History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 47

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 47

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Bendix H. Johnson, a well known farmer of Mound Prairie township, who is successfully operating a farm of 160 acres in section 4 north, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, July 30, 1873, son of Heinrich and Agatha Johnson. The parents, who never came to this country, are now deceased. Bendix H. Johnson attended school in his native land, but began industrial life at the age of eleven years, working for five years on one farm. In 1890 he emigrated to the United States, locating first in Dakota Valley, Winona county, Minnesota, where he found employment at farm work. At that time he was unable to speak English. He worked for one employer for eighteen months and after that for others, until 1897, when he came to Houston county and took his present farm, which is well improved, he having erected all the buildings thereon. He is raising both stock and grain, doing a profitable business, and is a shareholder in the Pine Creek Cream- ery Co. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Mr. Johnson was married March 30, 1898, to Ida Goede, who was born in Winona county, Minnesota, daughter of August and Albertine (Pappenfuss) Goede, she being the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children. Her parents, natives of Germany, were early settlers in Winona county, and are still living on the old homestead there. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have six children, all residing at home, namely: Ness William, Henry August, Frank Julius, Theodore Richard, Freda Katherine and William Herman.

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MR. AND MRS. WALTER S. BEARDSLEY

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Walter Scott Beardsley, in former years one of the leading citizens of Mound Prairie township, but now deceased, was born near Milwaukee, Wis., March 7, 1853. He never knew his parents, as his mother died when he was a babe, and he was adopted by a family named Wagner, with whom he lived until he was eighteen years of age. He then came to Mound Prairie township, Houston county, working out here for a number of years, and subsequently going to North Dakota, where he remained seven years. Then returning to Houston county, he resumed his residence in Mound Prairie township, and his former employment, continuing to be thus oc- cupied until his death. His public service in one capacity or another cov- ered a period of twenty-two years, and included the offices of supervisor, clerk, assessor, and chairman of the town board, and he was noted as one of the most useful and public spirited citizens of his township. Mr. Beardsley was married Jan. 26, 1887, to Caroline Vix, who was born near Watertown, in Dodge county, Wisconsin, daughter of George and Catherine (Wolf) Vix. Mrs. Beardsley is residing on the farm of sixty-four acres near Mound Prairie station which was left to her by her husband, and which she is renting out to tenants. She has had no children of her own, but has reared three: Margaret Olson, who has resided in the Beardsley home since she was left an orphan at the age of two weeks; and who graduated from the common schools of Day Valley in 1914; Oscar Johnson, an orphan from the Minnesota State School, now seventeen years of age; and Mildred Tingle, who was born in Minneapolis and confided to Mrs. Beardsley's care by the Associated Charities of that city. Mrs. Beardsley's parents, George and Catherine (Wolf) Vix, were natives of Alsace, France, the father born Oct. 26, 1805, and the mother June 14, 1814. They were married in France and came to America in 1841, locating in Wisconsin, seventy miles from Milwaukee, where Mr. Vix drove oxen and engaged in other similar occupations. They later moved to the neighborhood of Water- town, that state, residing for some time with an uncle. In June, 1854, they drove with an ox team to Houston county, bringing with them two cows and two calves, and arriving here after a journey of five weeks. Here they found numerous Indians, who, however, never gave them any trouble. - Tak- ing wild land, Mr. Vix began the work of improvement and in time developed a farm of 320 acres, on which he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, the former dying Feb. 16, 1896, and the latter June 18, 1888. Their daughter Caroline was the third born in a family of four children and when a girl attended school in Mound Prairie township.

