History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 56

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

USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 56

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search of home and fortune, and accordingly in the early fifties emi- grated to the broad and rolling fields of Minnesota. He settled first on government land in Cascade township, in 1854, which at that time was wild and uncleared, but he set to work with a will and in time became one of the wealthiest and most influential members of the community. He always took a keen interest in local affairs, and served his township for many years as justice of the peace and several terms as town supervisor. In March, 1884, he retired from the active business cares of life and came to Rochester to pass his remaining days. Here he resided until July 12, 1905, when he passed away, and with his death Olmsted county lost another of her pioneer men, who have done so much toward making her one of the foremost counties in the state. On June 30, 1846, before coming to Minnesota, he married Miss Maria Boardman, daughter of Martin and Margaret (Hill) Boardman, born in Schoharie county, New York, November 3, 1824, and when six years old removed to Pennsylvania, where she was reared, educated and married. Mrs. Hackett is still living at an advanced age in the enjoyment of good health, in the midst of many friends, to whom she has endeared herself by reason of many lovable qualities of mind and character. To Mr. and Mrs. Hackett the following named children were born: Mahala Jane Stansbury, died Novem- ber 12, 1901, buried in Oakwood cemetery, Rochester ; Julia Crosby, died at Kasson, Minnesota, February 8, 1898, buried there; Erastus Martin, born February 19, 1850, educated in Olmsted county, now in hardware business at Fort Abercrombie, North Dakota; Philo Hamilton, born March 22, 1857, educated in Rochester public schools and later graduated from the Ann Arbor Michigan law school, class of 1880, well known criminal lawyer of Wahpeton, North Dakota, now practicing in Rochester, Minn .; Merca Medora, born October 14, 1860, educated in Cascade township public schools, married in 1877 to Charles Earle, of Rochester, who died August 30, 1910, leaving widow and two sons. The names of these sons are: Clarence B., born in Rochester, January 24, 1878, now of Minneapolis. and Frederick William, born in Rochester, February 22, 1888, graduated from high school here, subsequently entered State University School of Pharmacy and is now a druggist at Pukwana, South Dakota. The Hackett family have always been communicants of the Universalist Church, and Mrs. Earle is an active member of the Ladies' Aid Society of that organization Barney Hackett, at the time of his demise, owned 220 acres of fine farm land in Sections II and 15 of Cascade township, and this is still a part of the estate. He originally was a Republican in politics, but during the latter years of his life espoused the Democratic doctrines. He was highly regarded as a friend and citizen throughout the county.

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JOSEPH W. ENGLE, residing and engaged in farming and stock raising on section 8, Marion township, Olmsted county, is a native of this locality, his birth occurring June 2, 1877. He was the youngest of six children born to the union of Joshua W. and Frances E. (Morris) Engle, and was educated and reared to man- hood on the home place in Marion township. Both parents were natives of Indiana and were there reared and educated, but at an early date came to Olmsted county, purchased a farm of eighty acres in Marion township, and there the father resided until his death. When war was declared between the North and South Joshua W. Engle enlisted for the preservation of the Union in Company C of the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Mounted Infantry, and served with credit throughout that memorable struggle and was honorably discharged. He then came with his family to Olmsted county, where he and his children afterward resided. He was one of the early settlers here, and experienced many of the trials and hardships accompanying pioneer life, but he possessed grit and determination to succeed, and died at the age of sixty-one years, highly respected by his friends and fellowmen. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Methodist Church.

The education of Joseph W. Engle, the subject of this review, was received in the district schools of Marion township, and there also he was reared to the occupation of a farmer. September 18, 1907, he was married to Miss Pearl Benedict, also a native of Marion township, and they have since resided on the old Engle homestead. Mr. Engle is a Republican in politics and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN HORN has for many years been a resident of the city of Rochester. He is a native of Lynn, Norfolkshire, England, his birth occurring June 7, 1841, and a son of John and Elizabeth (Rivett) Horn. The name "John" has been the given name of a male member of the Horn family for the past seven genera- tions. When four years old our subject was brought by his parents to America, and he received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin. Early in life he became associated with his father in the lumbering business and continued thus until war was declared between the North and South. He then enlisted in Company F, Eighth Illinois Veteran Cavalry, under command of Captain Ed- ward Russell, and participated in a total of forty battles, the more important of which were, perhaps, Antietam, Fair Oaks, Will- iamsburg, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Culpepper and Chantilly. After serving three years, nine months and fifteen days, he was honorably discharged by the War Department of the United States government. He then returned home, and for some

