History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 67

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 67

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P. J. SMALLEY, a native of Erie county, New York, was born on the 25th of December, 1842. In 1846, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and settled in Sheboygan, remaining eleven years, then removed to Manitowoc county. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, of the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and in August, 1863, was commissioned Quartermaster in the Ninety- ninth U. S. Infantry (colored ), serving till May, 1866. In 1865, he was married at New Orleans to Miss Emma G. Winburn, of that placc. After re- ceiving his discharge, he returned to Manitowoc, and continued the study of law, which he had com- menced before entering the army, being admitted to the bar in 1868. Mr. Smalley then went to New Orleans, and later to St. Louis, where he prac- ticed his profession two years, after which he re- turned to Manitowoc and engaged in manufactur- ing for three years. He afterward devoted his at- tention to law, coming to Caledonia in 1875. He entered into a partnership with James O'Brien, which continued until the fall of 1878. He has,

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with slight assistance, made a complete abstract of titles to the county, upon a system devised hy him- self, to satisfy the idea of a lawyer, of what such a work should be. The sole ownership of the "Argus," and its editorial management, fell upon him in the fall of 1880, by the dissolution of the firm of H. D. Smalley & Co. It has trebled its circulation under his direction. Seven of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smalley are iiving.

JAMES SMITH, the first settler of Spring Grove, and also an early settler in this place, dates his birth on the 20th of April, 1831. He was reared on a farm, and when quite young learned the printing business at which he was engaged in various places. On the 26th of January, 1854, he was united in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth Lan- drum, who was born in Grant county, Kentucky, on the 21st of June, 1835, and removed to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in 1843, where the marriage took place. The following April they came to Spring Grove, making a claim in section eleven. The first few years Mr. Smith spent a portion of each at Lansing, Iowa, engaged in printing. In 1859, they removed to Caledonia and resided till 1862, when he enlisted in the Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and served thirteen months; re-enlisted in the Twenty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving till the close of the war. He then returned to this village and engaged in the real estate busi- ness for about two years, then, in company with P. P. Wall and others, purchased the "Houston County Journal," which had a few months pre- viously been removed from Hokah. Messrs. Smith and Wall conducted its publication for the company a short time, then bought the interests of the others and continued it alone two years, when Mr. Smith sold his interest and has since given his at- tention to his several farms and money loaning. In 1876, he made a trip to Dakota where he invested quite extensively in real estate, to which his son devotes his attention. Mr. Smith has held the office of County Commissioner and several local offices. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed with three children, George M., Frank H., and Sarah B.

JOSEPH VOSSEN, a resident of this county since July, 1858, was born in Cologne, Germany, on the 23d of June, 1840. He came to Caledonia direct from the "Old Country," and with the excep- tion of two years in the township, has always lived in the village. In 1865, he opened a liquor

and grocery store which he continued till 1873. Mr. Vossen was Town Clerk in 1867 and '68, and when the village was incorporated, in 1870, was elected Trustee and has held the office most of the time since. He was also elected Clerk of the Court in 1870, re-elected in 1874, and since 1878 has been Deputy Clerk of the District court. In April, 1880, he was re-elected Trustee, and also elected village Justice. In May of the same year he visited his native country by way of Paris and other European cities.

Mr. Vossen was one of the original incorpor- ators of the Caledonia and Mississippi Railway Company in 1874. In 1877, he was nominated by the Democratic party for Judge of Probate, but defeated in the election by J. W. Cook, the Re- publican candidate, by 272, against a Republi- can majority of nearly 500 voters. In 1878, he was elected Secretary of the Caledonia and Mississippi Railway Company, filling the position until the railroad passed into the hands of the Chicago, Clin- ton, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad Company in 1879. He was nominated by the Democratic party for County Treasurer in 1881, but defeated by H. Snure, the Republican candidate, by 318 votes against a Republican majority of 354.

OWEN J. WEIDA was born on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1841, at Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania. His father was a butcher, and Owen worked with him till the capture of Fort Sumpter, which aroused him to enlist in the First Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three months, then re-enlisted in the Forty-seventh Regiment, and served till the close of the war. He then was engaged at various places till 1867, when he came to Caledonia. In 1870, he com- menced the butcher business, shipping some live stock. His business has increased very rapidly, and now he ships about one hundred carloads of stock annually, and slaughters about four beeves a week. Mr. Weida has been twice married, first to Miss Helen R. Bass. His present wife was Miss Jennie Sweet, who has borne him two children, David O. and Livingston.

