History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 53

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

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BAARD S. BALE was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1856 and is a son of Sjure and Anna Bale, who came to Olmsted county and took up 160 acres of government land in section 6, Salem township. Here the parents made their homes until their respective

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deaths. At the time of the father's death in 1897 they owned a total of 280 acres, all well improved and equipped with good buildings and machinery and possessing good grades of live stock. The parents were among the best citizens and passed lives of usefulness and honor. Their son, Baard S., the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood on his father's farm assisting at the various kinds of work and attending the district schools in the winter months. In 1881 he married Miss Isabel Issacson, who was born in 1858 in Salem township and is a daughter of the old settler and prominent citizen, T. B. and Christiane Isaacson Tvedt, and to this union the following children were born: Shyler, born in 1881; Clara, born in 1884; Tholbert, born in 1886; Anna, born in 1888; Melvin, born in 1893; Alfred, born in 1896; Donald, born in 1900; Rudolph, born in 1902. After his marriage Mr. Bale went to the northwest part of Minnesota and bought 320 acres and lived thereon for fourteen years, making many valuable improve- ments and raising large quantities of small grain. In 1897 he sold this property and returned to Olmsted county, Salem township, where he bought 200 acres in section 6, upon which he has since put about $6,000 worth of improvements in buildings, fences, drainage, meadow and live stock. He and his family, all of whom are yet with him, are now in comfortable circumstances and are prepared to enjoy life. It is his design to give his children good educations and otherwise fit them for useful and honorable citi- zenship. They are members of St. Olaf's Church. He is a Re- publican and a member of the school board. He owns stock in the Telephone and Lumber companies.

GULLIK EVENSON was born in Norway in 1850 and is the son of Evan and Kari, who in 1857 came to the United States on borrowed money and took up a tract of government land in Rock Dell township, upon which they afterwards lived until their respect- ive deaths. The father passed away in 1891 and the mother in 1897, and both now sleep their last sleep in the family lot at St. Olaf's Cemetery. They were among the early settlers and encoun- tered all the trials, self-denials and hardships of the new country. They were prominent and useful citizens and reared their children to correct and honorable lives. Their son Gullik grew up on the farm and was educated in the common schools and remained with his parents until he was thirty years old. In 1878 he bought eighty acres of his parents and has continued in possession of the same until the present time. He has added to the place until he now owns a total of 160 acres in section 24, Rock Dell township. He has a good house, barns, granaries, fences and up-to-date implements and machinery and a good grade of live stock. He also owns elevator and creamery stock. He is a Republican and

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takes much interest in all public affairs. He is public spirited and progressive and carries out all his public duties with dispatch and fidelity. He is one of the leaders of progress and good citizenship in this part of the county. On February 12, 1880, he wedded Miss Gertie Bergh and they are the parents of one of the finest families of the county, as follows: Emma, born June 7, 1881, now Mrs. H. Halverson, and the mother of three children living on a nearby farm; Carl, born December 1, 1882 ; Caroline, born Novem- ber 27, 1884; Sylvester, born November 13, 1886; Edward, born October 11, 1888; Christian, born March 9, 1891; Martin, born September 27, 1893; Selmer, born January 29, 1895; Albert, born May 18, 1897; Edwin, born March 28, 1900; Stella, born August 4, 1902; Gladys, born December 11, 1905. The seven oldest have been confirmed in St. Olaf's Church, where the family worship. All the children except Emma are yet with their parents.

GEORGE V. KINNEY, retired farmer, who for many years en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Marion township, Olmsted county, was born in Pike county, Illinois, January 3, 1837, the second in a family of eleven children born to the union of Alfred and Pamelia (Landrum) Kinney. The father, who was a carpenter and millwright by occupation, was a native of Vermont, his birth occurring January 25, 1811, but shortly after attaining his ma- jority he came west to Pike county, Illinois, and was there married. His wife was born in Kentucky, December 12, 1815. In April, 1854, Mr. Kinney and wife first came to Olmsted county. They were among the very first families to settle here and experienced all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, but they pos- sessed courage and determination and little by little added to their first tract of land in section 36, Marion township, until they were one of the large land owners of the community. The father was a Democrat in politics and was the first county treasurer to be elected. He was also one of the founders of the Methodist Epis, copal church at Marion, which was erected in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney were of that sturdy pioneer stock which have so materially assisted in making our country the premier country of the world, and lived happily together on the home place in Marion township till death beckoned them. The father passed away in 1879, aged sixty-eight years and three months, and the loss of so good a citizen and kind a friend was mourned generally throughout the county.

