History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II, Part 90

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 90


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John Maurin was united in marriage in 1913 with Susie Hotchkiss, daughter of W. H. Hotchkiss, a farmer. To this union one child has been born, John Peter.


L. D. BARCALOW.


L. D. Barcalow, bank cashier, Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born on October 5, 1856, in New Jersey, and is a son of Farrington Barcalow, who moved to New York state with his family in 1876 and bought a farm. He received a good public school education at Jersey City, New Jersey, and followed farming on the home place until the death of his father. In 1893 he came west on account of having a brother in Minnea- polis, and engaged his services with Maurin Brothers, of Elizabeth, where he kept books for eighteen years, after which he became cashier of the Eliza- beth Bank, in which he now holds considerable stock. Politically, Mr. Bar- calow is a strong Republican and has held several local offices, among them being justice of the peace, which office he has held ever since coming to Elizabeth.


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Farrington Barcalow was born in New Jersey and was educated at Princeton University, where he studied law, but never followed the profes- sion, entering the lumber business at Somerville, New Jersey. His estab- lishment was one of the largest and most successful of the kind in the coun- try. He was a prominent man in politics, and was a wide-awake citizen in every sense of the word. He was united in marriage with Amanda Dunn, daughter of Lewis Dunn, of Newark, New Jersey. She was born in New Jersey, and became the mother of five children: Frank A., Ellis, Lewis, Rupert and Hubert. After his marriage, Mr. Barcalow engaged in the lum- ber business, which he followed until 1876, then took up farming until his death, which occurred about 1890. His wife died about 1885. In religion. Mr. Barcalow attended church but was not a member. Mrs. Barcalow was a member of the Baptist church.


William Barcalow, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Somerville, New Jersey. He was a soldier of the Continental army, and after the war ended he engaged as a hotel keeper.


FREDERICK ZILLIOX.


Frederick Zilliox was born on August 23, 1865, near Troutville, Clear- field county, Pennsylvania. ITis grandparents, Godfrey and Charlotte Zil- liox, emigrated from Gersbach, a small settlement three miles from Pir- masens, Rheinish Bavaria, Germany, in 1837. and settled in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. The grandparents on his mother's side were George H. and Elizabeth Yoas, and came from the same settlement in Germany. His father was eighteen years old when he came with his parents to the United States.


When Frederick Zilliox was nearly six years old his parents moved to Missouri, locating on a farm near Moundville, Vernon county, where he was brought up on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He had long had a desire to go to some college to prepare himself either for office work or for teaching ; and in January, 1887, he went to the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois, for a six-months' term, and then went with some of his schoolmates to Denver, Colorado, where he worked at different places for about four months, but as the western civilization did not suit him, he returned home again, and in January, 1800, went back to college to finish the course. While yet at college, Mr. Zilliox was offered and accepted a position as teacher of penmanship and commercial branches in the Braymer high school and business institute for the school year 1890-1891. In the fall of 1891 he accepted a position as commercial teacher in the German-English College, now called the Charles City College, Charles City, Iowa. He remained with this school two years, and then resigned and visited the Col-


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umbian Exposition at Chicago. From Chicago he took a trip to Pennsyl- vania with his fellow teacher and companion, P. P. Rodenberger, going by way of Niagara Falls, where they spent a day. After spending a few weeks at the home of a friend at Limeport, Pennsylvania, Mr. Zilliox went to visit his old home and relatives in Clearfield county. After spending some time among his relatives and roaming over the mountains, he went down to see Philadelphia.


In October, 1893, Mr. Zilliox returned to Charles City, Iowa, and after a short stay there went to Missouri to visit his folks. In January, 1894, he went to the Cedar Rapids Business College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to take a special course in penmanship and drawing. This course he completed in June, and in the fall accepted a position with King's Business College, Dal- las, Texas. This school proved unsatisfactory to him, and he resigned in the spring. In the fall of 1895 he secured, through the recommendation of Rev. Henry Solum, with whom he roomed at Dallas, a position as head of the commercial department at the Park Region Luther College, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, which position he still holds.


