History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 77

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 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM S. PATTEE is a native of Jackson, Waldo county, Maine, born the 19th of September, 1846. He attended the common schools and neighboring academies, and in 1868, entered Bowdoin College, from which he graduated in 1871, and was then appointed Superintendent of public schools in Brunswick, Maine. In 1871, Miss Julia Tuttle. of Plymouth, in the same State, became the wife of Mr. Pattee, and the next year he came to Illi- nois, where he received an appointment as profes- sor of natural history in Lake Forest University in that State. In 1874, he removed to Northfield where he had been elected Superintendent of the public schools, and he did a great deal while in that office and since, in giving the schools the reputation abroad for solid worth and attainments. He had, previous to this time, studied law and in 1878, was admitted to the bar of Rice county, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession in the city of Northfield.

JOHN PASSON is a native of Germany and dates his birth the 11th of October, 1823. He received a good education and in 1843, entered the Prus- sian army, remaining in service seven years and participating in engagements in Denmark. He emigrated to America in 1852, and came to Minne- sota seven years later, locating first in Winona. He was married in 1863, to Mrs. R. Hannerman who had one son by her first husband. She died in this place. In 1866, they removed to North- field, where Mr. Passon owns property, both in the city and township.

WILLIAM W. PAYNE was born in Somerset, Hillsdale county, Michigan, on the 19th of May,

1837. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of seventeen years taught school, which occupa- tion he followed three years, teaching a portion of the time and attending school the remainder. At the age of twenty years he entered the Hills- dale College, from which he graduated in 1863, then spent one year in the law department of Michigan University, then the same length of time in the Chicago Law School, graduating in 1865, received the degree of L. L. B., and was ad- mitted to the bar of Illinois. In 1866, Mr. Payne removed to Mantorville, Dodge county, Minnesota, and formed a partnership with R. Taylor, which continued one year. He was the projector of the "Minnesota Teacher" and "Journal of Education," which he published for about five years at St. Paul. He was County Superintendent of schools of Dodge county. In 1868, he was appointed Clerk in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction under Mark H. Dunnell. On the 8th of June, 1870, Miss Josephine Vinecore, of Stan- ton, Montcalm connty, Michigan, became the wife of our subject. In the winter of 1870 and '71, he purchased the paper known as the "Mantorville Express," which he edited a few months, and in September, 1871, came to Northfield as Professor of mathematics and astronomy in Carleton Col- lege, and still holds the same position. In the summer of 1881, the government made Carleton College a signal office, and he was appointed vol- untary signal observer. In March, 1882, he started the "Sidereal Messenger," a monthly review de- voted exclusively to astronomy. Mr. and Mrs. Payne have one child, Jessie V.

F. C. F. PENTZ, M. D., was born in Hanover, Ger- many, on the 20th of January, 1823. He received an education at the high school, and in 1841 and '42, served in the Prussian army. In 1846, he entered the Gottingen Medical Institute, but did not take a full course, and in 1848, returned to the army. He came to America in 1850, and in 1855, married Miss Rebecca Abbott, a native of Indiana. One year later they removed to Minne- sota, but did not settle permanently in this place until 1867. Mr. Pentz has practiced as a physi- cian part of the time since coming to this country.

OSCAR F. PERKINS, the first settler of the legal profession in Rice county, was born in Stowe, La- moille county, Vermont, on the 4th of January, 1830. His parents were Capt. Ellet Perkins and Mrs. (Lathrop) Perkins, a daughter of Capt.

432

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

Daniel Lathrop. When fifteen years old, Oscar went to Woodstock, spent three years in farming, attending a district school in the winters, and then for the ensuing four years was a student at Bakersfield Academy, teaching during the winter season. In 1853, Miss Harriet E. Fay became his wife. He commenced reading law with Wil- liam C. Wilson, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1854. He came to Minnesota in the autumn of that year, spent the winter in St. Anthony, and then located in Faribault, where he practiced his profession twenty-one years, and in 1876, came to Northfield, forming the law firm of Perkins & Whipple. Mr. Perkins has held various offices since his residence in the State; was County Attor- ney four years, a member of the constitutional convention in 1857; prosecuting attorney for the Fifth Judicial District one term, and was iu the State Senate in 1867 and '68, being Chairman of the judiciary committee both sessions. He was elected County Attorney in 1878, and still holds the office. Their children are Fay and Mollie.

