History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 59

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 59

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Lewis Lilly, formerly a well known farmer on Pine Creek, La Crescent township, but now deceased, was born at Westfield, Mass., April 13, 1825. When he was four years old his parents moved to Dover Center, Ohio, where he resided until the age of eighteen. Then going to Wisconsin, he engaged in farming, remaining there several years. In 1849 he joined the rush of gold seekers to California, going overland with a yoke of six oxen and an emigrants' wagon, known in those days as a "prairie schooner." The journey, which was both tedious and dangerous, on account of deserts to be crossed and hostile Indians, occupied six months. He reached the gold fields safely, however, and had fairly good luck, subsequently returning home with a quantity of money. Soon after his return to Wisconsin he married Margaret E. Emily, who was born in Syracuse, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1829. In 1863 he made up his mind to return to California and started with his wife and family, but on reaching Houston county, Minnesota, he stopped to engage in the sale of land, and finally making up his mind to remain permanently took a farm on Pine Creek, which was his home for many years thereafter, or until his retirement in 1900. He then took up his residence in the village of La Crescent, where he died Dec. 1, 1904. His wife died March 17, 1909. Their children were: Sarah L., now deceased, who married A. B. Lyons, and died in June, 1915; Albinus E., of La Crescent ; and Rose M., who died at the age of fourteen years.

Albinus Lilly, a well known and respected resident of the village of La Crescent, who is proprietor of a 360-acre farm on Pine Creek, and is now

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MR. AND MRS. ALBINUS LILLY

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D. J. CAMERON

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making a specialty of breeding brown Swiss cattle, was born in Roxbury, Dane county, Wis., March 7, 1862, son of Lewis and Margaret E. (Emily) Lilly. He was the second born in a family of three children and was an infant when he accompanied his parents to La Crescent township, Houston county. In his boyhood he attended the district school and as soon as he was old enough became active as helper on his parents' farm, assisting his father until he was twenty-five years old. He then married and took charge of the farm, operating it from that time as though it were his own, which it later became. There he continued until 1903, when he moved to the village of La Crescent. He still supervises the farm, however, keep- ing a record of the crop and stock operations, and, as already mentioned, is giving particular attention to raising of brown Swiss cattle. In politics he is independent. Oct. 3, 1893, Mr. Lilly married Delia Butler, daughter of Jeremiah and Susan (Layne) Butler. He and his wife have two sons, both now in the United States military service, Jerry A. and George B. Jeremiah Butler, who was born in Maryland, Aug. 6, 1824, at a later date moved to Missouri and from that State to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1878, locating in Money Creek township. He died Feb. 5, 1908. His wife Susan, who was born at Hannibal, Mo., in 1832, died in 1913. Their daugh- ter Delia, now Mrs. Albinus Lilly, was the second born of their seven children. She became a teacher, following that occupation first in Illinois and afterwards in Minnesota, on Winona Ridge, then in the primary room in the school on Vinegar Hill, in Money Creek township, and for a time near Rushford.

D. J. Cameron, at one time a prominent citizen of La Crescent township, engaged for a number of years in railroad construction work, and later noted as a breeder of blooded horses, was born in Ontario, Canada, April 8, 1828. Leaving home at the age of nineteen years, he went to work as time keeper on a canal in New York State. Later he became connected with railroad construction work, and during his early experience in that line of industry resided for some time in Ohio. He afterwards built and completed the Hoosac River tunnel, after several contractors had given up the work. Subsequently he took a contract to construct a tunnel at Tunnel City, Wis., for the Milwaukee Road, and was also engaged in grading many miles of the same road through Wisconsin. About 1859 Mr. Cameron came to Houston county, Minnesota, buying land in La Crescent, but for some time there- after continued railroad work, building the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road from Grand Crossing to Mankato. Later he worked on the Burlington & Northern, the Winona & St. Peter, with headquarters at Mendota, and the St. Louis & San Francisco roads. In 1881 he had work at Ontonogon, Mich., for the Milwaukee & Northern Road, also at Superior, Wis., for the Omaha. Before this was completed he took a contract to complete a tunnel through the Boston Mountains for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, which job also several contractors had given up after starting, but Mr. Cameron successfully completed it for the necessary distance of one-half mile. He also graded south of the Boston Mountains, and at Fayetteville, Ark., for about eighteen months. After that he had a year's work in heavy rock on the Canadian Pacific Rail-

