USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 37
USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 37
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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
Herbert L. Waldron is a native of the state of New York, born in Norwood on February 22, 1868, son of William and Cynthia (Center) Waldron, being the youngest of their family of three children. Minnie, the eldest of the family, is deceased, and William is located in Minneapolis. William Waldron, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was born at LaSchutte, Canada, about the year 1839, and when a young man he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade. He succeeded well in his chosen field and became a contracting carpenter. In 1862 he left his native town and came into the states, locating at Norwood, New York, where he lived for twenty years, following his chosen vocation. From Norwood he moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, still working at his trade, and in 1892 he took up his work in the city of Minneapolis, continuing there for the balance of his days. His death occurred in 1901. Both parents were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, continuing therein until the time of their deaths.
Herbert I. Waldron. when a boy, attended the public schools of his native town of Norwood and was fourteen years of age when his parents
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came west. While still a youth he went into one of the best jewelry shops of St. Cloud to learn the trade of watchmaker, and when he had mastered its intricacies he went to Minneapolis and secured employment. In 1892 he left Minneapolis and went to Grand Forks, where he remained for the following three years and from there he came to Staples, at a time when the town was nothing more than a straggling village. To quote his own words: "In June of 1895 I came to Staples, thinking I might be here for a month or so, but seeing it was a good location for a watchmaker, I stuck. There were then two other jewelers in the town, one in Ritter's drug store and one where A. Mark is now located." Mr. Waldron, in humorous vein, goes on to tell how his first location was a window rented in the tailor shop of one Schultz and how he got S. A. Rosbrook to make him a work bench which took almost every cent he possessed. And then, in order to appear busy, he almost ruined his own watch taking it apart, pretending to clean it. and putting it together again. The ruse worked, and work began to come in so that within a short time the other two jewelers left for more profitable fields and Mr. Waldron had the town to himself.
Mr. Waldron has taken a keen interest in the life of Staples since first coming here and has so arranged his own business that he not only has kept abreast of the rapid advancement of the community life, but has been in the front rank of its commercial interests. He has given much of his time to Staples' civic affairs, for after his first year here he was elected village recorder, which office he filled for two years. The following year he served as town clerk, and was then again made recorder and, for the follow- ing nine years he most efficiently discharged the duties of that office. From the first his workmanship was recognized as of a high order and three years after locating in Staples he was appointed watch inspector for the Northern Pacific railroad, which position he has since most ably filled. He soon out- grew the window in the tailor shop and secured space in Atwod's drug store and shortly before the big fire at Staples, moved to the corner where W. J. Flynn then had the postoffice. When R. Arundel was appointed postmaster in 1900 he joined with Mr. Waldron in occupying the building where the latter has since remained. After renting this building for one year Mr. Waldron purchased it from J. D. Marlin, and since that time, as his business has justified, he has added stock and fixtures until he now has one of the most thriving businesses of the town.
In January of 1898 Herbert L. Waldron was united in marriage with Lottie Bartraw. born in July, 1878, at Charles City. Iowa. She is a dangh-
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ter of William and Jennie (LaLone) Bartraw, both natives of Canada. William spent his early days on a farm, and upon coming to this section of the country he homesteaded a tract of land, which is now the site of the town of Staples. Mr. Bartraw has retired from the active affairs of life and he and his good wife are spending their declining years near their daughter in Staples. To Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have been born two chil- dren, Lyndall being a student at St. Benedict College, St. Joe, this state, and Lorraine, still in high school work in Staples. Both children are bright and promising, and the little family moves in the best social circles of the com- munity.
Mr. Waldron is not a member of any church society, but is an attendant upon divine worship. Mrs. Waldron is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Waldron gives his political support to the Republican party, and is at present representing his party as a member of the school board of Staples. He holds fraternal affiliation with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Waldron is a fine type of young American manhood and stands as an example of what persistency and correct moral principles may accomplish in the life of any man. He has not only done well along material lines, but of far more value still is the pleasing degree of regard in which he is held by his fellow townsmen.
PERRY KNAPP.
One of the most successful farmers of Todd county, Minnesota, and one of its best-known citizens is Perry Knapp, who owns a magnificent farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres adjoining the city of Long Prairie, and who is also the proprietor of the West hotel and livery barn, of Long Prairie. He has been very successful in business and is today one of the most highly-respected men and citizens of the county.
