USA > Minnesota > Olmsted County > History of Olmsted County, Minnesota > Part 69
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GEORGE A. CUMMINS, of Marion township, Olmsted county, is a native of West Virginia, his birth occurring September 5, 1841, at Morgantown, Monongalia county. He was the third child in a family of nine born to the union of Joseph and Margaret (Still-
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well) Cummins, of Irish and Welch descent, respectively. The father was born in Maryland, but was reared and educated in Vir- ginia, and in 1865 came West with his family to Iowa, where, with the exception of two years spent in Marion township, he. passed the remaining years of his life engaged in farming.
Until 17 years of age George A. Cummins remained with his parents in West Virginia, attending the district schools and learn- ing the steel melting business. He then went to Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, where he followed his trade until war was declared be- tween the North and South in 1861. He enlisted with the Boys in Blue in the Thirteenth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, but served only three months with that command. He re-enlisted in August, 1861, in the Seventh West Virginia volunteer infantry, and served until he was discharged for disability in 1863. The following year he again enlisted in the Pennsylvania volunteer infantry and served with credit until the close of that memorable struggle. He was wounded once, and for three months was a prisoner at Libby and Bell Island. He participated in the engagements at Rumley, Har- rison and Antietam, and also Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He was also a participant in the siege of Petersburg, and at Fort Gregg, and Appomattox. After the war he returned to Pittsburg and followed his trade until 1872. On June 28, 1869, Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Jane McNickle, daughter of James McNickle, a boilermaker of New York City, and in 1872, accompanied by their family, came West to Marion township, Minnesota. There Mr. Cummins rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement from the active duties of life. He and family now reside in the village of Marion, are communicants of the Methodist church, and are highly respected members of the com- munity. Mr. Cummins is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 144.
WILLIAM KOLBE, a farmer residing on section 27, Oronoco township, was born ten miles south of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Au- gust 2, 1859, and when 4 years old was left fatherless. His mother, whose maiden name was Matilda Stark, was a native of Germany. Following the death of her first husband, the father of the subject of this sketch, she married a Mr. Kolbe, and the chil- dren born to her first marriage took the surname of her second husband. In 1864 the Kolbe family came to Olmsted county and bought the "Crofoot farm," which is yet owned by them. The children are: Mrs. Mary Bogue, of Rochester; Sophia, living in Chicago, Illinois; John, deceased; Anna, who lives in Rochester with her monther; Edward and Clara, who died of typhoid fever within a few days of each other; Henry, who died in 1907; Lillie Leonard, of Chicago, Illinois; Edith Bird, of Rochester; and the
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subject of this review. Mr. Kolbe died in 1887, and was a Metho- dist in his religious views. William Kolbe was married Decem- ber 20, 1882, to Mary Alice Pike, daughter of Emerson and Abi- gail (Woodward) Pike, of Pine Island, Minnesota. Emerson Pike was born in Vermont in 1814 and was of Colonial ancestry. Mrs. Pike was of an old Massachusetts family and died in March, 1884. They were the parents of Emerson, Alvin, Rosalie Larock, Rosina Brown and Mary Alice, all living in Olmsted county. Mrs. Kolbe was born February 28, 1854, and to her marriage with William Kolbe five children have been born, as follows: Vaughn L., No- vember 29, 1883; Mrs. Helen O'Neill, November 18, 1887; Wesley William, January 26, 1889; Francis M., December 27, 1895; Cindie, April 22, 1898. Mr. Kolbe is a Republican and has served on the school board twelve years. He has never desired or sought public office, but prefers to devote his energies to the care of his fine farm of 540 acres, and to the raising of stock. Ever since 1884 he has operated a threshing machine, the first one owned by him being the old, primitive, horse-power variety. Mr. and Mrs. Kolbe are of the best, most intelligent class comprising citizenship of Olmsted county.