On his way north from Texas, Frederick Zilliox stopped at home and visited with his folks a short time, and then went to Charles City, Iowa, where he was married on September 12, 1895, to Anna Louise Luckow, whose acquaintance he had formed while teaching at that place in 1891-93. The wedding took place in the Lutheran church. Shortly after the wedding they came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where they have lived ever since.


CECIL BEARDS.


Cecil Beards, a prosperous young farmer of Inman township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Buckingham, Kent county, England, where he was born on August 8, 1885.


Mr. Beards is a son of John and Emma ( Hicks) Beards. both of whom were natives of England. John Beards was born in the village of Tiptree. Essex county, August 1, 1849, and his wife was born on May 5, 1849. They were married in their native land and in May, 1800, emigrated to Canada, and after remaining in Canada for six weeks they moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they have since resided. John Beards is a mechanic by trade. In 1911 he purchased a farm in section 3, of Inman township. Otter Tail county, upon which his son, Cecil, now lives. John Beards and his wife are devout members of the Congregational church. They are the parents of five children, of whom Archie and Emily ( twins) are deceased. The living children are Emma, Clara and Cecil.


Cecil Beards received his education in the schools of St. Paul, Minne-


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sota. He is a mechanic by trade and worked at this trade until 1907, when he removed to Inman township. He later spent some time in North and South Dakota, working on various farms and at his trade. In 1910 he set- tled on the farm in Inman township, and has leased it from the time it was purchased by his father. Since removing to the farm Mr. Beards has been engaged in general farming and stock raising.


In 1910 Cecil Beards was married to Mary Klawitter, who was born in Douglass county, Minnesota, and who is a daughter of James Paulson, who is a native of Norway. The latter emigrated to America many years ago and settled in Minnesota. Cecil Beards and wife are the parents of one daughter, Bernardette Emeline, who was born on September 23. 1911.


PHILIP SCOTT IRELAND.


Philip Scott Ireland was born on April 3. 1841. in Govan, Scotland. now a part of Glasgow. His father, James, also a native of Govan, Scot- tand, was the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Land) Ireland, the former of whom was born at Ardy, ten miles from Glasgow, and was a merchant. keeping the "Society Store" for twenty years. His wife was also a native of Govan. On the maternal side of the family, Philip and Jane ( Weather- spoon) Scott were the grandparents, he being a native of Govan, and she of England. Of their seven children, six were daughters. Their only son, James, took part in the battle of Waterloo, and was there wounded in the head.


James Ireland, father of Philip S., was a merchant and railroadman, and his death occurred in Scotland when his son, Philip, was about eight years of age. His widow survived him many years, passing away in 1903. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Margaret, Jeanette. Elizabeth, James, Philip and Andrew (both deceased), and Philip Scott. the subject of this review. All are now deceased except the last named.


Philip Ireland was educated in the schools of his native land, and in 1858 came to America alone, going directly to the family of his grand- father Scott, who lived in Canada. His aunt had sent him the money with which to pay for the journey. For two years he worked for his uncle for four dollars a month, and the third year worked at farm labor for other parties. After spending six years working in the pine woods of Canada, he obtained employment in a woolen mill at Axbridge, Massachu- setts, which is located about sixteen miles from Wooster. Having learned the weaver's trade in Scotland, it was not difficult for him to take up the details of his new occupation. In 1871 he traveled west as far as Minne- sota with two companions, their destination being this county. There was at that time no survey, and as necessity is the mother of invention, they


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evolved a unique plan in order to determine the choice of the farmis they were about to pre-empt. They first marked off by guess the limits of three claims, which they numbered, putting the numbers on bits of paper. They then placed these in a hat and drew numbers. The present farm of Mr. Ireland is the one which fell to him in the drawing. When this party first arrived in Eastern township the only settlers there were found to be John Tanglen and Frank Saunders. Subsequently to this apportionment, Mr. Ireland proved up on a quarter section of his land and later added to it forty acres of railroad land, all of which he has greatly improved.


