History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 32

Author: Joseph A. Leonard
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 736

USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by Google

306

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

28, 1867, married Lou J. Crouch, June 28, 1892; Arthur C., born June 20, 1871, married Frances Day Faitoute, October 9, 1895, whose children are Arthur Faitoute, born September 22, 1898, and Richard Day, born January 1, 1904.

SIDNEY BURNAP, who now resides in Chatfield, but he and family own and control a tract of 655 acres on Sections 8, 17 and 18 in Orion township, is the descendant of an old and honorable family of the county, their arrival here being in 1854. Sidney was born January 3. 1859, and was educated in the district school near his father's residence and at the high school in Chatfield, finishing at the latter when aged twenty years. From 1879 to 1897 he remained · with his father on the farm. During that time he became one of the best farmers of the county, taking advantage of all up-to-date im- provements and devices. He served as chairman of the board of supervisors for nine years, which fact is alone sufficient to show how highly he was regarded by his fellow citizens. In 1897 he moved to Chatfield and became cashier of the First National Bank there, and continued to serve as such until January 11. 1910, when he resigned, though he is still a stockholder. Since coming to town he has served as city treasurer for seven years. In all ways he has shown his fitness for business along modern and profitable lines and his high ability in positions of responsibility. His honesty and high character are above question. He is a Republican. On November 25, 1885. he married at Rochester Miss Lavina J. McMurchy, daughter of Alexander and Betsy McMurchy, who are farmers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Burnap have two sons : Alvers, who is now attending St. Thomas College, and Sidney, Jr., who is now in high school.

The Burnap family is one of the oldest and best of the county. Long before the county was thought of the family lived in New Hampshire. The ancestor of the family in this country was Deacon John Burnap. He and his wife moved from Lebanon, Connecticut, to Norwich, Vermont. in 1771. Originally the name was Burnett. At Norwich Deacon John became prominent and useful and left three children : John, Sarah and Elijah. The children of the latter were Orril, born October 7, 1792; Arunah, born October 10, 1794; Jedidah, born about 1797, and David, born April 5, 1801. Orril married Asa Goodnow. Arunah married Betsey Burr, February 14, 1816. Jedidah married Frances Cobb. David married Almedia Williams, of Plainfield, New Hampshire, on January 12, 1820. He was first a carpenter and lived for a while in Norwich, but later at Plainfield, or rather two miles east of that town. Later, having a large family of boys, he moved on a farm of fifty acres, which was increased by fifty acres in the course of time. Their children were Elijah W., Laura Jane. Sarah Ann, Orville W., Sidney L., Alvares E., Castanus S., Mary E., George L. and Ella M. Elijah W. mar-

Digitized by Google .

Public Library, Rochester, Minn.

CITY HALL, ROCHESTER

BIRTHPLACE OF SIDNEY BURNAP

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

- - - - - - -

--- -

307

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

ried Emily Fay. Laura Jane married Sylvester Austin. Orville W. married Sarah H. Dewey. Sidney L. married Loretta P. Walker. Alvares E. married Dianna A. Nichols, of this county. Mary E. married Alfred Ward. George L. did not marry. Ella M. married John W. Peterson. Alvares E. passed much of his childhood with his uncle Arunah, but upon becoming eighteen years old concluded to commence farming instead of shoemaking, as he had originally intended. After six years on his father's farm he came to Min- nesota in the fall of 1854. He located in Orion township, Olmsted county, and in the end became one of the foremost farmers and citizens of this portion of the State. For twelve successive years he served as chairman of the board of supervisors and town treasurer, three years as county commissioner, member of the lower house of the State legislature, elected in 1874 and 1876. The latter election was one of great honor, because he did little to secure the nomina- tion, while his opponent fought tooth and nail for the honor which came to Mr. Burnap unsought. It is not too much to say that he became one of the most prominent citizens in this part of the State. His children were as follows: Sidney (the subject of this sketch) ; Charles H., born July 10, 1862; Arthur, born December 15, 1865; Elijah, born July 17, 1869; Tira Ella, born June 13, 1874.

The log cabin, a cut of which is shown in this book, was built by Alvares E. on the southeast quarter of section 17, Orion township, in 1855.

