History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 52

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

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communicants of the Hebrew church. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Court of Honor, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rochester Commercial Club and the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association. Although a Republican in politics, Mr. Lewis gen- erally votes for the best man, regardless of party affiliation, par- ticularly as regards state and local affairs.

EDWARD J. DOWLING is now a resident of St. Charles, but was formerly a citizen of Olmsted county. He is a son of James and Nessie Dowling, who were natives of Ireland. When he was two years old his mother died, and a short time afterward his father was lost in a shipwreck while crossing the Atlantic ocean to Amer- ica. He was thus left an orphan at an early age and thrown upon the care of others. He was born in Ballylinen, Queens County, Ire- land, on May 7, 1844, and was reared by his grandmother Dowling. At the age of eight years he came to America and first resided at Auburn, New York, where he continued his schooling for four years. He then came to Minnesota with his uncle, Thomas Spencer, it being the spring of 1856, and here he still further improved his education at the schools of St. Charles and elsewhere until he was eighteen years of age. It was then 1862 and the country was in the midst of a gigantic Civil war and from every county and town came stirring calls for volunteers. Edward J. Dowling promptly enlisted to save the Union and preserve the honor of the old flag of the country of his choice. He took the field and participated in many harassing campaigns and marches and in five pitched and bloody battles, and was promoted several times for meritorious conduct in action. Prior to his coming home he was for ten months color sergeant of his company, which is the post of great- est danger and at the same time greatest honor. At the close of the war he was honorably mustered out and at once returned to Auburn, New York, where he attended commercial college and was given a diploma in bookkeeping. He came West and in the spring of 1866 rented a farm and operated the same until 1869, when he bought a tract of 160 acres in Quincy township, to which he added, in 1874, eighty acres adjacent. All this land he owned until 1903, when he sold out the whole tract. At times he owned other landed properties, but in the end sold them all. In 1880 he bought a half interest in the Quincy Mill property, but in 1899 sold out and ever since has lived retired from active business. After selling his interest in the mill he ran his farm until 1904. Mr. Dowling deserves great credit for his active and honorable life. The farm which he first bought was wild and wholly uncultivated, and was grubbed, cleared and put in a fine state of tilth wholly by him. As time passed he became one of the most successful and prominent farmers of the county. He was trusted with various

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official positions and discharged the trusts with honor and fidelity. He is at present a director and stockholder in the Dover First State Bank. He is a Republican in politics. He has served as chairman of the town board and as treasurer of the town of Quincy and was for 1908 and 1909 town councillor of St. Charles. He is at present commander of the local lodge of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been married twice: First to Miss Agnes S. Stephenson, daughter of Thomas and Jane Stephenson, who died August 21, 1892. His second marriage occurred January 24, 1897, at Fountain City, Wisconsin, to Miss Jennie, daughter of A. P. and Euretta Tift. By his first wife he had three sons and one daughter, one son, Harry, dying in infancy. James Thomas is a physician at Seattle, Washington, being a specialist of the eye, ear and nose; Nessie B. married J. H. Tingley, assistant superintend- ent of the beet sugar factory at Fort Collins, Colorado, formerly auditor of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, and is the owner of a large sugar beet ranch in Colorado; George A. is a physician at Seattle Washington.

MICHAEL D. HALLORAN, a prominent lawyer residing at Roch- ester, was born at Chatfield, Olmsted county, May 12, 1869, and in youth attended the district schools and assisted his father on the farm. He was very apt in all his studies and at all times was an omnivorous reader, and thus, when he reached the age of seven- teen years, he had stored up a vast fund of general knowledge and was well prepared for a profession or for any other pursuit. He had made up his mind to study law, and accordingly at this time he entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, took a full course and graduated with credit therefrom in 1890. He began the practice at Le Sueur, Minnesota, and there remained for eight years, securing a fair practice and greatly adding to his knowledge of the law and of current events, history and the world generally. After eight years he removed to Chatfield and continued the practice there for several years, but finally removing to Rochester, where he has remained ever since. He is a Repub- lican and in 1891 was sent to the State Legislature. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Rochester. On March 14, 1891, he married, at Chatfield, Miss Hannah, the daughter of John Manahan, an old and honored settler of the county, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. To this marriage the following children were born: Kitty, a graduate of the State Normal School at Winona; Marie, attending the Rochester Acad- emy; Timothy, same; Ralph, attending school at Chatfield; Mary Esther, attending the Rochester Academy; Grace, in the public schools; and Angela, the youngest.