R. PLUMMER was born in Lincoln county, Maine, on the 24th of October, 1835. He was en- gaged in farming and the manufacure of lumber in his native State until 1857, then came to Min- nesota and located in St. Anthony, now East Min- neapolis, where he followed the latter employment. He enlisted in 1861, in the First Minnesota Light Artillery, and served till the close of the war, participating in many heavy battles under Gen Sherman. He has been engaged in mercan- tile pursuits most of the time since leaving the army, and in 1874, opened a stock of goods in Northfield, but has recently retired from business. Mr. Plummer has heen twice married; first in 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Norris, who died in June, 1866, and is buried in East Minneapolis. His present wife was Miss Martha S. Moses, whom he married in October, 1869.

C. W. PYE is a native of Yorkshire, England, born on the 10th of September, 1846. When he was two and a half years old his parents came to America, and located in Du Page county, Illinois, where they remained till 1856, then removed to Wheeling, Rice county,and located on a farm. Our subject attended Shattuck School in Faribault about five years, and for eight years afterwards was engaged in teaching school, and since then has practiced law. In 1878, he married Miss Lucy A. Cook, who was born near Madison, Wis-

consin, the 12th of March, 1845, and when sixteen years of age came to Dodge county, Minnesota, with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Pye have three children; William W., Grace M., and Edith M.

ABEL H. RAWSON, deceased, a native of New Hampshire, was born on the 19th of May, 1814. His father was a physician, but lived on a farm, where our subject grew to manhood. When twenty-one years of age, he went to Madison county, New York, where he was engaged in mill- ing for a time, and afterwards in mercantile pur- suits. On the 6th of June, 1839, Miss Eliza Fos- ter, of Stockbridge, Madison county, became his wife. The result of the union is four children; Milton, Sarah, Willis, and Flora, the latter of whom died at the age of fifteen years. In 1857, they removed to Northfield township, bought a farm in section thirty-two, but always lived in the city. He was quite extensively engaged in the lumber business, and in 1874, bought the saw mill formerly owned by Whittle & Carlow, to which he added a hox factory, running them both two or three years, then put in heading machinery and in 1878, hegan the manufacture of barrels, making from 75,000 to 80,000 annually, most of them be- ing used at home. His son and A. P. Morris were with him in business under the firm name of Raw- son & Co. Mr. Rawson died on the 12th of July, 1882, and is buried in Northfield cemetery.

WILLIS RAWSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Rawson, was horn in Stockbridge, Madison county, New York, on the 3d of July, 1848, and came to Minnesota with his parents in 1857. In 1872, Miss Sarah A. Converse became his wife, and they have had four children, three of whom are living; Willis C., Stella, and Jesse. Their youngest child, Carlis Merle, was born on the 4th of December, 1881, and died the 17th of July, 1882.

C. N. RAMSDELL was born in Windham county, Vermont, on the 11th of May, 1816, and there grew to manhood on a farm. In February, 1842, he married Miss Maria E. Field, a native of New Salem, Massachusetts, horn on the 29th of Sep- tember, 1820, and removed to Vermont with her parents when twelve years old. In April, 1855, they came to this State, located first on a farm in Scott county and in February, 1858, came to this township and settled on Prairie Creek, but now reside in the city. They have one child, Ella M., now Mrs. C. H. Watson.

WILLIAM H. REVIER is a native of St. Lawrence

433

CITY OF NORTHFIELD.

county, New York, born on the 3d of March, 1855. When twelve years of age he came to Bridge- water, Rice county, with his mother and brothers, and the former still resides in that township. Our subject came to Northfield in March, 1881, and does business under the firm name of Sampson & Revier. He is one of a family of eleven children, of whom there are three girls and eight boys.

CARL RICHEL, a native of Germany, was born in 1830, grew to manhood and received his educa- tion in his uative country. He was a carver by trade, working at it there four years, and in 1853, emigrated to New York City, where he engaged in the furniture business. He then removed to New Hampshire where he married Miss Sophia Oldham, a native of England, born in 1836, the ceremony taking place on the 20th of July, 1857. In two years he went to Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where he remained over three years engaged at his trade, then moved to Gardner in the latter State and in the spring of 1874, came to Minnesota, lo- cated in Northfield, and established a cigar manu- factory. Mr. and Mrs. Richel have eleven children; Charles A., twenty-four years old; Alfred H., twenty-one; William O., nineteen; Herbert, eigh- teen; Benjamin F., sixteen; Emma, fourteen; Christian F. S., ten; Josephine S., eight; Sarah, six; Esther S., five; and Joseph G., one. Mr. Richel is a man of good address, sociable, and liked by all

