History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 55

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

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Pennsylvania, March 28, 1839, and received his education in the public schools of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and in an academy in Massachusetts. He first came to Olmsted county in 1859, but shortly thereafter went to Missouri, where he carried on the nursery business for about a year. During the carly part of the Civil war he returned to Olmsted county and bought a farm two miles north of Rochester, where he resided until 1895. He there was identified with a number of public enter- prises, perhaps the most important being in helping to organize the Rochester creamery, of which he was manager seven years, when it was sold to W. J. Eaton & Co. Through hard work and good management he acquired a farm of 170 acres in Cascade township, which of late years has been rented. May 18, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Elzora Newton, and to this union three sons were born, named, Harland J., S. Theodore and Carl C. Mr. Cad- well was a Democrat in politics, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for years was a trustee in the Baptist church. His sudden death on September 25, 1910, was a shock to the community, and his earthly remains were laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery. The least that can be said of him was that he was an honest man, a loyal citizen, a good neighbor and a loving husband and father.

JOHN MICH was born in Germany, January 28, 1861, and is a son of Peter and Mary Mich, well-to-do and prominent people of the Fatherland. The father finally passed away in the old country. and in 1881 his widow and her sons, John, Nicholas and Matthew, and one sister, Susanna, crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and came west to Haverhill township, this county, bought a tract of land and settled on the same. This prop- erty was owned by the mother until her death in 1902; she now lies at rest in St. John's Cemetery, Rochester. Her son John, the subject of this review, received a common school education and in youth learned all the details of farm work and management. He did not stop at the superficial knowledge of farm operations, but studied along modern and scientific lines and tried to surpass his neighbors in up-to-date methods and contrivances. The result has been that he is one of the most successful agriculturalists in this part of the state. In 1898 he bought 119 acres in section 14, and this property has been his home ever since. It is probable that his buildings could not be duplicated for less than $8,000. It is a current report in the neighborhood that his crops, owing to his superior methods of intensive farming, average per acre much more than do his neighbors. His immense stacks and overflowing granaries seem to prove the truth of the reports. He is taking much interest in the education of his children. He is the owner

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of elevator and creamery stock. He is a member of St. Bridget's Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the German Catholic St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. On February 6, 1893, he mar- ried Miss Dora Schmelzer, who was born in Cascade township, February 18, 1864, her parents being early settlers of that portion of the county. Her father died in 1899, but her mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Mich the following children were born : Cecily M .. born June 17, 1898, died April 26, 1901 ; Clara D., born October 30, 1900; Mary L., born June 12, 1902; Emily S., born January 7, 1905; John A., born September 3, 1906; Cecily, born May 16, 1908.

HIBBARD A. FREEMAN was born in Cascade township, Olmsted county, August 6, 1860, and is the son of Rozell Freeman, one of the old pioneers of that township. He grew up on his father's farm and in youth received a limited education at the district schools of the neighborhood. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he entered the employ of the state at the Insane Hospital and there remained for eighteen years, serving most of the time as engineer and plumber of the institu- tion. He then returned to the farm in Cascade township and remained two years and then came back to Rochester, where he has ever since resided at 715 East Fifth street. From 1902 to 1909 he was a member of the hardware firm of Freeman & Roth, which concern went out of business in the winter of 1909-10. Since the closing of the store Mr. Freeman has lived retired. He is well known and has the high regard of all who are acquainted with him. He is a Republican and a member of the M. W. A. He owns the old homestead of 180 acres in Cascade township and a one-half interest in the electric light plant at Mora, Minnesota. He attends the Universalist church. This is one of the oldest and best families of the county. Mr. Freeman is able, enterprising, public spirited and honest. His father and mother are dead. His sister, Mrs. R. M. Pierce, resides in Los Angeles, California. On June 10, 1892, Mr. Freeman married Miss Katherine Brogan, of St. Peter's, Minnesota. To this marriage one child was born-Frances, born January 12, 1899, and is now receiving her education.

