History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 54

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

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is a stockholder in the Zumbro Creamery, the Farmers' Lumber Yard at Hayfield, the Farmers' Insurance Company and the Farm- ers' Telephone Company. In politics he is a Republican and has served three years as school director. He is a member of the East St. Olaf's Church, and is one of the progressive, enterprising men of Olmsted county.

ALBERT ZIMMERMAN, one of the progressive and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Cascade township, is a son of Louis and Louise Zimmerman, the former born July 24, 1841, at Syra- cuse, New York. Louis Zimmerman moved West to Wisconsin in 1863, and very shortly thereafter came to Olmsted county, Min- nesota. For eighteen months he served the Union cause during the Civil war as a member of Company K, Third Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, and after peace was declared he returned to Olm- sted county, Minnesota, and resumed farming. Albert Zimmer- man, the subject of this sketch, was born in Salem township, this county, February 8, 1868. He was educated in the public schools and at Darling's Business College, at Rochester, and has always made Olmsted county his home. His farm, consisting of 180 acres, is well improved and admirably adapted to the growing of cereals, the raising of stock and dairying. June 10, 1896, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances B. Van Schaick, a daughter of M. R. and Frances Mary ( Berry) Van Schaick. Ralph V., born December 10, 1898, is their only child. Politically Mr. Zim- merman is a Democrat; religiously he is a Universalist, and socially he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. For three terms he has been treasurer of Cascade township, has also served as school trustee and in various other ways has assisted in the prog- ress and development of the community.

OLE SANDERSON was born on the old homestead in Rock Dell township, March 10, 1871. (For record of parents, see sketch of Theo Sanderson.) Ole was reared on the farm of his father and in his early years was given a fair education at the common schools of the township. At the age of twenty-two years he took charge of the homestead farm, for the use of which he paid cash rent, and continued to conduct the same for eight years, or until 1902. when he bought the Alseth farm of 120 acres in sections 26 and 27, and later bought the Russell farm of 160 acres in sections 26 and 27, each farm having a complete outfit of buildings of all kinds and everything necessary for a separate existence and opera- tion. When his father died he was appointed administrator of the estate. Mr. Sanderson also owns ten acres of timber in section 6 in the panhandle of High Forest township, and 320 acres in McLain county, North Dakota. He has made an investment of $3,000 in

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Cuban lands. He is the owner of Creamery, Lumber and Elevator stock. In a comparatively short time he has made a comfortable fortune, all the result of his own industry, ability and sound judg- ment. That his honesty, excellent judgment and high character are well known and recognized is shown by his prominence in this community. He is a strong Republican and has served as town supervisor and justice of the peace and at all times is public- spirited and broad-gauged. He is a member of the United Lutheran church, of which he has served as trustee. He is one of the leaders in thought, action and progress in this portion of the county.

TIMOTHY TWOHEY, one of the oldest and best-known farmers and stock-raisers of Marion township, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in June, 1841, the oldest son in a family of six children, three boys and three girls, born to the union of Timothy and Hanora (Mahoney) Twohey. The parents were both natives of Ireland, and were there married, but in 1848 left the old country and came to Canada, where they remained three years, engaged in farming. They then removed to Iowa, but in 1854 came to Olm- sted county, Minnesota, entered 160 acres of land from the gov- ernment in High Forest township, and there passed their remaining days. They came to this part of the country when it was rough, unsettled and wild, and experienced many trials and hardships incident to the lives of the early pioneers, but they possessed an abundance of courage and sticktuitiveness, and when death beck- oned them they were regarded as one of the best, God-fearing fami- lies in the community. The father was a lifelong Democrat, and both he and wife were devout members of the Catholic church. Although their early lives were filled with trouble and cares, their declining years were made easy through the competency their labors had brought them.

