History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 6

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 6

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Born on January 1, 1843, in the Isle of Man, the late Thomas C. Hodg- son, in his long and interesting career, displayed the sterling attributes of the noble men who have come from the well-known isle of his birth. He was but a babe in arms when his parents came to America in 1844. They located in Galena, Illinois, and remained there until 1854, in which year they removed to Dakota county, Minnesota. There the elder Hodgson engaged in farming, and it was there that Thomas C. Hodgson grew to manhood. When he was eighteen years old, the Civil War broke out and on August 15, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The first service of this regiment was performed in suppressing an Indian insurrection in 1863. After this frontier warfare with the Indians the regiment participated in a number of severe engagements, including the sanguinary battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

At the close of the war Mr. Hodgson returned to Dakota county, Minnesota, where his parents lived. In 1868 he was married and after his marriage lived in Castle Rock, where four of his children were born. Nine years later he removed with his family to Herman, Grant county, Minne- sota, where he homesteaded a farm and where he taught school. He also served his community as justice of the peace and for thirteen years was superintendent of the schools in Grant county, resigning that position to become assistant grain inspector under Governor McGill. In 1890 the fam- ily finally removed to Fergus Falls, in order that the Hodgson children might attend school. Two or three years later the family moved to Ham-

OTTER TMI. COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

line, where the children attended college. In 1907, however, they returned to Fergus Falls and there Mr. Hodgson died on September 7. 1913.

During his long and varied services as a public official and private citizen, Thomas C. Hodgson displayed a keen and logical mind and a deep interest in all public affairs. He was a writer and speaker and rendered valuable assistance to the movements and causes in which he believed. As a country-bred boy, he was studious and naturally craved knowledge. Books interested him very much, and this proved a great source of benefit and comfort to him in his later years. It can be said that to a great extent he was a self-educated and self-made man.

To Thomas C. and Eliza (Clague) Hodgson there were born nine children, namely : Dr. John E., of Spokane, Washington ; Fred E., of Fergus Falls: Rev. William C., of Minneapolis; Frank C., well-known attorney of St. Paul; Isabel C., who married J. P. Anderson; Drusilla M., who mar- ried Charles Nelson : Kathryn, who married A. C. Baker ; Genevieve, a student of Hamline College, and Mary L., a teacher at Rochester, Minnesota.

As a citizen of his adopted country, as a neighbor among men and as a father and husband. Thomas C. Hodgson was beloved by all. His untimely death was a distinct shock not only to his family, but to a host of friends whose companionship he enjoyed throughout life.

JAMES A. BROWN.

Among the oldest and best-known lawyers of Fergus Falls, this county, who. besides being a lawyer, is prominent in the industrial and financial circles of Otter Tail county, is James .A. Brown, a native of Chautauqua county, New York. The extent of his industrial and financial interests will appear from a plain statement of facts. He is the president of the Fergus Packing Company, president of the Fergus Falls Iron Works Company, president of the First National Bank, of Deer Creek, and president of the First State Bank, of Powers Lake, North Dakota. He is also secretary of the James Land and Mining Company, with property near Brainard. More- over, he has been prominent in religious circles in Otter Tail county and is one of the substantial members of the Episcopal church in this section of the state.

James A. Brown is the son of Ira B. and Ursula ( Alverson) Brown. Ira B. Brown was a native of New York state and a well-known and suc- cessful farmer in the Empire state. He was of English descent. His wife was of Scottish descent.

James A. Brown received his early education in the Forestville Acad- emy, at Forestville. New York. Afterward he entered Hamilton College and was, for several years, a student at that institution, receiving the degrees

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

of Bachelor of Arts and of Master of Arts. From Hamilton College, Mr. Brown went to Oxford, New York, where, for some time, he was principal of the Oxford Academy.

Two years after Mr. Brown's marriage, he came West, locating at Fergus Falls, and three years after settling there was admitted to the prac- tice of law and soon thereafter engaged in the practice with W. L. Parsons as a partner, an arrangement which continued until 1911, since which time Mr. Brown has been practicing alone.

In 1881 James A. Brown was married to Mai Mygatt, a daughter of Henry and Maria (Tracy) Mygatt. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have no children.