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REV. H. F. C. MUELLER was born in Blue Earth county, Minne- sota, and is one of seven living children born to Rev. Henry Julius and Dora (Dagefoerde) Mueller, the father being one of the pio- neer ministers of southwestern Minnesota. On August 7, 1910, the father celebrated the anniversary of his fortieth year in the ministry, at the age of seventy-three, while at Brewster, Minne- sota. There was a large attendance of friends and brother clergy- men, all of whom marveled at his unusual freshness, youthfulness and vigor. Rev. Henry Fred. Charles Mueller in his early age determined to devote his life to the Master's work. He accord- ingly was given every opportunity to secure the education neces- sary for this important labor. He received seven years' parochial school training at Lester Prairie, Minnesota; three years at Con- cordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota; three years in Concordia Col- lege, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and three years in Concordia Semi- nary, St. Louis, Missouri. In 1904 he was duly ordained to the ministry, and at once took charge of the Lutheran congregation near Kimswick, Jefferson county, Missouri. This he held for three years with much credit to himself and with much benefit to the congregation. At a financial loss to himself he finally gave up this field and accepted the urgent call to come to Stewartville, Minne- sota, where there was a broader field of labor and usefulness. Here he has pursued his holy calling ever since and has continued to grow in the hearts of the people. He is a member of the German Evangel- ical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States. On July 6, 1904, he wedded Miss Matilda Hagamann, of Minneapolis, and they have three children : Henry F. W., born December 19, 1905; Renatus T. P., born July 16, 1907; Adelbert C. E., born December 21, 1909.

BAAR STARKSON (deceased) was one of those hardy pioneers who left Norway, the land of their birth, to seek home and fortune in America, and whose lives were inseparably interwoven with the growth and development of the early history of Olmsted county. He was born in the year 1832, and was reared to manhood and educated in his native country. In 1854 he immigrated to the United States and, like many of his fellow countrymen, first located in Dane county, Wisconsin. He lived there four years, working as a farm laborer, but in 1858 came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and bought a farm of eighty acres in Rock Dell township. This property five years later he sold, and moved to a farm on section 35, Salem township, where he lived the remainder of his days. Mr. Starkson was a man of unusual good business judgment. While he took a keen interest in public affairs, he devoted his energies mainly to the improvement and increase of his properties. Through hard work on the part of himself and wife, he accumulated 450

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acres of choice land and improvements to the value of about $8,000. During his life here he was identified with East St. Olaf's Congre- gation, and upon his death, in 1894, was buried in the cemetery connected with that organization. To his marriage with Ingeborg Larson Sjerve, solemnized in 1859, these children were born: Stark, Ingeborg, Julius, Martin, Lewis, Albert, Caroline, Ella, Gurena, and Ida. The latter two died in childhood, also one son, Lars. Mrs. Starkson, since the death of her husband, has resided in Rochester and on the home place, and is justly proud of the well-developed condition and splendid improvement of the farm brought into effect by the labor of her own hands and those of her husband. She is the daughter and only surviving child of Lars Erickson, an old, well remembered settler of Olmsted county. He settled on section 25, Salem township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, at the early date of 1856, was born in Norway, and was there mar- ried. With the tide of immigration flowing to America, he came to this country at an early day and finally settled in this county, here participating in the struggles and privations incident to pio- neer life. He was one of the founders of East St. Olaf's Congre- gation and was active in its government and prosperity for nearly a quarter of a century. He died in 1880, at the age of seventy- five years, followed by his wife three years later, aged seventy- eight years. They were good citizens, honest, industrious, law- abiding, and died in the belief of the immortal life hereafter. They were the parents of three children, Mrs. Starkson being the only survivor. In 1910 she built her present beautiful home in Rochester, in which she expects to pass the remainder of her years.

