History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 68

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

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LEVI B. JOSSELYN, for years engaged in the farm implement business at Rochester, and one of the old and highly respected citizens of Olmsted county, was born in Buffalo, New York, April 13, 1832, a son of Elanson and Maria (Bowman) Josselyn, natives of Vermont and Canada, respectively. As a young man the father followed the mason's trade, but about the year 1828 he went to Buffalo, New York, and for several years engaged in the grocery business. In 1855 he emigrated with his family to the broad and rolling fields of Illinois, but one year later he came to Olmsted county and pre-empted land in section 1, Cascade township. This was six miles north of the village of Rochester, and his farm was divided by the township line of Haverhill and Cascade, the home being in the latter. Here Mr. Josselyn experienced many of the hardships incident to the lives of the early pioneers, but by hard work he prospered and when death beckoned him in 1876 his loss was mourned generally throughout the county. .

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The early boyhood days of Levi B. Josselyn were spent in Buffalo, New York, and he was there educated in the public schools. He for a time was associated with his father in the grocery busi- ness, and when the family came West to Illinois he remained for one year in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In September, 1856, he came to Olmsted county and resided on the home farm until 1885. He then removed to the city of Roch- ester and purchased the establishment of Mr. S. B. Clarke, for a time continuing with a partner and then conducting the business alone. Mr. Josselyn has remained thus occupied ever since and carries a complete and up-to-date line of buggies, wagons, pumps, wind-mills, gas engines, harness, etc. He has been twice married; first to Miss Mary Walker, in 1861, who died in 1870, by whom he had these children: Frank S., farming in Olmsted county; Alanson C., farming in Marion township, and Gertrude E., de- ceased; second, in 1871, to Miss Mary Clark, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and to this union were born George P., since 1898 in busi- ness with his father, and Fred L., in the First National Bank at Rochester. Mr. Josselyn is a member of the Methodist church and has served as township supervisor, clerk of the township and county commissioner. He takes an active interest in all that tends to the growth and development of home and county, and is greatly respected by his fellow-men.

. JOHN T. EVJEN was born in Salem township, Olmsted county, October 4, 1868, and is a son of Tormas and Beret Evjen, who came from Norway to Dodge county, Minnesota, in 1868, and there bought a tract of 80 acres of farm land. The father died in 1900 and the mother in 1909, and both were laid at rest in the South Zumbro cemetery. Their son John T., the subject of this review, spent his youth in assisting his parents on the farm and in getting an education at the district schools. In 1886 he began farming operations on his own account by renting land and culti- vating the same. For two years previous to renting land he fol- lowed the butcher's trade at Kasson, Minnesota. In 1896 he pur- chased 80 acres in section 31, Salem township, and to this tract he has continued to add until he owns a total of 220 acres, on which are buildings worth about $5,000. He is engaged in mixed farm- ing and raises considerable hay, grain and live stock. In 1892 he married Miss Louise Sorum, whose parents came from Norway and were pioneers of this portion of the state. To this union the following children were born: Bertha, born September 24, 1893; Jennetta, born in 1895, died 1898; Clara, born April, 1897; Ida, born November, 1899; Joseph, born August 18, 1901 ; Selma, born September, 1903; Lillian, born July, 1905; Olga, born in 1907; Benjamin, born in 1909. Mr. Evjen is a member of the South

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Zumbro church. He is a Republican and has held the office of town treasurer for three years. He is public spirited and a hustler in all his business operations. His brother Ole Evjen is farming in North Dakota, and has four children. His brother Halver Evjen married Halga Peterson in 1883 and resides on an adjoining farm; he has been an invalid for several years. He and wife have the following children : Carl, Tilda, Enally, Cora and Helma.