Albert Kletzke, proprietor of a farm of 120 acres in section 11, Mound Prairie township, was born in this township, March 1, 1872, son of Ferdi- nand and Caroline (Borgerd) Kletzke. The parents were natives of Ger- many who came to America about 1868, locating first in Watertown, Wis. After remaining there about a year, they came to Houston county, Minne- sota, settling in Day Valley, where they remained until the father's death. The mother died in La Crosse three or four years later. Albert Kletzke for a few years in his boyhood attended district school, but his home being broken up when he was about eight years old, he soon afterwards had to make himself useful and help to earn his own living. When old enough

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he engaged in well drilling as assistant to John Welch, and about the year 1900 started in the same business for himself, continuing to follow it until 1907. He then took his present farm, where he has since followed agricul- ture successfully in connection with pump repairing. He is a stockholder in the La Crescent State Bank and president of the East Ridge Telephone Company. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. In 1896 Mr. Kletzke married Ida Strelow, who died in January, 1906, leaving three children, Malinda, Elsie and George. Mr. Kletzke married secondly Mrs. Louisa (Behrndt) Lemke, daughter of Albert and Sophie (Roth) Behrndt, she being one of a family of eight children. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of New York State. Mr. Behrndt came to Houston county, Minnesota, when about thirty years old, set- tling on Crooked Creek, whence in a short time he removed to Hokah, where he and his wife are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Louisa Kletzke have one child, Charlotte, who was born at Mound Prairie, Nov. 23, 1916. By her former marriage Mrs. Kletzke has also a son, Ezra Lemke.

Frederick Boldt, one of the hardy farmers who helped to develop the agricultural resources of Mound Prairie township, was born in Germany, June 24, 1845. He was 19 years old when he came to America, locating in Houston county, Minnesota. While residing here he was married to Paul- ina Burrow, who was born in this township, March 18, 1865. Soon after their marriage he and his wife moved to La Crosse, where they lived for some years, during which time he worked out for wages. Then he returned to Houston county, remained here about one year farming, and from here moved to Winona county, where he and his wife spent seven years farming. At the end of that time, returning to Houston county, they settled on land in section 16, Mound Prairie township-a tract of 120 acres-and devoted themselves to its improvement, in time developing a good farm. Here he spent the balance of his life, passing away Jan. 31, 1917. Mrs. Boldt died Feb. 21, 1904. He and his wife had five children: William, who resides with his brother John P. on the homestead; Amelia, wife of John O. Ander- son, now farming at Salem, Ore .; John P., proprietor of the old homestead; Amanada, residing in Portland, Ore., and Elsie, wife of Rudolph Mark, a farmer of Mound Prairie township.

John P. Boldt, who is engaged in operating the old Boldt farm in sec- tion 16, Mound Prairie township, of which he is now the owner, was born in La Crosse, Wis., Jan. 4, 1886, son of Frederick and Paulina (Burrow) Boldt. He attended school in Winona county, and later in Mound Prairie township, Houston county, his parents having moved to the farm above mentioned. Until the age of 26 years he was engaged in assisting his father, after which he rented the home farm, operating it under rental until May, 1917, when he bought it. It contains 120 acres of good land, with adequate buildings and a good equipment of everything necessary for general farm- ing, which occupation Mr. Boldt is carrying on successfully. He is a mem- ber of the Evangelical Association church, and in politics is a Republican. He was married, June 6, 1917, to Alvera Witt, who was born in Mound Prairie township, daughter of Christian and Emma (Redmann) Witt. Her

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JOHN BOLDT AND FAMILY

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father, who was born in Germany, was a boy of four years when he came to America, locating in Houston county, where he grew to manhood and became a prosperous farmer. He is still in active life. He and his wife have had ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Boldt are the parents of one child, Donald Arthur, born March 22, 1918.