PATRICK SULLIVAN was born in the state of New York, March 18, 1854, and is the child of Edward and Anna Sullivan, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to this country in their early years and were finally married in New York. Edward worked out by the day until 1858, saving in the meantime con- siderable of his wages. In that year he came west to Minnesota and located in St. Paul, where he found employment as a laborer,

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and was thus occupied until 1863, when he went to Scott county and bought eighty acres, which he farmed until 1871, when he moved to Olmsted county and bought 120 acres in section 17, High Forest township. This became his permanent home. He died in 1883 and his widow followed him to the grave in 1889, and both now lie at rest in St. Bridget's Cemetery. Patrick spent his youth getting a common school education and assisting his parents on the farm. In 1883 he began operations for himself on rented land and he has continued farming to the present time. It is his opinion based on experience, that the cash rent which he pays for the farms is much less than the interest on the amount that would be required to buy said farms. He has accumulated a large property and is doing well. He carries on general farming and stock raising along modern and up-to-date methods. Early in 1884 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Sullivan, a pioneer of Minnesota, the match having been really formed in childhood, as they were school children and playmates together. Their children are as follows: Edward F., born November 18, 1884, at present a mail carrier; William, born April 1, 1886, yet with parents; Theresa, born October 17, 1889, yet with parents; James, born August 17, 1892, yet with parents. Mr. Sullivan is a member of St. Bridget's Church and Father Mathew's Temperance Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is the owner of elevator stock. It is probable that there is not a better all-round farmer in the county than Mr. Sullivan.

GUSTAVE RABINE, chief engineer of the Rochester water works, was born near Stewartville, in Mower county, Minnesota, January 30, 1881, the son of John and Augusta (Wentline) Rabine. Both parents were natives of Germany, where they were reared and educated, but at an early date immigrated to America and for many years were among the best citizens of Mower county. Their son Gustave was educated in the public schools of this county and until two years ago always followed farming. He was then ap- pointed chief engineer of the water works at Rochester and so well has he performed his duties that he has held this position ever since. In 1904 he was united in marriage with Miss Olga Acker, daughter of John and Bertha (Stoltenberg) Acker, pioneers of Olmsted county, now residing in Rochester, and to them the following children have been born: Elmer, July 6, 1905; Helen, November 20, 1908, and Clarence Lester, May 1, 1910. The family are communicants of the Church of Peace, at Rochester. Mr. Rabine is a Republican in his political views, is a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union and takes an active interest in local party affairs.

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C. H. WATTS was born September 3, 1853, and is a child of James H. and Mary A. Watts, residents of the state of Illinois, who came to Olmsted county in 1867 and bought a tract of 133 acres in Marion township and there farmed and worked at his trade of blacksmithing. He became well and favorably known in this portion of the county and occupied various official positions of trust with fidelity and credit. He passed away in 1907 at the ripe age of seventy-six years and was laid to rest in Zumbrota Cemetery. He was preceded to the grave by his wife, who died in 1903; she sleeps in the same cemetery. C. H. spent his youth assisting his father at blacksmithing and on the farm and attend- ing the district schools in winters. In 1875 he married Miss Mary Allen, who was born in Ohio in 1852, and to this union the follow- ing children were born: George Luther, Harry E., Howard M., Ralph A., and Ross C. When he first married he rented a farm and occupied it for a year. In 1878 he bought 120 acres in Marion township, running in debt for every dollar of the purchase price. He went to work in earnest and was warmly and enthusiastically seconded by his wife, and after eighteen years they had not only paid for it all with interest, but had reared their children well and lived in comfort the whole time. At the end of that time he was situated better than ever to make money on a large scale. Ac- cordingly he began to buy other tracts, until in 1894 he owned a total of 376 acres. This big farm he finally sold, and, going to Salem township, bought 320 acres in sections 3, 4, 9 and 10. He has since continued to prosper until he now owns a total of 690 acres, all provided with good substantial buildings, and under a high state of tilth. A considerable portion of this land is farmed by his sons. Mr. Watts owns bank, telephone and cheese stock, also a section of land in Alberta District, Canada. He is a Republican and is chairman of the town board. He and family are members of the Methodist church at Byron. He is one of the most suc- cessful farmers of the county. He is up to date in his farm work and is highly regarded by this entire community.