AUGUST C. HOFFMAN, engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Rochester, was born on section 2, Farmington town- ship, Olmsted county, May 21, 1871, a son of Charles A. and Fredericka (Meyer) Hoffman. His father was a native of Posen, Germany, and was there educated in the public schools, but in 1856, when 17 years old, he immigrated to America and located in Olmsted county, Minnesota. After spending two years as a farm hand he pre-empted land from the government in section 2, Farmington township, and thereon engaged in agricultural pur- suits for many years. He was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the county, and his farm had to be cleared and grubbed, but he set to work with a will, and little by little added to his hold- ings until he became the owner of over 300 acres of fine farm land. In 1904 he and wife retired from the active cares of life and came to Rochester to pass their remaining days. Here Mr. Hoffman passed away on September 7, 1906, but his widow still survives him and resides at 114 East Fifth street. Mr. Hoffman's body was laid at rest in Oakwood cemetery. Mrs. Hoffman was born in the province of Meckelburg, Germany, and came to America when yet a young lady. To her marriage with Charles A. Hoffman the following named children were born: Emma, the wife of E. F. Benike, of Clark county, South Dakota; Sarah, wife of Hans Rottigorn, of Willow City, North Dakota; A. C., of Rochester; Edward, of Rochester; William, Clark county, South Dakota: Tillie, wife of Rev. George W. Ruhl, of Nortonville, Kansas: Henry A., of Farmington township; Albert; and Agnes, residing with the mother in Rochester.

Until 24 years old August C. Hoffman remained on the home farm, attending the public schools and assisting his father, and then engaged in farming and stock raising on his own account in Haver- hill township. In 1906 he disposed of his interests, however, and removed to Rochester, where he secured a position in the office of Griffin & Company, real estate and insurance brokers. He was later made a member of the firm, in 1908 was elected vice-presi- dent thereof, and has acted in that capacity ever since. This con- cern is the local representative of the following companies: The Caledonia Insurance Company, of Scotland; the Calumet Insurance Company, of Chicago, Illinois; the New Hampshire Insurance

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Company, of Concord, New Hampshire; the Royal Exchange In- surance Company, of England; the American Accident United Surety Company. Mr. Hoffman, aside from his connection with the above concerns, deals largely in Western farm and raw lands and in Rochester city property. He also owns a hotel at Junction City, Wisconsin, which he rents, and is a stockholder in the Peer- less Wheel Company, of Rochester. His firm has become widely known throughout southern and central Minnesota, and he has handled much of their outside business, giving him a wide acquaint- ance in insurance circles. On January 15, 1896, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Emma Klingspoon, daughter of Louis and Anna (Pirics) Klingspoon, who was born near Pine Island, Minnesota, October 20, 1873, and to them have been born Elmer, June 6, 1897, in Haverhill township, and Florence Hilda Emma, same place. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a Republican, and although he has never held office, is greatly interested in local affairs. He has been suc- cessful in business ventures and is one of the progressive citizens of the county.

ROBERT J. ROSE was born in Rochester township June 13, 1871, and is a son of William and Anna Rose, who were pioneer settlers of this township, and here they resided until their respective deaths. The life of Robert J. thus far has been spent on his and his father's farms. In youth he received a common school educa- tion, and at the time of his father's death he started business oper- ations for himself. In 1904 he bought 280 acres in section 36, Salem township, for $14,000, and here he resides at the present time engaged in farming and stock raising. His farm is an excel- lent one of rolling land, with good buildings and modern conven- iences. Mr. Rose is well and favorably known throughout this portion of the county. He is a Republican and has occupied various official positions in the township with credit. He has been a member of the county grand jury several times. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist church at Rochester, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He owns stock in the creamery company. He owns a herd of excellent Short-horn cattle, nine of which are registered. In 1899 he married Miss Edna Fish, whose parents were pioneer settlers of this township. To this union the follow- ing children were born: Leon, born March, 1900; Maud, born March, 1902; Vera, born February, 1903; Alice, born April, 1904; Lester, born September, 1909.

WILLIAM BROWN, deceased, was for many years active in the administration of local public affairs. He was born in Canada, December 15, 1833, a son of James and Jennette (Lamby) Brown, who were natives of Scotland. The father was a lumberman and

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followed that occupation through life., William Brown received his education in the public schools of Canada, and early in life decided to follow farming. His first venture in the business world was, however, at the trade of blacksmith, but after coming to Olmsted county he secured a tract of land and for years engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was unusually prominent in public affairs, and as a Democrat served as sheriff of the county many terms. He also was at one time elected to the lower house of the state legislature, was subsequently re-elected and served with that body with credit and distinction many years. As sheriff he was popular with everyone, and there were few depredations committed in the community during his term of office. When war was de- clared between the North and South Mr. Brown enlisted for the preservation of the Union in Company -, of the Sixth Minnesota volunteer infantry, and after seeing active service and attaining the rank of first lieutenant, was honorably discharged by the war de- partment of the United States government. Mr. Brown was well known in Masonic circles throughout the county, and when death halted his career on May 23, 1904, he was buried with honors by that organization. On May 25, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Adelaide Compton, and they had two children, one dead and one, William C. Brown, now residing in Rochester. Wil- liam Brown always took a keen interest in local movements of importance and his death marked the passing of one of the best citizens of the county.

