USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 3
USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 3
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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
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Lisle are the parents of seven children: Charles C., a dealer in furniture and automobiles at Royalton; Leslie R., editor of the Fingal Herald, located at Fingal, Barnes county, North Dakota: Carrie, the wife of R. Baumgardner, a farmer of Buckman township; Lucile L.,
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the wife of T. B. McCulloch, of St. Paul, Minnesota; Florence, the wife of W. H. Galley, of Royalton; Mamie, the wife of H. E. Reese, of Sand Point, Idaho, and Hazel, wife of Claude Witherell, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Mr. Lisle is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias during the life of that lodge at Royalton.
ELMER E. HALL, M. D.
There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work is ministering to the sick. There is no standard by which the work of the physician may be measured. Their helpfulness is limited only by the boundaries of their knowledge and skill. Among the prominent physicians and surgeons of Morrison county, Minnesota, who have risen in their chosen field of endeavor is Dr. Elmer E. Hall, whose knowledge of the medical profession has won for him a leading place among the distinguished physi- cians and surgeons of the county.
Elmer E. Hall is a native of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, where he was born on December 6, 1872. He is the son of John H. and Hannah ( Smith) Hall, the former of whom was born near Calais. Maine, in 1842, and the latter was born in Charlotte county, New Brunswick, in 1845. Doctor Hall's father is deceased, but his mother is still living. John H. Hall was a farmer and a soldier in the Civil War. He served four years in the Ninth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded just before the close of the war. He was confined in prison for eleven days and then exchanged. Although his wound was serious, he recovered and lived until 1914, when he was seventy-two years old. By his marriage to Hannah Smith, there were born four children, namely: Minnie, who mar- ried Nathan Marsh; Elmer E., the subject of this sketch; John Sherman and .Arthur.
Elmer E. Hall was educated in the grammar schools of New Bruns- wick, at the Main Central Institute, at Pittsfield, Maine, at Colby College and at the Baltimore Medical College. He graduated from the Maine Cen- tral Institute, at Pittsfield, Maine, in 1893 and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Colby College, at Waterville, Maine, in 1898. He was graduated from the Baltimore Medical College, at Baltimore, Maryland. in 1902, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
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In the fall of 1902, Doctor Hall settled in Little Falls, Minnesota, and began the practice of his profession. From 1902 to 1914 he was engaged in general practice of medicine and surgery. In February, 1914, he estab- lished Hall's Hospital in Little Falls. This hospital is devoted mainly to the treatment of cases where surgery is required.
On September 10, 1902, after locating in Little Falls, Dr. Elmer E. Hall was married to Mary Eva Burnham, a native of Charlotte county, New Brunswick, born there on September 10, 1877. Mrs. Hall is the daughter of Samuel H. and Alma ( Hatch) Burnham, both of whoni were born in New Brunswick. Doctor and Mrs. Hall have had six children, five of whom are living, as follow: Julia Allison, Byron Ellsworth, Charlotte Elaine, Lillian, Arthur Shelton, and one child namely, Burnham, who died in infancy. Three of the Hall children are attending school.
Dr. Elmer E. Hall is a Republican in politics. He served one term as health officer for Little Falls and is now serving as United States pension examiner, appointed February 5, 1914. Doctor Hall is a member of the Masonic lodge, he is not only a member of the blue lodge, but is also a Royal Arch Mason. He belongs to the Elks and is past exalted ruler in that order.
JOHN J. McRAE.
In past ages the history of a country was comprised chiefly of the records of its war and conquest. Today history is largely a record of com- mercial activity. Those whose names are foremost in the annals of a nation are those who have become leaders in business circles. The conquests of the twentieth century are those of mind over matter and the victor is he who can most successfully establish control and operate commercial enterprises. John J. McRae, vice-president of the People's State Bank of Swanville, a retired farmer and real estate owner, is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have been an essential part of the history of Morrison county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose and a genius for devising and executing the right things are his chief characteristics.