The education of Timothy Twohey, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was secured in the district schools of Marion and High Forest townships. When well situated, he married, on July 11, 1871, Miss Susy McGovern, descended from one of the oldest and best known Irish families of Olmsted county, and to them five children, one son and four daughters, have been born, as follows: Mar- garet, Katherine, Timothy, Julia and Helen, all of whom were edu- cated in the district schools of their native township. In 1871 Mr. Twohey moved onto his present farm in section 32, improved and cultivated same, and has ever since been actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, was school director and supervisor for years, is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and a devout member of

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the Catholic church. He is regarded as one of the progressive and up-to-date farmers of the community.

ANDREW BAKER, a representative farmer of Olmsted county, and the present supervisor of Oronoco township, was born May 13, 1859, in Goodhue county, Minnesota. His father, Andrew Baker, after whom he was named, was a native of Germany, and his mother, whose maiden name was Emma Quenell, of England. The father, about the year 1840, immigrated to America, and after liv- ing some eight years in Illinois, came to Minnesota and located near Lake City, in Goodhue county, where he passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1870. Mrs. Baker died in Pierce county, Wisconsin, in 1897. Andrew Baker, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of his native county, and in 1882 came to Oronoco and bought the "Dan McAlpine farm" of 120 acres, on which he has since continuously resided, with the exception of one year spent in North Dakota. Mr. Baker is a Lutheran in religion and a Republican in politics. In 1882 he mar- ried Miss Anna Klindorth, daughter of Claus and Margaret Klind- orth, of Oronoco township, and to them have been born these chil- dren : Mary, June 9, 1884, now Mrs. Crouse; Emma, May 20, 1886; Christina, June 19, 1888; Catharine, December 18, 1890; Julia, February 13, 1893; Lillie, March 16, 1898. All these chil- dren were born on the home farm in Oronoco township except Christina, who was born in North Dakota.

JOHN FAHY was born in County Galway, Ireland, sixty-six years ago, the son of Thomas and Katherine (Martin) Fahy. He was brought to America by his parents when six years old and with them lived in New York City until 1856. The family then came West and took up government land in New Haven township, Olm- sted county, Minnesota. Thomas Fahy and wife were of the Roman Catholic faith in religion, and both are now sleeping their last sleep in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in New Haven town- ship. They were the parents of six children, named John, Michael, Thomas, James, Stephen and Bridget. John Fahy, of the fore- going children, was married October 5, 1873, to Mary Fitzgerald, daughter of Edward and Mary (Groggin) Fitzgerald, both of whom were born in Limerick, Ireland, and came to New Haven township, Olmsted county, in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald are now dead, the former passing away May 23, 1900, and the latter October 29, 1901. They were the parents of Anna, Mary, John, William, Katherine and Ellen. To the marriage of John Fahy and Mary Fitzgerald nine children have been born, as follows: Edward, October 26, 1874, now at Faribault; Martin F., Septem- ber 25, 1876; John C., December 16, 1880; Mary, February I,

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1884, died February 21, 1884; Anna M., November 10, 1886, owns and resides on a homestead near Rapid City, South Dakota; Katherine, January 24, 1890, employed in the State Hospital at Rochester; William, October 1, 1892; Robert, May 15, 1896; and Grace, September 26, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Fahy have brought up their children in the Catholic church, the faith of their ancestors, of which they, too, are devout members. The farm is devoted to general farming and stock-raising, and the family are among Olm- sted county's best people.

RICHARD HEALEY, one of the earliest settlers of Farmington township, was born in England, February 3, 1833, where he spent his youth and obtained his education. When eighteen years old he immigrated to the United States and for one year resided at LaGrange, Indiana, and for a short time thereafter at Marion township, Minnesota. He then took up government land on sec- tion 30 of what is now Farmington township, Olmsted county, at which time Rochester was a small hamlet of a few log cabins and Indian tepees. He continued to reside on his farm until 1892, when he retired and moved to Rochester, bought a home on Prospect avenue, and there died in February, 1901. His funeral was con- ducted by the Rev. Frank Doran and was, by reason of his upright life and wide acquaintance, largely attended by a concourse of friends and relatives. In 1858 he married Miss Mary J. Parson, who survives him, and they were the parents of two sons and one daughter, George M., of Haverhill township; William F., and Mrs. Emma Holt, of Rochester. Mr. Healey was a Methodist in religion, as are his wife and children.

