USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 13
USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 13
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Francis Zitur was born on March 28. 1875, in West Prussia, Germany, a son of Frank and Augusta (Weitke) Zitur, and he is one of four living children out of a family of eleven. Frank Zitur was a native of Germany and was engaged in farming. In 1882 he with his family left their native land and located at Melrose, Minnesota, where he was engaged in farming for a time. He removed from there to Chaska, this state, where for a mum- ber of years he was known as one of the leading men of his community. He retired from the active affairs of life in 1897. He and his good wife
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(born in Germany on August 1, 1849) are now passing their declining years at Chaska, enjoying the material blessings which their faithful years of labor made possible.
Francis Zitur was reared on his father's farm and when a youth attended the parochial and public schools of Melrose. At the age of nineteen years he entered the University of St. John at Collegeville, this state, and after spending three years in that institution of learning, he went to St. Lawrence College, at Calvary. Wisconsin. There he took the complete classical and philosophical course and after being graduated from that institu- tion, he returned to St. John's Seminary, where he took his theological work. He was graduated therefrom in 1904 and ordained a priest the same year. His first labor was as assistant priest at Melrose, later being placed in full charge of St. Patrick's church in that city. Fourteen months later he went to Clear Lake and assumed charge of St. Marcus church, and in 1913 he was sent to Staples and placed in charge of Sacred Heart church.
Father Zitur is a man of broad sympathy and quick understanding, who quickly endears himself to the hearts of his people by his full apprecation of the needs of their lives. He possesses a pleasing manner and quiet dig- nity which make him much admired outside of church cireles and his influ- ence for good in the general life of the community has been evident from the first of his ministrations here. Father Zitur is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters.
ERNEST G. HAYMAKER.
It is generally acknowledged that journalism is one of the most impor- tant factors in twentieth century life, exerting as it does an influence on practically every phase of society. This relation is just as actual and potent in the smaller cities and towns as in the large cities and he who directs the policy of the newspaper or gives expression to that policy exerts personal control over the thoughts and actions of the community not equaled by any other profession. Among the newspaper men of Morrison county, Minne- sota, who have contributed a definite measure toward the advancement of the county, is Ernest G. Haymaker, the publisher of the weekly newspaper and the postmaster of Motley. Since Mr. Haymaker purchased the paper in 1907 the circulation has been increased from three hundred and fifty to five hundred.
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Ernest G. Haymaker was born on October 7, 1881, in Filmore county, Minnesota, and is the son of Frank and Clara (Compton) Haymaker, the parents of nine children of whom one, Marion, the youngest, is deceased. The living children are, Ernest G .; Irvin, of Paradise, Montana; Lloyd of Benchland, Fergus county, Montana; Emery, of Benchland; Sadie, a teacher of Paradise, Montana; Mrs. Ethel Mineer, of Benchland, Montana; Andrew J., of Benchland; Olive, of Paradise. The late Frank Haymaker was born in June, 1856, in Filmore county, Minnesota, and died in North Dakota in 1906. He was a farmer by occupation and was reared in Filmore county. In 1897 he sold his farm and removed to Missouri. He worked in the mines and three years later he removed to North Dakota and farmed until his death. Clara (Compton) Haymaker, his wife, was born in June, 1858, near Stoughton, Wisconsin, the daughter of Andrew J. Compton, a veteran of the Civil War and a farmer by occupation. He served in a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War. Mrs. Frank Haymaker is still living and resides with her son, Irvin, at Paradise, Montana.
Ernest G. Haymaker was reared on the farm and educated in the dis- trict schools of Filmore county, Minnesota, but when his parents removed to Missouri, he came to Motley, Minnesota, in 1900, to live with an aunt, Mrs. Frank Sears. Afterwards he attended the public schools at Motley for one year and then the north high school, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1905. After his graduation, Mr. Haymaker returned to Motley and worked as a laborer until 1906, when he purchased the newspaper of this place. In 1909 Mr. Haymaker was appointed post- master of Motley and has served as such ever since. He owns the business block in which the office is housed, is a shareholder of the telephone company and owns besides these his residence in Motley.