T. B. ISAACSON TVEDT, a well known and prominent citizen of Salem township, was born in Norway January 3, 1837, and is a child of Isaac Tvedt, of that country. It was in 1853 that T. B. crossed the Atlantic ocean and came to America in company with his brother Jacobson Tvedt. Both first located in Dane county, Wisconsin, but after one year they came to Olmsted county, where the brother pre-empted 160 acres and made his permanent home. T. B. continued to do farm work by the day or month until the fall of 1854, when he went to Decorah, Iowa, and worked first in a blacksmith shop, but later drove a team from Olmsted county to Decorah, continuing until 1856, when he again came to this county and bought 80 acres in section 8, Salem township, and in the fall of 1857 bought 160 acres in section 7, same township. Here he has resided and made his home ever since. T. B. in his youth secured only a limited education in Norway, but by reading and observation he has become well posted on the leading public questions. His financial progress for many years was due to the enormous crops of wheat which he raised and marketed. In later years he has done well with hogs and cattle. He is considered one of the best agriculturists in this part of the state. He is abreast

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of the times with modern scientific methods and the latest machinery and devices. He has fine farm buildings and a beautiful residence, and is prepared to enjoy life. On -January 12, 1858, he married, in Salem Corners, Miss Christina Maria Hanson, and to this union ten children were born, nine of whom are yet living: Isabel, who married B. S. Bale, she was born April 15, 1858; Caroline, born April 25, 1860, married Henry Hellickson; Isaac, born No- vember 16, 1861, married and has four children; Ella, born July 27, 1868, married Ole Leqve, and has five children; Alfred, born Feb- ruary 1, 1870, married and has four children; Edward, born June 27, 1872; Laura, born in 1880 (deceased) ; Henry, born Decem- ber 29, 1884, married Mathilda Lee February 23, 1909, has one child; Leaffie, born December 6, 1885; Julius, born May 23, 1887, married, February 23, 1910, Clara Jensen. In politics Mr. Tvedt is independent. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church.

CHARLES H. CHUTE, proprietor of the "Chute Sanitarium," at Rochester, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 20, 1856, and is a son of John Joseph and Margaret (Dailey) Chute. When two years old he was brought by his parents to Winona, Minnesota, where the family resided about four years, after which they came to Rochester. Here the parents died. Charles H. Chute attended the Rochester public schools until February, 1876, and then for four years was employed in the street department of the city. Suc- ceeding this he went to Beadle county, South Dakota, and was there when the city of Huron was established. He later removed to Woonsocket and for seven years engaged in the ice business, but he then went to Brule county, South Dakota, entered land from the government and followed farming five years. Becoming discour- aged at the poor condition of the crops, he disposed of his interests there and returned to Rochester, where for seven years he was employed as baggage-master by the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- way Company. In 1880, at Huron, South Dakota, he was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Hosch, daughter of Frank and Katherine Hosch, farmers of that locality, and two children have been born to them, named Margaret, November 16, 1882, at Forestburg, South Dakota, now with her parents in Rochester, and Mary, Au- gust 7, 1884, at Woonsocket, South Dakota, who died July 3, 1888. Conceiving the idea that a sanitarium, under the right sort of man- agement, would be very successful in Rochester, Mr. and Mrs. Chute converted their residence into an institution of that nature, which has since proven the correctness of their reasoning. In June, 1903, they were forced to seek larger quarters and acquired adjoining property which they remodeled and added to their sani- tarium. Again in 1907 they were compelled to make another addi- tion, and now their establishment has accommodations for sixty-

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STATE HOSPITAL ROCHESTER.

CHUTE SANITARIUM, ROCHESTER.

