USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 12
USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 12
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John Wetzel, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the eldest of a family of six children, two of whom died in infancy, and the remaining four are all living. As a boy he attended the public schools of the city of Chicago. receiving his higher grade work in St. Cloud, followed by two years of study in the St. Cloud normal school. After his school days were over, he secured a clerkship in a drug store in St. Cloud and took up the study of pharmacy. A little later, when he had become more proficient in his chosen field, he purchased a one-third interest in a drug store in that city, remaining therein for a year and a half, at which time he disposed of his business and came to Little Falls. That was in 1878 and he immediately purchased a one-half interest in the drug business, which for the following five years was known as the Rhodes & Wetzel Drug Company.
In 1883 Mr. Wetzel purchased his partner's interest and continued the business under his own name until 1892, when he sold out and became cashier of the German-American National Bank, being a heavy stockholder in that institution. He acted as cashier of the banking institution until 1910, when he was made its vice-president and continues in that relation. During the years he has been a resident of Little Falls, Mr. Wetzel has been numbered amongst the foremost citizens of the town. While attending primarily to his own affairs, and most anxious for their advancement, he still finds ample time to show his interest in civic matters and has always been in the front rank of those advocating any measure which would lead to the advancement of the moral, material, social or educational welfare of the city. In politics, Mr. Wetzel is an independent voter. but was formerly a Democrat, and as a member of that party he was appointed postmaster of Little Falls in 1885, being the first Democrat to receive a Federal appoint- ment in that city. At that time, Mr. Wetzel was serving as chairman of the county commissioners and was also a member of the city council. In addi-
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tion to these offices he served as village treasurer for a few terms, and in the discharge of the various duties which have fallen to his lot from time to time he has met with the approval of all, as he proved himself most capable and efficient.
In addition to the city real estate which he owns, Mr. Wetzel owns land in Morrison and Crow Wing counties and also has a fine stock farm in Morrison county, where he has an excellent strain of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Wetzel holds his religious membership in the French Catholic church and his fraternal affiliation in the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, having at one time served as trustee for the latter organization. He is also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and had the honor of being the first chief ranger of that order.
John Wetzel was married on April 29, 1882, to Carrie Beaugnot, who was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a daughter of John and Carrie A. Beang- not, both natives of the United States. To that union has been born one child, Earl V., who is located in Little Falls, where he is proprietor of one of the leading jewelry stores.
ALFRED WILSON.
It is with pleasure the biographer herewith presents a short sketch of the life of Alfred Wilson, one of the most prominent citizens of Motley, Morrison county, Minnesota, for the history of Mr. Wilson's life from the time he first came to this section, is closely intertwined with the history of the town itself. He is a man of great ability and has been interested in many business enterprises, all tending to the general advancement of his chosen place of residence. He has filled an unique place in the life of the community and has demonstrated what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition by his well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his sound judgment and his capable management of the different phases of business life to which he has given his attention. Mr. Wilson has long been identified with the lumber business and is one of the best contractors throughout this section, many buildings standing as monuments to his skill and workmanship in this line.
Alfred Wilson was born on April 19, 1854, in Iroquois county, Illinois, a son of Samuel and Emily (Bean) Wilson, there being at the present time but two remaining out of their family of eight children. Samuel Wilson
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was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1831, and throughout his life followed the vocation of farming. He came westward in the early days and located first in Illinois, where he remained but a comparatively short time, and then moved to Bremer county, Iowa. He was the owner of a considerable tract of land in that county and was one of its leading farmers up to the time of his death. Special mention is due Samuel Wilson, in that he was one of those faithful sons of the Nation who laid aside their private interests, left their young and growing families, and laid their lives upon the Nation's altar, if need be, in order to preserve the integrity of the Union. He enlisted at Waverly, Iowa, in 1861, as a private in Company I, Thirty-fourth Regi- ment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and saw much active service. He received his honorable discharge near Memphis, Tenessee, and promptly returned to his home and family. Mr. Wilson's mother was born on May 24, 1831, in Illinois and died on April 27, 1899, at the home in Motley. Both of Mr. Wilson's parents were devout members of the Baptist church, and in that faith he was most carefully reared.
Alfred Wilson remained under the parental roof until he was sixteen years of age and then he went to Charles City, Iowa, where he became apprentice to the carpenter's trade. This he mastered in due time, and also while at Charles City he worked in a furniture factory and there became proficient in the cabinet maker's trade. He was, therefore, able to do any sort of wood work, from the most ordinary bench work up to the most skillful hand work required on fine furniture. This ability he has retained throughout the years, and it is to his rigorous training at that time he owes his success of later years. About the year 1879 he came to Morrison county and secured work in a saw-mill, bringing his wife and family, consisting of one son, with him. The following year he opened the first meat market in Motley and a little later on he admitted B. F. Hartshorn to partnership and they branched out into a general store business, continuing same for four years. Mr. Wilson then disposed of his interest in the mercantile business and again took up his carpenter work, but some time after, when the railroad "cut off" from Staples to Little Falls was being built through his town, he again engaged in the retail meat business and took the contract for furnish- ing meat to the gangs of workmen employed by the railroad company. After his contract had expired he discontinued his meat market and in 1890 pur- chased the saw-mill, which he has since operated.
