History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 102

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 102

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John E. Newell was born in Mayo county, Ire- land, January 4th, 1847. The next year his par- ents, Frank and Winifred Newell came to Amer- ica, and after living two years in New York, moved to Rhode Island, thence to Wisconsin. After living three years in Chicago, Illinois, they came to St. Paul in June, 1854, on the War Eagle. The father moved to Burnsville, Dakota county,

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made a claim, and in 1856, died. The mother died at Rosemount in 1870. Two years after his father's death, young Newell came to St. Paul where he has ever since resided. In August, 1864, he began learning the tinner's trade and served full apprenticeship with Prendergast. Worked at the trade until 1878, when he was ap- pointed upon the police force by Mayor Dawson, and has since held the position. Mr. Newell mar- ried Miss Mary Dunn, of Dakota county, October 19th, 1876. She was born in St. Paul, March 22d, 1859. They have two children; Eddie and Martin.

Major Thomas McLean Newson. We find the following biographical sketch of Major Newson, in a work published by W. J. Arnold in 1864, and entitled "The Poets and Poetry of Minnesota." "Captain Thomas McLean Newson was born in the city of New York on the 22d of February, 1827. His father, Captain George Newson, was commander of a military company in that city for nineteen years and his grandfather was paymas- ter on Governor's Island during the war of 1812. Captain Newson moved to New Haven, Connec- ticut, in the year 1832, in the year 1834 his wife died, and in 1838 he died. After the death of his parents Thomas was placed in a boarding school where he spent several years in obtaining an edu- cation. After leaving school he became an ap- prentice in the printing business in New Haven, Connecticut, and it was during that period he wrote some of his earlier poems and contributed many prose articles to the different journals of the state. In 1847 he started the first paper ever published in the village of Birmingham, Connec- ticut, where he spent the greater part of his early manhood, boarding for many years in the family of the now famous Clara Louise Kellogg, the great singer. He also originated and published the first daily penny paper ever issued in Connecticut, and conducted it with ability for one year, when his health failing him, it was abandoned. He was the first secretary of the first editorial asso- ciation ever held in Connecticut, and was one of the originators of the movement in that state. He became early a "IIenry Clay" whig, and from his earliest manhood to the present time has been an uncompromising opponent of slavery. On the death of Mr. Clay he wrote a beautiful poem, which was set to music and sung on the evening

of the reception of the news of the demise of the great statesman. We quote the opening and clos- ing verses.

"Tread lightly! Tread lightly! Disturb not his sleep,

From his pains, he's released, though friends o'er him weep;

Speak softly, speak softly; for lie whom we love, Has gone to the regions of glory above.

* *

Then sing the song softly, for him who was dear; In silence and sadness we drop the lone tear; Let it glisten and glow in the blue vault above, To tell of our friendship, our undying love."

"Captain Newson came to St. Paul, Minnesota, in '53, and with the exception of a few years resi- dence at Lake Como, has resided in the city ever since. Arriving at St. Paul he was immediately engaged by Major Joseph R. Brown, then propri- etor and editor of the old Pioneer, to act as asso- ciate editor with him, in which position he re- mained to the great satisfaction of Mr. Brown and the public until the spring of 1854. In May of that year he brought into existence the St. Paul daily and weekly Times, which he edited with ability seven years. His paper was republi- can, and he was among the earliest friends of the republican party, was one of its originators in this state and in the United States, being the only delegate to the Pittsburgh convention from Min- nesota, which organized the national party and was a member of all its committees, associated with such men as Horace Greeley, Abijah Mann, Henry J. Raymond, Joshua R. Giddings, and others. He was also an earnest advocate of Mr. Lincoln's election, and by writing and speaking throughout the state, aided very materially in giving strength and permanency to the republican party. He was married in Albany, New York, to Miss Harriet Brown in May, 1857. During the same year the party demanded one republi- can paper in St. Paul instead of two, and the Times and Minnesotian were united under the firm of Newson, Moore, Foster and Company, and were conducted as one paper until 1860, when they separated and again became the Times and Minnesotian, as separate newspapers. In January, 1861, Captain Newson surrenderd his paper rather reluctantly to subserve party pur- poses and leased the times printing material to

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William R. Marshall for $1,700 per year. with a further stipulation, that is, it being generally conceded among his political friends that lie should have the position of postmaster at St. Paul, and for which position he was highly re- commended, but when Lincoln came into power he was beaten by the very man he had been instrumental in sending to the United States senate, and for a year thereafter he devoted his attention to the cultivation of his beautiful home at Lake Como. What is remarkable is the fact that the Press which succeeded the Times, and which was aided in building itself up on the subscription list of the latter, has con- tinued to employ uninterruptedly four or five of the same men who were employed on the Times at the period of the lease, now some twenty years ago.

