USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 24
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 24
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Dr. William W. Arms, a skilled optician of Owatonna, is a native-born son of the city where he now makes his head- quarters, having first seen the light of day February 22, 1870. He received his early education in the public schools of Owa- tonna. This was supplemented by a course at Pillsbury Aca-
demy. After leaving the academy, he attended the Brad- ley Polytechnic Institute, of Peoria, Illinois. He is also a graduate of the American Neurophthalmology, Los Angeles, California. After graduating from this institution, he located at Owatonna, where he has since remained, doing a large and flourishing business. Aside from his regular office trade he has a circuit of towns which he visits every month, doing optometry work. He is the only person in Steele county practicing exclusively in this line of work. Dr. Arms was mar- ried June 29, 1904, at Owatonna, to Miss Nellie R., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ring, of Medford, Steele county, Minn. The mother died December 13, 1904. Two children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Arms, viz .: George E., born December 3, 1906; Edward R., born December 19, 1908. The pleasant family home is located at the corner of Flowervale street and Riverside avenue. Dr. Arms affiliates with the Republican party. In relig- ious faith, he is a Baptist. He takes an active interest in church work and has long been a member of that denomination. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., a member of Minnesota State Optometry Association, and a member of the American Optical Association.
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George W. and Abigail ( Hughes) Arms, parents of Dr. Will- iam W. Arms, were natives, respectively, of Wisconsin and Can- ada, coming to Owatonna in 1861. The father is a retired car- penter and contractor.
James Adair, manager of the Owatonna Creamery Supply Company, is one of the rising young men of the city, and in the eight years that he has been here has already established himself as a reliable and efficient business man. He was born in Wav- erly, Iowa, September 13, 1870, and received his education in the public schools, supplemented with a high-school course, from which latter he graduated in 1890. After teaching a few years in his native state, he began work in a creamery supply house, where he remained five years. In January, 1896, he moved to Albert Lea, Minn., and there remained five years longer, acquir- ing a proficiency in his business which might well be envied by many an older man. In September, 1901, after carefully looking over the field, he decided that Owatonna, as the center of a rich dairying district, was a suitable field for a creamery, whereupon he came here and established the Owatonna Creamery Supply Company, of which he has since been the manager. He has asso- ciated himself with the life of the community, has a pleasant home at 246 East Rice street, and has affiliated with the Odd Fel- lows and the United Commercial Travelers. He is a self-made man, and owes all that he is and has to his own faithful efforts. Mr. Adair was married October 23, 1898, at Waverly, Iowa, to Ella Bacher, and to their happy union have been born three children : Helen M., Marion L. and Robert S., all at home. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. James and Elizabeth (Stuart) Adair, parents of James Adair, came to Iowa from New York state in 1857, and engaged in farming. In 1881, the former was elected sheriff of Bremer county. He died in Waverly, Iowa, October 29, 1886, his wife having died May 30, 1872.
Reynold H. Bach, one of the honored ex-mayors of Owatonna, has taken an active interest in the business and civic progress of the city. Born in Marion, Olmstead county, April 12, 1868, he there received his education. He dates his residence in Owa- tonna from 1891, when he came here and opened a small retail music store, which grew and prospered. In 1907, Mr. Bach made his first venture in the jewelry business, which he has since con- ducted, still continuing, however, to handle music supplies of all kinds. He now has a well equipped, well appointed store, and carries a large stock of first-class goods. A branch store of this concern, known as the Bach Music Company, located in Roches- ter, Minn., is in charge of A. M. Bach, a brother of the subject of this sketch. Ex-Mayor Bach has met with marked success in
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all his undertakings and is possessed of those qualities which count for popularity and respect in the community. He served the city of Owatonna two years as alderman of the First ward, and in this capacity did such good service that he was the unani- mous choice of his party for mayor, and was elected by a goodly majority. Mr. Bach and family are active members of the Con- gregational church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the K. of P., the M. W. A., and the U. C. T. He is also a member of the Owatonna Com- mercial Club, and of the National. Minnesota and Owatonna Automobile Clubs. Mr. Bach was married November 15, 1894, to Jessie Newsalt, daughter of Judge Jacob Newsalt, now de- ceased. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bach has been blessed with three children: Lorraine, born December 26, 1904, and Con- stance L., born October 22, 1906, and one that died in infancy. The family residence is pleasantly located at 503 South Elm street. The parents of Reynold H. Bach, Reinhold and Barbara (Bauer) Bach, were born in Germany, and came to America in early chlidhood. The father spent his early life in Wisconsin, but in 1867 moved to Olmstead county, Minnesota, and took up agricultural pursuits on the tract of land which he still owns and conducts. Mr. Bach is a lineal descednant of John Sebastian Bach, the famous musician.