In 1909 Ernest G. Haymaker was married to Cora McGuire, who was born on February 22, 1888, in Kentucky. Mrs. Haymaker was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Bellemy ) McGuire, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Haymaker's father. is now living in Motley, Minnesota. Her mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Haymaker have had two children, Margaret B., born on May 26, 1910; and Edith, February 23, 1914.
Independent in politics, Mr. Haymaker is clerk of the school district. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Haymaker and family attend the Methodist church.
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SHERMAN W. JACOBS.
Among the well-known young bankers of Morrison county, Minnesota, is Sherman W. Jacobs, cashier of the First National Bank of Motley, who also is a shareholder in the bank and who owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Cass county, Minnesota. Aside from his financial interests, he is a progressive and up-to-date citizen who has taken a keen interest in the development of the county and who has had much to do with its latest progress.
Sherman W. Jacobs was born on November 16, 1881, in Moran town- ship, Todd county, Minnesota. He is the son of William and Carrie (Brown) Jacobs, the former of whom was born in 1860, at Columbus, Ohio, and was a machinist and lumberman. He was the son of John and Dorothy Jacobs, natives of Germany, who, after coming to America, were married in Ohio. William Jacobs died at St. Joseph's hospital, at Brainerd, Minne- sota, in 1902. His wife, Carrie ( Brown) Jacobs, was born in May, 1861, in New York state and is now living at Motley. She is the mother of five children, of whom Sherman W. is the eldest. Mrs. Ida Merill lives in Den- ver, Colorado; Edward and Frederick are twins. The former is connected with the Dower Lumber Company, of Wadena, Minnesota. The latter is a teller in the First National Bank at Mandan, North Dakota. Olive, who was a student in the St. Cloud Normal, is now a teacher in North Dakota and lives with her mother.
Sherman W. Jacobs came to Motley, Minnesota, when six years old with his parents. He attended the public schools of Motley and later the high school at Minneapolis until 1902, when he returned to Motley and began clerking and bookkeeping in the First National Bank. On April 22. 1907. Mr. Jacobs was appointed cashier of the bank, a position which he has held ever since.
On April 10, 1907, just before his appointment as cashier. Mr. Jacobs was married to Edith M. Donovan, who was born on June 22, 1882, the daughter of John and Jane Katherine (Carey ) Donovan. Mrs. Jacobs' father was born at Harvard, Illinois, in 1852, and her mother at Maple. Minnesota, on October 16, 1860. The latter died on February 1, 1908. Mr. Donovan, who during his active career was a farmer, is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs. His parents were natives of Ireland. Mrs. Jacobs was educated in the public schools of Motley and at the Brainerd high school. She began teaching when fourteen years old in Cass county and later taught
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two terms at Motley. Afterwards she taught the A second and B third grades in Duluth,¿, Minnesota, until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have had three children, Donovan J., born on December 24, 1909; John W., March 18, 1912; and Edward F., December 4, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherman W. Jacobs are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Jacobs is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is inde- pendent in politics and has served on the school board and in the city council. Mr. Jacobs has taken an especial interest in the welfare of his home town, and has labored hard for its advancement. He is well known and highly respected in this section of Morrison county.
FRED P. SEARS.
Among the well-known citizens of Motley, Minnesota, and among the most successful farmers of Morrison county, is Mayor Fred P. Sears. of Motley, who has been one of the most active citizens in behalf of the development of this county in all of its history. In fact he has been a potent force in making this a rich agricultural region. Not only has he carried on general farming and improved his land but he has stood firmly behind all movements on behalf of public improvement. Motley is ready to proclaim Fred P. Sears one of its leading farmers, business men and citizens.
