USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 62
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and financial support. He is regarded as one of the public-spirited and broad-minded citizens of the county.
DWIGHT TOOGOOD is one of the old settlers and pioneers of this county, and is deserving of special notice for his useful and indus- trious life and his high character as a man and a citizen and old soldier. He was born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, in 1839, his parents being Franklin and Abigail (Lyman) Toogood. His grandfather, Capt. William Toogood, came to this country at the commencement of the Revolution, as a British officer, prepared to assist in quelling the revolutionists, but after being here a short time, and after investigating the claims of the colonies, he sold his com- mission in the British army and enlisted in the Colonial army, and owing to his experience was made drillmaster of the raw recruits. He was actively engaged throughout the entire war, and at the conclusion of peace was complimented in person by General Wash- ington, who declared that his command were the best drilled troops in the Continental army. In recognition of his splendid services, he was granted by Congress, at the end of the war, a patent to 640 acres in Chester Hill, Massachusetts. Both Franklin and Abigail died when Dwight was quite young.
Dwight Toogood spent his early years on the farm assisting in the hard work and attending the district schools when not needed for work. He thus received a common-school education, which he afterward supplemented by experience and reading. In 1855 he came to Olmsted county and worked around by the month and otherwise until 1861, when, the war having broken out, he enlisted as a private under Captain Harkins in the Second Minnesota Infan- try Regiment, at Fort Snelling, and promptly took the field. He was within hearing of the sharp fight of Mill Springs, and when his regiment was engaged in the battle of Shiloh he was sick in the hospital and was discharged at Pittsburg Landing in the spring of 1862 for total disability. He came home broken in health, but not in spirit or patriotism or love of his country and the old flag. With the blood of the Revolutionary heroes in his veins, he would have gone on to the end of the war waged for the preservation of the Union, had not his health failed him. After the war he bought a tract of forty acres in section 32, Pleasant Grove township, and this he proceeded to clear off and render habitable and comfortable. He now owns a fine home with good buildings and equipments. He is well known and has the respect of everybody. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Williams, of Essex county, New York, whose parents were pioneer settlers of Mower county, Minne- sota. To Mr. and Mrs. Toogood the following children have been born : Jessie, Effie, Nettie, Dora, Lyman and Merritt. Mr. Toogood . has been prominent in the affairs of the neighborhood. He is past
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trustee of Pleasant Grove Methodist church. He is a Republican with strong county option conviction. He is a member of the G. A. R. and has served as school director. In many other ways he has shown his good citizenship and his sound judgment and high character.
NICK SMITH was born in Richland county, Wisconsin, May 28, 1868. In youth he assisted his father on the farm and during the winters secured a common-school education at the district schools. His father, Henry James Smith, was born in 1818, in the State of New York, and after a useful and honorable life, passed away in 1878. The mother, who was formerly Miss Melissa Thompson, was also a native of New York. To the marriage of this couple the following children were born : Ezra, now at Byron; Walter, of this township; Mrs. Alice Hicks, residing in Wisconsin; Pomeroy, residing at Byron; William, residing in Wisconsin; Mrs. Mary Robinson, of Montana; Andrew, of Minneapolis; Mrs. Martha Morrow, of Minneapolis; Nick, the subject of this review; Grant, of Richland, Wisconsin; Alta, in Madison, Wisconsin. Nick, of this fine family, came to Viola township in 1887, and here he has resided ever since. He owns forty acres of excellent land, all well improved and under a fine state of tilth. He is living on Z. T. New- sham's farm. The entire place is equipped with everything modern, and is one of the best in this part of the county. Soon after reach- ing manhood Mr. Smith married Miss Clara Newsham, of this town- ship, the daughter of Z. T. and Jane (Collins) Newsham, and they have the following children : Irwin, born April 7, 1895; Noal T., born July 4, 1897; Richard, died in infancy ; Helen V., born Febru- ary 9, 1901. Mr. Smith is a Republican and has served as constable and as clerk of the school board. He and wife are members of the Methodist church at Viola. He is a member of the M. W. A. at Viola and of the Masonic order at Elgin.
