History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 67

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 626

USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 67

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CITY OF FARIBAULT.

He remained at this post during the winter months, and lived with his family at Mendota in summer, employing two Frenchmen to look after the stock and post.

The flat on the west side of the river had pre- viously been cultivated by the Indians, and Mr. Faribault plowed most of the land lying between what is now Willow street and the river, north of Third street, and planted wheat and corn, the Indians receiving the benefits, as they would take the wheat from the stacks and thresh it in their blankets, to all of which they were welcome. Mr. Faribault then owned about thirty horses, one hundred head of cattle, and from twenty to forty hogs. In the spring of 1853, he hauled lumber from St. Paul and employed twelve men in getting timber from the woods here, and during the sum- mer erected a commodious frame residence which still stands. It was the first frame building in the county. He was a very wealthy man in those days, but his generosity has ruined him, finan- cially, and now he is almost a pauper, not even owning a home of his own. For ten years before 1853, he had plowed and planted land that is now within the city limits.

His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Faribault, died in Elizabethtown, near Fergus Falls, in 1875. Mr. Faribault served in the battle of Birch Cooley in 1862,

FREDERICK WILLARD FRINK, who assisted in organizing Rice county, Minnesota, in 1856, and selected the site for the present Court House, and has been auditor of the county since March, 1863, is a native of Rutland county, Vermont, dating his birth June 24, 1828. His father is Calvin . Frink, a stone mason by trade, and the maiden name of his mother was Lydia L. Avery. His paternal great-great-grandfather was from Eng- land, and his maternal great-grandfather was a Captain in the Continental Army. When Freder- ick was ten years old, the family moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and one year later (1839) to Mineral Point, in the same State. There the family remained until September, 1841, when they removed to Sauk county, where Calvin Frink and two other men laid out the village of Prairie du Sac. There Frederick remained ten years, farming and lumbering, finishing his education, meanwhile, at the Beloit Seminary in 1846, pay- ing some attention to the classics, as well as mathematics and other practical branches. In

1851, our subject went to Waterloo, Grant county, in the southwestern part of Wisconsin, was there engaged in lumbering for three years, and in September, 1854, settled in Rice county, pre- empting one hundred and sixty acres of land in Richland township. There Mr. Frink opened a farm, but his health failing he moved into Fari- bault in 1856. In October of that year he started the "Rice County Herald," which he sold out in a short time, and which is still published under the name of the "Faribault Republican," a paper de- voted for twenty-two years to the advocacy of the tenets of the Republican party. About this time he purchased a fifth interest in the new town of Shieldsville, Rice county, named for General Shields, who was a resident of this county for two or three years. It proved to be a "paper" town, and with ten thousand other land speculators in the "flush times" of 1856-'57, Mr. Frink exper- ienced a thorough "smash-up." After he had made and lost his fortune in the Shieldsville ven- ture, he was a clerk three years for Faribault mer- chants; was two years of this time Deputy County Treasurer, and was elected County Auditor in November, 1862. He is one of the most efficient and reliable business men in the county, and very popular with the people. He was among the frontier men when he broke land in Minnesota, and he was a frontier boy when living at Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The first mail ever taken from Madison westward to Prairie du Sac, was carried by him on horseback at the age of eleven years, a ride of more than fifty miles a day. All the road he had, most of the way, was a trail marked by "blazed trees," he aiding his father to do the "blazing." Mr. Frink was Chairman of the first board of County Commissioners (elected in 1856), and resigned at the end of one year to become a millionaire at Shieldsville. In politics, Mr. Frink was originally a free-soiler, his candi- dates on the Presidential ticket in 1852, being John P. Hale and George W. Julien. His wife was Miss Julia E. Beach, of Grant county, Wis- consin; their marriage took place on the 22d of September, 1852. They have one son, Edward Laman, aged twenty-five years.

JOSEPH GADORY was born in Berthier, district of Montreal, Canada, on the 21st of May, 1833. He left his native place in 1852, and came to St. Paul, where he clerked until 1855, then came to Faribault, and in 1856, opened a general merchan-

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

dise store with a $2,000 stock of goods. One year later he removed to Lake City, opened a sa- loon and remained until 1860, when he went to Tennessee. He returned to this place a year after- ward, and has since been engaged in teaching in- strumental music.