Mr. Ireland's marriage to Margaret Crechton occurred in Massachu- setts in 1867, she being a native of England, and a daughter of Andrew and Mary ( Smith ) Crechton. Andrew Crechton was a designer by trade and was born in England and died in Glasgow, his death occurring during an epidemic of cholera which caused the death of many others at that time. His wife was born at Corders, Scotland, and came with her daughter, later Mrs. Ireland, and a son, to America, in 1866. They traveled first to Woon- socket, Rhode Island, in order to join a sister of Mrs. Ireland. Another son of Mrs. Crechton, named James, served in the Civil War, through which he passed uninjured.


Mr. and Mrs. Ireland are the parents of eight children, Mary, James, Lillian, Jean, Elizabeth and Margaret, Andrew and Lillian Isabell, the latter two are dead. Mr. Ireland has the honor of being the first chairman of Eastern township. He always prided himself upon being able to succeed by his own efforts. He has thus developed a spirit of independence which characterizes the best types of American citizenship.


HARRISON HARRIS.


A Canadian by birth, Harrison Harris, however, became so identified with this county that its local history could not be written without refer- ence to his life and valued work. His wife was the first white woman to take up her residence in Pelican Rapids. He was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1825, and died in Pelican Rapids, June 23, 1882. His first marriage was in Canada, the bride being a Miss Dearborn. He brought her to the United States in 1860 and located in Wisconsin, where she afterward died, leaving three children, Frederick, Awiso and Minnie, the latter is deceased. While living in Wisconsin Mr. Harris was a successful farmer.


In 1866 Harrison Harris was married at Otsego, Wisconsin, his sec- ond wife being Helen Grace Councilman, who was born in Brown county, New York, August 24, 1847. Mrs. Harris is the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Councilman, natives of the county in which their daughter was born.


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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.


In 1854 the parents of Mrs. Harris began a two-years residence in Belvi- dere, Illinois. They left there for Wisconsin, where they lived at Turtle for thirteen years. The next ten years was spent in Columbus. Mr. Coun- cilman, who was a farmer, and his wife moved to Pelican Rapids about 1880, when the former retired from active life and where he and his wife lived until their death. Both are buried here.


After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harris lived for two years at Otsego, and the following year they resided in Iowa. They then lived in Red Wing, Minnesota, until the autumn of 1869 Harrison Harris and Emerson Harris left their families in the fall of 1869 at Dayton Crossing and came to what is now Pelican Rapids, and took land and during the winter of 1869-70 built log shanties and in the spring of 1870 brought their families here. They traveled in a covered wagon, draw by an ox-team. Later, however, by a dishonest transaction, Mr. Harris was cheated out of the original claim and was forced to take up a homestead on an adjoining claim, but both of these tracts of land are now incorporated in Pelican Rapids. Mr. Harris improved his second claim and was for some time a successful farmer. There he lived to the time of his death and this was the home of his wife until her death on June 10, 1915. It was Mr. Harris who, together with George B. Wright and W. G. Tuttle, platted the town of Pelican Rapids. About this time Mr. Harris was manager of the store owned by Mr. Tuttle and in this capacity carried on trade with the neighboring Indians. One of the offices which he held was that of township supervisor. Besides his homestead, Mr. Harris owned forty acres, three or four miles distant.


Some interesting pioneer history is connected with the early life of Mr. Harris. One incident was the journey to New London, which was made by means of an ox-team, and which required three weeks. At that time the land offices were situated at St. Cloud and supplies had to be obtained in Sauk Center, Alexandria and St. Cloud. While the Indians were disposed to be friendly, there were several occasions on which they were the sources of annoyance and terror. They even came to Mr. Harris's home and remained there days at a time. The first house of Mr. and Mrs. Harris was a log cabin in which dirt was used for the floor. Crude as this dwelling was, however, it furnished welcome shelter for the villagers who frequently gath- ered there when the Indians became troublesome. Mr. Harris seemed to be looked upon as the leader of the defense. In the course of his life Mr. Harris built three log houses, and was constructing a large house which still stands at the corner or Broadway and North streets, when he was called away by death.