FOREST HENRY, of Dover, son of John R. and Asenath Henry, old pioneers of Olmsted county, was born in Dodge county, Wiscon- sin, September 28, 1856. His ancestors originally came to America from Holland and settled in the famous Mohawk valley, in the State of New York, where, with other of their fellow countrymen, they talked the Dutch language almost exclusively for several genera- tions. John R. Henry was named after his father and this has been a family name as far back as the records have been kept. In all walks of life the family have been distinguished for their so- briety, industry, loyalty to country and uprightness of conduct. The father of Forest Henry came West to Wisconsin about the year 1855, and two years later settled in Olmsted county, Minnesota, establishing a home at that time in Dover township. This location was on section 28, and Mr. Henry retained the ownership of this property until his death. His wife was Asenath Farrell, to whom he was married in 1848, but she was known also by the name of Nichols, a family from which she was directly descended, one of her ancestors being Governor Nichols, of New York, and another General Nichols, together with his four sons, who participated in the battle of Bennington during the Revolutionary war. The chil- dren born to John R. and Asenath Henry were named Albert B.,

Digitized by Google

308

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

Cassius M., Frank N. and Forest. Forest Henry, the immediate subject of this biography, came to Olmsted county in infancy with his parents, was here educated in the district schools and has always made this locality his home. He was graduated from the high school at St. Charles and also took a short course in Carlton College. For fifteen winters, from the time he was seventeen years old, he taught in the village and district schools and followed farming during the summer months. In 1888 he sold his first farm of eighty acres and bought 320 in Elmira township, which for the succeeding ten years he devoted entirely to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Henry was not content merely to farm after the prevailing custom of the times. He subscribed liberally to the current literature on modern agricul- ture and, putting the scientific knowledge thus gained to his prac- tical training, he became a successful exponent of practical, scientific, . up-to-date farming. In 1898 he received the appointment of travel- ing lecturer from the State Agricultural Department, a position he has ever since filled, and while serving as such in the West also lectured extensively in New York State and in New England. The duties of this position have not interfered with Mr. Henry's work as a practical farmer. He is one of the large land owners of the county as well as one of its most progressive citizens. He has con- tributed numerous articles to the press on the subject of modern. scientific farming and stock raising, and is an associate editor of the Iowa Homestead, the Wisconsin Farmer and the Agriculturist. For several successive years he has been appointed by the governor to represent the State at the Farmers' National Congress, and was also chosen by the committee as one of the speakers at the first Conservation Congress held in the State during the winter of 1909-10. Mr. Henry has been repeatedly urged by various commit- tees and individuals to let his name stand for the State legislature and also for Congress, but has preferred thus far to devote his time to the cause of agriculture. His reputation as a high authority on agriculture is well established-not only throughout the Northwest but throughout the whole country as well. A prominent agricultur- ist of the East said of him: "I have been with Mr. Henry by the week and heard him lecture on many subjects, and can say that he is one of the most accurate men I ever met." The State Department of Agriculture made this comment : "Of all that Mr. Henry has said on the platform and in our publications, we have never had to take back one word." In politics Mr. Henry is a Republican ; in religion a Methodist. On March 9. 1882. he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie W., daughter of Richard Lloyd and Annabelle Cot- terell, and to them have been born two sons, John R. and James A., both of whom have completed the course of study in the State School of Agriculture.

Digitized by Google

309

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

REV. WILLIAM RIORDAN, for many years an influential factor in the cause of religion in southern Minnesota, is a native of Ire- land, his birth occurring in March, 1838, in County Limerick. To his parents, Daniel and Catherine (Murphy) Riordan, six children were born, one son, Patrick, becoming a priest and dying in 1903, in Australia, at which time he was in charge of a parish in that country. Rev. William Riordan passed his youth and early manhood in his native country and, after attending the parish schools, completed his literary education in the classical institution of learning at Charlieville. He subsequently attended the college at Drumcondra, Dublin, where he finished his theological studies, and in 1869 was ordained to the priesthood at Dublin. Shortly after this event he came to America and for some time served under Bishop Grace, at St. Paul, Minnesota. About one year later he was appointed to the parish at Chatfield, Minnesota, where he remained eleven years. During this time Father Riordan displayed executive ability of a high order and caused to be erected five churches and increased the membership materially. His activity and zeal attracted the attention of his superiors and he was then assigned to the more important pastorate at Rochester, where he has since lived and labored. Under his wise guidance the present Church of St. John was completed, and the chapel, one of the most beautiful in Minnesota, was erected. Father Riordan is not only the priest of his parish in looking after the spiritual and moral wel- fare of his parishioners; he is an American citizen imbued with a love for his country, state, county and city, democratic in his views and actions and at all times having the good of all uppermost in his mind. Long after the present generation shall have passed away the good accomplished by Father Riordan will be felt in Olmsted County.

