History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 44

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 44

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Orrin R. Kingsley, one of the settlers in Money Creek township in the days previous to the Cival War, but who is now deceased, was born in the state of Pennsylvania, May 31, 1824. He became a farmer by occupa- tion and continued as such after taking land in Houston county. Though over forty years old when the war broke out, he enlisted in the First Minne- sota Battery, with which he served for three years, or until the close of the war. Then returning to his farm in Houston county, he took up the burden of its improvement and was an active farmer here for a number of years. Subsequently he removed to Pickwick, Winona county, Minnesota, where he continued in agricultural work until two years before his death, which occurred in 1894. Mr. Kingsley married Catherine Nelson, a native of Norway and about two years younger than himself. She died many years before him, in 1869. They were the parents of eight children : Al- meda (deceased) ; Albin W .; Alfred J. (deceased) ; Mary A .; Ebz. J .; Clarissa M .; Edwin A .; Ida J. (deceased) .

Ebenezer Jackson Kingsley, one of the leading citizens of Money Creek township, vice president of the Houston State Bank, and a stockholder in various local and other enterprises, was born on the old Emery farm in

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this township, Sept. 14, 1857, son of Orrin R. and Catherine (Nelson) Kingsley. He was the fifth born in his parents' family of eight children, and was educated in the district schools in Money Creek township, and in Wiscoy township, Winona county. He was reared on his parents' farm, but at an early age began working out, and when 18 years old began farm- ing on his own account, soon afterwards becoming a land owner in Winona county. After being engaged in agricultural pursuits there for eleven years, he returned to Houston county and took a farm in section 12, Money Creek township, containing 160 acres, which he operated for 17 years, mak- ing hogs and corn his special products, though during the latter years he also engaged in dairying. At the end of the period mentioned he sold the farm, all but seven acres and the house he is now living in, and has since lived practically retired, using his land for pasture and garden purposes. He is a stockholder in the Money Creek creamery, of which he is now president; and also holds stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Houston and the Northwestern Security Co., of Minneapolis. In politics a Republican, Mr. Kingsley has at various times taken an active part in local govern- ment affairs, serving in town and other offices. He was chairman of the town board for twelve years and for the same length of time a member of the school board. His fraternal affiliations are with the Yeomen and Sons of Veterans. Mr. Kingsley was married Jan. 24, 1889, to Dora Nelson, who was born in Faribault county, Minnesota, May 18, 1873, daughter of Abraham and Adeline (Clark) Nelson. To Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley eight children have been born: Ina, wife of Clarence Smith, a farmer living near Stockton, Winona county; Abraham G., who is farming in the same vicinity ; Warren J., who died in infancy; Erwin Jackson, who enlisted in the United States military service and died at Camp Cody, Feb. 9, 1918; Orrin Francis, a veteran of the United States military service; Thomas Howard, residing at home; Violet Catherine, who died at the age of five years, and Kenneth Nelson, who is residing at home. This family, like so many other old American families of Civil War traditions, made its sacri- fice in the World War. The son, Orrin Francis, filled with the same prin- ciples that animated both his soldier grandfathers, went into service in France, was wounded during the Argonne campaign, and lost the sight of one eye. After being cared for in France he returned to this country and received treatment at a hospital in Baltimore.

Abraham Nelson, father of Mrs. E. J. Kingsley, was born in Norway, Feb. 29, 1837. He was always a farmer by occupation and was seven years old when he came to this country, growing to manhood in Wisconsin. At the age of 18 he came to Minnesota, locating in Winona county, near what is now known as Wytoka, where he resided until his marriage to Adeline Clark, who was born in Fond du Lac county in 1840. He then removed to Money Creek township, Houston county, but later went to Faribault county, Minnesota, where he and his wife spent a number of years. He then re- turned to Winona county, continued in active life here for a number of years, and is now living retired in this county. His wife died about 1891. He is a Civil War veteran, having served the last six months of the war in a Minnesota regiment.