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road, on the north shore of Lake Superior, east of Port Arthur. He then started work on a large tunnel for the San Francisco Railroad through the Buckbone Mountains in Arkansaw, with fifteen miles of grading, and seventy miles of grading in the Choctaw Territory. When that work was finished he put through sixty miles of work from the Illinois River, Indian Territory, to Wagoner on the M. K. & T. He then gave up that line of in- dustry and taking up his residence on his farm in La Crescent township, indulged his passion for fast horses, which he raised on the farm, keeping a stable of full-blooded animals until his retirement a number of years later, when he moved to La Crosse. He died Jan. 4, 1911, Mr. Cameron married Mary A. Rossiter, who was born on Prince Edward Island, Aug. 10, 1842, and who is now a resident of La Crosse. They were the parents of eight children: Anna, Belle, now Mrs. C. A. Patker, of Baltimore, Md .; Allen J., of La Crescent township; Mary, wife of Dr. Herbert Cary, of Minneapolis; John L., of La Crosse; Donald A., of Portland, Ore .; Grace, residing with her mother in La Crosse; and Catherine and Susie, deceased.

Allen J. Cameron, who owns and operates the old Cameron farm in La Crescent township, residing in section 9, was born at Ft. Snelling, Minn., son of D. J. and Mary A. (Rossiter) Cameron. Of his parents' eight children he was the second in order of birth. He was quite young when in 1859 the family settled in La Crescent township, Houston county, taking the farm on which he now resides, and his education was acquired in the school of his district and at the La Crosse Business College. Until his marriage he worked on the home farm for his father, and for a year after that event resided on a farm near Austin. He then returned to the home farm, which he subsequently inherited, and has since been engaged in its operation, having 440 acres of land, well watered and highly cultivated, with good buildings and a full equipment for grain and stock raising. He is a breeder of high grade stock of all kinds, a branch of the farming industry in which he has been very successful. Among his other business interests are those of a stockholder in the La Crescent State Bank and the Pine Creek Valley Creamery, while he is also president of the La Crescent Canning Co., Inc. A man of forceful character, he takes a close personal interest in all things that make for the moral and commercial benefit of the community. He was for several terms chairman of the township board, and has also served as town treasurer and assessor. In politics he is independent and in religion a Roman Catholic. Mr. Cameron was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1898, to Anna B. Bresnin, who was born in Tiffin, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1869, daughter of John K. and Anne E. (Toumey) Bresnin. Her parents were both natives of Ireland, the father settling in Ohio when only seventeen years old, and the mother being brought to Canada at the age of three months. They both resided for some time in Pennsylvania, and from there removed to Ohio, where they were married, and in that State both subse- quently died. Before her union with John K. Bresnin, Mrs. Bresnin had been previously married. By her former husband, Mr. Brady, she had a daugh- ter, Mary E., and by marriage to Mr. Bresnin, an adopted daughter, Ella E., who was a daughter of Mr. Bresnin's former wife. Her children by Mr. Bresnin were five in number, Ignatius, Anna B., Catherine E., Louise and

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ALLEN J. CAMERON AND FAMILY

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IIENRY ABNET AND FAMILY

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John, so that the household included seven children in addition to the parents. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are as follows: Anna Marie, born July 16, 1901, who is a student at St. Teresa's College, Winona; Katherine and Margaret, twins, born Jan. 22, 1903, of whom Katherine is a student in the La Crosse high school; Donald, born June 27, 1905; Jean, born Sept. 9, 1906, now at the Ursuline Convent at Toledo, Ohio; and Gerald, born July 4, 1908.

Henry Abnet, who is engaged in operating a modern farm of 228 acres on Pine Creek, in section 2, La Crescent township, was born at Onalaska, La Crosse county, Wis., Jan. 18, 1880, son of Christian and Margaret Abnet. The parents were natives of Switzerland, the father born in 1829 and the mother in 1835. After coming to this country they spent their lives on their farm near Onalaska, both being now deceased. Henry, who was the young- est of their ten children, attended school in Sand Lake Coulie, La Crosse county. After becoming industrially active he worked with his father for some years as the latter's assistant on the home farm, which he then took over and operated for four years himself. At the end of that time he bought his present farm in La Crescent township, on which he has built new barns and made other notable improvements, and as a general farmer is doing a thriving business. In politics he is independent and in religion a Roman Catholic. On Oct. 20, 1903, Mr. Abnet was united in marriage with Mary Pierce, daughter of George and Emma (Richmond) Pierce, she being the second born of their nine children. Her parents, of French origin, the father born in Canada in 1858, and the mother on French Island, Wis., in 1860. When a boy the former went to Massachusetts with his parents, and later removed to French Island, Wis. After marrying he bought a farm in Green's Coulie, near Onalaska, where he and his wife are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Abnet have five children, George H., Maretha Hope, Charles E., Heine A. and Beata Fern. Mr. Abnet is a stockholder in the Pine Creek Creamery, and is a man who takes a warm interest in everything calculated to promote the moral or material welfare of the community in which he resides, of which he and his family are prominent members.