In November, 1862, Mr. Newson was appoint- ed commissary of subsistence in the United States army by President Lincoln, with the rank of captain, and has since been appointed com- missary inspector of the district under General Thomas. IIe was also delegated by Gen. Sibley to act as assistant acting quartermaster, and dur- ing most of the war performed the duties of two officers with one pay, and yet he came out of the army poorer than when he went in. IIe was bre- vetted major for meritorious conduct by Presi- dent Andrew Johnson, in 1864.

Captain Newson is a self-made man, early left an orphan, and the only one now living of seven brothers; he has reached his present position by a straight-forward, manly course. As a writer he is original, argumentative, pointed and logical. As a public speaker he is clear, concise, earnest, eloquent; as a poet his verses are sweet and mel- odious. IIe is a very moral man and as a citizen is quiet and unobtrusive, yet active and enter- prising.

In a work called the History of Derby, Con- necticut, we quote the following :

" Major Newson says he graduated at the great practical school of humanity. He became editor of a journal at the age of eighteen years, which was the first newspaper printed in Derby in 1847; four years in the union army; has been lecturer and explorer in the far west, and is the author of the drama of " Life in the Black Hills," which met with a quick sale of 20,000 copies. He is a

ready and forcible writer, and many of Derby's citizens will learn with satisfaction of his present whereabouts, for his departure from the town was greatly regretted."

After the war Major Newson took a company of thirty-five men through from St. Paul to a point on the line of the British possessions, north of Duluth, cutting forty miles of his road in the midst of winter, with the thermometer many times, thirty degrees below zero. He and his party were in search of minerals. He was unani- mously elected president of that district and . holds the office to-day. What he then supposed existed, but did not realize, is now being made apparent by recent developments, and future years will witness his dreams of mineral wealth in the northern portion of Minnesota fully real- ized. His geological turn of mind led him to make valuable discoveries in the state, among which is the white granite now in use, and the dark granite which exists at Duluth, and also other rock of valuable character. He also made discoveries of valuable metals which will be de- veloped in due course of time. IIe visited the Black Hills twice; organized the first mineral company there; delivered the first lecture; wrote the first drama, "Life in the Hills, " made the first speech when the telegraph was first built there, and was among the earliest to assay rock from the hills. He published a book on peculiar mining characters, and his newspaper articles upon the same subject were eagerly read by the public. In 1879, he started the Fireside Com- panion, an illustrated magazine, and ran it one year.

He also circulated twenty-five thousand copies of "St. Paul Illustrated, " which did much toward building up the city. IIe is the author of seven lectures, which he delivered from time to time, of a work called "Life in the Black Hills," and another termed "Indian Legends of Minnesota Lakes," and withal has a taste for and is constantly engaged in analyzing rock which is sent to him from all parts of the North-west.

Major Newson is one of the oldest editors of Minnesota, having been a resident of the state twenty-eight years. His address before the edi- tor's in 1881, was pronounced to be the finest ever delivered in the west. He commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. Of Scotch de-

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scent, he is decided in his opinions and versatile in his attainments. With an unselfish and benev- olent disposition, he will probably never accumu- late wealth, though an esteemed and respected citizen.

Alexander Nicoll was born in England in 1850. He learned the trade of machinist in his native country, and came to America in 1872. Coming to St. Paul, he worked in the St. Paul and Paci- fic railway shops until 1874. During that year, he took the position of engineer in elevator A, and remained there until the erection of elevator B, where he has since been manager. He had the supervision of the building and the arranging of the machinery of this structure. Married in St. Paul in 1873, Miss Frances E. Reynolds; Eliza- beth, Hattie and Emma are their children.