By his second marriage Mr. Harris became the father of three children,


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Wilson N., a daughter who died in infancy, and Ernest Edwin, also deceased. Wilson N. Harris was educated in the schools of Pelican Rapids and after- ward worked on a farm. He now looks after the property left by his father. About twenty-five acres of the original quarter section homesteaded by Mr. Harris is now a part of the village. The tract composing the eighty acres on the west has been sold. About fifty-one acres of the homestead besides the town lots are still in the possession of the family. Wilson Harris has for the past ten years been engaged in the plumbing business. For five years he has been the village assessor. He is a member of the Rothsay Odd Fellows Lodge No. 36. His mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.


A glance at the boyhood of Harrison Harris will convince the reader that his was not the nature to play today and trust to luck for tomorrow's golden crop. The strong characteristics which he evinced in manhood were present in his youth, and these he made the basis of a successful career. Mr. Harris was the sort of man who could be depended upon in emergencies and during his lifetime was a leading citizen of his community.


H. A. SCHULTZ.


Enterprise, energy, good judgment and knowledge of men are the fac- tors that enter largely into the career of the successful business man. Strict adherence to business and a thorough knowledge of his vocation are important adjuncts to a successful career. Nowhere do we find greater need for strict adherence to duty than in the general mercantile business. It is no easy task to purchase and keep for sale the many and varied articles, the public expect to find in the general store of today. In H. A. Schultz we find the successful and enterprising business man who conducts an up-to-date general store at Otter Tail, Minnesota.


H. A. Schultz, a native of Goodhue county, Minnesota, was born on June 29. 1867, the son of Ferdinand and Justine (Fisher) Schultz, who were natives of Germany. The father being born on January 11, 1824, and the mother on October 31. 1830. Ferdinand Schultz was educated in the com- mon schools of Germany. After his marriage he and his wife came to America, landing in New York in 1855. They went at once to Wisconsin and lived for a time at Princeton, later purchasing eighty acres in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where Mr. Schultz made his home until the time of his death in March, 1894. Mrs. Schultz, after the death of her husband, moved to Otter Tail city where she still resides and is an active member in the German Lutheran church at that place. Mr. Schultz was also an active member of the church and a stanch Republican, but never had aspirations for public office.


H. A. Schultz received his education in the common schools of Good-


OTTER TAIL, COUNTY, MINNESOTA.


ette county, where he grew to manhood. On April 14, 1891, he was united in marriage to Lenora Gray, of Wabasha county, Minnesota. Mrs. Schultz was born on April 19, 1877. They are the parents of the following chil- dren, LeonÄ…, Alice, Elvin and Albert. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schultz, they removed to Otter Tail county where they purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres. In 1903 the farm was sold and the family moved to Ottertail, where Mr. Schultz engaged in the mercantile business. He has been more than successful and the business has increased greatly. Mr. Schultz has been the postmaster at Ottertail since the fall of 1903 and has had charge of the switchboard for seven years for the Farmers Telephone Company at Ottertail. He has been president of the Farmers Creamery Company for four years, also president of the Cornet band for nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Schultz are very active members of the Lutheran church of Ottertail and are prominent socially.


AUGUST ALBERTS.


August Alberts, well-known farmer and prominent citizen of Otto township. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Germany, December 26, 1870, the son of Christian and Catherine ( Horn ) Alberts, both natives of Germany, the former born in the year 1823, and the latter in 1840. Christian Alberts and his family came to America in April, 1871, and located at Red Wing, Minnesota, where they lived for some time and then went to Goodhue county. After farming for some time on a farm of eighty acres in Goodhue county, Christian Alberts moved to Polk county, where he lived until 1878 and then came to Otter Tail county and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in section 6, Otto township, a place which the elder Alberts improved and where he lived until his death in 1890.


August Alberts, the only child of Christian and Catherine Alberts. came to America with his parents when four months of age and after his school days in the schools of the community, he became a farmer, acquir- ing land until now he cultivates two hundred and sixty acres, together with the raising of considerable live stock.


On February 11, 1896, August Alberts was married to Meta Mattfield, who was born in Germany, on September 12, 1876, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Oelrich ) Mattfield, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1860, and located in Gorman township. Otter Tail county, where Henry Mattfield was a farmer until 1913, when he moved to Frazee, Minnesota, and now lives a retired life .. August and Meta Alberts are the parents of two children: Arthur, who was born on May 20, 1898, and Alfred. born on May 20, 1001.


