History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 90

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 90

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).

Herbert E. Wheaton, journalist and educator, editor and proprietor of the Houston County Chief, published at Hokah, and former principal of the Hokah school, was born in Janesville, Waseca County, Minnesota, April 1, 1871, son of Hudson and Fanny F. (Boehm) Wheaton, both born in New York State, the former Feb. 16, 1840, and the mother, June 23, 1847. The father, who was a substantial, respected citizen, came to Houston County in 1859, at the age of nineteen, and worked for many years as a car painter in Caledonia. In the late sixties, he moved to Janesville, this state, but in 1872 returned to Caledonia, and here lived until his death, April 9, 1896. Herbert E. was brought to Caledonia by his parents, and was there reared, receiving his elementary education in the public schools. From early boy- hood he was interested in educational and literary work, and to better pre-

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pare himself for work along these lines he entered the Wisconsin State Normal School at La Crosse, where he was graduated. He then entered the educational field, and after teaching for several years, became principal of the Hokah School in 1910. Two years later he resigned. During these years he had never quite forgotten his taste for newspaper work acquired during his boyhood work with the printing shops and newspapers of Cale- donia, and on June 15, 1913, he re-entered this field by purchasing the Houston County Chief. His editorial work and business management has made this paper one of the leading in the county, and his fearless policy has had a strong influence on public affairs throughout the vicinity.

Mr. Wheaton was married Jan. 18, 1898, to Louise E. Wiegand, and this union has been blessed with four children: Herbert Hudson, now prin- cipal of the high school at Kendall, Wis., and an officer of the Home Guards there; Gladys Fanny, a normal school pupil, and Mary Louise and Dorothy, residing at home. The parents of Mrs. Wheaton, Ernest and Mary (Doering) Wiegand, were born in Germany, and came to the United States as children. After their marriage they settled on a farm near Caledonia. There, Mr. Wiegand died in 1876, and his widow subsequently married.

Robert Lewis, whose name is inseparably connected with the early history of Houston County, was one of the pioneers of Caledonia Township, and did much to impress upon the life of his community the stamp of his own solid worth and character. He was born in Hertfordshire, England, of substantial people, the son of Samuel and Sarah (Carter) Lewis, who in 1847 brought him to a farm near Wheaton, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. There Robert Lewis grew to manhood and mar- ried. In 1855 he packed his household goods, and with an ox team and two cows set out for the Mississippi Valley country. The river was crossed at Galena, and in time they came in sight of their new home in section 27, Caledonia Township. At that time there were but few settlers in the county, and the surroundings were very wild, still inhabited by roving Indians. A small log cabin had been built on the place, with a sod roof and dirt floor. For a time the family lived in their covered wagon, while Mr. Lewis got out shingles for the roof, and planks for the floor. The family lived a true pioneer life, enduring all the hardships and privations incident to life in a new country. Mr. Lewis cleared the land, and then gradually broke it, erecting new buildings from time to time until he had an excellent place. Only two years after he arrived here, he became interested in the possibilities of fruit growing. Accordingly he decided to secure some apple trees. With this purpose in mind, he walked to Brownsville, took a boat to Galena, and from there went by rail to Chicago, where he secured twenty- four young apple trees about six feet high. These he had shipped to Brownsville, from which place he carted them to his farm with his ox teams. These were the first cultivated apple trees in Houston County, and from them he raised the first cultivated apples in Houston County, selling them to his grateful neighbors for $2.00 a bushel. One of these original trees is still standing. But it was not only in building up his own farm that he was interested. He earnestly desired for his community good educational and religious facilities. He helped organize the Methodist Episcopal Church,

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MR. AND MRS. ROBERT LEWIS

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WILLIAM H. CHAPEL AND FAMILY

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sang in its choir, was prominent in its Sunday school, and for many years was a member of its official board. He organized the first school in the district, and gave for the schoolhouse site the land upon which the present schoolhouse, one of the best brick buildings of the kind in the county, still stands. Of this district Mr. Lewis was an official almost all the remainder of his life. Mr. Lewis died Aug. 29, 1910, and his death was sincerely mourned by the entire community. His good wife passed away Aug. 30, 1903. Mr. Lewis was married April 26, 1855, at Wheaton, Ill., to Mary A. Carter, daughter of Morris and Susan Carter, both of whom were natives of Hertfordshire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had two children. Albert M. lives on the home place. He married Zena Paddock, of Caledonia. Lucie married Jay E. Ratcliffe, of Wheeling, West Virginia, who died Oct. 11, 1915.

