History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 70

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

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MILFORD F. STRANGE is the son of W. T. and Mary Strange, and is one of the prominent and successful farmers in the eastern part of the county. His farm consists of 200 acres in section 5, Elmira township. His father was born in Ireland and when two

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years old was brought by his parents to this country, and upon their arrival they located in the State of Maine, and there they remained until the year 1850, engaged in farming. They then came West to Wisconsin, where they resided for seven years. Sub- ject's father then came to this county and bought 160 acres on the school section in Elmira township, which he held until 1868, when he bought 160 acres of the land now held by Milford F. He was a Republican and for many years was a school director and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He was respected by all who had the honor of his acquaintance, and finally died January I, 1892, at the age of seventy years, and lies buried in the cemetery at Chatfield. Milford F. was born November 22, 1860, and received his education at the district schools and later at the high school in Chatfield. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm until the death of the latter, soon after which event he bought the interest in the old place of the other heirs, and has held the same ever since. In 1908 he bought an additional forty acres and now has a total of 200 acres, all constituting one of the best farms in the eastern half of the county. Since becoming the owner he has put over $1,000 in needed and handy improvements. He raises grain and live stock for the market. On June 1I, 1884, he mar- ried, in this township, Miss Eva L. Kellam, daughter of L. L. and Nancy J. Kellam, prominent farmers of this township. They have six daughters : Grace M., who married Emil Hansen, a plumber of Chatfield; Olive, who married Royal Davis; Pearl, who is yet at home with her parents; Meril, Bernice and Lucille, all with their parents.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS .- The death of William Williams on Feb- ruary 18, 1910, marked the passing of the oldest resident of Roch- ester. Wales was the country of his nativity, his birth occurring at Ely, near Cardiff, March 9, 1838, but, when a boy eight years old, he left the old country, immigrated with his parents, brothers and sisters to America, and settled in New York State. In 1850 the family removed to Illinois and a few years later to Iowa. In the fall of 1853 the father died, and William, then fifteen years of age, came further West in search of home and fortune, and finally settled on the present site of the city of Rochester. Here, where the fire department is now located, he helped to erect the old "Head's Tavern," one of the first structures in the county. For a time he worked for the old pioneer, George Head, but in the spring of 1855 pre-empted a homestead south of the State Hospital site, of which he was subsequently robbed by an unscrupulous claim-jumper, who, learning that Mr. Williams was a minor, filed claim in the land office for this particular tract. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Williams acquired government land, now known as

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WILLIAM WILLIAMS

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the C. H. Mayo farm, and in the spring of 1855 was joined by his mother, Hannah Williams, and his brothers and sisters. Here they resided for a short time, then disposed of the farm, and with the money thus secured purchased another tract south of Rochester, where Mr. Williams worked until the fall of 1862. Then, for the preservation of the Union, he enlisted with the "Boys in Blue," in Company F, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, was mus- tered in at Fort Snelling and then ordered to Fort Ridgeley to participate in the campaigns against troublesome Indians. The next year his command was ordered South, and at the battle of Gun Town, in June, 1864, he, with twenty-seven other Union men, was captured and subsequently taken to Andersonville prison. It is unnecessary now to dwell at length on the awful atrocities com- mitted by the officials of that institution; suffice it to say that Mr. Williams experienced the starving, kicking, cursing and other indig- nities heaped upon the hated "Yankees," and, when he finally effected his escape, weighed but 103 pounds. On the 22nd of Feb- ruary, 1865, he re-entered the Union lines in North Carolina, after many harrowing escapes from rebel pickets and bloodhounds. For a time he was lodged in a hospital at Charleston, South Carolina, and after securing his discharge went to Baltimore. When he had joined the service his weight was officially announced as 226 pounds, and the sufferings endured by him reduced this by more than half. He then returned to Rochester, and two years later (1867) was united in marriage with Miss Lucy A. Bassett. To them three children were born, as follows: Arthur B. and Will N., residing south of Rochester, and Edwin A., of Tekoa, Washington. When summoned to the Great Unknown, Mr. Williams was the oldest inhabitant of the county, and his loss was mourned as only can be that of one who has done so much for home and country. He lived in and around Rochester for over half a century. He was an active worker in the Methodist church, of which he was a member, a kind friend and neighbor and was greatly beloved and respected for his many excellent qualities of mind and character. In the service of his country he attained the rank of lieutenant, and when death halted his career he was carried to the last resting place by five comrades of his old company, the Ninth Minnesota, and one of another regiment. His life was an unusually clean and well spent one-one well worthy of the emulation of the present generation of Young America.