CHARLES SCOFIELD was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, on the 22d of March, 1842. His father came to Minnesota in 1855, and the following year moved his family to Bridgewater, Rice county, and located on a farm. Dr. Scofield soon moved to Northfield, where our subject received his cdu- cation and learned the painter's trade, which he still follows. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served till the close of the war, participat- ing in the battle of Corinth, Lookout Mountain, and others. He was married in March, 1867, to Miss Harriett Riddle, a native of Canada. - They have three children; Aura Ann, George Henry, and Robert Leroy. Mr. Scofield has a residence in the city and a farm in Dakota Territory.

JOHN L. SCOFIELD, M. D., was born in Stam- ford, Connecticut, on the 23d of July, 1811. His parents were in the latter place on a visit at the time of his birth, but were residents of New York City. John graduated from the University of 28

Pennsylvania in 1832, and commenced practice in New York. He subsequently went to Jackson- ville, Florida, remaining but a short time, then to Raymond, Racine county, Wisconsin. In 1836, he married Miss Betsey A. Dibble, the ceremony taking place on the 24th of July. He remained in the latter place with the exception of two years, 1849 and '50, spent in California, until 1856, then came to Northfield, where he was the first, and for many years the only physician in the place. He first made a claim about four miles south of the village and in March, 1858, removed to the town. In 1857 and '58, Mr. Scofield was a member of the Legislature and has also filled local offices. He has had four children, two of whom are living; Francis L., and Charles.

HIRAM SCRIVER, a native of Hemmingford, Quebec, Canada, dates his birth the 22d of April, 1830. He engaged in mercantile establishments till 1856, when he came to this place, and on the 12th of June purchased the general merchandise store of Coulson Bros., who had started the first store in town a few months before. Mr. Scriver lias been in business here ever since and was an early member of the board of Supervisors, of which he was Chairman; also a member of the school board and has held town and county offices. He was married in 1860, to Miss Clara E. Olin, and they had one child who died when two years old. Mr. Scriver was the first Mayor of the city of Northfield and was in the Legislature in 1877 and '79. He has been one of the trustees of Carle- ton College since its organization, and recording secretary until the last meeting of its officers.

SOLOMON P. STEWART was born in Williams- town, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the 28th of August, 1823, and removed with his parents, at the age of twelve years, to Williams- town, Oswego county, New York, and five years later he engaged in the lumber business. In the spring of 1844, he came to Racine county, Wis- consin, where he engaged as a machinist, and afterward in the livery business. In 1857, he came to Northfield and has since taken a deep interest in the progress of the town, having served in the school board six years and as Mayor two years, He has been twice married; first, in 1849, to Miss Mary Allen, of Geneva, Wisconsin. She died in January, 1861, leaving two children; Granville W., and Mary Bell. His present wife was formerly Miss Emily S. Tuttle, whom he mar-

434

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

ried on the 10th of April, 1863. They have three children; Carl L., Carrie E., and Mary B.

JAMES W. STRONG, D. D., President of Carleton College, is a native of Vermont, born in Browning- ton, Orleans county, on the 29th of September, 1833. He graduated from Beloit College, Wis- consin, in 1858, and from Union Theological Semi- mary, New York, in 1862, being ordained in Sep- tember of the same year. He commenced his duties as a minister at Brodhead, Wisconsin, and after two years came to Faribault, Minnesota, where, in January, 1866, he was installed as pastor of the Plymouth Congregational church. He be- came the first President of Carleton College in 1870, then known as Northfield College, and sub- sequently the duties of professor of mental and moral philosophy were assigned him. Mr. Strong was married at Beloit, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary Davenport, a native of Milan, Ohio. The union was blessed with four children, one of whom is dead. Those living are William B., born on the 8th of December, 1866; Edward W., born on the 22d of October, 1870; and Arthur D. W., born on the 6th of March, 1874.

HIRAM SPRAGUE was born near the village of Ellisburgh, Jefferson county, New York, on the 16th of December, 1827, and there received his education, learning the carpenter trade. His father was captain on a vessel running from Ogdens- burgh, New York, to Chicago, on the great lakes, and when Hiram was seventeen years old he was on the vessel with his father. In 1864, he came to Minnesota and located on a farm on Prairie Creek in Northfield township, where he remained five years, then moved into the city. He has had three children, two of whom are living; Lora Genevieve, an'l Mary Eloise. The eldest is married.

