USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 38
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David and Harriet. In politics Mr. Qvale is a Republican and socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Arcanum, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Elks.
HENRY LA PLANT, JR., has resided since 1868 on his present farm of 240 acres on section 3, Orion township. He is the son of Henry, Sr., and his wife Mary, both of whom trace their ancestry to France. Henry, Sr., was the son of Peter and Maria (Foy), the former of whom came directly from France. Peter was the son of Charles, who died in 1878 at the great age of ninety- two years and was buried at St. Bridget's cemetery. His wife died February 12, 1878, and both now sleep side by side in their final rest. Peter died in December, 1895, and his widow died January 15, 1900; she was born February 7, 1816; they were most excellent people, industrious and honest, and had the respect of all who knew them. Henry, Sr., died December 23, 1904, at the age of sixty-five years, and his widow followed him to the grave on June 2, 1907. Henry, Sr., came to this farm in 1868 and passed the remainder of his life in this county. He was a man of much personal worth and high character. Charles La Plant was a sol- dier in the American army during the war with Mexico and was honorably mustered out at the end of that struggle with an excel- lent record of hardships and dangers bravely borne for his country. The family of La Plant traces its origin far back in French his- tory to the nobles who flourished before the Revolution and during the period of Napoleon's triumphs.
Henry La Plant, Jr., was born in New York state-Plattsburg, Clinton county-on May 16, 1863, and received his primary edu- cation at the public schools of his native town. In due time he entered the higher grades, but left school at the age of seventeen years. While yet at home he made several trips to New York, Quebec and Montreal on pleasure bent, and had the thrilling expe- rience of witnessing the great Chicago fire in 1871. He then returned home and remained up to his twenty-fifth year. In 1886 he drove with team to Grand county, South Dakota, where he took up a claim, perfected it and finally sold out after four years for a consideration of $1,400. He then returned home, bought a threshing machine and continued to operate the same for a period of twenty years. He next bought a farm of 120 acres, and in 1907 bought out the heirs of the old homestead. About the same time also he bought another tract of fifty acres on section 10, known as the Madden farm. Assisted by his father he built a handsome residence and the largest and best barn, without question, in the whole county. Besides, they made many other improvements which are a credit to their enterprise and to the county. At present
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he raises all varieties of grain usually grown in this portion of the state and uses his own separator in the handling of milk. He cultivates about 200 acres and uses the rest for pasture. He keeps on hand about 100 sheep and raises about 100 hogs per year. He usually has on hand about fifteen milk cows, fifteen head of horses, and about thirty head of cattle designed eventually for the market. He is up-to-date in all his farming operations and is prosperous and enjoying the blessings of life. He is a Democrat and has been clerk of the board of education for twelve years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Chatfield. On June 21, 1898, he married, at Chatfield, Miss Mary Halloran, daughter of Florence and Mary, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. La Plant was born in Spring Valley, Minnesota, February 22, 1873. They have five children, as follows: Walter Henry, born September 25, 1899; Harriet Grace, born May II, 1902 ; Henry Florence, born December 2, 1904; Mary Lucile, born January 10, 1906, and Susan Esther, born March 20, 1908. No family of the county has a higher standing in all things worthy than does that of the La Plants.