Fred P. Sears was born on May 26, 1867, at Stowe, Lamoille county, Vermont, the son of Sylvester and Mary ( Morrison) Sears, the former of whom was born on February 5, 1829, at Stowe, Vermont, and the latter was born on January 31, 1838, at Stowe, Vermont. The late Sylvester Sears was a farmer by occupation, who, in 1880, emigrated with his family to Todd county, Minnesota, homesteading one hundred and sixty-eight acres in section 24, of Volard township. There he built a log house, but two years later he erected a frame house. He cleared and farmed ninety acres, but sold out in 1895 to his son, Frank, at a time when the place was well improved. He was a hard-working man and one who always took an inter- est in public affairs. He was the first man to construct a bridge across the Long Prairie river and the first supervisor of his township. He owned about forty-five head of high grade Durham cattle at the time of his death, August 21, 1900. His wife, who died on January 9, 1902, was the daughter of James M. and Christena (Wilkins) Morrison, who were natives of Ver- mont. After selling the farm, Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester M. Sears lived in
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Motley. Both were active members of the Methodist church. They had five children, of whom Fred P. was the third; Mrs. Emma (Ravey) is deceased ; Frank is a farmer in Todd county, Minnesota; James W. resides in Spokane, Washington; Charles resides at Bellingham, Washington.
Fred P. Sears was reared on a farm and was educated in the public schools of Motley. When twenty years old he engaged in contract work in the timber lands. In 1898 Mr. Sears was married and then began improve- ments on land which he had purchased in Todd county. AAltogether, he has cultivated seventy-five acres, but owns two hundred and forty acres in Todd county. In 1914 he was elected to the fourth term as mayor of Motley and is now filling this position. Mr. Sears owns a pure-bred registered Percheron stallion. He is a shareholder in the telephone company and is president of the Farmer's Telephone Company. He is also vice-president of the Motley Fair Association.
In 1898 Fred I'. Sears was married to Cora Gregory, who was born on December 19, 1879, in Rock Falls, lowa. Mrs. Sears taught school for two years in Cass county, Minnesota, before her marriage. She is the daughter of George and Amy ( Brown) Gregory, natives of Illinois and Wisconsin, respectively, who came to Minnesota about 1885 and engaged in farming. They are now living retired in .Motley.
Mr. and Mrs. Sears have had three children, namely: Vivian was born on August 26. 1900; Mildred M., August 14. 1902: and Lillian E., April 28, 1907.
Aside from the office of mayor, to which Mr. Sears was elected as a Republican, he has also served as a member of the school board and as town- ship supervisor. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows at Motley and of the encampment at Staples. Mr. and Mrs. Fred P. Sears attend the Methodist church. Mrs. Sears is a member of the church and a steward.
GERALD WILLIAM MASSY.
The United States is perhaps the most cosmopolitan country on earth. Its citizens are drawn from every country and from every clime. A resi- dence of a few years in this country thoroughly imbues our foreign-born citizen with the American spirit and no nation has sent more substantial citizens to America than the Emerald Isle. From Ireland have come many young men who have won honored places in the life of this great country.
GERALD W. MASSY
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Among the residents of Morrison county, Minnesota, is Gerald William Massy, the scion of a distinguished Irish family, who partially because of the law of primogeniture came to America to seek his fortunes in the New World.
Gerald William Massy is a native of County Limerick, Ireland, and the son of James Fitzgerald and Elizabeth (Preston) Massy, who own the magnificent Stoneville estate where Gerald William was born and which has been owned by the Massy family ever since 1737. One of the ancestors of the family acquired the estate from the British government for services rendered in one of the country's early wars. Hugh Inglosby Massy, eldest brother of Gerald William, was a major in the Forty-fourth regiment and served during the Boer War. He died during the war and his eldest son, William, fell heir to the Stoneville estate and owns it at the present time. He is a captain in a Bengal regiment and is now stationed in India.
Born and reared on the Stoneville estate, the country seat of the Massy family in County Limerick, Ireland, Gerald William Massy was educated at Forest Hill Grammar School at Forest Hill, County Kent, England, and at Foyle College, Londonderry, Ireland. The property being entailed, he was entitled only to a younger son's portion, so he came to America in 1880. After arriving in America, he settled in western Minnesota and followed farming. After four years he removed to Morrison county and became the manager of a farm. Subsequently, he became head foreman in the construction of a dam at Little Falls and afterwards, during 1887 and 1888, he worked in a hardware store. In 1891 Mr. Massy established an office on the west side of the river, where the Northern Pacific water tank now stands, and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. For some time he was agent for the St. Paul & Northern Pacific railroad lands under his father-in-law, Major A. G. Postlethwaite, who was land com- missioner for the St. Paul & Northern Pacific railroad. Since then Mr. Massy has handled a great deal of real estate including farm lands and city property. He has various kinds of real estate for sale and is also the agent for sixteen different insurance companies.
