History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 42

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

USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 42

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on the farm. In 1880 he went to Walsh county, North Dakota, but after five years sold his property and returned to Olmsted county, where he has since been continuously engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. In 1893 he bought the "Sumner Snow" farm, to which, by purchase, he has since added, until he now possesses 320 acres. In connection with farming, Mr. Southwick is widely known as a raiser of thoroughbred Holstein cattle, and a consider- able part of his income is derived from dairying. To his marriage with Miss Ida G. Jacobs, solemnized December 23, 1878, these children have been born: Jesse, October 31, 1879; Bernice E., February 5, 1882; Chester E., August 1, 1887; William Leroy, July 15, 1891; Ruth Carol, May 22, 1896; and Glenford Edwin, April 8, 1898. Mrs. Southwick was born in Haverhill township, this county, May 9, 1859, daughter of Edwin and Elvira Jacobs, who were among the early settlers of Olmsted county. Mr. South- wick is a Republican and a substantial and progressive farmer.

JOHN C. STOL.P, who died July 27, 1904, and was buried at Oronoco, was one of the solid, substantial men of the community, an earnest friend of educational matters, a great reader, espe- cially of German literature, a splendid neighbor and a highly re- spected citizen. He was born in Prussia, January 21, 1832, a son of Gottlieb and Rose Stolp, and, after attaining manhood, served in the army of his native country. Upon his arrival in America he located in Marquette county, Wisconsin, in 1861, and engaged in farming. After reflection he deemed it his duty to assist his adopted country in the preservation of the Union, and accordingly enlisted in Company D, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and served with his command at Gulf of Mexico points. Subsequently to the war he came to Eau Claire county, Wisconsin. In 1881 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where his latter years were spent. He was a Democrat, an A. O. U. W. of Rochester, and a member of the German Lutheran church at Oronoco, which he helped build. June 6, 1857, while in the old country, he married Augusta Petrick, and to their union were born the following chil- dren: Herman Edward, November 7, 1859, died September 5, 1864; Malwina Hatta, September 22, 1862, died September 2, 1864; William August, February 9, 1865, died November 6, 1884; Gustave Julies, October 17, 1867, a farmer in Oronoco township; John Louis, June 13, 1870; Henry Albert, October 20, 1872; Carl Frederick, March 7, 1875; Edward Frederick, whose biography follows; Amelia Ona Malvine, February 19, 1880; Adolph Emil, September 15, 1882. The mother is living and resides on the old home place in the village of Oronoco; she was born in Labans, Prussia, May 14, .1838.

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EDWARD FREDRICK STOLP was born in Lincoln township, Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, August 30, 1877, and was educated in the public schools of Oronoco village and at Rochester, in this county. He farmed with his father until 1897, then started to work for himself at any kind of work he could get to do. In 1902 he carried mail from Oronoco to Rochester, on the old star route. January 19, 1903, he purchased the William Phelps stock of gen- eral merchandise at Oronoco, which he has ever since conducted. In conjunction therewith he operates the stage line between Oro- noco and Rochester. He is a Republican in politics, has been township treasurer for the past five years, and is secretary of the Oronoco Cemetery Association. To his union with Miss Anna M. Stedman, which took place June 21, 1905, two daughters have been born-Beatrice Anna, October 3, 1907; Nina May, August 8, 1910.

EDDY L. LYMAN, for years actively and successfully engaged in the mercantile business at Rochester, was born March 2, 1863, in Rock county, Illinois, the eighth in a family of nine children born to the marriage of George P. and Mary (Whitney) Lyman, the father being a native of Vermont and the mother of England. The Lyman family is of old Colonial stock. Early in life George B. Lyman, the father of our subject, located in Boone county, Illinois, and engaged in farming. In later years he removed to Sharon, Wisconsin, and there spent the rest of his life in the mercantile business. To him and wife nine children were born.