August Alberts has taken an important part in the public life and the


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JUDGE ERICK FRANKBERG


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OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.


official circles of Otto township, he being a man who is found in the front ranks of all movements for general welfare and community interests, as well as being a citizen who has served well as clerk of the school board for a period of ten years.


HON. ERICK FRANKBERG.


The life of Judge Erick Frankberg, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is the story of an ambitious Swedish boy who by hard working and native intelligence has made for himself an honorable place in the hearts of the people with whom he has lived for thirty-five years.


Judge Erick Frankberg was born in Sweden, August 9, 1850. His parents, Andrew and Britta Berg, were both natives of Sweden. The childhood days of Erick Frankberg were spent in school in his native land, he having attended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age and after that time having spent two years in higher schools and later hav- ing also attended a military school. He also, while in Sweden and while a young man, learned the carpenters' and builders' trade. Judge Frankberg came to the United States from Sweden in May, 1870, and arrived at Chicago, where on June 12, 1870, he turned his attention to the contract- ing and building trade, he being associated there with his brother. On October 9. 1871, came the terrible Chicago fire and Mr. Frankberg lost considerable in this fire. After the fire he worked at his trade and was successful. During the winter of 1872 Erick Frankberg went to a private school where he learned the English language and the business customs of this country and he then again returned to the trade of building and con- tracting until the year 1880, a part of the time in Chicago and a part of the time in Pierce county, Wisconsin. He also at odd times studied law.


On October 2, 1880, Mr. Frankberg arrived in Fergus Falls, Minne- sota, where he immediately began to work at the contracting and building trade. He had charge of the erection of the school house in the city of Fergus Falls which was destroyed by fire in 1877. In 1884 he turned his attention to real estate and was engaged in this business for about a year. when he was appointed to fill out an unexpired term as city justice. He was then elected to the same office and held it continuously for twelve years.


In November. 1896, Mr. Frankberg was elected probate judge of Otter Tail county, Minnesota. This was almost twenty years ago. It is fair proof of his learning, his impartiality and fair-mindedness as a judge that he has held the office of probate judge of this large county for now almost twenty years. The people of Otter Tail county have implicit confidence in both his


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ability and his fairmindedness. His special fitness for this office is admitted by all persons who have ever had dealings there.


Two years before coming to Otter Tail county, on November 24. 1878, Erick Frankberg was married to Louise Johnson, of Pepin county, Wis- consin. Mrs. Frankberg was also born in Sweden, October 23, 1856, and came to America when she was twelve years of age. Two sons were born to this union. Albert P. Frankberg, who was born on February 4. 1881. and who is now clerk of the probate court of Otter Tail county. He was married to Caroline Sjolie, of this county, and they have one child, Ethel Georgia. George W. Frankberg, who was born on December 20, 1882, and who is now a practising attorney in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The sketch of his life will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Louise Frankberg died on September 30, 1904, and Judge Frankberg was married. secondly, to Louise Sjoberg, on May 29, 1907, and to them has been born one son, Raymond C., who was born on September 23. 1908.


Judge Frankberg is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, having joined this lodge nearly forty years ago, December 25, 1876. He is also a member of the Elks lodge of Fergus Falls and the Chippewa Club. He was a member of the school board of the city of Fergus Falls from 1903 to 1915, when he voluntarily retired. He takes a deep interest in all public matters and can always be depended upon to do his share towards the upbuilding of his home city and his home county.


JORGEN JENSEN.


The late Jorgen Jensen, who was a prosperous farmer of Sverdrup township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was a native of Denmark, where his birth occurred on June 25, 1838. Mr. Jensen was a successful farmer and an enterprising citizen. He was a son of Jens Jorgen, who spent his entire life in Denmark, never coming to this country.


Jorgen Jensen was educated in the public schools of Denmark, and after coming to America, located on the farm where his widow now lives in 1882. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and died on the farm which he had carved out of the wilderness in 1899.




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