Albert M. Lewis, better known as Bert Lewis, is one of the leading citizens of Caledonia Township, which he has seen develop from a wilderness into the prosperous farming community which it is today. He was born on the farm where he now lives, Jan. 30, 1857, the son of Robert and Mary (Carter) Lewis, the pioneers. He was reared on the home place, and attended the district school which his father organized, finishing with courses at the Caledonia Academy, then superintended by W. D. Belden. He helped his father develop the home farm, and now conducts and owns it. He carries on general farming, stock raising and dairying on a profitable basis, and is one of the successful and respected men of the community. His business holdings include stock in the Co-operative Stock and Grain Co. of Caledonia, as well as the Caledonia Co-operative Creamery.

Mr. Lewis was married Oct. 7, 1896, to Zena Paddock, of Caledonia, and of this union there are four children now living: Ellsworth E., Walter L., Lucie I. and Alpha G. Ellsworth E. was born April 15, 1899, received a good education, and on April 16, 1917, enlisted in the United States Army, serving one year or more, guarding German prisoners in France. He was appointed corporal in March, 1918, and sergeant in July, 1919. Walter L. was born Sept. 7, 1900; Lucie I. was born Feb. 5, 1905; Larkie A. was born Sept. 24, 1904, and died in infancy ; and Alpha G. was born Nov. 18, 1909.

William H. Chapel, who is now living practically retired on a farm of 23 acres adjacent to the Village of Money Creek, is a man who has had an active and successful career as farmer and stock raiser. He was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, Oct. 24, 1857, son of Harvey and Julia (Wydhoff) Chapel. He resided at home for most of the time until 22 years old, though previous to that he owned stock and operated land to some extent. After that he engaged in independent farming in this county, and at the age of about 26 years bought 100 acres of practically unimproved land in section 12, Money Creek Township, to which tract he subsequently made additions until he had 187 acres. Of this he grubbed 100 acres and continued his improvements until October, 1916, when he transferred the farm to his eldest son. He also acquired the tract of 23 acres on which he is now living, and which he is operating as a farm merely to keep employed. While living in section 12 he gave his attention largely to breeding Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs, and also some horses. He was one of the original founders and chief promoter of the Money Creek Creamery, being its presi-

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dent for seven years, and is a stockholder in the telephone company, of which he has been president for a number of years. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Yeomen's Lodge at Money Creek and the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Houston, of which latter he is a charter member. He formerly served for some time in the office of constable, and in politics is an independent Democrat. Mr. Chapel was married, Dec. 31, 1883, to Mary C. Layne, who was born at Galena, Ill., daughter of John and Hannah (Shortall) Layne. She was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, of whom five are now living. In her girlhood she attended school in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Chapel eight children have been born: Charles, Jocie, George, William, Albert, Fred, Leona May and Julia Alvina. Fred, who was born April 22, 1894, died in July, 1916. George, William and Albert were all in the United States service during the late war, George and Albert serving for about one year, and George taking part in some hard- fought battles, but all returned home safely, having met with no casualties. Charles married Mabel E. McLeod, of Rushford, and is now farming on the Chapel homestead in section 12, Money Creek Township. He has one child, Kenneth Allen. Jocie and Julia Alvina are residing at home with their parents. Leona May is the wife of Abraham Kingsley, a farmer at Stockton Ridge near Winona, and has one child, Glenn Frederick.