DR. ARCHIBALD BAMBER, retired pioneer dental practitioner of Rochester, was born March 21, 1843, in Wood county, Ohio; the son of John and Lucy (Whitney) Bamber, and a grandson of David Bamber, who came to this country from Londonderry, Ire- land, and settled in New York state in 1798. John Bamber was born in Herkimer county, New York, November 2, 1812. He moved from there to Ohio when a young man and in December of 1854 emigrated to Olmsted county, Minnesota, pre-empting a farm in section 10, Rochester township. He was one of the earliest settlers in this locality and his wife's death in 1855 was the second in the township. He was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Rochester. After nearly thirty-five years of agriculture, Mr. Bamber retired from active life and came to Roch- ester to pass his remaining years, living into his ninetieth year, pass- ing away after a short illness. Mr. Bamber was one of Roches- ter's best and most deserving citizens, and his death was mourned generally throughout the community. He lies at rest beside his wife in Oakwood cemetery, at Rochester.
Archibald Bamber, the son, lived as other pioneer boys during his youth, helping on the farm and attending district school. At an early age he developed a fondness for study and for Nature, so was sent to Hamline University, then situated at Red Wing, Min- nesota. He left the university at the first call for volunteers in 1861 and served three years with Company F, First Minnesota volunteers, when he was mustered out. Returning to Rochester,
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he entered the dental office of Doctor Williams, and was success- fully engaged in the practice of his profession until in 1904 he was forced to retire because of failing health. He was a member of the State Dental Society, and is one of the oldest members of Rochester Lodge No. 21, A. F. & A. M., having held office in said lodge almost continuously, and urging the younger men to take active part in fraternal work. On September 20, 1866, he mar- ried Miss Susan L. House, who was born July 9, 1850, in Dixon, Illinois, the daughter of John W. and Mary A. House. To Doc- tor Bamber and wife eight children have been born, six of whom are living. The Bamber family are members of the Episcopal church, Mrs. Bamber having taken active part in church as well as in social affairs. Doctor Bamber is a student of Nature, having made special study of birds and plants which are found about his home and along the streams, for he has always been an ardent fish- erman and a local authority on the habits and habitat of the finny tribe.
GEORGE WESLEY ALLEN, one of Olmsted county's pioneer farmers and stock raisers, was born in Marion township, this county, October 7, 1862, a son of George Allen, deceased, and Sarah (Cooper) Allen, appropriate mention of whom appears else- where in this work. Of six children born to his parents he was the fifth, and was reared in and educated in the district schools of his native township. He assisted in the work of the home farm until his marriage, on October 5, 1898, to Miss Margaret Johnston, who was born February 28, 1864, the fourth child of Isaac John- ston, of Kalmar township, Olmsted county. The Johnstons were early settlers in that part of the country, and there Margaret was educated and reared to womanhood. Shortly after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Allen took place they removed onto the farm where they now reside. Mr. Allen has followed farming as his life's vocation and also is interested largely in stock raising. He owns 132 acres of finely cultivated farm land and is a stockholder and secretary of the creamery near the village of Marion. In poli- tics he is a staunch Republican, is active in all the local movements of his party, and has served as township treasurer for four years. In his religious views he is identified with the Methodist church, and is regarded as one of the public-spirited, up-to-date farmers of the community.
HOWARD WILL AMOS, a well known and successful farmer, is now residing on a tract of 80 acres in section 5, Dover township. He is a son of Charles and Augusta Amos, his parents being influ- ential farmers of Little Valley, Olmsted county, who came here from Pennsylvania at an early date. Howard Will was born on
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his father's farm in Little Valley on November 3, 1882, and at- tended the local schools until he had attained the age of 19 years, in the meantime assisting his father with the work of the home farm. Since his marriage Mr. Amos has been engaged in farming on his present place. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On December 12, 1905, he married Miss Ida Ketchum, daughter of Jerome and Ellen Ketchum, who are among the most prominent farmers and citizens of the whole county, and of whom additional information is to be found elsewhere in this work. Their names are indelibly printed on the history of southern Minnesota, and particularly of this county, where they have lived so long and are so well known. To Howard W. Amos and wife two children have been born, named Orville and Gladys.
