History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 48

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

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J. F. SPENCER, one of the extensive land owners and stock raisers of High Forest township, was born in Beaver Dam, Wiscon- sin, being a son of John and Margaret Spencer. The father died on May 9, 1874, but the mother is still living, active and happy at a ripe old age. Early in life, J. F. Spencer developed a remark- able liking for books, and when ten years of age had read the History of the French Revolution, a feat which many an older per- son could not boast. When sixteen years old he started out in life for himself, farming on rented land and assisting his neighbors,

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and when he had reached the age of nineteen he had saved enough to purchase a farm of 100 acres in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1872 he came to Olmsted county and bought 520 acres in High Forest township, and has since made this latter place his home. The farm is equipped with all modern conveniences and is ideally situated. In recent years Mr. Spencer disposed of 120 acres, leav- ing him 400 on which to continue his work. He owns a fine herd of Durham cattle and is a lover of fine horses, the breeding of which has been his specialty. His land is also well adapted to raising all the crops which have made Minnesota so famous in the field of agriculture, and Mr. Spencer annually derives some substantial benefit from this portion of his labors. On February 1, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss A. Mahona, of Juneau county, Wisconsin, who passed away January 3, 1893, and to them were born the following children: John, of Kasson, Minnesota; Frank, of Clifford, Arizona; A. I .. , of Canal Zone; Margaret, of Fargo. North Dakota: J. W., of Dickinson, North Dakota; Charles E., of Bowman, North Dakota; R. C., of Colorado Springs. Colorado; F. J., at home, and two dead. On November 25, 1901, Mr. Spencer married Marguerite Whelan, of Minneapolis. Aside from the active business cares of life Mr. Spencer has found time to serve his fel- lowmen in many public capacities. In 1885 he was elected by the state legislature to the position of sergeant at arms, and two years later was made enrolling clerk of the house. As a Republican he was elected state representative from the fourth legislative district in 1907. For years, he has been active in the cause of temperance, and in 1910 he was nominated for representative on the county option ticket. In the fall of 1894 he was elected county recorder of deeds and attended to the duties of that office while driving to and from his farm every day. Mr. Spencer had held every town office and was appointed a member of the condemnation committee to acquire the right of way for the Chicago & Great Western Rail- way and the Long Distance Telephone through Olmsted county. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and family have long affil- iated with St. Bridget's parish. Although a very busy man, Mr. Spencer yet finds several hours each day in which he continues his perusal of books and magazines, and he is remarkably well informed on all leading topics of the day. His library is well stocked with works of history and fiction and his love of books and learning has stuck with him through his entire life.

HENRY M. RICHARDSON, a resident of Olmsted county, Minne- sota, since 1867, and of Rochester since 1881, is of New England nativity and ancestry, his birth occurring March 10, 1844, at Waits River, Orange county, Vermont. James Richardson, his father.

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was also a native of the Green Mountain state, and his mother, formerly Lucinda Orcutt, of Ackworth, New Hampshire. James Richardson died at Waits River in December, 1863. He was a farmer by occupation and held the rank of major in the Home Militia in what was known as the old "Floodwood Regiment," so called because the members were compelled to drill with sticks of wood owing to the lack of guns. Hiram Orcutt, a brother of Mrs. Richardson, was a man noteworthy in his time. He began teach- ing school when fifteen years old and continued that occupation until his seventy-second year. His career as an educator was con- fined to the New England states. He conducted an academy at one time and many of his graduates are scattered throughout the United States, some of them residing in Olmsted county. Henry M. Richardson was educated in the public schools and the select schools at Waits River, until the age of eighteen years, at which time he responded to the call of his country and enlisted in Com- pany D, Fifteenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry. His military service was first in the defense of Washington, under General Hintzelman; he then served in the army of the Potomac and par- ticipated in the battle of Gettysburg under General Howard. He was honorably discharged from the service August 7, 1863, succeed- ing which he returned to his native state and completed his edu- cation by taking up bookkeeping and higher mathematics. The spring of 1867 he came to Minnesota, his mother arriving in Feb- ruary, 1868, and a farm being purchased near Viola, in Olmsted county, they located thereon and began farming. Mr. Richardson was thus engaged until 1881, when he was elected to the responsible office of county sheriff, a position he continuously held by reelection until 1893. He also served as president of the city council of Rochester four years, and in 1893 was elected a member of the state legislature. As a Republican, Mr. Richardson has been active in the councils of his party, and an advocate for the best principles. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and in the Masonic fraternity has attained the order of Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine. Both he and wife are members of the Meth- odist church. January 11, 1870, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. McCrillis, of Salem, Massachusetts, and to them three children have been born: Harold J., William B. and Edith M. The two sons are lawyers residing in Rochester; the daughter is the wife of A. D. Sanders, of Evanston, Illinois.

