History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 45

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 45

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Mr. Robinson was first married in December, 1873, to Lillie Johnson, who was born in Wiscoy township, Winona county, Minnesota. She died in 1887, leaving three children : Nellie, now Mrs. John Varvatt, of Hous- ton; Morton, residing in Montana, and Curtiss W., proprietor of the old

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home farm in Money Creek. On Sept. 30, 1890, Mr. Robinson married Ida Harris, who was born in La Crescent, Minn., Nov. 5, 1858, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Harris. Of this union two children have been born: Verna, now a milliner in Houston, and one who died in infancy unnamed.

Curtiss W. Robinson, proprietor of the old Robinson homestead in section 19, Money Creek township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Jan. 26, 1882, son of David W. and Lillie (Johnson) Robinson. He attended district school No. 9, in this township and resided at home, helping his father until reaching the age of 21 years, at which time he rented the home farm. After operating it under rental until 1916, he purchased it and has since remained the sole owner, representing the third generation of Robinsons to own the property. He is conducting it chiefly as a dairy and stock farm, breeding Polled Durham cattle and Poland-China swine. He is also a stockholder in the Money Creek Creamery and in the winter time operates a sawing outfit. At the present time he is serving as treasurer of School District No. 9, in politics being a Republican. He attends and helps to support the M. E. church at Money Creek, while his fraternal affilia- tions are with the order of Free Masons, including the lodge, chapter and Eastern Star, he being a member of the lodge at Money Creek, in which he has passed through the chairs; and with Kingsley Camp, Sons of Veterans at Money Creek, of which he is the present secretary.

Mr. Robinson was married Sept. 1, 1908, to Pearl Ramsdell, who was born in Houston, Minn., Jan. 4, 1881, daughter of Charles and Alice (Rob- ertson) Ramsdell. He and his wife have one child, Lillian Irene, born Aug. 19, 1912. Charles Ramsdell, father of Mrs. Robinson, who is now prac- tically retired, was formerly a bridge contractor. He owns property in Houston, where he served some years as marshal and constable. His wife was born at Sparta, Wis. They have been the parents of six children, of whom their daughter Pearl was the first born.

O. M. Dybing, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of 250 acres in section 25, Money Creek township, was born in Stavanger, Norway, son of Gabriel and Anna (Svalestad) Dybing. The parents never came to this country, the mother dying in Norway twenty years ago. They had four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth. He was educated in his native land and remained at home working on his father's farm until arriving at the age of 22 years. He then emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Houston county, Minnesota, where he arrived unable to speak the English language. For eight years he worked for his uncle and then bought the farm which he is now operating, the land of which is valuable and the buildings substantial and in good condition. Here he has made a pro- nounced success as a general farmer and has attained a position among the prosperous citizens of the township. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Houston and has served as school treasurer for the last twenty years. Mr. Dybing was united in marriage in 1895 to Ellen Kalverstrand, who was born in Norway and came to the United States with her parents when five years of age. Her father is now dead but her mother is living, being a resident of Avalanche, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Dybing

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have two children, Gilbert and Olga, both residing at home. In 1913 Mr. Dybing made a trip to Norway to renew old associations and see his father, brother and sister, the reunion, though but temporary, proving very enjoy- able. He is a stockholder in the creamery and elevator at Houston and is a man whose enterprise, industry and good neighborly qualities have made him both respected and popular.

James Buckbee, an early settler in Mound Prairie township, who did pioneer work in breaking and developing land, was born in the state of Maine, where he grew to manhood and married Melissa Storer, also a native of that eastern state. After the war between the states broke out he became a member of a volunteer regiment from the state of New York, with which he served three years. On receiving an honorable discharge from the service, he set out with wife and family for the Northwest, and selecting Houston county, Minnesota, as the scene of his future activities, began pioneer farming in Mound Prairie township. He died on his son's farm in section 18 in the year 1904, his wife having passed away about two years previously. They were the parents of six children: Mary, Martha, Buford, Luella (Mrs. Orrin Northrup, of Pleasant Hill township, Winona county), Jasper W. and Mabel.