Perry Knapp is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, born in South Lancaster township, September 2, 1868. He is the son of Anton and Eddie ( Roberts) Knapp. Mr. Knapp's father was born in Germany, October 5. 1840, and immigrated with his parents when a lad of two years to Grant county, Wisconsin. His mother was a native of Indiana, who removed with her parents to Grant county, Wisconsin. in pioncer times. It was in Grant county that Mr. Knapp's parents were married. They are still living in Grant county, in the city of Lancaster, and on December 31, 1915, will
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celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Mr. Knapp's father served in the Civil War for more than three years in Company HI, Twenty-fifth Regi- ment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman on his memor- able march to the sea and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war.
To Anton and Eddie (Roberts) Knapp were born five children, all of whom are living: Alice, the wife of Fred Miles, of Kansas; Perry, the subject of this sketch; Nettie M., the wife of John Pringle, of Grant county, Wisconsin; Clay W., who lives in Grant county; and Parke A., who is also a resident of Grant county.
Perry Knapp received a good education in the district schools of Grant county, Wisconsin, and after finishing his education, worked on his father's farm until twenty-five years old, when he was married. After his marriage he worked on his father's farm for four years and then purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Grant county, Wisconsin, which he cultivated for eight years. Upon selling the farm he moved to Lancaster, and for a number of years dealt in South Dakota land. Subsequently he moved to Pierre, South Dakota, where he lived for two years. In 1911 he sold out his interests in South Dakota and moved to Long Prairie, Minne- sota, purchasing one hundred and ninety-two acres of land adjoining the corporation of Long Prairie. This farm is well improved and has, besides a good barn, a modern brick house. Since purchasing the farm Mr. Knapp has increased the acreage to two hundred and twenty-six acres. He has also purchased the West hotel and livery barn and. is the proprietor of both enterprises. Among other things, Perry Knapp is a stockholder in the "Airline" railroad.
On August 23, 1893, Perry Knapp was married to Anna Klinkhammer, a daughter of F. W. and Mary ( Ahrendes) Klinkhammer. Mrs. Knapp's father was born in Germany and at the age of twenty-five years came to America and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin. On his way to America the ship was wrecked and out of four hundred passengers he was one of forty who were saved. Mrs. Knapp's mother was born in St. Louis. She moved to Grant county with her parents when a child. Mrs. Knapp's par- ents were married in Grant county and to them were born eight children, five of whom are living: Clara, who is the wife of Frank Caspers, of Long Prairie ; Anna, who is the wife of Mr. Knapp; Margaret, who is deceased ; Susan A., who is a teacher at Prescott, Wisconsin; Lena, who is the wife of Clyde Budworth, a dentist. of Prescott: Agnes, who lives with her parents
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at Cassville, Wisconsin; Fred, who died at the age of four years; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Knapp's parents are both living in Cassville, Grant county, Wisconsin. Her father has been a farmer by occupation but is now living retired.
Mr. and Mrs. Perry Knapp have six children, all of whom are living : Lillian M., who graduated from the high school at Long Prairie and from the domestic science course at Stout's College at Menominee, Wisconsin; Roland F., who is a senior in the high school at Long Prairie; Leona S., who is a member of the junior class in the Long Prairie high school; Clyde F., Lucille A. and Raymond W., all of whom live at home.
Although Mr. Knapp is nominally identified with the Republican party, he is independent in voting and supports whom he believes to be the best man for the office regardless of parties. Mr. Knapp's wife and the members of his family are members of the Catholic church.
HENRY GOTHMAN.
Henry Gothman, a prosperous farmer of Round Prairie township, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of Carver county, where he was born on November 5, 1884. Mr. Gothman is the son of Louis and Mary (Seigal) Gothman, both of whom were born in Carver county, Minnesota. They were married in Carver county and are still living. They reside in Long Prairie, to which they moved in 1913, after the father had retired from active life. He owns two hundred and forty acres of land in Long Prairie township. To Louis and Mary (Seigal) Gothman were born cleven chil- dren, all of whom are living, as follow: Henry, who is the subject of this sketch; George, who lives in Reynolds township: Anna, who is the wife of Henry Strack, of Long Prairie township; Favey, who is the wife of John Moutgh, of Long Prairie township; Catherine, who lives at Long Prairie with her parents; Dora, who is the wife of Charles Wiedholtz, of Wiscon- sin; Mary, who lives with her sister in Wisconsin: Minnie, Philip, Elnora and Tracy, all of whom are at home.