Of these, Eddy L. Lyman, during boyhood days, attended the public schools and assisted his father in the store. He continued thus until nineteen years old, and then for five years was employed as a commercial traveler for a Cincinnati establishment. On Feb- ruary 8, 1892, he came to Rochester, and, locating at the corner of Broadway and Fourth streets, engaged in the millinery busi- ness. He remained there for a period of eight years and then removed to his present quarters at 119 South Broadway, 30x100 feet, with two stories and basement. Mr. Lyman's shrewd but conscientious business dealings with the people insured success from the start, and he now carries a large force of sales ladies and milliners and handles a complete line of millinery and ladies' and children's ready-to-wear clothing. He has the only exclusive ladies' furnishing store in the county. On November 19, 1884, Mr. Lyman was united in marriage with Miss Alma Parker, daughter of George J. Parker, of Boone county, Illinois, and to them have been born : Ethel, Constance and Dorothy. Aside from his mercantile establishment, he also is interested largely in real estate and has a fine farm of 480 acres in Marshall county. Mr. Lyman has served as school commissioner and is identified with

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the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Neighbors. He is regarded as one of the progressive men of the county.

FRANK E. MANNING, has lived on his present farm of 1371/2 acres, sections 16 and 17, Orion township, since 1895. He is a son of Jacob H. and Mary Manning. The father came from Lon- don, Canada, and the mother was born in Chicago. The family originally came from Scotland to Canada, but finally Jacob H. and his son moved to Rockford, Illinois, and later Jacob moved from Rockford to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he settled and passed the remainder of his days, dying in June, 1906, well advanced in years. He saw some stirring experiences in his life- time, acquired considerable property, and left a good name when he departed. His widow Mary died in March, 1898, while on a visit to Seattle, Washington. Both now lie buried in Vallard, Pope county, Minnesota.

Frank E., their son, was born near Rockford, Illinois, June 29, 1865, and in youth attended the district schools of Orange, Douglas county. He finished his education at the age of seventeen years, and thereafter remained on the old farm with his father until 1889, when he went to South Dakota and rented a farm of 160 acres, which he held and cultivated for two years. He then occu- pied another farm for about the same length of time, and from 1893 to 1897 he occupied still another farm, making considerable money all this time and saving much of it. In 1897 he located on the farm where he now resides and has made farming a success. He carries on mixed farming, grows large quantities of small grain, and raises during the year large numbers of cattle and hogs. He is one of the up-to-date farmers in this portion of the county. He built his present home and has made all improvements, and has made rapid progress in the battle of life. He is prominent in the affairs of his township. He has served as a director of the board of education. He was formerly a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he usually votes for the man rather than for the party. On May 7, 1890, he married Miss Mary Hisey, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Hisey, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have four daughters and five sons : Ella, Minnie, Walter, Jay, Jacob, Guy, Avis, Edith and Clifford. Ella is a teacher in North Dakota. The others are yet at home with their parents. The family is well known and highly re- spected.

BERT CROWELL, for many years engaged in the photography business at Rochester, was born in Augusta, Maine, March 14, 1873, a son of Everard and Lizzie (Smith) Crowell. The father

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was a native of Belgrade, Maine, his birth occurring October 26, 1848, and he learned photography in his native state. In 1868 he came west and for a time engaged in his profession at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but in 1878 he came to Rochester, and for many years was actively and successfully employed in conducting a photographic studio. He was one of the best in his line in the state and did exceptionally fine work. To him and wife three children were born, named: Herbert E., Mabel E. and Lulu M. Herbert E. Crowell, the subject of this review, received his educa- tion in the Rochester public schools and when yet a young man entered his father's studio, with a view to taking up that line of work. Here he remained until 1900, then spent a year in Des Moines, Iowa, after which he returned to Rochester and bought out the studio business of S. C. Abbott, and has since been suc- cessfully engaged on his own account. June 30, 1898, he married Miss S. M. Hopkins, daughter of C. M. Hopkins, of Rochester. Mr. Crowell has always taken an active interest in athletics. He is a member of the Baptist church. As a Prohibitionist in politics, he was the nominee of his party in 1906 for the state legislature. Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Young Men's Christian Association at Rochester.