Harold James Richardson, eldest son of Henry M. Richardson, was born on the home farm in Haverhill township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, March 26, 1872, receiving his primary education in the district schools, and later graduating from the Rochester high school in 1899. After one year spent in the classical course of the

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University of Minnesota he was compelled to relinquish his studies because of failing health, but in 1900 was graduated from the Law Department of the University of Minnesota with the degree of LL. B. He was regularly admitted to the bar and has since prac- ticed his profession at Rochester. While a university student he was active in all matters pertaining to his alma mater. In 1889 he was president of the Athletic Board of Control, was class president while in College of Liberal Arts, was law editor of the annual "Gopher" in 1900, a member of the debating club of the law school, and is a member of the alumni association of the University of Minnesota, the Delta Tau Delta and the law fraternity of Phi Delta Psi. He is a past commander of the Sons of Veterans and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masons. He is the owner of a fine farm and one of his chief sources of pleasure and recreation is supervising and developing this property. As a Re- publican he has actively campaigned the First congressional dis- trict of Minnesota, and from 1903 to 1909 was county attorney. January 1, 1903, he married Miss Anna C., daughter of John J. and Mary (Dinkeman) Reimers, of Rock Island, Illinois. Their two children are Mary Catherine, born November 30, 1904, and Susanne Edith, born February 18, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are members of the Methodist church.

William B. Richardson, second son of Henry M. Richardson, is associated with his brother, Harold J. Richardson, in the practice of law at Rochester. He was born in this city November 10, 1874, was graduated from the Rochester high school in 1892, and for about three years was engaged in the grocery business in Rochester with his father. He subsequently entered the Law Department of the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1900, and since then, as a member of the firm of Richardson & Richardson, has been actively engaged in legal pursuits. From 1902 to 1904 he served as city judge, and although a stanch Re- publican in politics, he devotes the greater part of his time to his profession. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Commercial Club, the Auto- mobile Club and the Methodist church.

STARK A. LARSON was born in Rock Dell township, October 9, 1867, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah, who emigrated from Norway to the United States and settled in Olmsted county. The father worked at the mason trade for some time and then bought 160 acres in section thirteen, Rock Dell township, and this land they made their home until their respective deaths. They were honest, industrious and law-abiding people and had the high regard of all who knew them. Stark A. spent his early years in getting a common school education and in assisting his parents to clear, im-

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prove and cultivate the farm. He finished his education by taking a course in Darling's Business College at Rochester. After finish- ing his schooling he worked at farming on shares for eleven years and then bought his grandfather's homestead in section thirteen. Here he is now residing and doing well. On March 16, 1893, he married Martha Garvick, whose parents were early settlers of Ver- non township, Dodge county. To this marriage the following chil- dren were born: Stella C., Caia A., Elvine S., Agnes B., Andrew K., Edgar F., Mabel S., Lillie L., Esther N., Lawrence T. Mr. Larson is a Republican and is a member of St. Olaf's congrega- tion, where he and all his family were confirmed. The parents are proud of their children, and well they may be. All are bright and wide awake to the possibilities of the great busy world of which they are a part.