John Schumacher, a well known and respected citizen of Mound Prairie township, where he is operating a farm of 77 acres, was born in Winona county, Minnesota, in the township of New Hartford, April 17, 1875, son of Ferdinand and Caroline (Calf) Schumacher. The parents were natives of Pommern, Germany, the father born May 15, 1836, and the mother Dec. 30, 1833. They came to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1868, with two children, settling on a farm on South Ridge, where, however, they re- mained but a year, removing at the end of that time to New Hartford town- ship, Winona county. There they took a homestead and engaged in farm- ing, residing on their farm in that township until the death of the father in 1906. They had a family of ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. John Schumacher was educated in the Rose Valley district school, which he attended until 14 years of age. He assisted in cultivating the home farm until about 20 years old, after which for about three years he was engaged in carpenter work. Since then he has been en- gaged for the most part in farming, but also does carpenter work occasion- ally, and for some years has been a member of a threshing crew. He bought his present farm in 1906, and in 1918 built a good basement barn. As a general farmer he is meeting with success, and is numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. Mr. Schumacher was married, Sept. 26, 1898, at New Hartford, Minn., to Mary Wolter, daughter of August and Matilda (Voss) Wolter, she being the third born of their six children. Her father was born in Pommern, Germany, Aug. 17, 1842, and came to Hous- ton county Minnesota, in 1868. Later he became a resident of Winona county, where he was married to Matilda Voss, who was born in Pommern, Germany, on July 11, 1850, and who had come to Winona county from Watertown, Wis. They engaged in farming in Winona county, where they are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher have eight children, the two eld- est of whom were born in New Hartford township, Winona county, Minne- sota, and the others in Houston county. Their respective names, with dates of birth, are as follows: Walter, Aug. 25, 1899; Martha, Oct. 8, 1900; Theodora, March 2, 1904; Pauline, Sept. 5, 1905; Agnes, Dec. 19, 1908; Maria, May 9, 1910; Adelia, Sept. 1, 1913, and Edwin, Dec. 24, 1918. Mr. Schumacher and his family are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican.

Henry G. Splitter, for a number of years a prominent business man of La Crosse, was born in La Crescent township, Houston county, Minnesota, June 18, 1871, son of William and Mary Splitter. The father was a native of Germany and always a farmer by occupation. After farming for a number of years in La Crescent township, he removed to Ellsworth county, Kansas, where he lived retired on a farm until his death. His wife was born in Wisconsin. Henry G., who was the fifth born of their eight children, attended school in La Crescent township, Wisconsin, and later at Lorraine,

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Kansas, supplementing his education by a course at the La Crosse Business College, his parents having settled in that city. There he later engaged in the dry goods business, which he successfully carried on until his death in November, 1895. He was a member of the Baptist church and in politics a Republican. Mr. Splitter was married Aug. 19, 1895, to Mary Lehmann, who was born in Mound Prairie township, Houston county, Minnesota, daughter of Charles and Anna (Senn) Lehmann, she being the third of their five children in order of birth. Her education was obtained in the district school in this township. After her husband's death Mrs. Splitter returned to her parents' home in section 22, Mound Prairie township, and resided there until March, 1916, when she bought her present farm in Storer Valley, section 19, in the same township. She has 143 acres of valuable land, with good buildings, and is successfully engaged in general stock farming, with the assistance of her son, Henry Winfred. The latter, her only child, is a graduate of the normal department of the Houston high school.

Charles Lehmann, who was for a number of years a well known and prosperous farmer of Mound Prairie township, but is now deceased, was born in Germany, Jan. 27, 1844. He was twelve years of age when he came to Houston county, where he was reared to manhood except for the few years that he resided with his father in Chicago. Having acquired a good knowledge of agriculture, he subsequently bought land and engaged in farming in Mound Prairie township, residing here until his death in 1914. Mr. Lehmann was married in La Crosse to Anna Senn, who was born in Switzerland, Jan. 8, 1847. She is now residing with her daughter, Mrs. Henry G. Splitter, on the latter's farm in section 19, Mound Prairie town- ship.

Thomas Fairbanks. There has been much difference of opinion as to who were the original white settlers of Mound Prairie township, but, in spite of conflicting claims, there can be no doubt that one of the first to occupy land in the township was the subject of this sketch. Thomas Fairbanks was born in the State of New York in 1818, only three years after the close of our second war with Great Britain, and an equal length of time after Napoleon had met with his final defeat at the battle of Waterloo. The great Northwest was then practically an unknown country, save to a few French traders, trappers or hunters, whose business was mostly with the Indians. Young Fairbanks acquired a knowledge of farming while still residing in his native state; but though fair opportunities were not then lacking in New York State, a spirit of adventure led him, while still in his early man- hood, to seek the West, and he accordingly made his way to Illinois, and thence to Iowa. He had already been united in marriage with Catherine Orr, a native of Ireland, and it was while residing near Freeport, in north- ern Illinois, that their eldest child, Frank R., was born, in 1845. It was in 1854 that Mr. Fairbanks, with his wife and family, came from Iowa to Houston county, Minnesota, and took land, as already mentioned, in Mound Prairie township, his tract being situated in section 4, south. Practically the entire county was then wild, only a few scattered farms having been established, and they were in a primitive stage of development, but little