John Layne, a former resident of Money Creek Township, where he made some agricultural improvements, was born in Missouri. In early life he removed from his native state to near Galena, Ill., settling on a farm about six miles west of that city. For a while he engaged in mining, but his chief occupation throughout his life was agriculture. After residing for about 25 years on his farm near Galena, he removed to Houston County, Minn., taking land on Vinegar Hill, in Money Creek Township. There were few improvements on it, but he added to them and in time built up a good farm, on which he died Dec. 2, 1886. He married Hannah Shortall, a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, whose death occurred in 1874. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are now living.

Levi Kathan, who owns and operates a farm of 130 acres in section 19, La Crescent Township, was born in the Township of Dunham, near Mon- treal, Canada, Aug. 17, 1851, son of Earl Wood and Harriet (Shufelt) Kathan. The parents, who were natives of Canada, removed to Vermont in 1851 and remained there three or four years, subsequently returning to Canada, where they spent the rest of their lives. Levi, who was the fifth born of their ten children, was educated in Canada, where he resided until he was 14 years of age. He then went to Missouri, where he worked on farms and later at railroading until about 1865, when he began working in the woods and lumber mills of Sauk County, Wisconsin. From there he came to Houston County, Minnesota, at the time the tracks of the Southern Minnesota Railroad were being constructed to Houston, or in 1866, and worked on the road and its extensions for the next four years. After that he engaged in farm work for D. J. Cameron, and was so employed until his marriage in February, 1873, to Sarah Lang, daughter of Abraham and Frances (Smallcorn) Lang, natives of Somersetshire, England. He then took a farm near Faribault, but subsequently returned to Houston County

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and took his present farm in La Crescent Township. On this property, in 1912, he built a large, modern residence, while his barns, outbuildings and equipment are all adequate to the requiremnets of modern farming, which Mr. Kathan is carrying on successfully. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Sarah Kathan died July 19, 1915, deeply regretted by all who knew her. She had been the mother of ten children: Calvin, who is on the home farm; Walter and William, who served with the United States Army in France; George; Earl Wood, a resident of Hokah; Fannie, who is keeping house for her father; Hattie, now Mrs. Richard Wheeler of South Dakota; Grace, residing in Minneapolis; Mayme, wife of J. M. Hickey of Minneapolis; and Maud, residing at home.

Jacob C. Paulson, whose recent death on Feb. 15, 1918, deprived the Township of Yucatan of one of its widely known and esteemed citizens, was born in Schleswig, Denmark, June 26, 1852, son of Knud and Dorthea Paulson. He attended school in his native land and remained there until reaching the age of 17 years, when, saying goodbye to his parents, he set out for the United States. On his arrival here he located in Winona, Minn., where he found work in a stone quarry, being engaged in that line of occu- pation for some seven years. Then, on Oct. 30, 1876, he was united in marriage with Anna Dorthea Larson, who was born in Norway, fifth of the six children of Lars Christopherson and his wife, Anna Gulbrandson. Coming to America in 1866, her parents with their family located in section 19, Yucatan Township, this county, taking a tract of wild land which has since been developed into a good farm. On his marriage Mr. Paulson came to Houston County and settled on the farm of his wife's parents, where he took hold of the improvements and continued the operation of the place, as a general farmer, in which work he was engaged at the time of his death. Just previous to that event he had sold 20 acres of his land, having had 130 acres. He was a stockholder in the local creamery and the elevator at Rush- ford. A Republican in politics, he served on the school board of his district for many years, and was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Highland Prairie. To Mr. and Mrs. Paulson twelve children were born: John, who is proprietor of a neighboring farm in this township; Carl, resid- ing at home; Hjalmar, a farmer in Montana; William, who is farming on Oak Ridge, Yucatan Township; Anna, wife of M. Johnson of Fillmore County ; Mary, wife of Christ Olson, a farmer at Bobells, N. D .; Oscar, who is farming at Harsey, N. D .; Ida, wife of Charles Olson, a farmer of Nashua, Mont .; Edwin, a farmer; Laura, wife of Bennie Wold; and Christian and Emma, who are residing on the old homestead with their mother.