FRED VINCENT DUNNETT, well known farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, Olmsted county, was born in this township October 21, 1862, the oldest son and third child in a family of twelve, six sons and six daughters, born to the union of Frederick and Mary (Young) Dunnett. Both parents were born, reared and educated in England, and the father, at the age of 21, immigrated to America in search of home and fortune. He first settled in Ohio, but after remaining there one year, came farther West to Iowa. In 1854, when this portion of Minnesota was wild and unsettled, inhabited by dangerous Indians and beasts of prey, Mr. Dunnett came to Olmsted county and settled on a farm in what is now section 21. He later entered 160 acres from the government and purchased 40 acres on section 16. In 1872 he disposed of this latter 40 acres to his brother and then entered another 80 acres of government land, which he grubbed, cleared and improved. He was essentially a pioneer, and experienced all the trials and hard- ships incident to early life in this country, but he possessed grit and determination in a large degree, and when death halted his career, at the age of 68, he had acquired a competency and the respect and esteem of his fellow-men. He was a Republican in his polit- ical views and always took an active interest in the welfare of that party. He and wife were also members of the Methodist church, as are the greater part of their children.
After receiving his education in the district schools of Marion township, Fred V. Dunnett, the subject of this review, engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1891 he bought and moved onto his present farm of 230 acres, made all necessary improvements, and has since been actively engaged making a specialty of raising fine cattle. On September 15, 1893, he was married to Miss Jennie Johnston, daughter of Isaac Johnston, pioneer farmer of Kalmar township, Olmsted county, and to them have been born
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Gertrude and Clifford. Mr. Dunnett is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist church, and is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
FRANK W. DUNNETT was born, reared and educated in Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota. He was a son of Fred- erick and Mary (Young) Dunnett, natives of England, appropriate mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and his birth occurred March 27, 1864, on the old homestead of his parents. After attending the district schools until 16 years old, he left home and went to Walnut Grove, Redwood county, Minnesota, where for six years he was in the employ of W. L. Brackenridge. He then went to Tracy, Lyon county, Minnesota, and for six years was connected with the hardware establishment of D. H. Evans. He then returned to Marion township, and on September 19, 1893, was united in marriage with Miss Olivia M. Johnston, daughter of . Isaac Johnston, of Kalmar township, and a sister of his brother's wife, and to them one son, Rodney Arthur, and one daughter, Mar- garet Delight, have been born. In 1891 Mr. Dunnett bought his present fine farm of 185 acres in section 27, Marion township, has added many of the modern conveniences to same and at present is actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He specializes in the raising of fine cattle. Mr. Dunnett has been a life-long Republican in his political views and for three years served as chairman of the board of township supervisors. He and family are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly respected in the community where they reside. Socially Mr. Dunnett is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Tracy, Minne- sota, and takes much pleasure in his relations with his fellow-men.
DAVID W. BRADLEY, well known carpenter contractor and builder of Rochester, was born in Tompkins county, New York, April 19, 1840, the son of William and Jane ( Kain) Bradley, both of whom were natives of County Donegal, Ireland. The father immigrated from the old country to New York in 1835, the mother in 1838, and shortly after her arrival they were married. The father fol- lowed the weaver's trade in Ireland, but after coming to this coun- try engaged in farming. The family came West to Minnesota in 1856 and located on government land in Cascade township, Olm- sted county. Here the father died in 1861 and was buried in the Pleasant Prairie cemetery. His wife subsequently passed away and was laid at rest beside her husband. Mr. Bradley was a Re- publican in politics and both were members of the Episcopalian church.
