History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 41

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

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ried twice, first to Miss Sallie Maria Short, by whom he had two children, Myrom E., a resident of New Mexico, being the only one living, and Cora, who died when two years of age; and second, on December 1, 1897, to Miss Eliza Emma Sinclair, daughter of Dudley Sinclair, of Kalmar township. Dudley Sinclair came to Olmsted county in 1855, pre-empted land from the government and was very conspicuous as a stanch supporter of Prohibition. He was a very public spirited man and took an active part in all movements that would be of benefit to his town or county. He was regarded as an able speaker and debater and favored all that tended to the betterment of home and country.

Jackson V. Hicks, in his political views is, like his father before him, a Jacksonian Democrat, and is also active in all prohibition movements. He is an active member of Custer Post, No. 44, of the Grand Army of the Republic. During President Cleveland's administration he served two terms as postmaster of Byron and fourteen years as mayor of Byron. He is also a director in the State Bank of Byron. In religious views Mr. Hicks is a Universalist, and is regarded by all who know him as one of the men interested in any movement for the good of country, county and home.

JOHN WILLIAM MOORE is a son of Thomas and Anna Moore, who came from England to the United States in 1852, and imme- diately after their arrival were married in New York. They came west and after a short time spent in Illinois they came to Olmsted county about the year 1853, but after staying here about one year they returned to Illinois and engaged in farming until 1874, when they again came to Olmsted county and bought a farm of about 360 acres. Here they lived happily together until 1892, when Mr. Moore retired and on March 17, 1910, was called by death. His widow is still living in Chatfield with her son, James Moore. Thomas Moore was one of the best and most prominent citizens of the county and was a prominent member of the Republican party. His wife was a daughter of John and Eliza Mclaughlin, both of whom were natives and residents of Ireland, where the father died April 6, 1907, and where the mother is still living. John William Moore was born in Searsburg, New York, April 27, 1853, and was educated primarily at Elgin, Illinois. In youth he learned farming and this has been his life's occupation. After coming to Olmsted county he worked by the month on farms for two years and then worked a few years with his father. He then bought eighty acres in Orion township and paid for it from his own savings. In 1893 he bought the sixty-five acres on which he is now residing. After paying for his land he began to make needed improvements, putting up a good residence in 1898 and a fine barn later. He is one of the prominent citizens of the township, is a

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Republican, and was a school director from 1894 to 1909. On April 22, 1880, he married Miss Ellen Mclaughlin, a daughter of John and Eliza, both of whom are natives of Ireland, where the father died April 6, 1907, and where the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have three children: Thomas J., a dentist at Plainview; William A., who is studying dentistry, and Annie E., who is yet in school.

GEORGE TOOGOOD, who for over twenty years has been engaged In the mercantile business at Viola, is a native of Olmsted county, Minnesota, his birth occurring October 1, 1868, at Rochester. He was a son of William F. and Elzina (Williams) Toogood, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Olmsted county and settled in Stewartville about 1858. They were among the early pioneers here and experienced all the trials and hardships incident to frontier life, but their courage and New England thrift overcame all obstacles and they became one of the foremost families in the community. The father died in 1886, but the mother still sur- vives and is at present residing with her youngest sons south of Rochester. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Toogood the following children were born: Frank, of Hartford, Michigan; Albert, of St. Paul, Minnesota; George, subject; Mable, residing at home; Maude Brown, who died at Wauseca; Wright, residing in Roches- ter, and Wayne, also of Rochester.

After reaching maturity George Toogood was united in mar- riage with Miss Nellie McHugh, of Viola, the wedding being solemnized on January 5, 1891. She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Lewis) McHugh, both of whom passed away in recent years, and she became the mother of two children, Belva L., born September 5, 1894, and Keith D., born November 30, 1907. It is the ambition of these parents that their children have every edu- cational advantage possible, and the oldest will enter the high school at Rochester this year. On June 16, 1890, Mr. Toogood removed to Viola, entered the mercantile business and has thus been actively and successfully engaged ever since. He has been postmaster at Viola for the past twenty years and in political views is a Republican. He is vice-president of the First State bank, Elgin. The family affiliate with the United Brethren church at Viola, and Mr. Toogood is a member of Camp 1728, Modern Woodmen of America, of Viola. He is one of the oldest residents of that village and is highly respected in the community.

