History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 93

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 93

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several years, and is now inspector of schools from his ward. In religious profession, he is a Presbyterian, being an elder of that church; in politics he is an ardent republican. January 1st, 1862, he married Miss Ellen Gardner, a lady of education and rare excellence of character.

Charles D. Gilfillan was born July 4th, 1831, in New Hartford, Oneida county, New York. He moved with his father to Chenango county, when eleven years old, remaining there five years at- tending school during the winter season and working on the farm and in a saw mill in the summer. He afterwards spent three years at Homer academy and Hamilton college, then went to Missouri and stayed one year, mostly in St. Louis. In 1851 located in Stillwater, Minnesota, read law with M. E. Ames and was admitted to the bar in 1853. In the spring of 1854 was elect- ed first recorder of Stillwater, but resigned the position during the fall and moved to St. Paul. This city has since been his home, and for about twelve years he practiced law. He has since been connected with various enterprises, being at present vice-president of the First National Bank of St. Paul, and president of the St. Paul Water Company. In 1864-'65, also in '76, he was a member of the legislature. In 1877 was elect- ed state senator and re-elected in 1878. Mr. Gil- fillan was married in 1859 to Miss Emma C. Waage, of Montgomery county, New York, who died in 1863. His second marriage was with his first wife's sister, Miss Fannie S. Waage, which occurred in 1865. By this union four children were born; Emma C., Fannie W., Charles O. and Frederick J.

John Melvin Gilman, son of Jolm Gilman, sen- ior, a physician, and Ruth Curtiss, was born in Calais, Vermont, on the 7th of September, 1824. His progenitors in this country came from Eng. land and were early settlers in Massashusetts and New Hampshire, one or two towns in those states being named for the family. Dr. Gilman died when the subject of this sketch was only six months old. The orphan boy spent his early years receiving an education, graduating from the Montpelier academy in 1843. He read law with Heaton and Reed, of Montpelier, and was there admitted to the bar in 1864. During the same year he moved to New Lisbon, Ohio, and was there in the practice of his profession for eleven

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years, serving one term, in 1849-'50, in the legis- lature of that state. In September, 1857, Mr. Gilman took another western stride, bringing up at St. Paul, then the north-western suburbs for attorneys wishing to keep within the bounds of business and civilization, Red Indians never go- ing to law and the Sioux but a few miles away. He reached St. Paul just as the financial mon- soon of that year had swept over the country. Nothing daunted, he formed a partnership with Hon. James Smith, junior, and has never taken down his sign. He is now at the head of the firm of Gilman, Clough and Lane, one of the lead- ing law firms of St. Paul. In spite of more than one moneyed crisis, through which he has passed since he landed here twenty-one years ago, Mr. Gilman has been on the whole a thrifty attorney. Mr. Gilman has served four terms in the Minne- sota legislature, and has always been on the judiciary and other important committees. His experience in two states in the Union has made him a valuable legislator. His abilities have been put forth to good advantage in the house of representatives, where his services have been truly valuable. His affiliations have always been with the democratic party, of which he is one of the leaders in Ramsey county. He has twice been the democratic candidate for congress, but as his party was greatly in the minority, he, of course, was not elected. He has also been chair- man of the democratic state central committee. Mr. Gilman was Married to Miss Anna Cornwell, of New Libson, Ohio, on the 25th of June, 1857.

Joseph Girmscheid is a native af Nassau, Ger- many. He received a good education at the com- mon schools of his native country. He left the old home of his childhood and crossed to this con- tinent in 1871, locating in St. Paul four years sub- sequently. He is now employed as traveling salesman for Haggenmiller and Kuhl. Miss Maria Schott, of St. Paul, became his wife, in January, 1881.

Emanuel Good was born September 27th, 1827, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. April 4th, 1850, he started for Minnesota, arriving at St. Paul the same month. On landing from the boat more Indians than white men met his view. He first began work in the lumber business, and has continued for the past thirty years. He worked in the first saw-mill ever run in St. Paul. Mr. 34

Good was married in August, 1858, to Miss Sophia Miss, a native of Germany, born in 1834. Nine children have been born to them; three sons and three daughters are still living. Mr. Good has a fine property, which consists of houses, lots, etc.