FRANKLIN A. POOLE, druggist at Rochester, was born at Troy, Geauga county, Ohio, March 30, 1834, a son of Ziba and Lydia (Fuller ) Poole, and grandson of Jeptha Poole, who was descended from Norman ancestors of Teutonic origin. In olden times the family was unusually prominent, certain members having attained knighthood ; and one, Reginald Poole, was a cardinal and was Arch- bishop of Canterbury during the reign of his cousin, Queen Mary. The progenitor of the family in America was Captain Edward Poole, born in the neighborhood of Weymouth, England, in 1609, who came to the colonies in charge of a company in 1635 and founded Weymouth, Massachusetts. This colony had fled from the old country to escape religious persecution. Capt. Edward Poole was the father of eight children, whose descendants are now scattered throughout the United States, many achieving distinction. Jeptha Poole was born August 15, 1756, and was a corporal in the company of Captain Pierce, of Col. Nicholas Dike's regiment, during the Revolutionary war. The direct line of descent of the subject of this sketch was: Capt. Joseph Poole, the son of Cap- tain Edward; Hon. Samuel Poole, born in 1690, at Weymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Captain Joseph; Hon. Samuel Poole, born September 18, 1713, the son of Hon. Samuel, after whom he was named; Jeptha, born in 1756. son of the second Hon. Samuel; Ziba, a native of Massachusetts. The latter moved from his native state to New York and from there, in 1833, to Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his days engaged in farming. He was twice married, his first wife bearing him six children, and his sec-
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ond eight children. Franklin A. Poole, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the second in order of birth of the second marriage. He was reared on a farm, and after attending the district schools took a course in the higher branches of learning at Oberlin Col- lege. At the age of twenty years he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where, for two years, he was bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery establish- ment. In 1857 he came to Rochester, then a small frontier vil- lage, but in 1874 he removed to Red Wing. He was then engaged in mercantile pursuits, part of the time in partnership and part of the time alone, but in 1880 he returned to Rochester, where he has since been successfully engaged in the drug business. In October, 1860, Mr. Poole married Miss Minnie Perrine, daughter of the old pioneer physician, Dr. M. T. Perrine, who came to Rochester in 1855, and was, perhaps, the first, or at least among the first, phy- sicians in Olmsted county. Dr. Perrine lived here many years and then removed to Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Poole one daughter . was born, named Alice, now deceased. Mr. Poole is one of Roches- ter's oldest and best citizens; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Masonic fraternity, is a Republican in politics and has served Rochester as recorder.
TRUMAN B. HORTON, one of the early residents of Stewartville and a man well known and highly respected in all portions of Olm- sted county, is a native of the state of New York, his birth occur- ring in Oneida county, April 4, 1847. He was the oldest child in a family of seven born to the union of Lyman H. and Phoebe (White) Horton, both of whom were born and reared in that por- tion of the state. The Horton family is of old colonial stock, com- ing to the American continent long before the Revolution. The grandfather of Truman B. located at Green Lake, Wisconsin, in 1856. He subsequently removed to Minnesota and located in High Forest township, on the Rochester road. He was thus one of the first settlers in this part of the state. In 1862, while with his sons on a visit to Wisconsin, he was taken suddenly and seriously ill and died away from home. Until 1861 Lyman H. Horton remained a resident of New York state, but at that date he removed to Minnesota and settled in High Forest township and there bought land and resided until his death. Truman B. Horton spent a portion of his boyhood days in Oneida county, New York, but in 1861 he was brought by his parents to this county and grew to manhood on the old homestead in High Forest township. He continued on the old place until his marriage, when he went to Stewartville and became connected with the old Stewart mill there. For several years thereafter he engaged in carpentering, which trade he had mastered in his earlier years. In March, 1901. he was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley, and has since
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been reappointed by Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. In his political views Mr. Horton is a strong Republican, and at all times takes deep interest in the success of his party ticket. He affiliates with the Congregational Church. He is a Mason and takes much interest in lodge affairs. He is the founder of Stewartville Lodge, No. 203.
