History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 87

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 87

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H. A. Blasing was born in Germany, 1850.

Came with his parents to this country in 1855 and settled on a farm in Sibley county, Minnesota. Ilis youth was spent on the farm and in school. At the age of eighteen years he came to St. Paul and clerked for different firms until 1879, He then embarked in the grocery business for him- self at the corner of Seventh and Bradley streets. Miss L. H. Krugmeier became his wife at St. Paul in 1879. They have two children, Louisa, and an infant son, Walter A.

R. N. Blossom was born July 13th, 1851, in Cattaraugus county, New York, When a child of one year moved with his parents to Minot, Maine, remaining nine years, then lived in Greene, Maine, thirteen years. Subsequently he moved to Lewiston, Maine, where he lived until April, 1880. Ile then moved to St. Paul, and in Au- gust of the same year, became foreman of the Anchor Manufacturing Company, and is also partner in the company with C. W. Slayton, pres -. ident; R. G. Hill, secretary; James B. Close, treasurer; and R. N. Blossom, superintendent.

Thomas S. Bond, foreman of the manufactur- ing department of Auerbach, Finch and Van- Slyck, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1859. Learned the cutter's trade and clothing manufacturing, which he began at the age of fifteen years. In 1878, he engaged with Kirth Brothers' as assistant foreman in their manu- facturing department till August, 1880. Coming to St. Paul at that time, he assumed his present position, He has in his charge about one hun- dred and fifty persons.

Gus. J. Borup was born at La Pointe, Wiscon- sin, in 1841. Came to St. Paul in 1849, and at first was with his brother Theodore; he has been in the transportation business from boy-hood, be- ing at present agent for the Great Western De- spatch and Erie and Pacific Despatch.

Henry Bourchier was born in Ireland in 1832. Was educated at the common schools of his na- tive land, and came to America in 1849. Lo- cated first in Connecticut and learned the trade of moulding, remaining there four years. He then worked at his trade in Chicago until 1860; came to Ramsey county the same year, and for ten years engaged in farming. He then came to St. Paul, and embarked in the grocery business at 559 Robert street. IIe has held many town of-

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fices. In 1851, in Connecticut, married Miss Mary Murray.

Thomas W. Boures, head miller in the Brain- ard mills, was born in Canada East in 1833. Here he learned his trade, and in 1851, came to St. Paul; worked at lumbering in the mills of Borup and Oakes, until a small flouring mill was completed in 1853. He then took charge of the mill until Colonel Nobles fitted up the old Winslow mills, of which he had charge one year. He was after- ward in the Goverment mills at Winnebago Agency, one and one-half years. In 1858, went to California and remained till 1866; returning to St. Paul, he followed his trade in different parts of the state till 1878, then engaged in the present mills, where he has since been. At Faribault, Minnesota, in 1867, Miss Bridget Keernan, be- came his wife. They are the parents of three children.

Peter Boeringer was born in 1815, in the city of Mulhouse, in the Rhine department of the province of Alsace, then in France, but annexed to Germany since the war of 1870. His father, George Boeringer, was a merchant of the city of Mulhouse, France; his mother was Ursula Vogel, daughter of Reverend J. Vogel, pastor of the Re- formed church of the city of Mulhouse, France. His education was acquired at the college of Mul- house, and Basel, Switzerland. At the age of fourteen went as an apprentice to the celebrated establishment of Kern and Company, for the con- struction of optical and surveying instruments, in Switzerland, after which he worked at his trade in the most prominent factories of Germany and Paris. In 1839, he started on his own account, an establishment for the construction of optical and surveying instruments, at Paris, in partner- ship with his two brothers. In 1848 he came to America, landing at New Orleans; he was soon engaged in the pursuit of his trade in one of the prominent establishments. He was also draughts- man, and had the agency for the Novelty Iron Works of New York. His home was in New Orleans nineteen years and his five children were born there. After the civil war he moved to St. Louis, and established himself in his former pur- suit. He soon perceived the great future of the city of St. Paul and in 1875 did not hesitate to re- move here with his family, his stock and his work- shop. Assisted by his two brothers and three

sons, lis establishment is quite flourishing, being patronized by all the railroad companies, whose engineers are aware that they need no longer to call on eastern cities for the construction or re- pair of their various instruments. Being at New Orleans during the war he was appointed fore- man of the manufacturing of arms; he con- structed the first Enfield rifle without having any model of it. When the United States govern- ment was reinstated, Mr. Boeringer attended the reconstruction of the destroyed light-houses at the mouth of the Mississippi, under Superintend- ent Bonzano. Mr. Boeringer and sons man- age the St. Paul Drawing Academy, free hand and mechanical drawing. The school is entrusted to the son George, who last year went through the drawing course of the Cooper Institute of York. He will finish his studies this year at the Academy of Design. Paulina Fasano of the city of Nice, became the wife of Mr. Boeringer in 1846.

