History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 65

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

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JOHN J. GRIFFIN was born in Canada, June 11, 1854, and is a child of James and Mary Griffin. His youth was spent on his father's farm, attending to the various duties there, and getting a common-school education at the neighboring district schools. He began for himself soon after reaching manhood and slowly began to accumulate means with which to engage in an independent busi- ness. In 1887 he finally bought 160 acres in section 14, High Forest

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township, and began to improve and cultivate the same. As time passed he added another tract of thirty acres to his farm, which now consists of 190 acres in sections 14 and 15. On this place he has spent about $8,000 in improvements, until now he has one of the best places and homes in this vicinity. Mr. Griffin is progressive and enterprising and is abreast of the times in all methods, machines and implements. Mr. Griffin has been successful in nearly every- thing he has undertaken. He owns stock in the Elevator and the Creamery Companies. He is a member of St. Bridget's Church. He is a Democrat and has served four years as supervisor. On May 25, 1888, he married Miss Elizabeth Sheehan, of Canada, and they have had the following children : Grace, born in 1889; Susan, born in 1891; Kittie, born in 1893; Charles, born in 1895. He is one of the substantial and prominent farmers and citizens of this part of the county. On August 26, 1903, Mr. Griffin and family suffered the serious loss of wife and mother, who passed away with faith in a future state and was laid to rest in St. Bridget's Cemetery.

JULIUS J. REITER, engaged in the grocery business at Rochester, was born in Elgin township, Wabasha county, Minnesota, July 4, 1869, a son of Julius J. and Henrietta (Wagner) Reiter, both of whom were natives of Stettin, Germany. At an early date the parents came to America, and on June 19, 1868, first arrived in the city of Rochester. They went to Elgin township, Wabasha county, and there engaged in farming until February, 1875, then removed to Plainview, that county, where the father still resides, actively and successfully engaged in farming. The elder Reiter is still in the enjoyment of good health, and aside from his agricultural interests does quite an extensive business in dairying. To him and wife twelve children were born.

Of these, Julius J. Reiter, the immediate subject of this memoir, was the third, and received his education in the public schools of Wabasha county, Minnesota. When seventeen years old he left the old homestead and for a time secured employment in the gen- eral store of Koenig Brothers & Company at Plainview. He then came to Rochester and opened a grocery establishment at III South Broadway, and after five years removed to his present com- modious quarters at 19 South Broadway. He has a large and up-to-date store and in addition operates the warehouses near the Northwestern Railway tracks. Through honest business dealings with the people Mr. Reiter has built up a large trade, and he has been unusually successful in his particular line of business. April 5, 1891, he was married to Miss Bertha C. Kruger, daughter of Augustus Kruger, of Farmington township, this county, and to them the following named children have been born: Clarence, Oscar, Lilia and Ervilla. In 1894 his brother was taken into part-

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nership in the business and since that date they have conducted affairs under the firm name of Reiter Brothers. Mr. Reiter has served as alderman of his ward four years, was chairman of the street committee three years, and, as a Democrat in politics, has acted as chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee. He is well informed on the important topics of the day, and takes an active interest in local, state and national political affairs.

ERNEST H. REITER, of the firm of Reiter Brothers, was born in Elgin township, Wabasha county, Minnesota, June 14, 1871, a son of Julius J. and Henrietta (Wagner) Reiter, of whom appro- priate mention is made elsewhere in this publication. He secured his education in the common schools of his native county, and re- mained with his father on the home farm, assisting in the work thereof, until twenty-one years of age. On September 12, 1892, he came to Rochester, and after working one year in the grocery establishment of his brother, Julius J. Reiter, became a partner in the business and has since been thus associated. Under their able management and direction their business has prospered and has become one of the foremost of the kind in the county. On October 30, 1896, Mr. Reiter was united in marriage with Miss Anna Schacht, daughter of H. Schacht, of Farmington township, Olm- sted county, who now resides in Rochester. To this union three children have been born and named as follows: Thelma, Arthur and Dorothy. Mr. Reiter has always taken an active part and interest in public affairs, as has his brother, and has served his com- munity in local offices.

