History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 47

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

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WILLIAM KELLY was born in Oswego, New York, July 1, 1837, and is one of two living children of Jeremiah and Bridget (Gilleren) Kelly. This branch of the Kelly family came from Roscommon county, Ireland, to the State of New York in 1835. Upon his arrival in this country, Jeremiah engaged in railroading in New York and the East. William Kelly received a common school education and at an early age secured a postion with the New York & Erie Railway Company as brakesman, which place

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he held until April, 1856, when he came West and located in High Forest township, Olmsted county, where he took up a home- stead of 160 acres in Section 25, which property he still owns. He is thus one of the oldest settlers of the county. The country was very wild then, the nearest town of consequence being Winona. To that point, produce had to be hauled, and live stock driven or conveyed. The roads were poor and the bridges poorer. After many trials and hardships the Kelly family became comfortable. Gradu- ally the place was improved with good buildings, fences, machinery and live stock, and additions were made to it until Mr. Kelly owned one of the largest farms of the county. He still owns the old homestead, but since 1903, when he retired, he has divided among his children 540 acres. The old place is conducted by his sons. On February 7, 1867, Mr. Kelly married Miss Margaret Lawler, who after many years of residence here, passed away in 1898 and lies buried in St. Bridget's Cemetery. Seven children were born to this union, three of whom are yet living. Mr. Kelly is one of the founders of St. Bridget's Catholic Church and is a devout member. In 1873 he joined St. Mathew's Temperance Society and is still a member. He is secretary and treasurer and a member of the board of trustees of St. Bridget's parish. He is an inde- pendent Democrat and has held every office in the township, and was chairman of the board of supervisors four terms. He is a fine old Christian gentleman and a credit to the county. He is both popular and prominent.

TIMOTHY H. BLISS, who for years has been engaged in the insur- ance and abstract of title business at Rochester, was born June 2, 1843, in Licking county, Ohio, a son of Lowell B. and Fannie B. (Gunn) Bliss, who were of English and Scotch-Irish descent, respectively. In generations past, notably during the War of the Revolution, the progenitors of the Bliss family were military men. Peletiah Bliss served the Colonists in their struggle for Independence, and at different times during that war was asso- ciated with Col. Jona Chase's, Col. Timothy Bedell's and Col. Peter Olcott's regiments, and participated in the campaigns around Saratoga. Lowell B. Bliss, the father of our subject, was one of the early pioneer farmers of Licking county, Ohio, but on Sep- tember 19, 1854, he left that locality and emigrated to Iowa, and in August, 1856, came to Minnesota. Here he purchased a tract of land and for three years engaged in agricultural pursuits, then came into the city of Rochester to spend the remaining days of his life. In many respects he was an unusual man. He was mild mannered and yet very forceful in his talk and actions. His honesty was beyond question, and when he passed away in 1872, aged fifty- eight years, he died as he had lived, greatly beloved and highly

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respected by all who knew him. The minister who read the burial service at his interment remarked, "It has been said that every man has his price, but thank God this could never be said of Lowell B. Bliss." During the years of 1858-60, Mr. Bliss served as a member of the board of Olmsted county commissioners, and later, for ten years, 1860-1870, was register of deeds. His widow survived him until March, 1901, and then passed away at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Bliss was a man who did what he thought to be right, no matter what the cost, and many of the old pioneers still residing in Olmsted county, yet speak of him as a good, clean, truthful man. He was of that sturdy, pioneer class who, by hard work and conscientious living have done so much toward making America the premier country of the world. His memory will long linger in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

His son, Timothy H. Bliss, the immediate subject of this memoir, passed his early life in much the same manner as the other boys of those days, attending the public schools and assisting his father in the work of the home farm. After his education was completed his first venture in the business world was in the office of the register of deeds. Possessing a natural aptitude for this line of work and thoroughly liking it, he determined to follow it through life. He associated himself with Stearns, Jones & Start, abstract of title men at Rochester, and in later years, during which time the firm had changed its style on different occasions, Mr. Bliss bought out the concern from Chadbourn Brothers and has since conducted its affairs on his own account. He also added insurance to his business and has been unusually successful from the start. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted for the preservation of the Union in Company H, of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Fort Snelling, under Gen. H. H. Sibley. He saw considerable service in the Indian campaigns of Minnesota, and on July 5, 1865, after a three year's service, was honorably discharged by the United States war department. Aside from the active business cares of life, Mr. Bliss takes great delight in the asso- ciation of his fellowmen, being a Knight Templar York Rite Mason, a Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Republican, and for years he has served as trustee of the Universalist Church.

