USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 51
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until 1896, but since that time his place of residence has been in Rochester. In 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Dinah F. Graham, a member of one of the old, well-known families of the county, and to this union three children have been born, named, Edith Elizabeth, Jane Esther and Christopher Mark.
ELMER E. RANK, cashier of the First State Bank at Dover, is the son of William J. and Elizabeth J. Rank, and has occupied his present position since 1885. His ancestors originally came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania and one of the old residences built of stone is still standing there, having been erected about 105 years ago. This house is yet occupied by one of the family. The father of William J. was Samuel. In 1855 William J. came from the Wabash county, Indiana, and settled in this county and was thus among the first settlers. Upon his arrival here he pre-empted a farm of 160 acres within about three-fourths of a mile of Dover, and there he continued to reside until about a dozen years before his death. This farm is now in the hands of his descendants. In his busy lifetime he became prominent in local and county affairs. He occupied many positions of trust with credit and fidelity and at one time served as county com- missioner. He died in March, 1906, and lies buried in the ceme- tery at Dover. His wife preceded him to the grave, dying in December, 1895, at the age of sixty-seven years. William J. was eighty-one years old when he died. Both were people of more than ordinary worth and lived upright and honorable lives. To their marriage ten children were born, two of whom died before their parents-Cora and Carrie. Sarah M. married R. A. Battis, a successful farmer of Dover township; Samuel A. is a civil engi- neer at Boulder, Colorado; George D. is a farmer of Dover town- ship; Mary L. is the widow of J. H. Hall, a railway conductor; Thomas B. is a farmer of Dover township; Bertha J. married William F. Wilson, a farmer of Quincy township, this county ; Frank W. is in the railway service at McCook, Nebraska, and Elmer E.
Elmer E. was born October 10, 1860, on the old home farm and in youth attended the district schools, finishing at Darling's Busi- ness College, Rochester. For four winter terms he taught school in the country districts before he took his business course at Dar- ling's college. In 1885 he came to Dover and accepted a clerkship in the Dover bank, which position he held until 1898, when he was promoted to his present position as cashier. He is one of the directors of the bank, and is also secretary and treasurer of the Creamery Association at Dover. He has served as town treas- urer for about eighteen years. He is an active Republican and has been delegate to the state convention of his party. He is a
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Knight Templar in Masonry. He is steward and has been one of the trustees of the Dover Methodist church. On June 1, 1892, he married Miss Luva Libby, daughter of Abram and Mary Libby, who came to this country in 1856 and were thus among the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Rank have one daughter and one son : Luva Marie, who is attending high school, and Theron L., who is also attending high school. Mr. Rank is one of the leaders of public affairs at Dover. He has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
JOHN M. NORTON, proprietor of the Rochester Hotel, was born, reared and educated in this city and has always made it his home. His birth occurred on July 1, 1866, and he was the oldest of four children born to the union of Patrick and Ellen (Woods) Norton, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to America when a young man and in 1855 located in Wisconsin, remaining there one year. He then came to Rochester, which at that time was little more than a frontier village, and here spent the remaining days of his life. He was a pioneer in every sense of the word, and experienced all the trials and hardships incident to that life, but he possessed the courage and sticktuitiveness char- acteristic of the Irish race and in time accumulated a competency. He was a farmer and followed that occupation through life. To him and wife the following named children were born: John M., subject; Mary, now Mrs. Martin Lawler, of Rochester; Josephine, now Mrs. John McGovern, of Rochester, and P. F., who was born in Rochester, September 15, 1876, received his education in the sisters' schools and St. John's University and subsequently grad- uated from the American Medical College, Chicago, and is now engaged in the general practice of medicine in Minto, North Dakota. These children were all born and reared in the city of Rochester, and have become prominent and influential members of the community in which they reside. John M. Norton, the imme- diate subject of this review, was educated in the convent schools of Rochester and subsequently entered Sacred Heart College at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and graduated at St. John's Uni- versity at Collegeville, Minnesota. Succeeding his schooling he was for four years associated with George Parmeley in the hard- ware business, and then bought out the livery establishment of Graves Brothers, which he successfully conducted for nine years. He then purchased the Rochester Hotel, on Main street, which under his supervision has become one of the leading hostelries in the city. Mr. Norton has taken an active interest in local improve- ments, particularly as regards sidewalks and pavements, and in 1904, and again in 1906, was elected a member of the city council. He has also served as city treasurer. On November 26, 1888, he