ELLIOT A. KNOWLTON, for over thirty years one of the foremost business men of Rochester, was born September 10, 1844, at Wardsboro, Windham County, Vermont. William Knowlton, his father, was also a native of the Green Mountain State, his birth occurring on September 26, 1814, and he there married Electa P. Ramsdell, who was born July 27, 1821, their marriage taking place August 13, 1840. Two children were born to this union, Elliot A. and Clara A., the latter afterwards becoming Mrs. Clara A. Dunn. The father was engaged in the manufacturing business in the East, but after moving to Northfield, Minnesota, in 1856, lived a retired life until his death January 28, 1901. His wife died April 27, 1874.

Elliot A. Knowlton received his primary education in the public schools of his native state, subsequently attending Hamlin Uni- versity when it was located at Red Wing, Minnesota. September 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Minnesota Volunteer

Digitized by Google

310

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

Infantry, and served two years and nine months. Owing to the outbreak of the Indians, who were then ravaging the Northwestern frontier, his first service was with and under General Sibley, and he continued in active service until he was finally honorably dis- charged. Owing to a severe cold contracted while on duty, and its subsequent ill effects, he was unable to enter active business pur- suits for several years. In 1868 he came to Rochester as salesman for the old, well-remembered firm of J. D. Blake & Company, and in 1874 he was admitted a partner of the firm. September 30, 1881, associated with A. D. Leet, the firm of J. D. Blake & Com- pany was purchased and the firm name changed to Leet & Knowl- ton. It thus continued until 1897. since which time the firm of E. A. Knowlton Company has occupied the foremost position among the mercantile establishments of Rochester. In many other ways Mr. Kowlton has been identified with the commercial pros- perity of the county. He was one of the original stockholders of the Southern Minnesota Fair Association, of which he was treas- urer nine years. In January, 1891, he became president of the Union National Bank, of Rochester, which, under his wise man- agement, occupies an enviable position among the financial institu- tions of the state. He has continuously served as president of this bank from the time of his first election to the present. He is also vice-president of the Rochester Milling Company, which succeeded the J. A. Cole Milling Company; was the first man to sign the incorporation papers of the Rochester Building and Loan Associa- tion, of which he was elected president in 1897; served as president of the Rochester School Board five years and a director of same seven years; served as president of the Rochester Board of Trade five years; was vice-president and director of the Waseca Chau- tauqua Association four years, and at the present is president of the A. E. Lucas Co. dry goods house of Pierre, South Dakota. It is thus seen that Mr. Knowlton has been one of the most active and progressive business men of Rochester for more than a quarter of a century. From practically nothing he has worked his way to a position of honor and wealth. The universal esteem by which he is regarded by business associates and all classes is probably his most cherished possession. During his business career he has made. fifty-nine trips to New York City for the purpose of buying stock for his large mercantile establishment at Rochester. On March 4, 1873, Mr. Knowlton married Miss Ella R. Blake, who was born in Windham County. Vermont, the daughter of Benoni and Marilla (Dunklee) Blake. To their union have been born two sons, named George B., born June 16, 1877, and Clarence E., born April 29, 1879. Both sons were liberally educated, the elder graduating from the scientific department of the Northwestern University at Chi- cago, and the latter from the law department of the same institu-

Digitized by Google

311

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

tion. Both sons are members of the firm of E. A. Knowlton Company. George B. married Miss Madge Blethen August 6, 1910, and Clarence E. married Miss Mabel Williams November 6, 1908. Mr. Knowlton is a Republican in politics, and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school for about fifteen years.