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FRANK R. FAIRRANKA AND FAMILY

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land being broken, and the only dwellings being rude log houses, some of which contained but a single room. Mr. Fairbanks' first house was a similar structure, of small size, and he began the work of clearing his land with a yoke of oxen, horses being rarely seen on the pioneer farms. To describe in detail his subsequent progress would be to repeat a story often told. It is sufficient to say that he possessed all those hardy qualities that were essential to success in such a mode of life, and in time by perse- vering industry developed a good farm from his wild land, erecting better buildings as he made progress, building fences, and providing himself from time to time with improved equipment. He continued to be thus actively engaged until 1897, in which year he retired, his retirement perhaps being hastened by the ill health of his wife, who died at Hokah about that time, or soon after. Mr. Fairbanks subsequently removed to Valley City, North Dakota, where he, himself, passed away in 1913. They had a family of eleven children.

Frank R. Fairbanks, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Mound Prairie township, though now practically retired from active work, was born near Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois, Aug. 26, 1845, son of Thomas and Catherine (Orr) Fairbanks. While still a young boy he accompanied his parents to Iowa, and then, in 1854, to Houston county, Minnesota, settling on land in Mound Prairie township which now forms a part of his present farm in section 4 south. Here he grew to manhood, for a while attending the district school, but spending a number of hours each day in healthful industry as his father's assistant. When twenty-four years old, which was after his marriage, he rented a part of the home farm, operating it for a few years, after which he spent four years farming in North Dakota. Then returning home, he purchased the property he is now living on, including the old homestead, and containing altogether 237 acres of land, though not all in one field. He has made valuable modern improvements, and has had a successful career as a general farmer, though he now leaves the practical operation of the farm to his sons. He has served at times in various local offices, in politics being independent, and he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Houston. Mr. Fairbanks was married in January, 1867, to Luella J. Burfield, who was born near Rock Island, Ill., daughter of W. B. and Eliza (Williams) Burfield. He and his wife have ten children: Ada, wife of S. S. Sheldon, of Mound Prairie township; Robert and Mae, residing at home; Catherine, now Mrs. Dana Dyer, of Houston; George and Darrol, who are farming in North Dakota; Mary, residing at home; Paul, who is operating the home farm; Jessie, wife of Peter Gokey, who is employed in the government Indian service in Montana; and Jennie, wife of P. Willis, a farmer at Big Sandy, Mont. Mrs. F. R. Fairbanks died May 4, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Burfield, the parents of Mrs. Fairbanks, came to Minnesota about 1856, settling at Caledonia, Houston county, where Mr. Burfield followed the trade of millwright for some years. Later they took a farm in Crystal Valley, where Mr. Burfield died in 1907, at the age of about eighty-three years. He had the distinction of having organized the first Masonic lodge in Minnesota.

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Fred Herman Beckman, who is meeting with good success as proprietor of a farm of 220 acres in Mound Prairie township, his residence lying in section 18, was born in Pommern, Germany, Nov. 14, 1885, son of August and Louisa (Albrecht) Beckman. The parents came with their children to America in 1894, landing at Baltimore, whence they proceeded west. After a brief stay of a few days at La Crosse, Wis., they came on to Houston county, where they made a permanent settlement. For a number of years August Beckman worked out for others, and then retired, making his home with his son Fred Herman until his death, which occurred in 1912. His wife is still residing on the farm. Fred H. Beckman, who was one of the younger members in a family of eight children, was about nine years old when he arrived in Houston county. At the age of thirteen he began work- ing out and was thus occupied until his marriage in 1907. After that he farmed rented land for about ten years, at the end of that time buying his present farm, a well improved piece of property, on which he is profitably raising both grain and stock. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics is independent, voting for the men rather than for the party. His marriage, already referred to, occurred in December, 1907, his bride being Gusta Huebner, who was born in Winona county, Minnesota, daughter of Fred and Mary (Redmann) Huebner. Her father, a native of Germany, is now operating a large farm in North Dakota. Her mother was born in Germany, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Beckmann are the parents of five children, Edna, Harold, Victor, Hazel and Lester.