GEORGE STOPPEL was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November II, 1813, and in youth was given a good education at the common schools. When he was about seventeen years old he was apprenticed to his uncle for three years to learn the cooper's trade and in due time completed the same. About this time he attained his majority and for one year worked at his trade in Switzerland and also for the next thirteen years continued to work at his trade in France. In early life he was a Catholic, but while in France he began to think along independent religious lines, and in the end could not accept the doctrines of the Catholic faith. During much of his life after- ward he continued to think independent on nearly all subjects; in fact, had a mind of his own, and used it. In 1848 he came to Amer- ica, and after forty-one days in a sailing vessel on the ocean, landed
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at Castle Garden, New York. He first went to Rochester, New York, where he worked on a farm for one year. He then went to Cincinnati, where his brother, Frank Joseph, had gone one year before, and there worked at the cooper's trade for seven years, or until 1856, when both brothers came to Olmsted county and each pre-empted a quarter section in Rochester township, that taken up by George lying wholly within section 4, and that of Frank J. adjoining his brother's tract. George immediately began to improve the place and when the land came into market paid the government price of $200 for the 160 acres, or $1.25 per acre. After about ten years he bought an adjoining eighty acres, thus giving him a fine farm of 240 acres, which, as the years passed, he put under a high state of cultivation and erected excellent buildings of all kinds, and bought implements needed on an up-to-date and modern farm. Mr. Stop- pel was industrious, intelligent and honest, and under all circum- stances was enterprising and high-minded. He was at first a Repub- lican, but later became a Democrat, though in politics, as in religion, he was critical, far-seeing and independent. He held several of the township offices with credit. After a busy, clean and useful life, he passed away November 29, 1897, and was lamented by a large circle of friends who appreciated his sterling worth during life. While at Cincinnati in his younger days he married Mary Faber, on December 25, 1849, and they became the parents of four children, as follows : Louis, George, Jr., Louisa and Fred. Louis and Louisa are de- ceased. George, Jr., resides in Rochester. Fred, after reaching manhood, worked six years for his father and then took charge of the old homestead, the father retiring. Fred is now the owner of the old home place, which he rents. He resides in Rochester.
LEROY A. GREENWOOD, one of the progressive men of Olmsted county, was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Stephen and Louisa M. (Buck) Greenwood, and a grandson of James and Betsy (Rice) Greenwood. Stephen Greenwood became a resident of Minnesota in December, 1859, coming here from Marquette county, Wisconsin, and purchasing one-half of section 31, in Farmington township .. His industry and enterprise made him one of the foremost men of the day. Leroy A. Greenwood followed the occupation of a farmer, as did his father before him. He was brought to Olmsted county by his parents when a very small boy, and here grew to manhood, assisting his parents and attending the district schools. He took an active interest in public affairs and in all that promoted the general welfare and improvement of the community. He married Miss Elizabeth Healey, of La Grange county, Indiana, a daughter of William and Jane Healey, who were natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood affiliated with the Presbyterian church, at Roches- ter. Two of their sons, Arthur Lee and Ray S., are the only sur-
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vivors of four children, and each is the owner of eighty acres located on section 28, Cascade township. Ray S. married, on December 15, 1909, Miss Louisa Clemens, of Rochester. The Greenwood brothers represent fully the better class of the younger men of Olmsted county, and thus carry with them the example left by their father and grandfather. Both are Republicans and are identified with the Presbyterian church.
