History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 68

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 68

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CHARLES F. HUMMER was born in Austria, on the 17tli of August, 1841. When eleven years of age, he entered the government military school, remained there eight years, and entered the Austrian army, serving eight years longer. He was then employed as station agent on the rail- road, and in 1875, came to New York City, eighteen months later to Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota, where he clerked in a store. On the 10th of October, 1880, he married Miss Annie Hoffman, and the following year came here and opened his present billiard hall and saloon.

JAMES HUNTER was born in Stormont county, in the province of Ontario, Canada, and grew to manhood on a farm. In 1861, he came to Fari- bault and attended school one winter. In Feb-

ruary, 1862, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Light Artillery, and was the first man wounded in the battery. He was disabled on the 8th of Octo- ber, 1862,at the battle of Perryville, and in March, 1863, received an honorable discharge. Having learned the blacksmith trade, he followed that for a time, but in celebrating the surrender of Gen. Lee, in 1865, his left arm was blown off just below the elbow. He was married on the 25th of April, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth F. Metherson, and the same year he was elected County Sheriff, held the position six years, then was Chief of Police sev- eral years, and has been City Justice for the past five years.

S. H. JAY is a native of Maryland, born in Montgomery county, on the 1st of March, 1821. He was reared on a farm, and in 1833, went with his mother to Ohio, where he followed farming, and later was employed in the construction of railroads. He was married on the 7th of Septem- ber, 1847, to Miss Ellen Collins. They have had thirteen children, only seven of whom are living. In 1856, Mr. Jay came to Wisconsin in the employ of the railroad company, and two years later as- sisted in the grading of the first railroad in this State. He subsequently opened a farm in Scott county, and in 1871, moved to Owatonna, and the following year came here. Since 1875, he has been proprietor of the American Hotel.

C. F. KIEKENAPP, one of the pioneers of Wheeling township, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, on the 7th of March, 1838. In 1851, his parents moved to Illinois, and four years later drove an ox team from there to Wheeling, where they located a farm. The father died in 1859, and C. F. carried on the farm until 1871, when he came here and was employed in the machine bus- iness. In 1877, he opened a grocery store and saloon, and has since continued in the same.

F. H. KIEKENAPP, a native of Cook county, Illinois, was born on the 25th of February, 1854. In 1856, the family removed to Wheeling, this county, driving an ox team the entire distance. In 1861, his father died, and when our subject was eighteen years old he came to this place and learned the harness maker's trade, working at it here and in Chicago till 1876, when he opened his present harness shop, and has since done a pros- perous business. On the 1st of June, 1880, Miss Mary Kriser became his wife, and they have one child, Edwin.

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CITY OF FARIBAULT.

E. KAUL, a native of Germany, was born in Prussia, on the 3d of March, 1839. He was reared on a farm, and in 1865, came to America, locating in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1866, he went to Cassville, in the same State, and clerked until 1868, then came here and started in business for himself, opening a stock of general merchandise. On the 2d of February, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary E. Misgen, who has borne him six children. Mr. Kaul now carries on a grocery store and saloon, and is engaged in the manufac- ture of cigars. He has been Alderman of the first ward four years.

M. H. KEELEY was born in Rathguile, county Wexford, Ireland, on the 17th of March, 1854. In the fall of 1858, his parents, with their family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest, left their native country and came to America, settling near St. Thomas, in Western Canada. After some years passed at St. Thomas, Sandwich, and Chatham successively, they moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1865. After passing a few terms in the High School at Beloit, Mr. Keeley entered the celebrated Congregational College, located in that city, taking a full classical course. He remained in that institution till he completed the Freshman year, and in 1869, was sent from thence by his parents to prosecute his studies at the excellent Catholic university of Notre Dame, Indiana. There he graduated in 1872, receiving his bachelor degrees in arts, and for the two subsequent years taught in the insti- tution. Meantime his family had moved to Waseca county, Minnesota, whither, in the sum- mer of 1874, he followed them, with a view, how- ever, of returning to his Alma Mater the same fall, where he had made arrangements to continue teaching. Being prevailed upon to remain in Minnesota, and having cancelled his engagement to teach, he began reading law in the office of Hon. John H. Case, in Faribault, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1877, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1878, his Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of Bachelor of Law, and some years prior, the degree of Master of Arts.

