History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 96

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 96

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Sherwood Ilough was born in Montgomery county, New York, June 27th, 1827, and was ed- ucated at the public and private schools of Ge- neva, in his native state. From 1843, until 1849, he was in Orleans county, working at the tailor's

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trade;he then remained with his parents at Mount Carroll, Illinois, until 1851, when he came to St. Paul and worked one year at his trade, but aban- doned it, as the country was too thinly populated for his business to be a success. From that time he was in the clerk's office of the district and su- preme courts until 1854, when he was elected city clerk; being the first to hold that office in this city. He served two terms, and at the same time filled his former position. In 1856, he was elected comptroller, but resigned in a short time, and in the fall of 1859, was elected register of deeds; served onefterm and returned to the district court, where he was deputy until 1866, when he was elected clerk of the supreme court, and filled that office nine years. Mr. Hough is now in the book and stationery business at 307 Wabasha street. In May, 1856, he married Francis Morrow, in Orleans county, New York, and in 1881, they cel- ebrated their silver wedding. Their children are: Kate A., Fred. E. and Sherwood, Jr. Since 1861, Mr. Hough has served as grand secretary of the I. O. O. F .; has been grand treasurer since 1866, and now holds those oflices. IIas also been a di- rector in the Odd Fellows Mutual Benefit society since 1870.

Iloratio Houlton, son of Samuel and Sarah Kendall Houlton, was born August 19th, 1834, at Houlton, Maine. He obtained a common school education and in 1854, at twenty years of age, located in Minnesota. In March, 1880, he en- gaged in the lumber trade with John S. Prince, and still continues in that business. Mr. Iloulton has held both town and county offices. His mar -. riage with M. J. Harvey, of Janesville, Wiscon- sin, occurred in 1858.

E. II. IIullsick, a native of this state, was born June 3d, 1858, at St. Paul. IIe attended the pub- lic schools of this city and then entered the busi- ness college. Upon leaving school he went to Minneapolis and was employed as entry clerk in the wholesale dry goods house of N. B. Harwood, from 1875 until 1880, when he returned to this city and entered the wholesale dry goods house of Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier, where he served six months in the capacity of entry clerk, and then took his present position in the ship- ping department.

IIenry Hutchinson, M. D., a native of Canada, was born August 20th, 1849, at Montreal. His

boyhood was passed in that city and Toronto un- til ten years of age, when he came west and set- tled at Northfield, Minnesota. Completed his literary education at Carleton college of that place, and began the study of medicine there, under the instruction of Alfred P. Skeels, M. D., formerly professor of materia medica in the HIomœopathic Medical college of St. Louis, Mis- souri. After a preparatory course of three years under Dr. Skeels, he entered IIahnemann Medi- cal college of Philadelphia, where he graduated from the three years' course, with the class of 1874. IIe practiced in his profession at North- field until the fall of 1878, when he removed to St. Paul.

R. D. Hutchinson was born in Ohio, in 1850, and received his education at Cincinnati. Sep- tember 25th, 1873, he enlisted in the Seventh United States cavalry, and served five years. IIe was in the battle of Little Big Horn at the time General Custer fell, and has a medal which was presented to him by congress, bearing this in- scription: "From Congress, to Rufus D. IIutchin son, Company B, Seventh U. S. Cavalry, Little Big Horn, June 25th and 26th, 1876." Mr. IIut- chinson was mustered out of service September 22nd, 1878 at Standing Rock agency, now known as Fort Yates, Dakota. He came to St. Paul, October 1st, 1878, and was engaged in milling about fifteen months, then opened his sample room at the corner of Washington and Eagle streets.

W. H. Illingworth was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, in 1844. At an early age his parents emi- grated to this country and settled in Philadelphia; his father was a jeweler by trade; they re- mained two years then removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained two years. In the fall of 1850 they came to St. Paul and opened a jewelry store on Jackson street. Mr. Illingworth worked with his father until twenty years of age when he went to Chicago to learn photographing. In 1867 he returned to St. Paul and established himself in business. He has traveled a great deal in con- nection with his business, making a trip to the Black Hills with General Custer, taking views. IIe secured many choice views, he being the first to visit that country for that object. He made a trip to Montana with Gen. Fisk, and during the trip they located Helena, Montana, in 1866. HIe

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is now located at 127 East Third street, and makes a specialty of the carbon photograph, also the artotype process.