LARS ERICKSON was born in Norway, April 26, 1845, his parents being Erick and Ronda, who passed their entire lives in that country engaged in farming. Lars was reared a farmer and was given a common school education. In 1866 he came to America and settled on government land in Section 14, Rock Dell township, and worked the same five or six years and then bought 160 acres

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additional. In time he became the owner of 200 acres of well im- proved land, all secured by his own ability, energy and industry. The first house here he stopped in after coming to America is the house he now owns. He was then a poor emigrant boy with nothing and now he is the owner of many fine acres, embellished with elegant buildings and beautified with orchards and groves. A few years ago he retired from hard work, though he still keeps busy attending to his property, renting the farm to the neighbors. He is well known and has the unqualified respect of all who know him. In 1870 he married Miss Carrie Golberg, whose father was the first settler of Olmsted county. To this marriage nine children were born: Rosini, born in 1871, now the wife of Henry Mihoon, a farmer, she has four children; Erick, born in 1873, who enlisted in a Minnesota regiment for the Spanish-American war and is now in the Philippines; Zoliff, born in 1875, retired and living in Roches- ter, was a farmer of North Dakota; Caroline, born in 1877, married Mr. Lilliascow, a farmer, she has four children; Christian, born 1882, a farmer of North Dakota; Clara, born 1880, now Mrs. Kirkpatrick, lives in Seattle; Henry, born 1882, farmer in North Dakota; Bangval, born 1883, a farmer of North Dakota and Clarence, born 1885, a farmer of North Dakota. Mrs. Erickson died in 1890 and was buried in St. Olaf's Cemetery. Shortly after her death he rented his farm and returned to Norway, where in 1891 he married Borghild T. Sorteberg and brought her to his home in this country. They are now partly retired and are taking life easy. They had one child, which died in infancy. They wor- ship with the United Lutheran Church. Mr. Erickson owns stock in the Zumbro Creamery, the Farmers' Elevator at Stewartville, and the Farmers' Lumber Company at Hayfield. During his busy career Mr. Erickson was one of the most active and successful farmers and business men of the county. He occupied many official positions with fidelity and credit.

MARTIN HEFFRON is an excellent example of the self-reliant and progressive business man and of exceptional citizenship. He was born in the city of New York on April 2, 1848, and is the son of Patrick and Margaret (O'Brien) Heffron. The father was of Irish nativity and came to this county about the year 1864. He was a successful contractor and builder and erected many houses of all kinds in this vicinity. He was a great reader of all kinds of books and papers and was therefore a man of unusually wide intelligence and information.

His son, Martin Heffron, was surrounded with exceptional ad- vantages, which had a marked effect on his character through life. His parents early taught him the merit of strict economy and ster- ling honesty, and his early adoption of these principles has added

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not a little to his high reputation and excellent character. He lived on a farm and had only the advantages of country schooling, but he made the most of his opportunities. His parents were poor, and he had to go two miles to school, but with diligence succeeded in securing schooling sufficient for the active duties of life. While yet a young man he passed the required examination and taught school nine terms. Under his father he learned the art of con- tracting and building, and believing that business to be more re- munerative than anything else he could do, he took it up and has made it a specialty, and in later years has added to it the art of architecture, all giving him advantages that have resulted in a high reputation for good work artistically performed. In early life he served as deputy clerk of the district court. In 1889 he accepted a position with the Charles W. Gindele Company, of Chicago, and for five years was employed on government work. Since then he has been engaged in business for himself. He has ever taken much interest in public affairs and soon became prominent locally. He was elected to the city council and later was chosen for the honorable and responsible position of Mayor of Rochester. He served two terms as alderman and one term as mayor, greatly to his credit. He is a Democrat and a Catholic and a member of the Elks, Workmen, Knights of Columbus and Hibernians, in which latter he has held various official positions. On November 14, 1899, he married Margaret McElligott, and they have one child.