John Crain, formerly a well known and respected resident of Yucatan Township, but now deceased, was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man, locating first near Hartford, Wis., where he resided for a number of years. For 23 years he was engaged in railroad work, but finally engaged in farming in Yucatan Township, this county, residing here until his death in 1903. He served in various township offices and proved his worth as a reliable citizen and good neighbor. He married

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Maggie O'Connor, also a native of Ireland, who died in 1913, surviving her husband about ten years. They had a family of nine children.

Steve Crain, proprietor of a good farm of 210 a in section 4, Yuca- tan Township, was born in Houston Township, this Junty, Feb. 22, 1871, son of John and Maggie (O'Connor) Crain. He a ended school at Oak Ridge, this township, and was reared to manhood on his parents' farm. When 26 years old he went to North Dakota, where he was engaged in farm work at intervals, the rest of his time being spent at home in assisting his father. Later he settled on the farm on which he now resides, where, in addition to the usual crops, he is breeding up to Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs, paying particular attention to the stock raising branch of his business. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company, of which he is also now the vice-president. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic Church at Houston. One of the prosperous citizens of his township, he is esteemed for his industrious habits, the excellent management of his farm, which is a well improved piece of property, and for his agreeable qualities as a neighbor.

John A. Frank, who is engaged in the farm implement business in Caledonia, in company with his brother Peter, was born on a farm in Cale- donia Township, April 2, 1889, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Esch) Frank. He was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the district school. Like the other boys in the family, his first industrial experience was along agricultural lines, but his brother Hubert starting a grocery busi- ness in Caledonia village, he became his partner and so remained for seven years. At the end of that time, or about five years ago, he severed his partnership connection with Hubert and became the partner of his brother Peter in the implement business, which they have since conducted in Cale- donia, and in which they have made gratifying progress. They carry a full line of farm implements of recognized merit, and have shown an enter- prise and integrity in their business which have already given them an enviable reputation as reliable dealers.

John A. Frank married Elizabeth Wilvert of South Dakota, and they are the parents of one child, Leroy.

Henry Frank, a settler of former days who took part in developing the agricultural resources of the county, was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg about 1844, and came to the United States at the age of about 21 or 22 years. He had been brought up to farm life and on arriving in this country settled first in Iowa, where he remained for about ten years, or until reach- ing the age of 32. He then came to Houston County, Minn., and for some years worked out on farms in the vicinity of Houston, after which he rented a farm in the township and operated it on his own account. Later he bought a farm in Caledonia Township, where he made his permanent home, and on which his wife is still living. Here he died Sept. 2, 1913, at the age of 69 years, after a life of useful activity as an agriculturist. He was a man respected by his neighbors and was a faithful member of the Catholic church. He and his wife had 13 children: Hubert, Peter, Nicholas, Tony,

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John, Joseph, Margaret, Mary, Florence, Anna, and three others who died young. Joseph died at the age of 14 years. All attended the district school and grew up on t}, home farm, where Nicholas and Tony are still living with their mother. „tubert subsequently engaged in the grocery business in Caledonia, his brother John being for some years associated with him, but he is now condu ting business alone. He married Anna Staddler of Houston, and has four, children, Joseph, Lawrence, Herman and Evela.

Ole Evenson, who in former years took active part in the agricultural development of Houston and Yucatan Townships, but has long since passed away, was born in Telemarken, Norway, in 1836. There he grew to man- hood and married Berget Targerson, who was born in February, 1848. Emigrating to the United States, they arrived in Houston County, Minne- sota, in 1866, first settling on a farm near Houston, but later removing to section 32 north, Yucatan Township, where Mr. Evenson established the farm that is now operated by his son Christian. On this place he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1883. His widow, who still survives him, is now residing with a son in this township. They were the parents of eight children.