Mr. Wilson, like all men of affairs, has encountered many obstacles in his business ventures, but each difficulty seemed to give him fresh deter-
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mination to succeed in whatever he had undertaken. He has proven that he is a man of discernment and foresight, and the pleasing degree of material success he has attained is but commensurate with the effort he put forth. He has erected most of the better buildings of Motley and owns one of its largest homes. This is an eighteen-room house, three stories high, sur- mounted by a most attractive cupola seventy-five feet in height. The entire structure is painted white and presents a handsome appearance. It was built with the intention of accommodating summer boarders and seekers after health in this delightful northern clime. In addition to his town property, Mr. Wilson is also a landowner, having purchased, in 1901, a tract of one hundred and twenty-four acres located on the east side of Motley. This he has extensively improved and has about thirty-five acres under cultivation at the present time.
Alfred Wilson was married on December 25, 1873, at Mason City, Iowa, to Flora E. Ward, who was born on March 25, 1857, at Blue Island, Illinois, daughter of Stephen B. and Mary H. (Warn) Ward. Stephen B. Ward was a native of the state of New York, born on the shore of Lake George and when a young man he was apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner's trade. At this he worked throughout the active years of life and died at his home in Mason City, Iowa, in 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Wilson's mother was also a native of New York and after the death of her husband, she made her home with Alfred Wilson and his wife, and died at their home in Motley on November 23, 1896.
To Alfred Wilson and wife have been born seven children, four of whom are deceased. These are: Herbert, their first-born; Arthur W .. Mildred E., and Luverne E. Lloyd is a steam and electrical engineer with the Cuyuna Range Power Company, of Ironton, this state; Howard, who was graduated from the business college at Little Falls in 1908, is cashier of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company office in Minneapolis, and Merle H .. the youngest of the family, graduate of the eighth grade of Mot- ley's schools, remains at home with the parents.
While Mr. Wilson is not a member of any church society, he is an attendant upon divine worship at the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife and children are members. Mrs. Wilson is known as one of the most capable and enthusiastic women in church work in this section and together with her mother was largely instrumental in organizing the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Motley in the early days of the town. She has continued to give to this work the best of her mind and heart and much of
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the progress of the town along this line is due to her untiring efforts. Mr. Wilson is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, although at no time a candidate for public office. Throughout the years of his residence here he has been prominently identified with all that has made for the legitimate progress and welfare of the town and he and his worthy wife are fully entitled to the high degree of esteem in which they are held by all who know them.
JAMES WESLEY FEATHERSTON.
It is a well-recognized fact that the most powerful influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. It reaches a greater number of people than any other agency and thus has always been and always will be a most important factor in molding public opinion and, in a definite sense, shaping the destiny of the nation. The gentleman, to a brief review of whose life the following lines are devoted, is prominently connected with the jour- nalism of central Minnesota, and at this time is editor and publisher of the Staples Wl'orld, one of the most popular papers of Todd county, comparing favorably with the best sheets of this section of the state in news, editorial ability and mechanical execution. The county recognizes in Mr. Featherston not only a keen newspaper man, but also a representative citizen, whose interest in all that affects the general welfare has been of such character as to win for him a high place in the confidence and esteem of the people.
James W. Featherston is a native of the state of New York. born at Burke, Franklin county, April 23, 1861, son of Joseph and Sarah (Leet ) Featherston, the third in their family of seven children. John E., the eldest brother, is a dentist, located at Valley City, North Dakota; Joseph H. is engaged in practicing the same profession at his home in Billings, Montana ; Sarah E. is a teacher in the public schools of Fergus Falls, this state; Har- riet is engaged in the same work in the schools of the city of Minneapolis; Charles T. is a traveling salesman, residing at Spokane, Washington ; Jennie remains at home with the father in Fergus Falls.
Joseph Featherston, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, is a Canadian by birth, born at LaColle, February 22, 1831. When a young man he became a tanner and at the age of seventeen years came to the United States, locating at Plattsburg, New York, where for many years he was known as a tanner and dealer in all kinds of leather. From Plattsburg he went to Burke, New York, where he operated a saw-mill and tannery and
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later lived at Chateaugay, that state, where he had a harness and shoe shop. About the year 1868 he came to Minnesota, locating at Long Lake, where he was engaged in the harness and shoe business for a short time, and in 1871 went to Minneapolis, where he contracted to pile lumber for various firms. He remained there but a year and then went to Elk River, Minnesota, where he worked as a cooper for a number of years and in 1882 he moved to Fergus Falls, which he has since made his home. For a time he had a cooper shop there and was engaged also as a buyer of grain, but in 1883 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Fergus Falls, and proceeded to improve and farm it for a number of years. In 1900 he retired from the active work of his farm and, together with his two daughters, has made a home at Fergus Falls.
