History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 39

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

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HENRY KALB, clerk of the city of Rochester for many years, was born February 2, 1836, in the Prussian province of Saxony, Ger- many, a son of Lawrence and Margaret (Schneegass) Kalb, and a grandson of John Edward Kalb. Lawrence Kalb was a farmer, as was his father before him, and was a soldier under the great Napoleon on his invasion of Russia, and was one of the compara- tively few who survived the disastrous retreat from Moscow. He served in the army from 1811 to 1815 and died in 1870 at the age of eighty-one years. Henry Kalb was the youngest and the only one now living in a family of three children. He was reared and educated in his native country and served two years in the German army as a volunteer. In 1854 he immigrated to the United States and after one year spent at Dixon, Illinois, came to Rochester the spring of 1856. For a time he was engaged in the boot and shoe

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business, having learned the shoemaker's trade in the old country. Owing to an accidental gun-shot wound received in 1860 while on a hunting expedition, Mr. Kalb was practically idle two years. He was engaged in farming, clerking and merchandising until 1877, when he was elected city marshal, a position he so satisfactorily filled for a period of twenty-two years that he was presented a valuable gold watch, suitably inscribed, by the citizens of Roches- ter. For many years the county was more or less subject to visits from bad men and tramps, but during Mr. Kalb's incumbency of the city marshal's office few depredations or burglaries were com- mitted in the neighborhood of Rochester. After retiring from the service he for two years engaged in the fire insurance business and then was appointed city clerk, which position he creditably filled for years. In 1854, in his native country, he was married to Miss Frederica Roediger, who died January 21, 1890, and to them the following named children have been born : Amelia, deceased ; Louis, deceased; Henry, deceased; Amanda, deceased; Karl, deceased; Edward L., a veterinary surgeon of Rochester, who is appropriately mentioned elsewhere in this work, and George W., at home. Mr. Kalb has always taken great delight in his associations with his fellow men, and in this connection is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He has done much in the service of his county and is greatly liked and respected by the citizens thereof.

AMBROSE BJORNSON was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, November 28, 1859, his parents being Thorbjorn and Anna, who came to Minnesota and passed the latter years of their lives. The father died December 27, 1908, and lies buried in the St. Olaf's cemetery. The mother is still living and resides in Dodge county, where she has considerable city property and is in the enjoyment of good health. Ambrose spent his boyhood in getting an education and in assisting his parents on the farm. In 1885 he was united in marriage with Miss Ragnhild Brekketoe, whose parents are pio- neers of Dodge county. Two children have come to brighten this marriage: Oscar, who was born October 27, 1886; he was given a good schooling, learned farming, and was confirmed at the St. Olaf's Church; Amanda, who was born June 17, 1890, got her edu- cation in country schools and was confirmed in West St. Olaf's Church. The farm now owned by subject consists of 200 acres, of which 120 acres were purchased of his father and 80 acres of Mrs. John Arnold, all well equipped with buildings and farm implements. Mr. Bjornson is an up-to-date farmer and is prosperous. A gaso- lene engine is used for pumping water, grinding feed, etc. He is doing mixed farming and raises considerable live stock for market. During the dry season of the last summer, when his neighbors,

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many of them, ran out of pasture, he had on hand plenty of feed saved over from last year. He is one of the leading farmers of this portion of the county and is public spirited and progressive.

S. J. WALKER was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, Novem- ber 5, 1859, a son of Tobias Lee and Harriet (Laughrey ) Walker, who were natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. The parents came to Olmsted county in 1867 and engaged in farming in Elmira township. The father died in Centerville, South Dakota, about eleven years ago; the mother died at the home of a daughter in Missouri three years ago. They were the parents of O. P. Walker, who died sixteen years ago: J. V. Walker, now residing at Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Clara McGrew, of Mt. Idaho, Idaho; Mrs. Perna Gowdy, of Tarkio, Missouri, and the subject of this sketch. S. J. Walker received his education in the public schools of Elmira township, this county, and at Chatfield. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years old, and the ensuing eleven years was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com- pany, stationed at different points in South Dakota. He was then in business at Stewartville, Minnesota, six years, succeeding which, for a number of years, he continued operations at Rochester. From the latter place he came to Lake Oronoco, where he has since re- sided. In 1893 he married Miss Cora, daughter of C. W. and Dor- cas (Smalley ) Brooks, and to them have been born these children : Jay, on January 18, 1884; Rav, December 2, 1887; Eugene. Febru- ary 18, 1894; Beatrice, October 15, 1898, and Oscar, November 27, 1904. Mr. Walker is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Order of Redmen.