Christian Evenson, who is operating a good farm of 240 acres in sec- tion 32 north, Yucatan Township, which is the homestead established by his father many years ago, was born on this farm, May 27, 1874, son of Ole and Berget Evenson. His education was acquired in the district school, and was neither continuous nor prolonged, as at the early age of ten years he was obliged to become industrially active, working out for others. For one man he worked five years, after which he hired out his services to other farmers, being thus occupied until two years after his marriage. He then began independent farming in Holt Township, Fillmore County, operating a farm there for two years, after which he was engaged for an equal length of time in the feed mill business at Peterson, that county. Then he returned to farming in Holt Township, spent two years at it, and then sold his place and for one year resided on his mother's farm, which he helped to operate. The next twelve years were spent in operating various farms, the first one being in Yucatan Township, on which he remained two years; the next, the Hovda farm, which he operated for three years; then the farm on which he now lives, for one year; after that the Orr farm for three years, then another farm in Yucatan Township, on which he resided for three years, at the end of which time he came to the home farm on which he now lives. Here he carries on general farming, raising both crops and stock, and also operates a threshing outfit, in which he is a stockholder. He has made good progress on the road to prosperity, and has a well improved place, with good buildings and modern machinery. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Evenson was married in November, 1897, to Anna Nereson, who was born in Sheldon Township, this county. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: Obert, Oscar, Cara, Bernice, Adolph, Sidney, Norma and Gaile, all residing at home.

Dwight A. Buell was born at Caledonia, Minnesota, March 16, 1859, a son of David L. and Hattie M. (Bushnell) Buell. His father was born

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in New London County, Connecticut, in 1831, and died in 1906; and his mother, in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1830, and died in 1904. The Buells and Bushnells are of English origin. Two children now survive their parents, the daughter being Miss Hattie L. Buell, now at La Crosse, Wis. She is a graduate of the Chicago Art Institute. Dwight A. Buell spent his boyhood in Caledonia, attended school there and at the University of Min- nesota. He studied law at Ann Arbor and was admitted to the bar at Caledonia in October, 1882. He was elected county attorney in 1884, and held the office one term. Since 1888 he assisted his father in the farm machinery and other business at Houston, Minnesota, and has found but little time to devote to the practice of law, and at present is looking after his farming and other interests.

David L. Buell, one of the early pioneers of Houston County, was born in New London County, Connecticut, May 26, 1831, and studied in the schools of his native place and at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachu- setts, and after leaving school he devoted his time to teaching school and the study of law until coming west, in the spring of 1856. He was married, Feb. 10, 1856, to Hattie M. Bushnell, of Middletown, Connecticut, and they soon thereafter came to Houston County, Minnesota. He was elected register of deeds in 1858, holding the office two terms, and was admitted to the bar at Caledonia in May, 1863, and practiced law from 1863 to 1870, and was also, part of that time, engaged in farming. David L. Buell had marked ability as a lawyer, and practiced until his farming and other inter- ests caused him to retire from active practice. He farmed extensively from 1870 for years, and was engaged in the banking business and dealing in farm machinery at Houston, Minnesota, from 1886 until his death in 1906. He was the recognized leader of the Democratic party of Houston County for a number of years, and was elected county attorney in 1863, and was a member of the legislature of 1863, and of the state senate in 1866, 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1879.

Frederick Peterson, a former resident of Houston Township, who took an effective part in the agricultural improvement of the township, was born in Sweden, where he grew to manhood and married Anna Ericksdater. They came to Houston County, Minnesota, in 1868, and established a home in Houston (Lower Town), where they lived for twelve years. At the end of that time they removed to a farm in section 27, on which Mr. Peterson made improvements, and on which he died Nov. 10, 1902. His wife is now living in Chicago with her daughter. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, one of whom, William, is now proprietor of the old homestead.

William Peterson, proprietor of the old Peterson homestead in section 27, Houston Township, was born in this township, Jan. 23, 1869, son of Frederick and Anna (Ericksdater) Peterson. He attended school in Houston Township and village, and resided on the home farm, assisting his father until the time of his marriage, when he assumed its management and has since operated it, carrying on a general stockraising business. He also holds shares in the Farmers Telephone Company. The farm contains 160 acres and is well provided with substantial buildings and modern equip-

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 90

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

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