Early in life George V. Kinney attended the district schools and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. During the great Civil war he enlisted December 12, 1863, in Brackett's Minne- sota battalion of cavalry and was with that command until May 19, 1866. He served also in the Indian war under General Sibley.

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Mr. Kinney was first married August 4, 1861, to Ede Parish, of New Haven township, who was born and reared in Wisconsin, and by her had two children, Nellie Whittlesey, of Minneapolis, and Ada Wilson, of Watertown, South Dakota. His wife died Feb- ruary 13, 1865, in Butler county, Iowa, and on February 18, 1867, Mr. Kinney was united in marriage with Lucinda (Beech) Bragg, the daughter of Milton and Mary (Chandler) Beech, and the widow of Wesley Bragg. Her father was a farmer in Marion township, having moved here from Indiana in 1863, and resided in that locality until his death. By Mrs. Kinney's first marriage, solemnized June 12, 1856, three children were born: Louis, Milton and Mary, the latter two deceased, and by her marriage to Mr. Kin. ney four children were born: William, deceased ; Nathan L., Eliza- beth, the wife of Frank Browning, and Agnes, the wife of Charles A. Nelson, of Predmore, Olmsted county, Minnesota. Mr. Kin- ney has always been a Republican in his political views and is a member of Garfield Post, No. 44, of the Grand Army of the Republic.

JOHN F. LAMP was born in Rock Dell township, November 25, 1857, and is the son of Fred and Catherine (Wieget) Lamp, who were of German descent and were married in Illinois, December 16, 1856. Fred, the father, came to Olmsted county in 1855, and took up a tract of government land in section 26, Rock Dell town- ship, and then returned to Illinois, where he married and brought his bride to the new home in this county. Her parents soon came to this township and made permanent settlement. Fred led a strenuous life until his death, February 20, 1888. He and his wife encountered and surmounted all the trials and hardships of the new country, and in time built a fine and comfortable home out of the primeval wilds. He was prominent in township affairs and occupied various official positions with ability and credit. To him and wife the following children were born: Katie, born October 26, 1859, married Charles F. Sibeck, and lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has three children; Mary, wife of H. M. Crofoot; Sarah, now with her mother at Stewartville; Carrie, wife of H. J. Minar, and lives in Folley, North Dakota, has three children; Charles married and resides on the old homestead; William, with his brother Charles; John F., who married, December 16, 1881, Miss Mary Snyder, whose parents were pioneer settlers of High Forest township, coming from Illinois in 1855. Her father died in 1905 in California and is buried there. Her mother passed away at Sioux Falls, where she lies at rest. To John F. and Mary the following children have been born: Fred, born in 1882, now banking in North Dakota; Harry, born April 13, 1885, died in 1902; William, born January 14, 1889, with his parents; Cosetta,

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born July 13, 1890, graduate of the Stewartville High School, studying music. Mr. Lamp first bought 160 acres in section 34, of his parents, and afterward added to it 160 acres in section 3 in the panhandle, High Forest township. He has brought this fine farm to a high state of tilth and improvement, and deserves great credit for his industry, public spirit and high character. It is probable that the buildings on the place could not be duplicated for less than $8,000. He also owns 480 acres in North Dakota. He holds stock in the Creamery, Lumber and Elevator companies. He also owns stock in the Bankers' Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, with which he carries life insurance. He also holds a policy in the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. He is a Mason, a Modern Samaritan and a Modern Woodman. He belongs to the Methodist church. He is one of the most scientific farmers in this portion of the state. He is well educated and well posted and read on all modern improvements. His farm is devoted to stock and grain. He is able, public-spirited, progressive and industrious. All of his Shorthorn cattle are registered. He is a director of the State Dairies Association and is especially inter- ested in the manufacture of products from the raw material. He has broad views on all public questions. He thinks the people should get back to the soil and that the day of small farms is approaching. He is one of the few men of the township who can understand and appreciate such subjects. Mr. Lamp's father was an old soldier. He enlisted in 1861, at the call of President Lin- coln, in the Third Minnesota Regiment, and served until honor- ably mustered out. He participated in several battles and hard campaigns and was on hospital detail toward the close of the war.