CHARLES W. HUGHES is a native of Eyota township and was born January 26, 1874, being a son of John and Harriet (Neal) Hughes, who were born in Wales and England, respectively. Both families-the Neals and the Hughes-came to the United States at an early day, and settled first in Ohio. John and Harriet Hughes came to Olmsted county in 1854, and were thus among the very first settlers. They became well known and enjoyed the respect and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Mrs. Susan Lloyd, residing in Eyota township; John, who died in 1889; Frank, who married Grace House and resides in Eyota, Minnesota; Mary and Harriet live at Waterloo, Iowa; Charles W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Clara Matteson, who resides in Eyota village; Mrs. Effie Johnke, who resides in Elizabeth, Colorado; Mrs. Annie Seymour, who resides in this state; Ella, who resides in Eyota, and Cora, who also resides in Eyota. When Charles W. was eighteen years old he engaged in farming on his own account, and this occupation he has continued down to the present time. He has steadily forged ahead until he now has a fine property, all well improved, with good buildings and other farm equipment. He is modern and scientific in all his farm movements. He owns 325 acres and carries on operations on a large scale. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is making money. He is a Mason and in politics is a Republican. He was township assessor for three years. On January 3, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice May, the daughter of William and Henrietta (Carl) Bear, and they have the following children : John William, born January 15, 1903; Charles Max, born January 19, 1908. William Bear, father of Mrs. Hughes, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1837, and is a son of Henry and Cath- erine (Kesler) Bear. Henry and Catherine came to Olmsted county in 1854 and resided here until 1893, when Henry died at the age of seventy-nine years. Henry had the following brothers and sis- ters : Jacob, Catherine, Samuel, John, Joseph, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Nancy, Barbara. The grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Bricker) Bear, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but re- moved to Ohio, where they were pioneers. The grandparents, Adam and Catherine Bricker, were natives of New York, and also pioneers of Ohio. Samuel Bear was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1859
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William Bear married Miss Henrietta Carl, daughter of Hiram and Susanna (Bodkin) Carl, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and came to Olmsted county in 1877. William and Henrietta had the following children: William, who married Fannie Mattison, and resides at Los Angeles, California, has two children, Henrietta and Grace; Hiram married Miss Minnie Smith, and resides in St. Charles; George died in infancy; John Burt married and resides in Oklahoma, has four children-Alice, William, Amy and Marguer- ite; Mrs. Charles W. Hughes, residing in Eyota township. Mrs. William Bear died March 8, 1898. Mr. Bear is one of the old pioneers and prominent settlers and citizens of the county.
HALVOR STEENE, now residing in Rochester, was born in Kragro, Norway, July 21, 1883, the son of Jens B. and Anna Steene. The father was originally a teaming contractor in the old country, but upon coming to America engaged in farming, and owns a fine farm at the present time in Mitchell county, Iowa. His son, Halvor, the immediate subject of this review, received a portion of his education in the public schools of Norway, and after coming with his parents to the United States in 1893, finished his schooling in the land of his adoption. Early in life he decided to follow farming, and for seven or eight years engaged in that line of business, but subse- quently embarked in the cement business in Kasson, Dodge county, Minnesota, and continued thus for a period of three years. The suc- ceeding two years were spent in the employ of K. K. Dryland and Peter Anderson, buffet proprietors of Kasson, Minnesota, and then Mr. Steene came to Rochester, where he purchased the establish- ment of Peter Rasmussen, and has been successfully engaged ever since on Third street, between Broadway and Main. Mr. Steene takes great delight in his social relations with his fellowmen, and as such is identified with the Sons of Norway, Redmen, Eagles, of which he is a past president; Commercial Club, Loyal Liberty League of Minnesota, being the present secretary of that organiza- tion. He also is an enthusiastic member of the Gun and Automobile clubs of Rochester, and owns a fine car, in which he does a great deal of touring. July 25, 1906, he was married to Miss Ruby Lee, daughter of Eric and Anna Lee, of Dodge county, and to them have been born Eres Janet, July 5, 1907, and Lee Joseph, May 12, 1909. Mr. Steene is independent in his political views and is a member of the Lutheran church.
ALBERT F. ENGEL was born October 3, 1875, and is a son of John G. and Catherine Engel. The family were early settlers in this portion of the state, and here the present generation grew up and received such education as the old-time schools afforded. The father of subject served in the Union army. He was born December
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24, 1833, in Switzerland, and came to this country when about twelve years old, with his parents. They settled on a farm near Dubuque, Iowa, where they lived for several years. In 1854 they came to Minnesota, and settled on the farm in High Forest town- ship, Olmsted county, where he afterward resided. He enlisted in the Union army February 23, 1864, and was mustered out May 18, 1865, having served his time as nurse in the hospitals at different places. He died May 1, 1907. He was married in March, 1856, to Catherina Engel, and to them were born six sons and five daughters, of whom four sons and four daughters are yet living. The mother was born in Switzerland, October 24, 1839, and came to this country when a young girl, with friends. Her parents both died in Switzer- land before she came here. She is living at present with her young- est daughter, at Hamilton, Montana.