TRUMAN H. STREETER, a native of Rowe, Frank- lin county, Massachusetts, was born on the 16th of December, 1816, and removed with his parents to Whitingham, Vermont, when quite young. He worked on a farm and in a woolen mill until eigh- teen years old, then entered the Whitingham Academy, from which he graduated three years later. He then went to New Jersey, taught school two years and returned to his home. He com- menced the study of law and was admitted to the bar of Windham county, Vermont, some years later. He was a Representative from Windham county in the State Legislature in 1858, and dur- ing the Rebellion was a recruiting officer. In

1868, he came to Minnesota, located in this place and has since practiced his profession here. Heis Court Commissioner aud Justice of the Peace, be- ing elected to the former five consecutive terms of three years each, and the latter four times in suc- cession. He has been married twice; his first wife was formerly Miss Nancy M. Taylor, and the second wife Mrs. Eliza A. Thayer, both of whom are dead.

CHARLES M. THOMPSON, M. D., was born in Scot- land, on the 7th of July, 1844, and emigrated with his parents to America when ten years of age, lo- cating in Worcester, Massachusetts. In a short time they removed to Waterville, Maine, and when fifteen years of age our subject came to Still- water, Minnesota, and in one year went south for his health. In 1865, he came to Northfield and clerked two years, studying medicine at the same time. He then went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from the University of that place in the spring of 1870, and has since been in practice here, with the exception of one year spent in Eu- rope at the University of Edinburgh and St. Bartholomew Hospital in London. He was mar- ried in 1881, to Mrs. Annie M. Smith, the ceremony taking place on the 30th of August.

CAPT. D. S. VAN AMBURGH is a native of Jas- per, Steuben county, New York, and dates his birth the 27th of June, 1836. He received a good education and learned the mason's trade, coming to Wisconsin in 1854, and locating in Dane county, where he was engaged in teaching school part of the time. He came to Minnesota in 1859, but did not settle until May, of the next year. He entered the service in May, 1864, and was as- signed to the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company I, went south and served till the close of the war. He was married in 1862, to Miss F. S. Patterson, and they have two sons, William E. and George C. He came to Northfield in 1873, and has a farm of fifty acres in the city limits, and has been engaged in teaching most of the time since his residence in the State.

C. H. WATSON was born in Canada in 1843, and came to Red Wing, Minnesots, in 1855, where he received his education and grew to manhood. In Angust, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company F, served three years and was mustered out at Fort Snelling. He returned to Red Wing, where he learned the har- ness maker's trade, and in 1867, came to Northfield,

435

CITY OF NORTHIFIELD.

where he has since been engaged at his trade, with the exception of three years, when he was farming. He was married in 1868, to Miss Ella M. Rams- dell, a native of Vermont, who has borne him five children; Earl H., Elliot C., Clara M., Fred J., and Amy F.

ROBERT WATSON was born in Dundee, Scotland, in September, 1825. He came with his parents to Cleveland, Ohio, when twelve years of age, and in April, 1850, in company with his brother Wil- liam to Minnesota. They came from Galena, Illi- nois, on Capt. Smith's new steamer "Nominee," her first trip to St. Paul. The first Territorial Legislature had then but recently adjourned, it having organized three counties east of the Mis- sissippi, all the territory west being in possession of the Sioux. In May, 1850, Mr. Watson settled in Cottage Grove, Washington county, there being but three families living in the place at that time, viz: J. S. Norris, J. W. Furber, and Theo. Fur- ber. He was a member of the Fourth Territorial Legislature, in which the since famous Joe Rolette represented Pembina and all beyond. In 1854, Mr. Watson married Miss Mehetabel W. Furber, a sister of those early settlers and a native of Maine. They have four children living, the oldest born before the admission of Minnesota as a State. The subject of this sketch is well acquainted with the first settlers on Cannon River and in the northern part of Rice county, many of them being young men from Cottage Grove and the southern part of Washington county. He has pic-niced at Vermillion Falls when Hastings was not, all the country west being one vast wilderness. His mother, one of the oldest settlers of this place, is still living in Northfield, aged eighty-one years.