HENRY HOFFMAN, residing on section 7, Cascade township, is a son of John and Jacobina (Martin) Hoffman, both of whom were natives of Germany. They immigrated to the United States and were married in Wisconsin, August 26, 1849, and there lived until 1865, when they moved to Kalmar township, Olmsted county, Min- nesota. Here they endured the hard work and privation of pioneer times, but gradually accumulated property and eventually became influential and prosperous. They commanded the respect of all who knew them. Mr. Hoffman died in 1904, and Mrs. Hoffman in 1906. Henry Hoffman, as a boy, worked hard on his father's farm, and during the winter months attended the district school. His

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life has been passed in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of eight years, from 1897 to 1905, during which time he was the pro- prietor of a successful creamery, and he is the present owner of 153 acres of choice land in Cascade township. He was born in this county, April 1, 1866, and on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1895, married Miss Edith Farnham, daughter of Albert Farn- ham. Two sons and two daughters have blessed this union, as fol- lows : Madge, December 17, 1898; Richard H., July 31, 1900; John H., January 7, 1903; Isabelle, October 27, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are highly regarded in the community as excellent citizens and neighbors.

ROBERT PETT, retired farmer of Kalmar township, now residing in the city of Rochester, is a native of England, his birth occurring July 4, 1833, and he is a son of Robert and Sarah Pett, the father being a farmer and cooper by occupation. In youth Robert, subject, received but the limited educational advantages afforded by the com- mon schools, and early in life learned the cooper's trade under the tutelage of his father. Shortly thereafter he immigrated to Amer- ica, and for two years, with his brother, Joseph Pett, worked at his trade in Herkimer county, New York State. Then for a time he worked out on the farms of that community, after which he came West to Minnesota and purchased a tract of land in Kalmar town- ship, Olmsted county, which has been the family home until recent years. When war was declared between the North and South, Mr. Pett enlisted for the preservation of the Union, at Rochester, August 13, 1862, in Company H, of the Sixth Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, and after one year's service was transferred to a light artillery command and was engaged in quelling the Indian troubles of Minnesota and the Dakotas, from the Black Hills to the Canadian line. After being honorably discharged by the War Department of the United States Government. Mr. Pett returned home and resumed farming in Kalmar township. In 1865 he was united in marriage with Miss Emeline Simonton, a native of Byron, this county, and with her lived happily on the old homestead until 1902, when they retired from the active duties of life and came to Roch- ester to spend their remaining days. They had one daughter, Anna, born May 11, 1866, in Kalmar township, now Mrs. Sorenson, the wife of a California politician, college professor and fruit-grower. Mr. Pett is a member of Rochester G. A. R. Post, has served it in various capacities, and is at present chairman of the sick committee. He and wife are also members of the Methodist church, of which he has been chairman several years. Mr. Pett rents his 320-acre farm in Kalmar township, which is one of the finest tracts in the county. He is a Republican in his political views, but has always

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refused to hold office. He is blessed with a fine life partner, and is happily residing in Rochester.