BENJAMIN B. WEBSTER is a native of Alexandria, Grafton county, New Hampshire, and dates his birth the 22d of April, 1841. At the age of eleven years he removed with his parents to Chautauqua county, New York, and the following year his father came to Caledonia and made a claim in sec- tion twenty-four. . On the 25th of December,

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1864, Mr. Webster married Miss Sallie A. Whea- ton. They resided on the old homestead till afterhis father's death, which occurred on the 26th of Oc- tober, 1873. Our subject still owns the farm, but has made his home in the village since 1878. His mother's maiden name was Johanna Lock; she has had three children, Benjamin being the only one now living. He has seven children. Mr. Webster has conducted a billiard hall for the past few years.

HUDSON WHEATON is a native of Carroll, Chau- tauqua county, New York, born on the 16th of February, 1840. He came to Caledonia in 1859, and learned the carpenter trade, which has since been his occupation, and since 1866, he has been doing business on his own account. Miss Fanny E. Bean became his wife on the 14th of July, 1867. She has borne him two children, Herbert E. and Jesse T.

SPAFFORD WILLIAMS, one of the early settlers of Houston county and now the popular proprie- tor of the Barnes House, is a native of Madison county, New York, where his birth occurred the 18th of August, 1829. When seven years of age he moved with his parents to Jefferson county, re- maining there till coming to Minnesota in 1854, and locating in Money Creek, where he took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. He after- ward added to his farm until the whole aggrega- ted four-hundred and fifty acres. He was mar- ried to Miss Martha J. Downing, a native of Weare, New Hampshire, on the 30th of January, 1850. In July, 1874, he purchased his present hotel and has since made it a popular resort for the traveling public. Mr. Williams sold a part of his lands at Money Creek before coming here, and has since disposed of the remainder. Of three children born to this union but one is living, Fred R., now in Janesville, Minnesota. One died in infancy, and another at the age of five years.

GEORGE B. WINSHIP was born in Saco, Maine, in 1847. When he was three years old his par- ents came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in January, 1857, to La Crescent. George attended school until the age of thirteen years, since which time a printing office has been his only school. In 1860, the "La Crescent Plaindealer" newspaper was established, in which office he worked as an apprentice. In 1863, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry and served two years and three months, until the close of the war. In 1868 and '69, he published, in

Winnipeg, Manitoba, a paper called the "North- wester." The following year he was engaged in a store at Fort Pembina. In the spring of 1871, he built the first house on the Turtle River, a trib- utary of the Red River, about fourteen miles from Grand Forks, where he resided two years. He afterward was engaged in the printing business in St. Paul for three years, and in 1877, came to Cal- eponia and started the "Courier," one of the best papers ever printed in the county, and published the same until May, 1879. He then returned to Grand Forks and established the "Herald," which is now one of the leading papers of the Northwest. His friends here will be pleased to learn of his extra- ordinary success. "The Herald" is published daily and weekly, and aside from this, Mr. Win- ship owns about six-hundred and forty acres of land lying along the railroad fifteen miles from the city.

THOMAS W. BURNS is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Reading in the year 1859. During his. early childhood his parents moved to Lancaster, where he entered the navy when seventeen years old, serving three years. In 1851, he went to California, remained two years and came back as far as Benton, La Fayette county, Wisconsin, and soon after came to this place, buying land of Ralph Young, the first settler here. He left his property in charge of James Price and re- turned to Benton, where he married Miss Macha M. Damron, daughter of James T. Damron, the ceremony taking place the 27th of January, 1856. They moved here the following spring, Mr. Burns adding to his former residence a commodious building for hotel purposes, which, for many years, was crowded with guests, passing to and from Brownsville, where the land office was located. He subsequently bought more land, and in 1868, sold his first farm and soon after purchased property in the village, where he has since lived. He has been engaged in the real estate business since leav- ing the farm. His children are Juliana Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas Vance, a merchant at Minnesota Lake; Evangeline Page, Frances Viola, Lucy E., attending school at Rockford, Illinois, and Macha A., who died in infancy. Mrs. Burns' parents were Virginians, who came to Wisconsin about the time it was organized as a Territory. Her father died the 25th of September, 1862, and her mother re- sides with one of her children.