Since coming to Minnesota, Mr. Brown has taken an active interest in religious affairs. He is a trustee of the Episcopal diocese of Duluth and one of the members of the standing committee. He was also a delegate to the convention of the Episcopal church in Cincinnati in 1910 and to the con- vention at New York in 1913. He is the treasurer and a vestryman of the St. James church of Fergus Falls. His life is, therefore, a well-rounded one and well divided among the various interests which ought to attract the attention and interests of a normal man living in the average American community. His well-rounded conception of life has made him a most valuable citizen of Otter Tail county, where he is highly respected and where he enjoys the esteem of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. In the strictest sense of the word, he is a man of affairs and interested in everything which pertains to the welfare of his home city and county.

GEORGE W. FRANKBERG.

George W. Frankberg, a successful lawyer, of Fergus Falls, this county, who is rapidly building up a large and lucrative practice in Otter Tail county, is a native of Fergus Falls, having been born there on December 20, 1882, the son of Erick and Louise (Johnson) Frankberg, and the grandson of Andrew and Britta ( Johnson ) Berg. Mr. Frankberg's father and mother were natives of Sweden, a biographical sketch of whom is presented else- where in this volume.

George W. Frankberg obtained his early education in his native city. He was graduated from the high school in 1900 and afterward entered the State University, where he spent one year in the academic department and one year in the department of law. Mr. Frankberg was admitted to the practice of law in 1904 and, in company with John L. Townley, commenced the practice of his profession in Fergus Falls. This partnership continued during a period of five years, after which the firm was dissolved. since which time Mr. Frankberg has continued the practice alone. He does a good business and his practice is rapidly increasing.

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

Mr. Frankberg was married to Mary C. Cooper, daughter of Henry and Mary (Jones ) Cooper. No children have been born to this union.

Fraternally, Mr. Frankberg is a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Frankberg is also a prom- inent member of the Chippewa Club, of Fergus Falls, and is very popular among his hosts of friends hereabout.

GEORGE F. COWING.

George F. Cowing, one of the sturdy pioneers of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail county, a man of absolute integrity and unflinching courage, who died on September 16, 1008, was a member of the bar for twenty-two years and prior to his taking to the practice of law was engaged in the mercan- tile business. In fact, he was one of the pioneer merchants of Fergus Falls, as well as one of its pioneer lawyers.

The late George F. Cowing was born on February 26, 1840, at Hexam, England, and was the son of Thomas and Jane ( Head) Cowing, the former of whom was a railway superintendent in the old country. In 1850 the Cowing family emigrated to America and, after arriving on the Atlantic seaboard, came West, locating at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where the father took up land and carried on farming until about 1860, when they moved to Holmes City, near Alexandria, in Douglas county, Minnesota. There they were living at the time of the Indian insurrection, when all of the buildings were destroyed by the Indians and the families were compelled to take refuge in St. Cloud. Afterwards they came to Alexandria, where the father operated a hotel and a market garden and where he spent the rest of his life.

George F. Cowing received his very early education in England. In America he attended the Bigford .Academy in Walworth county and Albion College in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he studied law. His studies were interrupted, however, by the breaking out of the Civil War. In 1862 Mr. Cowing enlisted in Company K, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into the service as an orderly ser- geant, and was in many battles. He was discharged at Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin. in 1865, after the close of the war.

After the war, George F. Cowing returned to Alexandria, which was at that time a frontier town. Soon afterwards he engaged in the saw-mill business with a Mr. Ilicks. He followed this business for a time and then sold out and engaged in the mercantile business in Old Chippewa, near the present site of Brandon, Douglas county, Minnesota. Prior to selling out,

OTTER TAIL, COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

however, he went to Fergus Falls, in 1870, and established a general store. The next year, accompanied by his wife, he moved to Fergus Falls and continued in the mercantile business until 1873, when he was elected super- intendent of schools. He held that position for thirteen years, during which time he was also fitting himself for the practice of law. He was soon after- wards admitted to the bar, and in this profession he was engaged during the balance of his life. He built up a large and lucrative practice in Otter Tail county and was a man not only well learned in the law, but also an able counselor and a successful pleader in court.

