USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 67
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ROLLIN B. PARKS was born in Pleasant Grove township, June 27, 1865, and is a son of J. D. Parks, who was born in Indiana in 1837. The father was of German parentage and spent his boyhood assisting his father on the farm and in attending the old-time dis- trict schools. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-
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one years old, when he hired out to a neighbor and assisted him on his farm for one year. He then worked farms on shares, and so continued until 1855, when he came to Olmsted county and bought a tract of eighty acres in section 29, Pleasant Grove township, and this he occupied until 1904, when it was sold. In 1856 he married Miss Abigail Collins, whose parents were pioneer settlers of this township. To this union the following children were born: F. M., John, Lewis, Rollin B. The mother died in 1867 and was buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Rollin B. was reared on the farm and in youth was given a common-school education at the old log schoolhouse of the district. He worked the home farm until 1903, when he bought seventeen acres in section 3, Pleasant Grove town- ship. He has a well improved farm and substantial buildings, and is recognized as one of the prominent citizens of this part of the county. He is a member of the Christian church, of which he is clerk and treasurer. He is a Republican and is a member of the M. W. A., of which he is banker. In 1886 he married Miss Alice Fox, whose parents were pioneers of this part of the county.
JOHN BAIER, a veteran of the Civil war, and for many years engaged in farming in Haverhill township, is one of three living children in a family of four born to the marriage of John Baier and Kunagunta (Gretch) Baier. The father was a small farmer in Germany, where he married. He came with his parents to the United States about the year 1846, and after a short stop in Buffalo, New York, located in Wisconsin, and there farmed for a number of years. The latter part of his life the father resided in Milwaukee, where he died about the year 1892. John Baier, his son and the subject of this sketch, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 2, 1844, and was reared in Wisconsin, where his schooling was limited to two years in the German schools of Milwaukee. September 16, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, First Regiment Wisconsin Artil- lery, and served the greater part of his term on garrison duty until he was honorably discharged by general order of the War Depart- ment, June 26, 1865, at Fort O'Rourke, Virginia. Upon his return Mr. Baier engaged in logging and rafting on the Yellow river in Wisconsin, at which he continued about six years. Having acquired some money by this work, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1871, and bought eighty acres of land in Haverhill township, on which, after paying what he could, he owed $800. He subsequently disposed of this property and purchased 240 acres near by in the same township. To this he added 160 acres, but this latter property he deeded to his son, John M., and yet retains the original 240 acres. Mr. Baier lived in Haverhill township until 1908, when he moved to Rochester, and has since resided there. For nearly forty years he has lived in Olmsted county, and during this time has filled local
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positions of trust with hdelity, has contributed from his means to the support of worthy causes, and is highly regarded by all who know him. He started life a poor boy, but industry and frugality have won him success. The yoke of oxen he first owned was later replaced by a team of colts; his first purchase of land, one which he was heavily in debt, was increased to 400 acres. He has paid all honorable obligations with scrupulous exactness. To his wife Mr. Baier gives the just credit of aiding him loyally in all his under- takings. November 8, 1863, he married Mary Delmore, daughter of Luke Delmore, a native of Ireland, who came to Olmsted county and helped construct the old Winona & St. Paul Railroad. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baier, the following named nine growing to maturity: Annie M. (Mrs. Edmund English) ; Frances M. (Mrs. Philip Casseday) ; Catherine (deceased) ; Eliza- beth (Mrs. Max Conrad) ; John M., a sketch of whom appears in this book; Josephine (Mrs. Dr. G. T. Joyce) ; Sadie, Eva and Mark A. The family are of Roman Catholic faith in religion.