Edward Hurley, agent at La Crescent for the C. M. & St. P. Railway, and a shipper of small fruits, was born in New Albin, Iowa, May 29, 1884, son of John and Mary (Scanlon) Hurley. The father was a native of Love- land, Ohio, born in 1860, and settled in New Albin when a young man. By his wife Mary, who was born in Caledonia, Minn., in 1864, he had a family of eleven children, of whom seven are now living. Edward, who was the second born, was educated in the public school at New Albin and in a business college at Waukon. He made such good use of his opportunities that at the age of fifteen years he was engaged to teach school in New Albin and did so for two terms to the satisfaction of the local school board. After that he worked at farming for a while, and then took a position in the railroad depot, where he studied telegraphy. In 1907 he came to La Crescent as agent for the C. M. & St. P. Railway, which position he still holds. In 1912 he also engaged in the business of buying and shipping small fruits, chiefly berries. He has prospered so as to be able to buy a com- fortable home in the village. A member of the Catholic church, he belongs

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also to the Knights of Columbus and the Railroad Order of Telegraphers. Mr. Hurley was married Sept. 15, 1914, to Minnie Welsh, daughter of Thomas and Johanna (Hurley) Welsh. Both her parents were born in Houston county, the father being now station agent at Freeburg, Minn., where he follows the blacksmith's trade. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley have one child, Mary Lucille.

William Kramer, who is engaged in the culture of small fruits on a small farm of nine acres within the limits of La Crescent village, was born in La Crescent, Aug. 9, 1872, son of John C. and Eleanor Kramer. The parents, natives of Germany, resided for a few years at Dakota, Minn., whence they moved to a farm on Pine Creek, Houston county, and later to La Crescent village, where John C. Kramer operated a fruit and vegetable garden, giving particular attention to the raising of vegetables. He died here June 6, 1909, and his widow now resides with her son William. The latter was educated in La Crescent and for about fifteen years after becoming industrially active worked for his father. Then for about a year he was employed in a grist mill at Hokah, after which he went to Iowa and worked there on farms. Returning to La Crescent he went from here to Neillsville, Wis., where for four or five years he was engaged in carpenter work. He then returned to La Crescent and in 1906 took his present farm, containing forty-five lots, or about nine acres, which he is devoting to the culture of small fruits, a line of industry in which he has been very success- ful. In politics he is a Republican with independent proclivities. Mr. Kramer first married Luella Robbins, daughter of H. E. and Sarah Robbins. Of this union three children were born; Sadie, who is now Mrs. Rairdon; Violet (Mrs. Nichols), and Elvie, who is deceased. On Nov. 16, 1895, Mr. Kramer married Maud Cook, daughter of John H. and Mary (Davis) Cook. Her father was born at Beaver Dam, Wis., and her mother in New Hamp- shire, later coming to Wisconsin with her parents. Mr. Cook was a soldier in the Civil War, and he and his wife resided for some time in Neillsville, Wis. Of Mr. Kramer's second marriage one child has been born, Inez M. William E. Selke, an esteemed citizen of La Crescent township, where he is successfully operating a good farm of 190 acres, was born in this township, Dec. 17, 1874, son of William and Christina (Boldt) Selke. The father was born in Germany, July 1, 1843, and the mother, also in Germany, in 1853. William Selke, Sr., who came to America when young, became a sailor and made several trips between this country and Germany, finally settling in Houston county, Minnesota, with his parents, who engaged in farming here. The father died July 3, 1890, and the mother in 1876. William E. Selke, who was the eldest of their eight children, on his father's death became proprietor of the home farm of 190 acres, which he has continued to operate. It is well improved and he is conducting a profitable business, raising grain and stock, for which in these times he receives good prices. He is also treasurer of the South Ridge Telephone Company. In politics he is inde- pendent, while his religious affiliations are with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Selke was married, June 8, 1904, to Minnie Huebner, daughter of Ferdinand and Amelia Huebner, her parents being natives of Germany, but residents for many years of Rose Valley, Winona county, where they