JOSEPH WILLIAM ALLEN, who for many years engaged in farm- ing in Marion township, and is now a merchant at Predmore, was born in Marion township, March 31, 1864, the youngest of six children born to the union of George and Sarah (Cooper) Allen, natives of England. The father was born February 25, 1827, in Yorkshire, England, and was there reared, educated and mar- ried. Shortly after the above union took place, Mr. and Mrs. Allen left their native country and came to America, locating in Ohio, where they remained three years. In about 1854 they came to Minnesota, purchased a tract of land in Marion township, Olm- sted county, improved and cultivated same, and four years later disposed of it. They then bought 200 acres in the same locality and resided thereon until their respective deaths. The father passed away in 1906, aged seventy-nine years. He and his wife were blessed with six children, two dying in infancy, and the other four named Mary Ann, Sarah Jane, George Wesley and Joseph William.

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Mr. Allen was one of the pioneers of Olmsted county and took a prominent part in its growth and development. He was a lifelong Republican and a member of the Methodist church.

The last of the above named children, Joseph W. Allen received his education in the district schools of Marion township, and re- mained at home with his parents until his marriage, on November 25, 1886, to Miss Aurilla McCaleb. She was born in Marion town- ship, the daughter of H. G. McCaleb, a pioneer farmer of this locality, and Marjory Hoover McCaleb. Mr. and Mrs. McCaleb came to Olmsted county at an early date, settled first in Pleasant Grove township, and later in Marion township, and passed their remaining days in the latter place. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen six sons have been born, as follows : LeRoy Everett, Fay Burdett, one who died in infancy, unnamed, Floyd La Salle, George Herbert and Glenn William. Until February, 1906, Mr. Allen engaged in farming, and at present owns 170 acres of finely improved land. He then opened his present establishment at Predmore and has since been thus actively engaged. In his political views Mr. Allen is a Republican and he has always taken an active interest in the administration of local public affairs. He has served as town supervisor and for twenty-two years was school treasurer. He and family are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, and are highly respected residents of the community in which they reside.

GEORGE W. RUEBER, a successful and progressive farmer and stock raiser of Oronoco township, was born at Lakeland, Ramsey county, Minnesota, on September 23, 1856. J. F. Rueber, his father, was a shoe merchant at Lakeland, but the spring of 1857, when the county was yet in a primitive condition, he came to Olm- sted county and engaged in farming until his death in 1896. He was of that industrious class of pioneers whose exemplary life and character were the foundation upon which the present moral and commercial development of Olmsted county was built. In his polit- ical views he was a Democrat, and served as a member of the school board and as township assessor many years. George W. Rueber was but six months old when he was brought to Olmsted county by his parents. He remained at home, attending the district schools and aiding his father with the farm work, until he became a man. then bought his present farm of eighty acres. This Mr. Rueber has brought to a high state of cultivation, and in addition to gen- eral farming, carries on stock raising and dairying. In 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Ada Huntsinger, daughter of Arthur Huntsinger, of Oronoco township, and they are the parents of one daughter, Iva May, born May 6, 1882.