WILLIAM GILBERT SCOTT, who died May 12, 1908, was for many years one of Olmsted county's best and most deserving citi- zens. Born at Bridgewater, Oneida county, New York, May 23, 1846, he was a son of Joel Ives and Nancy Ann (Clark) Scott, both of whom were natives of New York state. Their children were Fannie S., Benjamin F. and William Gilbert. Joel was born August 15, 1815, died September 1, 1894. Nancy Ann, his wife, was born February 20, 1816, died November 11, 1903; they were married about the year 1837. The father was a farmer and fol- lowed that occupation in New York until 1862, when he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in section thirty-four, Salem township, until his death. He was a good and honest citizen, was prominent in local affairs of import- ance and held the office of town supervisor for a number of years. Their son, William Gilbert Scott, the immediate subject of this memoir, received his early education in the public schools of New York and Olmsted county, and also assisted his father with the work on the home farm. When fourteen years old he was brought by his parents to Olmsted county, and after completing his attend- ance in the public schools, entered the Clinton Preparatory School. This institution, however, he was forced to leave owing to poor health, and having been reared to hard work on a farm, naturally turned to that business as a means of livelihood. He located upon the old home farm and in time acquired a few hundred acres ad- joining. This also was healthful work and for years he was suc- cessfully engaged in farming and stock-raising, organizing a farm- ers' co-operative creamery near his farm; also organized several societies of equity, co-operating with J. A. Everitt, of Indianapolis. He was for several years president of the local equity movement. Aside from these interests Mr. Scott showed remarkable ability as an inventor, and many improvements on cultivators, expanding

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wheels and pulleys, agricultural implements and bobsleighs were perfected by him. He also was the author and owner of a private trout hatchery. He was one of the first to advocate and put into local streams bass fry and was ever alert to have the game and fish laws enforced. He was always striving to better the existing conditions, not only in his own life, but in others as well. In poli- tics he was independent and progressive, fearless in argument, pre- ferring to cast his vote for the man he thought best qualified to fill a position, regardless of party affiliation. For many years he advo- cated the position now taken by the progressives of both parties. On September 24, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma M. Haber, and to them five children were born, as follows: Frances K., B. Ives, Alice A., Wilhelm G. and Gilberta. Mr. Scott was an ideal father, affectionate and kind but firm, always insisting on the truth and honesty of purpose with his children-the two principles upon which he based his religion. Mr. Scott was one of those public spirited men and conscientious citizens who have done so much toward making Olmsted county one of the best in the state of Minnesota.

THEODORE NELSON was born in Rock Dell township, September 21, 1871, and is one of six children born to the marriage of Thore and Christina, both of whom were natives of Norway. In 1853 the father came to the United States and for two years was en- gaged in farming in Rock county, Wisconsin. He then went to California and remained there for two years, working at various jobs, and then returned to this county in 1861 and settled in Rock Dell township, taking up a tract of government land in section four- teen. Here he lived until 1896, when he retired from the farm and came to Stewartville, where he resided until the day of his death in 1905. He was an upright and useful citizen and during his stay here built up a large and valuable property and left behind him a name without reproach. He was prominent and liked by everybody and occupied various local offices with ability and faith- fulness. His widow Christina is still living at an advanced age, though in the enjoyment of fair health. Theodore Nelson was put to work on the farm at an early age and, besides the common school, did not have good opportunities for acquiring an education. Be- fore reaching his majority he married March 24, 1892, Miss Serine Rime, who was born December 31, 1875, on an adjoining farm, her parents being pioneer settlers of this county. To this union nine children have been born, as follows: Thomas M., born May 25, 1893; Edwin M., born December 7, 1894, died May 31, 1902; Ella E., born July 28, 1896; George William, born September 19, 1898, died in infancy; George William (2), born May 23, 1900; Ida S., born November 7, 1902 ; Miner E., born December 3, 1904;

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Norman T., born March 16, 1906; Tillie L., born January 23, 1910. Since Theodore has had charge of the place he has made many improvements. The farm now is one of the best in this por- tion of the county. He owns 220 acres, well provided with good buildings and machinery. He is the sort of man to secure and retain a large circle of friends, and this he has done. He and family worship at the United Lutheran church. He holds stock in the Zumbro Creamery, Farmers' Elevator and Farmers' Lumber Yard. He is a Republican and takes much interest in the success of his party and its principles.