William R. Nicoll, foreman, pattern maker and draughtsman in the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba railroad shops, is a native of Scot- land, born in 1841. In the science and art ex- aminations he received the Queen's prize for his attainments as draughtsman. Came to America in 1869, and was in Chicago two years in the em- ploy of the North-western railway. Came to this city and took his position in the shops, where he has since remained. Married in 1865, in Dundee, Scotland, Miss Margaret R. Martin, who has borne him eight children. The living are: Jennie R. M., Maggie A., Frances E., William R. Jr., Alexander M. and Florence I. Elizabeth died, aged five months.

Jolın Nicols, deceased, was born in Caroline county, Maryland, December 16th, 1812. He be- longed to an old Maryland family founded by the Rev. Henry Nicols, a fellow of Jesus college, Oxford, England, who emigrated from England in the seventeenth century and settled on the east- ern shore, where he was rector of one church for forty years. Here his descendents lived for two hundred years, and here John Nicols grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-four he was elected to the Maryland legislature, where he served three terms in the house and senate. Ile raised a regiment of volunteers for the Mexican war, and was commissioned its colonel, but before being mustered into the government service the war came to a close. Although inheriting a slave estate, he was early opposed to slavery, and in 1847 he gave freedom to all his slaves who had

attained their majority, and after leaving the state he returned from time to time to free others as they became of age, until all were manumitted. In 1847 he removed to Pittsburg, where he en- tered mercantile life, and, except for a few months spent in Baltimore, he continued a resident of that city until 1855, when he removed with his family to St. Paul. Here he engaged in the iron trade, in partnership with Capt. Peter Berkey, buying out the house of William R. Marshall and company, and continuing the business without interruption until his death. Besides being promi- nent in all business enterprises tending to build up the city and state, he filled a number of im- portant civil offices, and when stricken with his last illness he was state senator, county commis- sioner and regent of the State University. For many years he served as treasurer of the board of regents, and to his business ability and finan- cial skill in this office the state is largely indebted for the sound financial standing of her university. In politics he was an old line whig until the war of the rebellion made him a republican and a most uncompromising Union man. He was from early life a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the respect and esteem in which he was held by the church was shown by his election as one of the first two lay delegates sent by Min- nesota to the general conference. To his gener- osity and enterprise the Methodists of Paul are largely indebted for their first church edifice. He died July 29th, 1873, leaving the reputation of a consistent Christian, an upright business man and a public servant above reproach.

Lyman K. Nichols was born in Allegan, Michi- gan. He grew up and learned the trade of ma- chinist in his native town. Moved to La Crosse and worked at his trade three years, then in 1877 came to this city and began working as journey- man machinist for the St. Paul Foundry and Manufacturing company. January 1st, 1881, he took charge of the machinery department as fore- man and now holds that important position. Was married to Miss Phylinda Richardson of Saginaw, Michigan, in 1873.

Samuel H. Nichols, son of Samuel and Lucy L. (Fesenden), Nichols of Massachusetts, was born in Malden, August 7th, 1830. After receiving his education at the high school he left home and went to Salem, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where

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he settled on a farm and remained until 1869. While a resident of Olmsted county he held vari- ous offices in the town and county. He was as- sistant United States internal revenue assessor. was enrolling clerk in the senate two terms, as- sistant clerk of the house two terms and chief clerk three terms. Was clerk of district court by appointment and register of deeds one term in Otter Tail county. During the war he was in the provost marshal's office at Rochester, Minnesota. Removed to this city in 1876 and is at present clerk of the supreme court. Mr. Nichols was married in 1853, to Miss Elizabeth S. Hurd of Claremont, New Hampshire.

William L. Nichols was born in Niagara coun- ty, New York, February 2d. 1835. When a child went to Illinois, where he remained until 1868. During that year he went to Minneapolis and lived there until 1880, when he came to St. Paul and opened his present business, livery and sale stable, at the corner of Fourth and St. Peter streets. The barn is 50x90 feet, two stories high. On the first floor are sixty stalls and on the second floor are commodions carriage rooms. It was built in June and July, 1880, by I. N. Hay. Mr. Nichols married in 1855, at Kenosha, Wisconsin, Miss Henrietta A. House of Lake county, Illinois. They have had three children, two of whom are living, Katie A. and Nellie.