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LEGRAND W. LULL was born in Morris, Otsego county, New York, May 8, 1832, and is a son of Oliver T. and Sene (Mudge) Lull, both of whom were descendants of old New York families. The father was a clothing merchant and was a man of prominence in the community where he resided. Legrand W. was educated in the Otsego county schools and in early manhood learned the car- penter trade. In 1865 he came to Olmsted county and for two years worked at his trade and saved much of his earnings. After his marriage he took up a tract of 240 acres, which he still owned at the time of his death, and which his widow still owns. Mr. Lull became prominent in this township. He was treasurer of the "Burr Oak" school district for many years. He was a strong Republican and took an active part in party and public affairs. He became so well known throughout the county that he was finally elected county treasurer, and served with high credit from 1884 to 1887. Again he was brought forward by his party in 1893 and elected county commissioner and served as such from 1893 to 1901. He was chairman of the county board at the time the new poorhouse was built and his knowledge of the carpenter trade was of much use to the county. At all times he was the friend and supporter of all worthy movements, and was warmly esteemed by every person who met him and felt the impress of his cor- diality, high character and magnetism. He removed to Rochester in 1900 and there resided until the final summons came, February 20, 1908. His family still resides at 1106 West Fifth street, Roch- ester. On October 24, 1858, he married Miss Amanda C. Brown, of Marion township, daughter of John R. and Sallie (Rockwell) Brown, both representatives of old American families. Amanda C. was born at Bethel, Sullivan county, New York, December 31, 1838. She and her husband had the following children: Cora Emma, born April 1, 1862, died in 1865; Howard Almond, born September 10, 1863, resides in Rochester; George Legrand, born January 22, 1867, resides on the old homestead; William Brown, born January 19, 1871, a jeweler at Owatonna; Frank Eugene, born September 7, 1880, electrical engineer with the Malleable Iron Company, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Goldie Eugenia, born Decem- ber 20, 1883, resides with her mother in Rochester. This family is one of the oldest and most prominent in the county.

SAMUEL W. HARRIS was born in England, July 24, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Maria Harris, who came to Illinois in 1851, and resided for four years. In 1855 they came to Olmsted county and took up a tract of government land in Pleasant Grove township, in section 7. Here the parents made their permanent home and became well and favorably known. They were indus- trious, law-abiding, God-fearing people, and passed lives of useful-

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ness and honor. The father died in 1901 and the mother in 1889 and both now sleep side by side in the family lot of Simpson ceme- tery. Their son, Samuel W., the subject of this sketch, spent his youth on his father's farm, learning the art of agriculture, and at the same time securing a fair education at the district schools. He likes to read and his library is quite large and contains a number of excellent and standard works by the best authors. Mr. Harris is unassuming and does not parade his knowledge of the world, ob- tained through books, but five minutes' conversation with him will convince anyone that he is one of the most widely educated men in the county. He is a critical student of the Bible and exercises his right to interpret the book according to his own original ideas. In 1863 Mr. Harris married Miss Anna E. Brown, whose parents were pioneers of this county, and to this union the following chil- dren were born: Leonard Deloss, born in June, 1865, who was educated in the common schools and at the college in Lincoln, Nebraska, and who is now married and engaged in farming in Pleasant Grove township; William Elliot, who was born in Sep- tember, 1867. is farming in Pleasant Grove township, is married and has two children : Eva Julia, born in 1876, but is now deceased. These three children were given good educations and otherwise well fitted for the battle of life. Mr. Harris is a Seventh Day Adventist and has broad and independent views on religion. He is an ardent Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party ticket. He is public-spirited, progressive and broad- gauged. He is the owner of 320 acres, of which one-half is well improved land, equipped with good modern buildings, machinery and high grades of live stock. The other half is not improved and is not in this county.

CLARENCE FILMORE CADY is in the implement, lumber and hard- ware business in the village of Dover and has been thus occupied since 1891. At first he was in partnership with his father, but since 1898 has been associated with his brother Walter E. He is the eldest son of Allen A. and Celia (Wells) Cady, and was born April 14, 1857, on the old home farm in Elmira township, this county. His parents came from Cambridge, Vermont, in the spring of 1856, coming as far as Galena by rail, thence taking boat to Winona, and thence by team to Elmira township, where they pre- empted 160 acres. The land was wholly without improvements, and it was first necessary to build a habitation. They built a small and rude log house without doors or windows and used blankets to cover those openings. Everything else was equally rude and primitive. People of today cannot realize the hardships of those times. Nothing was convenient, but all had to answer the purpose. ' The cabin was so poor that vermin and even rattlesnakes found