FRANK W. CORNWELL, one of the progressive, intelligent and up-to-date farmers of New Haven township, is a member of one of the pioneer families of Olmsted county. His parents, Joseph M. and Harriet ( Webb) Cornwell, came west to Wisconsin from the state of New York, and about the year 1856 located in Olmsted county, Minnesota, and preempted from the government the land now owned by the subject of this sketch. Here the parents lived and labored. giving to their children such advantages as they could afford and gradually increasing their worldly possessions, and here the father died in 1893. The mother is yet living at an advanced age. Frank W. Cornwell was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, October 28, 1854, but was here reared and educated and has spent his life from infancy in agricultural pursuits. The original farm has since been increased until it now embraces 800 acres, the larger part of which is tilled by tenants. Standing in the yard of the old homestead is a building erected out of basswood siding from logs cut on the farm fifty-three years ago. It is still in a good state

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of preservation and at the present time is used as a hay barn. Mr. Cornwell does not pretend to be anything but a farmer and is among the best of that occupation in the county. While he is a Republican in politics, and has attended various political conven- tions, he has steadfastly declined honors at the hands of his party, except as to local offices, several of which he has filled as a public duty. In 1883 he married Miss Elizabeth Hurd, a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and their union has been blessed with three children, two living-Edith, born February 20, 1890, a graduate of the Winona Seminary, and Walter, born, November 12, 1895, now in attendance at the Pillsbury Academy, Owatonna. Both children reside at home with their parents.

JOHN H. GILLESPIE, son of John Gillespie and grandson of John Gillespie, well remembered in Olmsted county for his many ad- mirable qualities, was born in Sterling, Scotland, August 10, 1823, and there spent his boyhood days and received his early education. He came to America about the year 1847, preceding his parents one year, and for a time resided at Picton, Canada, engaged in farming. He subsequently moved to Toronto, thence to Rochester, New York, and from there to Cleveland, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the latter place he farmed and had charge of a toll gate on a turn- pike road and later became a stockholder in the road. He then came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and being supplied with considerable means for that time, he bought a farm in Cascade township for $3,000. Eighteen months later he sold this property at a profit of $2,000, and in a brief time bought and sold two other farms, making substantial gains on each transaction. Following this he was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Rochester, but later sold out and moved to Arcadia, Wisconsin, where for nearly a score of years he was engaged in various occupations, serving for a number of years as president of the Bank of Arcadia. He then disposed of his holdings there and returned to Rochester, where he lived in practical retirement until his death, September 25, 1907. In 1848 he married Eliza Hollister, by whom he became the father of three children, John H., Mrs. D. Search and Mrs. John Pennington, and after her death he married Amanda Pennman, who bore him two children, Charles P. and Mrs. Helen Parks. Mr. Gillespie was a man of strong character and noted for his thrift, honesty and up- rightness of character. He was of the Presbyterian faith in re- ligion and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

John H. Gillespie was the eldest son of John Gillespie, appropri- ate mention of whom immediately precedes this sketch. He was born in Thornbury, province of Ontario, Canada, November 3, 1849, and in 1864 came with his parents to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he has since made his home. In youth and early manhood he

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assisted his father in farm work and acquired a good, practical education. He is known as one of the substantial, progressive farmers of the county and is the owner of one of the best farms in Cascade township. He is also interested in Rochester property, where he owns considerable valuable possessions. Mr. Gillespie is not only a farmer of the best kind; he is a man of wide informa- tion, is especially well versed upon all the important public issues of the day, and is always found in the front rank of those whose moral and material aid contributes so largely to the progress and development of the locality wherein he resides. On June 12, 1874, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Joel Crowner, of Wilna, New York, and they are the parents of these children: Ivan J., born December 31, 1876, and died March 8, 1894; Lilian Gertrude, born December 13, 1881; Arthur Corliss, born August 6, 1884; Charles Cyril, born March 24, 1887, and Pearl Lucy, born March 14, 1892. Mr. Gillespie is a Baptist and a Republican. He has occupied several local positions of honor and trust, among them being that of school trustee and treasurer.