WELLS E. DUNBAR came to Caledonia the 10th

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of April, 1854, and bought land in sections three and ten. Two years later he deeded it to his father and was engaged in the real estate business, giv- ing some attention to surveying. When only seventeen years old he was Deputy Surveyor, and was twice elected County Surveyor. On the 20th of April, 1864, he married Miss Alice C. Dunbar, of this place, They have heen blessed with two children. Mr. Dunbar was Postmaster from 1864 to '70, Town Clerk two years, and Representative in the Legislature in 1878 and '79. He has been engaged in the insurance business for the past eight years.

OLIVER DUNBAR, another pioneer, is a native of Westerly, Rhode Island, where he was born the 27th of December, 1807. He was united in mar- riage on the 23d of October, 1831, with Miss Mary Ann Mather, the nuptials being celebrated at Suffield, Connecticut. Mr. Dunbar came here in the spring of 1854, and was joined by his wife in the fall. His first investment in real estate after coming was a farm about two miles north- west of the present village, which he owned sev- eral years. Soon after coming he purchased the then partially completed hotel since known as the Barnes House, which he finished, and also built & barn, the first frame barn in the county. In the spring of 1865, they moved to the village, and during the summer built and moved to their pres- ent house. Their children were Rollin, Wells E., Thomas J., Mary A., now Mrs. B. G. Hicks, Katie, now Mrs. N. Newbury, Horace, Francis H., Mary A., who died in Connecticut at the age of five years, and Bertha A., who also died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar celebrated their golden wedding in October, 1881.

MICHAEL MCGINNIS is a native of county Sligo, Ireland. He was married to Miss Bridget Brown about seven years before coming to America. They located in Wilmington in November, 1855, coming to his present home in Caledonia in 1869. Before coming to Minnesota, Mr. McGinnis had charge of large farms in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Of four children born to them, two are living, a son in the hotel business in Lanesboro', and a daughter, now Mrs. Thomas Redden.

WYMAN TRASK was born in Worcester, Massa- chusetts, the 31st of May, 1817. He received an academic education, and afterward read law in Herkimer county, New York, with Judge Gray,

five years after which he was admitted to the bar. At the age of twenty-five years he was married to Miss Frances Sheldon, who has borne him eight children, six of whom are living. In 1848, he moved to Noble county, Indiana, and in 1855, to this State, locating in Brownsville. Two years later he came to Caledonia and built his present home. Until 1866, he was actively engaged in his profession; but in the winter of the latter year, on returning from court, he was caught in a storm and obliged to remain out over night. He took a severe cold, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered, although his mind is as active as ever. He has for many years been Court Commissioner.

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP.

JAMES F. BINGHAM, one of the early settlers of this place, was born in Westport, Essex county, New York, on the 3d of February. 1839. His parents removed to Chautauqua county when the subject of this sketch was quite young. After at- taining manhood, he engaged in farming and lum- bering. He came to Caledonia in 1856, but did not purchase land until 1866, when he located his present farm in section twenty-six. On the 13th of June of the latter year, Miss Mary Wheaton became his wife. They have one child, Clarence, who was born on the 2d of October, 1869.

WILLIAM H. BUNCE, & native of England, was born on the 11th of January, 1820. When he was a child his parents came to America, and located in New York City, where William learned the trade of a cigar-maker. At the age of twenty years he removed to Suffield, Hartford county, Connecticut, where for fifteen years he was en- gaged at his trade. He was married in the latter place to Miss Adelia Mather, the ceremony taking place on the 28th of May, 1843. Mr. Bunce first came to Caledonia in April, 1855, and was employed as agent for eastern parties interested in real estate in this locality. He was County Treasurer at an early day, selling the first land in the county for unpaid taxes, in the year 1859. In 1865, he sold his interest here and returned to Connecticut, remaining in New Haven till 1872, when he returned to Caledonia and purchased land in section twenty-four, which has since been his home. He has a fine farm of one hundred and ten acres.

ELKANA HUYCK is a native of Westerlo, Albany county, New York, where his birth occurred on the

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29th of August, 1833. He resided with his parents until coming to Caledonia in 1855. In 1861, Mr. Huyck purchased his present farm in section twenty-seven, but did not move to it till 1865. In the latter year he was married to Miss Sarah Chamberlin, who for many years was a teacher in this and the adjoining counties.

