been filled with varied experiences of change of home, long journeys, "always with a baby in my arms," she says, hard work as a frontier farmer's wife, sor- row and joy. Since 1856 her steady home has been in Minnesota. Twelve children have been born to this household, three of whom died in infancy. The oldest son was instantly killed, some eighteen years since, in California. The shoek of this terrible bereavement, added to anxiety for her husband, then in the army, so wronght upon nervous system as in a few months to bleach her hair to its present snowy whiteness and seriously impair her hearing.

One daughter, the wife of Mortimer Thomp- son (Doesticks), died leaving an infant only a few days old, which her mother took to her breast with her own child of the same age, nurs- ing and rearing the two like twins. The remain- ing daughter, the wife of II. V. Hall, has her home in the Sandwich Islands. Six grown sons are settled in business, all living in Hennepin county.

While her own children were yet young, she felt called upon to add to her already large family. which, from the first included a young sister left homeless by her father's death, the six orphan children of her brother, all of whom have grown up in her house, and taken their places in business

life. Later, another motherless infant girl was brought home to her arms and care. This little one, now six years old is still with her, so that her busy life bas included mother care of twenty- one children.

Yet, filled to overflowing, as her hands, head and heart have always been, of her own household duties, she has found time to listen to and assist, with sympathy, advice and material aid, an end- less procession of sorrowing and distressed hu- manity. There is probably no woman in the state who has done more to lighten the burdens on the shoulders of the poor, the sick, the aged and the distressed than Mrs. Van Cleve. Her benevolence is of the active type which leads her to throw herself heart and soul into each indi- vidual case, nor is she easily turned aside by discovering that the poverty or suffering which she is called upon to relieve, is the result of the bad management, intemperance or sin of the suf- ferer. While glad to aid the Lord's poor, she has great faith in the elevating and reformatory in- fluence of kindness and encouragement on the Devil's poor as well. The past is past: "if you will heh> yourself i will help you," is the spirit in which she meets all applicants. Referring once to her sympathy for tramps, and her efforts to aid some of them, she explained it by saying, "but you know I came so near being born a tramp myself."

This by no means covers her work. An easy speaker, a ready writer, she has devoted a great deal of her time and strength to the cause of Foreign Missions. She has canvassed the state with marked snecess for the past several years lecturing and organizing Women's Foreign Mis- sion societies, auxiliary to the Presbyterian so- ciety, and holds the office of vice-president for the synod of Minnesota, in connection with that denomination.

But, though after the straightest manner of her sect, a Presbyterian, her views are broad and her nature genial, so that she joins hands readily with christians of whatever name, Catholic or Protestant in the prosecution of any good work. She literally sows beside all waters, and so to-day we find her sending her daughter or her beloved Sunday-school scholar across the ocean on a for- eign mission, and to-morrow traveling in hot haste to bring the priest to minister to the dying

HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

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from the platform and by personal appeal; cheer- fully taking censure. ridicule or relmuff. having that rare and happy faculty so necessary to sue- ress, of always turning a deaf ear towards the faultfinder, and the sharp. quick ear toward the voice that offered aid.

This work has constantly called her to the jail, the prison. the penitentiary, the variety theatre, the low dark haunts of sin, to all of which she has gone fearlessly and come away unharmed. leaving behind her the perfume of the "good word fitly spoken."

The lesson to be learned from Mrs. VanCleve's life is that neither wealth nor high station, nor a life of freedom from the common cares incident to the life of women, are necessary to the accom- plislument of great good. But the cheerful smile, the loving heart and the willing. industrious hand, all dedicated to the service of God and humanity, makes a power whose influence for good. like the influence of the subject of this sketch. only an eternity can measure.

S. H. Van Cleve, son of General Van Cleve, was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan. May 21st, 1-53. Moved to Todd county, Minnesota, with his parents, and thener to Minneapolis in 186). He passed five years on the Sandwich Islands, and three years in the study of medicine. Atten led the schools of Minneapolis, the State University, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York in March. 1880. With Ilie exception of the eight years mentioned, he lived in this city since eight years of age.

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History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 111

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