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was united in marriage with Miss Frederica Getzman, a native of Baden, Germany, and the daughter of Michael Getzman. She came with her father to America when ten years old, locating at Waseca, Minnesota, where the family still resides. To Mr. Norton and wife the following children have been born, named: Eileen, Maria, Eva, John, deceased, and Joseph, also deceased. Mr. Norton takes an active interest in all local affairs of importance and socially is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
MRS. MARTHA M. DICKEY, who is the widow of John Wesley Dickey, and resides in the town of Dover, was born in the town of Avon, Maine, on April 13, 1835, and was there reared and educated. Her late husband, Mr. Dickey, was also born in the same town. Her parents were Noah Johnson and Mary Hunt, respected residents of that community. After lives of useful- ness and honor they passed away, the mother on September 10, 1865, at the age of sixty-three years, and the father on April 6, 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. After receiving in youth a somewhat meager education in the local schools, she was put to work at an early age in a cotton factory in Lowell, and later worked in other factories and shops. And thus her early woman- hood was passed. She first met the man who later became her husband at her own home and later they became well acquainted and in the end became lovers and were married in Phillips, Maine, on November 28, 1860. Her husband was a carpenter by trade, and worked at that calling while he lived in Maine. In 1869 they came to Olmsted county, bought a farm and worked it for a while. From 1870 until the date of his death, Mr. Dickey was a promi- nent building contractor and in the end erected many of the resi- dences and barns in this portion of the state. During the most of this time he rented his farm. His death occurred on December 27, 1907. Every body in this part of the county knew him and respected him for his many good qualities. He was a popular man and was kind and happy in his own home. His wife was his helpmeet in all things and did much to encourage him in the battle of life. To them were born two children: Charles Wesley, an Associated Press operator, and Mary Estelle, who is the wife of M. J. Manchester, agent at Plain View. Mrs. Dickey is now passing her declining years in partial retirement after a useful and active life. She has the respect and affection of all who have the honor of her acquaintance.
JOHN M. MORTON, now living a retired life in Rochester, was born in New York state. April 6, 1843, the son of William R. and
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Polly (Sherman) Morton, who were of old New England stock, the mother being a direct descendant of Roger Sherman. The father was a native of Scotland and came to America when six years of age. He learned the trade of weaver and for many years followed that profession, being widely known as an expert weaver of broadcloth, etc. In later life, however, he turned his attention to milling in western New York. His son, John M. Morton, was educated in the public schools of his native state, then came west and took a course in the Winona normal school, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1868. He then taught for a number of years in the public schools of Olmsted county, but failing health forced him to seek outdoor exercise and he purchased a farm in Cascade township, where he engaged in farming and stock raising until 1894. He then removed to a farm nearby, which he had previously acquired, upon which he resided until November, 1903. Shortly thereafter he came to the city of Rochester, owning three farms, comprising, approximately, 600 acres. Due to failing health he was forced to abandon farming and disposed of his farms, the last one in 1909. He has since regretted having parted with the latter one, it being what he termed "the old homestead." In 1870 he was married to Miss Matilda Cunningham, daughter of Andrew Cunningham, of New York state. After completing her education in the Albany, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Rochester, Minnesota schools, she taught for a time in Olmsted county before her marriage to Mr. Morton. They had one daugh- ter, Phoebe May, born May 23, 1876, in Cascade township. She was educated in the country public schools and later attended and graduated from the Winona normal school. She also taught for a time, but contracted consumption and on July 11, 1901, passed away and was buried in Oakwood cemetery, Rochester. Mr. Morton is a Republican, an Episcopalian, was town clerk of Cascade township twenty-three years, was supervisor several terms. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity. He is public spirited and a well-read man, spending his leisure moments in reading and nursing his wife, who has been an invalid the past year through an attack of nervous prostration. Mr. Morton en- listed in the 112th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, but his father procured his release from that command on the grounds of being under the required age. In 1864, however, Mr. Morton again enlisted, but served a short time only, as his term expired. He and wife now reside in a beautiful home at 907 West Zumbro street.