Armin J. Bosshard, auditor of Steele county, is a lifelong resi- dent of this vicinity, having been born in Meriden township, November 25, 1878, son of Gottfried and Caroline (Theile) Bosshard, natives, respectively, of Switzerland and Germany, the former coming to America in 1851 and the latter in 1849. Armin J. received his early education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and in 1892 entered Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, graduating in 1896. lle then started his career as an accountant, working two years in the First State Bank of Owatonna, two years in the First National Bank and one year in the Farmers' National Bank. In 1903, for a short period of about two years, re resumed agricultural pursuits on the old homestead. In 1905 he was appointed deputy county auditor and was serving in this position in the fall of 1906, when he was elected to his present position, being re-elected in the fall of 1908. Mr. Bosshard is prominent in fraternal circles, and is a high degree Mason, a Knight of Pythias. an Elk and a Mod- ern Woodman. Public-spirited and progressive, he has taken an active interest in the welfare of Steele county, and has been closely identified with the dairy interests, being a stockholder in the Golden Rule Co-operative Creamery Association of Meriden township. He is also secretary of the North Star Poultry Asso- ciation. September 18, 1907, Mr. Bosshard was married to Anna,
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1033
daughter of John Meschke, and the young couple are pleasantly domiciled at 415 South Oak street.
Gottfried Bosshard was born in Germany and came to Amer- ica with his parents in 1851, locating in Wisconsin. Ten years later he enlisted in Company D, Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served three and one-half years with valor. In 1867 he came to Steele county, purchased 160 acres in Meriden township and started successful farming operations, gradually adding to his place until he owned 255 acres. In 1893 he retired from active life and moved to Owatonna, where he now resides, enjoying an honored old age.
John S. Brick, a prosperous merchant, of the firm of Brick & Misgen, Owatonna, is a native born son of Steele county, having first seen the light of day in Berlin township, December 29, 1872, son of Thomas and Mary (Shea) Brick. He received his early education in the district schools of his neighborhood and Pillsbury Academy and later took charge of the old home- stead until 1901, being most successful in his operations. In 1901, he determined to start in commercial life, and accordingly purchased a furniture establishment in partnership with M. R. Hastings. This business relation continued pleasantly for four years, after which Mr. Hastings sold his interest to F. J. Bush. October 15, 1909, Mr. Bush sold his interest to Charles M. Misgen. The company now carries on an extensive furniture business, and also conducts a well appointed funeral directing and embalming department. Mr. Brick is a Democrat in poli- tics, and attends the Roman Catholic Church. He is also promi- nent in fraternal circles, being a member of the C. O. F., the A. O. H., the K. of C. and the Y. of A. Mr. Brick is an enter- prising and public-spirited man who has risen in life by his own efforts, and being yet in the prime of his activities, he has yet a splendid future.
Thomas Brick, an early settler of Steele county, was born in Ireland, and from there migrated to the United States and engaged in railroad work. In 1856 he came to Steele county and took up his abode on a claim of 160 acres in Berlin town- ship, which he pre-empted. Later he purchased another quarter section, and on this farm of 320 acres carried on general agri- cultural operations, bringing the place to a high stage of devel- opment, improvement and cultivation. He was actively engaged in farming up to within a few days of the time of his death. In the family were eight children : John S., an Owatonna merchant ; Mary, who died in youth ; Ellen, who is in a convent ; Catherine. who lives in Owatonna; Margaret, Susan and Elizabeth, who are dead ; William, who lives on the old homestead, and Thomas, who is a traveling salesman out of Owatonna.