George Engel, grandfather of Albert F., was born in Switzerland, May 26, 1809, and Barbara Engel, his wife, was born in the same country, March 19, 1812. They were married in November, 1831, and to them were born three sons and four daughters, of whom one son and three daughters are living. George and Barbara came to Minnesota in 1854; settled in Olmsted county, High Forest town- ship, in the northeast quarter of section 24, where they lived for some time. When his wife died he sold the farm to his son, John G., and afterward made his home with his children at different places. George Engel died November 29, 1884. Barbara Engel died August 31, 1871.
Albert F. grew up on his father's farm, assisting in all kinds of farm work and attending the primitive schools of the neighborhood, and finished his education by taking a course at Darling's Business College at Rochester. After reaching manhood he began to save up a portion of his earnings, and continued to do so until 1907, when he bought his grandfather's old place in section 24, High Forest township, the same consisting of 160 acres of excellent land, all well improved, with good buildings, fences, pens and meadows, etc. Here he has remained ever since. He is unmarried and his sister keeps house for him. He is one of the leading farmers of the county and one of its most progressive and prominent citizens. He takes an active interest in all movements which will be of benefit to the com- munity. He is a member of the Evangelical church and is a Repub- lican in politics. He is unusually well posted on the merits and demerits of horses and cattle, and each year handles many of the finer grades. He is one of the solid and substantial citizens and has the friendship of all who know him.
FREDERICK PETRICH, well known as the "Corn King" of Minne- sota, was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, March 21, 1856, a son of Fred and Amelia ( Wunkauff) Petrich, who were of Prussian
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and German descent, respectively, and who left the old country and located in Wisconsin in 1854. They were farmers by occupation and the father had been unusually successful in that line of industry, both in Prussia and America.
Frederick Petrich, the subject of this memoir, received his educa- tion in the public schools of Minnesota, and engaged in farming in that locality until he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Shef- fler in 1883. He then located at Potsdam, Olmsted county, Minne- sota, and for eighteen years conducted a general merchandise and grain store in Potsdam and Elgin. He then disposed of his interests at Potsdam and Elgin, and rented a farm in Viola township, where he spent three years engaged in farming. His next move was to Rochester township, where he purchased 280 acres of land, and this tract he still owns. Mr. Petrich is what might be termed a "specialty farmer" and "experimenter," and adjoining the city of Rochester he has forty acres which he devotes exclusively to experimental farming. He is known as the "Burbank of Minnesota." He is also a breeder of the famous Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and at the county fair, September, 1909, captured 75 per cent of the prizes for hogs. He also breeds in large numbers the Shrop- shire sheep, and these animals have also brought him many ribbons and prizes at county fairs. Mr. Petrich is at the present time experi- menting extensively in the cultivation of sugar beets, and small fruits and garden products also receive much attention at his hands. He is widely known as the introducer of the Petrich's 1866 Yellow Dent Corn, which he developed and brought to a high state of per- fection, and he, during years in the grain business at Elgin, intro- duced and advertised widely throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas. Last year ( 1909) Mr. Petrich established a Minnesota record by raising seventeen tons of beets from one acre of land. His property is equipped with all modern conveniences, and the location and means for conducting successful expermiments are of the finest. The family resides on the 280 acres adjoining the city of Rochester and the children have had every advantage in education possible. Mr. Petrich, by reason of his numerous experiments toward the bet- terment of the agricultural question, is regarded by all who know him as one of the thorough and up-to-date agriculturists of the Mid- dle Northwest. He is ever ready to help in any enterprise that is for the good of the community and is highly respected by all who know him.