Mr. McRae was born on March 25, 1854, in Ontario, Canada, and is the son of Duncan B. and Anna ( McRae) McRae, who were natives of Scotland. The father was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1800, and died in 1884. His wife died a few years later. Duncan B. McRae was educated in Scotland and served as sheriff in the local shire until he emigrated to
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Canada in 1843. After operating the general store at Strathburn, Ontario, he came to "the States" and spent two years in upper Michigan working in the copper mines. In 1866 he came to Minnesota, where he took the con- tract to clear off the grounds where the depot and railroad yards of Sauk Rapids are now situated. He cleared about five acres of land comprising a black elder swamp, grubbing out the trees. He was a year finishing the contract and in the spring of 1867 moved to Todd county, where he and D. Burnham settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now Burnhamville township. They were the first settlers. The claim was cov- ered with brush and timber and there were practically no roads, the only passable road being the old military trail from Little Falls to Long Prairie. Even it was in bad condition. Mr. McRae built a log house with a basswood scoop roof and then set out to clear the claim. His first crop was one acre of potatoes-he was compelled to pay three dollars a bushel for the seed. At the time of his death he had about sixty-five acres of land under cultiva- tion. Of the children born to Duncan B. and Anna McRae, five died on the voyage across the ocean and were buried at sea. Duncan, Jr., Alexander and Jennie were the only members of the family known to John J. Duncan died years ago and Alexander is now located at Mesaba, Minnesota. Duncan B. McRae, Sr., was a Republican and voted at the first election ever held in Todd county. He was a member of the Free Church of Scotland.
John J. McRae attended school in Canada until he reached the age of twelve years, when he came to the United States with his parents. He attended school in Michigan for six months and then began work in the copper mines. He received twenty-two dollars a month while working in the wash house, washing copper. Afterwards he assisted his father in com- pleting the contract at Sauk Rapids and then moved to Todd county with him. 1le assisted his father in pioneer work and lived with his parents until they passed away.
On February 5, 1891. John J. McRae was married to Elizabeth Dennin, a native of Minnesota. She lived with her parents until her mother died. after which she worked out until married. Mr. and Mrs. McRae have had five children, Albert J., Roy R., Roger A., Alma and Orin. Of these children Albert J. is a salesman employed by the International Harvester Company, at St. Cloud, Minnesota.
After his marriage, Mr. McRae and his wife began housekeeping in Swanville, where, with his brother. Alexander, as a partner. he engaged in general mercantile business. He handled cord wood and railroad ties among other things. The mercantile business was continued until 1898, when Mr.
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McRae sold out and engaged in the farm implement business. He handled a general line of farm machinery until May 1, 1915, when he sold out to William Trampe.
Mr. McRae owns his father's old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and another farm of forty acres in Todd county. He also owns eighteen city lots in Swanville upon some of which houses have been erected. Since May 1, 1915. Mr. McRae has retired from active business life. How- ever, he has personal charge of his business and farming interests. Mr. McRae is vice-president of the People's State Bank.
Appointed as a Republican, he has served as postmaster of Swanville from 1901 to 1915 and also as village recorder for twenty consecutive years. He served as justice of the peace for twelve years and was connected with the census enumeration in 1900.
JOSEPH L. METCALF.
Among the citizens of Morrison county, Minnesota, whose strength of character, management and public leadership have impressed their personal- ities upon the community, is Joseph L. Metcalf, farmer and stockman of Little Falls township. He has borne his full share in the upbuilding and development of Morrison county, where he has lived for several years. He has exerted a strong influence for the good of the entire community, especially in the construction of better roads. Mr. Metcalf is an experienced road builder and had charge of building one of the finest macadam roads to be found in Morrison county, and one of which he is justly proud. He is a man of upright business principles and interested in the moral, educational and material advancement of Little Falls township, Morrison county. Few men have done more than he to encourage the breeding of high grade stock. He has a herd of fifty head of Red Polled cattle, all of which are purebred and most of which are registered. The herd includes "Nettie," No. 3171, a pure-bred Red Polled cow. She has averaged seven hundred and ten pounds of butter fat each year for four successive years. The herd also includes "Lucky Boy," No. 24115, a pure-bred, registered Red Polled bull.