J. D. GREENE, one of the active business men of this place, was born in Kent county, Delaware, on the 25th of April, 1828. His education was received at the schools of his native county, and when sixteen years old went to Philadelphia, where he entered the employ of the extensive im- porting firm of L. J. Levy & Co. In 1855, he commenced business for himself, and in 1858, went to Washington, where he received an appoint- ment from the government, having charge of the money department of the dead letter office, which position he held for eight years, having previously been connected with the appointment office of the same department. He then came here, engaged in the real estate and insurance business a year or two, then commenced milling, which he has since followed, owning and operating the Straight River stone mills, and also, with Mr. S. K. Gold, operat- ing the Kendall mill in the city. He has the reputation of making as good flour as is made in the State, which is saying a good deal, in Minne- sota. He was married in 1854, to Mrs. Mary A. Gold, who had two children by a former husband, William J. and Sidney K., the one being an Epis- copal clergyman and Professor of Greek at Racine College, and the other in the milling business here. Mr. and Mrs. Greene were blessed with three chil- dren; Walter W., Mary W., and Kendall. His wife died on the 16th of April, 1875. She was a most estimable woman, a daughter of Hon. Amos Kendall, one of the leading men in Jackson's and Van Buren's administrations, holding the position of Postmaster General under them. He was the founder of the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Wash- ington, and was the agent and partner of Prof. Morse in the development and establishment of the telegraph system. Mr. Greene was again married, his bride being Miss Minnie M. Gibson, of Boston, the ceremony taking place on the 12th of June, 1877. They have three children; Joseph D., Charles L., and Cornelia G.

JAMES GIBSON, deceased, came to Faribault in November, 1856, and was an influential citizen, a native of Pennsylvania. He died on the 24th of March, 1874, at the age of seventy-four years, eaving a wife and tree childreu.

JOHN RICKS, deceased, was an early settler com- ing in the retinue of Mr. Faribault. He was nearly blind for several years before his death, which was in February, 1870.

JOHN B. GWATHMEY was born in Greencastle, Indiana, on the 8th of July, 1830. After going to the public schools he attended the Indiana Asbury University four years. The family then moved to Bowling Green, and his father being a practicing physician, John studied medicine in his office. He attended school one year at Louisville, Kentucky, after which he clerked in Cincinnati, Ohio, then worked at the cabinet-maker's trade in Greencastle and in 1855, came to Faribault, Minne- - sota, and engaged at carpenter work on the first mill here. After its completion he learned the trade in it, and in 1862, enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Infantry, Company B, served three years, then re- turned here and worked at his trade in different mills in the State until 1870, since which time he has been head miller in the Crown Point flourin g mill. He was married in 1833, to Miss Lucinda R. Willis, the ceremony taking place on the 10th of February. They have three children.

FRANK GLASER was born in New Jersey on the 28th of June, 1856. He learned the butcher's trade with his father, and when nineteen years old came to Faribault and engaged at that business. He was married on the 25th of December, 1877, to Miss Albertha Schultz, who has borne him three children, all of whom are living. In 1879, Mr. Glaser started a meat market of his own, which he has since conducted.

REV. EDMUND GALE is a native of England, born near Chichester, Sussex county, on the 12th of November, 1821. He first engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, and afterward studied medicine. He was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1856, after having preached one year in Geneva, Ohio, and previously three years in England. On the 28th of August, 1856, Miss Ruby C. Cowles became his wife and they have three children. In 1863, Mr. Gale removed to Michigan and in 1866, came to this place and assumed charge of the Con- gregational church, remaining till 1873, and then returned to Ohio. In April, 1881, he came again to Faribault and has since had charge of the same church.

G. M. GILMORE, a native of Sullivan county, New Hampshire, was born on the 24th of April, 1824. His father was engaged in the manufac-

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CITY OF FARIBAULT.

ture of woolen goods and lumber, at which busi- ness G. M. worked until the age of twenty-one. He then, in company with his brother, went to Boston and conducted a wholesale ·foreign fruit trade. In 1855, he came to Minnesota, and in Jannary, 1856, to this place and bought his present farm which was then heavy timber. He soon re- turned to his native State, and after visiting Mis- souri with a view of locating there, came agaiu to his farm. He was married in September, 1851, to Miss Sophia J. Medcalf. The result of the union is seven children. In 1858, Mr. Gilmore run the old Scott saw and flour mill, and continued it four years, then was engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years. In 1870, he moved on his farm and has since devoted his time to its improvement. It is beautifully located within the city limits and finely cultivated, having fountains, well-kept build- ings and lawn, and well-stocked trout and salmon ponds, supplied with water by a spring a few feet from the house.