Ou the 26th of June, 1879, Mr. Keeley was united in marriage to Miss Katie F. Cavanaugh, a young lady of fine accomplishments, a graduate of St. Clara's Academy, Sinsinawa Mound, Wis- consin, and a universal favorite in the best social

circles, the marriage taking place at Mitchell, Mitchell county, lowa, the ceremony being per- formed by Rev. Fathers Sanders and Gunn, of the Roman Catholic church. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Keeley, who, up to that time was associated with Mr. Case, opened a law office of his own, and has since done a good business. He has been City Attorney of Faribault three successive years, and still holds that office. In religion he is an uncompromising Catholic, with- out being a bigot; in politics a staunch Democrat, without being a partisan.

A. D. KEYES was born in Acworth, Sullivan county, New Hampshire. He first attended the common schools, then graduated from Kimball Union Academy in 1868, having the Valedictory of the classical course, and in 1872, from Dart- mouth College. On the 17th of August, 1872, he married Miss Mary E. Weston, a graduate of Kim- ball Union. Poor health compelled him to come west, and he began the study of law in the office of G. E. Cole and was admitted to the bar in 1873. He practiced in the same office until 1879, since which time he has been alone, doing a fine busi- ness. He has held several local offices and in 1881, was elected to the office of County Attorney which he still holds.

C. H. KLEMER, a native of Berlin, Germany, was born on the 20th of January, 1824. His father died when C. H. was but five years old, leaving a family of ten children. Our subject learned the turner's trade and in 1848, came to America and engaged in farming in Dodge county, Wisconsin, a short time, then worked at his trade in Watertown, in the latter State, until 1857, when he moved to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and en- gaged in farming seven years. In 1864, he came here, worked at his trade one year, then started a carding mill with one carding machine. He has increased his business until he now is proprietor of the Faribault Woolen Mill.

FRED. KREFT was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 8th of October, 1834, and engaged at the butcher trade in his native country. He emigrated to America about 1856, located in Chicago, Illi- nois, where he engaged in business, and while there married Miss Sophia Messe. In 1859, he removed to Wheeling, Rice county, where he was one of the first settlers; engaged in farming four- teen years, then came to Faribault and opened a saloon, which he has since conducted. He is the

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

father of eight children, six of whom are living.

J. W. KOLLMANN, a native of Germany, was born in Hanover on the 26th of August, 1849. He at- tended school and clerked in his native place and in 1867, came to Quincy, Illinois, where he re- mained three years, then went to St. Louis, Mis- souri, and followed the same employment till 1874, when failing health compelled him to change climate. He came to Faribault and clerked for A. W. Mueller. On the 21st of January, 1875, Miss Mary Wiechers became his wife. They have one child, Beata. In 1877, Mr. Kollmann bought out the large stock of dry goods of A. W. Mueller and in 1881, opened a clothing store opposite his dry goods house, taking O. Vogl as partner in the latter business, the firm being Kollmann & Volg.

E. N. LEAVENS, the efficient and obliging Post- master and one of the pioneers 'of Faribault, was born in Putnam, Connecticut, and when two years of age removed with his parents to Webster, Massa- chusetts where his father had charge of the ma- chinery in a cotton mill. When seventeen years of age E. N. commenced clerking in a general merchandise store and in 1853, married Miss Eunice Darling. Two years later they came to Faribault and he engaged to clerk for Mr. Barron in the old "Barron House," and in the fall of the same year opened a clothing store. He was iden- tified with the mercantile interests of the city until 1862, when he joined the Sibley expedition against the Indians, serving as sutler of the Tenth Minne- sota Infantry, going with the regiment to St. Louis and through their extensive campaigns till the close of the war. He was made Quartermaster of the regiment in 1864. After his discharge he returned here, where he was a commercial agent five years. In 1858, he was elected first Represen- tative from this district, and in 1873, was appointed Postmaster, which position he still holds.

JOEL L. LEVI, a member of the firm of Levi Bros., was born in Clear Spring, Maryland, on the 9th of September, 1855. His father was a mer- chant and Joel was reared to that employment. In 1863, the family moved to Goshen, Indiana, and three years later to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where our subject clerked until 1877, then came here and opened his present clothing store, also carries a stock of hats, caps, etc. In 1878, his store was destroyed by fire, but he immediately rebuilt. His brother, Morris L, lives in Iowa.