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five patients, besides two hospital wards. A competent staff of nurses have charge of all patients and the doctors Mayo personally call for treatments and instructions to nurses. The Chute sani- tarium is fully equipped with all modern conveniences, and is the only private institution of its kind in the city. Mr. Chute is a Demorcat in politics but has never held office, preferring to con- fine his attention to private interests. He has held office in many local social and benevolent organizations, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Degree of Honor. They are also members of the Catholic church.

MARSHALL HICKOK, a well known and highly respected citizen of New Haven township, was born March 21, 1839, at Tunkhan- nock, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Carter and. Catherine Hickok. His mother dying when he was quite young, the father removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, in the early forties, and there the sub- ject of this sketch grew to manhood, receiving but the limited edu- cation afforded by the public schools. He assisted his father in farm work, and on September 15, 1859, married Miss Maggie Pressley. In 1860 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and be- gan farming, but the threatened disruption of the Union led to his enlistment at Fort Snelling, on January 28, 1862, in Com- pany H, Fifth Minnesota volunteer infantry. With his command he participated in over thirty engagements, great and small, includ- ing Shiloh, Corinth, Tuscumbia, Iuka, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the Red River campaign, Memphis, a campaign through Arkansas and Missouri to the Kansas line, then back to Nash- ville via. St. Louis, New Orleans, Dolphin Island, Mobile bay en- gagements, through Florida and thence back to Montgomery, Ala- bama, where he was honorably discharged September 6, 1865. In the engagement at Nashville his regiment lost 106, out of a total of 460 men engaged. After peace was declared Mr. Hickok re- turned to Olmsted county and resumed farming. Mrs. Hickok died May 5, 18-, leaving one daughter, Maggie, now Mrs. Lewis, of Idaho. Mr. Hickok remarried, his second wife being Adelia Maynard, and to this union the following children have been born : Carrie, now Mrs. Vines, of Canada; Carter, a farmer of New Haven township; Ruby, now Mrs. Nichols, of Spokane, Washing- ton; Edwin, Marion and Frank, the last named three residing at home. Mrs. Hickok died in 1888, and is buried in the cemetery at Pine Island. Mr. Hickok is a Republican and has served New Haven township as constable for about twenty years. He is a member of the James Mowrey Post, G. A. R., and for many years has represented his post as a delegate to the state encampments.

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HUGH WILSON, supervisor of New Haven township, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, August 1, 1855, the son of James and Bridget (O'Day) Wilson. Both of his parents came to America from Ireland when quite young. James Wilson learned the tailoring trade at Belfast, but after coming to this country, owing to ill health occasioned by confinement, abandoned it and took up farming in New York. The family came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in April, 1865, and passed through Chicago at the time President Lincoln's funeral car was there on its way to Springfield. The scene witnessed and the words spoken at that time left an indellible impress on the mind of Hugh Wilson, who was then but a lad 10 years old. He attended the public schools of his native state and of Olmsted county during boyhood, and was reared to hard work on his father's farm. In 1881 he began farming for himself, and is the present owner of 120 acres of what is considered a portion of the best improved farm land in Olmsted county. In 1887 he married Miss Catherine Kennedy, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Martin) Kennedy, who came from Illinois to Olmsted county in the early fifties. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of two sons: Patrick, born December 13, 1875, now engaged in the dray business at Red Wing, and Joseph, born April 2, 1884, who is living at home with his parents and assisting his father in farming, stock raising and dairying. The Wilson family are communicants of St. Michael's Roman Catholic church at Pine Island. Mr. Wilson is a man of genial disposition, and is highly regarded for his broad-minded public spirit. It has been said that wise men sometimes change their minds, but fools never. Mr. Wil- son started his political career as a Democrat, but for many years past has been an independent Republican. For the last twenty- eight years he has continuously served as supervisor of New Haven township.

JOHN BAIER, Jr., farmer and stock raiser on section 29, Haver- hill township, Olmsted county, was born March 28, 1880, on the old homestead, where he now resides, a son of the pioneer John Baier and Mary (Delmore) Baier. His parents were among the earliest settlers of the county, and appropriate mention of them is made elsewere in this publication. The Baiers were pioneers in every sense of the word, have taken an active interest and part in the growth and development of the county, and are regarded as one of the best families in the community. John Baier, Jr., the immediate subject of this review, is the oldest son and fifth child in a family of seven daughters and two sons, and received his education in the district schools of Haverhill township. He sup- plemented this schooling with a course in Darling's Business Col- lege at Rochester, and then immediately took up farming and

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stock raising and has since been actively and successfully engaged in that occupation. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and in religion he follows the beliefs of his forefathers and is a staunch supporter of the Catholic faith.