JOHN J. KAEDER, a native of Prussia, was born on the 25th of March, 1815. He learned the tailor trade in his native country, at which he was en- gaged for some time before coming to America. He was married to Margaret Kier in 1835. They came to America in 1845, remained two years in New York and removed to Milwaukee. Mrs. Kaeder died leaving four children; William, who is a Professor in St. Vincent College, Order of St. Benedict, at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, Bertha, who lives at La Crosse, Wisconsin, Antoin E., now in Carver county, and George G., in Pierce county. His present wife was Miss Mary Lang, whom he married in 1852. They came to Brownsville in 1854, and Mr. Kaeder invested quite extensively in real estate. While there he served as Justice of the Peace several terms and filled other local offices. Since 1861, he has been a resident of Caledonia, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres in section one. Of three children born of the latter marriage, two are living, Joseph A. and Mary K.

CHARLES W. METCALF dates his birth in South- ampton, Massachusetts, on the 21st of May, 1829. His father died when Charles was quite young, and the family resided with his mother's brother. In 1853, Mr. Metcalf married Miss Sarah M. Stewart, the event occurring on the 25th of Sep- tember. They came to Caledonia the following year and took a claim in section twenty-four which they have since made their home. Four children were born to this union; Lewis B., Fannie E., Flora L., and Charles L. Mrs. Stewart died on the 20th of July, 1881.

GEORGE MITCHELL is a native of Scotland, born in the parish of Gartly, Aberdeenshire, on the 28th of February, 1825. His father, John Mitchell, and his grandfather, Christopher Mitchell, were both born on the same farm. George remained at home until twenty- six years old. He was married to Miss Ann Smith on the 8th of February, 1849. They came to America in 1851, and located in Somers, Kenosha county, Wisconsin, remaining three years. Then coming to Houston county, they settled in section twenty-three, Black Ham-

mer township, where Mr. Mitchell held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, and Assessor. He came to Caledonia in 1867, and has a fine farm, through which Beaver Creek flows, affording good water for domestic use. His home is well pro- tected from the rigor of Minnesota winters by the bluffs on either side, the scenery is beautiful and the stream affords fine fishing. Mr. Mitchell is quite extensively engaged in stock raising, mak- ing blooded stock a specialty. His children were James A., now in Dakota, Jessie, wife of William Mitchell, of Preston; George S., who lives with his parents; Maria J., wife of Fallis Knox, and Mary J., who died on the 10th of July, 1860.

THOMAS MESSERALL is a native of Allegany county, New York, where his birth occurred the 9th of April, 1824. In about 1832, his parents moved to Pennsylvania, where they resided on a farm. It was a custom of Mr. Messerall's to spend about two months of the fall and winter, hunting, and when Thomas became old enough he accom- panied him, thus affording themselves much sport, and many times they were well repaid for the time by money received for the skins and carcasses of their game. He was married at the age of twen- ty-two years to Miss Rose Daniels, of Pennsyl- vania. They moved to Illinois, remaining a few years, and in 1853, came to Caledonia, locating a farm in section six. He at once put up a shanty which he occupied two years, then erected his present residence, the old one being used for a schoolhouse for a time, and now serves him for a barn. Mrs. Messerall died in August, 1856, leav- ing five children. In 1863, he married Miss Agnes Kelly, who came from Scotland to Boston with her parents in 1851, and thence to Yucatan, in 1861. When Mr. Messerall came to this place there were quite a number of Indians in the neighborhood, but, save the food they so often begged, they were not troublesome.

CHARLES MCCARTHY is a native of Ireland, born on the 15th of August, 1839. He came to America with his parents when quite young, and located in New Hampshire, but afterward removed to Vermont, where he was employed in the woolen mills. He came to Holt, Fillmore county, in 1855, and devoted his time there to agricultural pursuits till 1866. In the latter year he was married to Miss Margaret Ryan, daughter of Michael Ryan, one of the early settlers of Sheldon, the event oc- curring on the 6th of March. He then came to

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Caledonia and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in section thirty-five, and has since made it his home. Of nine children who have been born to them, six are living; Mary A., Julia, James, Nellie, Maggie, and Annie.