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Edwin A. Kingsley, who is engaged in farming forty acres in section 11, Money Creek township, raising stock, poultry and grain, was born in Wiscoy township, Winona county, Dec. 20, 1860, son of Orrin R. and Cath- erine (Nelson) Kingsley. His parents were early settlers in this town- ship, the father enlisting from this county for service in the Civil War. Both are now deceased, Orrin R. passing away in 1894 and his wife in 1869. Edwin A. Kingsley attended school in District 51, Wiscoy township, and also for one year at the Winona Normal school. From the age of 14 until his marriage he worked out for others, and then settled on the old Kingsley farm in this township, where he and his wife lived for one year. From there he moved to a farm on South Ridge, where he spent several years, at the end of that time coming to his present location in the north- west corner of section 11. Here he has made good progress with his im- provements and is doing a successful business in his line of industry. Inde- rendent in politics, he served as a member of the local school board for a number of years. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans at Money Creek, to which he was admitted by virtue of his father's military record. Mr. Kingsley was married, Sept. 12, 1891, to Bertha L. Sandrock, who was born in Olmsted county, Minnesota, daughter of William and Emma (Haw- kins) Sandrock. To Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley six children have been born, William Edwin, Roy Ray, Emma Aura, Marion Catherine, Louis Albin and Violet Susan. William Edwin, who was the first to enlist in the U. S. navy from Money Creek township for service in the present war, died at Charles- ton. S. C., Jan. 28, 1918. Roy Ray, who is a farmer at Wiscoy, Winona county, married Clara Hennessy, and has 2 children, Robert Roy and one deceased. The other children are residing at home. This was one of the families that made the great sacrifice during the World War. The son, William Edwin, was one of the favorite young men in the township. The stories of his grandfather's part in the Civil War were a part of his boy- hood traditions, and when the Great War broke out, he planned also to do his share. Volunteering himself on his country's altar, he went into serv- ice, and there met his untimely end. His example will be an inspiration to all the younger element in the township.

John Layne, proprietor of the old Layne farm of 281 acres in section 11, Money Creek township, where he is doing a profitable business as a general farmer and stock raiser, was born near Galena, Ill., in 1864, son of John and Johanna (Shortall) Layne. The father was a native of Missouri and the mother of Ireland. John Layne, Sr., removed from his native state to a farm about six miles from Galena, Ill., where he resided for about 25 years, during a part of the time, however, being engaged in mining. He then came with his family to Houston county, Minnesota, taking land on Vinegar Hill, Money Creek township, which in time he de- veloped into a good farm, which is the same on which his son and name- sake now lives. His wife died in 1874, his own death occurring in Decem- ber, 1886. They were the parents of seven children. John Layne, the pres- ent bearer of the name, acquired his education partly in Illinois and partly in Houston county, Minnesota. He assisted his father on the home farm up to the time of the latter's death, and has since continued to reside on the

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JOHN LAYNE AND FAMILY

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homestead, of which he is now the owner. While engaged in general farm- ing, he gives special attention to the raising of Hereford cattle and Poland- China swine, a branch of his business in which he has been very successful. For a number of years he served as clerk of the district school board, being independent in politics. In religion a Roman Catholic, he attends the church of that faith at Rushford. His fraternal affiliations are with the Yeomen's lodge at Money Creek. Mr. Layne was married about 1890 to Margaret O'Donnell, who was born in Winona, Minn., daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Hennessy) O'Donnell. Her parents, both natives of Ire- land, were early settlers in Winona county, this state, coming to Money Creek township, Houston county, about 1873. Here they took land in section 17 and developed a farm, on which they finally passed away, Mr. O'Donnell about 1910 and his wife about 1901. They were the parents of six children. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John Layne, namely: Margaret, wife of Joseph Hennessy, a farmer re- siding near Lanesboro, Minn .; John, Jr., who is assisting his father on the home farm; Hannah, Mary and Mabel, residing at home; Alice, who is preparing for her life work as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse; William, who is deceased, and Genevieve, living at home with her parents.