On December 28, 1868, George F. Cowing was married in Hudson township, Douglas county, Minnesota, to Penelope M. Strang, who was born in St. Charles, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Murry) Strang, who moved from Illinois to Minnesota, where her father farmed for many years. Finally he removed to Alexandria, where he lived with his son, George J. Strang, until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Cowing were the par- ents of four children, Irene J., who married Homer D. Russell, of Chicago, Illinois, and has one child, Wallace C., now twenty-three years old; Mrs. Irene J. Russell, who died in 1906; Dr. Philip G., who lives in Montana, and who married Helena Fverson, and Robert M., a resident of Chicago, who married Leona Lochner.

Mr. Cowing was a member of Corner Stone Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and rose to the rank of Knight Templar. He was a ready and fluent speaker and a man who was popular, especially at fraternal and public gatherings of all kinds. His untimely death was a distinct shock and was keenly felt by the people of Otter Tail county.

LEWIS L. RILEY.

Lewis L. Riley, a prosperous live-stock dealer of Fergus Falls, Minne- sota, was born in the town of Massena, St. Lawrence county, New York, on June 15. 1866. He is the son of Plyn and Sophia ( Wilson) Riley, both of whom were natives of Ireland and who came to America and settled in New York state in pioneer times.

Lewis L. Riley received his early education in Massena, passing through the usual routine which falls to the lot of the average boy. Mr. Riley was reared on the farm, and his parents dying while he was still a mere lad, he was obliged to look out for himself. In 1801 he came to Fergus Falls when he was about twenty-five years old and at the time was glad to do anything to make an honest dollar. The first thing he did was to clip the horse owned by Doctor Duncan. His next employment was as night watchman over Adelphet Gohein, who had murdered a woman by the name of Rosa Bray. Mr. Riley next did collecting for W. P. Bayley

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

for several months and afterward went to Henning, where he operated a drug store for five and one-half years.

After selling out at Henning Mr. Riley removed to Battle Lake, where he engaged in the hotel business for two and one-half years. Upon return- ing to Fergus Falls, he engaged in the live-stock business with Mr. Billing and was with hint altogether for twelve years, at the end of which time he purchased Mr. Billing's interest in the business and has since continued on his own account.

Lewis L. Riley was married to Alice Rutley, who was born on an island in the St. Lawrence river. They have one daughter, Harriet Lucile, who was born on September 12, 1895.

Among his other interests Mr. Riley and wife are prominent in the social life of Fergus Falls, Mr. Riley being a member of the Chippewa Club. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

JOHN O. BARKE.

One of the oldest members of the Otter Tail county bar is John O. Barke, who has been a practicing attorney in Fergus Falls for the past thirty-five years. In addition to the law practice, Mr. Barke has given his attention to the sale of city real estate and farm lands. Since its establish- ment, in 1892, he has been secretary and trustee of the Park Region Luth- eran College. John O. Barke was born near the city of Stavangee, Nor- way, November 12, 1850. His father, Ove J. Barke, was a farmer and con- tractor in Norway, who emigrated to America in 1870. He came West and settled in Story county, Iowa. Mr. Barke's' paternal grandfather, John O. Barke, served in the Norwegian army during the war between Sweden and Denmark. Mr. Barke's mother, before her marriage, was Ellen Anderson, also a native of Norway, whose people were farmers in their native land.

Reared on the home farm, John O. Barke received a common-school education in Norway, and then took a short course in a Latin school at Stavangee. Shortly after completing his education he came to America. and for a time was a student in the Luther College at Decorah, Iowa. Later he attended the North Missouri State Normal School, and from time to time he taught school that he might earn enough money to pay the expenses incident to completing his education. During all this time, however, he was giving considerable thought and attention to the study of law, and in 1878 entered the law department of what is now Drake University, at Des Moines, Iowa, and was graduated from that institution in June, 1880, with the degree of Bachelor of Law.

In 1880 Mr. Barke came to Otter Tail county and opened a law office in Fergus Falls, having been admitted to the practice of his profession in

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

Minnesota and Iowa the same year. Mr. Barke has followed the active practice of law for thirty-five years, and is now one of the oldest members of the bar in Otter Tail county.