IVER LARSON was born in Norway November 6, 1844, and in youth received a fair education in the district schools. In early manhood he learned the trade of shoemaking, and this he followed a considerable portion of his early years. He crossed the Atlantic ocean to America in 1867 and, going westward, finally located in Olmsted county and worked at his trade in Rochester from 1867 to 1878. He carefully saved every cent possible during this period, because he had in view a better home in the country, one that he could rightfully call his own. In 1878 he bought a tract of 240 acres in Sections 8 and 9, Salem township, and moved with his family upon the same, and here he has resided ever since. This place is now well improved and constitutes one of the pleasantest homes in the country districts of the county. The buildings are substantial and good and the surroundings are convenient and comfortable. Mr. Larson is one of the most successful farmers of the county. He raises large quantities of grain and large numbers of hogs and cattle for the markets. His present residence was built in 1886 and his fine farm barn in 1889. He is a Republican and is prominent in local affairs. He was united in marriage June 22, 1872, in Rock Dell township, to Miss Carrie Thorsness, also a native of Norway, where her parents passed away. To this union the following children were born: Benny, born February 7, 1874; Laura, born June 6, 1876; Harry, born November 3, 1878; Lennie, born December 16, 1880: Cora, born March 18. 1886; Emma, born December 24, 1888; Ella, born July 1, 1891 : Florence, born March 20, 1894; Ruth, born August 12, 1896. These children are living. Two others are deceased.

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JOHN M. KELLY is a son of John and Katherine Kelly and was born in April, 1837, in County Tipperary, Ireland. His father passed his entire life in Ireland, finally dying there at about the age of 50 years. The mother came to this country and resided with her son until her death in 1892. This branch of the Kelly family of Ireland were mostly farmers by occupation and were respectable and law-abiding citizens. John M., while yet young, made up his mind to come to America, and accordingly, in 1852, took ship and after a long voyage landed in New York. He went to Blackstone, Massachusetts, and there found work for four years, and in the meantime saved considerable of his wages. He then came west to Wisconsin and located in Dane county, where he worked on farms for ten years and by that time had managed to acquire considerable of this world's goods. He then came to the farm he now occupies and first bought eighty acres, to which was added eight years later another tract of eighty acres. This gave him a fine farm. He be- came prominent in local affairs. He is engaged in diversified farm- ing, raising small grain and considerable live stock for market. He has served as road master and school director and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. In September, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Gallagher, daughter of Michael and Katherine Gallagher, prominent farmers of this community. John M. and wife have had twelve children, of whom eight are now living: Katherine, who married Henry Wesline; John; Nellie, who married Sanford johnson, and resides in North Dakota; Stephen, George, Mary, who married John Van Natta, and resides in Mon- tana ; Francis, and Agnes. The family now here are in comfortable circumstances, have a fine farm well stocked, with good buildings, and have the respect of all who know them.

JOHN C. BIERBAUM, a native of Viola township, where he has resided since birth, was born January 6, 1860, on Section 35, a son of Carl H. and Katharina M. ( Stickfort ) Bierbaum. The father was born at Wissingen, Hanover, Germany, August 12. 1830, and immigrated to America with his parents, John Henry and Katha- rina E. (Duvendack ) Bierbaum, to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1847. For a time he worked as a farm hand, and in May, 1854, he came to Viola township. Olmsted county, Minnesota, being the first white settler in that township, and residing here thirteen months before any other came. For four years the nearest neighbor was Ben. Bear, four miles away. He remained on his land and broke eighty acres, but could not file on the same until 1856. His first crop was oats and corn, bringing 75 cents and $1.25 respectively, the settlers taking for seed all he raised. In April, 1856. he filed claim to gov- ernment land in Section 35, of Viola township, and this original homestead is still in possession of the family. Mr. Bierbaum died

