USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 27
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 27
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ond lieutenant of the same company, November 9, 1865 (not mustered ), and was mustered out as first sergeant with company. March 24, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The records further show that said soldier, when first enlisted, was twenty-five years old, had brown eyes, dark hair, dark complexion, was five feet ten inches in height, and by occupation a farmer. In testimony whereof. I have hercunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, at the capitol in the City of Madison. this 26th day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five. Worthie II. Patton, Acting Adjutant General."
Adolph Mallinger, head of the police force of Owatonna, has given the city excellent service in this capacity. Under his ad- ministration. the peace and order of the city has been excellently preserved, and the laws of the state have been duly observed. He was born in Owatonna, July 26, 1871, son of Peter and Cecelia (Buchstor) Mallinger, who were married July 13, 1866. Ile received his early education in the public schools of Owatonna. and at the age of nineteen years took up railroad work as brake- man for the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, on the Iowa and Minnesota division. By hard work and strict attention to business he worked his way up, and in 1895 was promoted to conductor on the same division, continuing in that capacity until February, 1901, when he resigned. At this time. he was elected city marshal of Owatonna. which office he held two terms. In 1904 he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the Clinton Falls Nursery Company. This he followed until March, 1908. when he was appointed captain of the night police force, serving in this capacity until April 1, 1909, when he was again elected chief of police, which position he now holds. He was married April 5, 1890, at Owatonna, to Nettie Morgan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Morgan. of Owatonna. Mrs. Mallinger was born May 24. 1874. Their union was blessed with two children : Guy, born January 8, 1892. is a graduate of the high school of Owatonna, and is now an operator for the Chicago & Northwest- ern Railroad Company, at the above place, which service he en- tered when seventeen years of age : Claude A., born September 11, 1895, is a student of the high school of Owatonna. In political faith Mr. Mallinger is a Republican. He and his family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the A. O. A. and Maccabees. He is a loyal and genial friend, a good neighbor, and a public-spirited citizen, taking an interest in every movement that has for its object the betterment of Owatonna and Steele county.
Charles B. Misgen, one of the prosperous merchants of Owa- tonna, and partner in the firm of Brick & Misgen, the well- known furniture and undertaking house, was born in Pierce
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1059
county, Wisconsin, April 5, 1859, son of John and Christine (Meyers) Misgen, who, before locating in Pierce county, came from Germany and lived for a time in Illinois. In 1863 they set- tled in Richland township, Rice county, and there became sub- stantial and respected agriculturists. In 1873 they removed to Berlin township, Steele county, where they have since followed farming. Charles B. was educated in the district schools of Rich- land and in the Faribault high school, and after leaving school took up farming with his father until 1896, when he came to Owa- tonna and served for three years on the night police force. He was then elected as sheriff of Stecle county, and served in that office for four years. Subsequently he became chief of police of Owatonna and held that position for four years. In 1909 he went to Sauk Center, Minn., and engaged in the restaurant and confectionery business for a short time, but returned to Owa- tonna and bought the interest of Mr. Busch in the furniture and undertaking business, the firm now being Brick & Misgen. He was married July 12, 1893, at Owatonna, to Mary Degnan, who died August 18, 1894. He was married a second time January 12, 1897, to Margaret Lonergan. Three children have been born to them : Harold, Glenerva and Herbert, all living at home with their parents. In his religious faith Mr. Misgen is a Catholic and in politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the A. O. A. and of the E. F. U. By hard work and strict attention to busi- ness Mr. Misgen has won his success, and he has the respect and confidence of the citizens of Owatonna.