Sarah (Leet) Featherston, mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, died in 1910, at the age of seventy-eight years. She was a native of England, born in 1832, at Tiverton, and emigrated to this country when eighteen years of age. Five years later she was married to Mr. Featherston, and died at their home in Fergus Falls, this state, beloved by all who knew her. She and her husband became devout members of the Presbyterian church many years ago and reared their family in that faith.
James Wesley Featherston received his early education in the schools of Elk River, this state, and when but thirteen years of age was apprenticed to the cooper's trade. He mastered that craft and then, having ambitions to become a telegraph operator, he mastered the use of the key and secured his first assignment. He soon decided that was not the thing which would suit him sufficiently to enable him to be successful, so he resigned and went to his father's home in Fergus Falls, near which he purchased land and farmed for the following two years. In 1885 he quit his farm and went to Elk River, where he became interested in the publishing business. He learned the printer's trade and worked for the weekly newspaper of A. N. Dare, on which he was foreman until 1893, when he went to Minneapolis and became owner of a small job printing office. However, he remained there but a short time, when he disposed of that business and returned to Dare & Com- pany, remaining there about five years. He then went to Fergus Falls and was foreman on the two newspapers of that city, remaining there until 1901. when he returned to Elk River, where, for the following ten years, he served as local editor of the Star News. That year he purchased the Sentinel, one of the oldest newspapers published in the state of Minnesota, and continued its publication for one year, when he moved to Sisseton, South Dakota, and managed the Standard for two years. In September of 1914 he came to
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Staples, Todd county, Minnesota, and purchased from J. T. Drawz the paper which he manages at the present time. This is known as the Staples World, and is a weekly publication which compares favorably with any other paper in this section of the state.
On June 1, 1881, James Wesley Featherston was united in marriage with Gertrude Albee, who was born on February 7, 1862, at Faribault, this state, daughter of George C. and Susan ( Mills) Albee, both natives of Maine. George Albee was a harness maker by trade, but after going to Elk River. about the year 1865, he became the owner of a flour-mill, which he was operating at the time of his death a few years later. His wife died in 1883, at the age of fifty years.
Mr. Featherston has been twice married, his first wife dying on Septem- ber 14, 1911, no children being born to that union. In 1913 Mr. Featherston was married to Florence A. Tenney, who was born on April 10, 1882, at Mapleton, Minnesota. Her parents were Hiram B. and Ida A. (Weston) Tenney, natives of Wisconsin. The mother is dead, but the father still lives in Mapleton. Mrs. Featherston, before her marriage, was a teacher in the public schools of Sauk Rapids, and to her and her husband has been born a son, James Wesley, Jr., born on July 30, 1914, at Sisseton, South Dakota.
Mr. Featherston holds his religious membership with the Union church, and in politics he is an independent Republican. He is a man of pleasing address, a genial companion, who easily makes friends and retains them, so that he is well and favorably known wherever he has followed his chosen vocation.
CYPRIEN ALEXANDRE REMILLARD.
One of the well-known citizens of Todd county, Minnesota, is the esteemed gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Remillard has been a resident of Staples from the very first of its existence, coming to that locality in 1889, where he has since made his home. Staples was organized as a village on January 1, 1890, and being one of those active in the matter, Mr. Remillard was chosen town recorder and aided in framing the original ordinances of the village. Many of these ordinances are still in existence, having been so well worded that they met not only the needs of the embryo town, but the present-day thriving city as well. From that time on, Mr. Remillard has always held some public office, including commissioner of the first district for Todd county, and in the discharge of the various duties
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which have so devolved upon him he has never failed to win the approval of his fellow citizens, for he brings to any task a dignity and thoroughness which is most commendable. Mr. Remillard has been engaged in various lines of business, but is now practically retired from the active duties of life.
Cyprien Alexandre Remillard is a Canadian by birth, having first seen the light of day on March 25, 1847, at Napierville, province of Quebec. He received his elementary education in the parochial schools of his native town and later attended Terrebonne College, province of Quebec, for two terms. Mr. Remillard's father was Alexandre Remillard, a miller by trade, who died at the age of eighty-six years, in 1903. His mother, Josette Goyette, born on December 24, 1817. in the province of Quebec, still makes her home with him, at the advanced age of ninety-eight years, a most wonderfully pre- served woman for her age.