On July 12, 1893, Mr. Massy was married to Amy Gertrude Postle- thwaite, who was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and is of English descent. Mrs. Massy, came to St. Paul, Minnesota, with her parents in 1884, her father being at that time comptroller of the St. Paul & Northern Pacific railroad and later land commissioner for the railroad. Here she met her future husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Gerald W. Massy have been born
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three children, Helen, Gerald William, Jr., and James Fitzgerald. Helen is now teaching school at Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Gerald William, Jr., is a manager of large insurance agencies at Minneapolis. He married Erma Warren, of Little Falls. James Fitzgerald is now living in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Mr. Massy is a Republican in politics. He has been a member of the Little Falls school board for four years.
CHARLES E. SEELY.
Prominent in the business life of Motley, Morrison county, Minnesota. is Charles E. Seely, who was formerly engaged in farming, but who is now the manager of the Monarch Elevator Company at Motley, before which he was employed three years as the manager of the elevator at Staples, which is owned by the same company.
Charles E. Seely was born in Knox county, Illinois, on August 31, 1866, and is the son of Melvin H. and Martha E. (Mosher) Seely. the former of whom was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1833. and the latter of whom was also born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, about 1845. During his active life, Melvin H. Seely was a farmer by occupation. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment in 1863. He was discharged in 1864 at Philadelphia and, after receiving his discharge, engaged in farming. He operated a dairy farm until his removal to Knox county, Illinois, where he remained a few years and then returned to Pennsylvania. Later, however, he moved back to Illinois and remained until 1881, when he settled in Moore county. Minnesota, renting land there until 1890 when he moved to Cass county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. Finally, he was able to put thirty acres of the land under cultivation and farmed it until 1910, when he emigrated to Oklahoma. He is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Lettie B. Tepner, in Cass county, Minnesota. Mrs. Martha E. (Mosher) Seely is also living. She bore her husband nine children, of whom the eldest died before Charles E. was born; Mrs. Etta Hoxter is deceased: Fred M. is a farmer in Cass county ; Charles E. was the fourth child; George W. resides in Cass county ; Mrs. Lettie B. Tepner resides in Cass county: Warren R. and Melvin E. reside in Cass county ; Martha, the youngest, died in infancy.
Charles E. Seely was reared on a farm. He attended the common
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schools of various states and attained a good education. In 1891 Mr. Seely purchased eighty acres of land for which he paid three dollars per acre. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres, eighty acres of which has been cleared and is under cultivation. In the meantime he has erected a house and barn. The house, however, burned in 1913. In 1903 Mr. Seely came to Motley to accept a position as manager of the Monarch Elevator Company. He owns besides his farm two lots and a residence in Motley.
In 1894 Charles E. Seely was married to Lucy A. Cunningham, who was born on October 3, 1874, and who is the daughter of Niles and Malissa ( Mohler) Cunningham, natives of Indiana and Minnesota, respectively. Both are still living and are farming in Todd county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Seely have had six children : Lilia G. is a graduate of the Staples high school and, for three years, has been teaching in Cass county; Ethel is a student at the Normal School at Duluth; Bernice, Ruth, Jennings and Enolia G. live at home with their parents.
Mr. Seely is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is now a member of the local school board.
JOHN O. JOHNSON.
It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and the develop- ment of a community ; to note the lines along which progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advancement have rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration. John O. Johnson, merchant of Motley, Morrison county, Minnesota, is an up-to-date business man, public spirited as a citizen and progressive in all that the term implies.
John O. Johnson was born on July 21, 1885, in Motley, Minnesota, and is the son of Chris and Margaret Johnson. He is one of seven children born to his parents, five of whom are living. Chris Johnson was a native of Norway.