CHRIS LARSEN, who has been a resident of Olmsted county since 1872, was born in the northern part of Denmark, April 22, 1849. He was educated and reared to early manhood in his native country, but in 1872 came to the United States and located at Byron, Olm-

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sted county, Minnesota. Previous to leaving the old country he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jensen, whose parents had died when she was yet a young girl, and who had been brought up by an aunt, and one year after Mr. Larsen's arrival here she also came to America and joined him in Olmsted county. For seven years Mr. Larsen worked as a farm laborer, and by careful saving of his earnings was then enabled to buy a small farm in New Haven township. He later purchased another tract of fifty-two acres in section 35, Kalmar township. When Mr. Larsen first landed in America he had but two pennies in his pocket with which to face the trials and hardships of a pioneer life in a new country. How- ever, he possessed an abundance of courage, and knew that in the end he would be successful. Gradually, as his means permitted, he added to his holdings, and at present is regarded as one of the most prosperous and up-to-date farmers of his community. Mr. Larsen, aside from his farming interests, is interested in hog rais- ing, and also has a fine lot of cattle and horses on his place. In his political views he is a Republican, and aside from having filled sev- eral minor township offices, he has been a delegate to three state conventions. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Byron Lodge, No. 135, and in religious views he and family are identified with the Lutheran church. To Mr. Larsen and wife the following six children were born, five of whom are yet living : Jens, born July 8, 1868; William Peter, born August 12, 1875; Christine, born August 11, 1879; Alfred, born November 9, 1881; Lewis O., born December 14, 1883; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Larsen is interested in any movement that is for the good of the community, and is re- garded by all who know him as one of the public-spirited men of Kalmar township.

FRED SCHUTT is a son of Gotlieb and Louisa Schutt, and is at the present time residing on a farm of 240 acres on section 4, Elmira township. The parents, who were worthy people, passed their entire lives at Brandenburg, Germany. Their son Fred, the subject of this memoir, was born in the old country and during his youth attended school at Schwachenwald, County Arnswald, but left at the age of fifteen years to begin the struggle of life on his own responsibility. His birth occurred September 1, 1854. After leaving school he worked on a farm until he came to this country in 1890. When he arrived he was the possessor of ten pfennigs, in addition to which he was given by his relatives at the time of starting a ticket that brought him to Wisconsin. After his arrival he worked in that state for his relatives for two years, and then came to Olmsted county and first worked as a farm laborer for

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three years. He then began to rent farms, as he could get on faster than by working by the month. After operating thus for twelve years he purchased his present property. His struggle has been long and tiresome, but he has succeeded, and is now in com- fortable circumstances and prepared to enjoy life and take matters easier. He is a Republican and a member of the Evangelical Lu- theran church. He married, in Germany, Miss Wilhelmina Schon- rock, in September, 1879, and they have had five children: Bertha, . who married a farmer; Minnie, who married Mr. Henry Wan- dro, a threshing machine operator; William, Fred, Jr., and Her- man. The family is industrious and has become one of the most prominent in this portion of the county.

JOHN FUCHS is one of the successful farmers of Kalmar town- ship. Adam Fuchs, his father, married Elizabeth Koelsth, and both were of European nativity. He came with his parents to America in 1846, and for twenty years resided in Wisconsin. Sebastian Fuchs was the father of Adam Fuchs, and these two, shortly after the close of the Civil war, came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and each purchased 160 acres of land in section 13, of Kalmar township. Sebastian Fuchs died in 1892. He was twice married, there having been born nine children to his first union and four to the second. Adam Fuchs was only six years old when he was brought to this country by his parents, and has always fol- lowed farming. John Fuchs, son of Adam and grandson of Sebas- tian, was born in Kalmar township, November 9, 18-, received his education in the public schools thereof, and made his home with his father until the age of twenty-two years. For the succeeding five years he was engaged in the logging business in Washington, where he acquired $2,000 by hard work, then returned to his native township, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. January 19, 1895, he married Katie Postien, whose father, Charles Postien, died in 1895. To this union four children have been born, the following named three now living : Myrtle, Harvey and Elmer. Mr. Fuchs is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is one of the rising and progressive farmers of the county.

