History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 66

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 547

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and re-elected in 1881. Mr. Flynn has a family of five children, three boys and two girls.

MAHLON FARMIN, one of the oldest settlers of Houston county, was born in Dodge county, Wis- consin, on the 20th of June, 1840. He resided with his parents in that State till May, 1857, when the whole family moved to this county, settling on a farm near the village of Houston, where they have ever since resided. When but a little over twenty-one years of age Mahlon's young heart prompted him to join the ranks of the Union army in defense of his country, and on the 27th of January, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry; participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, as well as in several minor engagements, and was honorably dis- charged in the spring of 1865. Mr. Farmin's health was materially and permanently injured in the service of his country, still, unlike thou- sands less deserving, he has never sought the solace of the pension list. Returning to his home near Houston, in July, 1866, he married Miss Josephine Swenson. This happy union has been blessed with five children, three of whom are living. Mr. Farmin, in the early days of the history of this county, endeared himself to his new neighbors, and has, almost ever since the close of the war, been honored with positions of trust and respon- sibility by the people of his town. In the fall of 1880, without his seeking, he was nominated and elected to the office of Register of Deeds, when he removed with his family to the village of Cal- edonia. In all the varied aspects of life Mr. Farmin has proved himself a true man, a kind husband and father, a sterling, unselfish citizen, and a competent and faithful officer.

WALTER GOERGEN is a son of Philip Goergen, a German custom officer, and dates his birth in 1848, in Luxemburg. Coming to America in 1864, he came directly to Caledonia and was employed for several years at farming. Then removed to Black Hammer and remained two years, during which time he was a member of the board of Su- pervisors, and Clerk of the school district. On the 25th of May, 1873, he was united in marriage, in the latter place, with Miss Isabella O. Hamery. Mr. Goergen returned to this place in 1874, was elected Sheriff in the fall of 1878, and re-elected in 1880; has also held the office of Assessor. He has a family of four children.

DANIEL HAINZ dates his birth in the year 1828,

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in Germany, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. At the age of twenty years he came to America, and was employed at his trade in Buf- falo, New York, two years, then in Cleveland, Ohio, and other places in that State about four years. Then, after a residence of one year in Indianapolis, Indiana, came to Caledonia in 1855. Mr. Hainz's was the first, and for several years the only shoe shop in the place. He now carries a stock of about $1,500, and employs three men in his custom department. He has been twice mar- ried, first to Miss Wilhelmina Rau, by whom he had three children. His present wife was Mrs. Maria Dibble, who has borne him two children.

WILLIAM H. HARRIES, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born on the 15th of January, 1843. He attended the public schools, and on the 18th of April, 1861, enlisted in Company B, of the Second Wisconsin volunteer infantry, "Iron Brigade." He was severely wounded in the left breast, at Antietam, on the 17th of September, 1862, and thereafter promoted to First Lieutenant; and on the death of the Captain at Spottsylvania Court House, assumed command of his company. He was discharged on the 30th of June, 1864, but soon after re-enlisted in General Hancock's corps. Was commissioned Captain on the 21st of Decem- ber, 1864, and served until mustered out on the 17th of April, 1866. He then went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and entered the law school of the Mich- igan State University, where he graduated in the spring of 1868, and was admitted to the bar in May of the same year. Then came to Hokah and engaged in the active practice of his profession, but removed to Caledonia the same fall and has re- sided here every since. He was united in marriage with Miss Austis L. Dunbar, daughter of Hon. William F. Dunbar, one of the early settlers of Houston county, the ceremony taking place on the 15th of September, 1870. She died on the 7th of June, 1881, leaving five children. Mr. Harries was County Attorney four years, and has held other responsible offices.

PERIANDER A. KROSHUS, son of Andrew P. and Thurine Kroshus, early settlers of Spring Grove, was born on the 15th of February, 1855, in the latter town. He is the eldest of six children, and his advantages for obtaining an education were very limited. Until the spring of 1878, he as- sisted in the farm labor; then came to Caledonia, and has been employed in the various county

offices. He assisted in completing the only ab- stract of titles in the county. Mr. Kroshus filled the position of jailor for eighteen months, and is now Deputy Sheriff and Deputy Clerk of the Dis- trict Court. Previous to the last election for county officers he was a candidate before the re- publican convention, and had next to the highest number of votes on an informal ballot, but with- drew in favor of the successful candidate. He is a courteous young man, and has proved himself a painstaking officer, having become thoroughly ac- quainted with county affairs, the land titles, and all the intricacies of taxation.