A. A. MALDE is a native of Norway and was born November 25, 1835, being a son of Andrew and Barbara, who were prosperous farmers in the old country, and there passed the whole of their lives. They were respectable people of good families and their lives were above reproach. A. A. Malde spent his early days on the farm of his father, learning the business of agriculture, and in the meantime securing a fair education at the local schools. While yet a child in Norway he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. In 1866 he crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and after stopping for a few months at Beloit, Wisconsin, he came on to Rock Dell township, where he made up his mind to settle permanently. In the fall of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Bottelson, a native of Norway. Mr. Malde first rented a tract of railroad land in section 5, and farmed the same for four years. He then bought, in 1870, a tract of 160 acres in section 3, and there he made his home and reared his family. The following were the children : Andrew, born July 1, 1869, married Mary Rasmussen, whose parents were Danes, and were pioneers of Rochester town-

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ship; they have two living children and are farming in Salem town- ship; Louisa, born June 5, 1871, confirmed in St. Olaf's Church, and is with her parents; Bessie, born January 12, 1874, confirmed in the church; Martin, born July 24, 1877, confirmed in the Lutheran church, now on a homestead of 160 acres in Bowman, North Dakota; John C., born August 16, 1879, married Clara Sorenson, and is a farmer in Salem township. Mr. Malde has retired from hard work, but is yet sound and hearty. He owns stock in the Zumbro Creamery Company and in the Farmers' Lumber Yard at Hayfield. He is a Republican and works for the best interests of his party. His farm is devoted to grain and live stock. The family attend East St. Olaf Church.

JOSEPH ALEXANDER BEAR is a son of Joseph and Eliza (John- son) Bear, and is a native of this county. His father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Ire- land and came to Canada in 1849, when she was twenty-one years old. The next year, having met and become acquainted with Joseph Bear, they were married, and soon afterward moved West to Ohio and settled near where Fostoria now stands. In 1853 Joseph Bear became afflicted with the prevailing California gold fever and accordingly went to that Eldorado and there remained engaged in mining for three years, when he returned to Ohio. One year later he moved with his family to Michigan, but after a few months' stay there they came to Olmsted county and bought a tract in section 33, Eyota township, and here passed the remainder of their lives. His death occurred March 13, 1889, his age being seventy years. His wife died April 14, 1894, at the age of sixty- six years. In their family were the following children: Nathaniel M., a merchant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Joseph A .; . and three who died in childhood. Joseph A. received a common-school education in his youth, which he greatly improved in later years. Upon reaching early manhood he began the study of law, and in 1893 was duly admitted to the bar. He began the practice at Roch- ester, but in 1905 opened an office in Eyota, and here he has since been located. He has been one of the leading factors in the reor- ganization of the town of Eyota, and has taken an active and promi- nent part in all public affairs. He was city attorney at Rochester for several years and at one time was the opposing candidate for Congress against Judge Joseph A. Leonard. In 1892 Mr. Bear married Miss Grace Robinson, daughter of A. D. Robinson, an old pioneer of Olmsted county. They have two children: Ruth and Joel R.

HANS ROBINSON was born in Denmark, December 21, 1851, and was there reared and educated. He attended school until his fif-

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teenth year, when he commenced learning his trade of blacksmith- ing, which even to this day he has never entirely abandoned. In 1873 he came to America and for three years worked at his trade in Cleveland, Ohio, shoeing horses for street car companies. In 1876 he came to Olmsted county and bought a tract of forty acres in section 7, High Forest township, built a house thereon and began to cultivate the soil, at the same time operating a forge for the accommodation of the neighbors. He was industrious and sav- ing and slowly added to his landed possessions until at the present time he owns a total of 120 acres of excellent land, all well im- proved and under a high degree of tilth. His buildings are sub- stantial and his machinery up to date. He is one of the level- headed men of the township and is liked by everybody who knows him. In 1877 he married Bessie Fingerson, whose parents were among the early settlers of Rock Dell township. To this union the following children were born: Anna, born June, 1878, married George Peterson, a North Dakota farmer, and has five children; Minnie, born May, 1880, married O. Strumpsted, a retired North Dakota farmer; Carlime, born October, 1887, with her parents; Tina, born November, 1888. Mr. Robinson is a stanch Republican and he and family are members of East St. Olaf Church, of which he has served as trustee for several years. He owns stock in the Creamery and the Elevator Companies.