Jasper W. Buckbee, who is doing a successful business as a general stock farmer, operating 169 acres in section 18, Mound Prairie township, was born in this township, March 19, 1873, son of James and Melissa (Storer) Buckbee. In his boyhood he attended school in Storer Valley, his parents' farm being the scene of his industrial training, which was thorough in all the details of farm work. On attaining his majority the management of the place came into his hands, and he operated it for his parents until his mother's death, about 1902, after which for some six or eight years he oper- ated it under rental, during that time working occasionally for others. Then, in company with a friend, he wert to Virginia, where he made the acquaintance of a young lady, Miss Fannie Gilbert, who was born near Cumberland, that state, June 22, 1889, daughter of Mason and Maggie (Walden) Gilbert, her parents being members of well known and re- spected families in the Old Dominion, where they still reside. The acquain- tance soon ripened into something more than friendship, and on March 2, 1910, Miss Gilbert became Mrs. Jasper W. Buckbee. With his young wife, Mr. Buckbee returned to his farm in Mound Prairie township, where they have since made their home. They have a pleasant and comfortable resi- dence, the farm is well improved and Mr. Buckbee is doing a good business as a stock raiser, being also a shareholder in the Houston creamery. In politics he is a Democrat with independent proclivities. He and his wife have two children, Ralph L., born Dec. 16, 1910, and Jesse W., born Nov. 29, 1912.

William Lynch (Sr.), a well known farmer residing in section 9 south, Mound Prairie township, was born in this township, son of John and Eliza (Carl) Lynch. The records containing the date of his birth were acci- dentally burned, but the year is believed to have been 1855 or 1856. His parents were both natives of County Kildare, Ireland, and on coming to this country settled first in New York State, whence they removed to Illinois,

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later to Wisconsin, and finally to Houston county, Minnesota, John Lynch taking land in Mound Prairie township which he in time developed into a farm. Both he and his wife are now deceased, the latter's death occurring when she was 63 years old, several years previous to his. He was a man of some prominence in the township and at various times served in local office. William Lynch was the second born of his parents' five children. In his boyhood he attended the local school and acquired a knowledge of agriculture on the home farm, at first assisting his father, and later operat- ing the farm until the latter's death. He then became owner of a part of the estate, his tract containing 60 acres, well provided with buildings, which since 1912 he has rented out, though still continuing to reside on it. As the result of a long and active career of industry, he is now in com- fortable circumstances. A Catholic in religion, he attends the church at Hokah, this county.

Andrew Orr, one of the pioneer settlers of Houston county, who aided in its civilization by improving wild land into good farm property, was born in Ireland and was a lad of about seven years when he was brought to the United States. As a young man he purchased land in Mound Prairie township and engaged in its improvement, residing on his property for a number of years. Subsequently he spent ten or twelve years as a mer- chant in Hokah, keeping a general store. At the end of that time he re- turned to his farm in section 4, south, Mound Prairie township, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in the year 1891. At various times he held local office, both on the town and school board. Mr. Orr married Margaret Cooper, who was, like himself, a native of Ireland, and who is now residing in Tacoma, Wash. They had a family numbering 14 children, one of whom, Eugene E., is now owner of the old homestead.

Eugene E. Orr, one of the representative farmers of Mound Prairie township, proprietor of the old Orr homestead in section 4, south, who is also one of the town officials, was born on the farm on which he now re- sides, May 10, 1871, son of Andrew and Margaret (Cooper) Orr. Of his parents' 14 children he was the fourth in order of birth. In his boyhood he attended school both in his home district and later in Hokah, to which place his parents removed for a residence of ten years or more, during which time his father was engaged in mercantile business. Working on the home farm until 19 years of age, he then rented land and engaged in agricultural work on his own account. In 1893 he married and for eight years thereafter he continued to farm rented land, at the end of that time buying his present farm, which was his old home and birthplace. He has 230 acres of valu- able land, with good and substantial buildings, and is raising both grain and stock, having in particular a good herd of swine. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Hokah. In politics an independent Republican, he had rendered efficient service on both the school and town boards. Mr. Orr was united in marriage, Nov. 30, 1893, with Estelle Fairbanks, who was born in Union Valley, Union township, this county, June 6, 1873, daughter of William and Catherine (Van Gordon) Fairbanks. Her parents were natives of New York State, the father coming to Houston county, Minesota, in 1853 and setling in Union Valley, where he engaged in farming, chang-

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MR. AND MRS. HENRY MADES

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ing the wild land into fertile fields and aiding in the work of civilization in the county. He resided on his farm until near the close of his life, spending his last years at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. Orr, where both he and his wife passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Orr are the parents of two children, Nor- man, born March 31, 1900, and Ellison, born Jan. 20, 1910, both of whom are residing on the home farm.

