USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 57
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and he is proud of their ability in this line. He is a successful farmer, and has a beautiful residence near the Dodge county line.
LUTHER L. McCoy, pioneer resident of Olmsted county, was born in Crete, Illinois, June 8, 1843, the son of Lorenzo and Mary (Ketcham) McCoy. Both parents were of old American families, the father being a native of Erie county, New York, and the mother of Cattaraugus county, that state. In 1856 the family emigrated west and settled on government land in Salem town- ship, Olmsted county, Minnesota, at which time there were but few white settlers in the locality. They set to work with a will, clearing and grubbing, and successfully followed farming until their respective deaths, the father passing away in June, 1883, and the mother on January 2, 1873, and both being buried in Salem township. They were highly regarded by all who knew them as good neighbors and citizens, and were members of the Methodist Church, of which Mr. McCoy was steward a great many years. He was also a Republican on national issues, but strongly in favor of the Prohibition policies in local affairs. Two sons were born to them and named as follows: Luther L. and Andrew C.
The first mentioned acquired his scholastic training in the public schools of Salem township, and remained on the home farm until the Civil war broke out between the North and South. He then, September 2, 1861, enlisted at Rochester in Company K, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command throughout the campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. He became afflicted with malarial fever while in the latter state, and was subsequently sent home for six months' leave of absence. While home his term of service expired, but he again enlisted and served until the close of the war. Part of his service was directed against the Indians of Minnesota and the Dakotas, who were ex- ceedingly troublesome at that time. For many years Mr. McCoy has been a member of the G. A. R., and he has been delegate to eight national encampments. He is a staunch Republican in politics and has served his party as delegate to various conventions. In 1873 he was married to Miss Martha Lurena Luce, daughter of John and Sarah (Smith) Luce. She was born in Chautauqua county, New York, January 20, and to them the following named children were born: Ada, August 13, 1874, drowned when four years and eight months old; Amy, April 21, 1876, deceased, mar- ried J. V. Vail, and had four children; Myrtle May, July 15, 1878, Mrs. Bitner Napoleon, of North Dakota; Ernest James, June 12, 1880, farmer of Cascade township; Mabel Ann, January 4, 1882, Mrs. Paulson, of Rochester; and Ira Clark, November 6, 1886, now taking a course in electrical engineering at the State University of Minnesota. Mr. McCoy recently disposed of all of his estate
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save 50 acres, which he rents, and is now living a retired life in Rochester. Mrs. McCoy is a member of the Christian Church and is prominent in the Ladies' Aid Society of that organization. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are among the best of the county's people, and take great delight in their grandchildren, to whom their home is always open.
WILLIAM BOYD WEBSTER was one of the earliest settlers of Olmsted county, Minnesota, coming here at a time when the county had scarcely felt the civilizing influence of axe, plough or spade. He was born July 6, 1809, in Maine, a son of Daniel Webster, a cousin of the celebrated statesman of that name, and Elizabeth Boyd. He was brought up to farming and lumbering, and on December 14, 1836, was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Hobbes, who was also a native.of Maine. In 1842 he emigrated west to Will county, Illinois, and from there, in June, 1855, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and preempted a claim on Greenwood Prairie, in Oronoco township. He here, with his wife and children, participated in the transition of Olmsted county from a frontier settlement to well tilled farms, comfortable homes, with good school and church privileges. Mr. Webster served as a mem- ber of the town board for several years after its organization, and also in subsequent years. He and wife were devout members of the Baptist church, and were the parents of six children: Mary E., Daniel D., William Henry, John E., Martha J. and Andrew. Mr. Webster died in 1892, preceded by his wife in 1882.
