History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 64

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

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He has served as a member of the town board for eleven years, of which he served as chairman for five years. He is up-to-date and progressive in his views and operations. On August 15, 1894, he was joined in marriage with Miss Martha Lee, whose parents were pioneer settlers in this portion of the county. Eight children were born to this marriage: Cora A., born May 29, 1896; Leonard R., born March 13, 1898, died in infancy; Anna C., born January 14, 1900; Delia M., born October 8, 1901 ; Lillian L., born November 25, 1905; Louise, born November 18, 1907; Victor N., born Octo- ber 19, 1909. This is one of the educated and refined homes of the county.

R. A. STARMER is one of nine children born to the marriage of Robert and Elizabeth Starmer, who came from New York to Wis- consin in 1860 and there remained one year. In 1861 they came to High Forest township, Olmsted county, and bought 80 acres in section 35, and this place became their permanent home. The coun- try was very new when they arrived, and they suffered all the priva- tions incident to pioneer times. But they were industrious and de- termined to get ahead and rear their children to lives of intelligence, usefulness and honor. In time they became well-to-do and were well known and very highly regarded by all who were acquainted with them. The father passed away August 10, 1905, and was laid at rest in Oak Lawn cemetery, Rochester. At the time of his death he was the owner of 400 acres of excellent farm land, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings, and modern machinery, etc. His widow Elizabeth is now residing in Stewartville. Their son R. A., the subject of this review, spent his youth in getting a common school education and in assisting his parents on the home farm. In. 1892 he began for himself by rent- ing his father's farm, and at his father's death inherited 100 acres of the old place. This he is farming at the present time. On Sep- tember 23, 1894. he married Miss Ella Espenstheid, whose parents were pioneer settlers of Mower county, and to this union the fol- lowing family were born: Neil D., born November 27, 1896; Errol P., born March 13, 1898; Beatrice M., born March 8, 1900; Robert J., born June 7, 1902. Mr. Starmer is a Republican, and has served as school clerk and as township treasurer. He is a trustee of the Congregational church, a steward of the Masons, and advisor of the M. W. of A. He is also a member of the Grange. He owns stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Stewartville. Mr. Star- mer is wide awake, enterprising and public spirited. He encourages all praiseworthy movements.

C. H. OSTROM is one of the progressive farmers of Olmsted county, of which he has been a resident since the age of seven years.

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He was born April 13, 1860, in the state of New York, and is a son of William and Louise (Grinman) Ostrom. Both parents were natives of New York state, but were married in Wisconsin. They came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1867, and were engaged in farming until 1898, when they removed to the city of Rochester, and have since made that place their home. C. H. Ostrom received his education in the district schools and, since attaining manhood, has always been a farmer in Farmington township. His original farm contained only 90 acres, but by purchase, the last being in 1910, he has increased his real estate until he is now the owner of 200 acres of the best land in Farmington township. Mr. Ostrom is not con- tent to farm as did his forefathers, but is of that class who use the intelligent, progressive methods of modern times. Aside from the cultivation of his land he raises stock, Durham cattle being his specialty. While he takes an active interest in public matters, he has invariably declined to hold office, wisely preferring to confine his attention to the independent life of farming and stock raising. On September 25, 1882, he married Miss Cecelia Haggen, who was born at Warsaw, New York, March 16, 1864, the daughter of Chris and Mary (Carren) Haggen. Mrs. Ostrom's father was a native of Germany, and a Lutheran in religion; her mother was a native of Rochester, New York, and a Catholic in religion. They came to Wabasha county, Minnesota, in 1866, and there the mother now resides. The following named children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ostrom: Claude, April 25, 1885; Grace Della, March 18, 1887; Olive Myrtle, February 13, 1890, and Lura Blanche, Novem- ber 21, 1900. Mrs. Ostrom is a member of the Methodist church; Mr. Ostrom is a Republican in politics, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and was one of the organizers of the Ringe Co-operative Creamery Company.