Andrew Nippolt was born in Quincy, Illinois, March 24th, 1848. Moved with his parents to St. Paul in 1854, and he has resided here most of the time since. Learned the trade of carriage making and worked for Quimby and Hallowell about twelve years. In July, 1876, he commenced business for himself on Jackson street, was burned ont in 1877, and moved to the corner of Seventh and Sibley streets, where he has large shops and does first class work. Was married in November, 1871, to Miss Julia Feldhauser of this city. They have one son and one daughter. Mrs. Nippolt was born in St. Paul in 1853. IIer father was one of the early settlers here and well known as a shoe dealer.

James C. Nolan was born in Friendsville, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, January 3d, 1852. Came to Minnesota, May 4th, 1867, and for five years lived on his father's farm in Dayton, Hennepin county. In 1872 he came to this city and for six years was in the wholesale

house of William Lee, most of the time traveling. In 1879 he engaged in the lumber business with John Martin and Company, and August 1st, 1881, began business at the corner of St. Peter and Sixth streets.

Axel B. Nordberg, a native of Sweden, was born March 31st, 1848. Lived in his native place until 1869, having been educated at the common schools. After serving an apprenticeship at the trade of painting and working at it as journey- man for several years, he came to America and landed in New York June 8th, 1869. He went to Kansas soon after landing and for the next five years worked portions of the time at painting. In 1874 he went to Chicago and attended lectures and pursued a course of study in the Baptist The- ological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1876. Was ordained April 14tlı, of the same year, and soon after took charge of the Swedish Baptist church at Big Spring, Dakota territory. At the end of two years he went to Minneapolis, and from there he went to different parts of the state, preaching to scattering congregations until October 1st, 1878, when he came to St. Paul to preside over the Swedish Baptist church. He was married at Eureka, Kansas, July 13th, 1872, to Miss Hilda A. Orgren, of that place. They have two children, Hildegard A., and Alma E.

E. S. Norton was born in September, 1850, at Birmingham, Connecticut. Moved to New York city in 1858; and in 1864 began clerking in the saddlery hardware department of his father's store. In 1874, he came to St. Paul, and entered the firm as junior member of Morehouse, Ware and Norton, dealers in saddlery hardware. In 1875, the firm name was changed to Nortons and Ware, and in 1881, became E. S. Norton and Brother. They do an extensive wholesale busi- ness, their trade extending over the entire North- west. Mr. Norton thoroughly understands the business, having served an apprenticeship in every department. II. M. Norton, junior mem- ber of the firm, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in December, 1859. Graduated from Cornell college, and came to St. Paul in July, 1880. In January, 1881, he became a member of the firm.

James Nugent, of St. Paul, was born in Phila- delphiia, Pennsylvania, March 26th, 1846. In 1854, his parents moved their family to St. Paul,

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where they have since resided. Mr. Nugent served several years in the fire department, Min- nehaha Company No. 2, and was the first driver of Minnehaha engine No. 2, holding the position for two years. In December, 1872, he was ap- pointed upon the police force, where he has since remained. While endeavoring to make an arrest he fell and severely injured his left arm. Paraly- sis set in, and it was found necessary to ampu- tate it. The accident occurred in the rear of Wann's block, which was then in process of erection. This was the first serious accident that ever occurred to any of the force. Mr. Nu- gent married Miss Julia Gorman, of St. Paul, May 2d, 1869. They have had seven children, five of whom are living.

Ole Nygaard, a native of Norway, was born July 10th, 1848. Came to America in 1868, and the next two years lived in Clayton county, Iowa. In 1870, came to this city, and on the 26th of August, 1872, he was appointed on the police force, where he has since served. Married in St. Paul in 1876, Miss Susan Anderson, who was born in Norway. They have two children: Bertha and Lena.

James O'Brien, a native of Michigan, was born November 14th, 1845, at Kalamazoo, and received his education in the common schools. May 14th, 1852, he located in St. Paul. He enlisted Au- gust 14th, 1862, in Company II, Tenth Regiment Minnesota Infantry and served with his regiment through the whole campaign. At the battle of Nashville, December 16th, 1864, he was wounded, and July 6th, 1865, was discharged. He is de- puty clerk of the district court, having held that office since 1869. Mr. O'Brien was married, June 23d, 1867.