GUDBRAND J. LOMEN, the third of five children born to Jorgen G. and Elizabeth (nee Brandt ) Lomen, was born near Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, January 28th, 1854. When eight years old he lost his father. The family in the meantime having moved to Decorah, he enjoyed the benefits of her graded schools, and, when thir- teen years of age, was enrolled as a student in the Norwegian Lutheran College, where he spent six years. After reading law for one year in the office of Messrs. Willett & Wellington, in his native town, he entered the Law Department of the Iowa State University, graduating with "Class '75," and obtaining the degree of L. L. B. and admission to the bar. He soon after removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, remaining six months in the office of T. J. Widvey, Esq., thence to Hokah, Minnesota, and finally to this place, where, in the summer of 1876, he formed a law partnership with W. H. Harries. In the fall of 1877, he was elected to the office of Clerk of the District Court, and in the fall of 1881, re-elected without opposition. On the 27th of May, 1878, at the house of the bride's parents in Manistee, Michigan, he was united in marriage Miss Julia E. M. Joys, the issue of this marriage being two children.

JOHN P. LOMMEN was the first child born in Houston county, his birth dating at Spring Grove, on the 12th of December, 1852. He is a son of Peter J. Lommen, who still resides in the latter place. In 1874, Mr. Lommen, our subject, went to Lanes- boro' and engaged in a mercantile house. He was married on the 29th of October, 1875, to Miss Sarah Temanson, who has borne him two children. After a residence of but one year in the latter place he came to Caledonia, and in company with O. B. Olsen, started a mercantile establisment. In March, 1880, Mr. Olsen retired and Mr. Lommen

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continued the business alone. He carries a stock of $10,000 and does an annual business of about $30,000.

ELIAKIM LAFLIN, deceased, was one of the pio- neers of Houston county, and a native of Massa- chusetts, where his birth occurred the 24th of March, 1800. He removed to Pennsylvania, when a young man, and was there united in marriage with Miss Almira Grover, on the 16th of Septem- ber, 1823. Then, after living in New York and Ohio, engaged in the lumber business, Mr. Laflin came to Michigan in about the year 1838, and five years later to Rock Island county, Illinois. In 1852, he removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, and the following year to Houston county, locating in Winnebago township. In 1859, he came to Cale- donia, where he died on the 21st of May.

AMASA MASON dates his birth the 21st of June, 1828. at Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, where he learned the trade of moulder. He after- ward was employed on the Erie Canal about three years. In 1856, he came to Caledonia, resided in section thirty-six until 1865, when he removed to Fillmore county and engaged in farming six years. Then, after a residence of six years in Elliot, just north of the State line, engaged in the hotel busi- ness, he returned to this place and lived near his old farm in section thirty-six until the fall of 1881, when he came to Caledonia. Mrs. Mason's maiden name was Eliza J. Wheaton. She has borne him nine children, six of whom are living; Emma, May, Effa, Myrta, Minnie, and Alfred.

EUGENE MARSHALL is a native of Massachu- setts, born in North Bridgewater, now known as Brockton, on the 10th of July 1832. He was reared on a farm, and in 1852, came to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin; remained six months and came to Caledonia in April, 1853. There were no fam- ilies within the present corporate limits of Cal- edonia when he came to the place. He located a farm in section thirty-one, Mayville, but resided in Caledonia. He was the first County Surveyor of Houston county, holding the office several years and continuing the business until 1861. He then enlisted in Brackett's Battalion, served four years, , and returned to Caledonia. In November, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Williams, who has borne him four children. They removed to Hancock county, Iowa, in about 1863, and while there Mr. Marshall filled the office of County Surveyor, four years, Superintendent of

schools two years, and for four years acted in the capacity of deputy in the office of the County Treasurer. In December, 1880, he returned to Caledonia and has since occupied the position of cashier in the Caledonia Bank.