EDWARD G. ARMSTRONG was born May 26, 1840, and is a son of Augustus S. and Phoebe (Higbee) Armstrong, who were mar- ried in New York and in 1813 settled in the Western Reserve,
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Ohio. They were farmers, lived useful and honorable lives, and finally passed away, the father in 1862 and the mother six years later. Among their children who became prominent are the follow- ing : Thomas H., who graduated from the Cincinnati Law School, practiced at High Forest, member of the constitutional convention, member of the Minnesota House and Senate, elected lieutenant governor, died as a banker in 1890, at Albert Lea. Moses K., born in 1832, surveyor of Mower county, territorial treasurer of Dakota, member of the Dakota territorial legislature, deputy United States surveyor, member of Congress, conducted hotel and bank at St. James, Minnesota. Augustus, born 1836, studied law, was United States marshal of Minnesota, member of the Minnesota House and Senate. Edward G., the subject of this sketch, received a good education in the common schools, academies and seminaries. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and First Ohio Regiment with the rank of sergeant. He served in the Army of the Cum- berland and participated in eighteen engagements, among which were Chickamauga, Atlanta, Nashville, Franklin and others. He was wounded at Kingston, Georgia, while on the skirmish line and was taken from the field to the hospital by Chapin Cravath, the founder of Fisk University, Nashville. After the war he came to High Forest and studied law with his brother Thomas. In 1870 he went to Springfield, Dakota, and was made a member of Judge Brookin's bar on motion of Hon. Bartlett Trip. He was admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1876. In 1880 the rapid settlement of Dakota gave him an opportunity to enter the government survey, which he followed several years. Later he received an appointment under Major Cramsie of the Indian Department and for seven years allotted lands to the Indians in Devil's Lake Reserve. After this event he returned to High Forest, was postmaster four years and here he has remained ever since. He is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is justice of the peace, notary public and member of the village council. He is a member of the G. A. R., the Masons, being secretary for ten years of High Forest Lodge. In 1870 he married Miss Zadie Hills, whose parents came from New York in 1854. To this union the following chil- dren have been born: Edna, born in May, 1871, wife of N. P. Tucker; Charles H., born in 1872, married and resides in Roch- ester, is cement contractor, has been county surveyor, deputy United States surveyor, has four children: Albert T., born in 1880, mar- ried and resides at International Falls, where he is or has been city engineer, deputy United States surveyor, etc .; Daisy, born 1876, married Mr. W. E. Lamp, a Rock Dell farmer, has three children. Andrew Nelson Armstrong was born in 1888, and; came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong in 1899; they adopted him and gave him a good education. He commenced surveying
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when only seventeen years old. He advanced rapidly by his own efforts and recently took and finished an $8,000 contract; he is now deputy United States surveyor and earns $200 per month and expenses.
GEORGE W. GOETTING, proprietor of Goetting's ten-cent and variety store on Broadway, Rochester, was born in Lake City, Min- nesota, January 1, 1875, the son of August and Helena (Wanner) Goetting. The parents were pioneers of Wabasha county, Minne- sota; the mother is still living and resides at Mazeppa, Minnesota. Their son, George W., was educated in the public schools of his native town and the Winona Business College. He early became interested in newspaper work, and in time became one of the editors and acquired a part interest in a Winona publication. He followed that line for fourteen years and then disposed of his hold- ings to engage in the mercantile and lumber business in northern Minnesota, where he remained two years. On May 5, 1907, he came to Rochester and opened a five and ten cent store at his pres- ent location on Broadway, and as his business increased added thereto, until at the present time he has a full and complete line of articles usually to be found in an establishment of the kind, and has a double store. He was married November 30, 1905, to Miss Anna McAdam, daughter of Thomas and Mary McAdam, of Eyota, this county, and their one child, Ruth Helena, died when five months and two days old. Mrs. Goetting is a member of St. John's Catholic church. Mr. Goetting was a member of Company C, Twelfth Minnesota, during the Spanish-American war, and he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Elks, and the Commercial and Automobile Clubs of Rochester. Although a Republican in politics, Mr. Goetting does not hesitate to vote for a man especially deserving of office, regardless of his party affiliations.