Walter J. Frosch, who owns and operates a good dairy and stock farm of 160 acres in section 1, Money Creek township, and is a prominent and well-to-do citizen, was born in La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 22, 1879, son of Joseph and Katherine Frosch. The parents were natives of the Duchy of Luxemberg, where they were married, coming to the United States and directly to La Crosse, Wis., in the early seventies. The father, who was a mechanic, worked 24 years for the Platt & Medary Co., and died while in their service in 1890. The mother died in La Crosse in 1885. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Walter J. was the fourth in order of birth. He acquired his education in the schools of La Crosse and re- sided with his parents until the age of 14 years, when he left home and found employment for six dollars a month, working the first year in Nodine. He continued working for others, with increased pay, for some four or five years, or until his marriage, at which time he rented land in the vicinity of Nodine and for nine years was engaged in farming there. He then pur- chased his present farm, on which he is making a specialty of breeding Poland-China thoroughbred hogs and other good stock, being also a share- holder in the Money Creek creamery, the Houston elevator and the Inde- pendent Harvester Co. of Plano, Ill., and is a director in the Farmers' Co- operative Telephone Co. He attends the Baptist church, is a member of the Masonic order and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Frosch was united in marriage, Dec. 17, 1900, with Rose Lee, who was born in Winona county, Minnesota, daughter of W. F. and Katherine Lee, she being the second born in a family of six children. He and his wife have one child, Perry Frank- lin, born Jan. 21, 1902. The parents of Mrs. Frosch were both born in Montreal, Canada, and were very early settlers in Winona county, Minne- sota, where W. F. Lee, the father, became a land owner and also practiced veterinary medicine and surgery for 25 years, and is still an active citizen,

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who has held various local offices and is well-to-do. He and his wife are still residing at Ashton, that county.

Clarence E. Hawkins, proprietor of the farm known as Hickory Hill Ranch, in section 20, Money Creek township, where he is carrying on gen- eral farming with profitable results, was born in Olmsted county, Minne- sota. Feb. 22, 1882, son of Royal Henry and Jane (Pervis) Hawkins. Of his parents' ten children he was the ninth in order of birth. The family moving to Money Creek Township, Houston county, in 1889, he attended District School No. 9 in this township and acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture on the parental farm on which he worked as his father's assistant until his marriage in 1901. He then rented the farm for two years, and afterwards a neighboring farm for five years, purchasing it at the end of that time. There he resided until his father's death, in Novem- ber, 1912, at which time he moved back to the home farm, purchasing the rights of the other heirs, and has since been engaged in the cultivation and improvement of the property, carrying on general farming. He has 280 acres of fertile land, with good buildings, and on the farm is a valuable spring which furnishes excellent water. In addition to the business in- terests above described, he is a stockholder in the Money Creek Creamery. He belongs to the order of Yeomen at Houston and to the Sons of Veterans at Money Creek. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics is independent. Mr. Hawkins assumed the responsibilities of domestic life on September 18, 1901, when he was united in marriage with Tressie Lord, who was born in the village of Sheldon, Houston county, Sept. 15, 1886, daughter of David and Carrie (Walters) Lord. Her father, who was a native of one of the eastern states, was a farmer and veterinary surgeon, and also operated a threshing machine. He died in Houston in 1911. His wife, who was born in Wisconsin, is now residing in Looney Valley, Money Creek township. Of seven children, their daughter Tressie was the fourth in order of birth. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins has been enlarged by the birth of five children, Margaret Jane, Royal Dwight, Clar- ence Eusebius, George Henry and Daisy Marie.

John Hennessy, formerly a farmer and esteemed citizen of Money Creek township, who established the farm on Vinegar Hill, in section 15. that is now operated by his son, Patrick, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland. He was a young man when he came to the United States, locating at Galena, Ill., where he found employment in the lead mines. His resi- dence there lasted for a number of years, and there he married Sarah High- land, a native of Queenstown, Ireland. About 1853 he moved with his family to Winona, Minn., and for some years thereafter was enged in river work. At last, desiring to establish a permanent home, he came to Houston county, and securing 120 acres of wild land on Vinegar Hill, Money Creek township, began to improve and cultivate it, his first residence on his prop- erty being a pioneer log house. For a number of years thereafter he de- voted himself to his task, working patiently and industriously and making steady progress, so that at the time of his death, about 1898, he was the owner of a fairly good farm. He was survived by his wife, who passed

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away about a year later. They were the parents of nine children : Michael, John, Maggie, Daniel, Steven, Patrick, Philip, Mary and Nellie.