MILTON B. METCALF was born in East Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the 19th of August, 1833. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits, and at the age of seventeen years .went to South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts; remained two years and went to Boston, where he learned the trade of a bookbinder. In the spring of 1854, he came to Caledonia, took a claim in section twenty- three but made his home with his brother. Mr. Metcalf was married to Miss Ruth C. Wheaton, who died in December, 1859. He enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served four months, since which time he has lived in the village, at the same time carrying on his farm. He was engaged in the freighting business before the railroad was completed to Caledonia. The maiden name of his present wife was Alice C. McLaren, daughter of Alexander McLaren, one of the pioneers of Brownsville, the ceremony taking place on the 5th of April, 1868, They have two chil- dren, Alexander M. and Elizabeth C.

GEORGE McMICHAEL, a native of Scotland, was was born in the year 1834. He came to Canada when sixteen years of age, and to Brownsville, Minnesota, in 1860. There he engaged in stock and wheat buying until 1863, when he moved to Wabasha, but returned to Brownsville in April, 1864, and followed his former occupation there until 1869, when he removed to Spring Grove, and in September, 1881, came to Caledonia, and has since had charge of the elevator at this place. He was married to Miss Emma Trembley on the 11th of February, 1864. They have one son, George R., born on the 12th of May, 1867.

GEORGE NYE, M. D., was born in La Porte, In- diana, on the 12th of March, 1845. He has been in the practice of medicine constantly since 1868. After graduating he became a member of the National Eclectic Association. He commenced practice in Papillion, Sarpy county, Nebraska, where he formed the acquaintance of:Miss Rose L. Maryatt, a graduate of Milton College, Wis- consin, who became his wife soon after. In 1874, he came to New Albin, Iowa, where he resided and practiced his profession till February, 1877. He removed to Riceford, Houston county, and

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thence to Caledonia in December, 1879. They have had four children, two of whom are living, Jennie May,aged six years, and Charles Jesse,aged two years.

JAMES O'BRIEN, County Attorney of Houston county, was born in the county of Wicklow, Ire- land, in 1837, and came to America with his parents at the age of twelve years. They settled in Clark county, Ohio, where he attended school for a time, when he successively went to college at Somerset, Ohio; Bardstown, Kentucky; and St. Louis, graduating at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1859. He then commenced the study of law in the office of Major Daniel Mace, Ex-Member of Congress, at La Fayette, where he continued until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861. He then returned to Notre Dame, where he became professor of Greek and Latin, and in 1863, Governor Morton tendered him the commission of Major in the Thirty-fifth Indiana Regiment. This he declined in favor of a friend. He was then appointed recruiting officer to vari- ous Irish Regiments in Illinois and Indiana. About the close of the war he returned to his favorite occupation, teaching classics, at Sinsinawa Mound College, Grant county, Wisconsin, where he continued until he resumed the study of law in Dubuque, where he was admitted to practice in 1867. In 1866, he married the daughter of Cap- tain Lyons, at Galena, Illinois. After his admis- sion, he formed a law partnership with L. H. Cady, which continued until his removal to Lan- sing, Iowa, in 1868. In the summer of 1870, he settled in Caledonia, where he has since continued to reside. In 1873, Mr. O'Brien was elected County Attorney, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge John H. Smith, and re- elected in 1874, '76, and '80. He was a compro- mise candidate for District Judge in the conven- tion which nominated Judge Farmer in place of Page. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have had nine chil- children, eight of whom are living.

JAMES OSTRANDER was born in Chenango county, New York, on the 11th of June, 1840. In early childhood he came with his parents to Michigan, thence to La Crosse, where his father was foreman of the old "National Democrat" office. In 1856, James entered as an apprentice, remaining until the family removed to Hokah in 1857. There Mr. Ostrander purchased the paper, changing its name to the "Hokah Chief," and James was employed in

the office till August, 1862. He then enlisted in Company K, of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served till August, 1865, when the regiment was mustered out at Fort Snelling. After returning to Hokah he clerked in his father's store until the building of the Southern Minnesota railroad, when he entered the employ of the com- pany and was the first brakeman on the road. He remained with them one year, returned to Hokah and entered the first store in the place, owned by John Sume; was afterward Deputy Sheriff and Turnkey for two years. He then went to Albert Lea and was engaged in the "Standard" office. On the 31st of December, 1875, Miss Katie E. Latham, of that. place, became his wife. She has borne him two children, both of whom are living. Since July, 1881, Mr. Ostrander has been a resi- dent of Caledonia, and editor of the "Journal."