NATHAN F. DUGAN, well-known hardware merchant of Eyota, is a native of Stark county, Illinois, and was born in June, 1857, a son of Elija S. and Calista (Griffis) Dugan, who were natives of Ohio and New York State, respectively. Appropriate mention of the parents is made elsewhere in this publication. After his schooling was completed, Nathan F. Dugan started out in life for himself in the Manuel Shop Heating Company, at Minneapolis, and has ever since been identified with the hardware interests of Minnesota. He thoroughly learned the details of that business, and in 1908, in partnership with W. T. Doty, opened an establishment at Eyota, this county. About a year later Mr. Doty disposed of his interests to Mr. Mochnke, and the firm has since conducted its affairs under the name of Dugan & Mochnke. They carry a full and complete line of hardware and plumber's supplies, and by honest business dealings with the people have built up an enviable trade. In 1884 Mr. Dugan was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Styles, whose parentage is discussed in connection with the bio- graphical sketch of Mr. Dugan, a brother of our subject. Mr. Dugan and his brother married sisters. The former is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Ashler Lodge, No. 61, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican in his political views, is an intelligent and suc-

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cessful business man, and commands the respect and esteem of all who know him.

MICHAEL EDWARD MCCONNELL was born on the old home farm in this county on February 6, 1868, and is a son of John and Alice McConnell, who came to the United States from Queens County, Ireland in 1845. Michael E. is now residing on a farm of 160 acres on section 5, Orion township. Upon his arrival in this country in 1845, his father, John, worked for several years in Illinois, but finally, in 1856, settled in this county, which was then a wilderness, but was fast settling up. In those days the only roads were the old Indian trails, and there were no bridges. He first home- steaded a tract of eighty acres of wild land, which later he traded for 160 acres, which became his final home. He is now residing there, retired from the active duties and labors of life. During his active career he was well and favorably known throughout the eastern part of the county, and was often elected to local office and served with fidelity and credit. Michael E. spent his boyhood in attending school and in assisting his father on the farm. Later he attended the high school at Rochester, where he finished his education at the age of twenty years. He then returned to the home farm, where he remained at work until he was twenty-five years old. His father then deeded him eighty acres, which he held for some time, but finally sold in order to buy the present farm of 160 acres. He has put this place in a high state of cultivation and has erected many permanent improvements, such as houses, barns, sheds, etc. He is doing diversified farming and is raising many live stock for market. He is independent in politics, is a member of the Woodmen, and is a member of the Catholic church at Eyota. He has been married twice, first to Miss Maggie Barrett, who bore him one son; second, to Miss Catherine Conway, daughter of Mark and Catherine Conway, both of whom are deceased, the father November 13, 1894, and the mother May 24, 1890. They were prominent citizens and passed useful and exemplary lives and lie buried at Rochester. Michael E. and wife have had seven children, four boys and three girls: Leo Joseph, born August 27, 1900; John Constantine, born August 18, 1902; Catherine Lucille, born October 9, 1903; Mary Alene, born November 29, 1905; Dominick Mart, born February 13, 1906; William James, born September 10, 1908.

PATRICK H. CONWAY was born in Canada, June 24, 1856, and is a child of John and Ellen, who formerly resided in New York, where they were married. Later they moved to Canada, where John, the father, engaged in railroad work. In 1859 they came West to Michigan, and there engaged in farming until 1867, when

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they came to Olmsted county and bought 160 acres in section 2, Salem township. Here the family resided for many years, increas- ing their worldly possessions and becoming well and favorably known throughout this part of the county. The father became prominent and occupied various offices with fidelity. He finally passed away in 1906 and was laid at rest in St. John's Cemetery, Rochester. . His widow is still living and resides at Rochester. Patrick H. spent his youth assisting his parents on the farm and attending the district schools during the winter months. At the death of his father he fell heir to considerable property. In addi- tion, he purchased a tract of 100 acres in Kalmar township. In 1896 he married Miss Caroline Anderson, of Marion township, and the following children were born to this union: Helen, Eliza- beth, John, William, Patrick, Michael A., Mary and Caroline. The family are members of St. John's Parish Church, and he is a mem- ber of the A. O. H. He is a Democrat and is well posted on public affairs. He takes great interest in the education of his children.