JORGEN S. SULLAND was born in Norway, November 9, 1867, and is the son of Sorn and Christina, both of whom were natives of that country and came to America in 1868 and settled on sec- tion 27, Rock Dell township, where they bought 160 acres of wild land and began to clear and improve the same. Here they lived and labored until their respective deaths, the father passing away in 1900 and was buried at Leeds, Benson county, North Dakota, and his wife in 1891, and now lies at rest in the family lot in St. Olaf's Cemetery. They were people of excellent charac- ter, industrious, honest and God-fearing, and were well thought of in this community. The father occupied various local positions with faithfulness and credit. Their son Jörgen S., the subject of this sketch, was brought to this country in his infancy by his par- ents and was here reared on his father's farm and received in his early years a common-school education. In early life he was con- firmed in St. Olaf's Lutheran Church. Some time after attaining his majority he bought 120 acres of wild land in sections 23 and 26, this township, and began to clear and improve the same. A considerable portion had to be grubbed and required a great deal of hard work to fit for the plow, the rake and the harrow. In time it became what it is now-one of the best in this portion of the county. It has good buildings, fences, machinery and surround- ings, all showing the care and hard work that was required to fit it for its present up-to-date uses and benefits. The place is now devoted to general or mixed farming of small grains and live stock. Mr. Sulland is well known and has the respect of all who are acquainted with him. He is a Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party. On December 1, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Marian, the daughter of Christian C. Bergen, a pioneer of Olmsted county, and to this union the following chil- dren have been born: Arthur C., born January 9, 1893; Carl S., born November 15, 1894; Laila, born September 21, 1896, who died aged about four months; Norman L., born December 24, 1897; Georgia, born June 20, 1900; Louis, born January 30, 1903; Hilda, born May 6, 1904, lived twelve days; Hilda (2), born January 17, 1905; Lidla, born June 17, 1907. The family worship at St. Olaf's Church. Mr. Sulland owns Creamery and Elevator stock.

ERNEST G. PORTER, until recently engaged in farming and stock- raising on section 20, Marion township, Olmsted county, Minne- sota, was born in this township November 23, 1877, a son of Thomas M. and Marion (Dudley) Porter. The paternal grand-

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father settled in Ohio at an early date, but later removed with his family to Indiana, and there Thomas N. Porter, the father of our subject, was born and educated. When a young man Thomas N. came with his parents to Olmsted county to establish a home. He located on the farm adjoining the present one in Marion township, cultivated and improved same and in time accumulated a competency. He passed away at Tracy, Minnesota, greatly be- loved and respected by his many friends and relatives. His wife, Marion Dudley, was a native of New York State, her birth occur- ring March 1, 1848, at Buffalo, and was the daughter of Lorenzo G. and Charlotte T. (Vandercook) Dudley. She came to Marion township, Olmsted county, when seven years old, and was here reared and educated. She died November 27, 1907. For a time after the union of Mr. and Mrs. Porter took place they lived on the old home place in Marion township, but he shortly afterwards purchased the present place of 140 acres and resided thereon until he died, October 4, 1899, aged sixty-two years. Mr. Porter was a lifelong Republican and served his party in many local capacities. To him and wife the following three children were born: Dudley V., Stella M. and Ernest G. The latter, Ernest G. Porter, was reared and educated in Marion township, and after arriving at man- hood married, on October 26, 1897, Miss Jennie Berkins, a native of Mower county, Minnesota, who, when four years of age, lost her mother, and was brought to the home of her grandmother in Marion township, where she was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter one daughter, Hazel E., and one son, Adrien N., have been born, the former on August 21, 1898, and the latter on February 25, 1903. Mr. Porter, in his political views, followed the belief of his father and was a Republican. He and family were also communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ernest G. Porter died at his home, September 7, 1910, of infantile paralysis, at the age of thirty-one years, ten months and sixteen days.

ELKANAH W. BOARDMAN, widely known as a breeder of fine Percheron and Hambletonian horses, has been a resident of the city of Rochester since 1896. His birth occurred November 3, 1853, in Tioga county, New York, and he was a son of Philo and Jane (Hackett) Boardman, who were among the earliest to settle in this portion of Minnesota. The father was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 1, 1821, received his education in the Tioga county public schools, and was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation. On May 5, 1855, he started with his family for Min- nesota, making the entire trip by ox team, and on July 4, 1855, arrived here in time to join a celebration in which a handful of early pioneers of Cascade township were about to engage in. Mr. Board- man took up a government claim in section 15, that township, and

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in after years added thereto until it reached a total of 840 acres. In 1879 he gave each of his two sons a splendid farm and sold the remainder of his estate, removing to Texas, where he bought 3,000 acres and engaged in cattle-raising. He there passed away, his wife having preceded him to the grave in Cascade township, where she was laid at rest in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. While residing in Olmsted county, Mr. Boardman took an active interest in local affairs, and when his township was organized in 1859 he was elected a member of the first board of supervisors.