REV. ISAAC WALDRON was born in Clifton, Canada, on the 20th of November, 1812, and grew to manhood in his native place. When about twenty-eight years old he removed to Derby, Ver- mont, and afterward attended the academy at that place three years. He was married in 1839, to Miss Eliza A. Goodhue, a native of New Hamp- shire, but who afterward lived in Canada. In 1843, Mr. Waldron was ordained as a minister of the gospel, and has continued to preach until seven or eight years since, when his health failed. In 1858, he came to Minnesota in the interest of the Baptist Home Mission Society, but in 1874, re- tired from the field, and has since lived in North- field. He has a family of three children, having

lost two. Those living are; Lu E., E. P., and C. J.

RICHMOND L. WARD, a native of Cayuga county, New York, was born of the 31st of Jan- uary, 1839, and reared on a farm. In 1856, he came to Northfield, remained but one season, then went to Wisconsin and et nged in farming. In 1862, he married Miss Nancy Maganty, the cere- mony being performed on the 4th of October. In 1864, he removed to Illinois, where he farmed four years, then returned to this place and learned the masou's trade, a' which he has since been en- gaged.

STEVEN V. WARD, one of the first settlers here, was also born in Cayuga county, New York, on the 17th of October, 1832. When nineteen years old he learned the mason trade, worked at it in his native place until 1853, when he came to Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1855, after working in the latter State and Illinois, he came to Northfield and pur- chased a town lot, but spent that year in Hast- ings working at his trade. He then settled per- manently in this place, and was married on the 7th of July, 1856, to Miss Ellen J. Tague, who has borne him two children; Delass C. and Carrie L. Mr. Ward spent six months in the army in in Tennessee.

MYRON WHITAKER was born in Stafford, Con- necticut, on the 15th of May, 1847. While still a child he came with his parents, William and Lunah (Cushman) Whitaker, to Dakota county, Minne- sota, where they were pioneers in Greenvale town- ship. In eight years our subject came to North- field, where he learned the carpenter trade at which he has since been engaged, and is also a mill-wright. He married Miss Jennie Sidwell on the 15th of May, 1870, and they have had four children, two of whom are living; Hattie B., and and Donna M. Mr. Whitaker served eight months in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. He has a brother, Frank, now living in Farmington, and a sister, Josephine, now Mrs. Alfred Needham.

JOHN F. WYMAN was born in Rockport, Maine, on the 25th of November, 1840, and when seven years old went to Rockland to live with his grandfather, who died when our subject was thir- teen years old. He returned to his former home in Rockport and lived with an uncle; at the age of sixteen years was apprenticed to learn the carpen- ter trade, and three years later went to Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he clerked till the 22d of

436

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

August, 1861, when he enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, Company C, which was afterwards converted into Artillery. He enlisted as private but was mustered out as First Lieutenant on the 9th of June, 1865. He then returned to Maine, worked at his trade a few months and went to Massachusetts, where he remained a short time and then came to Northfield, entering the employ of the Ames' as clerk. In 1867, he engaged in a planing mill and manufactory of sash, doors, and blinds, in company with E. C. Dwinel, but four years later their establishment was destroyed by fire. On the 19th of June, 1870, Mr. Wyman married Miss Eliza H. Colby, and they have three chil- dren; Paul, Kate, and Fannie R. He went to Iowa, remained one year, then returned to this place and one year later went to Minneapolis, where he worked for two years in a sash, door and blind factory, and at the end of that time came here to settle permanently. He has siuce been with the Ames' as wheat buyer and super- intendent of outside work. He was a member of the City Council iu 1878 and '79.

REV. JAMES F. WILCOX was born in Westmin- ster, Vermont, on the 29th of September, 1806, and was reared on a farm. When eighteen years of age, he went to Mason Village, New Hamp- shire, where for three years he was teaching school and studying at intervals; then removed to New York, following the same employment, and in 1830 weut to Massachusetts and entered the Acad- emy at Wakefield. Three years later he studied in the Theological Seminary at Newton, from which he graduated in 1836. In January, 1837, he was ordained as pastor of the Baptist church at Amesbury; remained there until 1842, and went to Taunton, where he assumed the same duties till 1849, when he removed to Springfield as agent for the American Baptist Missionary Union, remaining a year and a half. He went to Burlington, New Jersey, and thence, in 1854, to Trenton, and four years later to Northfield, Minnesota, arriving on the 1stof May. For twelve years he had charge of the Baptist church here, aud also three other churches a portion of the time, located at Owa- tonna, Medford, aud Castle Rock. Of late years he has had no regular charge, but still continues to preach. Mr. Wilcox has been twice married, first to Miss Louisa Smith, who bore him two children; Maria L., who died in 1866, and Frauk J., now

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 77

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