Henry Mades, Sr., proprietor of a fine modern farm of 280 acres in section 17, Mound Prairie township, but is now practically retired, was born in Reinland, Prussia, Germany, Oct. 3, 1852, son of Peter and Anna Kath- rina (Katz) Mades. His parents were natives of the same province, the father born Jan. 7, 1822, and the mother in about the same year. They emigrated to the United Stataes in May, 1860, coming directly to Houston county, Minnesota, and locating on a farm which Peter Mades cultivated up to the time of his death, Aug. 2, 1905. He had then been for some years a widower. In the Civil War he served as private in a Minnesota regiment. Henry, who was the youngest of his parents' three children, and is the only one now living, attended school in the Day Valley district, Mound Prairie township. Brought up on the home farm, he assisted his father up to the age of twenty-two years and then bought the homestead, on which he has since resided. It has an area of 280 acres and is well improved, he having erected good modern buildings and provided it with a full equipment of machinery and implements necessary to modern stock farming, which he has made his specialty. He now leaves the active operation of the place to his son, Henry, Jr., he himself merely exercising a general supervision over it. His career has been one of industry and success and he is now a man in prosperous circumstances. In politics he is an independent Repub- lican, and religiously a member of the Evangelical Association. Henry Mades, Sr., was married in July, 1874, to Mary Marie Hyer, who was born in Pommern, Germany, daughter of William and Louisa (Runka) Hyer, her parents being natives of Prussia who came to Houston county, Minne- sota, in 1874, locating in Mound Prairie township. Later they removed to near Nodine, in Winona county, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father being a farmer and stock raiser. Mr. and Mrs. Mades, Sr., have been the parents of eight children: Frank, a resident of Dakota, Minn .; Anna, wife of Henry W. Becker, a farmer of Berry Mills, Wis .; Martha, who died at the age of fifteen years; August, who died at the age of six months; Theodore, who died in infancy; Lydia, wife of Henry Rodenberg, a farmer of Mound Prairie township; Emil, who is farming in Dresbach township, Winona county ; and Henry A., Jr., who is operating the home farm. Henry Jr., married Laura Harlos, daughter of John Harlos, and has two children, Luella and Esther.

William Gust Herman Radtke, who for the last twenty-three years has been engaged in the successful operation of a farm of 140 acres in section 6, Mound Prairie township, was born in Germany, Sept. 8, 1859, son of Frederick and Henriatta (Brandt) Radtke. In 1886 he accompanied his parents to La Crosse, Wis., where the parents subsequently died. William, who was twenty-seven years old, or nearly, when he came to this country, had received a common school education in Germany, and had served two

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years in the German army. He had commenced industrial life at the age of fourteen, and after coming to La Crosse found employment in a sawmill, also being engaged in railroad work for a time. There he resided until 1895, in which year he came to his present farm, where he is raising grain and stock with profitable results. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is independent. Mr. Radtke was married in July, 1886, to Lena Ahlert, who was born in Germany, daughter of Herman and Louisa (Burrow) Ahlert. Her parents settled in La Crosse, Wis., at an early date. The father is now deceased but the mother is still living, and on April 17, 1918, had attained the venerable age of ninety-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Radtke have seven children: Elsie, wife of Emil Kosten of Winona, Minn .; and William, Sadie, Edward, Freda, Eda and Agnes, who are residing at home with their parents. Of these children, Freda and Eda are twins.