E. M. LEACH, one of the early settlers of this

place, was born in Washington county, Vermont, on the 22d of April, 1830. He remained on a farm until of age, then came to Illinois and two years later to Iowa. In 1855, he removed to this place, and for five years was engaged in various occupations. In 1860, he visited Colorado, which was his home for four years. He then returned to this place and became a partner in the sash, door, and blind factory, under the firm name of Ingram & Leach. In 1881, he became sole owner of the factory and the lumber yard in connection with it. Miss Caroline Stowel became his wife in Novem- her, 1866, and of nine children born to them, seven are living.

R. J. LIEB was born in France on the 5th of February, 1842. At the age of seven years he came with: his parents to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he remained on his father's farm until 1859, then came to Faribault, driving through with a wagon. Atter his arrival, he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for some time, then specu- lated in land and in 1862, opened a retail boot and shoe store, which he has since carried on, also manufacturing the same. He also deals in hides, fnrs, etc. On the 15th of April, 1867, he married Miss Catharine Pallas, who has borne him five children, four of whom are living. He was burned out in 1882, but soon opened his present store.

D. D. LLOYD was born in Flintshire, Wales, on the 3d of December, 1824, and came to Oneida county, New York, at the age of eleven years, with his parents who located on a farm. In 1842, our subject came to Galena, Illinois, where part of his time was devoted to mining until 1846, when he enlisted in the Sixth Infantry, Company K, serving two years on detached duty in the Mexi- can war. He then removed to Wisconsin and en- gaged at the mason trade, which he had learned while young, worked at that for a time, then de- voted his time to mercantile pursuits. In January, 1850, Miss Jane E. Roberts became the wife of Mr. Lloyd and the union has been blessed with three children, only one of whom is living. In 1860, he came to this place; has been engaged in dry goods, hardware and grocery business, but in 1881, opened his present flour, feed, and provision store.

SAMUEL LORD, Judge of the Fifth judicial dis- trict of Minnesota, and a son of Enoch and Eleanor Warren Lord, is a descendent of an old Connecti- cut family, now spread over the New England,

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Middle, and most of the Western States. He dates his birth at Meadville, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of July, 1831, where he remained till of age, losing his father, a farmer, when the son was four- teen years old. Samuel was educated at the local college, taking special studies, such as he deemed of most importance, and not graduating, teaching school one or two terms, but never designing to follow that vocation. He read law at Meadville, with Joshua Douglas; came to Minnesota in 1856, and practiced three years at Marion, Olmsted county, representing that county in the Legisla- ture in the session of 1857-58. In 1859, Mr. Lord removed to Mantorville, Dodge county, where he was in practice, except when on the bench, un- til 1876, when he removed to Faribault, his present home. He was a member of the State Senate, representing Mower and Dodge counties in 1866, '67, '70, and '71, being chairman of the judiciary committee during three of these sessions. His standing in the upper branch of the Legislature was highly creditable. Mr. Lord was elected Judge in the autumn of 1871, for a term of seven years and was re-elected in November, 1878. He is learned in the law, and a man of liberal culture; is patient and painstaking in his official duties, cool in his deliberations, strictly impartial, and a man of the highest integrity. Such men honor the ermine. Judge Lord has always affiliated with the republican party, to which he owes the re- peated honors conferred upon him. In June, 1855, Miss Louisa Compton, of Erie, county, Pennsylvania, was united in marriage with Judge Lord. They have five children living, and have lost two.