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JOHN C. KRAMER AND FAMILY

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CHARLES F. BOYNTON AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. BOYNTON

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are still living. She was the eldest of their eight children. To Mr. and Mrs. Selke four children have been born: Viola Elizabeth, April 27, 1905; Wilbert Ernest, June 23, 1908; Edward William, Nov. 3, 1911; and Arnold Walter, Dec. 25, 1915.

George Warren Boynton, one of the pioneer settlers in La Crescent, where for twenty-five years or more he conducted a blacksmith's shop, . was born in Vermont, June 11, 1827. As a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade and was married to Mercy Brown, who was born July 1, 1824. After a residence for a while in St. Lawrence county, New York, he brought his family in 1864 to Dakota, Minn., arriving June 5. In Novem- ber of the same year he moved to La Crescent, Houston county, and here worked one winter for H. D. Gurley. At the end of that time he went to work in the shops of the Southern Minnesota Railroad at Hokah, being one of the first smiths employed on that road. After being thus occupied for a while he returned to La Crescent ,and buying the brick shop building of a man known locally as "Honest John," he engaged in the blacksmith's business, continuing in it for about twenty-five years, at the end of which time he retired. At the time of his death, which occurred Aug. 10, 1909, he had been a widower for ten years, his wife having passed away, Nov. 23, 1889. Their two children, Charles Eugene and Florence Abbie, were both born in St. Lawrence county, New York, the son Oct. 22, 1856, and the daughter, May 15, 1861. The latter died Sept. 13, 1876.

Charles Eugene Boynton, who is engaged in the mercantile and ice busi- ness in the village of La Crescent, was born in Pierpont, St. Lawrence county, New York, Oct. 22, 1856, son of George Warren and Mercy (Brown) Boynton. He came to Houston county with his parents, locating at La Crescent in November, 1864, and here attended the district school. When fourteen years old he entered his father's blacksmith shop to lear the trade, and continued as an assistant and journeyman until reaching the age of twenty-seven. He then became proprietor of the shop, which he conducted until 1912. In that year he engaged in the teaming business, and in 1914 in the ice business as an additional interest. In the fall of 1918 he entered into the mercantile business, at the same time giving up teaming. Indus- trious and capable, he has been successful and attained to prosperous cir- cumstances. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Boynton has at various times taken an active part in local government affairs. At an early period he served as school clerk, was supervisor of La Crescent township before the incorporation of the village, and is now village trustee and school treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic order, including the Eastern Star; also of the Woodmen and Yeomen. Mr. Boynton was married, Feb. 5, 1880, to Anna May Howard, the third born of the eight children of Edwin C. and Annie (Fahey) Howard. The father, a native of England, came to America when a young man, locating in La Crosse, Wis., which was then a small place. He was a miller by trade and later worked in McSpadden's mill in Houston, and in a mill in Hokah. He and his wife are both now deceased, as also is their daughter, Mrs. Annie May Boynton, who passed away April 22, 1913, in her fifty-first year, having been born May 1, 1862. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Boynton are: Nellie E., born March 1, 1881, who is the wife

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of George H. Snure, a railroad man; and Annie M., born Jan. 20, 1883, who is the wife of William P. Burrow, a farmer and fruit grower of Mound Prairie, this county.