In youth David W. Bradley attended the public schools and re-
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mained with his folks on the homestead in Olmsted county until war was declared between the North and South. At Rochester, August 13, 1862, he enlisted in the Union cause in Company H, of the Sixth Minnesota volunteer infantry, and under command of General Sibley, took part in the campaigns against the Indians of Minnesota and the Dakotas, from the Black Hills to the Canadian line. In June, 1864, he was ordered South to Helena, Arkansas, where sickness overtook him and he was compelled to return home. He later, however, rejoined his regiment at St. Louis, where he was stationed two months, then went South to New Orleans and participated in the struggles around Mobile, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, and after capture of the latter stronghold marched through Alabama to Montgomery, where they heard of General Lee's sur- render. He remained there until July, 1865, then came back North and was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. He immediately returned home and resumed farming, continuing until 1871, when he removed to Rochester and has since been engaged in carpentering and building, with the exception of some three and a half years spent as superintendent of construction for Fairbanks, Morse & Company, who erected water tanks, pumping stations, railroad scales, etc., in all the West-Central states. In 1870 Mr. Bradley was married to Miss Mary J. Crabb, daughter of James and Lu- cinda T. Crabb, who was born April 25, 1846, and to them the following children have been born : Nellie, at Rochester, August 2. 1871, now Mrs. Rodney N. Lyon, of Fairmont, Minnesota; Wil- liam J., Rochester, April 25, 1873, of Butte, Montana; John W., Rochester, now engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Wichita Falls, Texas. Mrs. Bradley passed away August 10, 1895, and is buried in Oakwood cemetery at Rochester. Mr. Brad- ley is a Republican in his political views, but has never taken an active part in politics. He was one of the charter members of the Rochester branch of the G. A. R., and is a member of the Regi- ment Reunion Association and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He has been through all the chairs of the latter organization, and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge of the Grand Encamp- ments.
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MARTIN ST. GEORGE, deceased pioneer farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, Olmsted county, was a native of Pennsylvania and a son of Michael and Julia (Kelly) St. George. His father was born in September, 1817, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to America in 1837, stopping for a time in New York, and later removing to Savannah, Georgia, where he passed five suc- cessive winters, coming North in the summers. Subsequently he went to Buffalo, New York, where he remained seven years, thence went to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and from there to Indiana. In
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May, 1856, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and located on section 29, Marion township. Here he was married in 18- and resided until death. He acquired a tract of 200 acres, which he improved and cultivated, and which, after his death, was divided among his children. Martin St. George, the immediate subject of this review, and a son of the pioneer Michael, was reared anad edu- cated in Marion township. After arriving at manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Hurley, daughter of Dennis Hurley, of Canada, and to them a family of fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters, were born. All of these that lived to maturity were reared and educated in Marion township and at- tended the Rochester College. By hard and conscientious work Mr. St. George acquired a competency, and when death summoned him he was greatly respected and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a Democrat in his political views, as were his ante- cedants before him, and he and family were devout members of the Catholic church.
ALBERT HOMER HART is at present engaged in the implement, machine and automobile business at St. Charles. He is a son of John G. and Phebe A. Hart, who came from Pennsylvania to Olm- sted county in 1858 and located on a farm three-quarters of a mile north of Dover. The country then was very new, and the tract thus taken up consisted of prairie and timber land, all of which had to be cleared, grubbed and broken up. In the end the farm con- sisted of 280 acres and was placed in a fine state of cultivation. Here both father and mother resided until their respective deaths, the mother in July, 1895. Their son, Albert H., was born in Dover township April 12, 1866, and in youth received a fair education at the public schools of Dover, and continued going to school in winters and assisting his parents in summers until he reached man- hood. After that he continued on the farm until its partition at the time of the mother's death in 1895. Of the old place he received 120 acres, which he held until 1902, when he sold the same and went to South Dakota, where he purchased a farm of 640 acres. He occupied this farm for one year, but held it for two years and then sold out and returned to St. Charles and rented a farm, but in 1905 he engaged in the business of delivering gasoline and coal oil throughout this portion of the counties. He thereafter became engaged gradually in his present business, which he has made successful. He has a frontage of too feet and is doing a good business. He still holds his old position with the Standard Oil Company. He is a Republican and a charter member of St. Charles Blue Lodge, Masons, and is well known and respected. On October 16, 1897, he married at St. Charles Miss Mary, daughter of Edwin and Eliza Persons, her parents being both deceased, the
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father in 1907 and the mother in 1909.' Albert H. and wife have one child, Ruth, who is six years old.