CHANCY S. HOLDREDGE is now living retired and at an advanced age in St. Charles, Minnesota. For many years he was a promi- nent figure in the eastern part of Olmsted county, where he built an immense landed property and an excellent name and reputa- tion. His life has been filled with hard work and stirring events, but through it all shine honesty, industry and self-respect. He was born in Herkimer county, New York, on July 1, 1822, and received his education at the log school house of the adjacent district. Quitting school at the age of sixteen years, he began work at farming, which occupation he had followed during the summers before quitting school. He lived with and worked for Samuel Bacon previous to his twenty-first year. In 1846, when he was twenty-four years old, he came west and located in Dodge county, where he bought forty acres of wild land, which he im- proved and later added to it a tract of eighty acres, all of which he improved and brought to a high degree of cultivation. In 1860 he sold out and bought a farm of 120 acres in Quincy township, of which about 100 acres were "grub land." This farm he also

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cleared and grubbed and put under cultivation and improved with good buildings. As time passed he continued to add to his landed possessions until in the end he owned a total of 2,200 acres. He was industrious and made the most of his investments and had a large family to care for and assist him. He has given to his children a total of 560 acres in Dakota and in Fillmore county, Minnesota. He is at present the owner of 1,700 acres, which he rents on easy terms to his descendants. It was under his direc- tion that all the improvements on his large farm were made. His success in amassing property has been very pronounced. He was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the county. He is a Republican and during his active career served as road commissioner and pathmaster. He was for many years treasurer of the board of education and is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at St. Charles. He has been married twice : First in Herkimer county, New York, to Lydia Melissa Newton in 1846. She died in 1854 after presenting him with three chil- dren. His second marriage occurred August 27, 1855, in Dodge county, to Miss Betsy Cook, daughter of Henry and Eliza Cook, who were of English descent. Her father died in 1870 and her mother in 1898, at the age of eighty-six years. To his second marriage nine children were born. His children are as follows: Harriett, who is deceased; Fannette, who married Ira Kingsley, a farmer of Cottonwood county; Elizabeth, the widow of James Spencer. now residing in Dakota; Rosetta, who married John H. Perrett and died in 1905; Annabelle, who died at the age of four years; Albert A., who died at the age of twenty-four years; Her- bert Eugene, a farmer of Olmsted county; Wallace Adelbert, a farmer in Dover; Earl Harris, a resident of California; Henry Wilbert, who died in infancy; Roscoe Chancy, a farmer on his father's farm; Harry J., who died at the age of seven years. All the members of the family are thrifty and well-to-do and all have the respect of their neighbors. In 1905, when Mr. and Mrs. Holdredge celebrated their golden wedding, there was a large attendance. A daughter from Dakota, who was present, has since died. Mr. Holdredge is an excellent example of the old pioneer, to whom so much is due from the present generations.

OSCAR T. GIERE, of Rochester, is a son of the old pioneer, Amund N. Giere, who settled on government land in Rock Dell township, this county, in 1856. The father was a native of Nor- way, and together with Miss Carrie Gjesme immigrated to Amer- ica and in 1846 settled in Wisconsin, and in 1855 they were united in marriage. For ten years Amund N. Giere was employed in saw mills, etc., but in 1856, when he first came to Olmsted county, he secured a tract of government land in Rock Dell town-

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ship and farmed thereon the rest of his life. He passed away on March 1, 1903, but the mother still survives him and resides on the old homestead, which is under the management of a son, Alex- ander Giere. The father during his life was a devout member of the Norwegian United Lutheran church, and served it as delegate to several synod conferences and as trustee locally. He was one of Olmsted county's earliest and best citizens and his death was mourned generally throughout the community. It was this sturdy class of pioneer men who really are responsible for the present standing of the county, and too much credit cannot be extended to them for their many admirable qualities of mind and character.