J. W. Bowden is a native of Wisconsin, born in 1839. At the age of fifteen years went to Min- eral Point, and learned the drug business with Theodore Rodolph. He remained there three years, then in 1858 went to Sacramento, Califor- nia, engaging in the drug trade ten years, thence to the mines, remaining about five years. He spent seven years in Oregon, and after returning to California for a short time, came to St. Paul in 1879. He, with his brother, opened a drug.store under the firm name of Bowden Brothers, 315 East Seventh street. Mr. Bowden is a widower, and has three children: Minnie, Edward and Gertrude.

Patrick J. Bowlin was born in County Tippe- rary, Ireland, in 1847. He left Ireland with his parents, in 1849, and landed at Boston. They then went to New York, and removed from there to St. Paul, in 1857. Mr. Bowlin is now engaged in the wholesale wine and liquor trade. April 9th, 1872, he was united in marriage with Jose- phine Bevan, of St. Paul, William, Anna and Frank are their children.

Edward A. Boyd was born in Portland, Maine, June 10th, 1816, His education was received at the common schools in Portland. Subsequently went to Vermont, and attended Bishop Hopkin's school. In 1839, went to Andover and began the practice of medicine, in Maine, in 1843. He re-

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ceived his diploma from the Homeopathic State Institute. Located at St. Paul in 1854, and is the oldest resident homœopathic physician, and is still practicing in this city. He was at one time worthy chief templar of the grand lodge of Good Templars, of Minnesota. He has been justice of the peace in Ramsey county, also in his native state. December 2d, 1841, he married Miss Sarah B. Farrington, of Andover, Maine. Eleven chil- dren have been born to them; those living are John S., Isabella S., Walter B., Edward A., Allen P., George B., Charles K. and James F.

Charles Brache was born in Germany, in 1843. IIe learned cigar making in his native land and worked at his trade until 1872, when he conceived the idea of coming to see the land of America; landed in New York city in 1872. For three months he made his home in Germantown, Ohio, He then visited Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michi- gan, Chicago and other places. In 1875 located in St. Paul and engaged in the cigar trade with John Mark and opened his present store, at 261 Seventh street, in June, 1877. At St. Paul in 1878, he married Miss Margaret Peterman. Willie and Clara are their children.

Benjamin Brack, cashier for Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier, was born in London, England, May 10th, 1846. Came with his parents to Ameri- ca, in 1852, and resided in New York till 1857. Coming thence to Minnesota they located at St. Paul. In 1860 Benjamin entered the employ of D. W. Ingersoll and Company as cash boy. En- listed in July, 1862 in the Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served till July, 1865, being honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. Returning to St. Paul, he again began in the dry goods business and in January, 1877, engaged with Auerbach, Finch and Culbertson, remaining until the present firm of Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier was formed; he lias since been their cashier. Married at St. Paul in 1869, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of E. J. Way. Alex- ander, Alice M. and William M. are their child- ren.

J. P. Brady is a freight agent connected with the well known Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad. He has held this position since October 1st, 1880. Hle formerly lived at Chicago, and has been connected with different railroads for twenty years. 32