HON. HENRY CLAY LOWELL, DECEASED .- As one of the most eminent and influential men of Rice county and the State in the time of his life, a his- tory of Rice county would be incomplete without a sketch of his life. He was born in Thomaster, Lincoln county, Maine, on the 1st of September, 1803. He grew to manhood; studied law in East Machias, Washington county, and was admitted to practice in 1830. He then settled at Rockland, Knox county, and for twenty-five years enjoyed an honorable and extensive practice, not only in his native State, but throughout all New England. Wherever his practice called him, he was recog- nized as holding a high place in the very front rank of his profession. In 1855, he removed to the West, and in August of that year settled on

a farm about two miles south of Faribault, where he remained until the fall of 1862, when he re- moved to the city. In the spring following he went to Le Sueur to attend a term of District court, where he was suddenly siezed with inflam- mation of the bowels, and on the 19th of March, 1853, he died, heing fifty years, five months, and nineteen days old. During the first three years of his residence in Rice county he did not practice, but the force of habit and long ascociation could not be resisted, and in 1858, he returned to the bar, where for the following five years he was one of the most active and successful practitioners in the State, familiarly known in every judicial dis- trict, and everywhere regarded as one of the brightest ornaments of his profession. He fell- as he had often expressed a desire to fall-at his post. He was a fine speaker, a true man, and his fidelity to his client had almost passed into a pro- verb.

The remains of the deceased were buried in the Episcopal cemetery, where a large and solemn gath- ering, from all parts of the State, united in paying the last tribute of respect to departed worth. Honest and upright in all his dealings, he leaves behind him a name that will be cherished by all who knew him.

C. L. LOWELL, one of the pioneers of this place, was born in Knox county, Maine, on the 3d of Oc- tober, 1829. Besides the high school of his na- tive city he attended the Academies at Lewiston, and East Machias, and studied law in the New York Law School and at Rockland, where he was admitted to the bar in 1850, and practiced until 1855. He then came to Faribault, and thence to Wilton, Waseca county, Minnesota, with his father aud a few others, who platted the town. Mr. Lowell was married in 1851, to Miss Georgia Berry. In 1858, he returned to Faribault, where he practiced his profession several years, when poor health compelled him to abandon it. He sold his library, etc., and engaged in mercantile pursuits, but after a time again turned his atten- tion to law, doing also insurance and real estate business. He is a strong Democrat, aud several times has been the choice of his party for office.

CAPT. JAMES ROBERT LUCAS, deceased, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in September, 1835. While still an infant his mother died, and his father a few years later. When he came to Faribault, in 1856, he had been to school but six months. Under Mr. and

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Mrs. R. A. Mott he studied arithmetic and other branches, and worked in the office as a printer, and was afterwards foreman in a St. Paul office. In 1864, he was appointed a paymaster in the army. While in Faribault he married Miss Reid. In 1865, he was appointed clerk in the Auditor's office, and was chief clerk at the time of his death in 1875.

J. F. LINDEMAN, one of the proprietors of the carriage factory in this place, was born on the 24th of December, 1854, in Missouri. In 1857, the family removed to Iowa, and when our snb- lect was fourteen years old they came to Hastings, Minnesota. J. F. worked at the carriage maker's trade three years in the latter place, then went east, engaged at the same until 1876, when he came here and in company with his brother opened a factory for the manufacture of wagons, buggies, etc., doing a prosperous business. On the 1st of November, 1876, he married Miss Lena Griebel. They have two children.

RODNEY A. Morr, a native of New York, was born in Warsaw on the 6th of December, 1825. In the month of April, 1835, he removed with his mother to Chicago, his father having previously died. Our subject attended Baker Academy in northern Illinois, and Knox College, in Galesburg, until 1848, supporting himself by teaching through his literary and law studies. In 1848, he commenced the study of law in Chicago with James H. Collins Esq. In 1850, he went over- land to California, and returned in the summer of 1852, by water. He was married in October, 1852, to Miss Mary Ripley, daughter of Rev. David Ripley, of Pomfret, Connecticut. - Soon after Mr. Mott's return from California, he started a school known as Creto Academy for training teachers, remaining in it for several years. In the spring of 1856, he came to Faribault, and was the first teacher in the public schools. For several years he was proprietor and editor of the first paper published in the place, the "Rice County Herald," changing its name to the "Faribault Herald," or "Faribault Republican." He left this enterprise in 1858, and was admitted to the bar, and imme- diately commenced practicing law, which is still his profession. He was County Attorney two terms, County Superintendent of Schools several years, and in 1880, elected to the State Legisla- ture. Mr. Mott has been connected with the State institutions at Faribault, as Director and Secretary

of the Board, ever since they started. He is Chairman of the committees on education and the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Imbecile schools. He and his family take a more than ordinary inter- est in literary pursuits and all matters pertaining to education. His mother, born in 1801, is still hale and active and lives with him. Mr. and Mrs. Mott have five children living; Millie, a graduate of St. Mary's College, is the wife of Prof. West, superintendent of the Duluth schools; Mary E., Alice J., who graduated at St. Mary's in 1881; Christie, who graduated in 1882, and Louise. The children were all born in Faribault, and the family are all members of the Congregational church.