JOHANN HENRY FRANZEN is residing on a farm of eighty acres on section 9, Orion township He is a son of Johann and Sophia Franzen, who were farmers in Germany, and in that country passed their entire lives. The father died in 1909 and the mother in 1907. In their lifetime they were useful and industrious citizens of the fatherland. The father served in the German army and partici- pated in the war of 1848. His son, Johann H., the subject of this sketch, was born at Rensburg, Germany, July 18, 1853, and during his youth attended the National school of Rensburg, but he finished his schooling in his sixteenth year. He then started out in the battle of life on his own account. He first went to Amsterdam and a little later to Rotterdam and worked at various jobs until 1877. Then, having saved considerable money, and wishing to see the world, he worked his way through Batavia, but finally returned to Amsterdam. Still wishing to travel, he then visited China, where he remained for two years, and then again returned to Amsterdam. He then went to South Africa, where for three years he served as overseer on a large plantation. His health then failing, he returned again to Amsterdam, and soon afterward took shipping for Amer- ica, and was duly landed at Castle Garden, New York. While there he worked out for some time and finally went into the ice business and continued the same for five years, making considerable money. He then came West and bought his present farm in Olm- sted county, and has since been engaged in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. He first built a stone house on the place, and since has made many permanent and important improvements. On October 9, 1885, he married, in New York, Miss Sophia Margaret Blenken, daughter of John Henry and Sophia Blenken. Her father died in

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1909 at the age of eighty-two years, but her mother is living with subject and wife. The latter have one daughter, who is the wife of Adah Louden.

PAUL SCHULZ, cigar manufacturer of Rochester, is a native of Brandenberg, Germany, his birth occurring October 22, 1873, and he was a son of G. Schulz, also a native of that place. In 1881 the father came to this country and for a time resided in the city of Rochester, but later settled on a farm some two miles from the city and engaged in the nursery business. Six children, five of whom are now living, were born to his marriage.

Paul Schulz was educated in the public schools of Rochester and later learned the cigar business under C. Neuses and then went West and spent some time in Spokane. In 1895 he started out in the cigar business on his own account, having as a partner J. Stebor, and operating under the firm name of Stebor & Schulz. . This asso- ciation continued until 1900, when Mr. Schulz purchased the inter- est of his partner, and has since continued the business alone. His establishment is located at the corner of Broadway and Third street. Mr. Schulz has manufactured a cigar known as the Don Cassio, which has been very successful in sales, and his five-cent Hiawatha is also widely known to smokers throughout the middle West. He carries, in connection with his line of cigars, a full and complete stock of pipes, tobaccos and smoker's articles, and employs a number of expert cigarmakers in his manufacturing department. Aside from business, Mr. Schulz has found time to take part in local affairs of importance, and in 1904 and 1906 served as alderman from the Fourth ward. The latter year he was also a member of the Utility Board, which was composed of one alderman and two citizens. Socially he is identified with the Court of Honor, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he has been financier for seven years; the Commercial Club and the Merchants' Club. In March, 1898, he was married to Miss Helen M. Conley, of Roch- ester, and they make their home in this city.