Joseph L. Metcalf was born on September 25, 1875, in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. He is the son of George and Mary ( Miller) Metcalf, the former of whom was born on December 25, 1811, in England, and who was of Scotch-Irish descent. George Metcalf came to America with a great-
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uncle, Robert Runyon, at the age of six years. He landed in New York city and went from there to Buffalo, New York, where, for a number of years, he lived with his uncle and where he was educated. Later he moved to Illinois and engaged in breeding and raising fine stock. In fact, he was in the stock business all of his life.
George Metcalf served throughout the Civil War, having enlisted at the first call for troops on April 7, 1861, in the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served three years, was discharged and re-enlisted, serving three more years and receiving his final discharge on November 27, 1867. During the Civil War he participated in the battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg as well as many others and was with Sherman's army on its famous march from Atlanta to the sea.
George Metcalf was married on June 2, 1840, to Mary Miller, a native of Germany, who was the mother of seven children, John M .. George F .. Mrs. Olive Ann Harbach, Joseph L., Hilda J. Wainwright and others, who died in infancy.
Joseph L. Metcalf was educated in the common schools of Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in the high school and in the University of lowa, where he took a course in mechanical engineering. After graduating from the University of lowa, he returned to the farm and lived with his parents until his marriage on June 7, 1898, to Sylvia Chapman.
Mrs. Joseph L. Metcalf was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, and is the daughter of William A. and Roxie Ann Chapman, the former of whom was born in England and who came to America with his parents at the age of two years. They settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, being pioneers in that section. William A. Chapman was educated in the schools of Jo Daviess county and especially in the "Greenhorn" school. He lived with his parents until his marriage and then began housekeeping in Wabasha county, Minnesota, after many years returning to Illinois. He then sold out in Illinois and moved to South Dakota, purchasing about one-half section of land. He now owns other property but is retired, his youngest son oper- ating the farm. William A. and Roxie Ann Chapman have been the parents of eight children, namely: Sylvia, who married Mr. Metcalf: Austin P .. Mrs. Etyline Morris, Ida. Enoch, William, Reuben and Mary Eunice.
Mrs. Metcalf moved to Illinois with her parents when four years old and was educated in that state. She lived on the farm with her parents until her marriage. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Metcalf, of whom two, Clayton Harold and George W .. died in infancy.
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The living children are, Vernes Orville, Willard L., Clifford Burnell, Bernice Lois, Olive Lucille, Everett Forest and Donald Ruben.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf lived with Mr. Metcalf's parents for two years, after which his parents moved to a nearby town, and he rented the homestead. He engaged in raising pure-bred live stock, the first animal he ever owned having been a registered Shorthorn cow. After renting the homestead of two hundred and forty acres for two years, Mr. Metcalf purchased it. He lived in Illinois for two years on the homestead farm and then purchased two hundred and forty acres in the same locality, known as the "Wolf Creek Bottom Stock Farm." After living on this land for two years, he sold out and moved to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres known as the "Spring Dale Stock Farm." After living there for two years, he sold out once more and moved to Turner county. South Dakota, purchasing two hundred and forty acres, known as the "Pine Grove Stock Farm." There he raised fine stock for four years and sold out, finally moving to Morrison county, Minnesota, where he pur- chased eighty-one acres in Little Falls township, now known as the "Pleasant Home Stock Farm."
Mr. Metcalf has been compelled to do a great deal of clearing. Since moving to his farm in Morrison county, he has remodeled the house and barn and improved the place generally, now having an up-to-date country home. Not only does Mr. Metcalf own a great number of pure-bred Red Polled cattle, but he also owns several fine horses, as well as a herd of pure- bred and registered Duroc-Jersey hogs.
Joseph L. Metcalf is identified with the Socialist party. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is the noble grand in the local lodge.
OTTO ALBERT RHODE.
Born in Culdrum township, April 18, 1872, Otto Albert Rhode, man- ager of the elevator owned by the Monarch Elevator Company, of Swan- ville, for several years, is the son of William Paul and Pauline ( Newman) Rhode.
Mr. Rhode's father was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1832, and was a timber overseer for the government until he came to America in 1857. After landing in New York, he came to Carver county, Minnesota, and was married a short time before the Civil War to Pauline Newman, who was
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born in Berlin, Germany, in 1842, and who was educated in her native land. She came to America in 1857 with her parents, who settled in Carver county and there she met William P. Rhode.