WILLIAM COULSON is a son of Joseph and Harriet Coulson, and has passed the greater part of his life in this county, engaged in farming. He is located on a farm of 480 acres, of which 240 acres are in Elmira township and 240 in Dover township. His father passed away June 27, 1906, and his mother February 28, 1906. Soon after their marriage in England the parents, in 1853, came to this country, landing in New York, but at once coming West to Chicago, thence trekking by ox teams to the La Crosse country

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in Wisconsin, near where they located on a wild farm, and began their labor and trials. There they remained for sixteen years, or until 1869, when they came to the present farm in this county. Upon their arrival here they first built a small shanty of timbers obtained in the adjacent woods and of lumber hauled from Chat- field, but at a later date built a better structure. Joseph was a Republican and a member of the Methodist church, belonging to the latter sixty-one years, and serving as trustee and steward. Owing to his defective hearing, he was compelled to forego all ordinary official positions, though eminently qualified to fill any local office. He and his wife built up a splendid reputation here for good citizen- ship and excellent conduct.

William, their son, was born in Lincolnshire, England, on August 17, 1853, and when an infant was brought to America by his par- ents. He attended the district schools in Wisconsin, and after his arrival in this county continued to attend at the Elmira district school near his father's residence. During his youth and early man- hood he assisted his father on the farm, and from the start took more than ordinary interest in the success of all farm operations. He learned all the arts and mysteries of farming and stock-raising and ever since has been one of the most successful and up-to-date farmers of the county. Under his good judgment the buildings have been remodeled and all things have been improved. He is at present engaged in building a fine new residence. He has taken a deep interest in public and political affairs and in all things relating to good citizenship. He is a Republican and has served as delegate at various conventions, and recently was honored by appointment from Governor Eberhart as delegate to the Conservation Conven- tion at St. Paul. He is at present a justice of the peace and has occupied other important and responsible positions. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist church and of the Woodmen, and is a Knight Templar and a Knight of the Scottish Rite. On June 1, 1875, he married Miss Eliza, the daughter of Thomas and Lizzie Patterson, who were prominent farmers of Elmira township, and among the first settlers. Thomas died in 1908 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife had died in 1875 at the age of forty-two years. William and Eliza Coulson have had six children, as follows: Josie died at the age of seven years; Nellie married T. L. Phelps, auditor of Olmsted county; Newell E., who has obtained a good education; Frank W., a graduate of Rochester Business College; Paul E., who is still at school; Leona, who is also at school and excels in drawing and painting. No people in the county are better known or more highly respected. All realize the great importance of educa- tion for the enjoyment and happy passage of life, and all are ambi- tious and are keeping step with the progress of events along modern lines.

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GEORGE L. LULL, one of the best-known and most successful farmers and stock-raisers in Olmsted county, was born in Marion township, January 22, 1867, a son of Legrand W. and Amanda (Brown) Lull. Legrand W. Lull was one of the earliest settlers in the county. He was a native of Otsego county, New York, his birth occurring May 8, 1832, and first came to Minnesota in 1857. Here he followed his trade as carpenter two years in the village of Marion, and then returned for a year and a half's residence in the East. In 1861 he came back to Olmsted county and purchased 240 acres of land, which he cleared and cultivated, and which is still in possession of the family. This tract was located on section 22, Marion township, and with the exception of seven years spent in the city of Rochester, during the latter years of his life, was always Mr. Lull's home. He was keenly interested in all the important topics of the day, politics included, and in 1884 served as treasurer of the county. He also for a number of years acted in the same capacity for the Burr Oak district, and was chairman of the board of county commissioners for eight years. He passed away on Feb- ruary 20, 1908, in his seventy-sixth year, a man greatly beloved and respected for his many sterling qualities of mind and character. He was of that class of men who helped build and organize our country and make it the premier nation of the world. He was greatly interested in every movement that tended to the growth and development of home and country, and with his death Olmsted county lost a good and true man and citizen. His wife, Amanda Brown, was born in New York State on December 31, 1838, the daughter of William R. Brown, one time merchant and farmer of Marion, and to their union four sons, Howard A., George L., Will- iam B. and Frank E., and one daughter, Goldie E., were born, all on the old homestead in Marion township.

