USA > Minnesota > Todd County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 5
USA > Minnesota > Morrison County > History of Morrison and Todd counties, Minnesota, their people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 5
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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
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sary to build a road in order to reach the farm. There he built a log house, cleared the land and lived upon it for about twenty years, when he sold out and rented two hundred acres near the farm. Among other things, he kept an inn for the accommodation of men driving cattle to market from Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. Not only did he have a hotel for the men, but he had a pasture for the cattle. It was before the days of cattle trains and cattle dealers drove their cattle either to Cincinnati or to Pittsburgh. After living on this farm for several years, Mr. Biteman's wife died and he moved to a farm about five miles away on the Stillwater river, where he lived a few years. He then quit farming and lived with his grandson, William Biteman, until his death in 1897, at the age of ninety-three years.
Seven children were born to Jacob and Susan (Krepps) Biteman, David, Jacob, Elisa, Susan, Isaac and two who died in infancy. The venerable Isaac Biteman of Swanville, Morrison county, Minnesota, is the only one of these children living.
Isaac Biteman was educated in Miami county, Ohio, having been com- pelled to walk nearly two miles to a log school which he attended three months in the year. He made his home with his parents until his marriage on September 18, 1862, to Nancy Jane Martin, a native of Indiana. They started housekeeping near Troy, Ohio, Mr. Biteman working for his father until the spring of 1863.
On May 2, 1863, Isaac Biteman enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty- seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being assigned to Company B. The regiment was mustered into service at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, and after being drilled there for a few days was shipped to Washington, D. C. In July, 1863, the regiment first met the enemy at Fort Strong, later at Falls church and other points until September. 1863, when Mr. Biteman was mustered out of service.
Upon his return home, he rented a forty-acre farm near Union City, Indiana, where he lived for three years, and then moved to Wright county, Minnesota, where he bought forty acres of wild timber land. After building a log house, he began to clear the land, his first crop being a little corn and garden truck. After living upon the farm for eight years, he had succeeded in clearing thirty acres. He then sold out and moved to Swanville. Minne- sota, purchasing forty acres of land in section 7, of Swanville township, pay- ing eight dollars an acre for it. There he built a log house, clearing abont eight acres the first season. The timber was chopped into cordwood. The next spring he took a contract to dig stumps out of what is now Main street,
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of Swanville. Afterward he farmed the forty acres of land for twelve years, but when his wife died he sold out. He next took the position of manager of the American House, a hotel owned by Eright Young. Several years later he engaged in the restaurant business with his son, Lee. Two or three years after that he sold out to his son, who now manages the restaurant.
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Biteman were the parents of five children, William, Jacob, Lee, Lily and Rose. Of these children, William is engaged in the railroad business and located at St. Mary's, Idaho. He is married and has three children. Jacob is engaged in the transfer business at Spokane, Wash- ington. He is married and has four children, Charles, Peter, John and Francis. Lee operates a restaurant in Swanville. Rose is the wife of Will- iam Seth, who is engaged in the transfer business at Spokane, Washington. They have six children, May, William, Herbert, James, Ruby and Isaac.
The venerable Isaac Biteman is a member of William Rhode Post No. 191, Grand Army of the Republic, and is quartermaster of the post. He is a Socialist in politics and has served one term as assessor of the township. He also served as road supervisor for two terms.
WILLIAM HARVEY COX.
The leading hotel of Swanville, Morrison county, Minnesota, is the Albion House, of which William Harvey Cox has been proprietor since August, 1913. Mr. Cox is a man well known in Morrison county, having been engaged in public life for many years. He has succeeded in many different lines of endeavor, including the livery business, farming, the mer- cantile business, the restaurant and hotel business. The Cox family have been residents of Minnesota for more than a half century and the family may now be regarded as one of the pioneers in this state.