SAMUEL GRANT CUMMINGS (deceased) was one of the first set- tlers of Olmsted county, having made a claim in Cascade township, near the present site of Rochester, in 1854. He was born in New Hampshire, June 10, 1835, and when very small was taken by

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his parents to New York, where he was reared to manhood and married Miss Lany Hoke. After four years' residence on his first land here he sold it and moved to Kalmar township, on sec- tion 28, and there resided until his death in 1877. Mr. Cummings was of that hardy, courageous type of which pioneers are moulded. He worked hard and accumulated considerable property, and was identified with most of the events contributing to the develop- ment of the community. During the establishment of the Patrons of Husbandry he was an active member of that order, and he was often called upon to fill local positions of trust and honor. Four children were born to him and wife, viz .: Harley, Naomi, Annette and Roseltha M.

Harley Cummings, the second child and only son of Samuel G. Cummings, was born in Rochester, Minnesota, July 4, 1858, but has passed much of his life in Olmsted county, Minnesota, out- side of Rochester. He received a common school education in youth, and was engaged in farming in Renville county, this state, for a time. Subsequently he resided at Fairfax ten years, then returned to Olmsted county, which has since been his home. September 7, 1881, he wedded Miss Nelia Little, whose parents were natives of Vermont and came west with their eight children in 1855, and pre-empted government land in Salem township, where they lived the remainder of their days. They were the parents of eleven children in all, six of whom are now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummings three children have been born, but two of whom, Etta and Edna, are alive. Mr. Cummings is one of the enterprising, progressive men of the county, is independent in his political views and at present is serving as clerk of the town of Kalmar.

WILLIAM G. EARLY is a native of Scottsburg, McDonough county, Illinois, where his birth occurred September 27, 1863, his parents being William and Catherine (Walker) Early. The father was a native of Indiana and the mother of Kentucky. The grandparents, Lewis and Sarah (Finney) Early, settled in Mc- Donough county, Illinois, in 1844, and there passed the remainder of their lives engaged in farming. The grandfather, Gilman Walker, was a prominent lawyer of Kentucky, a temperance lec- turer and a soldier in the Blackhawk war. William Early, father of subject, was a soldier in the rebellion-a member of Company F, Fifty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He was captured by the enemy at the battle of Shiloh and held as a prisoner of war for three months, when he was paroled. He was honorably mustered out at the close of the war. William G. Early was reared on his father's farm and spent his youth in assisting his parents and in securing an education at the district schools. He is the

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owner of one of the best farms in Eyota township. As the farm is only a short distance from Eyota, Mr. Early has made the vil- lage his home. His land is on sections 16 and 21. On August 21, 1898, he married Miss Winnie, the daughter of Orville S. Armstrong, who was a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1829, being the son of Spencer and Clarinda (Stevens) Arm- strong. They came west in 1860 and first settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, but later moved to St. Charles. Mr. Arm- strong was born in 1805 and died in 1887; his wife was born in 1806 and passed away in 1870. Orville S. came to Chatfield in 1855, but removed to Eyota in 1863. He was station agent at that point, his first office being in a box-car. He also was express agent and finally engaged in the mercantile business as a member of the firm of Needham, Wheeler & Co. He was also interested in the elevators at Eyota and Viola. Still later he farmed. He was a Republican and a very prominent citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Early have one child-Lois May. He and wife are Methodists.