Rodney C. Gooding was born in Groton, Tomp- kins county, New York, in 1846. Came to St. Paul in 1856, and here received his education. Commenced his business career with O. Curtis, as an insurance agent; subsequently was cashier for the St. Paul and Sioux City railroad depot, six years. The past ten years he has been connected with the grocery trade of P. H. Kelly and Com- pany, as cashier. February, 17th, 1876, he mar- ried Miss Sarah F. Berger, who has borne him one son and one daughter.

Hon. Aaron Goodrich. The first chief justice of the supreme court of the territory of Minne- sota, was Aaron Goodrich, appointed by President Taylor, in 1849, and a resident of St. Paul since that date. He is a native of the Empire state ; was born in Sempronius, Cayuga county, on the 6th of July, 1807, and was a son of Levi Hamil- ton and Eunice (Skinner) Goodrich. He comes from the Connecticut branch of the Goodrich family, and his Saxon ancestors have been traced back to a period in English history prior to the advent of William of Normandy. But Judge Goodrich builds no hope of personal honor on any family tree, however tall. He believes that every man must climb for himself if he would rise at all. His mother was a sister of Dr. John Skinner, once mayor of New Haven, and who married a daughter of Roger Sherman. In 1815 Levi HI. Goodrich moved to western New York, and the son spent most of his minority on a farm, receiv- ing his education partly in district schools, but chiefly at home, by the aid of his father, who was a scholar and educator, assisting six sons in that direction. After reading law awhile, he moved to Tennessee, finished his law studies and com- menced practice in Stewart county. In 1847 and 1848 he was a member of the Tennessee legisla- ture-the only Whig that ever represented his district, and the historian credits him with being an active and efficient member of that body. In the spring of 1849 he was appointed to the su- preme bench of Minnesota ; arrived here in May of that year, and served some three years, show- ing by his ability as a jurist, the fitness of the

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president's selection. He took a prominent part in the new organization. Having been a close student and successful practitioner, he was com- petent to perform the labors of his new position. His personal and official integrity was never ques- tioned.

In 1858, when Minnesota became a state, Judge Goodrich, with a majority of the legislature op- posed to him in politics, was appointed a member of a commission to revise the laws and prepare a system of pleadings and practice for the state courts. Two years later, by a legislature of the same political complexion, he was made chairman of a commission for the preparation of a system of pleadings and practice. Judge Goodrich has always opposed what is known as the code sys- tem of practice, and gave his views on this sub- ject fully and clearly in the introduction to a minority report, which he made to the legislature in 1858. The legal student will find it worthy of consultation. In March, 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln, secretary of legation to Brussels, and served in that capacity eight years. During that period he had an excellent opportu- nity to gratify his literary, and more especially, his antiquarian tastes. He has many valuable tokens of his research while in the old world, consisting of rare and singularly illustrated books. He visited most of the public libraries in the great cities of Europe, and gathered much of the material for a work which produced quite a sen- sation: "A History of the Character and Achieve- ments of the so-called Christopher Columbus," a work of four hundred pages octavo, published by D. Appleton and Company in 1874. He is now preparing a revised edition, which may not, however, appear for some time. The real name of Columbus was Griego, whom he shows to have been a pirate of forty years standing, getting possession of the log book of a dead mariner, and setting up for a discoverer. In politics the judge was originally a Whig, and was a presidential elector in 1848, casting his vote for Taylor and Fillmore. On the demise of that party, he joined the republican, and was a delegate in 1860, to the national convention which nominated Abra- ham Lincoln, Judge Goodrich voting for William II. Seward. We notice by the files of the St. Paul daily Times of 1860, that in reply to a letter from Judge Goodrich, Governor Seward signified