OLE P. EVJEN .- The life of Ole P. Evjen, one of the most progressive and up-to-date farmers and stock-raisers of Olmsted county, is an example of how young men of foreign birth, coming to this country under adverse circumstances, alone, penniless and friendless, can, by hard and conscientious work, arise to a position of honor and respect among their fellow men. This Mr. Evjen has done. He was born in Norway, November 30, 1858, and when twenty-five years old left his native country and immigrated to America. He came immediately to Olmsted county and his first employment here was the grubbing of a piece of land, for which he was to receive $5. His employer thought that the work could be done in about five days, and great indeed was his surprise when Mr. Evjen completed it easily in one day. He was no stranger to
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grubbing and other hard work, and his first day's labor in this community still stands as a record. He was a firm believer in the old adage, "Never put off until to-morrow what you can do to-day," and this spirit has lifted him over many trials and hard- ships and carried him to his present success. Shortly after the above work, he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for eleven years worked for Smith & Richardson, lumber merchants. The summers and winters of the first seven years were spent in the mill and the lumbering camps, respectively, and the last four years were passed in iron and foundry work. Mr. Evjen carefully saved his money and in 1891 returned to Olmsted county and bought 135 acres of wild timber land in section 19, Salem township, and thirty acres of timber in Dodge county. Thereon he erected a fine home and has made all needed improvements, amounting to about $6,000, and at present his farm is regarded as one of the best and most productive in the community. The year following his return to this county he married Miss Carrie Evjen, whose parents were pioneer farmers of Dodge county, and the following children have been born to them: Peter O., March 3, 1894; Tilla, November 14, 1895; Cora, April 19, 1897; Maria, October 8, 1899; Osellie, March 6, 1902; George, October 4, 1904; Howard, August 12, 1907; and Matilda, February 9, 1909. Aside from his farming and stock-raising interests, Mr. Evjen is a stockholder and director in the Zumbro Creamery at Rock Dell, the Farmers' Lumber Com- pany at Hayfield, Minnesota, and the Farmer's Telephone Com- pany. In politics he is a Republican, now serving as township super- visor, and he and family are communicants of Hauger's Lutheran Church. Mr. Evjen is a big, good-natured man, proud of his nativity and achievements, and one of Olmsted county's most public-spirited citizens.
DR. J. P. ANDERSON, well-known veterinary surgeon of Roches- ter, was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, October 7, 1863, a son of James and Margaret (Smart) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father is still living in the enjoyment of good health, and is by occupation a stock breeder. His wife died some time ago. Their son, J. P. Anderson, received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Ontario, Canada, and subsequently attended the high school at Guelph. He then took a two years' course in the Ontario Agricultural College, graduating therefrom with the degree of B. S. A., and after farming for a period of three years, entered the Toronto Veterinary College, and was graduated with honors from that institution with the class of 1888. He immediately came to Rochester, Minnesota, and has here ever since been actively and successfully engaged at his profession, specializ- ing in dentistry and surgery. Dr. Anderson is a charter member
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of the State Veterinary Association and was the first vice president thereof. He is now president of the State Veterinary Society, which he has represented as delegate on different occasions, on September 5, 1910, being delegate to the National Conservation Congress at St. Paul. In politics the doctor is a Republican, and although he declined on several different occasions to accept the office of alderman, takes an active interest in the administration of local public affairs. Socially he is identified with the Royal Arca- num and the Independent Order of Redmen, having held all the chairs in both organizations, and is also a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Pres- byterian church. He is an ex-president and the present treasurer of the Presbyterian Brotherhood of Rochester. In 1892 he was married to Miss Mary A. Markham, born and married in the house where the Anderson family resides, and to them have been born: Margaret,. August 26, 1893, now a junior in the Winona Young Ladies' Seminary; George James, August 4, 1894; John Markham, December 7, 1895; Mary Louise, April 5, 1899, died March 10, 1900; and Mary Agnes, December 5, 1902. The fam- ily occupies a high position in church and social circles of Roches- ter. Mrs. Anderson's birth occurred March 1, 1862, in Rochester, and she was here reared and educated. She is a prominent member of the Parish Aid Society of Calvary Episcopal Church, is an ex-president of Minnesota Rebekah Assembly and secretary of the local lodge, is a charter member of the local lodge of that organiza- tion, and is serving her seventh year as director of the Odd Fellows' State Home at Northfield. She, her husband and daughter Mar- garet are members of the Royal Neighbors, of which she is at present Vice Oracle.