IIonorable Horace J. Brainard was born at Cleveland Ohio, January 11th, 1825. When eight years of age, his father removed to Illinois, and farmed there eight or nine years, then moved to Lisbon, Wisconsin. Here Horace attended col- lege four years. After leaving college he pur- chased two breaking teams, and for two seasons broke prairie land, then farmed one season. Came to St. Paul in 1851 ; has been in the dairy busi- ness eighteen years ; was commissioner of Ram- sey county ten successive years ; has been chair- man of board of supervisors of New Canada township for twenty-two years, and still holds the office. He built the first school-house in his dis- trict with his own means, and for twenty-three years has been its treasurer ; was elected to the legislature in 1873-'77. IIe purchased two lots near Winslow mills in 1852, working with his team five days for payment. IIe erected a dwel- ling on them, and the next spring sold them for fourteen hundred dollars. In 1853, bought forty cows, rented eighty acres, and began the dairy business, selling the milk for thirty cents per gal- lon to hotels and ten cents per quart to individu- als. He afterward bought the adjoining farm at forty dollars per acre, and rented three hundred and twenty acres more for five years, his stock having increased to seventy-five head. About this time his house burned at a loss of $1,500. During the time he had a partner, ex-Governor Marshall, whose interest he purchased for $3,500. The next year he purchased R. Pennock's dairy, for which he paid the sum of $1,600. In 1874, sold his dairy to Mr. Simmons, and in 1877, started his son in the same. In 1880, his dwel- ling was burned ; not lacking energy, he has re- built at an expense of twenty-five hundred dol- lars. He is now in the grocery business at 422 East Seventh street. Miss Sylvia Holcomb be- came his wife in 1849. Frank L. and Orcelia A. are their children.

Henry Brand, foreman and contractor of the wood shops in the St. Paul Harvester works, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1841. IIe learned the trade of contractor with his father, then fol- lowed it from 1861 to 1864 in Chicago. In 1865 took a trip south, remaining there till 1867, then returned home. In 1872 he came to St. Paul and began with the Harvester works in their infancy, having since been identified with them. Married

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Miss Mary A. Carll. One son, Carll H., has been born to them; born in 1868.

Rev. D. R. Breed was born in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania ; educated at Hamilton college, in Clin- ton, New York, from which institution he gradu- ated in 1867, He also graduated from Auburn Theological seminary in 1870. The House of Hope was his first charge.

Samuel S. Breed, son of Elias and Elizabeth Breed, was born March 21st, 1830, at Norwich, New York. He received a common academical education, and in July, 1843, began clerking in a mercantile house at New Woodstock, New York. He continued in the mercantile trade until March, 1863, then located in St. Paul. He was auditor of the first division of the St. Paul and Pacific railway from March 4th, 1864, until June 21st, 1879 ; since that time he has been auditor of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manito- ba railway. May 14th, 1856, at Mexico, New York, he married Julia E. Bennett. Julia E., Elias, Samuel S., Jr., and Frank R. are their chil- dren.

Mathias Breen, a native of Ireland, was born in 1834. At seventeen years of age he came to Amer- ica, making his home one year in Washington. Thence lie removed to Richmond, Virginia, where he learned the stone cutter's trade; resided in that city and in Maryland until he came west in 1868 and located in St. Paul. His first work after his arrival was on the custom house. He and his present partner, John T. Young, were the first granite cutters in the state. They began the contracting business, which has steadily increased; they do a very extensive business. Mr. Breen was married in Cumberland City, Maryland, in 1858, to Miss Eliza Howard. Mary and Mamie are their children.

Frank Breuer, a native of Germany, was born February 23d, 1839. In the spring of 1850, he immigrated to this country, and until 1857, re- mained in Chicago. Removing to St. Paul, he engaged with J. S. Deniston one year, then with Nicols and Berkey, with whom he remained un- til July 1st, 1880. IIe then embarked in his present business, wholesale iron and steel mer- chandising, with Mr. Rhodes as a partner at 221 and 223 East Fourth street. He was elected chief engineer of the fire department, and held the office two terms, was also alderman of the third

ward one year. In May, 1861, married Miss B. J. Dony, who died November 5th, 1874, leav- ing three children. ITis second marriage was with Nellie Griffin, February 22d, 1876; Albert is their only child.

James Brennan was born July 4th, 1837, in Ireland. Came to America in April, 1853, and lived about one year in New Jersey, then went to Brantford, Canada, remaining until 1857. IIe then came to Minnesota and made a brief stay in Reed's Landing; came to St. Paul and until 1861, was engaged in driving stage. At that time he enlisted in Company F, Second Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, served three years and was mus- tered out July 7th, 1864, at Chattanooga; he aft- erward served one year in the quartermaster's department. During the summer of 1865, re- turned to his home, which was in Shakopee, Min- nesota, remaining until the next spring. He then in company witlı Thomas Holmes crossed the plains to Montana; in the fall of 1879, re- turned to St. Paul, and October 9th, he estab- lished his livery and boarding stable. At St. Paul, July 12th, 1875, Miss Margaret Willace, a native of Illinois, became his wife. Mary F., Rose J. and Margaret S. have been born to them.