JAMES BROGAN is now residing on a farm of 160 acres in sec- tion 35, Elmira township. He is a son of Anthony and Kate Brogan, who came from Ireland to the United States in the year 1855 and settled in Elmira township, and here passed the remainder of their lives as industrious and law-abiding citizens. They were pioneers in every sense of the word, and passed through all the trials and hardships of the new country. When they came here there was not a railroad in the county, and none nearer than Winona, and to that point they were forced to go to market their products. The roads ran along the old Indian trails and the bridges were as fashioned by Nature-fords. Here they strug- gled and in time built up a fine property and became influential in township affairs. The father finally passed away in 1892. Their son James was born June 5, 1874, on the old farm in Elmira town- ship, and spent his youth in attending the district schools and in assisting his father on the place. He finally left school in 1891, and ever since has resided on the farm and been engaged in agri- culture. He served for a time as clerk of the board of education. He is a Roman Catholic. He is at present engaged in mixed farm- ing and stock raising. On November 6, 1902, he married Miss Myrtle Lane, daughter of William and Lizzie Lane, prominent farmers of Fillmore county. They have one son and one daugh- ter-Boyd and Vera.
PHILIP HEBACH, a deceased pioneer farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, was born in Ger- many, October 10, 1817, and was there educated and reared to early manhood. Early in life he decided that greater chances for success could be found in America, and accordingly he left his native country and immigrated to the United States. He first set- tled in New York state and for eleven years was engaged by a New York banker as carriage driver and gardener. In 1858 he decided to seek a new home on the broad and rolling fields of the West, and came to Olmsted county, Minnesota. Here he bought 160 acres of land in Marion township, improved and cultivated same, and when death halted his career on May 16, 1903, he was one of the most successful and progressive farmers in the com- munity. Aside from his farming interests he was largely engaged in the raising of fine cattle, and at this he was also unusually suc- cessful. Before coming to this part of the country Mr. Hebach was married in New York state to Miss Katherine Karl, who was born in Germany, November 12, 1825, and they, with their one daughter Anna, born in Olmsted county, lived many years happily
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together. Mrs. Hebach was reared and educated in her native country and when a young woman came to this country and joined her parents, who had immigrated previously and settled in New York state. In his political views Mr. Hebach was a life-long Democrat, and socially he was identified with the Masonic fra- ternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1903 he was summoned to the Great Beyond, a man greatly beloved and respected by all who knew him, and a devout member of the Catholic church ..
JOSEPH T. STOKES is the son of Patrick J. and Mary Stokes. and at present is residing on a farm of 240 acres in sections 25 and 26, Elmira township. The father, who is now about 90 years of age, is still living in Fillmore county. The mother passed away in 1903 at the old home. The parents were farmers and built up a large property and a good name. Patrick, the father, immigrated to this country in the thirties and first located in New Orleans, where he ran a steamboat for eleven years. He then spent several years at farming in Ohio, but eventually settled in Wisconsin, where he worked on railway construction in that and other states. He finally came to Olmsted county and bought 80 acres in section 36, Elmira township. Later he added to this property until he owned a total of 265 arces. He was industrious and honest and became prominent in local affairs. He occupied a number of official posi- tions with distinction, and was public spirited and popular. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Roman Catholic. He participated in the war with Mexico in 1847-8 and came out with a clean record. Notwithstanding his great age he is still hearty and clear-headed. Joseph T. was born on the home farm in this township on December 27, 1867, and in boyhood went to school in the home district and during vacations helped his parents on the old farm. At the age of 22 years he began operations for himself and soon afterward bought of his father the first 80 acres obtained when the latter came to the township. He made such good use of his time that in the end he has been able to buy the balance of the place and now owns 240 acres. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and is unusually successful. In 1888 he married Miss Rose Brogan, daughter of Anthony and Katherine, and they have had the following children : Clarence, Loretta, Beatrice, Ray- mond, Lloyd, Mary, Geneva, Esther and Paul living, and Francis, who died at the age of one year and nine months.
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