DR. HORACE H. WITHERSTINE is personally, perhaps, the most widely known man in Olmsted county, by reason of his many years of medical practice and his prominence in politics. He is a native of Herkimer, New York, born April 14, 1852, a son of David and Margaret (Petrie) Witherstine. He is of German ancestry on both sides of the family, but his paternal grandfather served the colonies in the seven years of war which resulted in independence, and his maternal grandfather was a surgeon during that conflict. David Witherstine passed his life as a farmer and a newspaper writer, and he and wife were the parents of five children : Charles, deceased; Horace H .; William, a lawyer at Herkimer, New York; Margaret and Martha.

The early life of Doctor Witherstine was passed on a farm in at- tendance at the district schools and in taking a preparatory collegiate course at Fairfield Academy. For ten years he taught shcool, but

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in 1882 began the study of medicine and after a course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, was graduated in 1886. Possibly Doctor Witherstine inherited a liking for the practice of medicine from his maternal grandfather; at any rate his career as a practioner has been a most successful one, and thousands throughout Olmsted county have been benefitted by his ministrations. He is a member of the Olmsted County Medical Society, the Southern Minnesota Med- ical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. In many ways Doctor Witherstine has achieved distinction. In politics he is a Democrat, and for five terms was mayor of Rochester. He was a member of the school board when he was elected state senator in 1902, and upon the expi- ration of his term in this office four years later he was re-elected, serving continuously eight years. As a member of the state senate Doctor Witherstine took high rank among the many able men con- stituting the upper house of the state legislature. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Rochester, and also be- longs to Rochester Lodge No. 21, A. F. and A. M., Halcyon Chap- ter No. 8, R. A. M., Home Commandery No. 5, K. T. and Osman Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. at St. Paul. To his marriage with Miss Amelia P. Hatfield, of Dover, Minnesota, solemnized in 1880, four children have been born, named William H., Clarence V., Glenn S. and Lela M. The family attend divine worship at the Congrega- tional church.

ANDREW PETERS was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in May. 1826, and came to America in 1850. For three years he remained in New York state, engaged in farming, but in 1853 came West to Wisconsin, rented land there and resumed farming operations. By this time he had saved considerable means, and accordingly, wishing to have a permanent home of his own, he came to Olmsted county and took up a tract of land in section 33, Rock Dell township. The patent was signed by Abraham Lincoln, and there has been no transfer since. Andrew worked this farm for a number of years, but finally moved to Rochester where he was engaged at the car- penter trade, having rented his land. He was while on the farm one of the first breeders of Short Horn cattle in the county, but took no pains to register the animals. At the time of his death, March 10, 1908, he was the owner of considerable land in this township. besides valuable lots in Rochester. The old place was willed to his son George A. Andrew Peters was a member of the St. John's Catholic church at Rochester, and was a man of more than ordinary independence of character and ability. His wife, to whom he was married May 8, 1866, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Norton, whose parents were among the first settlers of Rochester. She died in 1904 and lies buried by her husband's side in the family cemetery

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lot at Rochester. To this worthy couple the following children were born: Paul H., born February 14, 1867, now in the commission business at Minneapolis; Mary B., born April 26, 1869, married Charles Roeder, a farmer of High Forest township; George A., born September 24, 1870, was educated in the schools of Rochester and district school. He inherited his present property from his father and is now conducting the farm profitably and actively. He is one of the most outspoken and prominent citizens in the county. He was formerly a Democrat, but changed to the Republican party when the former declared for free silver at the ratio of 16 to I. He has been chairman of the town board for a number of years, and has been a member of the board for eleven years. He is president and a director of the Zumbro Creamery Company; also a director of the Farmers' Lumber Company at Hatfield; also a member of the board of auditors of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Stewart- ville; also agent for the Farmers' Insurance Company of Rochester for Rock Dell township. He is an active member of St. Bernard church at Stewartville. On January 30, 1901, he wedded Miss Emma Juelson, whose parents were pioneers of this county, and to this union three children have been born, as follows: Clarice, born July 2, 1902; Inez, born April 1, 1904; Andrew, born April 26, 1906, who died in infancy.