NELSON V. A. CROW, deceased, was one of the first white settlers in this portion of Minnesota. He was born October 8, 1822, the son of Benjamin and Eliza (Millis) Crow, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, the home of the family for many years. Nelson V. A. first came to Winona county in April, 1854, and pre- empted government land in Elba township, which he grubbed, cleared and resided on until 1863, when he disposed of it and moved to Dover township, Olmsted county. He was at one time the heaviest land-owner of the county, being possessed of 1,900 acres, part in Minnesota and part in Wisconsin. He was one of the most prominent and progressive men of the community, and when death halted his career on June 2, 1905, his loss was mourned gen- erally through the county. He was laid at rest in the cemetery at St. Charles. In 1849, when the gold excitement in California caused thousands to flock to that state in search of wealth, Mr. Crow joined a wagon train and spent six months on the journey to Sacra- mento. This wagon train consisted of some sixty wagons, drawn by oxen and cows, and was accompanied by 170 or 180 armed men banded together for protection from the ravages and raids of the Indians. Until 1853 Mr. Crow cast his lot with the army of gold- seekers and then came home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity and was iden- tified with that organization at St. Charles. He was twice married, first to Nancy Lane, and next to Amanda Lane, a sister of his first wife. To his first marriage four children were born, named Sylves- ter T., generally known as Jim; George Hiram, John Wesley, and Nelson Manley. To his second marriage there were also four chil- dren born, as follows: Millis Walter, Albert Garrison, Sophia and
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Edward, the first named being the only one now living. The chil- dren of the first marriage are all living.
George H. Crow, the son of Nelson V. A. Crow, was born in Boscobel, Grant county, Wisconsin, May 10, 1846, and came with his parents to Olmsted county, finishing his education in the district schools. When the memorable struggle between the North and South broke out, he ran away from home and enlisted with the "Boys in Blue" for the preservation of the Union, in Company K, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. His father, however, ob- tained his discharge, but on October 12, 1863, he again enlisted, joining Company I, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and served with that command until honorably discharged on November 20, 1865. After leaving the army, Mr. Crow traveled extensively, visiting nearly every state in the Union, including the Southern ones. He then went to Kansas and pre-empted land, but subsequently dis- posed of this and came to Olmsted county to take charge of a fine 320-acre farm owned by his father. Here he remained until 1886, when he rented and moved onto a 240-acre farm in Dover township, which he now owns and superintends. He also owns forty acres adjoining the city of St. Charles. He is a member of Custer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and has attended many of the state and national encampments of that organization. He is a Republican in politics, but has always refused to hold office, preferring to con- fine his attentions to private interests. On July 4, 1885, he was united in marriage with .Miss Sophia Feigert, who was born in Winona county, Minnesota, the daughter of Jacob and Sophia (Miller) Feigert, natives of Ohio. The Feigert family came orig- inally from Hamburg, Germany. To them one daughter, Hester A., was born on May 6, 1894. She is now in attendance at the Rochester High School.
JOHN RAFFELSON (deceased) was born in Norway in 1840 and was there reared to manhood and educated in the local schools. During his early manhood he learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked a considerable portion of his time afterward. In 1869 he crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States, and coming West to Olmsted county, he secured for his first job the task of grubbing a tract for a farmer. He then worked at farming and continued with success, saving the most of his earnings until 1879, when he bought a tract of 140 acres in sections 17 and 20, Salem township, and here he remained engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing until his death in 1902. Mr. Raffelson was a Republican and took much interest in all laudable public affairs. While living here he became prominent and occupied various official positions of trust and responsibility with fidelity and credit. He was public-spirited
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and generous and was one of the leaders in progressive views and in public improvement. He served as treasurer of this school dis- trict and acquitted himself with honor. He owned stock in the Creamery Company and left to his beloved wife a fine property. In 1881 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Carlson, a native of Norway. Two years later they took up their permanent residence on the farm in Salem township. On this place they put about $5,000 worth of permanent improvements. At his death Mr. Raffelson was laid to rest in the family lot in St. Olaf's Cemetery ; he had been a member of St. Olaf's congregation for many years. His widow is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and public spirit. She has shown her business ability by conducting the farm profitably ever since her husband's death. She is well read and knows what is going on in the world, and is up with the times in all her farm operations. She is highly spoken of by her neighbors for her kindness, upright womanly character, industry and honesty.