CHARLES W. CRESAP, for many years engaged in the blacksmith business in Olmsted county, and a man highly respected by his fel- low-men, was born in Newcastle, Ohio, December 9, 1833, a son of J. C. and Martha (Reed) Cresap. The father, who was a native of Virginia and descended from an old family of that state, settled in Ohio in 1831 and for years followed his trade of blacksmith there. Charles Cresap received very little schooling in his youth and from an early age assisted his father in the shop, remaining thus employed until twenty-three years old. He then spent a few months in Iowa, but in 1856 came to Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, and for many years followed the trade learned under the tutelage of his father. When Mr. Cresap came to this part of the country it was wild and unsettled, few settlements had as yet been made and a large part of the land was in a primitive condition, but he possessed the grit and determination to succeed that characterized the early pioneers, his business grew and he prospered. He has seen Olmsted county grow from a few scat- tered settlements to the richest agricultural county in the United States, and few men have done more to bring about this change. In 1879 he was elected enrolling clerk of the state senate and has held town offices at different times. In 1896, owing to the silver plank in the Democratic platform, he could not conscientiously support that doctrine, and accordingly voted the Republican ticket, and has since been identified with that party. At the time Mr. Mc- Kinley and Mr. Hobart were the nominees on the Republican na- tional ticket. Mr. Cresap campaigned extensively throughout Olm- sted county, meeting in debate some of the ablest speakers of the opposing party. It is generally conceded that he more than held his own in these conflicts of words. For ten years, 1882-1892, Mr. Cresap traveled, selling farm implements, and then engaged in the manufacture and sale of an invention of his own, known as the Cresap "bob-sleigh knee." He continued thus for a period of three years, when he disposed of a portion of territory, still deriving, however, a moderate income from the royalty on its sales. He then opened a blacksmith shop on Main street, Rochester, which he still

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personally conducts. Although employing workmen in his estab- lishment, Mr. Cresap still loves to see the sparks fly and hear the ring of the anvil and steadily works at the forge himself. By hard work and shrewd business dealings he has accumulated a com- petency, and now, when his declining years are at hand, he can enjoy the fruits of his labors and no wish or whim need remain ungratified. Mr. Cresap is essentially a self-made man, and on ac- count of his political and business activities is one of the best known men of Olmsted and adjoining counties. He has been twice mar- ried ; first, to Miss F. A. Brown, in 1860, and twelve years later to Miss Emgelia L. Wood. To the latter union three children were born, named Mark W., now holding a responsible position with Hart, Schaffner & Marks, of Chicago; Mabel L., the wife of G. A. Casseday, of St. Paul, and Charles H., who died in infancy. Al- though an education was denied him during boyhood days, Mr. Cresap has since read extensively on all the important topics of the day and is now a fine conversationalist, a delightful companion and a man of considerable learning. He is a man of fine appear- ance, genial, and with an unstained career both in his political and business connections is one of the best and most highly respected citizens of the county.

MARION D. TAYLOR, who formerly resided in Dover township, is now a citizen of St. Charles, and rents his farm of 281 acres in Dover to his son Glen L. This farm, which constitutes one of the best homes in the eastern part of the county, is located on section twenty-two. Marion D. is the son of Jonathan and Betsey Taylor, who came to this county from New York state. They first settled in Winona county in 1856 and there the father died in 1878 at the age of sixty-four years. Marion D. was born in Broom county, near the town of Maine, New York, April 5, 1845, and in boyhood attended the district schools of the neighborhood during the win- ters and assisted his father on the farm during the summers. By the time he was eighteen years old he finished his education and then, until he was twenty-two years old, he worked with his father on the farm. He then married and rented the farm of his father- in-law and thereafter assisted the latter to improve the place and to buy additions. Finally he bought a fine farm in Dover township and resided thereon until he moved to St. Charles. This farm is well improved with houses, barns, sheds, fences, granaries, an or- chard of 250 trees, 300 evergreens, and an up-to-date water plant. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, has served his party as delegate, and was clerk of the Board of Education. He was a member of the A. O. U. W. On March 9, 1869, he married at Rushford, Fillmore county, Miss Maggie A. Clawson, daughter of John and Phebe, farmers of Winona county. They have had four children: Jennie,

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who died December 28, 1908; Alma, who is yet at home with her father; Glen L., who rents his father's farm; and Edith, a gradu- ate of the St. Charles high school and also of the State Normal School at Winona.