Christian H. Iltner was born in Germany in 1842. He with his parents emigrated to Illinois, in 1852, to St. Paul in 1868, and engaged with W. F. Tuchelt to learn the cigar trade. In 1871 he engaged with Mr. Brache in the cigar trade under the firm name of Brache, Iltner and Com- pany, which continued one year, when he opened the wholesale and retail trade on his own account, at No. 312 Jackson street. He was married in 1870 to Miss Lizzie Nippold; they have one child, Christian I. A. Mr. Iltner served as soldier in the war of the rebellion, having enlisted in Com- pany H, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers, May 9th, 1861; was mustered out June 19th, 1864. Was under General Thomas in the department of the Cumberland.

Michael Imhoff was born in Scott county, Min- nesota, 1856, and was one of the first white child- ren born between Belle Plaine and Le Sueur. He was reared on the farm until manhood, re- ceiving a common school education. In 1872 he came to St. Paul and engaged to Messrs. Noyes Brothers and Cutler, then to the United States Express Company. In 1879 he opened a sample room at 14 Mississippi street. He was married in 1879 to Miss Lizzie Hanft of St. Paul. One child, Charles, was born to them March 25th, 1880.

Daniel W. Ingersoll was born near Newton, New Jersey, June 12th 1812. His father, Gilbert Ingersoll, was a farmer living near the village. At about fourteen years of age, Daniel entered the store of John S. l'otwin, the leading mer- chant of the town. Two years later, Mr. Potwin decided to remove to Burlington, Vermont, and took Daniel with him. When nineteen years of age he was put in charge of the business, and soon after was the purchaser. Shortly before reaching majority he became a partner, the firm being John S. Potwin and Company, which after- ward became D. W. Ingersoll and Company. At the close of the year 1836, he moved to New York, and there engaged in the wholesale dry goods trade, remaining there in business until January, 1854. The firm, which was Draper, Knox and Ingersoll, was then dissolved by mutual consent, the health of Mr. Ingersoll having failed. Act-

ing upon the advice of his physician, he removed from Brooklyn to Irvington, New York. His first visit to Minnesota was in the fall of 1855. Being greatly benefitted by the climate he, with his family located in St. Paul, in 1857. In 1856, he opened his dry goods house, occupying a store nearly opposite the First Presbyterian church. In 1860 the stone building he now occupies was erected. Mr. Ingersoll has not sought public offices, but his true worth has favored him with different positions of trust. For many years he has been a member of the school board, and its president; was appointed by Governor Marshall a member and president of the State Reform School board in 1867, which position he still holds. In the Sunday school work he has been very efficient, having been superintendent many years, and now is a teacher. He is also in sympathy with, and interested in the temperance movement; for one year held the office of president of the State Temperance Association. Mr. Ingersoll was active in securing the necessary legislation for the organization of the St. Paul and Sioux City railroad, afterward was its first treasurer, He was instrumental in the formation, and was the first president, of the Elevator Company; is now its vice-president. He has ever been deeply interested in all public interests of the city, and in their advancement.

John R. Irvine, one of the pioneers of St. Paul, was a native of Danville, New York, born Novem- ber, 3d, 1812. When a boy he worked at black- smithing until the age of seventeen, when he re- moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of plasterer. In 1831 he was married to Miss Nancy Galbraith; shortly after he returned to Danville and resumed blacksmithing. In 1837 he removed to the West and located in Green Bay, where he remained until 1840, when he re- moved to Prairie du Chien, and in company with A. B. Coy and C. C. Blanchard, he engaged in the grocery trade. In the winter of 1843, Mr. Ir- vine, with a load of groceries and other goods in a sleigh, came to St. Paul to look over the field which had been represented to him by his old friend Henry Jackson, as the Eldorado of the North-west. After disposing of his goods, and fully satisfying himself of the future prospects of this then wild spot, he made a purchase of the balance of the old Phelan claim, of Joseph Rondo,