ANNIE O'NEILL, widow of Patrick O'Neill, is now residing on a farm of about 100 acres in section 28, Orion township. She is the daughter of Patrick and Ann Harrington, both of whom were of Irish lineage. She is now 58 years old, and remarkably well preserved. Her life has been a happy one as a whole. She knew her husband before coming to this county. She came to America in 1870 and was married in Lathrop, Pennsylvania, and lived in that state five or six years, and then in 1880 she and her husband went to St. Louis. Patrick O'Neill, her husband, was a native of Ireland, and was the son of Patrick and Nora. When they were living in St. Louis he left his wife there and came to Olmsted county and secured work and finally rented a place which he conducted suc- cessfully and soon was able to buy a tract of 40 acres, which was the nucleus of their final home. The second year Annie joined her husband in this county, and ever afterward they lived happily to- gether. They labored together and in the end added to their worldly possessions until they had accumulated the fine farm now occupied by Annie. Both were educated in Ireland and crossed the ocean in the same vessel. Patrick O'Neill was a man of more than ordinary ability and kindliness of nature. He was industrious, agreeable in his home, and had the respect of all who knew him. He and his good wife made all the improvements on the place, and at his death,

. which occurred February 11, 1909, his widow was left well provided

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for. He lies buried at the Chatfield cemetery. Patrick and Annie had six sons and three daughters: Hugh, with his mother on the farm; John and Thomas, who are farmers of this township; Patrick, who is assisting his mother; Henry, who is living in Dakota; Wil- liam, who was drowned at the age of 17 while bathing; Annie, who married J. J. McConnell, a retired farmer of Rochester; Katie, now living in Boston; and Mary, who is yet in school. The family. is one of the best in this part of the county.

THOMAS SCANLAN, who for over a score of years has been actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Haverhill township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, was born in Ire- land, December 20, 1838. He was the oldest of eight children born to the union of Jerry Scanlan and Debora (English) Scan- lan, both of whom were born, reared and educated in the old country. In 1872 the family immigrated to America and for two years resided in New York state. They then decided to come West to the broad and fertile fields of Minnesota, and located in Haverhill township, Olmsted county. Here for years the father and mother lived happily together, engaged in farming and the rearing of their children to useful lives, and when they passed away were greatly respected by their fellowmen for their many good traits of mind and character. For about ten years after the advent of the family in Olmsted county, Thomas Scanlan farmed on rented land, but in 1888 he was enabled from his savings to pur- chase his present fine farm, and has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising thereon. He was married in Ireland to Ellen Collins, who was born and reared in that country, and to them four sons and four daughters have been born, two in the old country, as follows: Bridget, Ellen, Mary, Dorothy, Patrick, Michael, Jerry and Jolin. Mr. Scanlan has always been a staunch Democrat in his political views, and takes an active interest in the success of his party. Both he and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and are regarded as one of the influential families of the community in which they reside.

OLE ERIKSON was born in Norway in 1843, and in that country grew to manhood and was educated. He secured a limited educa- tion at the common schools, and during his early manhood learned the carpenter trade. In 1872, after realizing the enormous advan- tages which the United States had to offer the industrious and ambitious, he crossed the Atlantic ocean and landed in New York. He came West to Olmsted county and settled in Rock Dell town- ship, where he followed the carpenter trade for five years. In 1877 he bought a tract of 80 acres in section 22, which he later sold and bought another 80 acres in section 34, and also 80 acres

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in Salem township, all of which he sold to advantage in 1902, and bought 160 acres in section 22, Salem township, where he now resides. The farm is rented out, and Mr. and Mrs. Erikson are taking life easier than when they had the care of the place on their shoulders. Mr. Erikson owns twelve and a half acres of timber and 160 acres in North Dakota. In 1872 he married Miss Susan Gullackson, a native of Norway, and to this union the following children were born: Elizabeth, Millie and Brown. The family are members of East St. Olaf church. He is a Republican, and takes much interest in all worthy public affairs. He owns stock in the creamery, lumber and telephone companies. He is one of the substantial and prominent farmers of the county.