ROBERT L. LAUDON was born in the grand duchy of Mecklen- burg-Schwerin, Germany, August 12, 1851, and there attended school until he was fourteen years old. In 1865 he came with his parents, Louis and Anna Laudon, to the United States, and settled on a rented farm of 160 acres in Dover township, Olmsted county, Minnesota. The following spring the father bought a quarter section of land which is still owned by the family, subsequently adding thereto until he owned 560 acres. Here the father and mother lived forty years and died in 1895, aged seventy-three and seventy-one years respectively. They were honest, industrious citi- zens and universally respected. Robert L. Laudon completed his schooling in this country, and until the age of twenty-seven years assisted his parents on the home farm. Inheriting 160 acres from his father, to which he has since added 120 acres; he has built a modern residence, commodious barn and out-buildings, and is known as one of the progressive, up-to-date farmers of Olmsted county. He is a Republican in politics, a director of the Dover electric light plant, was a member of the Imperial Knights, now out of existence here, and is a steward and member of the Meth- odist church. December 5, 1878, he married Miss Mary Schmidt, daughter of Carl and Dora Schmidt, well-known farmers in Viola township, and they are the parents of two sons, named Fred Carl, a grain buyer at Altura, Minnesota, and Shirley, who resides with his parents.

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W. J. EATON, of Rochester, is the eldest in a family of three children born to the marriage of Calvin R. Eaton and Julia Bodurtha, both of whom were natives of Springfield, Massachu- setts. William Eaton came from England to America in 1638, locating in Massachusetts and he was the progenitor of the family in this country. Calvin R. Eaton moved west with the tide of immigration in 1857, and located at Grinnell, Iowa, where he remained for a time. From there he removed to Minnesota, thence to South Dakota, and finally located at Rochester, Olmsted county, where he died in 1903. W. J. Eaton passed his early days in Iowa, attending the district schools, and later entering Iowa Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1871. Following his grad- uation, he was associated with his father, who was a railroad contractor, until 1874, when he embarked in the produce and com- mission business at Grinnell. The growing dairy business of southern Minnesota then attracted his attention, and in 1881 he came to Rochester, and in partnership with C. L. Walker estab- lished the first creamery in Olmsted county and, so far as can be learned, the second in southern Minnesota, and also engaged in the buying and selling of eggs and poultry. At the end of the year Mr. Walker retired and the creamery business was sold and the trade confined to eggs and poultry. But in 1906 he again returned to the creamery business, enlarging considerably by add- ing a seed department. More recently he has given his entire attention to buying and selling eggs, poultry, butter, seed, etc., and has built up a business which of its kind is second to none in the state, his egg business alone amounting to over 100 carloads annually. To his marriage with Miss Jennie Swan, daughter of Hugh B. Swan, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, two children have been born, named Ethel, now Mrs. Albert J. Nason, of St. Paul, and Helen. This union was solemnized October 19, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are members of the Congregational church.

DR. CHARLES E. FAWCETT, one of the leading practicing physi- cians of Stewartville, was born at Marion, Olmsted county, Minne- sota, October 13, 1869. He is a son of John H. and Emily J. (Wooldridge) Fawcett, and a grandson of Thomas and Delia (McCulloch) Fawcett. The advent of the family in America occurred in Colonial times, and members have achieved distinc- tion in the various avenues of life. Thomas Fawcett settled near New Castle, Indiana, at an early day, but, in 1856, moved to Fill- more county, Minnesota, and from there, in 1859, to Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota. Here he was engaged in farming and manufacturing until his death in 1880 at the age of sixty-five years. John H. Fawcett was born in Henry county, Indiana. September 6, 1840, and his schooling was finished at