William Harvey Cox was born on August 19, 1872, in Wright county, Minnesota, and is the son of J. M. and Elvira (Baisden) Cox, the former of whom was born near Louisa, Kentucky, January 20, 1815, and who died on February 23, 1908. The latter was the daughter of Edward Baisden, a native of Virginia. The late J. M. Cox made his home with his parents until attaining young manhood, although he operated a store in Kentucky prior to the Civil War. All of his brothers were engaged in the war and he was rejected on account of his poor eyesight. Upon coming to Minne-
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sota shortly after the Civil War, he settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wright county, near Stockholm, and thirty miles from Water- town, from which provisions were obtained in those days. After clearing about thirty acres of the farm, Mr. Cox became almost blind and remained so during the last twenty-five or thirty years of his life. During the ten or twelve years following, he lived in Missouri but then returned to Minnesota and settled at Swanville, where he lived until his death. He was a member of the Baptist church. Mrs. J. M. Cox was probably born in Virginia. where most of her father's family were reared.
Edward Baisden's first wife died in Virginia and he later married Nancy Copley, shortly afterward moved to Minnesota and settled in McLeod county, near Silverlake. He homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres of land near Silverlake and forty acres near Grand Rapids. After living in Minnesota until old age had come upon him, he moved to Missouri and lived with friends until his death at the age of about ninety years. J. M. and Elvira ( Baisden) Cox were the parents of seven children, Bazilla, Isabel, Elizabeth, John, Bennett B., Edward H. and William Harvey, the subject of this sketch. Of these children, Bazilla is the wife of J. D. Stith, a merchant at Swanville. Isabel is the wife of E. A. Flood, of Swanville. Elizabeth married J. W. Cofield, of Swanville. John is a resident of Colorado, where he engages in farming. Edward H. conducts a music store in the state of Nebraska. William H. is the subject of this sketch. Bennett B. is a merchant at Swanville.
William H. Cox was born on August 19, 1872, in Wright county. Minnesota, and after attending the elementary schools in that county, in 1883 moved with the family to Ridgeway, Missouri, where he finished his common school education. He made his home with his parents in Missouri until sixteen years old, when they moved to Swanville. A little later Will- iam H. Cox opened a livery and sales stable in Swanville, which he con- ducted for six years and then sold out to Axel brothers. Afterward he bought eighty acres of land in section 7, of Swanville township and improved the farm by the erection of a two-story brick house and a good barn. After farming the land for four years, he rented it and moved back to Swanville. where he purchased the general store and restaurant. Shortly after moving to town, he sold the farm. Mr. Cox conducted the farm and general store until the spring of 1913. In May, 1913, he purchased the Albion Hotel and took possession in August, of the same year. He conducted the general store in connection with the hotel until March 22, 1915, when he traded the store
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for one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles from Stanley, North Dakota. This land is improved and about one hundred acres of it is under cultivation, being operated by a tenant. Wheat, oats, barley and flax are produced on the farm. Mr. Cox now conducts the Albion Hotel, which is the leading hostelry of Swanville.
On January 1, 1902, William Harvey Cox was married to Essie Ervin, a native of Missouri, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Ervin, the former of whom died years ago and the latter now lives in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Cox made her home with her parents until her marriage but taught several terms of school, including one term at Swanville, where she became acquainted with Mr. Cox. To them have been born two children, Willard Harold and Hazel Fern.
Elected as a Democrat, William Harvey Cox has served as a member of the village council for one term and as clerk of the school board for three years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has passed all the chairs in this order. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
CHARLES E. GRAVEL.
Charles E. Gravel is a prosperous young business man of Pierz, Morri- son county, Minnesota, and since 1905 has been the general manager of the Rich Prairie Milling Company. Mr. Gravel himself superintended the con- struction of this mill and at its completion took active charge of the manage- ment of the business. He is a native of this state, and a man whose life is intimately associated with the development of Morrison county.
Charles E. Gravel was born on August 4, 1876, at Little Falls, Minne- sota, the son of Charles Gravel, Sr., now a resident of Onamia, Millelacs county, Minnesota. His father is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born on December 13, 1844. After leaving Canada, at the age of twenty- one year. Charles Gravel, Sr., settled in Wisconsin, but later moved to the state of Minnesota, and for more than a half century has been actively identified with the commercial development of the great Northwest, espe- cially with the lumber and flour interests.