ELLING K. RUVERUD, County Auditor, and a res- ident of Houston county since the spring of 1867, is a native of Norway, born on the 2d of Novem- ber, 1852. He came to America with his parents when about fourteen years of age, and settled in Spring Grove, He attended the Normal School at Winona for two years, and graduated in 1876; then went to Iowa and entered the college at De- corah, remaining one year. For two years Mr. Roverud was principal of the schools at Spring Grove, in which place he was married to Miss Martha Blexrud, daughter of one of the old set- tlers, the ceremony dating the 12th of November, 1879. In the fall of 1880, he was elected County Auditor, and moved to Caledonia. They have one child, a daughter.

JOHN F. RUSSELL is a son of James and Sally (Pratt ) Russell, his birth dating at Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence county, New York, the 27th of June, 1840. His grandfather, William Russell, was a Captain in the English navy, who, during the Revolution, repeatedly tendered his resignation, but its acceptance was sternly refused. His sym- pathy was with the Americans, and consequently he deserted from the British forces and came to lend his assistance in establishing the Indepen- dence of America, taking an active part in the final successful struggle. The father of our sub- ject was an ordained minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and, aside from his pastoral duties, worked at his trade, that of carpenter and builder, which employment he followed until his death, which occurred in his thirty-seventh year.

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His widow, with seven young children, was, (be- sides the grief of the untimely loss of a kind husband and father ) left in very limited circum- etances, wherefore the subject of this sketch was obliged to share an orphan's lot among strangers, dependent upon his own exertions for a livelihood and acquirement of a common school education. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, Mr. Russell en- listed in Company G, of the Sixteenth New York Volunteer Infantry, under the first call for troops, and was in all the principal engagements of the army of the Potomac during the first two years of the war; was wounded four times and captured once. He was discharged in 1863, with the rank of Sergeant, but was afterwards in the government employ as Clerk in the commissary department; then as night overseer of the govern- ment bakery at Alexandria, Virginia, and finally in the Construction Corps, engaged in bridge building. He was at City Point, Virginia, at the time of the explosion of the Union barge. "Gen. Mead," and escaped death by having, only a mo- ment previous, taken shelter from the sun in the shade of a pile of oat sacks. Mr. Russell was made a mason in Alexandria Lodge (the lodge room in which George Washington once presided. ) Subsequently he became a member of Lebanon Lodge No. 7, Washington, D. C., which is still his Masonic home. Since 1865, when he came to this county,he has become associated with, and assisted in the organization of lodges of this and other or- ders, both in Houston and Winona counties. He was employed in the railroad shops at Hokah, as car builder, and later as general superintendent of all departments in the shops, which position he held until 1875, when he was nominated and elected County Treasurer, to which office he has twice been re-elected with overwhelming majorities; was also Democratic nominee for State Treasurer in 1881.

In May, 1867, he was joined in marriage with Miss Alida Swenson, a native of Sweden, who emigrated and settled with her parents in this county nearly thirty years ago. The fruits of this union are four sons and three daughters.

JAMES H. ROYCE, a native of New York, was born in Eagle Harbor, on the 22d of March, 1844. His father was a wagon-maker, and James was employed with him for some time, the family moving to Walworth county, Wisconsin, when our subject was five years old, where he remained until 1863. He was married in the latter place

on the 12th of September, 1863, to Miss Maria Clark. They moved to Waukon, Iowa, where Mr. Royce was dealing in live stock until 1875, then to Cresco, two years, engaged in selling farm machinery. In 1877, he came to Houston county, locating in Spring Grove, and again devoted his time to the stock business, which he has since con- tinued, coming to Caledonia in the fall of 1881. Mrs. Royce died on the 12th of April, 1881, leav- ing four children; Origin, Anna, James H., and Charles.

HENRY M. ROLLINS is a native of Bristol, New Hampshire, where his birth occurred on the 4th of February, 1844. He came with his parents to Caledonia when a child, and has always made it his home. On the 24th of December, 1866, he was married to Miss Ellen L. Evans. They moved to his farm in section thirty-five, remaining till 1878, when Mr. Rollins entered the Post-office as clerk. In August, 1880. he received an appoint- ment in the railway mail service as route agent, which position he still fills, running from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Dell Rapids, Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Rollins are the parents of three chil- dren, Fred. H., George L., and Charles A.