John E. Webster, son of William B. and Hannah (Hobbes) Webster, was born ten miles from Joliet, in Will county, Illinois, December 3, 1847, and was but a lad eight years old when he was brought to this county by his parents. His education was such as was afforded by the district schools of that early period, and when old enough he assisted in the work of the home farm. During the Civil war he enlisted his services as a member of Company G, First Minnesota Infantry, in the roster known as First Battalion, and was stationed at Washington at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln. He was on police duty below Richmond, Virginia, and participated in the Grand Review at Washington, then was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he was mustered out. Returning to Olmsted county, he was engaged in farming and operating a threshing machine several years, then bought his present place, on which he has since resided. In 1882 he married Miss Clara Fisher, who was born in Minnesota November 1, 1865, a daughter of Albert and Caroline Fisher, old residents of Wabasha county, Minnesota, and to them seven chil- dren have been born, two dying in infancy, the remaining ones as follows: Frank E., November 9, 1885; Clarence A., August 24,
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1888; Mabel M., February 17, 1890; Mary C., March 5, 1899; Glenn E., January 5, 1902. Mr. Webster owns a 280-acre farm which he devotes to the cultivation of grain, the raising of live stock and dairying. He is a Republican, has served as assessor and. supervisor a number of terms, attends Wesleyan Methodist Church and is a member of the Custer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Rochester.
MARTIN KIEFER, long a resident of Olmsted county, was born in Baden, Germany, January 3, 1836, the son of Frederick and Caroline Kiefer, who were also natives of that country. In March, 1846, the family immigrated to America, and landed in Milwaukee May 1, 1846, near where the father bought a farm and engaged in farming and stock-raising many years. Martin Kiefer's schooling was limited to about three months in the public schools, but he has since read widely on the various topics of the day and has entirely mastered the English tongue. In 1866 he came to Olmsted county and purchased the Alex Holladay farm of eighty acres in Marion township, where he continued to reside until his removal to the city of Rochester nineteen years ago. This original tract was subsequently increased to 240 acres, but in comparatively recent years he has disposed of all. On February 3, 1862, Mr. Kiefer enlisted for the preservation of the Union in Company K, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the fighting at Iuka, Corinth, Siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, etc., and, owing to a wound sustained in the arm at the first named battle, was disabled for duty a short time. He subsequently, on March 21, 1864, reënlisted in his own command and served until honor- ably discharged, on August 3, 1865, after which he returned home and resumed farming. He is an independent Republican in his political views, was school treasurer of Marion township eight years, supervisor one term, and is a devout member of the Catholic Church. For two years he was engaged in the machinery business at Rochester with Swenson & Company, but later retired. He is a member of the G. A. R., the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor and St. Joseph's Society. May 23, 1859, at Winona, Minnesota, he was married to Miss Dorathea Bach, born November 18, 1841, the daughter of Frederick and Catherine Bach, and to them these children were born: Joseph Charles, July 27, 1860, resides in the town of Wilson, Winona county; Adaline Matilda, July 8, 1865, at Indianapolis, since died, September 10, 1910, the wife of William Landers, of Spokane, Washington, buried St. John's cemetery, Rochester, leaving two sons, Harold and Martin; Bertha, Mrs. Archie Fitch, June 24, 1868, died Sep- tember 23, 1905, buried in St. John's cemetery, Rochester, had two daughters, Adaline and Grace; Frank William, October 9,
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1869, farming in Olmsted county ; George Henry, October 9, 1871, farmer of Burlington, Colorado; Edith Maria, July 8, 1873, now Mrs. Frank Fakler, of Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer also adopted one child, Albert Quick (Kiefer), whose parents were killed in the cyclone of 1883. Mrs. Kiefer contracted a cancer the latter days of her life, and after an operation passed away on July 20, 1893, and was buried in St. John's cemetery, Rochester. Mr. Kiefer subsequently married, October 11, 1905, Miss Nellie M. Fletcher, daughter of W. H. and Louisa J. Fletcher, who was born in Wisconsin June 1, 1860. Her father died when she was but three years old, and the mother later married Robert Quinn, of Winnebago, Minnesota, and died May 19, 1906, in Hoquiam, Washington.
PATRICK DELANEY has for years been actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Marion township, Olmsted county. He was born in Ireland, March 22, 1850, a son of John and Mary Delaney, both of whom were also natives of that country. The father came to America at an early date and bought a farm of 120 acres in Marion township, upon which he and wife lived hap- pily together until death overtook them. Eleven children, five sons and six daughters, were born to them, all in the old country, and all were devout members of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics the father was a life-long Democrat, and when he passed away at his home in Marion township was greatly respected and esteemed as a good man and citizen.