REV. C. GENIS was born in France, on the 3d of October, 1838. He received his education in the seminary of Meximieux and the Grand Seminary in the city of Bourg, and was ordained on the 15th of June, 1862. The following year he came to America and was engaged in missionary work in Minnesota under Bishop Grace for five years, then became parish priest at Austin, and since October, 1874, has been pastor of the Catholic church of the Immaculate Conception in this city. To the superior management of Father Genis is due much of the present usefulness of this church.

ALEXANDER J. GRANT was born in Canada West on the 10th of November, 1850. He was reared on a farm and when eleven years old moved to Ohio. In 1866, the family came to Faribault and his father was engaged in farming and lumbering, and also contracted for railroad work, in all of which Alexander assisted. In 1873, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of the county, held the office two years and afterward clerked in a store. In 1879, he bought the grocery store in which he had previously clerked and has since carried on the same, keeping a full line of staple and fancy groceries. Miss Etta Fitz became the wife of Mr. Grant in September, 1879, and they have one child, Henrietta.

L. A. HATHAWAY, a native of Delaware county, New York, was born on the 1st of May, 1834. His father was proprietor of a hotel, and he spent bis

early life in that business. When he became of age he went to El Paso, Illinois, and continued in the hotel business, subsequently went to La Salle and thence to Chicago where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in connection with the hotel. In 1880, he came to Faribault, and under his su- perior management the Arlington House has since flourished. He was married before leaving his native State to Miss Atlantic Beal, the ceremony taking place on the 7th of March, 1852. They have one boy, Elliott G.

P. J. HUMMEL, a native of Germany, was born in Darmstadt on the 27th of February, 1859. His father held the office of Recorder and Treasurer in that city from the time he was of age until his death. In 1869, P.J. came to America, landed in Rochester, New York, from which place, in 1872, he came to Washington county, Minnesota, and remained three years engaged in different occupa- tions. He afterward lived in St. Paul one year and in 1876, came to this city where he has since carried on a photograph gallery, doing a very prosperous business on Third between Main and Elm streets. He is a member of the National Guards of the state of Minnesota, in which he holds the office of Sergeant. On the 8th of June, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Degen.

LUKE HULETT, deceased, one of the earliest set- tlers in Faribault, who was closely identified with the interests and prosperity of the whole com- munity, and to whom it, in turn is indebted for valuable counsel and assistance in town, county, and State organization, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1803. In 1824, he voted for John Quincy Adams for President, and then started for Ohio. In 1830, he visited Chicago, and after- wards settled 100 miles east of that city. He built a saw-mill on the St. Joe River in 1833. In 1846, he removed to Wisconsin. When he started out his capital consisted of a knowledge of prac- tical work on a farm, and when he got to Ohio and began farming his wheat sold for twenty cents a bushel, and it required ten bushels to buy a pound of Young Hyson tea. Ten years afterward, in northern Indiana, he sold wheat for thirty-five cents a bushel. When Mr. Hulett came here he brought his wife and six little girls, which was deemed a hazardous thing, but they remained to become highly respected wives and mothers. Horace Greeley used to allude to the "Tribune readers" as a particular class of men, above the

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

average intelligence, large hearted, and liberal in their views, and with open sympathies for suffer- ing humanity. Well Mr. Hulett was a "Tribune reader," he took the paper from its very commence- ment, and constantly reading it made him a man of general information. He left his impress on the times, retaining the confidence and respect of all who knew him to the very last. He was the anthor of the chapter in the Minnesota laws on town organization. For more than half a century he was a pioneer on the frontier. On the 18th of March, 1882, at the ripe age of seventy-nine he took his final departure. Resolutions of respect were passed by the Old Settlers' Association, ot which he had been the honored and venerable pre- sident from the first.