James Mackey, one of the pioneer settlers of Mound Prairie township, now deceased, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and was a carpenter by trade. Coming to the United States when a young man, he located first in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade. He was also married there to Florinda Egelton, who, like himself, was a native of Londonderry, Ireland. Not long after their marriage they resolved to seek their fortune in the Northwest, and came to Houston county, Minnesota, securing a tract of land in section 9, Mound Prairie township. There were then but few white settlers in the township, and the land was nearly all wild, but a few farms having been started. Of wild game and Indians, however, there was a great sufficiency. Amid such pioneer surroundings Mr. Mackey began the arduous task of developing a farm. After continuing his labors for a few years, he, for some reason, suspended them, and removed to Postville, in the southwest corner of Allamakee county, Iowa, but returned to his farm in Mound Prairie township shortly before the Civil War broke out, and made no subsequent change of location. For many years thereafter he continued to improve and cultivate his farm, contributing by his labors to the general advancement and prosperity of the community and becoming more prosperous himself with the lapse of time until he finally retired from active work. After that he made his home with his son James, the present owner of the homestead. His death occurred in February, 1915. During his active career he served at times in various local offices, in par- ticular as a member of the school board, and was a man highly respected for his personal qualities and good citizenship. At the time of his death he had been a widower for about a year. He and his wife were the parents of seven children.

James Mackey, who owns and operates one of the pioneer farms of Mound Prairie township, which was established by his father previous to Civil War days, was born in this township, Oct. 3, 1867, son of James and Florinda (Egelton) Mackey. He acquired a district school education and a good training in practical agriculture on the parental homestead, where he remained until his marriage at the age of twenty-five years. He then bought a farm just across the line in Union township and engaged in agri- culture on his own account, remaining there until his father retired from active work, when he sold his farm and bought the old homestead, his

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ANTON J. ALBRECHT AND FAMILY

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parents residing with him until their death. The estate contains 120 acres of valuable land, and is well improved, showing the effects of more than sixty years of earnest endeavor and unremitting industry on the part of father and son. Mr. Mackey is operating the farm along general lines, raising grain and stock, and is recognized as one of the prosperous citizens of his township. During the winter, in order to keep his time fully occupied, he does blacksmith work, having a shop on his farm. He is a stockholder in the Hokah-Mound Prairie Telephone line, of which he was formerly secretary. For a number of years he served on the school board of his district, in politics being a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Houston, to which he was demitted from the Hokah Lodge. On June 20, 1902, Mr. Mackey was united in marriage with Eulalah Hyatt, who was born in Trempealeau, Wis., daughter of George and Mary (Sey- mour) Hyatt. He and his wife have seven children: Florence Caroline, Robert Seymour, George Hyatt, Olive Blanche, James Marvin, Mary Eliza- beth and Galbreth. George Hyatt, father of Mrs. Mackey, was born in Canada, but settled many years ago in Trempealeau, Wis., where he fol- lowed the barber's trade for a number of years. He then moved to Ona- laska, La Crosse county, where he is now living, engaged in business as a barber. He is a member of the Masonic order. His wife Mary, who was born in Ohio, died in 1913. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Eulalah (Mrs. Mackey) was the fourth in order of birth.

Anton Albrecht, who for a number of years and until his death on Jan. 9, 1916, was extensively engaged in farming in Bush Valley, Mound Prairie township, was born in Switzerland, Aug. 2, 1862, son of Philip and Mary (Bleisch) Albrecht. He was about twenty-two years old when he came to the United States, locating in Dubuque, Iowa, where for about two years he worked in a dairy. After that he went to Montana, where he remained several years engaged in herding sheep. Then going to St. Charles, Minn., he worked on a farm in that vicinity for two years and then came to La Crescent, Houston county, buying 330 acres of land in Bush Valley, section 35, Mound Prairie township, where he built up an excellent farm, which he operated until his death. He also owned a farm of 380 acres in La Crescent township, was a stockholder in the Hokah State Bank and the La Crescent State Bank, and served as vice president and president of the Hokah Stock and Grain Company. He was president of the local telephone line and vice president of the People's Telephone Exchange of Hokah. His successful career marked him as a man of energy and ability and led to his election as one of the supervisors of his township, in which position he served effi- ciently for many years. He was also for many years a member of the school board of his district. In religion he was a Roman Catholic. Mr. Albrecht was married, at Menominee, Ill., April 14, 1891, to Amelia Hilby, born July 3, 1857, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Britt) Hilby. Her parents were natives of Switzerland, the father born Aug. 24, 1815, and mother Feb. 28, 1818. They came to Wisconsin in the early fifties and were engaged in farming in that State until 1865, when they removed to Illinois, where the rest of their lives were spent. To Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht five children were born, all now living, namely: Matilda, born March 24, 1893; 22

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John Joseph, born June 23, 1896, and died in infancy; Edward, June 20, 1897; Claudina, June 2, 1899; and Albert, Feb. 6, 1904. All the children are living at home. Since Mr. Albrecht's death his widow has continued to work the farm with the help of her children. It is a well improved place and in equipment and productive capacity has been kept up to a high standard.