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for the sum of $300; the balance of the claim had been sold to Sergeant Mortimer. On the portion which Mr. Irvine purchased was a very comforta- ble log house, built after the French style, which had been erected by Mr. Rondo, and stood near where what is now the corner of West Third and Franklin streets. With some additions it was made a very comfortable dwelling, and was occupied as such by Mr. Irvine for several years. The survey had not been made, but Mr. Irvine thought that the claim contained about three hundred acres, and extended back to the marsh on the Lake Como road. After this purchase was made, Mr. Irvine returned to Prairie du Chien for his family and goods. The latter he placed in a large Mackinaw boat, and as soon as naviga- tion opened, hired the steamboat Otter, on its first trip, to tow the boat to St. Paul. His part- ner, Mr. Coy, came with the goods. He and his family did not reach here till June. The boat was run up the slough between the upper levee and the main land, which at that time was cov- ered with heavy timber and underbrush. There being no road and hardly a foot-path from the bluff to the water, it was no small job to unload and carry the goods up the bluff. From the dense forests that covered those bottoms, Mr. Irvine cut large quantities of wood, which he dis- posed of to the steamboats. Upper Third street, from what is now Seven Corners to the bluff, was a quag-mire, almost without bottom, and was a source of great trouble for years to the owners of cows, that would get fast in its mirey depths. Also along the side of the hill near Pleasant and Cot- tage Avenues, was a forest of cedar and tamarac. One at that date could hardly have imagined that in so short a time it would have become the val- uable property it now is. For several years Mr. Irvine cultivated a considerable portion of his land. About 1845 Mr. Irvine purchased Mr. Mortimer's claim, and in 1848 he entered the land in the office at Stillwater. In November, of the same year, he deeded the east half of the north- west quarter of section six, town twenty-eight, to Henry M. Rice, which was afterwards known as Rice and Irvine's addition. Mr. Irvine was one of the most active and useful citizens in the town, and the ample property which his foresight had prompted him to secure and hold, is now one of the most valuable portions of the city. The pro-

ceeds of the most of this property, which has been sold, have been re-invested in the erecting of substantial business blocks, mills, warehouses and other buildings, which now stand as a credit to the enterprise of the owner. His life was one of great activity, and he was known as a most en- ergetic and hard working man. In 1850 a license was granted him to run a ferry across the river, at the upper levee. During the years from 1854 to '57, he was engaged in banking; several years in milling and real estate. He served the county in the legislature and in other elective bodies, and perhaps no one of our pioneer settlers enjoyed the esteem of the public more than he.

The amiable wife of Mr. Irvine, who mourns his loss, was one of the first white women that settled in Minnesota, and has endured the priva- tions and struggles incident to the pioneer life, with others of that noble few who deserve special mention. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine have had several children, who are among our well known citizens.

Andrew Jackson was born in Sweden, in 1842. He emigrated to this country in 1869, spending a short time in Illinois; came to St. Paul,and worked at his trade, that of cabinet maker, for one year ; then he engaged to work in a sample room on Robert street for a short time, when he opened his present place, Concert Hall and Summer Gar- den, on Seventh street, No. 363. He was married in 1874, to Miss Caroline Bruber, St. Paul. Two children living, Emily and Carl Oscar.

Talbott W. Jenkins is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, where he was born in 1855. Is a son of George and Lydia Jenkins. His father is a na- tive of Long Green, Baltimore county, Maryland, whose ancestors came to this country from Eng- land, and received a land grant from Lord Balti- more ; the descendents still live on the same land. Mr. Jenkins came to St. Paul in 1879, and is engaged as a clerk at Charles Dunne's hat and furnishing store, Wabasha street.

C. H. Jenks, conductor St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba railroad, is a native of Illinois, where he was born in 1844. He, with his parents, emigrated to Minnesota, and located in St. An- thony, in 1849 ; in 1858 to Wright county, in this state. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota infantry ; honorably discharged, Au- gust, 1865, when he returned to his home, and engaged in the hotel business at Rockford, Wright

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county, In 1870 he began railroading on the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba railroad, as brakeman ; after one year was promoted to con- ductor, which position he has occupied since. IIe was married in 1867, to Miss Hettie B. Hayford, of Rockford, Minnesota. They have two children living, Lottie Q., eleven years of age, and Charles O., seven years. Two children died.

C. G. Johnson, a native of Sweden, was born in 1850 ; emigrated to this country in 1871, stopping a short time in Iowa ; then to St. Paul, and was employed on the Northern Pacific railroad for a short time. In 1878 he opened a sample room at 172 East Seventh street. He was married in 1878 to Miss Lottie Johnson. They had two children, but both died.