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September 3, 1903, and his wife, who was born in Batesville, In- diana, in 1840, passed away in 1892. Mr. Bierbaum came to Min- nesota at a time when everything was rough and unsettled, ex- perienced all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, but, possessing an unlimited amount of moral courage and sticktuitive- ness, surmounted all obstacles, and died a man greatly beloved and respected by his fellow men. To him and his wife were born ninc children, as follows: Marie Elizabeth Dubbles (see supplement ), Anna Elizabeth Catharine Price; Marie Catharine Schmidt, Chris- tina E. W. Schoenrock, Katharina S. Schmidt, Carolina L. New- man, Emma A., John C. and Herman H. The two boys were sec- ond and third in the order of birth, and the original homestead is now the property of the latter. All the above named children save two, Marie, of Eyota. and Christina, of Missouri, are residents of Viola township. Elizabeth Dubbles was the first white baby born in the township.

John C. Bierbaum was reared and educated in his native town- ship, and on September 19, 1883, he married Miss Margaret Scherer, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth ( Henneberger ) Scherer, who settled in Quincy township in the fall of 1863. She was the oldest child born to her parents, her birth occurring September 4, 1860, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the others were as follows: Peter Scherer, residing near Watertown, South Dakota; Daniel Scherer, living in Quincy township; Henry Scherer, of Viola town- ship, and Elizabeth Catherine Scherer, now married and residing in Waverly, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Bierbaum a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, have been born, as fol- lows .: Dora Marie Hanenberger, born June 18, 1884, now residing in Rochester; Edward P., born February 1, 1886; Frederick C., born September 22, 1888; Freda K., born August 24, 1891; Ina Elizabeth, born February 2, 1893; Alfred D., born June 13, 1897; Annetta E., born September 20, 1898, and Carl H., born May 31, 1892. With the exception of the first named, all the children are at home with the parents. Mr. Bierbaum owns 365 acres of Viola township's choicest farm land, fully equipped with all modern con- veniences, which bespeak the progressive spirit of the family. He and wife have witnessed the growth and development of this por- tion of the country, and by hard work and perseverance in their younger days have acquired a competency. In his political views, Mr. Bierbaum is a Republican, and he has been honored by his friends and neighbors by being selected as secretary of the school board nine years. Aside from his farming interests he has for eight years been president of the Viola Township Telephone Com- pany and frequently acts as appraiser for the Rochester Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. Bierbaum is also largely interested in the raising of fine cattle, and has a large herd of Aberdeen-Angus ani-

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mals with the registered "Clyde" at their head. John C. Bierbaum is one of twenty-six who are holding the second annual school fair -known as the County School Fair. Mr. Bierbaum and family are consistent members of the German Evangelical Church, and he is one of the twenty-six men of Olmsted county instrumental in the organization of the state fair at Rochester. It is a noteworthy fact that with the accumulation of wealth men's natures shrivel, but in Mr. Bierbaum's case, an exception of pleasing degree is prevalent. Both he and wife are kind parents, generous to a fault and very highly respected in the community where they reside.

Carl H: was the first settler in Viola township, it being thirteen months before he saw a white man other than belonging to his party.

S. R. MCKEOWN is one of the prominent farmers of the south- eastern part of the county and is residing on a farm of 200 acres on Section 36, Elmira township. He is one of the old settlers and is the son of William and Mary Jane ( McBurney ) Mckeown, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They crossed the Atlantic ocean to Canada in 1837 and there resided until 1850, when they moved to the states, settling in Cook county, Illinois (where Chicago is now located). There they engaged in farming and so continued until 1855, when they removed to Olmsted county and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. The land was then in a wild state, without any improvements. They went to work and first built a log house with a roof of boards and shingles, Mr. Mckeown doing all the work. The first few settlers were then just appearing in the county and the Indians were still to be seen here and there in camps along the streams. As a rule they were friendly, but occasionally trouble arose and danger was imminent. Here they passed through all the hardships and trials of pioneer times. The most of their supplies of flour, etc., were obtained from Winona. Not a foot of ground was broken on the place. But the prospect did not daunt them, and they went to work with willing hearts. The farm originally consisted of 240 acres, but in later years Mr. McKeown gave to each of his two sons eighty acres. In time a home of comfort and refinement was built. Mr. Mckeown was a Republican and became prominent in the public affairs of the township. He was one of the organizers of the school district and of the township and was public-spirited, generous and kind- hearted to all. After a long life of usefulness and honor, he passed away December 4, 1902, aged eighty-nine years. His wife was his faithful helpmeet through all his trials and hardships. Her parents were John and Rebecca McBurney. She died in 1899 at the age of seventy-seven years.