ORIN PIKE, for years a well known farmer and stock raiser of Haverhill township, Olmsted county, was born in Orange county, Vermont, January 12, 1845, the second in a family of eight chil- dren born to Rufus and Elsie G. (Nelson) Pike, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, respectively. The father, who was of English descent, was born in 1812, and was reared and educated in his native state. In 1851 he went to Wisconsin, then, in 1857, moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota. After a short time he returned to Wisconsin, but in 1863 came to Winona county, Min- nesota, where he remained until 1866. In that year he came to Olmsted county and purchased the present homestead in Haver- hill township. This consisted of 160 acres, and he cleared and cultivated same, and resided thereon until his death, in 1885, at the age of 73 years. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist church. His wife, Elsie G. Nelson, was born in Vermont, and was the daughter of a Revolutionary war veteran. To Mr. and Mrs. Pike five sons and three daughters were born.

Of the above children, Orin Pike was reared and educated in his native state and Olmsted county, Minnesota. On March 13, 1885, he was married to Miss Sarah Southwick, a native of Erie county, New York. She was the daughter of Hiram A. and Nancy (Parke) Southwick, and was brought to Olmsted county by her parents when 23 years of age. Her father for years en- gaged in farming and stock raising in Farmington township, was a genuine Yankee, and was highly respected as a good man and citizen. Although no children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pike, they have adopted one boy, Henry Clay, and one girl, Ina May, and these they have reared and educated as carefully and lovingly as if they had been their own. Mr. Pike is at present the owner of 240 arces of farm land, and engaged extensively in the raising of Short-horn cattle. He is a staunch Republican, and a member of the Methodist church.

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ANDREW PETERSON is a native of Norway, where he was born November 2, 1830, and there grew to manhood and was educated in the public and Lutheran schools. His boyhood was spent in attending school and in work on the farm. In 1866 he married Miss Julia Severson, whose parents settled in Dane county, Wis- consin, at an early day. To this marriage the following children were born: Anna Christiana, born September 24, 1867, married O. Bjurgo, and they are engaged in farming at Zumbrota, Min- nesota; Alfred J., born December 23, 1868, died in infancy ; Alfred J. (2), born June 12, 1870, died 1873; Eddie, born March 29, 1872, married, and is farming in North Dakota; Paulina, born November 29, 1873, married John Hyland, a farmer, and died January, 1904; Amenda G., born September, 1875, married John Grovdahl, a farmer of Dodge county, Minnesota; Johan, born January 5, 1877, died in infancy ; Karen J., born February, 1878, is married to a farmer; Emma J., born June 28, 1880, died in 1891 ; John T., born August 31, 1882, married Tilla Vinlos; Susie, born June 21, 1884, married Alfred Estlee, a farmer of Rock Dell township. After his marriage Mr. Peterson moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he was head janitor of the state capitol building for fifteen years. He then came to Rock Dell township, where he bought 160 acres of his father-in-law and farmed the same until his death. He was a Republican, and a member of St. Olaf's church. Mrs. Peterson is a most excellent woman, and takes great pride in the happiness and well-being of her children. She is well versed in the art of farming. She is a sincere Christian, and her unostentatious charities are numerous and practical.

JOHN CONDRON, who since 1903 has been engaged in farming and stock raising in Marion township, Olmsted county, was born December 14, 1859, in Eyota township, this county, the son of Patrick and Mary (Maher) Condron, natives of Ireland. The father, after his education had been completed in the public schools of his native country, came to America and until 1859 resided in Connecticut and New York state. He then came West to Minne- sota and bought a farm of 160 acres in Eyota township, which he cleared, cultivated and resided on until his death. He was married in Connecticut to Miss Mary Maher, who was born and reared in Ireland, and to them five children, four sons and one daughter, were born, all of whom were reared and educated in Olmsted county, Minnesota. Mr. Condron was a life long Democrat in his political views, and he and wife were devout members of the Catholic church. When he died, at the age of 86 years, he was highly respected and esteemed by his fellow-men for his many sterling qualities of mind and character.