Charles E. Gravel was only fifteen years old when he left school and engaged in the feed business with his father at Little Falls. He had pre- viously attended the public schools at Gravelville and at Little Falls. After conducting a business in Little Falls for several years Mr. Gravel engaged
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in the grocery business until 1905, when, in partnership with his father, the mill of the Rich Prairie Milling Company, of Pierz, was constructed under his supervision and management. This mill has a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels of flour daily. Not only is Charles E. Gravel a practical miller but he is also an expert judge of grain, and has been very successful as the manager of the Pierz mill. He is also interested in farm land in Pierz and Granite townships, this county, and at the present time has large holdings which are in process of development.
Mr. Gravel's wife, before her marriage, was Margaret Blake, a native of Pierz, whose parents removed to Little Falls when she was a small girl, where she lived until her marriage to Mr. Gravel, which occurred on Novem- ber 20, 1900. To this union have been born seven children, Peter Charles, Stephen J., Mercedes, Lawrence, Lucile, Edmund and Lorraine.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Gravel are earnest and devout members of the Catholic church. Mr. Gravel is a Democrat, having served as a member of the council for one year, and as village president for three years. He became a candidate on the Democratic ticket in 1912 for the Legislature, but was defeated with the remainder of the ticket. Here in Pierz he is regarded as one of the successful and substantial business men of the town, a man who is in every sense worthy to take up the work so successfully carried on by his worthy father.
REV. ARTHUR LAMOTHE.
One of the prominent clergymen of Morrison county. Minnesota, who has built up a congregation in the French Catholic parish at Little Falls, Minnesota, is one of the learned churchmen in this section of Minne- sota, and one who is interested in all public movements and enterprises. Since 1889 he has devoted his attention, his energy and his talents exclusively to the French Catholic congregation at Little Falls and in a little more than twenty years has built up a flourishing church, having at the outset of his career in this city erected the splendid edifice of the French Catholic parish. Although a learned churchman and a public-spirited citizen, he is modest and unassuming in all of the relations of life, temporal and spiritual.
Father Lamothe is a native of Marieville, Quebec, born in 1862. He is the son of Amédée and Adelaide ( Menard) Lamothe. Educated in the elementary schools at Marieville, Father Lamothe attended Monnoir Col-
REV. ARTHUR LAMOTHE
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lege, at Marieville, from 1874 to 1882, pursuing a classical course and a course in philosophy. From 1882 for four years he was a student at St. John's University, in Minnesota. where he studied theology and from which he was graduated in 1886. Ordained to the holy priesthood on June 14, 1886, by Bishop Seidenbusch in the cathedral of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Father Lamothe then attended the University of Innsbruck, Austria, studying theology from 1886 to 1888. In 1888 he returned to Minnesota and took charge of the German Catholic church at Little Falls. The following year he was assigned to the pastorate of the French Catholic church at Little Falls and for ten years had charge of the church at Belle Prairie, Minne- sota. In 1892 he huilt the church now used by the French Catholic congre- gation of Little Falls.
In the early years of Father Lamothe's pastorate, the French congrega- tion of Little Falls was small in numbers but since it has grown consider- ably, the congregation now numbering one hundred and seventy-five families.
OTTO H. HITZEMANN.
Born three miles east of Long Prairie, Minnesota, Otto H. Hitzemann, the cashier of the People's State Bank of Swanville, Morrison county, Minne- sota, is of German descent, his father, Rev. W. F. Hitzemann, having been born on July 17, 1848, at Schaumburg, Lippe, Germany. His mother was born at Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, and lived there with her parents until her mar- riage.
The Rev. W. F. Hitzemann received a common school education in the German public schools, and, after coming to the United States when a lad with his parents, settled with them on one hundred and sixty acres of home- stead land near Red Bud, Illinois. When eighteen years old, he entered the German Lutheran Seminary at Springfield, Illinois, and prepared him- self for the ministry, taking a complete course, including philosophy and theology. After graduating, he came to Minnesota and took charge of a church three miles east of Long Prairie. Shortly afterwards he was mar- ried to Christina Henn, whom he had known in Illinois. After having charge of the church three miles east of Long Prairie for four years, he moved to Long Prairie and had charge of the church there for twenty-nine years. He kept enlarging his field and subsequently was pastor of churches at Brower-
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ville, Clarissa, Sauk Centre, Melrose and West Union, besides the church at Long Prairie. While at Long Prairie he built a handsome church, which is now one of the best churches in the town. After living in Long Prairie for thirty years, he was called to the pastorate of the church of Lewiston, Minnesota, where he preached for about one year, until his death on March 20, 907.