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Lawrence C. Brown is a well known mechanic of Owatonna, Minnesota, who has made his own way in the world. He is a native of Washington county, Wisconsin, where he was born December 6, 1867. His father and mother, Peter and Margaret (Donsback) Brown were natives of Germany, who came from the Fatherland in 1846 and settled in Washington county, Wis- consin, where the father took up a tract of land, which he subdued and improved and where he made a home and reared his family and carried on general farming until 1907, when he retired and moved to Fond du Lac county. The mother passed away October 21, 1903. Our subject grew up on the home farm in Wisconsin, having the usual experiences of the Western farmer boy, and after leaving the district school worked on the farm until he was eighteen years old. He then learned the blacksmith's trade in his native county and worked at it there some four years. On May 4, 1889, he took up his residence at Owatonna, Minnesota, where he followed his trade working for different parties seven years. On October 1, 1896, Mr. Brown opened a shop and began business on his own account, and has carried it on with marked success, having become widely known as an expert horseshoer. He conducted the business in his own name until April, 1904, when his brother, H. J. Brown, came in and since then this up-to-date horseshoeing shop has been conducted under the firm name of Brown Brothers. Since March 14, 1910, Mr. Brown has operated the shop alone, his brother moving to Denhoff, North Dakota, where he engaged in the same business. ,
Mr. Brown is a Democrat in politics and has represented the second ward of Owatonna in the city council. In 1910 he was elected a member of the council at large for a term of four years. He is active in fraternal societies, and is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Maccabees, the Eagles and Knights of Pythias. October 13. 1892, Mr. Brown married Miss Augusta Bartsch whose parents were natives of Germany. The father, John Bartsch, was in the hotel business at Mayville, Dodge county, Wisconsin, and thence moved to Minnesota where both he and the mother died.
Lewis C. Berg, of Owatonna, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Norway, August 23, 1838, and there received his earlier education, coming to America with his mother in 1845. After attending the public schools of Wisconsin for a time, he learned the moulders' trade at Beaver Dam, in the same state, and was engaged in this business at the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-eight Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, as a musician and served three years, being discharged at Brownsville, Texas, and mustered out at
I. C. BROWN
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1035
Madison, Wis. For a short time Mr. Berg lived at Hartland, Wis., and in October, 1865, came to Owatonna, where he became a moulder for Lowth & Howe, Mr. Lowth having been his former employer in Wisconsin. He remained with this firm through various changes in ownership, and in 1888, when it was incor- porated under the present title of the Owatonna Manufacturing Company, he became ornamenter and painter, which position he still holds. In politics Mr. Berg is a Republican. For eighteen years he served as a member of the Owatonna fire de- partment. He is also an enthusiastic worker in the James A. Goodwin Post. G. A. R., being now a past commander. A public- spirited man in every respect, he has taken a deep interest in the welfare of the community in which for so long he has made his home. Mr. Berg was married October 29, 1865, at Beaver Dam, Wis., to Ellen Lowth, daughter of Edward and Mary (Duffy) Lowth, who took up a government claim in Wisconsin in the early days and carried on general farming until their decease. Mrs. Berg was born in Pittsford, Vermont, July 9, 1842. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Berg is blessed with two children : Frank L., who is now a druggist in Minneapolis, and Alice M., who is now Mrs. Egbert Brown, of Owatonna. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church. The residence is pleasantly located at 240 East Broadway. Charles and Karen S. Stave Berg, parents of Lewis C. Berg, were natives of Nor- way. The father died in 1840 and the mother came to America five years later with her five children, locating in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. She died in 1896 at the ripe old age of ninety-four.