In 1882 John O. Barke was married to Bertha Nelson, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Seward Nelson, a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Barke are the parents of five children, namely: Ellen J., a teacher; Dr. Owen S., a dentist, who died in May, 1914; Arthur R., who is asso- ciated with his father in the practice of law; Ralph J. and Bertha G., who live at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Barke and their children constitute a delightful family, and all enjoy a large measure of popularity in Otter Tail county.

FRANK H. GRAY.

One of the early comers to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who has had a large part in the commercial history of Otter Tail county, and who is descended from a distinguished family, is Frank H. Gray, secretary of the Lamson-Gray Company. Mr. Gray has a medal which was presented to his grandfather, James Gray, by Commodore Perry, for meritorious conduct and bravery in the naval battles on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Frank H. Gray was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, in 1846, and is a son of Neely and Adaline ( Stark) Gray. His father was a native of Vir- ginia, who came north with his parents to Uniontown, Pennsylvania. After growing to manhood in the state of Pennsylvania, Neely Gray emi- grated to Platteville, Wisconsin, where he built a flouring-mill, which he himself operated. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Wisconsin, and after his removal to Madison, the capital city of the state, he engaged in the coal and grain business there. His death occurred in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1875, while his wife passed away in the same city in 1885. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are deceased except Frank H. The deceased children are Henry L., Ellen J. and Arthur I.

Frank H. Gray received his early educational training in the public schools of Wisconsin, later attending the State University at Madison, and after finishing his education, engaged in the coal business in partnership with a Mr. Conklin, under the firm name of Conklin & Gray. This part- nership arrangement continued for fifteen years, until 1881. when Mr. Gray came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and in partnership with a Mr. Daley, under the firm name of Daley & Gray, engaged in the shoe business for three or four years. Later Mr. Gray sold out his interests in this business and engaged again in the coal business until 1912. when he became asso- ciated with Mr. Lamson in the contract building business under the firm name of Lamson-Gray Company.

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

Frank H. Gray's first wife was Fanny Robbins, who was born in Platteville, Wisconsin. Her father served seven terms in the Wisconsin state Legislature, and was a prominent man in the public life of that state. By his first marriage there were born two children: Neely H., manager for the Charles Wright Company, married a Miss McConnell, and they have one daughter, Margaret; Roderick, who was the second child of Mr. Gray's first marriage, is deceased. Some years afterward Mr. Gray was married to Mary Underwood, the daughter of H. J. Underwood, who was the founder of the Fergus Falls Journal. To this union there have been born four children. Donald U., Franklin H., Jr., Robert ( deceased) and Marion.

Mr. Gray is a member of the Federated church, and has been active in this denomination for many years.

HARRY M. WHEELOCK.

The Wheelock Weekly is well known to the people of Otter Tail county; in fact, is well known to the people of the state of Minnesota. who read newspapers, and this means a large percentage of the population. Harry M. Wheelock, the editor and proprietor of the paper, and postmaster of Fergus Falls since 1914, is prominent in the public life of Otter Tail county.

Harry M. Wheelock was born at Fredonia, New York, June 14, 1859, a son of Theodore Bainbridge and Eva (Jennings) Wheelock, the former of whom, born in Mendon, Worcester county, Massachusetts, is still living at the age of eighty-one years, and the latter born in Connecticut. died in 1880, at Duluth, Minnesota. Mrs. Wheelock's father was superintendent of a woolen mill at Bridgeport, Connecticut. Theodore B. Wheelock and wife were the parents of two sons: Harry M., the immediate subject of this review, and Leland L., who is now a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Harry M. Wheelock received his education in the normal school at Fredonia, New York, and at an early age became a printer's apprentice. and after completing his apprenticeship at Fredonia, worked at his trade in various parts of the East and West. In 1882 he settled at Fergus Falls, this county, to assist in the establishment of the Daily Telegram, and for two years he was connected with that paper. In 1884. in partnership with Capt. J. D. Wood, Mr. Wheelock established the Fergus Falls Democrat. A few years later he became connected with the Fergus Falls Journal, as local editor. In 1803 Mr. Wheelock severed his connection with the Fergus Falls Journal in order to become receiver for a bicycle factory. In 1895 Mr. Wheelock established the weekly newspaper which bears his name. Ile offered a prize for a suitable title, and for a number of issues. the paper

HARRY M. WHEELOCK.