ARA DAVID SPRAGUE, one of the early settlers and the founder of the first permanent mercantile establishment in Caledonia, is a son of David and Anna (Cunningham ) Sprague. He is of Scotch Irish extraction, his grandfather emigrating from the old country, and settling in New England be- fore the Revolution. His father moved from Massachusetts to the state of New York when a young man, and there, in Richfield, Otsego county, Ara D. was born, on the 29th of January, 1824. When he was eleven years old the family moved to Exeter, in the same county. David Sprague was a farmer, and the son worked at home until twenty years of age, supplementing a common school education with three terms at a select school. Receiving kind blessings from his father, with about twenty-five dollars from sundry earnings during his boyhood, he left the home fireside in 1845, to enter on the campaign of life in earnest. Investing his all in patent medicines; he com- menced peddling, his field being the western part of New York, Pennsylvania, and a few of the Western States. He continued in this business three years, meeting with uniform success. In 1850, Mr. Sprague pushed westward and com- menced selling notions at wholesale, having sup-

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plied himself with a wagon drawn by a four horse team; but was soon taken with one of the most severe attacks of Inflammatory Rheumatism, with which he was laid up for two years, expending every dollar of his own means and about six hun- dred of borrowed money for medical assistance, but at last succeeded in regaining his health. In these embarassing circumstances he went to Chi- cago, and through his acquaintance with business men there he was enabled to resume his former occupation, which he continued until the autumn of 1854, when he located in Caledonia. Here he purchased four lots and a house and commenced trading on a small scale, in a log cabin. In 1857, he built a frame store, enlarged his stock, and was, during the financial crisis of those years, about the only merchant within the limits of the county, continuing in the general mercantile business until a few years ago, when he changed his stock to hardware, his nephews conducting the one in the former line. In June, 1857, he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Ella Williams, who was born in Adams county, Illinois, the 26th of March, 1838. The issue of their marriage is four children, Anna Catherine, Arthur De Witt, Ellsworth Ara, and Robert David, all of whom are at home. In June, 1875, Mr. Sprague opened a bank here in company with J. C. Easton, of Chatfield, they being the only bankers in the county. He was one of the organizers of the Chicago, Milwaukee and West- ern Railroad Company (narrow guage) and it is freely admitted that it is due to his energy and means that Caledonia to-day has a railroad. He is the largest real estate owner and tax payer in the county, owning thirty-eight improved farms, besides wild lands in this and other counties. The aggregate amounts to over thirty thousand acres, and the taxes are about five thousand dollars per annum. Though well advanced in years, Mr. Sprague is still enjoying fair health and activity, and remains, as usual, the manager-in-chief of all his business, from the minor to the greatest trans- actions. It is not uncommon to see him around with a pitchfork or shovel, assisting his hired man in manual labor.

THOMAS R. STEWART, a son of Edwin H. Stew- art, the oldest living settler in Caledonia, is a na- tive of South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, born on the 6th of December, 1841. He came here in 1853, with his parents, and has always made it his home. In November, 1862, he enlisted in Com-

pany G, of the First Minnesota Mounted Ran- gers; served till the 28th of November, 1863, and in February, 1865, re-enlisted in the Twenty-third Illinois Regiment, serving till the following August, when he returned to Caledonia. In Sep- tember, 1866, he was married to Miss Ruth H. Prentiss,a native of Roscoe, Illinois; for several years after returning to this place, Mr. Stewart was en- gaged in farming, but has resided in the village for the past few years, engaged in house-painting. He has given considerable attention to drawing during the past year, and has developed a rare degree of artistic talent. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are the parents of five children.

PETER STEENSTRUP was born in 1841, in Ger- many, where he learned the watchmaker's trade. In 1862, he came to America, and three weeks after arriving in Chicago, enlisted in the Eighty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and served three years. After receiving his discharge he came to Moe, Douglas county, and took a homestead on which he lived six years; then went to St. Paul and was engaged at his trade. Mr. Steenstrup married Miss Paulina Anderson in 1870. She has borne him four children. In 1871, they removed to Fillmore county, thence to Spring Grove, Hous- ton county, where he was engaged in the jewelry business till 1877. Then came to Caledonia, and has since continued in the same occupation.

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 66

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 547

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 547