R. J. PALMER, who for more than forty years has been a resident of Olmsted county, Minnesota, is a native of New York state, his birth occurring August 21, 1836, at Elizabethtown, Essex county. He was one of five children born to the union of Ezekiel and Harriet (Kellogg) Palmer, who were born and reared in the East and with the exception of seven years spent with their son in Minnesota passed their entire lives in the vicinity of their birth. The father was born February 12, 1810, at Chimney Point, Addi- son county, Vermont, and the mother, August 21, 1815, at Eliza- bethtown, New York state. The names of their children are: R. J. Palmer, our subject; Cyrus, who died at fifty years of age; Rhoda Ann, died in infancy; Lurinda (Barnes), residing in Veb- len, South Dakota, and Eunice Helms, of Long Lake, New York. At an early date Mr. R. J. Palmer came to Olmsted county, and on November 6. 1859, was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Shaw. She was a daughter of George and Mary (Baskin) Shaw, to whom the following children were born: Ellen, died when two years old; Mary Jane, wife of subject, born Sep- tember 20, 1835; Mariah LaPel, deceased; Melissa M. (Dicker- man), of Elgin, Minnesota; Robert, deceased; William, residing in Vermont, and George, deceased. When war broke out between the North and South, Mr. Palmer enlisted for the preservation of the Union in Company F, Second New York Heavy Artillery. and suffered a severe wound in the arm at Cold Harbor, which after twelve years of suffering necessitated amputation. He came to Minnesota shortly after his discharge, the exact date being October 24, 1865, and with the exception of about three and a half years' residence in Rochester, made his home in Viola town-

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ship. He purchased a farm of 240 acres in sections II and 14, which he still retains, and he and his wife own a home in the village of Viola, where they expect to pass their declining years in peace and comfort. They have, by energy and perseverance, secured a competency, and now are enabled to gratify any wish or desire that may come to them in their latter days. For twelve years after his discharge from the army Mr. Palmer received a pension of $64 per year, and after his operation on April 4, 1877, when his troublesome arm was amputated, this was increased gradually until it now amounts to $55 per month. In politics Mr. Palmer has always voted the Republican ticket and he has served his community faithfully and well in the minor capacities he has been entrusted with. He was at one time the nominee of his party for the state legislature, and, although his party was hope- lessly in the minority, he was defeated only after a close contest. His firm convictions endeared him to his many friends and com- manded the respect of his opponents. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Rochester. To him and wife two children have been born: Ernest, whose birth occurred September 30, 1861, and Maude (Purves), born November 26, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are highly respected in the community where they reside.

GILES H. FRITTS was born June 3, 1850, in Oswego county, New York, and is one of two sons born to Peter W. and Susan Fritts, both of whom were natives of Holland. Peter W. Fritts was a farmer by occupation. He came with his family to Minnesota in June, 1864, and settled on a farm in section 27, Kalmar town- ship, where he made his home until death overtook him on April 16, 1895. He was an honest, industrious and hard-working citi- zen, was independent in politics and a Free Will Baptist in religion. Giles H. Fritts attended the district schools in boyhood and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-nine years of age. On December 15, 1879, at Iberia, Brown county, Minne- sota, he married Miss Louisa V. Borst, and about this time bought eighty acres of land on section 27, Kalmar township, where he has since lived. His total possessions when he started out in life for himself was a pair of colts, a pair of horses and two cows. From this small beginning Mr. Fritts has prospered and is now one of the well-to-do men of the community. To him and wife three sons and three daughters have been born, as follows: Susan K., born March 29, 1881 (now Mrs. Gustave H. Burke) ; Etta M., born February 5, 1884 (now Mrs. James J. Smith) ; Peter W., born February 3, 1887; Mabel M. (now Mrs. Edward Schar- tan), born July 18, 1888; Hawley M., born January 30, 1893, and Ernest F., born March 9, 1895. Mrs. Fritts, who was a loving wife and mother, died November 11, 1908. Mr. Fritts is a Demo-

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crat in politics and has held the office of chairman of the board of supervisors and assessor. He is a member of Byron Lodge, No. 135, I. O. O. F., and the Rebecca Lodge, No. 81, of that organi- zation, and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 2225, and the Royal Neighbors of America, No. 1155, all of Byron, Minnesota.

GEORGE E. PURVES has resided in Viola township, Olmsted county, since he was six months old. He was born in Wyocena, Columbia county, Wisconsin, December 13, 1860, and six months later was brought by his parents, Thomas and Malinda A. (Cool- edge) Purves, to this portion of Minnesota. The above union was solemnized August 21, 1833, and Mr. and Mrs. Purves lived happily together until the former's death at Rochester, November 3, 1904. To them were born the following children: Charles E., whose birth occurred October 11, 1858, residing in what was formerly Beaver county, Oklahoma; George E., subject; William, born July 8, 1868, now a resident of Port Blakely, Washington; Edward, died in infancy; Rosa E., born November 24, 1871, now the wife of Ernest Palmer, of Viola township; Mary A., born January 4, 1876, now the wife of James Ashworth, of Rochester.