Patrick C. Hennessy, proprietor of the old Hennessy homestead on Vinegar Hill, in section 15, Money Creek township, was born in Winona county, near the city of Winona, June 20, 1869, son of John and Sarah (Highland) Hennessy. His parents moving to Money Creek township, Houston county, when he was quite young, it was here that he attended school. Becoming industriously active at an early age, he assisted his father until the latter's death, at which time-about 1898-he took over the home farm, on which he has continued to reside, and where he is profitably carrying on general farming. He has 160 acres of valuable land and has made many improvements on the property, having good buildings and fences, and an ample supply of the usual farm implements and machinery. He is also a stockholder in the Rushford creamery and elevator. In politics he is independent and formerly served for a few years as school director. A Roman Catholic in religion, he attends the church in Rushford. Mr. Hennessy was married, Feb. 23, 1908, to Miss B. E.,Mae O'Brien, who was born at Grand Rapids, Wis., daughter of John and Susan (O'Laughlin) O'Brien, she being one of the younger members in a family of nine children. She acquired a good education, graduating from the high and normal schools at Grand Rapids, and also attended the normal school at Oshkosh. From that time until her marriage she was engaged in teaching, spending three years at that occupation in Oshkosh and three years in what is now her home district in Money Creek township, Houston county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hennessy belong to the Yeomen's lodge at Money Creek. They are the parents of two children, Ralph Raymond and Rosamond. John O'Brien, father of Mrs. Hennessy, and now residing with her and his son- in-law, was born in New York State, June 17, 1848. When seven years old he accompanied his parents to Oshkosh, Wis., where he attended school. At the age of about 14 years, being of an adventurous disposition, he ran away from home to join the army, but was brought back by his relatives. Later he learned the stone-cutter's trade, and was during most of his subse- quent life until his retirement overseer in various quarries. He now de- votes a part of his time to traveling. Mrs. Hennessy's mother, who was born at Fond du Lac, Wis., Dec. 20, 1853, died in 1910.

Stephen Robinson, one of the pioneer settlers of Money Creek town- ship, was born in Albion, Maine, Sept. 2, 1809. With another native of the Pine Tree State, Cyrus B. Sinclair, he came to Houston county, Minne- sota. in the spring of 1855. He had previously visited this territory and selected a piece of land in what is now Goodhue county, but on coming here with Mr. Sinclair he concluded to remain in Houston county, and took a claim on section 19, Money Creek, erecting on it one of the first log houses in the township, which house is still standing. Here he followed farming until his demise in April, 1896. About 1860 he established a brickyard in section 19, Money Creek township, where he and his sons manufactured a fine quality of red brick, continuing in the industry until about 1875. His own brick house, constructed of brick from his yard, was built in 1869, his son, David W., erecting one in 1874. Several other houses in Houston and

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the vicinity, and several in Caledonia, were also built of brick which he had manufactured. Mr. Robinson was married in the State of Maine to Betsey Falker, who was born Dec. 27, 1818, and who died Feb. 22, 1901. They had seven children, who were born as follows: Martha, Feb. 24, 1840; Ellen, Jan. 12, 1842; David W., Oct. 26, 1844; Emily, May 12, 1847; Taylor, March 29, 1850; Mary, July 11, 1852; and Stephen Henry, June 28, 1855.