FREDERICK W. SCHWANKE was born in Germany, March 14, 1856, and is one of a family of three. The parents were well-to-do citizens of the Fatherland and were prosperous farmers by occupa- tion. They passed their entire lives in that country, the father dying of cholera in 1866. Their son, Frederick W., the subject of this review, was reared on his father's farm in Germany and was given a fair education in the common schools. A few years after his father's death he crossed the ocean to the United States and came West to Wisconsin, where he worked for some time on a farm. In 1874 he came to Rochester and secured employment with the Schuster Brewery and continued thus occupied until 1884, when

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he took charge of the Schuster farm, which he managed success- fully until 1906, when, having accumulated considerable means of his own, he bought the old Papple place of 240 acres in section 6, High Forest township. This place is well improved and is now being cultivated by Mr. Schwanke and his family. He is breeding a number of Holstein cattle, and his place generally is well equipped with high-grade live stock and modern machinery and implements. Mr. Schwanke is industrious, progressive and public-spirited. He has lately subscribed to the Dan Patch Electric stock, not as an investment, but as a step to secure better transportation for this portion of the county. In all his operations he is encouraged and assisted by his intelligent and ambitious wife and by his children. In 1881 he married, and has the following children : Edward W., born October 9, 1883, now employed in the State Hospital of North Dakota; Louisa, born October 3, 1885, married Arvol Scott, resides in Omaha, Nebraska; Carl, born December 16, 1889, with his parents; Irona, born June 26, 1890, married William Schultz, a fruit farmer of Rochester township; Lama, born April 20, 1893; Bunhard, born April 2, 1895; Martha, born September 19, 1898; Arthur, born March 22, 1902; Walter, born June 21, 1904. The family worship at the German Church of Peace.

WALTER ECKHOLDT, register of deeds for Olmsted county, was born in Rochester, Minnesota, August 24, 1873. Halftan A. Eck- holdt, the well-known Rochester lawyer, his father, was a native of Norway, and when a small boy was brought by his parents to the United States, first settling in Waseca county, Minnesota, where his parents died. Halftan A. Eckholdt received a good practical education in youth, married Adaline Lane, and coming to Rochester, embarked in the machine business. He subsequently took up the study of law and was graduated from the legal department of the Minnesota State University, since which time he has been practic- ing his profession in Rochester. Walter Eckholdt was graduated from the Rochester High School in 1891, read law in his father's office, and, entering the law department of the Minnesota State University, was graduated therefrom in 1896. He was associated with his father in practice about one year, then embarked in mer- cantile pursuits, at which he continued until 1896, when, having been nominated on the Republican ticket as county recorder of deeds, he was duly elected as such, and since January, 1906, has been occupying that position. In 1910 he was renominated for that office. Mr. Eckholdt is a Republican in politics, a believer in the Baptist faith, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Eagles, the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Red Men, the Court of Honor, the Sons of Norway, and the Rochester Commercial Club. On July 8, 1897,

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he married Miss Caroline Hubbard, and the following named five children have been born to them: Dorothy, Margaret, William, Edith and Paul.

ALEXANDER H. DUNYEA, of section 34, Haverhill township, Olm- sted county, who has for years been successfully engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising, was born in New York State, January 6, 1849, a son of George T. and Anna Liza (Holliday) Dunyea. The father was also born in New York State, was there reared and edu- cated, and early in life came West, first locating in Illinois. From there, in 1856, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and pur- chased a farm in Marion township and rented another. He later bought 120 acres more, which he improved and cultivated and sub- sequently disposed of, purchasing another farm of 100 acres in Marion township. Here he and wife lived happily together until their respective deaths, the father's occurring when he was seventy- three years old. He was a lifelong Democrat.

The boyhood days of Alexander H. Dunyea were passed on his father's farm, assisting in the home work and attending the district schools. On June 13, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Alla Hillman, who was born, reared and educated in New York State, and came to Olmsted county in 1877 and taught school for one year in the district schools of Marion township. Until 1880 Mr. and Mrs. Dunyea resided on the old home place, but that year they bought 120 acres of improved land in Haverhill township, and have since made their home in that locality, with the exception of two years spent in the city of Minneapolis. To them the following children have been born : Milton, Flora and Sadie, the last two being married, their births all occurring on the home place in Olmsted county. Mr. Dunyea is a Democrat in politics, although he gener- ally votes for the man and not the party, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The family are communicants of the Presbyterian church and regarded as one of the best in the community.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 65

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

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