Early in life Patrick Delaney, the immediate subject of this memoir, came to America with one of his sisters, and settled in Olmsted county. He was then fourteen years old, and by the time he had reached the age of seventeen was enabled, from his earnings and savings, to purchase a piece of land consisting of 120 acres. This he developed and cultivated, and, as his means per- mitted, added to, until he became the owner of about 400 acres of fine farm land. About 300 acres of this he himself broke and cleared, and the improvements since added have made it one of the best pieces of farm land in the county. Three years after Pat- rick Delaney settled here, the father immigrated to America, and also came to Olmsted county in search of home and fortune. How well they succeeded in acquiring both may be readily ascertained by the amount of valuable property now owned by the family. On November 12, 1878, Patrick Delaney was married to Miss Ann Campion, daughter of James and Nora (Lawler) Campion, one of the oldest and best families in the history of Olmsted county, and to them have been born John, Martin, James, Nora Coleman and Mary Mahan. Mr. Delaney and family are members of the
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Catholic Church, and he is actively interested in the welfare of the Democratic party in Olmsted county.
HERMAN FROST, prominently identified with the farming, stock-raising and dairying interests of New Haven township, Olmsted county, was born October 3, 1854, in Tioga county, New York, the son of Charles Solomon and Anna E. Frost. His parents came to Olmsted county from New York state in the fall of 1855 and were among the earliest of the pioneers here. After living near Rochester for a time they came to New Haven township and, preempted the land from the government which now comprises the "Frost" farm. The father, who was a native of New York state, his birth occurring early in the nineteenth century, resided on the old homestead until his death, on June 29, 1895. He was highly regarded for his many sterling qualities of mind and character. To him and wife the following children were born: John, February II, 1845, now in Waseago, Minnesota; Burt, June 1, 1850, farm- ing in New Haven township; Frank, December 9, 1851; Herman, October 3, 1854, our subject; Mary Elizabeth Simmons, November 15, 1857, resides in Olmsted county; William Henry, 1861, died November 10, 1862; Charles A., died April 6, 1864; Samuel F., died October 6, 1862. Mrs. Frost passed away on March 30, 1877. Of the above named children, Herman was educated and reared to manhood in Olmsted county. In 1883 he was married to Amanda A. Harvey, who was born in Ohio, in August, 1859, the daughter of Willis and Harriet O. (Smith) Harvey, who came to Dodge county, Minnesota, in the fall of 1854, and continued to reside there until Mr. Harvey's death. Then Mrs. Harvey took up her residence with her children in South Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Frost these children have been born: Hattie Eliza- beth, October 13, 1886, now Mrs. R. Brintnell, of Van Meter, South Dakota; Charles Harvey, November 19, 1892, at home; Sidney Orin, May 16, 1897, at home; and Mary Isabelle, August 31, 1900, also at home. The Frost family are communicants of the Baptist Church. Mr. Frost, although nationally a Prohibi- tionist, affiliates with the Republican party in local affairs. For years he served as a member of the school board of New Haven township and was for some time a justice of the peace and member of the Olmsted County School Fair. He owns a fine farm of 295 acres, of which about 220 acres are under cultivation, and is actively engaged in farming, dairying and stock raising. He is also a breeder of thoroughbred hogs. Mr. Frost is a remarkably well- read man, and takes an active interest in the administration of .county affairs, devoting some considerable time to the Prohibi- tion question, on which he is thoroughly posted. Both the Frost and Harvey families came originally from England, and certain
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members of both served the Colonial cause in the Revolutionary war. Burt Frost, residing with his brother, is an enthusiastic horseman, and is the owner of several fast trotters.