B. F. Perkins, now living retired in the village of Money Creek, was born in Lackawack, Ulster county, New York, July 31, 1843, son of Nathan and Nancy (Gillett) Perkins. The father was born Nov. 14, 1810, and the mother Dec. 12, 1815. Emigrating from New York State in 1862, they came to Houston county, Minnesota, and located on a farm in section 30, Money Creek township. There Nathan Perkins followed farming until his untimely death, June 2, 1867, being accidentally drowned in the Root River. His wife, Nancy, to whom he was married Oct. 16, 1836, survived him until July, 1900, when she passed away. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Norman, born June 10, 1839; Edgar, June 14, 1841; B. F., July 31, 1843; George F., Dec. 16, 1845; Eugene, Feb. 13, 1848; Jerome, May 2, 1850; George J., April 22, 1852, and Darius, July 29, 1856. B. F. Perkins was educated in his native state and came west with his parents in 1862. For several years he assisted them in the development of the home farm. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, buying a farm in sections 18 and 19, Money Creek township, which he de- veloped into a fine piece of agricultural property. As a general farmer he had a long and successful career, and was recognized as a valuable man in the community. After residing on his farm until 1907, he retired, and he and his wife have since made their home in the village of Money Creek, where they are spending the afternoon of life in pleasure and comfort. Mr. Perkins was one of the original stockholders of the Houston Creamery, and in later years was connected with the Money Creek Creamery. He is now interested in the Farmers' Exchange Elevator at Houston. For many years he has been a member of Orient Lodge, No. 84, A. F. and A. M., of Money Creek. On Dec. 17, 1867, he was united in marriage with Emily Robinson, who was born in Albion, Maine, May 12, 1847, daughter of Stephen and Betsey (Falker) Robinson. This union proved a happy one, and for fifty-one years they have trod life's pathway together, sharing each other's joys and sorrows. They have had three children, two of whom have passed on before them. Alice M., born Dec. 3, 1872, died at the age of nine years, Dec. 31, 1881. Walter C., born March 4, 1883, died in his thirty- second year, Aug. 18, 1914. Fred C., the eldest child, who was born June 1, 1869, is the present proprietor of the old home farm.

Fred C. Perkins, who is engaged in farming the Perkins homestead in section 19, Money Creek township, having 200 acres of well improved land, was born on this farm, June 1, 1869, son of B. F. and Emma (Robin- son) Perkins. In his boyhood he attended graded school in Money Creek Township, and also for eight months a graded school in Minneapolis, and until his marriage he assisted his father on the home farm. He then rented the Norman Perkins farm, which he operated for three years, after that, for a year, residing on the parental homestead on account of impaired

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MR. AND MRS. B. F. PERKINS

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health. At the end of that time he changed his occupation, engaging in the hotel business in Money Creek village, and also operating a cream route for 18 months. Then buying the store of A. G. Larson in Money Creek village, he engaged in the general mercantile business and was thus occu- pied for seven years. He then gave it up to become a partner with his brother-in-law, who was proprietor of a feed and sales business in North Dakota, but the climate not agreeing with him, he returned home and took up farming again, having since resided on the homestead, which is a well improved piece of property. He is a stockholder in the Money Creek Cream- ery. For nine years formerly he was a member of the school board, for one term town treasurer, and for four years postmaster at Money Creek, in politics being a Republican. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Masonic lodge at Money Creek and the Yeomen at Houston. He at- tends the M. E. church.

Mr. Perkins was married Jan. 1, 1895, to Minnie B. Miller, who was born in Money Creek township, daughter of George and Jane (Vance) Miller. He and his wife have two children, Leora A., born Dec. 6, 1902, and Franklin, born March 16, 1906, both living at home. George Miller, father of Mrs. Perkins, was born in the state of Pennsylvania, and during the Civil War served in a regiment from that state. Soon after the war he came to Houston county, buying land in Money Creek township and engag- ing in agriculture, which was his occupation until about seven years be- fore his death. On his retirement he took up his residence in Money Creek village, where he died in 1906. His wife, who was born in Money Creek, is still residing there. They were the parents of a family of eleven children.

David W. Robinson, now living retired in the village of Houston, after a long career devoted to agricultural pursuits, in the township of Money Creek, was born in the State of Maine, Oct. 26, 1844, son of Stephen and Betsey (Falker) Robinson. He received his education in the public schools of the township, and grew to manhood on his parents' farm. In 1865 he enlisted in Company K, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and served until after the close of the war, being honorably discharged in 1866. Though he saw active service in facing the enemy, he was neither captured nor wounded, but was seized with lameness as a result of exposure, a condition from which he never fully recovered. At the age of 29 years he engaged independently in agriculture on a farm of 200 acres in Money Creek township, which he had purchased through his father while still in the army. He improved the land, erected a good residence, and a complete set of outbuildings, and became in time one of the prosperous and influential farmers of his town- ship. In 1909 Mr. Robinson retired and removed from his farm to the village of Houston, where he has since made his home. During his active career he served as supervisor for several years, as a member of the school board for many years, and for four years as a member of the board of county commisioners. He belongs to Orient Lodge, No. 84, A. F. and A. M.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 44

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1343

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343