HON. WILLIAM CARLISLE FRASER, for many years prominently identified with the commercial growth and development of Roches- ter, is a native of the town of Dover, Olmsted county, Minnesota, his birth occurring May 21, 1869. His parents, John and Mary A. (Carlisle) Fraser, appropriate mention of whom appear in the biography of Thomas Fraser, found in this volume, located in Olmsted county in the fall of 1855; and were thus among the first settlers of the locality where the subject of this sketch was born. William C. Fraser passed his boyhood days in assisting his father and in attending the district schools. Desiring a better edu- cation than that afforded by the common schools, he earned the means to defray his expenses at the St. Charles high school and Darlings Business College at Rochester, graduating from the latter in 1890. He learned civil engineering and when scarcely more than of legal age started out in life for himself as assistant county sur- veyor. He later served as county surveyor from 1894 to 1903, engineer of the city of Rochester from 1893 to 1905, engineer of the city of Faribault, Minnesota, in 1897, and was chief engineer of the Winona & Western railroad from 1898 until the road was sold to the Chicago & Great Western Railway Company. During his incumbency of the last named office he superintended the build- ing of the road from Simpson to Rochester. When thirty-two years of age he was elected president of the Minnesota State Sur- veyors' & Engineers' Association. For the past seven years he has made a specialty of municipal engineering and contracting, and since 1890 has built fifteen water works systems or extensions and eighteen sewer systems or extensions in Minnesota, Iowa and Wis- consin cities. From 1893 to 1907 he served Olmsted county as a representative in the lower house of the state legislature, and as such was one of the most capable and efficient members of that body. In 1907 he bought the Stewartville Times and consolidated with the Stewartville Star, incorporating into the Olmsted County Publishing Company with capital stock of $10,000, with Mr. Fraser as president. The paper is now published as the Stewartville Star. Mr. Fraser has a wide acquaintance throughout Minnesota and is recognized as a man of capacity and force. He is an Encampment and Rebecca degree Odd Fellow, a Knight Templar Mason and a Mystic Shriner, and a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is known as a pro- gressive Republican. August 17, 1895, he married Miss Jennie S. Gilman and he and wife are the parents of two children.

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CHARLES EUGENE FRANKLIN is a prominent resident of Dover township and has resided on his present farm of eighty acres on section seven since 1888. He is a son of Abel and Jane Franklin, who came from New York to Winona county in 1868 and from there to Olmsted county in 1871. The family has been long in America, coming to the colonies long before the Revolution and first settling presumably in New Hampshire. Abel was born in New Hampshire and was a farmer by occupation. After reaching Olmsted county the family first rented farms and so continued until the present property was bought. After a useful and well spent life the father finally died in 1892, the widow surviving him until 1903. Charles E. was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, October 9, 1853, and in early life attended the public schools near his father's place, so continuing until he was fifteen years old. After his arrival in Minnesota, he finished his schooling by attend- ing the high school of St. Charles until he was nineteen years old. He had worked on the farm during the summers, but now he con- tinued with his father, owing to the blindness of the latter, until he reached the age of twenty-four years. Also at home assisting on the farm were subject's brothers-Joel, Elias and Francis- who have since died. A sister, Alice, was also at home, but she is now married to A. D. Tilton and resides in South Dakota. Since he bought the place, subject has made many and important im- provements in buildings, fences, sheds, windmill and live stock. He is a Republican and a member of the Dover Methodist Episcopal Church. He was an active life member of the Grand Council of the Royal Arcanum, of which he held the office of regent. On Novem- ber 13, 1877, at Dover, he married Miss Hattie, daughter of C. C. and Cordelia Lasher, prominent farmers and early settlers of the county. They have two daughters and two sons: Alice, who mar- ried C. K. Davis, a grain merchant; Jay E., a farmer at North Redwood; Guy, now assisting his father ; and Etta May, a teacher in Dover township. The family is well known and universally re- spected.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 48

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

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