Henry Gothman received a liberal education in the district schools of Todd county and later attended the German Catholic school at Long Prairie. Some years ago Mr. Gothman purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty- eight acres in sections 21 and 22, of Round Prairie township, all of which was cleared with the exception of thirty acres. Mr. Gothman has since
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erected a fine barn and a comfortable house and is engaged in raising high grade live stock.
On January 26, 1909, Henry Gothman was married to Rose Gerlach, a daughter of Henry and Anna ( Nassline) Gerlach, both of whom are resi- dents of Long Prairie township. Mr. and Mrs. Gothman have two sons, Raymond, born on October 20, 1911, and Alonzo, born on December 16, 1913.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gothman are members of the Catholic church at Long Prairie. Mr. Gothman is identified with the Democratic party. He is now serving his fourth term as trustee of Round Prairie township and has also served as school treasurer in Round Prairie township. He is an enterprising young farmer and a successful business man and has a host of friends in the neighborhood where he lives.
MERTON E. GUTCHES.
Merton E. Gutches, a successful farmer of Reynolds township, is a veteran of the Spanish-American War. He enlisted in Company K, Four- teenth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers, as a private and was mustered out as a corporal. He enlisted on May 8, 1898, and was honorably discharged on November 18, 1898, at St. Paul.
Merton E. Gutches was born in Reynolds township, Todd county, Minnesota, December 8, 1879, and is the son of Charles and Josephine ( Connor) Gutches. Mr. Gutches' father was born in New York state and his mother was a native of Indiana. Before their marriage they located in Minnesota with their respective parents. Mr. Gutches' mother came with her parents to Sauk Center, Minnesota, and his father came with his par- ents, in 1872, to Todd county. The Gutches family settled in Reynolds township and it was in Todd county that Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gutches were married. They were the parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy. The three living children are: Merton E., the subject of this sketch; Nellie, who is the wife of B. W. Madison, of St. Louis: and Addie, who is the wife of John Hanes, of Reynolds township.
Merton E. Gutches was educated in the district schools of Todd county and in the high school at Long Prairie. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 27, of Reynolds township, over half of which is under cultivation. Mr. Gutches has made most of the improvements and
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now has a splendid barn and a very comfortable house. He has made a specialty of raising purebred Holstein-Friesian cattle. The Reynolds Co- operative Creamery Company was organized in 1904, and Mr. Gutches has served as secretary of this concern for the past seven years.
On August 10, 1905, Merton E. Gutches was married to Martha Noble, the daughter of D. H. and Martha Noble, who now reside in the village of Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Gutches have one son, Roderick U.
Mr. Gutches is a Democrat in politics and for the past seven years has served as treasurer of Reynolds township. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Long Prairie, and of the Knights of the Macca- bees, at Long Prairie.
GEORGE EDEBURN.
George Edeburn, a well-known retired farmer of Scandia Valley town- ship, Morrison county, Minnesota, is a native of Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was born on June 1, 1844. Mr. Edeburn is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ward) Edeburn, and the eldest of five children born to his parents. Philip F., the second born, died in Mississippi during the Civil War; James W. resides in the state of Washington; John B. resides at Holdingford, Stearns county, Minnesota ; Mrs. Mary Jane Whan resides at Royalton, Minnesota.
The late Joseph Edeburn, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania in 1817, and who was a shoemaker by trade, emigrated with his family in 1854 to Scott county, lowa, and died there the next year, in 1855. Mrs. Eliza- beth (Ward) Edeburn was also born in Pennsylvania, in 1824, and died in 1903. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian church.
George Edeburn was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and in the district schools of Scott county, Iowa. Upon the death of his father he returned with his mother, brother and sisters to Pennsylvania, where he remained on a farm until nineteen years old, after which he worked in the coal mines until twenty-three years old, driving a team on the tramway. In 1866 he immigrated with his mother's family to Minnesota, and the next year joined his brother, James, in homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of land in McLeod county, Minnesota. Various improve- ments were made on the farm, but Mr. Edeburn later sold out and purchased
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other land. In 1882 he removed to Morrison county, Minnesota, and pur- chased forty acres in Rails Prairie township. Mrs. Edeburn had also home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres in Scandia Valley township and now owns eighty-seven acres, all of which except eighteen acres is under culti- vation. Mr. Edeburn has retired from farming and his sons are now operating the home place. They keep Holstein cattle and Clydesdale horses and have won numerous prizes on the horses and cattle at the Cass county, Minnesota, fair.