THRON THOMPSON was born in Norway March 18, 1851, and is the son of Thomas and Anna, who passed their whole lives at farming in the same country. They were well-to-do and prominent people in the community where they resided. Their son Thron came to the United States in 1873 and first located at Faribault, where he worked among the farmers for three years. He then bought a tract of 160 acres in Dodge county, which he farmed for five years. He then sold out and came to Rock Dell township and bought 120 acres in section 24. This tract was almost wholly unimproved, but he went to work in earnest and has slowly added one improvement after another until now the place is equipped with good buildings, fences, machinery, cultivated land, and live stock. There are groves to give the necessary shade in summer and protection in winter. He has a grove of evergreens and a fine orchard and all the surroundings show intelligent arrangement and good taste. In addition to this he owns 400 acres in Wadena
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county. He holds stock in the Creamery Company and in the Elevator Company. He is well situated to enjoy life. In 1878 he married Beret Evenson, whose parents were early settlers of this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson the following chil- dren have been born: Anthon, born June 27, 1879, married, and residing in Rice county, engaged in farming; Eddie, born October 27, 1881, married, and farming in North Dakota; Clara A., born March 28, 1884, the wife of A. Molde, a farmer of North Dakota; Tilla B., born July 12, 1886; Oscar, born May 22, 1889; Henry, born January 31, 1892, died in 1905; Freddy, born February 8, 1895; an infant boy, born dead, June 14, 1898; Agnes, born and died April 11, 1899; Martin, born February 22, 1900; Agnes S., born March 23, 1903. Unfortunately, the mother of this fine fam- ily died November 2, 1907, and was laid to rest in East St. Olaf's Cemetery. At the church here the family worship.
HARRY LEWIS, wholesale dealer in second-hand machinery, scrap iron, hides, furs, wool, etc., at Rochester, was born in Covna, Racine, Russia, in February, 1874, the son of Hyman and Hannah Lewis, natives of that country. The father for years dealt in horses in the old country, and subsequently immigrated to Amer- ica. He first located at Dubuque, Iowa, for six years, then at New Hampton for eight years, then at Rochester, Minnesota, for ten years. His son Harry, the immediate subject of this review, attended the public schools of his native country in youth and is essentially a self-made and self-educated man. After coming to this country he traveled for several years through the State of Iowa, but in 1893, because of financial stringency, engaged in the scrap iron business on a small scale and in time made his head- quarters at Algona, Iowa. Possessing an unusual amount of shrewd business sagacity. he prospered, and in 1898, in partnership with his brother Abraham, and Joseph Miller, engaged in the wholesale scrap iron business one year at Winona, the firm name being Lewis & Miller Scrap Iron Company. This partnership was later dis- solved and ever since Mr. Lewis has been successfully engaged alone at Rochester, Minnesota. He employs fifteen men in his yards, has a completely equipped plant for the handling of all kinds of iron and steel in the way of cutters, lathes, etc., and has about seventy-five agents throughout the country who buy for him on a commission basis. Mr. Lewis' annual business transactions approximate $100,000, and he is one of the largest scrap iron dealers in southern Minnesota. In 1895 he was united in marriage with Miss Dora Goldstein, daughter of Solomon and Mary Gold- stein, and the following children, all living at home, have been born to them: Abraham Meyer, Sarah Lena, Anna Fagie, Samuel Moses, Etta Freda, Labbie Velva, Rosia Rebecca. The family are
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