GEORGE BAIHLY was one of the earliest settlers in Olmsted county, and one of the first in Rochester to engage in the meat and provision business. He was a man of thrift, inheriting that quality from his German forebears, and being of an economical turn, he accumulated a large amount of this world's goods. He was born at Wurtemburg, Germany, January 4, 1837, and in early boyhood re- ceived a common school education. When a lad of but sixteen years he crossed the Atlantic ocean to America, and after a short stay in New York came to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1856. He embarked in the meat and provision business and dealt extensively in stock. Foreseeing the future greatness of the country, he in- vested much of his spare means in real estate, and eventually be- came one of the wealthy men of the county. He was peculiar in that he meddled with no one's business but his own, and his charity was unobtrusive and was extended to all worthy causes. He was twice married, first in 1859, to Caroline C. Fudger, a native of Indiana, who died in 1868; there were three children, John W., Helen and Fred. In 1870 Elizabeth Fulkerson became his wife, and to this marriage nine children were born and reared to ages of maturity, as follows: Ralph, Walter, Arthur, Abram, Esther, Moses, Bessie, Adaline and Florence. Mr. Baihly, while of foreign birth, was a great lover of his adopted country and its institutions. He joined the Masons, and continued in active business life until about 1893, when he retired, and in 1895 died. To such honest, sturdy manhood is Olmsted county indebted for its present worth and solidity. The Baihly family is one of the best in Olmsted county.
Ralph Baihly is now conducting the business first established by his father, George Baihly, over half a century ago. He was born in Rochester, Minnesota, August 16, 1870, and was educated and has always made his home here. He assisted his father in the various duties devolving upon him, and since 1893 has conducted the business on his own responsibility and with uniform success. He is a representative of the younger, progressive, virile element of Rochester business men that have made the city second to none for its prosperity in Minnesota. In October, 1896, he married Miss Clara Swanson, and they are the parents of three daughters, named Elizabeth, Gladys and Rachel. Mr. Baihly is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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GABRIEL B. HUFF is one of the self-made representative men of Olmsted county, and is an example of what a young man can ac- complish with courage, pluck and perseverance. He was born October 10, 1830, in the province of Ontario, Canada, a son of Job and Sarah Huff. The genealogy of the family in America is traced back to about the time of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower. Job Huff was a farmer in this country, but moved to Canada, where he died in 1832, his widow surviving him until her death in Prince Edward county on October 24, 1892, at the age of eighty-four years. Gabriel B. Huff was left fatherless when but two years old, and his subsequent early life was filled with hardships, self-denial and incessant labor. His opportunities for an education were very meager, but this, in a measure, he has since remedied by study and extensive reading. When twelve years old he began learning the carpenter's trade, and following the comple- tion of his apprenticeship worked at that occupation and at farm- ing until 1849, when he went to New York state. He there worked at such employment as he could find, but, believing that the West afforded better opportunities for his advancement, he moved to Marquette county, Wisconsin, in 1852. In 1860 he came to Olm- sted county, Minnesota, and bought a homestead of eighty acres on Section 8, in Dover township. By hard work and economy he was enabled to add to this until at one time he was the owner of 320 acres. In 1908 he sold the most of his realty and has since lived from the proceeds derived from the sale of this property. During the Civil war he served from the date of his enlistment, February 29, 1864, to the date of his discharge, May, 1866, as a member of Company C, Brackett's battalion. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Eyota. In politics he is a Democrat and has occupied the posi- tions of chairman of the board of supervisors, clerk and director and trustee of the school board. April 9, 1851, he married Miss Sarah Jane Beadle, a native of Ontario, Canada, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Beadle. They have had four children born to them: Millard H., a farmer of South Dakota; Ida Ann, the wife of Joseph Uhl; Sarah J. married Norris Dunlap and died December 8, 1896; and George B., a farmer in Montana. Mr. Huff was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Sarah J. Huff, sub- ject's wife, died at Dover, November 29, 1897, at the age of sixty- six years. She was born September 15, 1831.
J. Huff, subject's wife, died at Dover November 29, 1897, at the age of sixty-six years. She was born September 15, 1831.
THOMAS FRASER, senior member of the law firm of Fraser & Fraser, of Rochester, is a native of Olmsted county, his birth occurring November 1, 1866, at Dover. He was the eldest of four
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sons born to the union of John Fraser, of New York, and Mary A. Carlisle, of Ohio, who came to Olmsted county in 1855, preempted land in Dover township, and have since resided on the old home- stead. Mrs. Fraser taught the first term of school in district No. I, which was the first organized district in Olmsted county. The father was well educated in early life and still keeps himself in- formed on the topics of the day. For a time he was engaged as a civil engineer with some railroad concerns, but after coming to Olmsted county devoted his time to farming. He also served for a time as county surveyor. He has always been a clean, moral and upright man and is highly respected and esteemed throughout the county. Both parents' ancestors were of Scotch extraction. The mother's came to America during the early colonial times and have been actively and prominently identified with the growth and de- velopment of our country.