On August 28, 1886, George E. Purves was united in marriage with Maude U. Palmer, the daughter of R. J. and Mary Jane (Shaw) Palmer, pioneer residents of Viola township, of whom appropriate mention is made elsewhere in this work, and to them have been born three children: Leland E., born June 17, 1887; Ada M., born December 22, 1896, and Bernard George, born December 19, 1904. The first named has attended the State Uni- versity of Minnesota, taking the electrical engineering course of that institution, and is at present engaged in practical electrical work in Montana. He also was a graduate of the Rochester high school. Mr. Purves owns 240 acres of Viola township's choicest farm land on section II, and thereon has erected a fine home and necessary barns and outhouses. He is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party, and for a number of years served his community as school clerk. The family is very democratic in their mode of living and the stranger is ever wel- come at their home. The position occupied by Mr. Purves and family in the community is one of prominence, and they are highly respected residents of Viola township.

JAMES N. HAIR, an old soldier and one of the highly respected citizens of Kalmar township, Olmsted county, is a native of the state of Indiana, his birth occurring in Hamilton county, January 31, 1834. He was the fourth child in a family of ten born to the union of James and Polly (Richey) Hair, the

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former being a native of Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. The mother died when our subject was yet very young. The paternal grandfather, John Hair, served the cause of independence in the Revolutionary war, and on two different occasions narrowly escaped death from two bullets which passed through his clothes. The father passed away at Noblesville, Indiana, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years; a man greatly respected for his many sterling qualities. He was a farmer by occupation and was un- usually successful in that line of business. In his political views he was a staunch Whig and Republican, and also was a strong advocate of the Anti-Slavery cause. Ten children were born to him and wife, but four of them now living.

James N. Hair received his education in much the same man- ner as the other boys of those days, attending the district schools through the winter months. Until twenty-one years old he assisted in the work on the home place in Indiana, but in 1856 he came to Minnesota and pre-empted land in Dodge county. He later came to Kalmar township, Olmsted county, and pur- chased ninety-one acres, upon which he now resides, and subse- quently bought 160 more, which he has given to his children. In 1865 Mr. Hair enlisted in Company I, First Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, which was recruited by ex-Governor Marshall ,and the latter part of that year he was taken sick and placed in the hospital at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He afterwards was hon- orably discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hair was married twice, first to Nancey J. Fisher, who died in 1861, and, second, to Mary Lent, of New York state, by whom he had eight children, the following four now living: Minnie, now Mrs. Thor Waldron, who has a family of eight children; Perry, having seven children; Jessie, who has two children, and Lloyd Berton, the father of three children. Mrs. Hair had three brothers who served in the Union cause in the Civil war, Frank dying in the army in 1864, and George and Abe serving three years in the First Minne- sota Regiment Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Hair, the immediate sub- ject of this review, is one of Kalmar township's oldest settlers and is regarded as a public spirited citizen and a successful busi- ness man. For several years he was a director of the township schools, and he also served two terms as township treasurer. In his religious views Mr. Hair is a Methodist, his wife affiliating with the Baptist church, and socially he is a member of Custer Post, No. 44, Grand Army of the Republic, Rochester. In poli- tics he is independent, voting for the man rather than the party, and is a staunch supporter of the temperance cause.

ERNEST PALMER was born in Long Lake, Hamilton county, New York, in September, 1861, and at the age of four years was