DR. AUGUSTUS W. STINCHFIELD, president of the First State · Bank of Rochester, and for the past thirty-seven years a practicing physician and surgeon of Olmsted County, was born at Phillips, Maine, on December 21, 1842, and is a son of Jacob H. and Jane R. (Whitney) Stinchfield, both of whom were of English ancestry. The early life of Doctor Stinchfield was passed on his father's farm and spent in attending the common and high schools at Strong, Maine. In 1863 he came to Wisconsin and while there, in 1864, enlisted as a private in Company F, Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Owing to ill health he was discharged after one hundred days' service, succeeding which he returned to his native state. Having made up his mind to study medicine, he entered Maine Medical College at Brunswick and after a full course was graduated therefrom with credit in 1868. Soon after his graduation he again came west in search of a suitable location for the practice of his profession. Previous to the spring of 1872 he was established at Verona, southwestern Missouri, but at the latter date came to Minnesota and located one and one-half years in Rice County. For the succeeding eighteen years he resided at Eyota, where he built up an extensive practice and a reputation of the highest order. It would be difficult to trace step by step through many discouragements his really remarkable professional career. Through the storms and cold of winter and the burning heat of summer, both day and night, he pursued his calling, one successful operation after another adding still further to his skill, knowledge and reputation. He was thus finally forced by the extent and nature of his practice to establish the hospital at Eyota and to secure assistance to care for the cases that came to him for relief. Being called to still higher and wider fields, he finally came to Rochester, where he has since practiced his profession with such distinction that his name and operations are known in all parts of the world.

In 1872 he became a member of the Minnesota State Medical Society and in 1875 the American Medical Association. He has ever been a believer in the principles of the Republican party. In 1875 he joined the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which fraternity he has attained the Order of the Temple and Shrine.

While a resident of Eyota he met and on the Ist of May, 1878,

Digitized by Google

312

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

married Miss Mattie J. Bear, a 'school teacher, the daughter of Benjamin Bear, one of the earliest settlers of Eyota Township. To this union five children were born, as follows: Nellie M .; Charles I., who died when seventeen years old; Minnie; Lura A., and Alice.

For fifteen years Doctor Stinchfield was a member of the medical and surgical firm of Mayo & Stinchfield: but in 1907 he resigned from the firm and has since devoted his time and attention to special practice-the chest, chiefly the heart and lungs.

HON. ALONZO T. STEBBINS was born in Mansfield, Massachu- setts, September 21, 1847, and is a son of Thomas W. and Harriet C. (Blandin) Stebbins, the former a native of Brookline, Vermont, and the latter of Norton, Massachusetts. The grandfather was Rufus Stebbins, of Vermont, and the great-grandfather Jotham Stebbins, of Massachusetts. The progenitors of the Stebbins family in America were two brothers who came from England to the Colonies in 1634, Rowland locating in New England, and the other in Pennsylvania. The father, Thomas W., who was a car- penter and contractor by trade, came to Minnesota in 1857 and first located on a farm in Winona County, where he remained until 1868. He then came to Rochester and here continued his farming operations until he passed away, May 21, 1892. He was well known and universally respected for his excellent qualities of mind and heart.

His son, Alonzo T., was ten years old when the family came to Minnesota in 1857. He secured his education in the common schools of Vermont and Winona county, in the Winona high school, and in 1865 went to Boston and took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, and thus finished his education. In 1866 he went to Winona and began clerking in the hardware store of O. M. Farrington & Co., and continued thus engaged for one year. Succeeding this he served about a year as station agent at Utica, Minnesota, at the time the railroad was completed there. In 1871 he and his father embarked in the hardware business at Rochester, prospered, made several moves, and finally located at 219 South Broadway, which property they purchased. They occu- pied the whole two stories of the building and a warehouse in the rear and carried a full line of light and heavy hardware, stoves, etc. At the present time Mr. Stebbins has a fine store, a large stock, a good business and an unblemished credit and reputation.