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time engaged in the lumbering business in Wisconsin and Michigan, after which he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota. He first located on a farm in High Forest township, but after several years there came to Rochester. He subsequently engaged in well drilling and is at present the owner of other places aside from his own home on S. Beaver street. Mr. Horn has always espoused the policies of the Republican party. In 1867 he married Miss Sarah E. Newton, born June 27, 1842, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Calvin and Hannah (Bacon) Newton, of English and Scotch descent, respectively. To them have been born: Nannee, February 16, 1868, died July, 1869; Merritt G., October 6, 1869, operating a hack line in Rochester; Cecil Earle, May 24, 1877, in well-drilling business at Rochester; and Grace, March 24, 1884, now Mrs. Suffern, of Rochester. Mr. Horn is a member of the G. A. R., having served as its junior vice-commander, and Mrs. Horn, in 1886, was one of the organizers of the Rochester W. R. C., and has been very active in its affairs ever since.

NATHANIEL F. GILMAN, one of the few remaining pioneers who came to Minnesota in the early fifties, was born in Stanstead county, Quebec, Canada, June 7, 1833, a son of John and Lida (Gustin) Gilman, the father's birth occurring in 1790, in New Hampshire, and the mother also being a native of that state. John Gilman, a merchant and farmer by occupation, was a man of some distinction and wealth in Canadian commercial circles. His son, Nathaniel F., the immediate subject of this sketch, when twenty-one years old, came to Minnesota and preempted land in Racine township, Mower county, which he improved and farmed until civil war was declared between the North and South. August 21, 1862, in Dodge county, Wisconsin, he enlisted with the "Boys in Blue" for the preservation of the Union, in Company Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until wounded by a shell from a Union battery. This occurred at the battle of Port Gibson, and was in the hip, and after a long siege in a hospital he was honorably discharged from the service and returned home to his farm in Minnesota. He was not strong enough to work this, however, so disposed of it, and in the fall of 1864 came to Rochester, Olmsted county, and erected a saw and planing mill in the northern part of the city, which he operated successfully until the cyclone of 1883. He then for a number of years engaged in carpentering, and for the past ten years has been living a retired life. He was a charter member of Rochester Post, G. A. R., of which he has served as junior vice- commander, senior vice-commander, and in 1909 commander. Mr. Gilman was one of the first settlers on E. Fifth street, where he owns considerable property. He is also interested to some extent

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in Canadian bank stock. He is a Republican in politics and a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Morris, born July 6, 1844, in Portage County, Ohio, the daughter of John and Mary (Watkins) Morris, of Welch descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilman the following named children have been born : John Gustin, May 21, 1868, died April 7, 1877, of scarlet fever, now at rest in Oakwood cemetery, Rochester; Mary Ann, August 25, 1869, died of same disease April 28, 1877; Jennie S., June 7, 1872, the wife of William C. Fraser, of Rochester ; Wal- ter David, August 16, 1873, died April 21, 1897 ; Mabel Lydia, born April 25, 1878; Harry Foster, June 15, 1881, now editor of a paper in Glenn Ellen, North Dakota, learned the business under the tutelage of Hon. Joseph A. Leonard, of Rochester, who was the author of this history; Herbert Spencer, September 17, 1883; and Clarence Edwin, October 20, 1887, died July 25, 1896.

JOHN FERRIER CRAVATH has been a resident of Elmira township since his birth. His present farm consists of 240 acres of excellent land on section 14, and his postoffice address is Chatfield. He is the son of Lewis and Catherine Cravath, the father being a native of Michigan and the son of Austin Cravath, whose wife was for- merly Margaret Hellam. Austin, grandfather of John F., came to Olmsted county in 1855 and settled on a farm yet occupied by his descendants. He had two sons: Lewis, father of John F., and Myrtillis, the former born in 1854 and the latter in 1857. Lewis grew up on his father's farm, and in 1880 he married Miss Cath- erine Ferrier, a resident of this township. The family originally, on both sides apparently, were of Huguenot origin, and came from France to Canada many years ago and finally drifted into the United States, where they have multiplied and become prosperous and prominent.