Three years after the marriage of William P. and Pauline (Newman) Rhode, the Civil War broke out and Mr. Rhode enlisted in the Fifth Regi- ment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving in Companies B, I and J. He was one of the thirty-six members of the regiment who survived the ravages of death and disease during the war. After the war, he came back to Morrison county and homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 6, of Culdrum township. During the war, his wife had remained at home. The Indians massacred many of the whites during the war, but Mrs. Rhode was protected by soldiers, who arrived just before the Indians. After coming to Morrison county and settling on their homestead farm, Mr. and Mrs. Rhode built a log house and raised their first crop on ground which Mr. Rhode spaded by hand. Subsequently, he had about forty-five acres under cultivation and in 1882, built a commodious house, where he lived until his death in 1891. At one time he owned forty acres of land where Swanville is now situated, but sold the land to John A. Burkey and N. M. Williams, who platted the town.
William P. and Pauline (Newman) Rhode were the parents of five children, namely: Ida died early in life; Pauline married Anthony Burnell, who is engaged in the livery business at Browns Valley, Minnesota; Matilda is the wife of William Buelaw, who works in the implement store of William Tramps, of Swanville; William, a resident of Elk River, Minnesota, is a telegraph operator for the Northern Pacific railroad, a position which he has held for the past twenty-six years; and Otto A. The late William P. Rhode was a Republican in politics and for many years held the office of township clerk.
Otto A. Rhode was educated in a log school house in Swanville town- ship. His father died when he was only nineteen years old, but he took charge of the farm and managed it for several years until he was twenty- seven. His mother then sold the farm to John Wendt. The family then moved to Swanville and here Mr. Rhode conducted a saloon for two years. He worked at various positions, especially in the roundhouse for the Soo railroad for three months. He made one trip west but in 1904 returned to Swanville and was elected marshal, a position which he held for seven years. After that Mr. Rhode took charge of the elevator for the Monarch Elevator Company, of Swanville, and still holds this position.
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In 1900 Otto A. Rhode was married to Alma Dennin, a native of Mor- rison county and the daughter of Albert Dennin. Mr. and Mrs. Rhode have two children, Lloyd Otto and Norman William.
Mr. Rhode is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is an independent voter, and is at present a member of the city council.
HON. EDWARD F. SHAW.
The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incen- tives to the young and rising generation. The examples which successful men furnish to the world always illustrate what every young man may accomplish. Hon. Edward F. Shaw, judge of the Morrison county probate court, is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose and who has achieved a large measure of success, not only in the practice of law, the special sphere to which his talents and energies have been devoted, but also in establishing for himself an enviable reputation as a man and citizen.
Edward F. Shaw is a native of St. Mary's county, Maryland, where he was born on October 7, 1861. He is the son of Joseph Ford and Elizabeth Jane (Forbes) Shaw, the former of whom was born in 1839 on "Shaw's Retreat" in St. Mary's county, Maryland. He lived on this farm, which came into the possession of the Shaw family in 1814, until his death, January 3, 1913, when he was seventy-four years old. He was a farmer and school teacher, a prominent member of the Episcopal church and a Democrat in politics. Joseph Ford Shaw's father was a practicing physician, who also bore the name Joseph Ford Shaw. Elizabeth Jane ( Forbes) Shaw was born on "DeLabrooke Manor," St. Mary's county, Maryland, in 1841, and bore her husband eight children, all of whom are still living. Edward F. was the eldest in the family. Mrs. Elizabeth Jane ( Forbes) Shaw is also still living and has twenty-two living grandchildren. She resides on "Shaw's Retreat" in St. Mary's county, Maryland, at the present time.