Gates A. Johnson, for the past twenty-six years a resident of St. Paul, the youngest son of D. D. and Melinda (Fairbank) Johnson, was born in Keesville, New York, September 26th, 1826. His father dying before he could remember him, young Gates was compelled at an early age to care for himself and to assist his mother. Re- ceiving but a common-school education his active and industrious habits enabled him to make it available as a start in life, and at an early age he began following his chosen calling, civil engineer- ing and surveying. In that capacity before he came to St. Paul he was employed on the Ogdens- burg railroad, and subsequently upon the Great Western of Canada. Mr. Johnson came to this city on the 5th 'of April, 1855, and soon after- ward was engaged as chief engineer in the pre- liminary survey of the Hastings and Dakota rail- road. When the Lake Superior and Mississippi railroad was commenced he was appointed chief engineer and held the appointment from the pre- liminary survey until the completion of the road, and for two years he was superintendent of the road. Subsequently he became chief engineer of the White Bear and Stillwater road until it was completed, During the war, though in full sym- pathy with the cause of the Union, the claims of a young family prevented him from enlisting. In addition to the positions mentioned he was city engineer for one year and five years alder- man, and has been for some years a consistent and respected churchman. In each of the posi- tions he has filled, Mr. Johnson has had the es- pecial faculty of retaining the confidence and

respect of his employers without the loss of dis- cipline. Mr. Johnson has been twice married, the first wife, Frances L. Parker, died some years after marriage, leaving two sons. His second wife, Mrs. M. S. Goulding, nee Underhill, whom he married April 23d, 1879, is still living. His mother, aged ninety years, is living with him.

Charles W. Johnson is a native of Wisconsin, born in Milwaukee, October 13th, 1849. IIe located in St. Paul in 1879, and is now em- ployed as mail agent on the Chicago, St. Paul and Omaha railroad.

Walter A. Johnson, foreman of the St. Paul, M. and M. R. R. machine 'shops, was born in Southborough, Massachusetts, 1847. In 1863 he commenced his trade at Worcester, Massachusetts, which he followed until 1871, when he came to St. Paul and engaged in his present shop until 1874 when he tried farming near Shakopee. In 1879 he again entered the shops at St. Paul where he worked six months when he was placed in charge. He was married in 1872 to Miss J. Spencer, of Sherburne county, Minnesota; they were blessed with four children, two living, Mary E. and the baby. Edward Spencer died at two and one-half years, Edna died at the age of three months.

R. N. Johnson was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. When a child he moved to Madison, Indi- ana. For three years previous to 1874 lie was employed as clerk on a boat running between Cincinnati and New Orleans. In 1874 he engaged to the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern railroad. In 1876 he engaged to the St. Paul and Duluth railroad as bill clerk, which position he fills with acceptance to the company.

General R. W. Johnson, son of Rev. Dr. James Johnson, was born in Livingston county, Ken- tucky, February 7th, 1827. IIe was appointed cadet to West Point, June 4th, 1844, and was edu- cated at the United States Military academy. Stationed at Fort Snelling 1849, as lieutenant in the United States army. At the breaking out of the rebellion was captain but rose to the rank of brigadier-general, and brevet major-general. Was married October 30th, 1850, to Miss Rachel E. Steele of St. Paul; married at the residence of Gen. H. H. Sibley, Mendota.

Clarence Jones was born in Massachusetts, 1854. IIe spent his early life on a farm. At the

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age of fifteen years he engaged with J. H. Holis- ter, of Greenleaf, Massachusetts, to learn the jewelers' trade. In 1876 he came to St. Paul and engaged with D. C. Greenleaf, with whom he re- mained one year when he removed to Litchfield, Meeker county, and engaged in trade until 1880 when he returned to St. Paul and located at No. 169 East Seventh street. He carries a fine stock of goods. His promptness in business and pleas- ant address make many friends. IIe was mar- ried in 1878 to Miss C. A. Mills, of Minneapolis.

II. C. Jones, manager and buyer for the notion department of Lindekes, Warner and Schurmeier, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1844. In 1856 he with his parents removed to Philadelphia, where he received an academical education. In 1860 he embarked in the dry goods business in that city until 1862 when he re- moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and remained until 1876 when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged to the well known house of John Shillito and Co., in charge of the notion depart- ment. Ile came to St. Paul and engaged with the present firm, January 1st, 1881. He was married in 1868 to Miss Annie Stiles, daughter of HI. L. Stiles, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Two fine chil- dren are the fruits of the union, Harry and Ed- ward.