OLE S. SAETTRE was born in Norway, February 12, 1827, and came to the United States with his parents in 1844. The family first settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where Ole S. assisted his parents on the farm. While there he formed the acquaintance of Knute Nelson, who became United States Senator in after years; their friendship as boys has been continued down to the present time through all the years. In 1856, the family came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and settled on a tract of land in Section 30, Salem township. While a resident of Wisconsin, Ole S. saw hard work on the farm in summers and in the pineries in the winters. Owing to his superior strength and skill he received 50 per cent more wages than others while engaged in handling the broad-axe. In 1854 he married Miss Ingeborg Gjesme, who was born in Nor- way, December 24, 1831, and whose parents came to Olmsted county and settled in Rock Dell township at an early day. To Ole S. and wife the following children were born: Sjur O., born April 27, 1855, died in 1899; Torbjon, born April 13, 1857, married and pastor of the United Lutheran Church at Evansville, Minnesota, has a splendid education obtained at Decorah College, State Uni- versity of Minnesota, Columbia College, Columbia, Ohio, and at

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Madison, Wisconsin State University ; Ole, born April 7, 1852, farm- ing in North Dakota ; Andrew, born October 17, 1861 ; collector for the Minneapolis Thresher Company, Minnesota; Lewis, born March 29, 1864, married Julia Rush and they have Orin, Clarence, Florence; Adolph, born May 10, 1866, married and farming in Dodge county, has two children; Mathia, born September 28, 1868, caring for her parents in their old age; Inger, born October 12, 1870, died in infancy ; Inger (2), born July 10, 1872, now Mrs. D. Revins, her husband being a merchant. The family now owns 360 acres of excellent land, on which are improvements worth approximately about $10,000. Ole S. holds stock in the Creamery, Telephone and the Farmers' Insurance Companies. The family are members of the United Lutheran Church. Mr. Saettre is a Republican and has served as assessor for sixteen years. He organized the school district 76.

JOHN C. CRABB was born on a farm in Cascade township, Olm- sted county, May 1, 1860, and was educated at the common schools and the Winona normal. While yet quite young he secured a certificate and began to teach school and was thus occupied for ten years. He taught in both the common and the graded schools and was regarded as one of the best instructors and disciplinarians in the county. He finally quit teaching and engaged in the general mercantile business at Byron in 1892, and was thus occupied until 1895, when, having become actively concerned in politics, he was elected to the office of clerk of the district court of Olmsted county and served with credit as such for a period of twelve years, from January, 1895, to January, 1907. He was chairman of the Re- publican county committee from 1895 to 1906. He was considered a strong party man, and the campaigns were spirited when under his management. He is a member of the Republican state central committee and has been a director in the Y. M. C. A. of Rochester since its organization and was president of the board for the first three years after its organization. Recently he was made secre- tary of the Rochester Land & Loan Company, a newly organized concern. He is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, A. O. U. W., the K. of P. and of the Methodist Church. On August 13, 1890, he married, in Oronoco township, Miss Alice M. Hannon, and they are the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth E. Crabb, born September 28, 1903. Mrs. Crabb died October 7, 1909. Mr. Crabb is the son of James and Lucinda Crabb, the father being a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Olmsted county in the summer of 1855 and was a licensed minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His principal occupations were farming and merchan- dising.

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ULYSSES G. PLANK, who resides on Section 2, Orion township, and whose postoffice address is Chatfield, has lived here ever since he was born. His farm is the north half of Section 2. He is the son of Joseph and Diantha Plank, the family originally coming from Holland. The parents of Joseph were William and Rebecca (Warner ) Plank, the father being a farmer in Adams county, Penn- sylvania, where both were born. In their family were seven sons and seven daughters : Moses, Amos, Samuel, William, George, Jos- eph, Edward, and Hannah, Rebecca. Sarah, Leah, Anna, Betsy and Margaret. Hannah (Camp) and Samuel Plank are still living.