The early education of Oscar T. Giere was secured in the public schools of Rock Dell township, and his birth occurred December 5, 1876, on the old homestead. His attendance at the district schools was supplemented by courses in the United Lutheran Academy, of Minneapolis, and the Curtiss Commercial College, of that city, graduating from these institutions in 1896 and 1898, respectively. For nine months he was then engaged as bookkeeper in Sanborn, North Dakota, but he then returned to Rochester and on April 13, 1899, was appointed deputy auditor of Olmsted county, retaining that position until August 8, 1902. Then, for fifteen months, he was employed as bookkeeper in the offices of the Minnesota Condensing Company, Rochester, and the following two years in a similar capacity in the Rochester clothing store. He resigned this position to again accept the position of deputy auditor, July 17, 1905, and served as such until June 14, 1910, when he resigned to promote his candidacy before the Republican prima- ries, September 20, 1910, for the office of county auditor. Mr. Giere is a conscientious man and a good citizen, and is one of the men who would creditably fill any public position entrusted to him. On September 16, 1903, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha L. Neumann, daughter of Albert and Bertha Neu- mann, and to them have been born two sons and one daughter, named, Leonard R., Ruth E. and Howard N. The family are communicants of the United Lutheran church, of this city. Mr. Giere is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is an ex- president and present treasurer of the Sons of Norway. He has been prominent in political affairs for the past ten years and is well and favorably known throughout the county.

GEORGE I. COVELL was born in Erie county, Ohio, January 14, 1826, and spent his youth in assisting his parents and in attending the district schools. At the age of eighteen years he learned the calker's trade and thereafter until January 15, 1854, worked at his trade in the Ohio ship yards. During this period he managed

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to save considerable of his earnings. June 15, 1854, he came to Mower county, Minnesota, and pre-empted a tract of government land in section 8, township 104, range 14. He proved up his patent, which was signed by President Buchanan and is in the name of George I. Covell to this day. Mr. Covell claims to have been the first man to pay taxes in Mower county. In 1853, just before coming to Minnesota, he married Phoebe Buck, a native of New York City. This couple lived together on their farm and in High Forest until her death, October 28, 1902; she was laid to rest in High Forest cemetery. She and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at High Forest, and although they did not join at the commencement they helped to build the first church structure, which is a part of the present building. The organizers of the church society were prompted by Mrs. Wil- son, who received $100 in 1856 from Boston people with which to build a church. So Mrs. Wilson, Father Beers and wife, Mrs. John Althouse, J. L. Rockwell and wife, Mrs. Wilson's son and his wife, George I. Covell and wife put their heads and means together and managed to erect the building. Ever since this church has proved a spiritual blessing to the whole community. In No- vember, 1893, Bertha Covell, a niece of George I., came to Minne- sota from Sandusky, Ohio, and made her home with them until she married Homer Day, in December, 1894. They have the fol- lowing children: Merrill, born October 15, 1895; Belva, born August 15, 1897; Naomi, born March 27, 1899; George J., born September 15, 1906. This family are conducting the farm at the present time. Mr. Covell is a Republican and was a member of the state legislature in 1858, and served as town supervisor for many years. Mr. Covell is dearly beloved by all who know him.

WILLIAM W. IRELAND was born in Tompkins county, New York, June 29, 1845, and is a son of Hiram K. and Lucy (Hill) Ireland. The Ireland family traces its origin back to 1086 and the battle of Hastings, when Sir John de Ireland left Normandy, France, and joined William the Conqueror in England, and for his bravery and service was given a grant of land and a castle- "Hale Hall," yet standing. The grandson of Sir John married in 1200 Abena, daughter of Lord Holland. Another grandson married Margharet de Courcey, daughter of Lord Kenwick. Sir Gilbert Ireland, of this family, was once a member of parliament. Another Ireland married Gascoigne, one of the descendants of the Marquis of Salisbury. Thomas Ireland, of this illustrious family, came to America in 1640 and was one of the original owners of Hempstead, long Island, under the patent of Governor Kieft, dated 1644. His son Thomas was born at Hempstead in 1647 and died at Oyster Bay in 1701. His son John was born at