John B. Bresett, detective, was born in Clin- ton county, New York, in 1838, When eighteen years old, he left the home and friends of his childhood to seek others in the west. IIe reached St. Paul in 1856. His first work was in a lum- ber-mill, owned by Albert and George Fuller; his labors in that line were short, for the following year he was appointed on the police force by Mayor J. B. Brisbin. He served in that position until August, 1862, then enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until 1865, being then discharged on ac- count of disability. Immediately after his re- turn, he was again appointed on the police force, and in 1872, the city council appointed him a special detective. IIe still holds this position and has always been successful in the discharge of his duties. At Plattsburg, New York, in 1856, he married Miss ITermine Brosseau, who has borne him three children, only one of whom survives; Lousia, aged sixteen years.

G. J. Brimer, foreman of engine house of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha rail- way company, was born in England in 1844. He

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learned the machinist trade in his uative coun- try, and came to America in 1864. Locating in Milwaukee he engaged in the Milwaukee and St. Paul shops. In 1872 he made his home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and after engaging with the present company, came to St, Paul in 1880.

Joseph Brings was born in Germany in 1820, where he received his German education and learned the cooper's trade. Came to America in 1857, locating in St. Paul. HIe engaged in the cooperage business, following it in connection with the grocery business till 1879. IIe then quit the coopering business and is giving his whole attention to his grocery trade. He is located at 209 Fort street. Married in Germany in 1848 to Miss Lucy Surth who has borne him ten children, eight living.

William H. Brink was born August 12th, 1849, at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. In his native city and in Washington, District of Columbia, he ac- quired an education. Leaving home in 1869, the same year le sought a home in St. Paul, and has since been a contractor and builder in the city. During the war he served one year in the Two Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Regiment. Miss Anna Cox of St. Paul, became his wife in 1875. LeRoy and Nellie C. are their children.

Jolın Ball Brisbin, a member of the territorial council of Minnesota, and a little later of the state legislature, and one of the land-marks of the "North Star" democracy, is a native of Saratoga, New York, and was born January 10th, 1827. His father, Oliver Brisbin, a physician, died in 1873; his mother's maiden name was Anzo- letta Ball. She is a great-great niece of Mary Ball, the mother of Washington, and granddaugh- ter of Col. Samuel Ball of the Continental army. James J. Brisbin, the grandfather of our subject, came from the north of Ireland; he died at Sara- toga, aged 101 years. The family is of Norman- French pedigree, and the patronymic was prob- ably originally spelled Brisbois, meaning "wood- breaker." Young Brisbin prepared for college at Schuylerville and Troy; entered Yale college in 1842, and graduated in 1846, being among thie best writers and speakers, though not the best scholar in his class. He had the Townsend prize essay of the senior class, and was one of the edi- tors of the Yale Literary Magazine during his senior year. He was president of the Brothers

in Unity, a Psi Upsilon, and a member of the Skull and Bones society. On leaving college Mr. Brisbin read law with Henry W. Merrill, of Sara- toga, and afterwards with Judge Cady, and Cady, Van Vechton and McMartin of Albany; was ad- mitted to the bar at Ballston in 1849, and practiced at Schuylerville until the autumn of 1853, when he removed to St. Paul. IIere he has continued the practice of his profession until the present time, and is ranked among the leading attorneys of the state. Mr. Brisbin was a member and president of the territorial council during the two sessions of 1856 and 1857, and was in the house two terms soon after Minnesota became a state. In 1857 Mr. Brisbin was elected mayor of the city by a unanimous vote, an honor, we believe, accorded to no man here since. Several years ago he was city attorney for one or two terms and supreme court reporter. Mr. Brisbin was rocked in the cradle of democracy, and of that great party has been a life long member, and one of the most able and zealous champions of its doctrines. In 1859 he was the candidate of his party for attorney general of the state, and in 1864 was a delegate to the national convention which met at Chicago and nominated Gen. George B. McClellan, being chairman of the Minnesota dele- gation. For several years he was chairman of the democratic state central committee, and is a power in the party. Mr. Brisbin has a second wife; his first was Miss Almira George of Schuy- lerville, New York, chosen February 20th, 1850; she died in December, 1863. He was married the second time May 3d, 1865, his wife being Miss M. M. Jones, then a resident of St. Paul, and native of New York.