Joseph, the father, came directly to this country from Pennsyl- vania and preempted 160 acres of the present place, but in 1870 he bought a tract of 280 acres, which made him a fine farm of 440 acres, though later he sold to others a tract of 120 acres. In 1890 he bought a tract of 160 acres in Lincoln county, Washington, Cres- ton being the postoffice; and in 1895 he bought in Cass county 700 acres, postoffice Pine River, all of which is yet owned by the estate, which is yet to be distributed to his heirs. Thus, by hard work, steady industry and good judgment he made a fine success and became well and favorably known to all old settlers and business men in this portion of the county. When he arrived here in 1855 the country was in its wildest state. Wild animals were abundant and here and there were Indian encampments. At that time Chat- field had only two houses. He had a hard time of it at first, grub- bing, clearing, burning and plowing, and enduring many hardships which people of the present generation can scarcely realize. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was one of the organ- izers of the congregation here. He was made one of the trustees, and remained such the most of his subsequent life. In 1894 he retired from active life and went to live in Chatfield and there re- mained until his death, March 17, 1907, at the age of 75 years. His widow is yet living in the residence her husband built and is seventy years old. Joseph was a builder and cabinet maker, and many a house and barn now standing in this part of the state is the product of his labor and skill. He was industrious and had the welfare of his family at heart. There was no railroad in the county when he arrived and so he came by wagon. He was ever considered one of the most substantial and upright citizens here.

Ulysses G. Plank was born September 9, 1863, on the home farm, and in youth received a common school education at the neighbor- ing schools, the nearest standing on their own land, which had been donated for the purpose. He continued working on the farm and going to school until he was eighteen years old, when he finished his education by attending Darling's Business College, at Roches- ter. In his youth he experienced a great deal of hard work on the new farm, where he helped to grub, clear and cultivate. While

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securing his education he assisted his father on the farm in spare moments. The most of the important improvements on the place were made by the father. Ulysses G. now cultivates for mixed crops and annually turns over about 200 acres. About 120 acres are devoted to pasture. He has now on hand about fifteen red polled cattle and fifty gray Durham cattle, and other valuable thoroughbreds. He also has sixteen horses and other valuable stock. He is a Republican and a Good Templar, having been a member of the latter for thirty years. He formerly belonged to the Lutheran Church, of which he was deacon, but finally became a Methodist. On September 27, 1894, he married, at Dover, Miss Lizzie Cotterell, daughter of K. L. and Annabelle Cotterell. Her parents formerly came from England and, after becoming ac- quainted in Wisconsin, were married and, coming to Minnesota, conducted a shoe shop in Lewiston. Later Mr. Cotterell was a farmer and finally a horticulturist. He had one of the first and largest orchards in the state. Annabelle died December 18, 1888, and her husband April 19, 1891. Ulysses G. has two sons and one daughter : Harold Cotterell, Ralph Loyd and Ruth Mildred. The family is one of the oldest and best in this part of the county.

MAURICE McELLIGOTT. The death of Maurice McElligott at his home in Haverhill township, on July 25, 1905, marked the passing of another of those sturdy pioneer men who, by their own unaided efforts have so materially assisted in making America the premier country of the world. Born in Gunsboro, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1822, he was the third child in a family of eight-John, Johanna, Maurice, Edward, Mary, Patrick, Elizabeth and Michael-born to the union of Patrick McElligott and Mary Dore, both of whom were born and reared in the old country and died there. The early life of Maurice McElligott was spent in his native country and his education was acquired in the national school. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Margaret Carr, also of Gunsboro, County Kerry, and two years later Mr. McElligott left her in Ireland and came to the United States to secure a home. He located in Buffalo, New York, remaining one year, then went to La Grange, New York and engaged in railroading. Then he went to Ohio, then to Indiana and Wisconsin, then back to Ohio and again to Wisconsin. He assisted in the construction of the Erie canal. Two years suc- ceeding his arrival in America Mr. McElligott had earned enough to send for his wife, and accordingly she joined him in New York. After making their homes successively in New York, Indiana, Illi- nois and Wisconsin, the family finally located in Haverhill town- ship, Minnesota. This was in 1860, and since then they have re- sided in this portion of the country. To Mr. McElligott and wife the following children were born : Mary, now Mrs. D. Hanrahan;

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Stephen ; Julia, now Mrs. Campion; Anna; Michael; Margaret, now Mrs. Martin Heffron; Maurice, and Elizabeth, Mrs. P. Condron, deceased. On August 12, 1868, Mr. McElligott lost his wife by death and was left to assume the responsible role of father and mother to a large family of children.