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brought by his parents to Viola township, Olmsted county. The father was R. J. Palmer, an old soldier with a splendid war record, and an old settler who had the respect of all who knew him. In his early life he married Mary Jane Shaw and two children were born to this union: The subject of this sketch, and Mrs. George Purves, who was born November 26, 1866. The father was a useful, industrious and prominent citizen, and occupied various official positions with credit. His son Ernest married Rose E. Purves January 24, 1900. She was born November 24, 1871, her father being Thomas Purves, who was born September 9, 1828, and was married to Abigail Malinda Cooledge December 28, 1852. Her father was born in New York City and died in Rochester No- vember 3, 1904. The mother is living in Rochester with a mar- ried daughter-Mrs. Ashworth. Mr. and Mrs. Purves were the parents of nine children, as follows: Julia (deceased), James (de- ceased), John (deceased), Charles E., born October 11, 1858; George E., born December 13, 1860; Edward died in infancy; William Henry, born July 8, 1868, residing in Washington; Rose E. (Mrs. Palmer) ; Mary Ashworth, born January 4, 1876. With the exception of Charles and George, this family was born and reared in Oldsted county. To Ernest and Rose E. Palmer one child was born-Dorothy Rose, born April 11, 1901. Rose E. Purves (Mrs. Palmer) moved to Rochester with her parents and sister in the fall of 1891, and took a course of shorthand and type- writing at the Academy of Lourdes. She was afterward em- ployed in the courthouse as clerk for Judge of Probate Thomas Fraser, and was appointed deputy clerk of the district court during John C. Crabb's (clerk of court ) first term, 1894-1898, serving four years. Mr. Palmer owns 240 acres in sections 11 and 14, and twenty acres in section 13. He is independent in politics. He has served as town treasurer and on the town school board. He has a fine farm, with good improvements, excellent buildings, and with high grades of live stock. He conducts general farming, raising grain, hay and domestic animals for the market. He has a never failing spring of good water on his place, and utilizes the same by means of an hydraulic ram. He and Dr. W. T. Adams built the first telephone line in this part of the county. He and family are in good circumstances and are enjoying life. 1

HERBERT EMERSON was born in Lemonweir, Wisconsin, April 28, 1873, and is a son of John and Rosa Emerson. He resides on a farm of 160 acres in section 9, Elmira township. The father originally came from the state of Vermont at the age of eleven years and settled in Wisconsin and there he has ever since resided. He is today an active and successful farmer in that state. Rosa, the mother of our subject, died May 12, 1910. Herbert was edu-

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cated in the district schools of Lemonweir, Wisconsin, but left at the age of seventeen years in order to devote all of his time and attention to work. Immediately after leaving school he came to Olmsted county and worked out by the month in this neigh- borhood and continued thus occupied until 1902. He finally rented a farm from Forest Henry and held the same for five years, and during that time he managed to make and save enough money to buy his present farm. This he has put under a fine state of culti- vation, and has made a number of important and permanent im- provements. He is now in comfortable circumstances and is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and annually mar- kets valuable products. He is a Republican and is among the leading citizens of this part of the county. On June 29, 1904, he married Miss Marion Farrell, of this township, daughter of R. S and Emma (Crane) Farrell, both of whom are deceased. The father, at the age of seventy-two years, was killed on a rail- road track September 26, 1906. His wife died November 17, 1885. R. S. Farrell was a veterinary surgeon, farmer and promi- nent citizen. He was born in New York state March 2, 1835. His wife, Emma Crane. was born January 19, 1846, in Pennsylvania. Marion was born January 4, 1876, in Elmira township, Minnesota. Herbert and wife deserve great credit for the care they are bestow- ing on children from the state school. While they receive some help from the children, it is true that their acts are kind, charitable, unselfish and deserving of great praise and commendation.

WILLIAM L. SOUTHWICK, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Farmington township, and one of the organizers and stock- holders of the Ringe Co-operative Creamery Company, was born near Buffalo, Erie county, New York, August 28, 1853. His parents were Hiram and Nancy ( Parks) Southwick, and his grand- parents, Jesse and Sarah (Sprague) Southwick, were natives of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively, and of Quaker extrac- tion. His great-grandparents were Enoch and Mary Southwick, the former being a strong adherent and preacher of the Quaker faith. Hiram Southwick was born October 23, 1817, near what is now Colden, Erie county, New York, and was there married January 26, 1839. He continued to live in his native county until 1864, when he moved to Farmington township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he died October 14, 1898. He was a man highly esteemed and widely known for his many sterling qualities of mind and heart. He and wife were the parents of three chil- dren : Sarah J., Lucy M. and William L. The latter is the imme- diate subject of this sketch. When a boy he was brought to Olm- sted county by his parents and here was reared to hard work

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 41

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

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