A. L. HILL, proprietor and owner of Hill's Fur- niture factory, and one of the early settlers of the city, was born in Hampden county, Massachu- setts, on the 2d of April, 1829. When sixteen years of age he commenced to learn the machinist trade at Hadenville, at which he worked until 1848, then came to Fond-du-Lac, Wisconsin, and started a machine shop, the first in that city, min- ning his machinery by horse power. In 1853, he visited California, but returned the next year and engaged in the lumber trade in Foud-du-Lac, at which he continued until 1855, when he came here and manufactured furniture on a small scale. He has increased his business, and now has one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the city, doing superior work. He carries on a retail store also, and is proprietor of the fine business block bearing his name.

JEREMIAH HEALY, deceased, the oldest settler of Erin township, and one of the oldest in Rice county, was born in the county of Cork, Ireland, in 1819. He came to America in 1842, and set- tled in Dubuque, Iowa, then a frontier town, re- mained there till the spring of 1855, and moved to the territory of Minnesota, settling in what is now kuown as Erin township, Rice county. Mr. Healy was noted for his integrity, honesty, and un- bounded hospitality, his claim shanty being open to all emigrants, and assisting them in locating claims in that vicinity free of charge. On the 25th of July, 1868, he passed calmly and peace- fully away, surrounded by his family and friends and fortified by the sacraments of the Catholic church, of which he was a devout and consistent member. He left a family of fourteen children,

seven boys and seven girls, nine of whom are still living, Sarah being the first white child born in the township. He was ably assisted by his noble and devoted wife, who still survives him. The eldest, Edward and Jeremiah were twins. The latter was elected County Commissioner of the Fifth district at the age of twenty-three years. In 1874, he entered into the general merchandise business in Faribault with his brother, Edward, and was elected Alderman in the Third ward in 1880.

Edward taught school for several years in Rice and Le Sueur counties, and in 1872, moved to Faribault and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He is at present County Commissioner of the Third district. The two brothers do a successful business on the corner of Third and Elm streets, under the firm name of Healy Bros. John occu- pies the old homestead.

J. S. HILLYER, one of the proprietors of the Faribault flouring mill, was born in Southamp- ton, Hants county, England, on the 7th of April, 1840. His parents died before he was ten years old, after which he attended school until eighteen years of age at Duncan College, and then learned the miller's trade. He bought the flouring mill at Alrestord, which he run until 1867. Mr. Hill- yer was married in June, 1860, to Miss Selena A. Miller. They removed to Winona, Minnesota, where he owned and operated a flouring mill with his brother-in-law. He remained there about eighteen months, then removed to Rockford, Wright county, Minnesota, where he was from 1869 to 1876, then visited England and the next year commenced his milling interest here by building the Faribault City mill. In 1880 and '81, he owned a one-half interest in the " Red Jacket Mills" at Mankato, which burned in the latter year. He is the father of four children, three of whom are living, one boy and two girls.

A. H. HATCH was born in Chelsea, Orange county, Vermont, on the 19th of June, 1833. His father being a farmer, our subject remained at home on the farm until nineteen years of age. He then worked one year at the harness-maker's trade, but gave it up on account of his health and returned to the farm. Two years later he engaged as clerk in a grocery store in Boston, and in the spring of 1857, came to Juneau county, Wiscon- sin, and worked on a farm that summer, teaching school that winter. He learned the carpenter

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CITY OF FARIBAULT.

trade of Edward Ray, and engaged at it in varions places until 1861, then returned east. In 1864, he came to Faribault and does business as con- tractor and builder. He has been twice married; first to Miss Mary Jane Ray, the ceremony dating the 10th of March, 1858. They had three chil- dren, and his wife died the 17th of August, 1874. His present wife was formerly Eliza A. Russell, whom he married in October, 1876. Mr. Hatch is a prominent member of Rainbow Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F., and has held various offices in the same.

M. B. HASKELL, a native of Kennebec county, Maine, dates his birth the 7th of May, 1848, and was reared on a farm. In 1869, he came to Steele county, and opened a small store at Medford. He was married on the 11th of October, 1869, his bride being Miss Etta C. Boyles. In 1871, hẹ came to this place, and opened a confectionery store on a small scale, but by good management has increased his stock, and now carries a full line of fancy and staple groceries. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell have been blessed with three children.