The boyhood days of Thomas Fraser were passed on the home place, and early in life he was thrown upon his own resources. For three years before attaining his majority he assumed the responsi- bility of managing a large estate. He was a great lover of books and read extensively of historical matters, and early in life de- veloped a strong and natural liking for the legal profession. He graduated from the St. Charles high school in 1886 and taught school for a time. When but twenty-one years of age he became city engineer of Rochester and was chosen county surveyor of Olm- sted in 1888-1892, and the means thus provided enabled him to take up the study of law in the offices of H. A. Eckholdt, at Roches- ter, and he was admitted before the State Bar Association at St. Paul in 1902. At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Fraser was elected judge of probate and held this position four years ( 1892- 1896). Refusing another nomination for that office, he shortly afterwards engaged in the general practice of his profession on his own account at Rochester. He has since been thus actively em- ployed. During the years 1898-1902 he served as county attorney and for six years was legal representative for the Winona & West- ern railroad system. . Mr. Fraser has also been identified with the legal department of several other corporations. Some time after he had established himself in the legal practice at Rochester, a younger brother, Robert, joined him and the firm name was styled Fraser & Fraser. Several men who at one time or another have been associated with this firm have since occupied positions of impor- tance in the administration of county affairs. Mr. Fraser has one of the finest law libraries in southern Minnesota.
In politics Mr. Fraser is a Republican. In 1910 was elected presi- dent of the Progressive Republican League of the First Congres- sional District of Minnesota, in which organization he took a very active interest. In religion he is a Presbyterian, having served
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as trustee of the latter for seventeen years. He is an extensive real estate owner, possessing several residence lots in Rochester and cther places and also about 500 acres of land in or near Rochester. On July 10, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Boelter, of Rochester, Minnesota, and to them one daughter, Lor- raine, has been born. Aside from the active business cares of life, Mr. Fraser has found time to cultivate the social side as well, and as such is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias. He is a Knight Templar and a Thirty-second Degree Mason. Practically the entire life of Thomas Fraser has been spent in Olmsted county and he is numbered among its most highly re- spected citizens.
TOBIAS HOGENSON, cashier of the First National Bank of Stewartville, and a man prominently identified with the banking interests of Olmsted county, was born at Rock Dell, Minnesota, May 4, 1869, being a son of Peter and Sonova (Bryneldson) Hogenson. The father came to America and first located in Illi- nois, but after a year moved to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, and re- mained there engaged in farming until 1860, when, in company with several others, he marched overland by ox team to California. After about three and a half years spent there with fair success he returned to Wisconsin via the Isthmus of Panama. In 1864 he came to Minnesota and located in Rock Dell township, Olmsted county, where he bought a tract of land and engaged in farming. and so continued until his death, January 19, 1904, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a man beloved and respected by all who knew him. He took much interest in all public movements calcu- lated to advance the interests of the community. He served in various local positions, among which was that of county commis- sioner, with ability, distinction and honor. To him and wife twelve children were born, of whom Tobias was the eleventh. He was educated in the district schools and finished with a course in Dar- ling's Business College, Rochester, from which he was graduated in 1888. For seven years thereafter he taught school during win- ters and farmed the old place in summers, after which period he devoted his whole time to farming and stock raising. From 1900 to 1906 he occupied a position with the First National Bank of Stewartville, and then became cashier of the First State Bank of Stewartville. After a few months he became cashier of the First National Bank of Stewartville. He is thus connected at present. The bank has a capital of $25,000 and does a general business of banking proper and insurance. The officers are: C. E. Fawcett, president ; C. L. Wooldridge, vice-president ; Tobias Hogenson, cashier; Minnie Klein, assistant cashier; Homer Wooldridge, as-
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sistant cashier. On July 2, 1890, Mr. Hogenson married Thora, the daughter of Torger Tandberg, an early settler of Spring Grove, Minnesota, and to this union the following children were born: Selma (deceased ), Selma (2), Alma, Tobias Palmer, Helen and Minnie Esther. Mr. Hogenson in his fraternal or social relations is identified with the Modern Woodmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Masonic order, of which latter he has reached the thirty-second degree. He is also associated with the American Yeomen. He is a Republican and a Lutheran. He is a member of the board of education.