In 1883 George Edeburn was married to Dora Rail, a native of Coles county, Illinois, born on February 2, 1859. Mrs. Edeburn is the daughter of Case and Sarah ( McHenry) Rail, both of whom were born in Maryland. Mrs. Edeburn's father was a slaveholder before the Civil War. She has borne her husband ten children, namely: James W. resides at Mason City, lowa; Earl, Grover, Hope, Dewey and Hazel live at home with their par- ents; Case and Thomas reside in Canada; Mrs. Mable Lick resides in North Dakota ; one child died in infancy.
Mr. Edeburn is a Democrat in politics and formerly was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is well known to the citizens of Seandia Valley township and has a host of friends in this community.
BENJAMIN B. BATES.
One of the extensive landholders and representative farmers of Mor- rison county. Minnesota, is Benjamin Bates. Reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, he began early to contribute his share of labor and attention to the development of affairs in his community. Imbued with the highest ideals of citizenship and possessing a mind of unusual faculties, he has exercised his right to assist in upbuilding the agricultural interests in the locality in which he lives. His father, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Minnesota, displayed a marked degree of assiduity in his method of clear- ing the primitive wilderness, and upon his death left a name of the highest worth in the county of his labors.
The Bates family came originally from New York. Benjamin Bates was born there, in Erie county. on the 5th of December, 1868, and his par- ents were both natives of the same state. His father, Ephraim Bates, was born on the 25th of May, 1835, and remained in the state of New York. filling the occupation of farmer until 1870, when he came to Green Prairie
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township, Morrison county, to engage in the same business. The land pur- chased by him at the time of his arrival consisted of two hundred and twelve acres in section 9. The land was sold, however, in 1883, when Mr. Bates went to Darling township, to farm on a tract of land he bought in section 10, extending over one hundred and sixty acres. For twelve years he was engaged in building up the farm he had bought, and added many improve- ments to it, including the building of a new house and barn. The land in this section is especially rich and adaptable to the needs of the agriculturist, the accumulation of decayed vegetation having left a top covering on the rich soil. Mr. Bates was not long in discovering the farming possibilities in the locality where he was engaged and made a third purchase of land, this tract being located in section 9, Darling township. The farm covered eighty acres and on this land Mr. Bates farmed until his death, which occurred in 1910. Lucetta ( Roberts) Bates, his wife, was born in 1845, in New York and died on the 17th of September, 1914. She became the mother of ten children, all of whom are living. Both parents are buried in Randall, Minnesota.
Benjamin Bates received his early education in the Prairie township schools. He attended district number 12, which was a log school of the most primitive type. He recalls the one-room cabin, the one teacher and the three branches taught and pictures scenes that have entirely vanished from rural school life. During his school days he had numerous small duties to perform on the farm and was reared in an environment of hard work. He worked at home with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, then left to engage in farming in the Dakotas and western Minnesota. In 1898 he bought a farm in Morrison county, Minnesota, located in sec- tion 31, Clough township. The land was all unimproved and presented the most uncultivated aspects of rural life. Mr. Bates set at once to the task of clearing the land of its thick covering of vegetation and has worked diligently in that direction, until now he has fifty acres free from underbruslı and in the most excellent state of cultivation. The farm house, which is strictly modern in its construction, is surrounded by the most picturesque forms of landscape and is placed in a setting of trees arranged in a grove which add much to the beauty of the farm. Other buildings on the farm include a large stock barn and a silo. The land itself extends over a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Bates keeps a graded stock of Guernsey cattle and is a shareholder in the Randall creamery. He was also president of the creamery for one year.
In 1899, Mr. Bates was married to Edith Briese, a native of Milwaukee.
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Wisconsin. She was born on the 7th of May, 1877, and is the daughter of August and Ernstena (Barkie) Briese, natives of Germany. Her parents settled in Wisconsin, where her father was section foreman on a railroad for a number of years. He died in 1910, at the age of sixty-one years. Mrs. Ernstena Briese is now living in Glenwood, Minnesota, and is sixty- five years old. She is the mother of seven children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bates the following children have been born, Bertha, Bessie, Ralph, Florence, Lora, Edward and Cora, all of whom are at home with their parents. Bessie is a graduate of the eighth grade of the Clough township schools. In his political interests Mr. Bates is a Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and contributes generously to its sup- port. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America lodge.
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