The Rev. W. F. and Christina ( Henn) Hitzemann had ten children, of whom Lydia, the eldest, died in infancy. The others were William C., Albert E .. Otto H., Walter, Hulda, Othilie, Lena, Armen and Edwin. Of these children, William C. is a Lutheran minister at Hillsboro. North Dakota. He married Louise Von Niebelschuetz, and they have two children, Harold and Deloris. Albert E., formerly a German Lutheran school teacher at St. Paul, is now connected with Joesting & Company. a wholesale hotel supply house. He married Clara Holtman, and they have one son, Roland. Walter lives at Hettinger, North Dakota, where he operates a dray and transfer line. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of farm land near Hettinger. He married Hattie Redfield, and they have one son, Eldred. Hulda lives with her mother at St. Paul, Minnesota. Othilie is the wife of Henry Woeltge, a cigarmaker of St. Paul for Hart & Murphy. Lena lives with her mother at St. Paul. Armen is foreman of the Auto Engine Works at Midway, Minnesota. He married Emma Kloss. Edwin lives with his mother and works with his brother Armen.
Otto H. Hitzemann, born on December 1, 1884, received his elementary education in the schools at Long Prairie. He also attended high school at Long Prairie for one year, then was graduated from the Bouton Business College at Sauk Centre. He also attended the Caton Business College at Minneapolis. During his spare time, he worked for George W. Maynard in a general merchandise store at Long Prairie. After graduating from business college at Minneapolis, Mr. Hitzemann went to North Dakota, mak- ing the journey overland in a hay wagon. After arriving in North Dakota he received word to return to Cass Lake and to work for Gardner & Beckett, proprietors of a general dry goods store. He remained at Cass Lake for seven months and then worked for C. F. Miller, at Long Prairie, in the implement and grocery business. Mr. Hitzemann had charge not only of the books but also of the salesmen for Mr. Miller for one and one-half years. From Long Prairie, Mr. Hitzemann came to Swanville on February 5. 1906. to take charge of the People's Bank, although he had never before worked in a bank. He took complete charge of the institution as assistant cashier.
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The bank was incorporated on June 15, 1908, at which time he was elected cashier, a position he now holds. Mr. Hitzemann is interested in the Utahna Development Company, of St. Louis, Missouri. This company manufac- tures electric washers. He also owns a handsome residence at Swanville.
Mr. Hitzemann's wife before her marriage was Sophia Schuette, who was born at Red Bud, Illinois, on July 15, 1884, and who was educated at Red Bud. Mrs. Hitzemann made her home with her parents until her mar- riage. She has borne her husband one son, Arthur.
Mr. and Mrs. Hitzemann are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Hitzemann is secretary of the official board. He served as village recorder for one year and is now treasurer of the Commercial Club and of the fire department.
PHILIP A. HARTMANN.
P. A. Hartmann is not only one of the most extensive merchants of Pierz, Morrison county, Minnesota, but he is one of the most favorably known and representative citizens of Pierz township. By indomitable enter- prise and progressive methods, he has been able to contribute in a material way to the advancement of the locality with which his fortunes have been cast. He has contributed liberally to public enterprises and, at the present time, probably deserves to rank as the first citizen of Pierz. He is a man of great energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose and is well deserv- ing of the confidence bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens.
Philip A. Hartmann is a native of Scott county, Minnesota, born on November 10, 1869. His parents, Valentine and Rosalia ( Dealingler ) Hart- mann, were both born in Germany, the former in Hesse-Darmstadt, May 9, 1835, and the latter on August 13, 1835. Valentine Hartmann came to America when a young man with his parents. The family settled at Marys- town, in Scott county, Minnesota. The father later took up a claim in Benedict and there he worked diligently in clearing the land for cultivation. He married Rosalia Dealinger on September 4, 1858, and the ceremony was performed by Father Benedict, at Shakopee, Minnesota. Valentine Hart- mann lived in Benedict until his death, April 29, 1915. four days after the death of his wife. Her parents had come to America when she was eighteen years old. They lived in St. Louis a year or two and then moved to Shakopee. At the time of their death, Valentine and Rosalia Hartmann had four sons and four daughters, sixty grandchildren and twenty-five great-
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grandchildren. In 1908 they had celebrated their golden wedding anniver- sary. The children born to Valentine and Rosalia Hartmann were: Mrs. Gregor Wermerskirchen, Mrs. John Seifert, Mrs. Melchior Wermerskirchen, Mrs. John Bruner, Anton, Valentine M., Philip A. and Joseph B.