S. R. Mckeown, the subject of this review, attended the public

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schools until he was twenty-one years old, the attendance being confined to the winter months, the summers being spent at hard work on the farm. Having made up his mind to become a farmer, he continued at work on the old place after attaining his majority. And here his life thus far has been spent, except a few months of absence for recreation and pleasure. He is one of the progressive, active, successful farmers and prominent citizens of this portion of the county. He is a Republican and a member of the school board. Since taking absolute charge of the farm, he has made a number of important improvements. In has father's family were twelve chil- dren, as follows: Annie, deceased, married Hiram Hazelton; John, living in Fillmore county ; Maria, deceased at the age of 44 years; Mary Jane, married William Watts, a farmer of Winona county; Rachel, the widow of John Powell, living in Montreal, Canada; Joseph, a retired farmer, living in Winona county; David, a black- smith in Winona ; James, a farmer of this county ; Nelson, who died at the age of 44 years; Rebecca Wilmina, who married Henry Doyle, a farmer of Fillmore county; Margaret, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 1853, and has resided nearly all her life on the old farm. The family is well known in this portion of the county and none is held in higher esteem and respect.

M. L. SAWYER, of Viola township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, is a native of New Hampshire, his birth occurring February 22, 1846, at Swanzey. His parents, Rev. Caleb and Hannah (Olcott) . Sawyer, were also natives of that state, but in 1856 they came west and founded a home on the broad and rolling fields of Minnesota. They located on Section 8, Viola township, and although the father had previously been a minister of the gospel, he did not follow that vocation to any extent in Minnesota owing to ill health. Their trip to Olmsted county was made by rail as far as Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, then up the Mississippi river to Minnesota by boat, and thence by wagon to Viola township, at that time known as Wash- ington. During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Sawyer served as recruiting officer for Viola township and was regarded as the father of the town, being familiarly known as "Father Sawyer" and "Squire Sawyer." In 1867-8 he was elected representative to the state legislature, and was, perhaps, the most prominent man in public affairs in Viola township until 1872, at which time failing health prevented further participation in political movements. He suffered greatly from asthma during much of his life, and passed away at his home in Viola township on March 14, 1881, greatly be- loved and respected by all who knew him. He and wife, who was born in Swanzey, New Hampshire, were married in 1829, and to them were born two sons, Caleb A. and M. L. Sawyer. They also assumed the responsibility of rearing a nephew and two nieces,

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J. A. Sawyer and Lydia Ward Sawyer, the latter afterwards be- coming Mrs. Stanchfield, and Emily. J. A. and Emily Sawyer, of Viola township, were the parents of these adopted children, and died in 1839 and 1840, respectively.

The old family homestead, to which many additions have been made since the death of the elder Sawyer, is still in possession of the surviving members. and is in charge of the sons and grand- son. On March 31, 1871, M. L. Sawyer, the immediate subject of this review, was married to Miss B. C. Dickey, who was born in September, 1845, and they had the following four children: Bradley C., residing in Viola township; Marian L., teaching school in North Dakota; Jesse E., of Viola township, and L. C. G. Saw- yer, or Bovina, Lincoln county, Colorado. To Jesse E. and Anna (Dubbles ) Sawyer, who reside on the old home farm of 235 acres. two children have been born: Elwin. on February 7, 1904, and Arthur, on June 29, 1907. In his political views M. L. Sawyer is a Prohibitionist, and he has been chosen to fill many important posi- tions in the administration of local public affairs. He served as township treasurer for fifteen years, and was chairman of the town board when smallpox was invading the community and when firm- ness was very essential. He and family are members of the Meth- odist Church. Mr. Sawyer has been unusually successful in all his business dealings. In 1883, when the terrible cyclone swept over Olmsted county. carrying death and devastation, Mr. Sawyer suffered the loss of house, outbuildings and grain, and the escape, without injury, of himself and wife from the barn, which was utterly demolished, was little short of the miraculous.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 39

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

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