His son, Elkanah. W. Boardman, the immediate subject of this memoir, was educated and reared to manhood in this county, and in 1879 was married to Miss Clara Beneke, daughter of Martin Beneke, a pioneer of Cascade township, and one son, Roy L., has been born to them, his birth occurring January 8, 1887. He is now in his senior year in the School of Pharmacy of the Minnesota State University, and has served an apprenticeship of two years in the drug establishment of Max Hargesheimer, at Rochester. Mr. Boardman owns a farm, amounting to 200 acres, in sections 10, II and 15, of Cascade township, which he rents. In 1896 he removed to Rochester and has since been engaged in the breeding and selling of fine Hambletonian and Percheron horses, which he has disposed of in the states from Texas north. In politics he espouses the beliefs of the Democratic party, has served as super- visor of Cascade township several terms, and was school clerk for fifteen years. Mr. Boardman is a member of the Universalist church, and with his wife resides at 919 West Fifth street.

NORMAN W. REESE was born in Illinois, November 11, 1860, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah Reese, who came to Olmsted county in 1865 and settled in section 31, High Forest township, where they bought a tract of eighty acres and made their perma- nent home. The father conducted a wagon shop for many years. Both parents were people of more than ordinary prominence and high character and were ever considered among the very best set- tlers and citizens. The father took much interest in all public affairs and was public-spirited, progressive and broad-minded. He finally passed away in 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years, and lies at rest in High Forest cemetery. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-six years. Norman W., their son and the subject of this sketch, was provided in youth with a common-school educa- tion, which was supplemented with a course at the High Forest Seminary. During his minority he assisted his father on the farm and in the wagon shop. At the age of twenty-six years he started in business for himself by taking charge of the old homestead, which he farmed on shares and otherwise for many years. Soon after starting out for himself he met with a serious accident in

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having his left hand badly mangled and nearly destroyed in a har- vester, but this calamity did not interfere with his work and prog- ress, except for a short time. He has steadily advanced in property and surroundings until at the present time he and family are com- fortable and happy. He is endeavoring to give his children edu- cations better than the ordinary. Seven years ago he rented the Carlson farm of 240 acres and is now devoting the same to grain and the dairy interests. His farming operations are thus on a large scale. He milks about sixteen cows, and his creamery check aver- ages about $100 per month during the summer months. He has thirty-two head of fine sheep. He owns stock in the Elevator and the Creamery companies. He is a steward in the Methodist Epis- copal church at High Forest and senior warden of the Masonic lodge there. Mrs. Reese is president of the local Ladies' Aid Society and is a member of the Eastern Star. They are sociable and well informed people of the highest character. The county has no better citizens.

JERRY SHEEHAN, who has been a resident of Marion township, Olmsted county, since 1871, was born in 1845, in County Cork, Ireland, the third in a family of six children born to Jerry Sheehan. The father was a farmer by occupation, and lived and died in the old country. Jerry, his son, and the subject of this review, was educated in the public schools of his native country, and there mar- ried Miss Ellen Sweeney, also a native of Ireland. Shortly after the above ceremony took place Mr. and Mrs. Sheehan came to America and first located in New York State, where for three months Mr. Sheehan worked by the month. He then worked one month in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, after which he went to Omaha and for seven years was engaged in railroading throughout the West. In 1871 he came to Olmstead county, Minnesota, pur- chased a tract of land which he improved and cultivated, and in time became one of the foremost farmers and stock-raisers of Marion township. He now owns 240 acres of finely improved farm land. To him and his wife a family of six sons and five daughters have been born, three of whom are deceased. Mr. Sheehan is a lifelong Democrat.

BARNEY HACKETT, one of the earliest settlers of Cascade town- ship, was born in Tompkins county. New York, October 30, 1824, a son of Lot Hackett, who was of Scotch descent and a farmer by occupation. Barney Hackett received his education in the public schools of his native county, and, like his father before him, always followed farming and stock-raising, being unusually successful in these lines. When yet a young man he decided to come west in

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 55

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

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