Byron P. Chapin, a merchant of Owatonna, was born in Courtland county, New York State, March 20, 1851, son of Rufus H1. and Abigail S. (Putnam) Chapin, of New York State. The parents came west in 1870, locating at Owatonna, where the father engaged in the machinery and livery business. He continued this business until 1895, when he retired from active life. The father died February 4, 1908, the mother passed away February 4, 1898. Byron received his early education in New York State. After leaving school, he engaged in the livery business, which he continued until 1870, when he came west with his parents. He purchased 208 acres of land in llavana town- ship, Steele county, and engaged in farming which he continued until 1888. He then rented the farm and came into the City of Owatonna, where he engaged with his father in the livery busi- ness until 1892. At this time, he bought twenty-five acres of land in the city limits and again took up agricultural pursuits, which he followed until April, 1909, when he rented the land and bought the second-hand store of J. W. Gillett, which busi-
1036 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
ness he has continued successfully since. Mr. Chapin was mar- ried November 7, 1877, in Havana township to Lena Kate Lan- don. She passed away February 5, 1898, leaving three children in the care of her husband, viz : George R., a farmer of Montana ; Clara, now Mrs. Charles Stewart, of Montana; Frank L., also living in Montana. Mr. Chapin was married a second time May 9, 1901, to Miss Myra Greenwood. This union was blessed with one child, Elizabeth A. Mr. Chapin believes in the Pro- hibitionist party. He is a frugal, enterprising and progressive business man, who has gained what he posseses by his own efforts. a good citizen, well appreciated by all who know him. His home is located at 227 East Vine street.
Guy J. Clefton, an enterprising and popular business man of Owatonna, was born in Mukwonago, Wis., May 9, 1874, son of William W. and Sarah A. (Smith) Clefton, natives of Wisconsin and descendants from old New England stock. The father still makes his home in Wisconsin. The mother died August 11, 1886. Mr. Clefton received his early education in the public schools of Wisconsin, after which he took up and learned the plumbing and heating business. He came to Faribault in 1890 and in the fall of the same year he moved to Owatonna. In 1895 he became identified with the Western Supply Company, of St. Paul, acting as traveling salesman, selling heating and plumbing supplies. He remained with this firm until 1905 whence he purchased an interest in the Clefton Plumbing & Heating Company, of Owa- tonna, with C. J. Clefton. February 1, 1910, they changed from a copartnership to a corporation and are now known as the Clefton Company ; Guy J. Clefton acting as general manager and treasurer. They sell both wholesale and retail all kinds of plumbing, heating, gas and electric supplies, and are doing an extensive and constantly growing business in that line.
The subject of this sketch was married January 5, 1898, at Owatonna to Ora Z. Barncard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Z. Barncard, who now reside at St. Paul. Mr. Clefton is a staunch Republican. He with his family belong to the Universalist church. He is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the Masons, B. P. O. E., K. of P., and the Commercial Club. Mr. Clefton takes an active interest in public life, and is now serving as alderman of the first ward. He has a pleasant residence at 213 East School street.
William P. Canfield, proprietor of the Canfield School of Business, Owatonna, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sep- tember 16, 1864. He is a son of J. Marshal and Mary (Mills) Canfield, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively, who came to Iowa in the early sixties, locating at Cedar Rapids. The father was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods until
GUY J. CLEFTON
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1037
after the Civil War when he established a dyeing and cleaning business. He died December 3, 1906. The mother survived him and passed away September 5, 1909. William P. received his carly education in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, which was supplemented by a course at the Epworth Seminary, Coc College and a course at the Cedar Rapids Business College, graduating from the latter institution in January, 1885. His talents were recognized and he was engaged as a teacher in the commercial department of the above named institution, which position hie filled for two years. He then went to Richmond, Virginia, where he was engaged as teacher in the Smithdeal Business College for a short period. He then established a business as an expert accountant, remaining in Richmond until 1891. Owing to illness he returned to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he went to work for the Goodyear Publishing Company, remain- ing in their employ for six months, after which he went to Stillwater, Minn., and conducted the Stillwater Business College. He remained here until the fall of 1897, whence he moved to Owatonna and established the Canfield School of Business, which he has conducted with success ever since. Mr. Canfield was mar- ried September 7, 1888, at Bromley, Marshall county, Iowa, to Mary Moore. Five children have blessed their union, viz: Ross M .; Paul M .; Faith P .; Dwight R .; Wyne W., all living with their parents. Mr. Canfield affiliates with the Prohibition party. He worships at the Methodist-Episcopal church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. The family reside at 512 East Main street. Mr. Canfield is a loyal citizen, a progressive educator, and has built up his institution by hard work and persevering effort.