John O. Johnson was reared in Motley and here attended the public schools. * When he was fifteen years old, he began clerking in the general mercantile store owned by Mrs. Ida A. Morrison. After having worked in the store for two years, he began to work for A. L. Cole & Company, also the proprietors of a general mercantile store. Two years later he removed to Backus, Cass county, Minnesota, and worked in a general mercantile store
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there for about three years. He then returned to Motley and began to work for Mr. Lockwood in his mercantile store. In August, 1907, Mr. Johnson purchased a bankrupt stock of general merchandise worth approximately fourteen hundred dollars. Four years later he sold out the stock, returned to Backus and clerked for J. W. Bailey & Company, until October, 1913. In 1913 Mr. Johnson returned to Motley and established a general mercantile store with a stock of merchandise worth approximately eighteen hundred dollars. The stock is now valued at twenty-eight hundred dollars. In June, 1914, Mr. Johnson erected a handsome residence twenty-four by twenty- four feet, containing eight rooms and provided with furnace heat. He also owns two lots in Motley.
In 1907 John O. Johnson was married to Edith Blake, who was born in 1887, at Salix, Woodbury county, Iowa. Mrs. Johnson was reared on the farm. She is the daughter of Charles and Mary Blake, who are natives of England and who came to Morrison county, Minnesota, in 1906. They are now living retired in Motley.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John O. Johnson. Ray- mond L. was born in September, 1907; Marjorie, in 1909; Marlow, in 1911; Evelyn E., July 5, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. John O. Johnson are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Johnson is identified with the Republican party and is a member of the Motley village council and is now serving his second term. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
WILLIAM E. LEE.
The state of Minnesota has been highly honored by the characters and careers of her many prominent citizens. In every section may be found men who apparently have been born to leadership in the various vocations, men who have succeeded because of their superior intelligence, natural endowment and force of character. It is always profitable to weigh the motives of such men and to study their lives as examples of what any young man may accomplish in a country where political liberty is universal and where economic liberty may be won by careful, painstaking industry and normal intelligence. There are few citizens living today in the state of Minnesota who have achieved a more honorable rank in life than the Hon. William E. Lee, of Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota. He has long
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been a prominent and influential factor in the public affairs of Minnesota, as well as in the business enterprises of Todd and adjoining counties. Having won his success through legitimate and worthy means, he stands as an admir- able type of the self-made man and citizen.
William E. Lee was born on January 8, 1852, at Alton, Illinois, and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Green) Lee, who were natives of Bridgewater, England. Samuel Lee was one of the earliest settlers in northern Minne- sota. He came to America from Bridgewater, England, and settled first at Alton, Illinois, in 1851, where he was engaged in contract building. In 1856 he came to Minnesota and settled at Little Falls, the family following him in 1857. He was also a contract builder at Little Falls, and having taken up the millwright trade, built several mills in northern Minnesota. Soon after settling at Little Falls, he took a homestead on a quarter section of land near Ladoux, five miles west of Little Falls on the Swan river and Long Prairie road. He moved from there in 1860 and settled at Long Prairie. He remained at Long Prairie until the Indian outbreak in the spring of 1862, when he returned to Little Falls.
The late Samuel Lee enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War and was a member of Company E, Hatch's Battalion of Minnesota Volun- teers. At the close of the war, he immigrated to the Indian country and built many mills at White Earth, Leech Lake and other places. After a time, he retired from active business and settled at Long Prairie.
Samuel Lee was married before coming to America to Jane Green and together they endured the usual hardships of frontier life in Minnesota. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are still living, Anna R. McCrea, a widow, of Victoria, British Columbia; William E., the subject of this sketch; Richard Henry, of Little Falls; George S., of Fairbanks, Alaska ; Isabella J. Broder, a widow, of Eugene, Oregon; Emily C. Simmons, the wife of F. B. Simmons, of Portland, Oregon; Samuel Charles Lee, who died on February 8, 1894, was in the mercantile business at Long Prairie for many years; Frances M. Racine, the wife of Carist Racine, died at Tacoma, Washington. Both Samuel Lee and his wife died at Long Prairie, Minnesota, the former on October 22, 1906, and the latter on October 22, 1903.
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