JAMES HARVEY, who came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1862, was a man of sterling character and worth and a credit to the county. He was born in Marlboro, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, December 8, 1810, and was there educated in the public schools and grew to manhood. He was twice married, first to Emily Fisk, on May 3, 1838, by whom he became the father of three children, named: Emma, born April 28, 1839; Alphonso H., born March 29, 1841, and James F., born July 25, 1844. The mother was born in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, May 12, 1812, and died August 28, 1844. On December 12, 1844, Mr. Harvey married Dorothy M. Gates, daughter of Winsor and Esther (Converse) Gates, and to them were born the following children : George Kimber, born November 14, 1848; Ella Augusta, born August 27, 1851, died October 6, 1852; Charles Gates, born Janu- ary 3, 1854, died July 6, 1896; Fred Gilman, born December 2, 1856; Edwin Baxter, born May 25, 1859; Willis Waldo, born May 14, 1863: Clara Rosina, born October 7, 1866; and Silas Walter, born December 17, 1869. In the early fifties Mr. Harvey and family moved to Wisconsin and settled in Green Lake county, but in 1862 removed to Olmsted county, and this was the home of the parents until their respective deaths. Mr. Harvey died August II, 1877, and Mrs. Harvey on May 26, 1900. They were honest, law-abiding people, and commanded universal respect. John Har- vey came to Taunton, Massachusetts, from England, in 1758, and he was the progenitor of the family in this country. A son of his, Kimber Harvey, was the father of James Harvey.
Fred Gilman Harvey, a son of James Harvey, is a native of Green Lake county. Wisconsin, and was reared to manhood in Olmsted county, Minnesota, receiving his education in the public schools. He resided with his parents until attaining his majority, then farmed on rented land for several years. His first land was bought from Harvey Dodge, and this he has increased by the pur- chase of the Warner farm, and now he is the owner of 316 acres of the best soil in Farmington township. He devotes his time exclusively to general farming, stock raising and dairying. In 1883 he married Emily S. Robinson, born in Missouri, October 18, 1858. Mrs. Harvey's father was a soldier in the Civil war, and lost his life in that conflict. Her mother was Nancy Flenner, of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born these children : Inez Augusta, the wife of Dr. C. E. Gates, of Goodhue county, Minnesota; Eva Winifred, a trained nurse in St. Paul; and Sidney Elmo. The Harvey family are Methodists in religion. Mr. Har-
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vey is independent in his political actions, and has served on the Farmington town board as supervisor and on the school board for a number of years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
FRED JONES was born in Kalmar township, Olmsted county, February 4, 1865, and is a child of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mur- dent ) Jones, who were early settlers of this county. The father was a native of England, but at the age of twenty-two years crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States, and first located on a tract of eighty acres in section 16, Kalmar township. He afterward increased his holdings until at the time of his death he owned a total of 160 acres of excellent, well-improved land. He became well known throughout the county, and was regarded as one of the best farmers and one of the most useful citizens. He was twice married, and had by his first wife a family of eight children -James, George, Thomas, John, Willie, Charles, Fred, and Sarah. By his second marriage he had seven children-Lilly, Lura (de- ceased ), Dinah, Pearl, Julia, Arthur (deceased), Roy (deceased ). Fred was reared on his father's farm and was educated at the old log school house near the home place. He remained with his par- ents until he was 21 years old, and afterwards lived more or less with his father until the death of the latter. During all this time he steadily added to his worldly possessions, until he acquired a handsome property. On May 11, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Babcock, and to this union seven children were born, five of whom are now living, as follows: Metta, born Sep- tember 5, 1887; Ray, born September 24, 1888; Amber, born April 3, 1890; Elsie, born June 10, 1891 ; Willis, born February 20, 1895. Ray has started out for himself and is now in Motana, and has a claim near Glendive. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are in comfortable circum- stances and happy in the excellent home life they are leading. Mr. Jones is a Republican, but does not take a pominent part in politics.
PETER J. KEFFE is a son of Michael and Catherine Keefe and at present is residing on a farm of 160 acres in Section 14, Elmira township, postoffice Chatfield, Route 5. The father came to this county from Wisconsin in 1865 and bought a tract in Elmira town- ship, and here he passed the remainder of his days. He built up a large property and left an excellent reputation. He passed away April 25, 1910, but his widow is still living. She was formerly Miss Catherine Healy, and they were married in January, 1873. Michael was one of the leading farmers of this part of the county, and was prominent in local public affairs. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and passed a life of merit and honor.