Maurice McElligott was a man of the strictest integrity, a char- acter above reproach. Men with whom he had business dealings will bear witness that his word was as good as his note. He never lost an opportunity to lend a helping hand to a less fortunate fel- low man. He was one of those sturdy pioneers who won their way in the world by their own sterling qualities and honest industry. He was a kind neighbor, a loving father and a devout member of the Catholic Church.

THOMAS DAVIDSON is now living retired from the active duties and responsibilities of life, in a comfortable home in St. Charles. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret Davidson, who lived many years in Olmsted county and became well to do and prominent in the eastern part of that county. Samuel, the father, passed away in 1867 at the age of seventy-six years, but his widow lived to the great age of ninety-three years, dying in 1906. Their lives were useful and honorable and filled with industry and good deeds. Their son Thomas was born in Westfield, New York, February 4, 1836, and there he was reared and educated. He first attended the dis- trict schools and later the Westfield Academy, but finally left school and began the labor of life on his own responsibility at the age of twenty-one years. The family originally came from Ireland in 1830 and settled in Chautauqua county, and there remained until 1857, when they came to Olmsted county. At the time of their arrival here Thomas was just about turning his twenty-first year. They settled in St. Charles and there Thomas resided until 1862. when he volunteered as a private in Company D, Seventh Minne- sota Infantry, and served with that command until he was honor- ably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. Dur- ing his service he was promoted to sergeant for meritorious con- duct. At the close of the war he returned home and soon after- ward bought eighty acres on Section 14, Dover township, and be- gan to improve the place. In 1869 he bought another tract of eighty acres, and in 1900 bought still another tract of 160 acres, adjoining his home farm. He carried on mixed farming and raised considerable live stock for market. In 1908 and 1909 he sold the whole farm and is now living retired from business. He owns a pretty residence and several lots in St. Charles. In August, 1876, he married, at Dover, Miss Laura, daughter of John and Phebe Hart, prominent old settlers of Olmsted county. To this marriage were born one son and five daughters: Frank T., now engaged in

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fruit farming at Grandview. Washington; Alice E., a graduate of the kindergarten course at the state normal at Winona, Minnesota, now married to Robert Jahnke and living at Pasco, Washington; Madge L., a graduate of the state normal and principal at Two Harbors, Minnesota; H. May, a graduate of the normal and a teacher at Pasco, Washington; Florence J., a graduate of the nor- mal and now teaching at Excelsior, Minnesota; Helen H., now attending high school at St. Charles, Minnesota.

GEORGE B. DOTY, for many years actively identified with the banking interests of Rochester, was born April 8, 1864, in Eyota township, this county. He is a son of Andrew J, and Sarah ( Bid- well) Doty, grandson of Calvin Doty and great grandson of George Doty who served the Colonies during the Revolutionary war. An- drew J. Doty was born at Brockport, New York, April 16, 1826. With the tide of immigration flowing westward. he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1856, and was one of the first settlers of Eyota township. Here the greater part of his life was passed and here he was known as one of the solid, substantial men of the county. George B. Doty is the only son of a family of three children. His education was obtained in the district schools, a normal course at Winona and a business course in Darling's Busi- ness College, Rochester. His business career began as a clerk in the hardware store of A. Ozmun, but in 1888, he was elected county auditor and after serving two years he was reelected to this position, and again reelected in 1892, serving as such six years in all. June 20, 1896, he became connected with the First National Bank, of Rochester, of which, in February, 1899, he became cashier. Through his efforts the business of this bank nearly doubled while he was associated with the institution. Upon the organization of the First State Bank of Rochester, in 1909, he was elected its cashier ,and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Doty is a Demo- crat in politics, an Odd Fellow, a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. To his marriage with Miss Harriet A., daughter of Horace Cook, solemnized in February, 1889, one son, Horace C., has been born.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 47

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

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