his readiness to speak to the citizens of Minne- sota on the absorbing political topics of the day; that on the 17th of September, as soon as the uproar had in a measure subsided, Judge Good- rich appeared on the balcony of the International and in one of the best speeches ever made by that gentleman, introduced to the people the man who for nearly half a century had espoused and advocated the cause which was dear to every lover of humanity and freedom. That address of welcome and introduction has become historic, and we hazard nothing in pronouncing it one of the finest specimens to be found in our annals. He was a delegate in the liberal republican convention which met in Cincinnati, in 1872, and which nominated Horace Greeley, he voting for Judge Davis, now United States Senator from Illinois, Latterly the Judge has acted with the democratic party. IIe is a Freemason; is past deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of the state, and has written no in- considerable quantity of masonic literature, some of which has attracted much attention. He was one of the corporate members of the Minnesota Ilistorical society, of the Grand Lodge of Minne- sota, and of the Old Settlers' Association, of Min- nesota, acting for many years as secretary of the latter society. Among the pioneers of the state, few have made a more commendable record. Judge Goodrich, as before intimated, is antiqua- rian in his tastes, fond of old and curious books, of which he possesses many rare specimens; is possessed of fine conversational powers; original and forcible in the expression of his thoughts, and opinions. yet possessed of a kindly nature, is unselfish and strong in his attachments; devoted to the men and measures of his choice, and was personally known to and possessed the confidence of three of our presidents, Taylor, Lincoln and Johnson. The good opinion which he most prized was that of the late William H. Seward, who said and wrote many flattering things of him, among them the following: "The tour which I made in the year 1860,in the western states, was undertaken at the instance of several political friends, among whom none were more earnest or influential, than Judge Goodrich; his good nature induced him to attach himself to me as a companion. Much of the enjoyment I found on the journey was due to his geniality, and if there was any inspiration in

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the speeches I made, I should attribute it to his profound, yet sparkling and humorous conversa- . tion." He was one of the founders of the republi- can party in Minnesota. In September, 1857, as chairman of the committee on resolutions, he drew and presented to the first republican conven- tion ever held in the state, a platform remarka- ble for its terseness and adaptability to that peri- od in our political history, the squatter-sovereignty and border-ruffian times. Of this production, Mr. Seward, one of the founders of the republi- can party, wrote: "I have rather a prejudice against, than favor for, political plat- forms, yet yours is sufficient to redeem the multitude of platforms from censure or reproach. May I not then hope that the free- men of Minnesota will boldly mount upon and never leave it." In the campaign which followed, Judge Goodrich, though not a candidate for of- fice, took an active part, and he, with Governor Ramsey, Hon. I. Donnelly and others, stumped the state. There were incidents in the campaign which will long be remembered. Stump speak- ing was perhaps the oratory in which he most ex- celled. In 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Paris, of Bogota, New Grenada; they have two children, both daughters, one seven years old, the other two years. Mrs. Goodrich is a descendent of the old Castilian family, de Paris, ennobled in the time of Charles 1st, of Spain, the elder branch of which moved to Colombia about a century ago, her father, Don Enrique, being during his life time the head of the family. IIer grandfather Don Pepe Paris, was the friend of the liberator Simon Bolivar, to whose memory, he reared a bronze monument in the principal square of Bogota. This statue cast in Italy, is regarded by connoisseurs as a work of art. Don Pepe Paris was owner of the celebrated emerald mines of Muso. Mrs. Goodrich was educated in Brussels. She speaks half-a-dozen of the leading languages of modern Europe, and is one of the most accomplished ladies in Minnesota.

Jacob Goette was born in Prussia, July 8th, 1834. He came to America in 1870, and spent one year in Boston, Massachusetts, at the shoe- maker's trade, having learned his trade in his native country. IIe located in Rosemount, Da- kota county, Minnesota, in the spring of 1871, and in September, came to St. Paul. IIe

established a shoe shop on Mississippi street and moved to his present place in 1878, having purchased the property previously. He has car- ried on a meat market in connection, and is hav- ing a rapidly increasing trade in both branches. January 13th, 1860, he married Augusta Kirch- ner, a native of Prussia; Henry J. C., William C. A., Fredrecka, Charles H. A., Albert H. G., Theo- dore and Maggie E. G. are their children.

Richard L. Gorman, son of the late General W. A. and Martha (Stone) Gorman, was born March 28th, 1837, at Bloomington, Indiana, He was educated at the State University of Indiana. In June, 1854, he located at St. Paul, and since the war has been engaged in milling and real estate business. Enlisted as a private in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to the rank of captain of the Thirty- fourth New York Volunteer Infantry; served in the Union army the first three years. Since March, 1873, he has been secretary of the board of public works. At St. Paul in September, 1863, he married Miss C. A. Irvine, daughter of the late John R. Irvine.