When nineteen years of age, Mr. Remillard came into the states and located in New York. Here for a time he was employed as a driver on the Erie canal in the summer and worked on farms during the winter months. In the spring of 1866 he went to Norton Mills, Vermont, where he secured employment as a scaler in the extensive saw-mills at that place. However, he remained there for two years only and came to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1868, and for the following eighteen months he was connected with the retail mercantile business. He then again became connected with the lum- ber business, working in the Minneapolis mills in the summer and out in the timber in the winter. In the spring of 1872 he went to Yellow Medicine, where he conducted a store for one year, removing in the spring of 1873 to Wheatland, in Rice county, where he operated a saw-mill and conducted a general store until 1886. In the spring of that year he came to Todd county and engaged in the livery business at Long Prairie, and in 1889 he came to the settlement which has since developed into the thriving town of Staples.
Cyprien A. Remillard has been twice married. His first wife was Mar- guerite Berry with whom he was united in marriage in 1874. Her death occurred in 1882 and she left a family of four children, namely: Emma, Clara and Henry ( twins) and Lorella. The latter died when a babe of four months and Emma died in 1890 at the age of fifteen years. Hers was the first body to be interred in the Staples cemetery and Clara, who died in 1903, was laid beside her. In 1885 Mr. Remillard married Anna Plaisance and to this union have been born eight children, six of whom are still living. These are: Eugene T., Eugenie, Louise, Praxede, Napoleon and Rachael. Mr. Remillard and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. He gives support to the Democratic party. Mr. Remillard has
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been known as one of the leading citizens of Staples from its earliest days and he has a lasting monument to his high ideals for the place in the present excellent state of community life.
FRANK C. McGIVERN.
Following is a short sketch of the career of Frank C. McGivern, attorney, of Staples, Todd county, Minnesota, and at the present time munici- pal judge of that city. Frank C. McGivern was born on June 25, 1882, at Brainerd, this state, son of Bernard and Mary (Canan) McGivern, the former being a native of Ireland, born in County Down, in March, 1855. Upon emigrating to this country as a. young man, he located in Jackson, Michigan, where for a time he was engaged as a boiler maker. Later he engaged in farming in Wadena county, Minnesota, where he bought a tract of three hundred and sixty acres of land. He has improved this until he now has over two hundred acres under the plow and has been highly suc- cessful in his undertaking. His farm is located some six miles northwest of Staples and is one of the finest farms of that section. Bernard McGivern has been twice married. Mary Canan, his first wife, was born at Marshall. Michigan, in 1862 and died in 1883. the only child of that union being Frank C., the immediate subject of this sketch. Mr. McGivern's second wife was Mary Kennedy, born in 1861, in Ireland, and her death occurred in 1915. To this latter union were born six sons.
Frank C. McGivern when a boy received his elementary education in the schools of Brainerd and was graduated from the high school of that place in 1901. He immediately entered the law department of the State University at Minneapolis and was graduated therefrom in 1905. For a year he traveled and then went to Duluth where he began the practice of his chosen profession in the law offices of Alexander Marshall. However, he remained there but a year, and in 1907 came to Staples, Todd county, and alone entered the ranks of his profession. He has met with pleasing success in his chosen field of endeavor, for from the beginning of his career he demonstrated ability of a high order. Mr. McGivern from his youth has taken a deep interest in public affairs and the current issues of the day, and his election as municipal judge of Staples is but an expression of the esteem in which he is hell by his fellow citizens. He is but now on the threshold of mature manhood and his accomplishments in the past may reasonably be
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taken as an indication of what future years will yield to him, and he gives promise of possessing in the years to come a still greater influence upon the welfare of the community in which he has chosen to make his home.
Frank C. McGivern was married on June 28, 1910, to Esther M. Mon- son, who was born on September 13, 1888, at Red Wing, Minnesota, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Monson, the former of whom was for many years a kiln burner in the extensive brick yards of that town. Mrs. McGivern is a graduate of the high schools of her native city and also of the state normal at Winona, this state. For three years previous to her marriage she taught in the public schools of Staples and has a wide circle of friends here by whom she is much admired. Mr. and Mrs. McGivern have two charming children : Marion F., born on May 5. 1911, and Elizabeth J., April 17, 1913.
Mr. McGivern does not hold membership in any religious society. His parents were Roman Catholics and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is Republican in his politics and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. McGivern is an excellent specimen of American young manhood and is counted among the best citizens of Staples.
REV. FRANCIS ZITUR.
There is no earthly state higher than that which ministers to the spiritual needs of man; no life can be more uplifting and grander than that which is devoted to the amelioration of the human race and nothing can exceed a life of sacrifice for the betterment of the brotherhood of man. It is not possible to measure adequately the influence of such a life, for it works not only directly, but indirectly upon the hearts of men, making the world brighter and better. One of the faithful spiritual fathers of this section of the state is the Rev. Francis Zitur, whose name forms the caption of this article.
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