John F. was born in the old house on section 14, Elmira town- ship, on May 7, 1881 and in youth attended the district school and also the schools at St. Charles and Dover, finishing at the Rochester high school, in his twentieth year, and being thus well equipped from an educational point of view for the life of a farmer. In the meantime, after reaching a suitable age, he spent his summers assisting his father on the farm. After finishing his education he returned and assisted his father for three years, after which he joined his grandfather on the old Cravath place, and there he has ever since resided. He has made many improvements and now carries on extensively mixed farming. During the winters he has as high as 200 head of cattle, and during the summers about 25 head. He usually has on hand also about 10 head of horses, 225 sheep and 100 swine. He is now one of the leading farmers and citizens of this portion of the county. He is a Republican, is a

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school director and a member of the Woodmen of America. On June 28, 1904, he married at Chatfield Miss Bertha Mary, daughter of Elmer and Francelia Clayton, retired farmers living in Chatfield. They have three children: Kenneth Clayton, Carlton Goodman and Maurice Ferrier.

MRS. ELIZABETH SARAH EDMISTON, the widow of Joseph Ed- miston, who passed away October 26, 1902, was born in Ireland in May, 1837. When she was but eight years old she was brought to America by her mother, who died in this country in 1883, after having reared a family of seven children, of which our subject was the youngest and the only one living. After her education had been completed and she had arrived at the age of womanhood, Mrs. Edmiston was united in marriage with Joseph Edmiston, in Kalmar township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, and they lived happily to- gether on a farm in section 30 until Mr. Edmiston was summoned to the great unknown in 1902. For years he had managed and controlled his mother's estate, she making her home with him up to the time of her death in 1866. Mr. Edmiston was a kind and loving husband, and his death was mourned by hosts of friends and relatives, who loved him for his many sterling qualities. In his political views he was a strong believer in Democracy, and for years he held the township office of road supervisor. He and wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Although no children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston, they reared to womanhood three nieces, their names being Florence E. Happer, Margaret D. Happer and Jennie M. Happer. The first named is now the wife of Lewis Caulfield, the second the wife of Charles Johnston, of Dodge county, Minnesota, and the third the wife of Fred Allard. Mrs. Edmiston still resides on her beautiful home farm in Kalmar township, and has hosts of friends, who often visit her, and delight in her friendship and companionship.

CHARLES ADDISON JOSLYN, president of the Rochester city coun- cil, was born in Brockport, Monroe county, New York, April 30, 1838, a son of Isaac and Minerva (Peters) Joslyn. The progen- itors of the family in America were three brothers, who were sol- diers in Cromwell's army and came to his country in the English ship "Increase." Isaac Joslyn, the father of our subject, was a merchant and stock-buyer in New York, which line of business he followed through life. His son, Charles Addison, received his scholastic training in Brockport Academy, now the State Normal School, but when sixteen years of age left school, and for several years worked in a hardware store. He then entered the employ of Seymour Morgan & Company, the first manufacturers of self- rakes, etc., and traveled for them and their successors, D. G. Mor- gan & Company, of Brockport, New York, for a period of eighteen