William F. Healey, son of Richard and Mary J. ( Parson) Healey, was born December 24. 1865, on the old Healey homestead in Farmington township, Olmsted county, Minnesota. As a boy he attended the stone school house yet standing near the George M. Healey home, which is still used for educational purposes, and when old enough assisted his father with the work of the home farm. After reaching maturity he bought 195 acres of land adjoin- ing the old homestead, upon which he has since resided, and while operating this he also looks after the home property of 200 acres, which is rented. In politics he is independent, but instead of seeking political recognition at the hands of either of the two major parties he prefers to attend strictly to his calling of farming and stock raising, at which he has been unusually successful. He is one of the progressive men and modern farmers of the county and was one of the organizers of the Ringe Co-operative Creamery Company. He married, on November 30, 1892, Miss Helen Ma- tilda Heins, a daughter of John J. and Anna (Zelmer) Heins, and they are the parents of two daughters, Geneva M., born May

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5, 1898, and Nina Isabelle, born May 1, 1901. Mrs. Healey was born in Newton township, Marquette county, Wisconsin, February 27, 1866, and was brought to Olmsted county a young girl by her parents. Mr. Heins died in 1887, and Mrs. Heins September 29, 1903. Both are buried at Rochester. They were the parents of Mrs. Mary Juhnke, of Russell, North Dakota; Joseph L., a farmer of Oronoco township; Mrs. Jennie Healey, wife of George M. Healey, of Haverhill township; Mattie, died at Rochester in 1908; Mrs. Emma Leonard, of Hinckley, Minnesota, and Helen Matilda, the wife of the subject of this sketch.

ROBERT MOODY, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Olmsted county, was born near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, September 10, 1838, the oldest in a family of ten children born to the union of Alexander and Mary (Nimmons) Moody. His father was a farmer and grocer in the old country, and Robert being the oldest son, most of the work of the home place fell to his lot. He was educated in the public schools of his native coun- try and early in life, due largely to the advice of an uncle, Hugh Nimmons, who was residing in Farmington township, Min- nesota, came to America, accompanied by three brothers, and for two years worked on the farms of his uncle and others. He then bought 160 acres, later adding 240 more to his holdings, which he cultivated and improved. When civil war broke out between the North and South, Mr. Moody enlisted for the preservation of the Union in Company C, of the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit throughout that memorable struggle. He was present at the engagements of Nashville, Mobile and Island No. 10 and other battles and campaigns, and also participated in the Indian troubles of Minnesota. The only wound suffered by Mr. Moody was in a saber charge at Nashville, when he received a nasty gash which troubled him for some time. At the close of the war he was honorably mustered out and immediately returned to his home in Olmsted county. In 1866 he was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Lorinda L. Bulin, who was born in Oswego county, New York, the daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Aus- ten) Holden, and to them were born the following two children : Robert, born in 1867, and Laura Louisa, born October 29, 1875. Robert Moody has been lifelong Republican in his political views and has served thirty-six years as school treasurer. Socially he is identified with Rochester Lodge, No. 13, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Presbyterian church. He is one of the oldest and best citizens of the county and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.

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AUSTIN CRAVATH is now residing on a farm of 520 acres on sections 13 and 14, Elmira township, and his postoffice address is Chatfield .. He rents this fine farm of his father and carries on mixed farming and stock raising and is up to date and prosperous. He is the son of Lewis and Catherine (Ferrier) Cravath, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Austin was born on the old home farm in this township on August 18, 1883, and in boyhood received his education in the local district schools and spent the summers at work on the home farm. Later he ended his literary education in the high school at St. Charles, but finished his school career in 1898 at the age of fifteen years and returned to the farm and here has ever since lived and labored. He has made up-to-date farming a specialty, particularly the breeding of fine horses and cattle. He feeds large numbers of cattle and other stock during the winter months and during the year cultivates about 200 acres in mixed farm products. His methods and ma- chinery are all modern. He and and his brother, John F., are among the best and most successful farmers of this portion of the county and are the leaders in all movements for the betterment of the community. The county has no better citizens. Austin has a fine modern dwelling and other buildings and conveniences, includ- ing an automobile, and is thus abreast of the times. On June 26, 1907, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella, daughter of Selom and Ida Fox. They have one daughter, Evelyn, who was born May 7, 1909, and is the only living girl in the Cravath family, and is the pride of both her father and her mother.