Henry Rodenberg, proprietor of a farm of 281 acres in section 10, Mound Prairie township, was born in Germany, Oct. 20, 1875, son of William and Dora Rodenberg. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, March 1, 1840, and came in 1886 to Wisconsin, settling in Barre Mills, La Crosse county, where he took a farm. There he remained until his death in June, 1900. His wife, also a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1845, died in Germany in 1878. Henry Rodenberg was educated at Barre Mills, and worked at home until his marriage. After that he farmed there on his own account for one year, and then moved onto his present farm in Mound Prairie township, where he is engaged in general farming. He has built a new house and barns and other outbuildings, and his place is now well im- proved and equipped with modern machinery and implements. He is also a stockholder in the South Ridge Telephone Company. Since 1910 he has been treasurer of his school district. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church and in politics he is a Republican. Mr. Rodenberg was married Nov. 15, 1899, at Mound Prairie, this county, to Lydia Mades, daughter of Henry and Mary (Heyer) Mades. Her father was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Oct. 3, 1852, and came to Minnesota when eight years old. He has resided since early youth on the same farm in Mound Prairie town- ship. Mrs. Rodenberg's mother was born in Pommern, Germany, in April, 1852. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Rodenberg has been enlarged by the birth of four children: Ella, born Jan. 2, 1901; Marie, Feb. 17, 1902; Irene, Jan. 21, 1904; and Lydia, Dec. 20, 1911, all residing at home.

Joseph Sappner, a former resident of Mound Prairie township, who for a number of years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in section 15, where he improved a farm of 120 acres, was born in Oestrich, Bohemia, July 28, 1846, son of Albert and Theresa Sappner. With his parents he came to America in 1854, the family settling in Milwaukee where the father followed his trade of mason. Subsequently both he and his wife died there. Joseph, who was the second born of their six children, attended school in Milwaukee, after which he began industrial life, at the age of eighteen, being employed on farms and occasionally in the woods as a lumberman. After a while, however, he applied himself to learn the cooper's trade, which he followed in Richland Center, Wis., where also he bought a farm. Sub- sequently removing to La Crosse, he followed his trade there for a few years, being proprietor of a shop, but finally sold the business and for two years was engaged in farming near that city. At the end of that time he removed to Houston county, Minnesota, and took the farm above mentioned in Mound Prairie township, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in its improvement and cultivation. His death occurred April 4, 1910, and was much regretted in the community where he had built up a reputation as an industrious man and useful citizen. In politics he was a Democrat.

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GUSTAV H. BOLDT AND FAMILY

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Mr. Sappner was married in La Crosse, Wis., June 7, 1883, to Bertha Paulina Shulman, who was born in Shelby township, La Crosse County, Wis., daughter of August and Bertha Shulman, she being the oldest of their two children. Her parents were natives of Saxony, Germany, who settled in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where they took a farm, on which subse- quently the mother died. The father, who survived her, spent his last years with his daughter, Mrs. Sappner. To Mr. and Mrs. Sappner nine children were born; Henry, who is a farmer living near Stewartville, Olmsted county, Minn .; Joseph, who is now serving in his fourteenth year in the United States regular army, holding the rank of sergeant; Helen, who died in infancy; Anna, wife of Bert Nimocks, who is engaged in the lumber and teaming business in Montana; John William, residing on the home farm with his mother; Elsie, wife of Frank Benson, residing near Houston; Jeanette, wife of Ralph Kuhen, who is in the government employ at Minneapolis; Emma, residing on the home farm with her mother, and another child, the sixth born, who died in infancy.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 45

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

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