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their way inside, to the shock and danger of the occupants. Beds and tables were the rudest kinds, or perhaps none at all at first. A little later Mr. Cady built a much better log house, which an- swered the purpose for a few years, and was really comfortable and homelike. Settlers then went many miles to assist newcomers to get located and comfortable. Mr. Cady in the summer of 1857 walked five miles every morning to help build the old grist mill at Chat- field. He was a carpenter and afterward assisted in erecting many of the early residences in this part of the county. As time passed the farm was added to until in the end a total of 520 acres was secured. In 1859 he built, from lumber hauled from Winona, one of the first frame houses in Elmira township; this building is yet standing. The old land patent signed by President Buchanan is yet in possession of the family. Wayne and George, two brothers of Allen A., served in the Union army during the Rebellion, for four years, with excellent records. Allen A., upon leaving his farm, came to Dover in 1891 and entered into partnership with his son, Clarence F., as above stated. When this partnership was dissolved Allen A. went to Winona to reside in order to give his younger chil- dren better opportunities for getting an education. He passed away July 8, 1908, while on a visit to his sons in Dover, after a long life of unselfishness, honor and high purpose. His widow is yet living and resides with her son Walter. She is seventy-six years old. The Cady family is of Scotch-Irish descent and originally immi- grated to this country about the year 1780 and settled in Cam- bridge, Vermont. When Allen A. was twenty-one years old he married Celia Wells and came West and settled in this county, as above described. Allen A. was an active churchman-at first in the United Brethren church and later in the Methodist church. His whole life was filled with kindness and good deeds. In the early times his home was the stopping place for all who needed a night's rest and sleep. He was one of the leaders in his part of the county in all praiseworthy movements and unheralded benevo- lences. His descendants may well be proud of their father and of the name they bear. Clarence F. was reared on the old farm in Elmira township. He is the second oldest man now living in the county who was born in this county. He was educated at the com- mon schools and finished at a select school in Rochester. After this he resided with his parents, assisting them, but after a short time he rented of his father a farm of 160 acres, which he sold in 1895. He is now doing well at Dover. He is a Republican. He is an active member and was clerk of the M. W. A. He is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church and was organist for many years. He has been married twice-first to Gertrude Otten, who died in 1887. On March 15, 1900, he married Lillie Burbach, daugh- ter of J. Phillip and Henrietta Burbach, who came to this country

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from Germany in 1856, and resided here until their death. Clar- ence had the following children: Two by his first wife-Harold Otten, who is a student and a professor of learning, and C. Shirley, who died young; also two by his second wife-Kenneth G. and Lela H. George E., a brother of our subject, died in 1902; he was a car accountant for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; Clin- ton Colfax, a physician at Harris, Iowa; Allen G. is bookkeeper for the Corliss Engine Works.

HALVIR E. HOLTON, born in Salem township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, December 2, 1856, is a son of the old pioneer, E. A. Holton, and his wife, Maken. E. A. Holton was a native of Nor- way, his birth occurring in 1822, but at the age of twenty-two, in 1844, he left the land of his nativity, encountered the perils and discomforts of a voyage across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing ves- sel, and came to the United States. For eight years he lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, engaged in farming, and while there, in 1852, he married Maken Knute. In 1855 he moved with his fam- ily to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and pre-empted a farm from the government, on section 27, in Salem township. One year prior to this date the first white settlement had been made in the town- ship. The county was new and in a wild state. Mr. Holton, ably assisted by his wife, bravely set to work, built a cabin, endured the heat of summers and the bitter cold of winters, cleared and im- proved, and gradually prospered. There were sixteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holton, of whom twelve are now living. Mr. Holton was of that courageous type of pioneers well calcu- lated to successfully battle with the primal conditions. He worked hard, denied to himself many comforts that his family might enjoy, and his sterling character and uprightness of conduct caused him to be widely esteemed and respected. He was one of the founders of the congregation of East St. Olaf's, and his death, in 1898, was followed by his burial in the cemetery connected with that organiza- tion. Halvir E. Holton spent his boyhood days on the home farm with such schooling as the district afforded. In 1877 he began renting land and farming for himself, and thus continued for twenty years. For the succeeding three years he operated a meat market in Rochester, then sold out and bought a farm of 160 acres in section 33, Salem township, where he has since resided. In 1885 he married Anna Knudson, whose people were old settlers here, and to them three children were born, named Minnie, Julia and Carl. The mother died and now lies at rest in East St. Olaf's Cemetery. In 1894 Mr. Holton wedded Miss Petra Larson, a native of Norway, and the following three children have been born to them: Alfred, Eddward and Hellen. Mr. Holton, by industry. has accumulated a considerable amount of this world's goods. He

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 53

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

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