LAWRENCE FLYNN is now residing on a farm of 240 acres on section 30, Orion township. He is engaged in mixed farming and is one of the leading agriculturists in this portion of the county. He has on hand at all times considerable live stock and has at the present time about forty head of cattle, nine head of horses, 100 head of hogs and a large flock of poultry. He was born in the parish of Dysart, Ireland, in 1841, and is a son of Bernard and Ellen Flynn, who passed their entire lives in that country, near Galway. Lawrence passed his boyhood in getting an education and in assisting his father on the farm. He left school at the age of seventeen years and thereafter worked for his father until he had reached his twenty-sixth year. He then concluded to change con- ditions and surroundings, and accordingly crossed the Atlantic ocean to America, landing in New York, where he remained until 1885, engaged at work in various capacities, and making some money. He then came West to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and bought a farm of eighty acres, to which was added in 1896 another tract of 160 acres. His first land had few improvements, but through his efforts it is now one of the best improved places in this part of the county. He now has an excellent residence, barns, sheds, etc. He is a Democrat and is clerk of the board of education. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church at Chatfield. He was married in the State of New York, in January, 1877, to Miss Susan Sneele, daugh- ter of Charles and Bridget Sneele, both of whom passed their whole lives in Ireland. Mr. Flynn and wife have had the following chil- dren : Mary; James Stephen, in the railway service at St. Paul; Lawrence Francis, William John and Joseph, the latter three being at home yet with their parents.
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MICHAEL KITZMAN, one of the progressive merchants of the city of Rochester, was born on a farm in Farmington township, Olmsted county, November 1, 1868, the fourth in a family of nine children born to the marriage of John and Caroline ( Kuenke) Kitz- man. Both parents were natives of Prussia, and were there married on December 26, 1835. The father's birth occurred on December 12, 1814, and he received his education in the public schools of that country, but early in life decided to immigrate to America in search of home and fortune. Accordingly, in 1854, he came to this country and for a time engaged in farming in Marquette county, Wisconsin. In May of the year 1863 he first came to Olmsted county, Minne- sota, and ever since has been active in the growth and development of this locality. The father has always followed the occupation of a farmer, and to him and wife nine children were born. The par- ents are communicants of the Lutheran church.
Of their children, Michael, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Olmsted county. He assisted his father with the work on the home farm until about 1887, when he for a time en- gaged in clerical work and attended school. After three years spent in the employ of others, he embarked in the clothing business at Rochester on his own account and has thus been successfully en- gaged ever since. In 1900 he located at his present establishment, 12I South Broadway, carrying a full and complete line of clothing, hats, caps, fur coats, carpets, etc., and by honest business dealings with the people has built up a large and successful business. In 1897 he was married to Miss Mary Hanson, daughter of George Hanson, of Salem township, and they have three children : Francis, Morry and Lester. Mr. Kitzman is active in all local affairs, hav- ing served three years in the city council, and aside from his mer- cantile interests has also considerable farm property here and. else- where. Socially he is identified with the Elks, Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is regarded as one of Rochester's progressive and up-to-date busi- ness men.
ELMER E. RANK, cashier of the First State Bank at Dover, was born October 10, 1860, in Dover township, this county, a son of William J. and Elizabeth Rank, and a grandson of Samuel Rank. The family originally were Germans, but early in the history of America came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania. An old stone house in which they lived for many years is still standing, and is considerably over one hundred years old. This old home is still occupied by one of the family. In 1855 William J., the father of our subject, came from Wabash county, Indiana, and settled in Olmsted county, being thus amongst the earliest settlers here. Shortly after his arrival he pre-empted a farm of 160 acres, about
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a mile from the village of Dover, and there resided until about twelve years before his death. This farm is now in the hands of his children. Mr. Rank occupied many local positions of trust with credit and fidelity and at one time served as county commissioner. He died in March, 1906, and lies buried in the cemetery at Dover. His wife preceded him to the grave, passing away in December, 1895, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. Rank was eighty-one years old when summoned to the great beyond. Both were people of more than ordinary worth, and lived upright and honorable lives. To their marriage ten children were born, two of whom, Cora and Carrie, died before their parents. Sarah M. married R. A. Batteis, a successful farmer of Dover township; Samuel A. is a civil engineer at Boulder, Colorado; George D. is a farmer of Dover township; Mary L. is the widow of J. H. Hall, a railway conductor; Thomas B. is a farmer of Dover township; Bertha J. is the wife of William F. Wilson, a farmer of Quincy township, this county; Frank W. is in the railway service at McCook, Ne- braska; and Elmer E., our subject.