Of the above named children, George L. Lull, the immediate subject of this review, was reared in, and educated in the district schools of, his native township. He supplemented his early school- ing by courses in the Rochester High School and Darling's Business College. In 1892,when twenty-five years old, he left the home place and went to Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota, and there was ap- prenticed to and learned the jewelry business. This line of endeavor he followed for about fifteen years, and then returned to the home farm in Marion township, Olmsted county. He was married Janu- ary 26, 1898, at Owatonna, to Miss Myrtle Anderson, a native of that place, and three children have been born to their union, as fol- lows : One who died in infancy, Laverne and Helen. In his political views Mr. Lull, like his father before him, is a firm believer in the ideas advanced by the Republican party, and he takes an active inter- est in the success of any local movement that tends to the betterment of his community.

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H. M. CROFOOT, one of the most successful pioneer farmers of Rock Dell township, was born in Lewis county, New York, Octo- ber 26, 1856, being a son of Benjamin and Jane Kilham Crofoot, who were devout members of the Methodist church. The father was a farmer, also a carpenter.

H. M. Crofoot spent his boyhood days on the home farm in New York and received his education, as did the other boys of those times, in the country schools. In 1874 he started out in life for himself, coming to Rock Dell township, Olmsted county, Minne- sota, where, until 1885, he rented land and followed farming. He carefully saved the money acquired in this manner, and in time was enabled to purchase eighty acres of land. From time to time he added substantially to his holdings until, in 1909, he was the owner of 400 acres of as fine, rich land as can be found in the county, which land is situated in sections 17 and 20 of Rock Dell township. He associated himself with other lines of industry as well. He was connected with the Rock Dell Cheese Factory, the Zumbro Creamery, the Farmer's Lumber Yard at Hayfield, the Farmer's Elevator at Stewartville, and various other concerns, always active and interested in everything that is for the benefit of the home, the town, and humanity in general. He was loved and esteemed for his charitable disposition and unquestioned integrity of character. His reputation for veracity and sound judgment was so well rec- ognized that his advice was frequently sought, and on different occasions he has settled many a petty dispute between neighbors which might otherwise have gone to the courts.

On March 31, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Lamp, daughter of Frederick Lamp, of Rock Dell township, and to them have been born the following children: Lillian, who died October 13, 1910; Jennie, Laura, Minnie, Horace Martin, Mary Lucile and one who died in infancy. H. M. Crofoot died October 21, 1910, honored and respected by the whole community. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester, Minnesota, leaving a widow and five children.

He was a prominent church worker and a public-spirited man, taking an active interest in politics. He served as a member of the school board for about twenty years, and as a member of the town board for many years also, being chairman of the same fourteen years. He acted as delegate to many county and congressional con- ventions. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Modern Woodmen of America. In October, 1909, he sold his farm. About a year from that time he moved, with his family, to Rochester, Minnesota, where he lived only a few weeks to enjoy the fruit of his activity and industry.

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WILLIAM HOWARD CORNWELL, who is now residing at 473 West Wabasha street, Winona, where he has been engaged in the real estate business for the last three years, passed the most of his life on the old home farm of 240 acres on sections I and 2, Elmira township, this county. He is the son of Charles H. and Emily Cornwell, who came to America with their parents at an early date, from England. The Cornwells located in Connecticut, but in 1856 came to Minnesota and located on the land which to-day is called the "Home Farm." Charles H. and Emily were thus among the first settlers, and experienced all the trials and hardships of the new country. He first pre-empted 160 acres and later added to it an eighty-acre tract, all of which is owned to this day by William H. and his brother, Charles F. At first they were compelled to do their marketing at Winona, where they drove their cattle and hogs and hauled their grain, and where they purchased the most of their supplies. At first their houses and other buildings were rude and primitive, and often it was difficult to keep warm and care for their stock. The father was thrifty, industrious, honest and well in- formed, and made the most of his opportunities, and steadily gained in property and advanced in the esteem of the community. He occupied various official positions, always with honor to his good name. He is now eighty-seven years old, and is near the end of a successful and useful life.