Philip A. Hartmann, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of Scott county, Minnesota, and later at Teutopolis College for one year at Tentopolis, Illinois. Later he was a student at St. John's School for one year and, upon leaving St. John's School went back to Scott county and assisted his father on the farm for five years. He then went to St. Louis and was employed in a rolling-mill for two years, after which he went back home and worked on the farm until 1894. During the last two years he rented the farm, comprising one hundred and twenty acres. In 1894 he went to Jordan, Minnesota, and worked in a hardware store for one year owned by Gunie Engeler. In the spring of 1895 Mr. Hartmann moved to Pierz, Minnesota and, in partnership with Jacob Neisinsas, started a hardware, harness and grocery business in what is known as the south end of Pierz. After a year they dissolved partnership and Mr. Hartmann established a grocery and hardware store in the north end of Pierz. After operating the business for three years, he bought a building from P. H. Berg and moved into it. About this time his father-in-law, Nicholas Hennen, was appointed postmaster and moved the postoffice into Mr. Hartmann's store, appointing him assistant postmaster. He held the office until 1914.
Shortly after purchasing the Berg building, Mr. Hartmann took his brother, J. B. Hartmann, into partnership with him. At that time the store occupied a room twenty-two by ninety-seven fect. After the partnership had continued for three years, P. A. Hartmann bought out the interest of his brother and enlarged the building to thirty-six by one hundred and ten feet, enlarging the stock accordingly. The business kept growing and in 1913, when Mr. Hartmann added an addition, thirty-six by eighty feet with a full basement, in the rear. The store is now one hundred and ninety feet deep. He has kept adding to the stock until he now has a very complete line of merchandise. He is agent for the John Deere and Deering harvesting machinery and has a line of clothing, shoes, hardware, groceries, dry-goods, lime, salt, cement, etc. Mr. Hartmann carries about twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of stock and in 1913 did business amounting to sixty-five thousand dollars. He has an automobile delivery and owns a seven-passen- ger Velie pleasure car. P. A. Hartmann is well known in Pierz township as a booster for good roads and as a public-spirited citizen.
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On June 23, 1896, P. A. Hartmann was married to Margaret Hennen, a native of Spring Hill, Minnesota, born on July 17, 1875. She was educated at Pierz. Her mother having died when she was sixteen years old, she kept house for her father until her marriage. To this marriage there were born four children, Alexander, Herbert, Reinhart and Leo. Mrs. Hartmann died on March 19, 1904, and in November of the same year Mr. Hartmann was married to Elizabeth Hennen, a sister of his first wife. To this second mar- riage there have been born six children, Alphonse, Dolores, Clarence, Lean- der, Margaret, and Roman, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Hartmann is a charter member of the Pierz Corps No. 710, of the Foresters, and for ten years was deputy high chief ranger. He is now the chief ranger. He is also a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Society and vice- president of the Pierz German State Bank. Mr. Hartmann contributed considerable money toward the building of St. Joseph's church, and in 1914 donated five hundred dollars toward the construction of St. Joseph's school. which is just now completed.
JAMES W. FALK.
Great achievements always excite admiration. Men who have accom- plished large things are the men the world delights to honor. Ours is an age representing the most wonderful progress, especially in commercial or material activity and the man of initiative is the one who forges to the front in the industrial, commercial and financial world. Among the well-known financiers of Morrison county, Minnesota, is James W. Falk, the president of the Farmers State Bank, of Upsala, a man who is interested in other banks and who is a large landowner in this section of the state. He is in the fullest sense of the term a progressive, virile, self-made man, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the country of his adoption and in all of his acts he displays an aptitude for successful management and executive ability.
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