SAMUEL C. FURLOW, of the firm of C. F. Massey & Co., has for many years been a resident of the city of Rochester. He was born March 22, 1852, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (Young) Furlow, the parents being born in Belfast, Ireland. They came to America early in life and were married in Philadelphia December 25, 1848. For thirty-five years they were residents of Olmsted county and Roches- ter, and were held in the highest esteem. Mr. Furlow served as street commissioner for some time, passing away at the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Furlow is still living in the enjoyment of excellent health.
After completing his studies in the Rochester high school, Samuel C. Furlow entered upon a clerkship, associating himself with C. F. Massey in 1876. He became a member of the firm in 1890, the name of the partnership being styled Massey & Co. Mr. Furlow has since continued his association with the dry goods firm, being a keen business man and a recognized authority on fabrics. The store which has been the scene of his activities occupies a large floor space in the Cook Hotel block, and is one of the best business establishments in Rochester. September 15, 1887, Mr. Furlow was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones, a pioneer of the county. The following children were born to them : Walter S., Allen J., G. Willard and Frederick J. In politics Mr. Furlow is classed as a Democrat, but he is not a partisan and has never held office because of political affiliation. He was appointed a member of the public library board in 1898 and elected as school commissioner in 1905. He was chosen as member of the Rochester cemetery board in 1902. All of these positions he continues to occupy, with credit to himself and to the advantage of the com- munity. As president of the board of education he is bearing a large share of the responsibility incurred in erecting the new high school building, for which the city recently voted $75,000 bonds. Mr. Furlow is a member of the Masonic orders. Few men have given more time to public welfare, have made fewer enemies, or have acted more conscientiously than Mr. Furlow.
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GEORGE B. ROBERTSON, a resident of the town of Dover, is the son of John and Sophia Ann Robertson, both of whom were of Scotch descent. The family came originally from Scotland to this country over a hundred years ago and settled in the state of New York. John, the father of George B., was a tanner in early life, but later followed the occupation of farming and stock raising. He finally died in New York in 1864 at the age of fifty-five years. His wife died in 1860 at the age of fifty years. George B. was born in Chestertown, Warren county, New York, January 27, 1846, and secured his education in the district schools and later in the Warrensburg high school, where he finished his education in his twentieth year. Previous to this event, in 1863, he enlisted in the Union army and served as a member of Battery I, Sixteenth New York Volunteer Heavy Artillery, until 1865, when he was honor- ably mustered out of the service. He entered the service as a pri- vate, but was promoted a corporal for meritorious conduct. He is now drawing a pension for his disabilities while in the service. After the war he continued his schooling one year, or, rather, for one winter, after which he worked in a general store for a while, later returning to the farm, where he remained until 1869, when he came west to St. Charles and worked at various jobs for three months. He then located in Dover and here he has since resided. He is a Republican and has served as town clerk for several terms. On December 2, 1876, he married, at St. Charles, Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Jane Morrison, the father a carpenter by trade. Both parents are deceased. George B. and wife have two daughters and one son : Alice J., a graduate of the St. Charles and St. Paul high schools, a teacher, residing with her parents; Cather- ine T., a graduate of the state normal school at Winona, a teacher, residing with her parents; Donald M., residing with his parents, a stock buyer and the postmaster at Dover.
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