Joseph Jones, of the firm of Barton and Jones North Star flouring mill, was born in Ireland in 1847, emigrated to this country and located in the city of New York. He removed to Minneapolis in 1866, and engaged to learn the miller's trade. In 1880, he came to St. Paul, and with Thomas D. Barton leased the North Star mills, which they now run.

Talbot Jones, M. D., was born in Paris, Ken- tucky, in 1850. IIe was educated at the public schools of that city, after which he engaged in mercantile trade until 1875, when he began the study of medicine with Dr. W. Fithian. He graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical college of New York in March, 1878, and in Sep- tember of the same year he came to St. Paul and at once entered upon the practice of his profes- sion. Since his residence in St. Paul, he has con- tributed many valuable articles to the Medical Journal of New York and Chicago, also many valuable papers to the Minnesota State Medical society, and which have appeared in the transac-

tions of that body. In 1879, he accepted the po- sition of professor of physiology in the St. Paul medical school (preparatory); in 1880, the chair of professor of physiology and diseases of chil- dren in the St. Paul department of Hamline university. Together with the lectures delivered before this department, he was also invited to deliver a course of lectures before the college of arts on the subjects of physiology and hygiene. Also together with his practice he holds the office of register of the St. Paul Medical college and secretary of the Ramsey County Medical society.

HI. M. Joy, clerk for the Erie and North Shore Despatch fast freight line, was born in Buffalo, New York, 1847. When a child, with his parents he removed to Iowa. He came to St. Paul in 1873, and engaged to the United States Express Company until October, 1880, when he came to his present position.

William A. Judd, proprietor of the Fourth street and Metropolitan livery and sale stables, was born in Connecticut in July, 1825. In 1835, he came to Illinois. IIe carried on the livery and stage business for some time prior to 1859, when he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where he contin- ued the business until 1874, when he came to St. Paul, and has since continued the business until it has reached large proportions. He first opened his business in this city on Sibley street where he remained until 1879, when he removed to his present location on Fourth street, which stable will accommodate one hundred horses. The same year he leased the Metropolitan stables corner of Fifth and Washington streets. The two stables will accommodate about one hundred and ten horses. The two stables give employment to twenty or twenty-five men. He has the business of furnishing the Metropolitan house with hacks and carriages. IIe estimates his business for 1881, at $60,000.

Henry Justus was born in Germany, in 1828. In 1850, he emigrated to this country and settled in Chicago, Illinois. In 1854, he came to St. Paul and engaged in the wagon and carriage manufacturing business. By strict attention to business, his manufacturing and repairing has increased until at this time he gives em- ployment to sixteen men. Mr. Justus was mar- ried March 28th, 1854, in Michigan, to Miss Lizzie Geyer, of Chicago. The union has been blessed

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with six children, five are living, two sons and three daughters.

J .C. Kahlert, proprietor of St. Paul Steam Dye Works, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, January 26th, 1820. Learned the dyeing trade and traveled through many parts of Europe. In 1846 came to America, spent one year in Balti- more, Maryland, then moved to Frederick City, where he carried on the dyeing business until 1854, then moved to St. Paul. He was the first man in the business who settled in this state. His first dye house was established on Third street, in 1855, it being then called the Baltimore Dye House. This was destroyed by fire, after which he did business in the old Empire block for eight years, meeting with a heavy loss by the falling of the building. For several years he carried on laundry business in connection, but has lately given his entire attention to his chosen trade. October 22d, 1844, he married Margaret- ta Berk, who has borne him ten children, eight of whom are living: Lizzie, Katie, Justus, Emma, Augusta, Albert, Amelia and Alexander.

William Keil was born in Prussia, in 1829. Received a high school education and learned the trade of tanner, also that of a distiller. Came to America in 1857, settled in Stillwater, Minnesota, where he farmed one year. Became a resident of St. Paul in 1859, and engaged in the liquor trade. Enlisted in Company G, Second Minne- sota, and served eleven months; was wounded at the battle of Mill Spring. Returning to civil life he again commenced the liquor trade at St. Paul, but removed shortly after to Hastings, where he engaged in the lime trade, with boot and shoe and liquor trade in connection, until 1871. He has since then been a liquor dealer in St. Paul, at 185 Pearl street. Miss Minnie Mar- vin became his wife in Germany, in 1857.

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