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JOHN STRANGEWAY, one of the venerable pioneers of Olmsted county, was born in Yorkshire, England, February 10, 1830, and is a son of Richard and Grace (Clinton) Strangeway. The father was a carpenter by trade and passed his entire life in the old country, finally passing away in Yorkshire. John, the subject of this review,
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was educated in the schools of his native land and early manhood learned the trade of wheelwright, which he followed until he was fifty years of age. In 1850 he came to the United States and first located in Erie county, Pennsylvania. In 1852 he moved to Illinois, where he remained until 1856, when he came to this county. He located in Marion, Olmsted county, where he bought property and continued to reside until 1891, when he removed permanently to Rochester. He has seen this county grow from primitive wild- ness to a populous, prosperous and happy community, blessed with modern churches, schools and institutions. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Busgan, of Marion township, and to this union the following children were born: William Milton, born April 12, 1861, now in Polk county, Minnesota; Charles, born May 28, 1862, married, 1886, Miss Eva Engle, daughter of Joshua W. and Frances ( Morris) Engle; she was born November 10, 1868, Charles and Eva have Ethel Frances, born August 24, 1890, and is now Mrs. Morris, of Rochester; Grace Luella, born March 13, 1893, yet in school; Roy Ernest, born July 20, 1888, died in 1893. He was the eldest child of Charles and Eva. Charles died in 1893 of typhoid fever, and his widow and daughter reside with John, the father of Charles. Mary Strangeway Morris, born in 1867, now resides at Sisseton, South Dakota. Mrs. John Strangeway passed from this life in Marion township in 1869. John chose for his second wife Mrs. Margaret Dieter, and they have had the following children : Mrs. Grace Kinney, of Rochester, born January, 1876: Mrs. Lillian Maies, born May 27, 1877, resides at Eckman, North Dakota; Mrs. Florence Conaty, born May 5, 1882, resides in Roch- ester. Mr. Strangeway has been independent in politics. He served as school director in Marion township. He is a member of the Methodist church. He owns the old homestead of 130 acres, which he rents; part of it lies in the village of Marion. Mr. Strangeway is well preserved for one of his age. He has the respect of all who know him.
THOMAS DONOVAN was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1827, and is a son of Lawrence and Catherine (Doyle) Donovan, both of whom also were natives of the Emerald Isle. He left the old country in 1849, came to the United States and, after an ex- tended trip over the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, located permanently in Olmsted county, the date being 1855. He was thus among the first settlers of the county. He had saved up consider- able money from his earnings, and soon after his arrival here bought 80 acres in section II, Salem township, to which afterwards was added a tract of 40 acres. He began the cultivation of his 80-acre tract, which had to be cleared and grubbed and turned under by the plow, went to work in earnest, put up a few rude buildings, and
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began to thrive and grow. Mr. Donovan was an unusually indus- trious man, and by hard work accumulated an estate amounting to 800 acres. During his long residence in this county he has ever been among the most prominent citizens and most successful farmers. He has shown excellent business judgment. After he had been here a few years his parents left Ireland and resided with him until their deaths, the father passing away in April, 1877, and the mother in April, 1876. In 1905 Mr. Donovan met with a severe accident, which has crippled him for life, and of late years has divided his estate among his children and is living a retired life. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Heaton, who died in 1881, and to them a family of seven sons and three daughters were born, one of the latter dying in infancy. The boys were James, who died in 1878, John, Lawrence, who died in 1898, Joseph, Thomas, Richard and Peter, and the girls were Katie, who died in 1906, Mary, and the one who died, unnamed, in infancy. In his political views Mr. Donovan is independent, voting for the man rather than the party, and in religion is of the Catholic faith.
FREDERICK D. ROMMEL, for many years engaged in the meat business at Rochester, was born on Franklin street, this city, August 1, 1867, the son of Frederick and Amelia (Frankhauser) Rommel, now residing at 836 Penn street. The parents of Mrs. Rommel settled in Olmsted county in 1856. Frederick D. received his education in the public and high schools of this place, and sub- sequently entered Darling's Business College. The elder Rommel was at that time in the meat business, and after his schooling had been completed Frederick D. learned that trade under his father's tutelage. From 1886 to 1893 they continued the business together, then the son started out on his own account at 315 South Broadway, where he continued successfully until 1909, selling out at that time to H. A. Huney. Mr. Rommel was an extensive buyer of live stock in addition to his regular line, and shipped many head of cattle annually to the Chicago Union Stock Yards. On August 2, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Paulina Gachenheimer, daugh- ter of Henry and Pauline, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and to them the following children, all residing at home, were born: Freda, Henry, Walter and Mabel. The family are communicants of the Universalist church, of which Mr. Rommel is at present trustee. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and, with his wife, the Rebeccas. In his political views he espouses the cause of the Democratic party, has served as alderman from the First ward of Rochester, and is the present candidate of the Democratic party for the office of county auditor. He has been strongly urged to run for this position by his many friends through-
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