JAMES PRICE is a native of England, born in the year 1831. His parents came to Canada when he was quite young. At the age of seven- teen years James moved to Oneida county, New York, where he was engaged in farming until coming to Caledonia in 1855. He has since made this place his home, purchasing a farm in 1862. Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Spencer on the 19th of September, 1861. Their children are Ida A., Mary E., and Minnie H.

GERSHOM POPE is a native of Burlington, Ot- sego county, New York, and was born on the 27th of August, 1810. His father was a farmer, and Gershom was reared to that occupation and has followed it through life. At the age of twenty- one years he removed to Carroll, Chautauqua county, where he was married to Miss Maria Tay- lor, on the 23d of August, 1840. In 1854, they removed to this county, locating in Wilmington, where Mr. Pope owns a fine farm on which he re- sided over twenty years. They came to Caledonia in 1877, and have since lived here. Mr. and Mrs. Pope have been blessed with two daughters, Emi- ly J., now married to Ed. Stewart, and Lucy, now Mrs. Charles Wheaton.

JEDEDIAH POPE is also a native of Burlington, Otsego county, New York, born on the 6th of No- vember, 1808. He went to Carroll, Chautauqua county, in 1831, and engaged in farming and lum- bering. There he married Miss Roxanna Camp- bell on the 5th of October, 1834. In 1854, they came to Caledonia, located on section thirty-six, and for some time lived in a log shanty 15x19 feet. There were two other families beside their own in the house, making in all nineteen persons. Mr. Pope formerly had three hundred and twenty acres, but has divided it among his sons, retaining but one hundred and eighty. Of thirteen chil- dren born to him, six are living; Jolin E., now living in Mayville, Jedediah, who makes his home with his parents, was born at their old home in Carroll, on the 15th of September, 1838, and mar- Fied Miss Lucy S. Rice on the 11th of June, 1873,

and has one child, Blanche C., the third is Mary, wife of James B. Davidson, of Lake Benton, Min- nesota, Prentice A., now in Winona, Roxanna, wife of William Pendergast, and Laura, wife of Frank Barker, of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

REUBEN ROLLINS was born in Sanbornton, Bel- knap county, New Hampshire, on the 10th of February, 1809. He received an academic educa- tion, and taught school a number of years. Coming to Caledonia in 1855, he located on sec- tion thirty-five, and has taught in the public schools for several years. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the past twelve years, . also been Supervisor and a member of the school board. Mr. Rollins has been married three times; first to Miss Laura Sleeper, and afterward to her sister Lavinia, who bore him three children, Sam- uel S., Joshua, and Henry. His present wife was Mrs. Evans, whose maiden name was Rosilla D. Copp. Mr. Rollins' second son, Joshua, was mar- ried to Miss Emma J. Reynolds, and lives in sec- tion thirty -six.

EDWIN H. STEWART is a native of Brimfield, Massachusetts, born on the 11th of June, 1807. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and also worked in the paper mills of his native place. He came to Caledonia in September, 1853, and his is the only family now living here who came during that year. Mr. Stewart has served the town in various positions with general satisfaction. He has been twice married; first to Miss Louisa Weth- erell, who bore him one child. His present wife was Mrs. Hancock, whose maiden name was Lucy A. Brainerd. Their children are Edwin E., now located in section thirty-six; Thomas R., living in the village; and Lucy L., wife of Dr. Gates, of Winona.

PHILIP SCHWEBACH dates his birth in Luxem- burg, Germany, on the 8th of March, 1849. He came to America with his parents in 1866, and to Caledonia in 1871. He owns a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in section twenty-six; has held the office of Assessor, also Director and Treasurer of school district number thirty-nine. Mr. Schwe. bach was joined in wedlock on the 18th of Jan- uary, 1875, with Miss Catherine Wagner. The union has been blessed with four children, Peter, Mary, Catherine, and Susan.

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CROOKED CREEK TOWNSHIP.

CROOKED CREEK.

CHAPTER LIV.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION-FIRST SETTLEMENT-FIRST BIRTH - MARRIAGE - DEATH -TOWN ORGANIZA- TION-SCHOOLS - MANUFACTURES-RELIGIOUS- - NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL CURIOSITIES-ROBBERS' ROOST-FREEBURG VILLAGE-CALEDONIA JUNC- TION-BIOGRAPHICAL.

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 67

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

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