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His son, Peter J., was born February 17, 1878, on the old farm, and when in his boyhood attended the district schools and assisted his parents on the farm. Here he has passed the years until the present time engaged in the duties of the farm. He is now well known and prominent in the community and a credit to the name he bears. His mother was born in Ireland and was brought to Canada when she was six years old by her parents. After a few years they came to this county. Michael and Catherine had eight children, as follows: Mary Agnes, who married Niel McGrand and died February 11, 1902; Catherine L., who died in 1901 ; Pat- rick, who died January 20, 1908; John F., a farmer at Lemon, South Dakota; and Bridget Margaret, who married Jerry Creed, a real estate broker of Rochester. Catherine is now rearing a little grandson, Francis Clifford McGrand. (See elsewhere for more about the Keefes. )
WILLIAM F. WHITCOMB, one of Kalmar township's successful farmers and highly respected citizens, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, December 25, 1848, a son of Ira S. and Cynthia A. (Woodin) Whitcomb, both of whom were natives of the state of Illinois. By occupation the father was a carpenter and miller, and when war was declared between the North and South he en- listed with the boys in blue in Company H, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee. After participating in the memorable battles and campaigns of the struggle he was honorably discharged in 1865; and immediately returned to home and family in Minnesota. In 1855 he came to Olmsted county, located in Kalmar township, and resided there until his death, in 1900. He left an estate of 120 acres to his wife and family, which is now under the able man- agement of William F. The elder Whitcomb was a man greatly loved and respected wherever known, and when death halted his career in 1900 many friends and relatives mourned the loss of so good a friend. He was a staunch Republican in his political views, and for forty years was a member of the Methodist Church. To him and wife ten children, five sons and five daughters, were born, William F., our subject, being the oldest of the family. Up to his seventeenth year the latter attended the common schools, and then he took an active part in the work of the home place. He early acquired eighty acres on section 29, Kalmar township, but con- tinued to reside under the paternal roof. He and mother, a kind- hearted old lady, who was born November 24, 1827, are now con- ducting the affairs of the estate, and under their able management it has become one of the finest in the community. November 9. 1889, Mr. Whitcomb was married to Miss Anna Paulson, of Rochester, and four children were born to them, as follows: Mable.
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born April 21, 1890; Clifford T., born June 8, 1892; William Ira, born May 30, 1894; and Albert Henry, born January 14, 1900. Mr. Whitcomb is a member of Byron Lodge No. 135, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of the World, the Yeomen of America, and is highly respected in the community.
JOHN DEMPSEY's parents, Anthony and Maria, were natives of Ireland, where they grew up, were educated, married and lived until June, 1852, when they came to this country and landed at New York, but came direct to Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. There Anthony worked on the North-Western railway until 1863, when he came to Olmsted county and bought first forty acres of wild land. Later he bought another tract of forty acres. All of this he held and improved until 1871, when he sold out and bought his present farm of 280 acres on section 16, Elmira township. The country was very wild when he first came here, and he was com- pelled to endure many hardships and privations before his home was convenient and comfortable. All here-barns, fences, fields and meadows, houses and sheds, etc., are the result of his own labor and judgment up to the time of his death, January 21, 1899. He was prominent and occupied a number of official positions with fidelity and honor.
John Dempsey, his son, was born in Oak Creek, near Milwaukee, called now South Milwaukee, September 7, 1861, and in youth attended the district school, continuing this course until he was nineteen years old, and in the meantime assisting his father on the farm. He was yet a baby when his parents came to this county, and therefore all his conscious life has been passed in this vicinity. He is now one of the well informed and prosperous farmers of the county, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. At all times, when called upon, he has performed the duties of a citizen. He has served as supervisor and as clerk of the board of education. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Chatfield, and of the A. U. W. On January 14, 1890, he married at Chatfield Miss Anna Ellis, daughter of Thomas and Mary, prominent farmers of Fillmore county. They have the following children: Ethel Maria, now educating herself at Winona ; William Sylvester, with his parents; Loretta ; and Elizabeth, the latter being only three years old. Mr. Dempsey does general farming, and has on hand 60 head of cattle, 1I work horses, 100 swine, and other stock. His father, Anthony, left three brothers and one sister: Michael, John, Patrick and Ellen. Patrick is now living with John, the subject of this sketch.
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