The latter was born on the old home farm in Dover township and in youth attended the district schools, finishing his education at Dar- ling's Business College at Rochester. For four winter terms he taught school in the county districts, before he took his course in the business college at Rochester. In 1885 he came to Dover and accepted a clerkship in the Dover bank, which position he held until 1898, when he was promoted to his present position as cashier. He is at present one of the directors of the bank, and is also secre- tary and treasurer of the Creamery Association at Dover. He has served as town treasurer for about eighteen years. In politics Mr. Rank is an active Republican and has acted as delegate to the state convention of his party. He is a Knight Templar Mason, is steward, and has been a trustee of the Methodist church. On June 1, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Luva Libby, daughter of Abram and Mary Libby, who came to Olmsted county in 1856, and were among the earliest settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Rank two children, a daughter and a son, have been born and named Luva Marie and Theron L., both in attendance at high school. Mr. Rank is one of the leaders of public affairs at Dover and commands the confidence and respect of all who know him.
JOHN MAGUIRE, who now resides in the town of Chatfield, retired from the active duties of life, is the son of Michael and Martha Maguire who, during their lives, were residents of County Cavan, Ireland. The family traces its origin far back in Irish his- tory, and seems to have lived for many centuries in the north of Ireland, where they were among the leaders of thought and action. John Maguire was born in County Cavan, Ireland, on August 12,
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1824, and in youth attended the free schools, continuing until he was 15 years old. Immediately thereafter he began learning the linen weaver's trade and having mastered it made that his sole occu- pation until he was 27 years old. He then concluded to try his lot in the new world, and accordingly crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York, but going thence to Canada and remained there until 1856, when he came to this county and located at Chatfield. It was so small then as scarcely to deserve the name of town or village. For five years Mr. Maguire did any- thing honorable to get ahead and make money. He did consider- able teaming with a yoke of oxen, hauling wood to Chatfield and hauling grain to Winona before the railroad era. As soon as he had accumulated sufficient funds he pre-empted 80 acres and be- gan to clear the same, and afterwards continued to add to this tract until in the end he owned a total of about 1,000 acres. In recent years he has divided much of this land among his children, but he yet holds considerable property in the town of Chatfield. It would make interesting reading could all of his experiences, trials and hardships be told in these pages. He has now reached a great age, and is one of the very oldest of the living old settlers of the county. He was a man who stuck closely to his business and did not care for local office, though he did not shirk his duty as a citizen. He struggled to make money in order that his chil- dren could have a better chance in the battle of life than he had had. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Chatfield. On January 13, 1861, he married at Chatfield Miss Margaret Kil- lelac, daughter of Martin. They have had eight children, two dying in infancy-Eliza and Robert. Mary married a farmer; Katie, living with her father; Maggie, living with her brothers on the old farm; Michael; John; Ellen, also living on the old home farm. The Maguires are among the most prominent people in this portion of the county. They have led steady and industrious lives, and at all times have maintained their self-respect, and have held the confidence of their neighbors.