Michael J. Deegan, who owns and operates the old Deegan farm of 160 acres in section 15, Mound Prairie township, was born in this township Oct. 16, 1861, son of James and Julia (Shiel) Deegan. He was only about four years old when his father died while serving in the army, but when old enough he was sent to school in district No. 11, and also attended a convent school at Hokah for about three months. He began working on the farm at an early age and had the practical charge of it by the time he was fourteen. It finally became his own property and he has continued his residence here and has made all the modern improvements on the place, so that it is now well provided with substantial buildings and all necessary equipment. He raises both crops and stock, finding a ready and profitable market for all his products, and is numbered among the prosperous citizens of this township. He is a member of the Catholic church at La Crescent, and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Deegan was married April 9, 1902, to Elizabeth Morris, who was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, daughter of John and Jane (Graham) Morris, both of whom were natives of that province, the father born March 27, 1834, and the mother in 1838. The parents were farming people who emigrated from Canada to La Crosse, where they resided for twenty years. The father is now retired and is living in Pine Creek. Of the nine children in the family, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Deegan, was the seventh in order of birth. She spent her early years in Canada, where she acquired her education. Mr. and Mrs. Deegan have one child, Julia Elizabeth, born Feb. 25, 1915.

James Deegan, one of the pioneer settlers of Mound Prairie township, was born in Queens County, Ireland, and was a young man when he came

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SAMUEL N. WHEATON AND FAMILY

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to the United States. He first located in New England, and was married at Middletown, Conn., to Julia Shiel, who was a native of the same county in Ireland as himself, and who had come to this country when a girl of fourteen years. For a number of years Mr. Deegan remained in Connect- icut, being employed in a stone quarry, but not finding it easy to make satisfactory progress on the low wages then paid to workmen in that and most other lines of industry, he resolved to seek independence and fortune in the Northwest, and with that object in view set out with his wife and family for Houston county, Minnesota. It was in the year 1855 when he arrived here and settled on a tract of land in section 15, Mound Prairie town- ship, on which he began to make improvements. Here he continued to reside until 1865, in which year he enlisted for service in the Civil War as a private in a Wisconsin regiment. A few weeks later he died in St. Louis, to which place his regiment had been sent. His wife continued on the farm until her death in 1904. Michael J. is now proprietor of the old homestead. Katherine is the widow of Frank Wurm, of La Crosse, and she has two children, Francis J., who served his country during the Great War in the United States Navy, and Mary.

Samuel N. Wheaton, one of the older residents of Caledonia town- ship, where, as general farmer and stock raiser, he is doing a profitable business, is one of the surviving pioneers of this township, in which he settled nearly sixty years ago. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, July 10, 1848, and first came to Houston county, Minnesota, with his mother in 1856. After a residence here of a few months they returned to New York State, but came again to Houston county in 1859, when he was a boy of eleven years. From that time he has remained here and grown up with the county, watching its development from a wilderness almost un- inhabited except by Indians, to the highly cultivated and civilized section of the State which it is today. In this work of progress he has taken an active part along agricultural lines. In 1859 his father bought twenty acres of his present farm which is now highly improved and contains 220 acres, provided with good buildings and a full equipment of everything necessary for up-to-date farming and stock raising; and in addition to this place he also owns and operates 1,530 acres of other land in this township, being recognized as one of the most enterprising and successful men in this part of the county. As a breeder of Holstein cattle he has an established repu- tation, while he is also noted for his practical public spirit in supporting every worthy enterprise calculated to benefit the community in either a moral or material sense. He has been active in school work, serving for a number of years as a member of the board of education. Mr. Wheaton married Anna M. Houghton, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, Sept. 16, 1852, and they have been the parents of six children: Ruth L., deceased ; Pearl P., deceased ; John P., Paul R., Ralph R. and Hazel E., now Mrs. Aaron Lee. It is interesting to note that Mr. Wheaton was one of the prime movers in the proposition which has resulted in the construction of the big Houston County Drainage Ditch and the straightening of Root River.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 47

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

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