Edward F. Shaw attended the common schools of Maryland and was then graduated from the Charlotte Hall Military Academy in 1881. After- wards he taught school for six years and then studied law in the office of Blakistone & Blakistone, attorneys, of Baltimore, Maryland, for three years." Admitted to the bar in Maryland, in 1889, he began the practice in that state, but in February, 1891, moved to St. Paul and was employed by the West
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Publishing Company, as assistant editor, until September 15. 1891, when he came to Little Falls and began the practice of his profession with Donat Trettel. In the spring of 1893, Mr. Shaw was elected as city justice, and served seven years. He was then elected city attorney and served three years. In 1902 he was elected judge of the probate court of Morrison county and is serving his seventh consecutive term. Judge Shaw is an inde- pendent Democrat.
On October 28, 1902, Edward F. Shaw was married to Clara J. Smith, of Morrison county, who was born on May 3. 1882, and was educated in Little Falls. She has borne her husband two children, Margaret Forbes and Ella Jane. Mrs. Shaw is the daughter of Frank and Johanna Smith, both of whom were natives of Germany.
Not only is Edward F. Shaw a learned and impartial judge, but he is a distinguished man and citizen, whose career has always reflected the best interests of his home county. His long service on the bench is a fitting tribute to his standing in his adopted home. Judge Shaw is heavily inter- ested in farm lands, not only in Morrison county but in the state of Mary- land, his ancestral home.
JOHN DAVID JONES.
Few citizens of Todd county, Minnesota, who belong to the past genera- tion, occupied a larger place in public affairs than the late John David Jones, of Long Prairie, who died on August 14, 1914. During his lifetime he held many positions of trust and responsibility and, at the time of his death, it could be said of him that he worthily discharged these duties and fulfilled all of the responsibilities which fall to the lot of the public-spirited and conscientious man and citizen.
Born in Pennsylvania, May 31. 1849. John David Jones was a son of the Rev. John and Deborah (Gandey ) Jones, the former of whom was a native of Wales and the latter was born in one of the New England states. Deborah Gandey was of Revolutionary stock. She was married to Rev. John Jones in the East and immigrated with him in 1867 to Todd county, Minnesota. Prior to their removal to Minnesota, the family had lived for a time in New Jersey, but, upon coming to Minnesota, the family settled at Kandota, in Todd county, where Rev. John Jones took a homestead. The old homestead farm was located on the banks of Fairy lake. After arriving in Todd county in the fall of 1867. Rev. John Jones, whose health was
JOHN D. JJONES
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rapidly failing before he came to this western country, continued to decline until his death in 1872. He lived long enough, however, to leave the mark of his influence upon the early history of this county. He established the first Baptist church in Todd county. He often came to Long Prairie to preach, even before the church was finished and, during this period, used the Chandler store for services. The Jones family is, therefore, identified with the pioneer development of Todd county.
John David Jones, who upon the death of his father, quickly assumed his father's place as a leader in the pioneer community, was educated in the New Jersey Classical and Scientific Institute, at Lewisburg University, at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Hightstown Institute, at Hightstown. New Jersey. Mr. Jones was only two years old when he had moved with his parents to New Jersey and it was in that state that he grew to manhood. There he attended the Hightstown Institute and the Lewisburg Seminary. He was not able to finish his education because of the poor health of his father. After his marriage in 1871, he moved shortly with his bride to Long Prairie. and was elected register of deeds of the then new county of Todd. Upon the arrival of himself and his bride in Todd county, there were no houses available so they took up their residence in the old court house building and lived there until a house could be erected on the lot which has since been their home.
Mr. Jones was classed among the early settlers of Todd county. He was the county's second register of deeds and in that early day the popula- tion was very sparse and the greater part of the county was an unbroken wilderness, known only to the Indians and to wandering hunters. The work of his office, therefore, was light and Mr. Jones embraced the oppor- tunity to study law during his spare time. Eventually, he completed his studies and was admitted to the bar upon leaving the register of deeds' office. He was subsequently elected attorney of Todd county, and upon assuming the duties of this office his responsibilities were suddenly increased by the famous Mead murder trial, which old settlers well remember as one of the most important cases of its kind in the history of the county. Intense excitement was aroused throughout this section in the case. Mead's part- ner in crime was taken from the jail at night and lynched and, in many ways, the trial of Mead himself was sensational. It was the county's first murder trial and the young county attorney handled the case in a masterly way. As a result of the prestige he gained in the management of this trial, he leaped into sudden prominence as one of the strong lawyers of the state.
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