JOHN J. ABERWALD, one of the prominent residents of Rochester, was born in Grafton, Wisconsin, March 17, 1850, a son of Theo- dore, a shoemaker by occupation, and Gertrude (Losing) Aberwald, who were natives of Germany, and died at Grafton. John J. Aberwald received his education in the German Catholic parish school at Grafton, and when 19 years old started out in life for himself. He came to Rochester in 1869, and for one season secured employment with Mr. Henry Schuster, Sr., and then, for two and a half years, clerked in the dry goods establishment of Andrew Nelson. He subsequently purchased a saloon owned by a Mr. Markham and has been engaged in this line of business ever
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since, one year, however, having been spent in extensive traveling. Mr. Aberwald has successfully conducted three different places during his business career, the last one being secured from his former employer, Henry Schuster. On June 1, 1910, he retired from the active business cares of life and is at present residing in Rochester. On January 7, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Katherine O'Rourke, a native of Canada, who came to this city when 2 years of age, and was here educated and reared to womanhood, and to them the following children have been born : Mrs. Gertrude Welch, of Rochester; Luey, druggist at St. Paul and treasurer of the Pharmacists Association; Mary, now Mrs. Stout, of Ellendale, Minnesota; Joseph E., engaged in the clothing business at St. Paul; Grace, Mrs. Francis Madigan, of Mankato; Nora; James R., in railroad business at St. Paul; Frank J., with New York City Hippodrome; Walter J., at home; Paul J., at home; and Jennette, also at home. Mr. Aberwald has always been a staunch Democrat in his political views and has taken an active interest in local movements of importance. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church, and socially is identified with the German Literary Society and the St. Joseph Society, having served as president of the latter organization for years. He is an exten- sive real estate owner, having a fine farm of 100 acres near Roch- ester, and also several residences in the city proper. Mr. Aberwald has always been of a progressive, public spirited nature, has made life a success and is well liked and respected by his fellow-men.
JEREMIAH MORIARTY, located on section 34, Haverhill town- ship, Olmsted county, was born there on May 3, 1868, the son of Jeremiah Moriarty and Mary (Bresnahan) Moriarty, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1824, and was reared and educated in the old country, but when 19 years old, immigrated to America and for a time secured employment by the day in the Eastern states. He came West to Olmsted county, Minnesota, about 1858, secured a farm of 200 acres from the government, improved and cultivated same and in time became one of the successful farmers of the community. Mr. Moriarty was a life-long Democrat in his political views, a devout member of the Catholic church, a good and true citizen and friend, and one of the highly respected citizens of the county's history.
The boyhood days of Jeremiah Moriarty, the subject of this review, were spent in Haverhill township, assisting his father on the farm and attending the district schools. On June 14, 1897, he was married to Miss Anna Cronin, daughter of Patrick Cronin, and five children, one son and four daughters, have been born, named Mary, Josephine, Jeremiah, Loretta and Anna, all having been reared on the old home place. Mr. Moriarty is a Democrat in poli-
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tics and has served on the township board for a number of years. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus, and he and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church.
KNUT THOMPSON was born in Norway February 4, 1853, and when about 7 years old was brought to the United States by his parents, who purchased 80 acres in section 16, Salem township, where they remained engaged in farming for a period of twenty years. During this time they became well known and were highly respected citizens. In 1880 they left this county for good, going to South Dakota, where father and mother resided until their respective deaths. In 1873 Knut started out in business for him- self. He bought a tract of land in South Dakota, but after a while sold out and returned to Olmsted county and bought a tract in Salem township. Here h: has remained ever since, engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1880 he married Miss Sarah John- son Osve, whose parents were pioneer settlers of Salem township. To this union the following children have been born: Jelmer, born in 1881, married Jessie Hare, whose parents were pioneers of this county, he has one child; John, born in 1883, a farmer in North Dakota; Thomas, born in 1885, a farmer in North Dakota; Ella A., born in 1887, is now in Minneapolis. Mr. Thompson has devoted his life and substance to the welfare of his children. He has sold his farm and is passing his closing years with' his son Jelmer. His wife passed away January 7, 1895. Mr. Thompson is a Democrat and was a personal friend of Judge Leonard. His neighbors say that he is good for every contract he makes.
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