C. C. Gossard, a native of Ohio, was born in 1847. IIe is a resident of St. Paul, and since 1870 has been chief clerk of the freight department on the St. Paul and Sioux City railroad. IIis long continuance in this responsible position is a sure token of his integrity.

John Gottschammer, one of the early settlers of St. Paul, was born August 10th, 1826, and is a native of Germany. He remained in his native home until seventeen years of age, and in 1844 came to America. After passing a few months in Burlington, Iowa, St. Louis, and Louisville, he went to Nauvoo, Illinois, and was there at the shooting of the Mormon, Joe Smith, also when Lizzie, the nineteenth wife of Brigham Young was born. In 1847 his father with his family arrived from Germany, locating also at Nauvoo. They were made prisoners during the war be- tween the Mormons and government of Illinois. In 1848 Mr. Gottschammer, opened a meat mar- ket in St. Louis, and for eight years did a pros- perous business. Coming to St. Paul in 1857, he established the Garibaldi meat market. His present location is corner of Seventh and John streets, having moved his place of business a number of times. In April, 1849, he married

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Miss Elizabeth Kurschner, of St. Louis, who is a native of Germany. Anna, Emil, Silas, George, Eliza and Ella are their living children.

Adam Gotzian was born in Germany, Novem- ber 6th, 1843. In October, 1860, he came to St. Paul, arriving without a dollar. He began working for his brother, C. Gotzian, serving as an apprentice in all the branches of the boot and shoe trade. In 1866 he began the bus- iness for himself and for ten years had a thriving trade, then retired from the business. He traveled about two years, making a trip to the home of his childhood, also visited other parts of Europe. Returning to St. Panl he began dealing in real estate quite extensively, and has since built many houses and business blocks; he owns the best residence block offsix houses in the city, on the corner of Broadway and Ninth streets. January 1st, 1866, he married Miss Josephine Schirmer of this city.

Conrad Gotzian, a native of Germany, was born August 15th, 1835. Came to America when six- teen years old and for three years lived in Phila- delphia, where he learned the trade of shoemaker. In August, 1854, he went to Chicago and worked one year at his trade, and came to St. Paul in 1855. He was employed by others for the first two and one-half years, then started in business for himself in the spring of 1858, on Jackson street, between Fifth and Sixth. In 1861 he added to his retail business, jobbing, and five years later he embarked in the wholesale trade exclusively. Moved to his present commodious quarters at 133 and 135 East Third street, in 1870, where success has crowned his efforts. In January, 1859, he married Miss Caroline Busse. Carrie E., Helen E., Paul H., Hattie, Vally, and Ruby, are their children.

Charles B. Grant, son of Hiram P. and Isabella Grant, was born August 10th, 1855, at St. Panl, Minnesota. His education was acquired at the common and high schools, finished by a course at Faddis Commercial college. He now occupies the position of book-keeper for Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier, having been formerly with II. P. Grant and Company, commission merchants, as a partner. Miss Bessie Merryweather, of St. Paul, became his wife November 25th, 1873.

II. P. Grant was born December 14th, 1828, a native of Vermont. At the age of eighteen

years, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed as clerk in a wholesale boot and shoe store. Moved to St. Paul in 1855, and started a wholesale and retail boot and shoe store, which was a financial success. He assisted in organizing the first fire department in St. Paul, and was elected foreman of Minnehaha Company No. 2. In 1862, was elected alderman of the sec- ond ward for a three years' term. In July of that year, he resigned his position, raised a company and was assigned to the Sixth Regiment of Min- nesota Infantry as captain of Company A, which was the first company to leave Fort Snelling en- gaged against the Indians. Captain Grant was in command at the battle of Birch Cooley. During the winter of 1862, he was promoted to the rank of major and left with his regiment for the south June 3d, 1863. Was promoted to lieutenant-colo- nel in October of that year, and held that rank in command until the close of the war. He then returned to private life and to his home in St. Paul, where he is now engaged in the grain commission business, and is one of the success- ful business men of St. Paul. In Boston, 1852, he married Miss Isabel McLeod. They have one son, born in 1855.