Theodore E. Fitting, the owner and operator of a good eighty-acre farm in section 2, La Crescent township, is a good type of the enterprising modern farmer who is an asset to any community in which he resides. He is a native of Houston county, having been born in Mound Prairie township, May 19, 1877, a son of Peter Fitting. His early education was acquired in district school No. 94, after which he took a course in the Wisconsin Busi- ness University of La Crosse, graduating therefrom in the class of 1897. For several years subsequently he was employed as clerk in a clothing store in La Crosse, after which he worked a while for his father, and from 1902 to 1905 conducted the home farm. He then purchased his present farm, on which he has made practically all the important improvements now stand- ing, having in particular remodeled the house, which is now a neat and comfortable residence. He is engaged in diversified agriculture, of which he has an expert knowledge, and, possessing an excellent equipment, is doing a profitable business. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Pine Creek Creamery Association. Of sterling qualities as a man and citizen, he possesses in a high degree the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen. Religiously he is affiliated with the church of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Fitting was married, June 25 1902, to Anna Buelow, of Mound Prairie township, who was born in La Crosse, Wis., March 30, 1883, daughter of Albert and Lena (Dettborn) Buelow. Her parents for three years were farmers in Houston county, but the father is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fitting have four children, all residing at home, who were born as follows: Verner, Feb. 11, 1904; Dorothy E., Dec. 25, 1906; Alfred W., Sept. 15, 1910; and Theodore E., Jr., March 8, 1912.

Jacob Pilger, a well known and respected citizen of La Crescent town- ship, proprietor of the Pilger farm in section 13, was born in Rockfield, Wis., Feb. 9, 1861, son of John Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Ramer) Pilger. Both parents were born in Prussia, Germany, the father in 1825 and the mother in 1823. In 1847 John Henry Pilger came to the United States, settling in Milwaukee, in which vicinity he soon took a farm. In 1865 he came to Houston county, taking a farm on South Ridge, La Crescent township, where he resided until his death in 1887. Jacob Pilger was the ninth born of his parents' ten children. He attended the local school on South Ridge and remained on the home farm assisting his father until his marriage, when he took over the place and has continued to operate it. It contains 140 acres and is well improved, and Mr. Pilger is doing a successful busi- ness, making a specialty of breeding Durham cattle. In 1894 he became one of the town supervisors and served in that office for seven consecutive years, and for twenty-five years up to 1917 he was a director on the school board. He is a stockholder in the Pine Creek Creamery and the Farmers' Telephone Company. In politics Mr. Pilger is a Republican, while his religious affilia- tions are with the Evangelical church. Mr. Pilger was married Oct. 19, 1886, to Elizabeth Arnet, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Eberhard)

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THEADORE E. FITTING AND FAMILY

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JACOB PILGER AND FAMILY

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Arnet. Her parents were natives of Prussia who came to the United States at an early date, settling first in Wisconsin, whence in 1863 they came to Houston county, taking a farm in Mound Prairie township. Mr. Arnet, who served as a soldier in the Civil War, died on his farm in 1885. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom Elizabeth was the fourth in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Pilger eight children have been born: Ada, who is now Mrs. Louis Pilger of Hokah; John, deceased; George, Ruth, Arthur, deceased; Lelia, May and Elsie.

Bernard Wieser, who until his recent retirement was for a number of years engaged in business in La Crescent township as proprietor of a grist and saw mill, was born in Germany in 1866. At the age of eighteen years he came to Winona, Minn., where he found work in a planing mill, and later in the Chicago & Northwestern Railway car shops. Coming to Houston county in 1903, he bought the saw and grist mill at Groff's, on Pine Creek, La Crescent township, together with a piece of land, and engaged in busi- ness as proprietor of the mill. Later he also purchased 160 acres of land. In 1917 he retired, selling the mill to his son Louis, and took up his resi- dence in La Crosse, where he is now living. Mr. Wieser married Barbara Roth, who was born in La Crosse, Wis., in 1864. They have been the parents of two children, Joseph and Louis, the former of whom is now operating the farm which he took over from his father.

Joseph Wieser, proprietor of a farm of 140 acres in section 3, La Crescent township, was born in Winona, Minn., Feb. 18, 1890, son of Bernard and Barbara (Roth) Wieser. His parents being Roman Catholics, he was educated in a Catholic parochial school in Winona, and in 1903 came with them to Houston county. From 1903 to 1906 he was associated with his father in the latter's grist and saw mill. He then took over his father's farm which he has since operated, giving his principal attention to dairying. He is a stockholder in the Pine Creek Valley Creamery, and is now numbered among the enterprising and prosperous citizens of his township. In politics he is independent. Mr. Wieser was married Nov. 18, 1913, to Mary Rohrer, daughter of John and Mary (Baumgartner) Rohrer. Her parents were born in Houston county, the father in Bush Valley, Hokah township, in 1864, and the mother in La Crescent township. For a number of years they were engaged in farming in Bush Valley, but in 1908 retired and took up their residence in La Crescent village. Mr. and Mrs. Wieser have one son, Alois.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 59

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

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