Terrence O'Brien, contractor, was born in Ire- land in 1832. At the age of fourteen years, he moved to Montreal, Canada; one and one-half years later moved to Vermont, and thence to New York; he lived in the latter state and Pennsylva- nia until May, 1856, when he removed to St. Paul and worked on the bridge until its comple- tion, afterward at journey work. In 1861, began the contracting and building business with M. Roche, and continued until 1879, when his pres- ent partnership was formed. They employ from fifty to sixty men, and are located at the corner of Ninth and Cedar streets. He married in Penn-

sylvania, Mary Ann Cain, who died in St. Paul in 1859. She was the mother of two children, only one of whom is living. His second wife was Mary Doyle, whom he married at St. Paul in 1862. Six of their eight children are living.

James J. O'Connor, detective of the police force at St. Paul, was born October 29th, 1855, in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1856, his parents, John and Kate O'Conner moved to this city, and at the age of sixteen, he was employed by J. and M. Butler in their grocery trade, remaining with them until 1872; from that date until March, 1881, he was in the wholesale grocery house of 1'. II. Kelly; he was then appointed to his present position.

John O'Donnell is a native of Tiperrary county, Ireland. In 1851, he moved to New York, and learned carriage building at Albany, after which he worked at his trade one year in Herkimer county, and in 1855, was employed by Wright and Willet, of Chicago. In 1856, he came to this city, and two years later established a carriage shop on Exchange street. He has also been in the livery business since October, 1873, his stables being at 343 Exchange street.

Fred. Oelker was born in 1345 in Germany, where he received a common school education. IIe came to St. Paul in 1867 ; worked as laborer a short time, and then engaged in contracting, until he received an injury which obliged him to retire from work of that character, and he was appointed on the police force. He served over four years, and then engaged in retail liquor trade. His place of business is 146 West Third street. In 1868 he married at St. Paul, Miss Burth, who has borne him six children. Fonr are living.

Henry O'Gorman, son of John and Margaret (O'Keefe) O'Gorman, natives of Kilkenny, Ire- land, was born April 8th, 1847, in Boston, Massa- chusetts. IIe received a common school ednca- tion, also attended the cathedral and Adams school, St. Paul, having located here with his parents in 1852. In August, 1863, he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and was employed as clerk in an abstract office, remaining until June, 1872. In the meantime he attended the law department of Washington university, known as St. Louis Law school, from which he graduated in the senior class of 1871-'72. Returning to St. Paul in 1872, he has since given his attention to the practice of

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his chosen profession. Since January 1st, 1877, he has served as judge of probate of Ramsey county. Married Ellen M. Dicks of St. Louis, Missouri, November 11th, 1868. John H., Mary E., Thomas E., Francis J. and James William, are their children.

William O'Gorman was born at Boston, Massa- chusetts, in 1845. When a babe he went with his parents to Chicago, and in May, 1852, removed to this city, where he received his education. August 14th, 1862, he enlisted in company K, Tenth Minnesota infantry, in the sixteenth army corps, under General A. J. Smith. He served nearly three years, and was honorably discharged. After an unsuccessful gold hunting expedition to Vermillion Lake, he was employed in the post- office department one year under Dr. Stewart, and was three years in real estate business at St. Louis. He returned to St. Paul, and after serv- ing as clerk for different firms about ten years, he established himself in the cigar and tobacco trade at 418 Wabasha street. Mr. O'Gorman married in 1880, Miss Jessie Milner, a native of St. Paul. They have one child, William Henry.

Justus Ohage, born in 1849, at Hanover, Ger- many, was the son of a physician and surgeon. IIe was educated at the Lyceum at IIanover, and at the universities of Gottingen and Berlin, be- sides receiving instruction from his father and Professor Langenbeck, in their profession. IIe emigrated in 1871 to this country and settled in Missouri, and in order to become perfectly ac- quainted with the climatic diseases of this coun- try and the modes of treatment, he entered the university of that state, from which he graduated, receiving the highest honors. Two years ago lie returned to Germany to study the advance of the medical sciences ; came back to St. Paul and is now practicing his profession as physician and surgeon. IIis office is corner Seventh and Wa- couta streets. He married, May 10th, 1877, Au- gusta Ensor, daughter of Dr. Sidney Ensor, of St. Paul, Missouri. They have two children.

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