William B. Clarkson, a hustling and progressive citizen of Owatonna, Minnesota, was born July 16, 1862, in Bond county, Illinois. Shortly after his birth, his parents removed to Alton, Illinois, where he was educated in the public schools. Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he enlisted as an apprentice boy for the term of his minority in the United States navy, receiving an honorable discharge and continuous service certificate on his twenty-first birthday. He at once adopted the business of selling farm machinery and associated himself with his brother, James D., at Carthage, Missouri, severing his connections five years later to accept employment as a traveling salesman in the same line of business, and in this form of occupation he has been continuously employed to the present time. Ile is at present associated with the Gale-Monroe Company, of Minneapolis, Minn., in charge of their southeast Minnesota territory, and has made his home at Owatonna since September 1, 1906, residing at 357 East Broadway. The Masonic order claims him as a
1038 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
valued member, and he is also identified with the order of United Commercial Travelers of America where his activities along fraternal lines have been mostly directed. At the time of this writing he is serving as Grand Junior Counselor in the Grand Council of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, United Commercial Travelers of America, one of the highest offices in the gift of this organization, and a sincere testimonial to the rank he holds in his profession. September 29, 1886, at Nebraska City, Nebraska, he was married to Edith Eugenia Madison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Il. Madison, late of Nebraska City, since deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson have four children : Bessie Belle, a graduate of the Owatonna High school and the kindergarten department of the State Nor- mal at Winona, Minn. ; she is engaged in teaching ; Carol Lowell, who is an assistant librarian of the Owatonna public library ; Eugene Douglas, a student in the local High school; and Mil- dred Edith, also a student in the local High school. The family are loyal supporters of the Congregational church. James and Elizabeth (Douglas) Clarkson, parents of William B., were natives of England, the father being born in Yorkshire. and the mother in Newcastle. Emigrating to America in 1850, they first settled in McDonald county, Illinois, and in 1861 moved to Bond county, Illinois, near Greenville, the county seat, all of this time being engaged in farming until the fall of 1862 when they moved to Alton, Illinois, and entered the hotel business, in which they continued until after the close of the War of the Rebellion, later engaging in retail merchandising. Mr. James Clarkson (the father) passed over in 1874. Mrs. Elizabeth (Douglas) Clarkson (the mother) still survives, living at her home in Alton, Illinois.
Levi A. Disbrow is a real estate dealer at Owatonna, Minn. He was born at Alden in McHenry county, Illinois, June 15, 1848, to Nathan and Nancy ( Battey) Disbrow. who were natives of the Empire state. His father, born in 1816, and a farmer by occupation, moved to Illinois in 1834. He was the first white man to make the trip from Chicago to the head of Lake Geneva with team, driving over the Indian trail and fording Fox river with the aid of Indians. He established a camp in the woods on the banks of Lake Geneva, building a log cabin, and there spent the winter of 1834-35. In the spring of 1835 he pre-empted a section of land near Alden in McHenry county, Illinois, and there established his home, experiencing all the hardships and privations and trials incident to pioneer life in a wild, unsettled country. But he persevered through all, and improved and culti- vated his land and here carried on general farming for fifty years and yet lives to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He sold his pos- sessions in 1895 and retired from work and now makes his
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1039
home with his son. lle was an influential and leading man in his community and active in all matters looking to the develop- ment of the country, and took active part in the local affairs of the Republican party in its early history. His wife passed away in 1887. Levi A. grew to manhood on his father's farm and acquired a good common school education, and continued farm- ing till lie was twenty-six years old. In the summer of 1887 he built a creamery at Ilavana, Minn., which he conducted eight years, till his removal to Owatonna. Here he engaged in the manufacture of the combined churn and buttermakers some three years. For nine years following 1897, Mr. Disbrow gave his attention to the real estate trade. In 1906 he returned to the manufacturing business in connection with the Perfection Churn Manufacturing Company, but a little later sold liis inter- ests here and resumed buying, selling and dealing in real estate. Mr. Disbrow takes an active interest in fraternal societies, being identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Republican in his political opinions and action and in religious belief holds to the faith of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. On March 14, 1888, Mr. Disbrow married Mrs. Lothera Jones, widow of Mr. William Jones, deceased, and a daughter of Mr. Robert Hatley, of Havana, Illinois. Of two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Disbrow, the eldest, Roy R .. is deceased and Archie S. lives with his parents.
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