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years, his duties as salesman and collection agent taking him all through the grain raising states. He then resigned to go with the Champion Harvester Company, but after one year thus employed entered the hardware establishment, at Rochester, Minnesota, of A. D. Vedder, and here remained for five years. During that time he acquired considerable property interests in the city, and has since devoted his time to his holdings here. Mr. Joslyn is a staunch Jeffersonian Democrat, is positive and consistent in political affairs, has served as city engineer one year, alderman two terms, has been delegate to eight state conventions and has twice been summoned as a member of the United States jury at St. Paul. He was espe- cially active in the nomination of Dr. W. W. Mayo as state senator, and in the spring of 1910, in a city strongly Republican, was elected president of the city council, carrying every ward. On September 17, 1859, Mr. Joslyn was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Graves, of Brockport, New York, and to them the following named children have been born: Charles Ezra, expert accountant, of Chicago; Isaac, foreman of egg department in establishment of W. J. Eaton Company, Rochester; Sarah, now Mrs. Date, teacher of sixth and seventh grades of Holmes school, residing with her two children in the home of her father; Dayton, traveling salesman for a Chicago surgical instrument manufacturing concern; and Susan, twin sister of Dayton, died in infancy. Mrs. Joslyn passed away eighteen years ago in Rochester, and now lies at rest beside her daughter in the family lot. Mr. Joslyn came to Minnesota June 5, 1860. Mr. Joslyn and family have resided in their present home for forty-one years. The children have grown, as they were reared, to honorable and useful lives, and Mr. Joslyn has always contributed from his time and means to the support of any enterprise for the betterment of the community.

ANTHONY ALDERSON, supervisor of Oronoco township, was born in the state of Wisconsin, February 9. 1862, a son of Richard and Catharine (Dean) Alderson, who were natives of Germany and England, respectively. Richard Alderson was a farmer in Wisconsin after coming to America, but, in 1866, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and purchased the farm in Oronoco township now conducted by the subject of this sketch. Here he died, in May, 1903, preceded by his wife some eighteen years. Their children were: Elizabeth, who died in Wisconsin; William, a resident of Hastings, Minnesota; Clara, whose death occurred in Oronoco township in 1902; Anthony, George and Fred, the latter two residing in Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Alderson were Method- ists, and he held several local offices of trust in his township. Anthony Alderson received a common school education in youth. and has made farming his life's occupation. He owns the old

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homestead farm, consisting of 170 acres, adjoining which his brother Fred owns 148 acres. He raises live stock, and, in con- nection with farming, is also interested in dairying. He was mar- ried in June, 1896, to Miss Mary Rodius. He is a Republican, has been township supervisor eleven years and is one of Olmsted county's best citizens.

STEPHEN W. MORRIS, now engaged in farming and stock raising on section 5, Marion township, Olmsted county, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, December 29, 1847, the son of Joseph C. and Susan (Headlee) Morris. The father was a native of Pennsyl- vania, his birth occurring March 10, 1815, and when four years of age removed with his parents to Rush county, Indiana, where he was reared and educated. For seven years he taught in the district schools of that locality, and was there married. In 1865 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and bought a farm of 160 acres in Cascade township, upon which he lived and farmed for ten years. He then moved into the city of Rochester, and for about twelve years successfully engaged in the insurance and real estate business. Then, in company with his son, Stephen W., he went to Minneapolis and continued his real estate and insurance operations until 1902. That year he returned to Olmsted county, and located on a farm of 260 acres in Marion township, which his son had purchased in 1878. In politics the elder Morris was a Republican, and for one term he served as treasurer of Cascade township. To him and wife, a native of Indiana, a family of ten children were born.

The early education of Stephen W. Morris was acquired in the district schools of Shelby county, Indiana, and when seventeen years old he came with his parents to Minnesota. He later entered the literary department of the University of Michigan, and also was a student of law, being admitted to practice in 1874. For about eight years he practiced the latter profession in Rochester, and then, as above stated, went with his father to Minneapolis and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He returned with his father shortly afterwards, and has since resided on his fine farm in Marion township, actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. In his political views Mr. Morris is a Republican, in religious a Congregationalist. He is regarded throughout the county as a progressive and public-spirited man.

FRANK F. ELLIOTT was born January 1, 1865, a son of John and Ellen M. (Blasedell) Elliott, both of whom were natives of . St. Lawrence county, New York. John Elliott first came to Olm- sted county, Minnesota, in 1856, and preempted government land in Eyota township, where the subject of this sketch was born. Mr.