Jolm Graupmann, native of Germany, was born in 1848. Came to America in 1866, locating in New York, and for three years followed farm- ing. In 1869, located in St. Paul, for some time worked as a day laborer, then was in the whole- sale house of Holl and Paar several years. Sub- sequently he opened a retail grocery store at 452 East Seventh street, and has continued at that place. Mr. Graupmann began his trade on a very limited capital, but by honesty, economy and strict attention to business, has acquired a good trade. At St. Paul in 1875, he married Miss Minnie Laduick; Finnie and Freddie are their children.

Francois X. Gravel was born December 19th, 1831, at Riviere dn Loup, district of Three Rivers, Canada, of French-Canadian descent, son of Alex. and Emilie Gravel. IIe was educated in the public schools. June 2d, 1851, he left his home for Newark, New Jersey, and after a short stay went to Little Bay de Noe, Michigan, re- maining one and one-half years. Came to St. Paul May 15th, 1855, and in October, removed to Lit- tle Falls, Minnesota, where he engaged in busi

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ness until 1864. During the spring of that year, went to Virginia City, Montana, and lived there five years, then returned to Little Falls. He lo- cated in St. Paul in 1872, and has since made his home in this city. Married Miss H. Rasicot, September 21st, 1857. Their family consists of seven children, six of whom live.

Frank X. Gravel, Jr. was born in Little Falls, Morrison county, Minnesota, July 16th, 1858. After receiving a common school education he attended Masson college, in Canada, graduating therefrom January 11th, 1874. He crossed the plains to Montana in 1864, and lived in that ter- ritory six years; thence to Portland, Oregon, and on to San Francisco, returning to Minnesota on the Union Pacific railroad. In 1872 he located in St. Paul and is now dry goods salesman in Powers Brothers store. June 20th, 1881, he married Miss Abbie Boyden.

George W. Gray, a native of St. Paul, Minne- sota, was born in 1856. He received a common school education and after leaving school was deputy postmaster of West St. Paul for a short time. For two years he followed civil engineer- ing and assisted in laying out West St. Paul; then worked at the machine shops of McAfee Brothers one year. After working at the carpen- ters trade a short time he was night watch on the steamer Manitoba, on the Red River, one season. returned to St. Paul and engaged with Noyes Brothers and Cutler, continuing nearly two years. Subsequently he clerked in the grocery store of J. C. McCarthy, then bought the stock of Mathias Stein, but in less than one year was burned out. He afterward bought a lot on which he erected his present store.

Edwin Gribble was born in the town of Barn- stable, England, in June, 1825. Came to New York when about nine months old and after traveling several months he settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, working as printer until 1856. He then moved to Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, and took a claim. At that time it was quite difficult to obtain sufficient food during the long winters. The Indians were quite numerous and often very troublesome; eight of them at one time entered the house and attempted to steal different articles, but Mrs. Gribble being a courageous woman, suc- ceeded in driving them away. Among the com- pany were those who were engaged in the massa-

cre of 1862, and were captured and executed at Mankato. Mr. Gribble remained at Minnetonka about four years, then moved to New Orleans, there engaging in the fire and life insurance busi- ness also in the collection of government claims. IIe furnished the material for building the first dock for the government flag ships, after the taking of the city by the fleet. In July, 1868, he moved to St. Paul, and for the past ten years has been practicing law. At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was united in marriage with a daughter of Wil- liam Jackson, of Maidstone, England. They have had four daughters, two of whom are living.

Chauncey W. Griggs was born December 31st, 1832, in Tolland, Tolland county, Connecticut. His ancestors, were among the early settlers of New England, and his parents were born and lived in the eastern part of Connecticut, and are of English descent. Their son Chauncey received good educational advantages having taken an academical course also one at the commercial col- lege. In 1851 he lefthis home. for Detroit, Michi- gan, as a clerk in a banking house. He was en- gaged in commercial business in Ohio, Iowa and Detroit, Michigan, before coming to St. Paul, May 2d, 1856. Enlisted in August, 1861, in the Third Minnesota Infantry; was promoted to first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel. In July, 1863, he resigned on account of sickness. He has been state senator two terms, member of the legislature two terms and member of the city council three terms. After the war he spent four years in Chaska, Carver county, with business headquarters at St. Paul. April 19th, 1859, he married Martha A. Gallup of Ledyard, Connecticut. Mr. Griggs now deals in real- es- tate, lumber and fuel.

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