MRS. MARIA ELFORD, widow of Jonathan Elford, was born August 20, 1837, in Bowmansville, Province of Ontario, Canada, and is a daughter of James and Maria Tilley, both of whom were of English descent. Maria, now Mrs. Elford, grew to woman- hood in Canada and was there educated in the common schools. She finally became acquainted with Jonathan Elford, to whom she was married December 31, 1862, while still a resident of Canada. They remained in that country, engaged in farming, for several years and finally moved to Michigan, where they also remained several years. In 1871 they came to this county and purchased the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch, in Kalmar township, and here they made their permanent residence and became prominent and well to do. This farm is located near Douglas Station. At the time of his death, Mr. Elford was the owner of this and additional tracts of good land and was in other respects in good circumstances. He and his good wife had built up a splendid property, but not without hard work, self-denial and many trials. He became prominent in the affairs of the com- munity, was kind in his family, wanted to see his children well

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educated, happy and prosperous, and was one of the most progres- sive and up-to-date farmers in this portion of the county. He was a member of the A. O. U. W., the Royal Templars, the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics was a Democrat. He passed away in 1893 and his widow has since managed the farm with success and profit. She is also a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. Her grandfather on her father's side was a resident of England, where he lived and died. Her grandmother also lived and died in England, her maiden name being Maria Penny. To Mr. and Mrs. Elford twelve children were born, eight now living, as follows: Samuel T., married; Thomas J., married, has three children; Edward A., married and has three children; Albert S., married and has four children; Fred R., married and has three children; William J., married and has one child; Clarence F., un- married ; Jonathan R., married to Mida Dean, of Kalmar township. The Elfords are among the most prominent and highly respected families of the county. Jonathan R. Elford being the youngest son, operates the home farm, where his mother still resides.

CECIL E. MULHOLLAND is a native of this county, his birth occurring in Viola township, in section 16, where he now resides, December 1, 1868. His parents were Andrew and Christina (Keller) Mulholland, for a sketch of whom see elsewhere in this volume. Cecil E. grew to manhood in this township and spent his youth assisting his parents on the farm and attending the district schools in the winter months. He learned all the details of farm work and management, and secured sufficient education for all practical purposes. On January 4, 1891, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna Lahmers, the daughter of Jacob and Kath- erine (Kline) Lahmers, both of whom were natives of Germany and immigrated to this country in 1866. Mrs. Mulholland was born October 6, 1869. To her marriage the following children have been born: Ruby, born January 24, 1892; Mabel, born Octo- ber 6, 1893; Avis, born July 24, 1897; Clyde, born August 23, 1901 ; Lloyd, born February 17. 1902; Helen, born July 17, 1904; Donald, born March 2, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Mulholland have made their present substantial home by good management and hard work and are now in comfortable circumstances. They at present own a farm of 117 acres in Viola township, all under a good degree of cultivation, with substantial buildings, fences, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Mulholland are attendants at the United Brethren church. He is a decided Republican and is interested in the success of his party. He is a member of Viola Camp, 1728, M. W. A. Mr. Mulholland is among the most active and progressive farmers of this part of the county. He has the respect of all who know him.

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L. N. SMITH, who has been a resident of Olmsted county since 1869, was born in the extreme northern part of Germany, October 25, 1842, a son of Nelsen Jensen and Meta Smith. The parents passed their lives in their native land and died there many years ago.