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Elliott subsequently moved to Iowa, and there farmed some fifteen years, but then returned to Olmsted county, where they have since made their home. He and wife are now living in Rochester, retired from the active duties of life. The Blasedell family were also pioneers of this county, their advent here being in 1859. Frank E. Elliott was educated in the public schools of Iowa and Minnesota, and has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits since becom- ing of age. He bought his first farm in Oronoco township, which he conducted a number of years, but in 1902 purchased a tract of 150 acres on section 30, New Haven township. Here he resided until the fall of 1910, when he disposed of it and invested in a farm of 180 acres on section 4, Pleasant Grove township. Mr. Elliott is one of the wide-awake, enterprising men of Olmsted county. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, and served New Haven township as road commissioner and for five years as chairman of the school board. He is hospitable, generous, liberal in his views, and is interested in all that tends toward the welfare of the community. June 5, 1901, he married Miss Anna E. Taylor, who was born in Eyota township, this county, November 23, 1877, daughter of L. M. and Anna (Shaney) Taylor. Two daughters have blessed their union: Clara M., born May 26, 1902, and Elizabeth A., born June 24, 1904. Mrs. Elliott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH PATRICK MANAHAN is the son of John and Mary Mana- han, early settlers of this county, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. He resides on a farm of 240 acres on section 27, Elmira township, and has lived there since 1887. His postoffice is Chatfield. Joseph P. was born in Illinois October 19, 1858, and was brought by his parents to this county in 1860. His education was secured in the common schools, which he continued to attend until his eighteenth year. In the meantime he was set to work by his father as soon as he was able to hold a plow or harness a horse. He was strong and full of energy, and rendered his father a great deal of assistance in his youth. By the time he was a man he was an expert in all kinds of farm and stock manage- ment. He continued to work with his father until he was twenty- four years old, and then began independently by renting a farm near by. Afterward he rented another, and later still another, con- tinuing thus for two years and working in the meantime three different farms with much success and profit. He then bought the nucleus of his present farm, securing at the start 160 acres and adding to it in 1894 a tract of 160 acres, but sold eighty acres of the latter the same year at a profit. However, previous to his purchase of the above first 160 acres, he was deeded eighty acres by his father. Since coming to his present farm he has made many

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important improvements and has added to the fences, buildings and cultivated tract. He is engaged in general farming and has now on hand forty-five head of cattle, twelve horses and a lot of swine and other stock. Every year he raises large quantities of small grain. He is a Democrat, a Roman Catholic and a member of the United Workmen. As a farmer and a citizen he stands among the leaders in this part of the county. On February 7, 1886, he mar- ried at Chatfield Miss Ellen Burke, daughter of Patrick and Mary Burke, who were farmers of Jefferson county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Manahan have had eight children, as follows: Patrick W .; Mary V .; Catherine Frances; John James; Ellen Margaret ; Hannah Claire; Joseph Francis; and Loretta. The children are now receiving their educations.

JOHN CAULFIELD, one of the foremost citizens of Kamlar town- ship, Olmsted county, Minnesota, was born March 29, 1855, in Boone county, Illinois, a son of John and Rosanna (Clark) Caul- field, both natives of Ireland. The father at an early date left the old country and came to America. In 1848 he spent some time in the coal mines of Trumbull county, Ohio, and in 1854 took up his residence in Illinois. He then came to Minnesota, leaving his family in Illinois till he established a home for them in this com- paratively new country, and secured 160 acres of land from the government in Kalmar township, which he cleared and improved and resided on until his death in 1906. He was one of Olmsted county's earliest settlers, and experienced all the trials and hardships of pioneer life, and when he was summoned to the great unknown he left behind many friends to mourn the loss of so good a man and citizen.

John Caulfield, the subject of this review, was educated and reared to early manhood in his adopted state. Both as boy and man he was greatly interested in the welfare of his family, and until fifty years old he remained with his father in whatever under- taking the elder Caulfield engaged in. When his father died, in 1906, he purchased a small tract of land in Kalmar township, this being his first venture in real estate. In politics Mr. Caulfield is a Republican, casting his first vote for the late William Mckinley, and has held many minor township offices, and for several years he was a member of the Kalmar township board. March 28, 1888, he was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel M. Dowell, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and five children have been born to them, as follows: Samuel, born April 13, 1889; Clark, born July 20, 1900; Irwin, born April 1, 1904; Gyla, born August 17, 1907; and Wilbur, born July 11, 1910. Mr. Caulfield has three sons, who, although young in years, are members of the Byron band,

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 56

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

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