M. P. HOLMEN was born in Norway on the 6t !! of May, 1847. He was reared on a farm and worked in copper mines in his native country, coming to America in 1867. He came directly to Minnesota, locating in this place the same year and engaged in work on the railroad, continuing at the same seven years, then clerked in the city two years. In 1875, in company with Mr. Lar- son, he opened a grocery store, but two years later the firm dissolved partnership, and now Mr. Holmen conducts the business alone. He was married on the 12th of February, 1876, to Miss Severena Matison. Of four children born to them, three are living.

A. E. HAVEN, who owns and edits the ‘. Fari- bault Democrat," was born in Guilford, Chenango county, New York, on the 4th of February, 1840, and attended the public schools of his native town. In 1856, he went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, was a pupil at the high school two years and then studied law in the office of Judge Hugh Cameron, learning the art of printing at the same time. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company B, serving in the Army of the Potomac till 1864, and received his discharge in July. In August, he commenced work in the "La Crosse Democrat " office and was gradually promoted to associate editor, having entire editorial charge the last three years. On

the 15th of November, 1867, Miss Mary A. Meeker became his wife and they have two children, Reide M. and Freda. In 1871, Mr. Haven came to this place, and purchased the "Faribault Lead- er," changing its name to the "Faribault Demo- crat," aud issuing the first paper on the 8th of September, 1871. He has been a member of the School Board two terms during his residence here and in 1876 and 1878, was elected County Super- intendent of Schools.

E. D. HASKINS, the efficient Deputy County Treasurer, was born in Northampton, Massachu- setts, on the 9th of April, 1842. In 1856, the family came to Faribault and E. D. assisted his father at the carpenter trade, and three years later purchased a photograph gallery, in which business he was engaged until 1861, then enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company G, serving three years as musician, and during the latter part of that time as chief musician of the regiment. After receiving his discharge, he vis- ited the East, and while there learned the art of making gold pens, then returned to this place, and in 1868, was appointed to the office above men- tioned, which he has since held, with the exception of two years, when he was engaged in the manu- facture of gold pens. His wife was formerly Miss Nellie A. Beach, whom he married in Amherst, Massachusetts, on the 27th of November, 1866.

MILES HOLLISTER was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 22d of August, 1829, and was reared on a farm. When ten years old he went to work in a tannery and remained two sum- mers, after which he worked on a farm and clerked in a store, going to school winters until seventeen years old, when he went to live with his oldest brother in Michigan. On account of malarial sickness he soon returned to New York, however, and taught school winters and attended Spring- field Academy during spring and fall terms. In 1851, he was married to Orcelia A. Griffith, and went into business for himself. In September, 1854, he left New York, stopping and teaching school in Michigan that winter, and came to Min- nesota in the spring, arriving in Faribault on the 18th of April, 1855. He made a claim and be- came a resident on section fifteen, in what after- wards became the town of Sargent (since changed to Warsaw), and engaged in mercantile and mill- ing business., On the organization of that town he was unanimously elected the first Chairman of

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

the board of Supervisors. In the fall of 1858, he was elected Clerk of the District Court of Rice county and removed with his family to Faribault in the spring of 1859; was re-elected to the latter office in 1861, having in the meantime been twice elected Town Clerk of Faribault, and also, for a time, held the office of Deputy County Treas- urer, and at other times doing the work of the County Auditor. On the 5th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and on the 17th of that month was commissioned its First Lieuten- ant, and served in that capacity until the spring of 1865, when he was transferred and mustered as Captain of Company K, of the One Hundred and Twenty-Third U. S. C. T., and as such was mus- tered out about the 1st of November, 1865, filling, while in service, the positions of Commissary, Quartermaster, Ordnance Officer, Commandant of a Company, of a Fort, and of a Regiment. On his return from the army, he went to St. Paul to live, keeping books in the State Land Office until 1867, when he returned to Rice county, and the same year was elected Register of Deeds, in which office he served two years. In the spring of 1874, he was chosen Secretary of Rice County Grange Mill Company, and continued with the company until their mill burned and the company went out of business, since which time he has held the same position in the Polar Star Mill Company. On the 28th of August, 1862, Mr. Hollister was united in marriage with Susie S. Hunkins, for- merly of New Hampshire, his first wife having died on the 28th of June, 1861.

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History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 67

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co. Number of Pages: 626

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 626