The subject of this sketch left his native country and came to America in 1865. He landed in New York City, where he remained about nine months, and then removed to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, where for three years he worked in the lumber camps. In 1869 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and has since made this place his home. Mr. Smith has been interested in many lines of business since his advent in Olmsted county, including livery, hotel, saloon and farming. In 1889 he engaged in the mercantile business in Eyota, continuing until 1906, when he sold the old busi- ness and began the erection of larger and more commodious quarters on his present site. This has grown to be one of the largest merchandise establishments in the community, being sixty feet square and occupying a prominent corner. When Mr. Smith first crossed the Atlantic from Germany to New York the journey extended over a period of seven weeks. All the money he pos- sessed upon his arrival in the land of his adoption was seventy-five cents, and he found himself among strangers who neither spoke nor understood his language. But he possessed an unusual amount of grit and determination, and these qualities alone were respon- sible for the successful business career which followed. In 1880 Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Rosa De Villars, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, both born in England. The father died in England, the mother in Eyota. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat and socially he is identified with Eyota Lodge. No. 47, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ADOLPH BIERMANN, one of the oldest and best known farmers and stock raisers of Olmsted county, located on section 13, Roches- ter township, is a native of Norway, his birth occurring at Chris- tiania, November 19, 1842. He was educated and reared to early manhood in his native land, but when twenty years old immigrated to America and has since made this country his home. He first located at Milwaukee and shortly after his arrival there enlisted for the preservation of the Union, on August 15, 1862, in Company I of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His com- mand was first ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, and then on to Nashville, Tennessee, participating in the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, and after a three years' service he was honorably discharged, September 1, 1865. He immediately returned to Mil- waukee and the following spring made a visit of three months to his native country. He then returned to the United States and

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in 1866 came to Olmsted county, Minnesota. Here for seven years he found employment as bookkeeper in the establishment of An- drew Nelson, at Rochester. In 1872 he was nominated for county register of deeds, but was defeated, and in 1874 was nominated and elected county auditor, afterwards being re-elected to that posi- tion two successive terms. In 1875 he was the Democratic candi- date for secretary of state, but was defeated. After a service of six years in the county auditor's position he engaged in farming, having invested in real estate at different times, and continued thus until 1885. During President Cleveland's administration Mr. Biermann was appointed collector of internal revenue for the dis- trict of Minnesota and in 1882 was nominated and ran for Con- gress. This was in a strong Republican locality, with a usual plurality of 10,000, but he was defeated after a hard fight only by 565 votes. In 1884 he was again nominated and ran for Congress, but was defeated by another close margin. In 1883 he received the Democratic nomination for governor, and, although defeated, ran largely ahead of his party. In 1890 he was nominated and elected state auditor, being supported by the Democratic party and the Farmers' Alliance and having a plurality of 35,000 votes. At the end of four years' service he was again a candidate for that office, but was defeated. Since then, 1894, he has devoted his attention entirely to farming on his property some three and a half miles southwest of Rochester on the Zumbro river. Mr. Biermann can look with justifiable pride on his record made in the land of his adoption. He came here a stranger, without friends or influence, and by his own unaided efforts has arisen to a position of the high- est honor among his fellowmen. The results of his campaigns, conducted in a locality strongly Republican, show how highly he is and has been regarded, and now, when his declining years are at hand, Mr. Biermann can enjoy the just fruits of his honest endeavors to benefit self, home and country. The above brief review is much too short, if a man's deserts are taken into con- sideration, for Mr. Biermann has done much toward the growth and development of Olmsted county and Minnesota.

JAMIN CADWELL was one of the best men who ever lived in Olmsted county. His sturdy honesty, public spirit and love for home and country endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Jamin and Julia (Eno) Cadwell were the names of his parents, and they were of old Connecticut families with Revolu- tionary war records. Jamin Cadwell, the elder, was a tanner and manufacturer of leather goods in New England, but at an early day moved west, and finally to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he died in 1845, and wife lived to be nearly 100 years old. Jamin Cadwell, the subject of this memoir, was born in Allegheny City,

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 54

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

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