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New Castle Academy. When a young man he was clerk in a store, but in 1856 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and farmed until 1866, when he bought the store of C. H. Morrill, at Marion. For thirty-five years he was here engaged in mercantile pursuits. For a like number of years he was postmaster of Marion and during all this time never failed to send in regularly his quar- terly reports, and at no time was he ever reprimanded by the department. For many years he also served as town clerk and as a notary public. His superior education and pleasing personality caused him to be a man of more than usual prominence; his hon- esty and uprightness of conduct commanded the respect of all who knew him. He was a Republican in politics, and a Knight Templar of the Masonic fraternity. In 1900 he retired from the active duties of life and thereafter resided in Stewartville. Dr. Charles E. Fawcett attended the public schools, the state normal school at Winona and Darling's Business College at Rochester, then taught school for two years. Having decided to become a phy- sician, he entered the Northwestern University Medical School, at Chicago, and shortly after his graduation therefrom in 1893 located at Stewartville, Minnesota, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Fawcett is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Association, the Southern Minnesota Medical Association and the Olmsted County Medical and Surgical Society. He is a past worshipful master of the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Methodist church. In 1907 he was elected president of the First National bank, of Stewartville, a position he has since filled. To the marriage of Dr. Fawcett with Miss Myrta A. Phelps, solemnized November 29, 1894, the following children were born: Gale C., Lois Mar- garet, Frances Emily and Donald Nathan. Mrs. Fawcett died July 7, 1910.

HENRY E. GERRY, of the firm of Rowley & Gerry, Rochester, was born in Sudbury, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, August 3, 1848, a son of Charles and Oressa (Haynes) Gerry, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, respectively. Ancestors on both sides of the family took an active part in the growth and development of the East, some coming to this country in early Colonial times, and the name of Gerry is well known throughout that portion of the country. Charles Gerry was a farmer by occupation, and to him and wife a family of fifteen children (two dying in infancy) were born. For a period of fifty years this family circle was unbroken by death, and this is a most remarkable record. In 1860 the family removed west to Minne- sota, and here the father engaged in the raising on a small scale

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of sheep and stock. In the spring of 1861 they moved onto the O. P. Whitcomb place, some twelve miles east of Rochester, near the Lutheran church, where the family remained seven years. They then returned to Massachusetts, that the children might have the best educational advantages possible. The elder Gerry was a very successful farmer, and while in Minnesota purchased the Hodges farm, near Eyota, which he sold before returning to Massachusetts, and also bought land in Sauk Center, which he disposed of before returning East. They located at Sudbury, Massachusetts, and here Mr. Gerry was elected and served as selectman, being one of the first to hold that office. He died at the age of seventy-eight years and his wife at the age of seventy- six years. Henry E. Gerry was the eleventh child born to them and received his education in the Sudbury schools, and after returning from Minnesota took a course in the Sudbury Academy. He then for a time clerked in a general store at Maynard, Massa- chusetts, and after two years went to Boston in the employ of Pierce, Dana & Company, wholesale grocers. In 1873 he returned to Rochester, Minnesota, and for about three years was in the employ of J. D. Blake & Company, of that city. After associating. himself with D. N. Moon in the general grocery business, buying him out in 1881, in company with D. S. Hibbard, succeed- ing this firm four years later, retiring in 1892 and became con- nected with the firm of Leet & Knowlton, and in 1897, in partnership with J. M. Rowley, he bought out the clothing depart- ment of that concern and has thus continued down to the present time. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Helen Bear, daughter of Benjamin and Maria Bear, pioneers of Minne- sota, and to their union the following children have been born: Helen Lua, Bessie E., Edgar Leslie, Harold and Benjamin F. Mr. Gerry is essentially a "home man" and takes great delight in the companionship of wife and children. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Court of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and family are members of the Methodist church.

ABRAM LIBBY, one of the well-known, progressive farmers and old pioneers of Dover township, is of Canadian nativity, his birth occurring October 19, 1829, his parents being Nathan and Mehita- ble Libby. He attended the public schools of his native country and lived there until 1851, when he immigrated to the United States. For four years and a half he was in Iowa, but the fall of 1856 came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and pre-empted 160 acres in Quincy township from the government. Only two years prior to this period the first settlement had been made here, and the howls of the wolves were more frequently heard than the lowing of