He has taken an active and prominent part in all movements calculated to benefit Rochester, the county and the state. As an unswerving Republican he has been before the people for many years and has served them with notable credit in various capacities. In 1881-2 and again in 1883-4 he served as alderman of his ward.

Digitized by Google

313

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

In 1888 he made the race of his party for the lower house of the Legislature, was elected and served with distinction during the session of 1889. In 1894 he was again brought forward by his party and nominated to the state Senate, was triumphantly elected and served ably and creditably from 1895 to 1897. He served as president of the Southern Minnesota Fair Association from 1889 to 1900.

He has found time during his busy business and political career to cultivate the social and fraternal side of life. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Knights of Pythias; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Masonic order. Of the latter he served as Master of Rochester Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M .; High Priest of Halcyon Chapter, No. 8, at Rochester, and as Eminent Commander of Home Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar. In 1899-1900 he enjoyed the distinction of serving as Grand Master of Masons of the state. He is a member of Winona Consistory and of Osman Temple, St. Paul.

On September 26, 1871, he married Adelaide L. Stebbins, born July 31, 1849, in Windham county, Vermont, and they have the following children: Mabelle C., now Mrs. W. C. Webber, and George M., now county attorney at Roseau, Minnesota.

AUGUST KAMNETZ is a prominent and progressive farmer resid- ing on a place of 208 acres on Sections 20 and 21, Orion township. He is the son of Frederick and Susanna Kamnetz, who came from Germany and settled in Wisconsin in 1853 and became prominent farmers in that state. It was there that they finally died. Their son August, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wisconsin on October 12, 1860. His youth was spent in getting his education and in assisting his father on the farm. Also before he attained his majority he worked away from home for several seasons and gave his father his earnings. Upon reaching the age of 21 years he began working for Sidney Burnap and so continued until he had accumulated sufficient means to purchase the farm he now owns in 1890. But he did not occupy the place for two years, renting it to Mr. S. Fox for cash rent. He then took charge of the farm, which at first consisted of 127 acres, to which he has since added until he now owns 208 acres. Nearly all the present improve- ments on the place were made by Mr. Kamnetz. He is now con- sidered one of the most successful farmers of the county and has the respect of all his acquaintances. He is a Republican and has served as school director for three years. His wife was formerly Miss Ella Tira Burnap, daughter of Alvares and Diana Burnap. They have six children: Cecile. Ethel, Dorothy, Lois. Helen and Tira. Mr. Kamnetz carries on general farming and stock raising and at the present time has on hand about 30 head of cattle,

Digitized by Google

314

HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY

5 horses, 75 sheep and 70 hogs, and he raises annually about 90 acres of small grain.

BENJAMIN W. SIEWERT was born October 12. 1872, in Pleasant Grove township, and is a child of Gotlieb and Wilhelmina Siewert, both parents being natives of Germany. In 1850 the father came from Germany to the United States and at first for a short time located in Wisconsin. At a still later date he came to Olmsted county and located in Pleasant Grove township, where he bought eighty acres and resided upon the same from 1873 to 1881. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, of whom Benjamin was the ninth. The parents are both now deceased, the mother passing away in 1877 and the father in 1908. They were well to do and prominent people and had the respect of all who knew them. Benjamin in his boyhood attended the district schools and assisted his parents on the farm. He worked at the carpenter trade from his seventeenth to his twenty-second year. He finally bought a tract and began to improve the same, and afterward added to this place until in the end he was one of the large land owners of the county. He recently sold 160 acres in Kalmar township and has owned and disposed of other tracts. He is now devoting a considerable part of his time to the handling of real estate and has an office in Byron. At present also he is operating a large farm south of Byron, and there his family now resides. On July 26, 1894, he married Miss Jennie Belle Russell, whose parents were natives of Ireland, and to this marriage six children were born, as follows: Myrtle May. born March 10, 1895; Benjamin W., born June 23, 1896; Jennie Lorraine, born October 22, 1899; Charles Orial, born August 1. 1902; Mabel Issettia, born August 3, 1906; Lyda Leona, born No- vember 12, 1908. Mr. Siewert is an independent Republican in politics and is well known and liked by everybody.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 32

Author: Joseph A. Leonard Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Number of Pages: 736

Author: Joseph A. Leonard
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 736