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

appeared with simply a question mark for the heading. The name, Wheelock's Weekly. was finally decided upon as a suitable name.

Mr. Wheelock is widely and favorably known as an active newspaper worker, and one who understands all departments of a modern newspaper. He is rated as one of the best writers and managers in the state, and it can be truthfully said that the pen in his hand is mightier than the sword. In 1914 Mr. Wheelock became postmaster of Fergus Falls by appointment from President Wilson. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is first vice-president of the Editorial Association of Minnesota.

Some years ago Mr. Wheelock was married to Alice Josephine Buck, who was born in Rochester, Minnesota.

CAPT. OSMER C. CHASE.

Among the old-time residents and well-known citizens of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is the venerable Capt. Osmer C. Chase, steward of the Minne- sota state hospital, at Fergus Falls, for the past twenty-six years, having been appointed to the position in 1889. His long tenure of service in this position is a tribute not only to his skill and his ability, but also to the genial personality of which he is possessed and which has made his tenure a most pleasant experience in the official life of this great institution.

A native of Darian, Genesee county, New York, Capt. Osmer C. Chase was born in 1838, and is the son of John and Sophia (Dimock) Chase, the former of whom was a native of Otsego, New York, and the latter of Northampton, Massachusetts. In 1841 the entire Chase family removed to Ohio, where John Chase became a farmer and storekeeper in Geauga county, about twenty-four miles from Cleveland. It was here that Osmer C. Chase was reared. He was a student at Hiram College when the Civil War broke out, and this seriously interfered with the completion of his education. In 1861 he joined the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry under Wade and Hutchins and saw active service for some time. He was later transferred to Company E. One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a company of which he was instrumental in organizing and of which he became captain. He was honorably dis- charged in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 7, 1865, and upon this occasion was presented with a beautiful gold watch and chain by the survivors of his company. After living in Ohio for a time, Captain Chase left the state for the oil regions of Pennsylvania and there he remained for a few months. While a soldier in the Union army his parents had removed to Lake Gene- va, Wisconsin, and in the year 1866 Captain Chase also joined his parents

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OTTER TAIL. COUNTY. MINNESOTA.

in the state of Wisconsin, purchasing a tract of land near his father's farm. There he engaged in farming for six years, when he removed to Elkhorn and established a general store, which he operated for four years. In 1879 he came to Fergus Falls and opened a store for a year under the name of O. C. Chase, and later for some time under the firm name of O. C. Chase & Company. Subsequently, however, he sold the store to a Mr. Grant and engaged in the manufacture of cheese at Fergus Falls. He operated a large factory and did a prosperous business for three or four years, when he sold out. In 1889 Captain Chase entered the employ of the state as the steward of the state hospital, a position which he has so ably held for more than a quarter of a century.

In 1869 Capt. Osmer C. Chase was married to Delia Potter, and they are the parents of two daughters, Etta May and Alice Catherine. The former is now the wife of Dr. H. J. Laffitte, and the latter is the wife of E. J. Fairbanks. Mr. and Mrs. Chase are well known in the social and civic life of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail county and are popular among all classes of people. Captain Chase is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined this historic order at Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and having later affiliated with Corner Stone Lodge No. 99, of Fergus Falls. Minnesota. He is a good man and a good citizen, well known and highly respected in the county which has been his home for so many years.

WILLIAM P. BAYLEY.

The world is always willing to honor self-made men, men who, by their own exertion and industry, step by step mount the ladder of success. Among the men well known to Fergus Falls and Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, who have succeeded in this way is William P. Bayley, who is engaged in the real-estate, loan and collection business. Mr. Bayley is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, having been born in Massena, June 10. 1857. He is the son of William M. and Laura M. (Felch) Bayley.

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History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 6

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1156

Author: Mason, John W. (John Wintermute), 1846- 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1156