Cyrus Brooks was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, February, 8th, 1811. His parents were natives of New Hampshire; his mother's maiden name was Morse, a name much honored in New England. In 1817, he, with the family, moved to Licking county, Ohio. He received the found- ation of an excellent education at the common schools, and under the watchful eye of his good mother. Later he became a student in the Bap- tist college at Greenville, Ohio, but was unable to finishi his course in consequence of inflamed eyes, which hindered him in his studies for years. Entered the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the Ohio conference, in August, 1833.

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During these forty-eight years he has pursued this noble calling. In 1857, was transferred from Cincinnati to the Minnesota conference, and sta- tioned at St. Paul, which, except two years at St. Anthony, three years at Red Wing and three in Winona, has since been his home. Ile has been a member of six general conferences of the Methodist Episcopal church, in 1852, '56, '60, '68, '72, '76. In 1860, received the honorary D. D. from the Ohio Wesleyan University, of which he had been a trustee many years. Miss Mary E. Davenport, a native of Virginia, became his wife at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 19th, 1838. She died at Columbus, January 8th, 1852. His pres- ent wife was Mrs. Laura A. Elliott nee Lampson, married at Indianapolis, Indiana, April 27th, 1853. His oldest son enlisted in Company F, First Minnesota Volunteers, and continued in service until the close of the war, being at that time assistant surgeon in the Tenth Minnesota. IIe has one brother and two sons in the ministry, a brother in Ohio, one son in Colorado and one in Kansas.

J. T. Brooks is a native of Olmsted county, Minnesota, born April 18th, 1855, before the city of Rochester was organized or named. Here he resided until November 1st, 1880, then moved to St. Paul, and is engaged as horse-shoer for G. H. Tipper. Married February 12th, 1881, to Miss Laura Daniels of St. Paul.

Frank Brosseau, police of St. Paul, was born in January, 1842, and is a native of Canada. Ile moved with his parents to Plattsburgh, New York, where they lived until 1863. During this year Frank returned to Canada, remaining two years, then until 1868 was in Pennsylvania. He came to St. Paul at that time. He passed one year in the employ of the Lake Superior and Mississippi railroad. In 1872, accompanied a government expedition up the Missouri river, returning in the fall, then spent the following winter at Leech lake. In 1873, went with a government expedition to Fort Buford, and re- turned in 1875. May 3d, of that year, was appointed on the police force of St. Paul, which position he still occupies. Married at St. Paul January 10th, 1877, to Maggie A. Ressit, a native of New York. They have one son : Leo. Mr. Brosseau's grandfather was one of the early set-

tlers of Duluth; was at Lake Superior probably as early as 1812.

Herman Brown, ticket agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway, was born at Chicago, 1852. From 1869 to 1880, with the ex- ception of one year, he was in the employ of the Pullman Palace Car company, at Chicago. One year he was engaged with the Pittsburg and Fort Wayne railroad. He came to St Paul in May, 1880 ; has since been with the Chicago, Mil- waukee and St. Paul railway company as ticket agent.

Hiram D. Brown, son of P. Brown, attorney of Lake City, Minnesota, was born at Lorraine, Jefferson county, New York, November 10th, 1848. ITis education was acquired at the common schools. For nineteen years he was a resident of Wabasha county, Minnesota. In 1870, he estab- lished the Lake City Sentinel, which paper he published about ten and one-half years. In May, 1881, he became a resident of St. Paul. Lizzie A. Mitchell, of Zumbrota, Goodhue county, Minne- sota, became his wife April 26th, 1871.

F. B. Brown, outside manager and contractor for the C. N. Nelson Lumber company, was born in Sangamon, Illinois, in November, 1850. When he was only four years old his father died, conse- quently his educational advantages were limited to the common schools. He resided at the old homestead until twenty years of age, then came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and took charge of the books of Ankeny, Robinson and Pettit, lum- ber firm. After three years in this office, the company offered him a position on the road, which he accepted, and served in that capacity until 1875. He superintended the Minneapolis planing mills two years, then entered the employ of C. N. Nelson and Company at Stillwater, re- maining until the organization of the present firm of C. N. Nelson lumber company, and then came to St. Paul in their interests. At St. Louis, in 1873, he married Miss Emma C. Hollidge. Their chil- dren are Chouteau B. and Hattie S.

James H. Brown was born in Canada, in 1837. Received a common school education, and in 1850 came to St. Paul, where he learned the trade of shoemaker. He was afterward cabin boy on a steamer on the Mississippi river ; followed boat- ing, in different capacities, for seventeen years. Ile then engaged in the grocery business in St.

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