The subject of this review, John Condron, was the third child

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born to his parents, and received his education in the district schools of his native township. His boyhood days were passed in assist- ing in the work of the home farm, and after reaching maturity he was married, on November 22, 1893, to Miss Mary Campion, descended from one of the earliest families of the county's history, and four children have been born to them, named Stephen, Nora, John and Joseph. Shortly after the above union took place, Mr. and Mrs. Condron moved to their present place in Marion township, where they have reared their children and resided ever since. Mr. Condron now owns 240 acres of fine farm land, all of which is under intelligent cultivation. Although of Democratic tendencies, he usually votes for the man, regardless of party affiliations, and takes an active interest in all local public affairs. He, like his father before him, is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

CLINTON D. MORSE, lumber merchant of Rochester, is a native of Spring Valley, Minnesota, his birth occurring January 14, 1873. He received a good practical education in youth, and in 1892 came to Rochester, where, for about six years, he was employed in the lumber yard of P. L. Dansingburg, subsequently engaging in the same line of business for himself at St. Peter and Mankato. In 1894 he returned to Rochester as a member of the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Company, which succeeded P. L. Dansingburg, and has since made this city his home. There is no better known lumber- man in southern Minnesota than Mr. Morse, and his square busi- ness dealings and invariable courtesy have won him the respect and confidence of his fellow-men. March 9, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Edna Gustine, by whom he is the father of three children, named Marjorie M., Carolla and Hayes. Mr. Morse is a Republican, a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Masonic fraternity.

PETER E. ENGEL, one of the most progressive and enterprising farmers of High Forest township, was born on the place where he now resides, February 20, 1870, and was a son of John G. and Katherine Engel, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. While yet a young man the father left the old country and immi- grated to America, and in the early fifties pre-empted land in High Forest township, this county, and engaged in farming. He was one of those sturdy pioneers who did so much toward the present growth and development of the county. When he first came here the country was rough and unsettled, and the land had to be cleared and grubbed, but he set to work with a will and in time became one of the best and most substantial farmers in the community. During boyhood days Peter E. Engel attended the public schools and assisted his father on the home farm. He early made up his mind to follow farming, and has always been identified with the

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agricultural interests of the county. In 1900 he bought the old family homestead of 160 acres in section 24, High Forest township, and this has since been in the possession of the family. Mr. En- gel's early life was marked by the fact that he never acquired the habits of using tobacco nor liquor in any form, and this creditable characteristic has followed him all through manhood. His farm is well cultivated and fully equipped with all modern conveniences. Aside from farming he is also largely interested in the raising of fine Short-horn cattle, many of which are registered, and in the raising of English Shire horses. He devotes, also, a considerable amount of time to the breeding of full-blooded poultry. In 1900 and again in 1908, he was interested in the Farmers' Elevator Com- pany of Stewartville. In politics he is a Republican and has served three years as township supervisor. Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen, and he and family are communicants of the Evangelical church. February 12, 1902, he married Miss Louisa Steffen, daughter of Charles and Phoebe Steffen, pioneer settlers of Kansas, and to them these children have been born: Lawrence M., March 18, 1903; Myrtle M., June 3, 1904; Neva F., November 17, 1905; Percy L., Feb- ruary 12, 1907; and Walter E., December 23, 1909.

KNUD ANDERSON was born in Denmark on March 2, 1840, and is a son of Andrus and Karlina, who passed their entire lives in the old country. They both were the representatives of good families, and followed the occupation of farming. Their son Knud, the sub- ject of this sketch, was reared in the old country and was there taught the art of farming, and was given a good education in the local schools. He married Anna Nelson in the fatherland and soon afterward crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and set- tled permanently in this county. He bought 160 acres in section 9, Rock Dell township, and began to improve the same. By industry, economy and sound judgment he subdued the wildness of the place and now has one of the best farms in the township. He has good buildings and a fine orchard and around the buildings is a beautiful grove. He is a member of the United Brethren church and holds stock in the Zumbro Creamery Company. His children are named as follows : Andrew, S. Nels, Rudolph, Mary, Sophia and Dekmore.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 64

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

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