A. W. MCKINSTRY was born in Chicopee, Hamp- den county, Massachusetts, in 1828. His ancestors on the paternal side were Scotch-Irish, and on the maternal of English descent. A. W. received his education in the common schools, which he at- tended in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer till the age of sixteen years. He sub- sequently was a pupil in Fredonia Academy one term. In 1844, he secured a position as appren- tice to the printing business in the office of his brother, who published the "Fredonia Censor" at Fredonia, Chautauqua county, New York. After serving four years, he worked for a time as journey- man in eastern cities and then formed a co-partner- ship with his brother in the publication of the Cen- sor. In 1857, Ellen E. Putnam became his wife, the ceremony dating the 3d of September. They have two children; Grace E. and Linn H. In 1865, he disposed of his interest in the paper above mentioned, and came to Faribault and pur- chased the Faribault, then "Central," Republican, of O. Brown, Esq. The first number, after the purchase, was issued on the 27th of December, 1868, and from that time to the present he has continued the publication of the paper. In 1877 he served one term in the Minnesota House of Representatives; has also been a director in the First National Bank of Faribault a number of years, and is one of the directors of the Minne- sota Central Railroad Company. With the ex- ception of one year, he has been secretary of the Faribault Gas Light Company since its organiza- tion in 1873. Mr. Mckinstry is one of the lead- ing and public spirited men of Faribault. Any subject that arises involving action in the interest of the community is sure to be presented to him

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for advice, and great relisnce is always placed upon his judgment. He is a man who is thought more of this year than he was last, and next year will be thought more of than he is this.

H. M. MATTSON was born in Herkimer connty, New York, on the 3d of May, 1818. He settled in Dnndas in 1854, and has since continued to reside in the county.

AUGUST MORTENSON was born in Sweden on the 25th of November, 1829. When seventeen years old he commenced to learn the harness maker's trade, at which he worked in his native . country till 1854, then emigrated to America, and in 1856, came to . Faribault. He worked in the first harness shop in the place, and in 1858, opened one of his own which he has since con- ducted. He was married in May, 1860, to Miss Annie Nelson, and they have had eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Mortenson has been a member of the City Council six years.

CHARLES H. MEYER was born in Prussia, Ger- many, on the 17th of February, 1848. In 1854, he came with his parents to America, and in Illi- nois joined a colony with ox teams coming to this county. They located in Wheeling township, and about two weeks after their arrival his father met with his death while in the woods near his farm, and his body was not found for over a year. When fourteen years old, Charles went to Hast- ings and learned the blacksmith trade. In 1872, he came here and opened a shop, which was burned soon after, and then he worked at his trade a few years. He was married on the 22d of April, 1875, to Miss Matilda Burkert, who died on the 7th of October, 1877, leaving one child. In 1876,Mr. Meyer again started in business for him- self, and has since continued making wagons. The maiden name of his present wife was Jennie Helberch, the marriage taking place on the 2d of April, 1879. Two children have been born to this union.

THOMAS MEE, one of the first settlers of this city, is a native of New York, born in Essex county, on the 11th of January, 1835. He at- tended the public schools of the village, and com- pleted his education at the academy of Elizabeth- town. After leaving school he learned the machinist trade, and in 1856, came to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the following year to this place. He began his business career here by running an engine in the old Scott saw-mill, afterward was

employed as book-keeper, and in 1859, when the first national bank in the place, owned by W. H. Dike, was established, he entered as cashier. In 1863, be started in the livery business, but two years later engaged in mercantile pursuits. On the 29th of November, 1865, he was married to Miss Emma I. A. Davis. They have one son, James Robert. Mr. Mee continned in the latter business until 1870, when he entered the employ or the railroad company as station agent, but a year later engaged as assistant cashier in the First National Bank, and in 1872 was made cash- ier, which position he still fills. He has held many local offices, and been City Treasurer four years.

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History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 68

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