William Howard Cornwell was born on the home farm, January 17, 1868, and in youth was educated at the district schools. Later he supplemented this with extensive reading and practical observa- tions until to-day he is unusually well informed and broad-gauged. After securing his education he continued on the old farm until he and his brother bought it in 1892. They still continued to con- duct the place until 1907, when he engaged in the real estate busi- ness at Winona. He is unmarried and resides with his sisters. He has two brothers and two sisters: Helen, Addie, Frank S. and Charles F. The parents and children are prominent people and are among the best and most progressive citizens of the county

M. F. MADDEN was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, March 6, 1855, and there grew up until he was eleven years old, receiving in the district schools the rudiments of his education. In 1866 he was brought to Viola township, Olmsted county, by his parents and here he has ever since resided. His parents were Daniel and Bridget (McCormick) Madden, who were permanent citizens of Viola town- ship after the year 1866. They became well known and had the respect of all who knew them. To them were born the following children : John, a resident of this township; Michael, of Roch- ester; Mrs. Kate Vaughan, of Viola township; James, a resident of Swift county, Minnesota; Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald, of Swift county ;

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Sister Mary Jane, of the Good Shepherd Convent, St. Paul; Mrs. Ellen McDonald, of South Dakota; M. F., the subject of this sketch; Eliza J., with her parents; Sister Regina, of Portland, Oregon. M. F. Madden was married to Miss Mary Purcell, of Aus- tin, Minnesota, February 16, 1881, she being the daughter of John and Ellen (Quinn) Purcell, and to this union the following chil- dren have been born: Mrs. Mary Ellen Williamson, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, born May 2, 1882; Leo D., residing at St. Paul, born March, 1883; John Henry, born June 26, 1884, died October, 1884; Bridget Genevieve, born October 29, 1885, residing in Roch- ester; Alicia Valencia, born November 4, 1886; Clarence Martin, born November 12, 1889, residing in Rochester; Grace Angelia, born September, 1892; Walter Joseph, born September 13, 1893; Josephine Magdalen, born July 22, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Madden now own a fine farm of 160 acres in Viola township, all equipped with modern improvements. He is a Democrat, but has not taken an active part in politics. He and family are Catholics and attend church at Rochester. He belongs to the M. W. A. and to the A. O. H. He has served as road supervisor and as secretary of the school board. He is one of the leading farmers of this portion of the county. In the Purcell family there were seven children : Pierce, born in 1852, died in infancy; Mrs. Madden, born August 23, 1854; Mrs. Andrew Fox, born 1856; John, born 1858, now at Austin; Mrs. Lida Cotter, born 1863, at Austin; Mrs. Hannah Sheedy, born 1869, died 1894.

PATRICK KEEFE is the son of John and Mary, and is now resid- ing on a fine farm in Elmira township. His father, John, came to America in 1836 and for eight years remained in New York. He was born in County Clare, Ireland, June 18, 1820, and at the age of sixteen years came to this country. While in New York he married Miss Mary Carney, soon after which he came West to Michigan. In that state they lost three of their children. They finally moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, and resided there fourteen years. In 1865 they came to Olmsted county and located on a farm and were thus situated until the fall of 1889, when he moved to Chatfield and resided there until his death, July 11, 1899. His widow followed him to the grave February 11, 1901. Everybody who knew him liked him. He was a useful citizen, an industrious farmer, a kind husband and father and an agreeable neighbor. He and his good wife were devout Catholics. She was formerly Mary Kearney and was born in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1819, and came to New York with her father, brothers and sisters when she was sixteen years old. To her marriage to John Keefe seven sons and one daughter were born. Patrick Keefe was born at Appleton, Wisconsin, March 17, 1854, and was educated in the

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History of Olmsted County, Minnesota, Part 70

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

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