DR. ROBERT M. PHELPS, assistant superintendent of the Min- nesota State Hospital for the Insane, at Rochester, was born at Ripon, Wisconsin, March 15, 1858, a son of A. M. and Parmelia C. (Brockway) Phelps, who were natives of Norfolk, Connecticut, and Rochester, New York, respectively. Darius Phelps, his pater- nal grandfather, located with his family in Ohio at an early day, then removed to Wisconsin, where he afterwards died aged 66 years. A. M. Phelps has lived almost his entire life in Wisconsin, where for years he carried on farming and dairying, and where he is yet living, an honored and respected citizen, and where he and wife recently celebrated their golden wedding. Dr. Robert M. Phelps is the eldest in a family of three children. He received his early education in the public schools and at Ripon College, then followed civil engineering in Minnesota and in the Canadian North- west for some time. Having decided to make the practice of medicine his future occupation he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885. Shortly thereafter he accepted a position in the State Insane Hos- pital, at Rochester, Minnesota, with which he has ever since been connected and of which, since 1890, he has been the assistant super- intendent. On June 1, 1892, Doctor Phelps was united in mar- riage with Miss Sara V. Linton, the daughter of an old pioneer of Wabash county, Indiana, who died in 1903, leaving two daugh- ters, Laura L. and Isabella B.

CARL SCHOENFELDER, now residing on the old Schoenfelder homestead in section 32, Haverhill township, Olmsted county, was born in Cascade township, this county, April 1, 1887. He was the oldest of a family of ten children born to the union of Gustave and Katherine (Holler) Schoenfelder, both of whom were born, reared and educated in Germany. The father's birth in the old country occurred in 1858, but when about 17 years of age he immigrated to America, and has since made it his home. He first located at Rochester, Olmsted county, Minnesota, and for several years worked out at odd jobs, acquiring enough to purchase a fair- sized farm. He also rented land in Cascade township, and in 1897 bought the present fine farm in Haverhill township. This he cleared and improved and it is now one of the most productive tracts of land in the entire county. He and wife, who came to this country when about 22 years old, became the parents of five sons and five daughters, all being born, reared and educated in

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Olmsted county. The home place is now being farmed by his son Carl, and Mr. Schoenfelder is operating the Cascade House in the city of Rochester. In politics the father is independent, voting for the man rather than the party, and he is a member of the Church of Peace. Carl received a limited education. Under his able management the farm has come to be regarded as one of the best in the community. Mr. Schoenfelder is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and is also interested largely in the raising of fine cattle.

GEORGE W. MARQUARDT, of Rochester, was born in Marion township, Olmsted county, July 25, 1866, a son of G. W. Mar- quardt, a native of Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, and grandson of John Marquardt, also of that place. The father of our subject left the old country and immigrated to America in 1848, locating at Dayton, Ohio, where he remained several years. He then came West to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and the rest of his life fol- lowed farming here. He bought a farm in Marion township, which he grubbed and cleared, and here reared a family of six chil- dren to honorable and useful lives. With his death in 1906 Olm- sted county lost one of her earliest and best citizens, as he had always taken an active interest in the growth and development of the community. His third child, George W. Marquardt, spent his boyhood days assisting his father on the home farm and attend- ing the district schools. He remained at home until reaching maturity, and then spent two years at Seattle, Washington, and one at Oakland, California, learning the machinist's trade. The succeeding four years were spent in farming, and then, for four years, he was employed as machinist by Fred Livermore, at Roch- ester. Then, in partnership with Howard Lull, he bought out the Chicago & Great Western Railroad Company's shops, at the corner of Eighth and Broadway streets, and has been thus associated ever since under the firm name of Lull & Marquardt. Their establish- ment is 30x70 feet, contains lathes, plainers, drilling machines, and in fact all mechanical devices usually to be found in a first-class machine shop. They do quite an extensive business in the build- ing of bridges and fire escapes, and have been unusually successful in their particular line. In addition to the above they have a fully equipped blacksmith shop and foundry, the latter being 30x55 feet, and work entrusted to them will undoubtedly receive full and com- plete attention.

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 68

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

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