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cattle. Mr. Libby built his cabin in the wilds and proceeded to grub, clear, break and improve his property. The scarcity of money, the lack of proper implements and the need of assistance rendered his labor one of extreme hardship. Gradually, as the years passed, the times improved and the unbroken fields gave way to the advancing civilization of the plow, the spade and the hoe. A commodious home took the place of the rude cabin, a barn arose, modern in its uses, in place of the stable, convenient out-buildings were added and where once an unbroken tract of land was to be seen there is now the prosperous home of the present-day farmer. Mr. Libby has lived to see the results of privations and severe years of toil return to him in a golden har- vest. He has taken an equal part with his neighbors in the general improvement of the times and in the support of all worthy public enterprises. In Jackson county, Iowa, on November 13, 1856, he married Mary Brumbaugh, who shared with him the hardships and happiness in making their home, and in 1906, this estimable couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Two chil- dren have been born to them, named Luva, the wife of Ellsworth E. Rank, a banker of Dover, and Otis B., who died when two years old. The parents of Mrs. Libby were Samuel and Magda- lena Brumbaugh, of Holland ancestry. The former died in 1880, aged seventy-six years, and the latter January 16, 1901, at the age of ninety-three years and ten months. They were the grand- parents of forty-one grandchildren, the great-grandparents of eighty-two and the great-great-grandparents of three. In the evening of life Mr. and Mrs. Libby look with contentment back over a period of praiseworthy life, and forward with the hope of an immortal life in the world to come.

PATRICK J. SCANLAN is one of the younger members of the Rochester bar who have attained success in their profession. Born November 21, 1869, in County Kerry, Ireland, he is a son of Thomas Scanlan, a farmer, and grandson of Jeremiah Scanlan. The father came to the United States in 1872 and for two years resided at Hudson, New York, then, in 1874, came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and has since then engaged in farming in Haverhill township. Jeremiah Scanlan and wife, the grandparents of the subject of this sketch, came to Olmsted county in 1876 and here passed the remainder of their days. P. J. Scanlan is the eldest son and fourth in order of birth in a family of eight chil- dren. He was brought to this country and county when a child, and after attending the public schools completed his education at the Academy of Lourdes, Rochester. From 1889 to 1895 he was deputy county auditor, but in the latter year he began his legal studies in the law department of the Minnesota State University,

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and was admitted to the bar in 1898. The following year he took a post-graduate course, upon the completion of which he received the degree of Master of Laws. The fall of 1898 Mr. Scanlan began the practice of law in Rochester and here he has ever since continued with success. In other ways he has taken an active part in public affairs, having been elected court commissioner in 1902 and city attorney in 1906, both of which offices he holds at this time. Mr. Scanlan is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

JAMES MARSAR CUSSONS was born at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, March 13, 1834, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Jackson) Cussons, who resided there. His father, John, was the son of John, the son of William, the son of David, the son of William, the son of Abram Cussons, who was born in 1683, and died in 1746, at the age of sixty-three years. Abram was the son of John, the son of David. So far as known, these ancestors were engaged in farming, James' father being the first to engage in milling. John, the grandfather, was a freeholder of England, and owned a large farm in Lincolnshire. The father first con- ducted a windmill, but later used water power at Kirkby Bain, five miles from Horncastle, Lincolnshire, and conducted a baking business at Horncastle in connection with the mill, the two occu- pations then being usually operated jointly. To John and Eliza- beth five children were born, James M. being the eldest. He was educated in a private school at Hunmanby, Yorkshire, and learned the milling business of his father in the Kirkby mill. He re- mained with his parents until February, 1852, when he came to America and for three years traveled over several different states, working in twenty-one mills to perfect himself in the art of mill- ing. On February 26, 1855, he married Miss Ann, the daughter of John and Susannah (Glazier) Colton, all former residents of Horncastle, England. Both fathers, John Cussons and John Col- ton, were local preachers in the Wesleyan Methodist church, and operated flouring mills in the same town in England. John Colton brought his family to the United States in 1843 and first located in Albany, New York, where he remained two years as pastor in the M. E. church. He then resided at Akron, Canal Dover and Shanesville, Ohio, for ten years, working at his trade. To James M. and Ann the following children were born: Anne Elizabeth, the wife of Henry H. Rowe, of Chatfield; John Edwin, deceased; Charles Wauzee, manager of the Cussons Milling Company, Stew- artville; Susan, deceased; John Colton, vice-president of the mill- ing company ; Martha M., with her parents; James Marsar, Jr., in the milling business at Cooperstown. North Dakota; Emma

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 42

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

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