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Oyster Bay in 1687. His son John, Jr., was born at Oyster Bay in 1713 and died at Huntington, Long Island, in 1793. The Ireland family contributed three soldiers to the Colonial army : Thomas Ireland, who served in the Third Ulster regiment under Col. Levi Pawling; Joseph Ireland served in the First regiment of minute men of Suffolk county under Col. Josiah Smith; Amos Ireland served in the Fifth regiment, New York troops, under Col. Lewis Dubois. Four coats of arms were granted to the En- glish branch of the family, one of which is as follows: Armour et pax legend : "Crest dove with olive branch and fleur de lis." Hiram K. Ireland arrived in Rochester, Minnesota, October I, 1856, and William W. recollects asking his father when they arrived at the hill, "Where Rochester is?" The town then had only a few log houses. Hiram K., a builder by trade, engaged in that occupation and built the first frame house on the east side. He also built the most of the houses erected during the next few years. He became one of the first aldermen of Rochester and was prominent in all public affairs. William W. attended the first term of school held in Rochester in a log school house with only one room, and finished his education in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago, in 1864-5. He was appointed mail clerk upon returning to Rochester, and was soon promoted to assistant postmaster, which position he held until 1870, the year his father died. He then engaged in the book and stationery business and continued the same until 1898, when he retired from active busi- ness. He is the owner of several farms and a tract of eighty acres bought of the Southern Minnesota Fair Association, just south of town in the city limits. In January, 1882, he married Miss Annie, daughter of Asa and Mary (Morrill) Kelly, of Chi- cago. To this marriage no children have been born. Mrs. Ire- land was born in Passadumkeag, Maine, February 8, 1853. Her first American ancestor was John Kelly, of Newbury, England, who settled at Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1665. The great-grand- father on the Kelly side served in the Colonial army during the Revolution. Mr. Ireland is a Mason and a Republican. He is a trustee of the Congregational church and has served as delegate to several church conventions. Mrs. Ireland is now president of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Congregational church. They have no children and occupy a luxurious home at Dakota and Zumbro streets.

CALVIN L. CARTER was formerly a prominent farmer of Olm- sted county, but is now living retired from the active duties of life in the city of St. Charles. He is the son of Archibald and Betsy (Franklin) Carter, his mother being a cousin of Benjamin Frank- lin. The Carters originally came from England and settled in

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New England, but finally lived for several generations in the state of New York. The father died in 1853 in the prime of life, but the mother lived until 1890, when she, too, passed away. Their son, Calvin L., was born in Shenango county, New York, April 22, 1849, and while yet a boy and after the death of his father, was brought by his mother to Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, where he attended school for some time. His mother then removed to Olmsted county and in the schools of Dover he finally finished his education, leaving at the age of fifteen years to begin the active duties of life. In the meantime he had become familiar with the duties of the farm. When he was fifteen years old, assisted by his mother, he bought a tract of eighty acres in Dover township, which he worked for two years. He then became foreman of the camp of the Ingham & Canada Lumber Company, which con- sisted of over sixty men. He occupied this responsible position with great credit for a period of six years, working as foreman during the winters and as scaler during the summers. He then returned to his farm and began to improve and cultivate the same. As time passed he added to the tract until he owned a total of J,000 acres and became one of the most prominent, successful and progressive farmers in this portion of the state. He yet owns 800 acres, having sold about 200 acres. His farm is well equipped with good buildings and fences. Mr. Carter is a Republican and was for two years mayor of the city of St. Charles. He is and has been for six years chief of the city volunteer fire department. He was director for a number of years of the St. Charles State Bank, and has occupied other positions of trust with fidelity and merit. He is a member of the Elks. He has been twice married : First, to Miss Kate Dow in 1870. and second, to Miss Emma Jane Donahue on May 9, 1878. By his first wife he had three children and by his second one child: Ira C. Carter, an architect at Lake Charles, Louisiana; Sarah E., who married Gus Zielsdorf, at Rochester, Minnesota; Fred L., a member of the United States hospital corps, who served in the Philippines; Lilian A., who is yet in school. The beautiful residence of Mr. Carter in St. Charles was partly destroyed by the cyclone of 1903, but has since been remodeled on a modern scale. The parents of Mrs. Carter were Patrick and Martha Donahue, now residents of St. Charles. Her father is about ninety years of age. Mr. Carter is a fine example of the old pioneer, and is everywhere regarded with the utmost consideration and respect.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 52

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

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