James E. Malone, the popular insurance agent of Owatonna, was born in Norway, Racine county, Wis., February 2, 1855. July 4, 1856, he came to Steele county, at the age of one year, with his parents. His carly education was received in the schools of Merton township, and later he studied two years in the paro- chial school in Faribault. This, together with wide reading, pre- pared him for the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years. The succeeding eight years were spent on a farm. In 1892 he came to Owatonna, and for seven years engaged in the retail coal and wood business. This gave him a wide acquaint- ance, and in 1899 he determined to enter the insurance business. Accordingly he sold his other interests and opened an office. He now represents twelve companies and does a heavy business in fire, accident, tornado and plate glass insurance. Mr. Malone is a Democrat in politics, and while living on the farm served his township as treasurer of the school board and as a justice of the peace. He has been assessor of the city of Owatonna for the past nine years. At one time he was vice president of the First State Bank of Owatonna for three years. He also served a like period in Company E, Third Regiment, Minnesota National
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Guard. Mr. Malone was married February 10, 1891, to Margaret Lonergan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lonergan, now deceased. Mr. Malone has had his share in the upbuilding of the county, and his opinions on public matters are highly re- garded by his friends. Patrick Malone and Julia Burke, his wife, were natives of Ireland. The father came to America in 1836, landed at Quebec, and then went to New York, from that city reaching Chicago, and finally settling in Racine county. Wiscon- sin, where he was married. After five years on a farm there, they came to Merton township, Steele county, July 4, 1856. Here they pre-empted 160 acres of land, bringing it to a high degree of improvement. To this farm was afterward added 160 acres, making in all a fine place of 320 acres, on which they followed general farming until 1895. They then sold their farm and came to Owatonna, where the mother died October 20, 1899, and the father in 1904. They were highly respected early pioneers, and their memory will long be honored in this county.
Dr. George A. Nesse, a promising young dentist of Owatonna, was born at Mabel, Minn., December 6. 1883, to Theodore and Clara (Larson) Nesse, natives of Illinois. The father when first coming to Minnesota engaged in and conducted a flour mill ; later he engaged in the hardware business for several years, when he was burned out, stock and building being completely destroyed. He then engaged in general and diversified farming in Fillmore county, Minnesota, which vocation he has ever since followed. The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education at the district schools of Fillmore county, which was supplemented by one year at the Decorah Normal school at Decorah, Iowa, and two years at the State Normal of Winona. In 1906 he entered the State University of Minnesota, graduating from the dental department in 1909. On July 20, 1909, he came to Owatonna and opened a dental office, where he follows his profession successfully in all its branches. Dr. Nesse is inde- pendent in politics and does not affiliate with any party. Besides our subject there are three brothers and one sister in this family, viz .: Charles, James and Arthur, at the State University ; Ella, who is a graduate of the university, is now a registered pharma- cist at Minneapolis. Dr. Nesse is an enterprising and painstak- ing young man, and has met with a marked degree of success at Owatonna.
George Parrott, of the firm of Parrott & Smith, successful hardware merchants, was born in Schoharie, N. Y., April 11, 1852, son of William and Maria (Beck) Parrott, substantial resi- dents of that state. He received his education in the public schools and then attended the Schoharie Academy, after which he learned the tinner's trade. In 1879 he came to Owatonna,
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
and followed his trade until 1884, when, with John Smith for a partner, he purchased the hardware business of D. O. Searle, forming the firm of Parrott & Smith. The firm owns its own building and carries a fine modern stock of hardware of all descriptions. In 1906 the store was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $15.000 above the insurance. Undaunted by this dis- aster, they at once erected a large fireproof brick block, three stories high, on the corner of West Vine and North Cedar streets, where they are now doing business. Mr. Parrott is a Republican in politics, and is now serving his seventh year as president of the school board, which board he has participated in as a member fourteen years. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and the M. W. A. Mr. Parrott was married November 17, 1882, at Owatonna, to Mary Cole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Cole. This union has been blessed with two children : Alfred Cole, born December 14, 1883, now clerk for his father, and Roy William, born November 20, 1888, clerk in the National Farmers' Bank. William and Maria (Beck) Parrott, parents of George Parrott, came from England in 1830, and located at Scho- harie, N. Y., where the father followed his trade as a baker. Later he established the Parrott House, which he conducted at Schoharie for several years. The hotel still bears the same name. He then engaged in farming the remainder of his life, passing away in 1895. His wife died in 1854.
Christian Peterson, M. D., was born in Denmark, April 5, 1857, son of Cresten and Anna (Vaber) Peterson, natives of Denmark. The father died in Denmark in 1869. The mother immigrated to America in 1875, locating at Cleveland, Ohio. She moved to Minnesota in 1878 and passed away at Owatonna in 1903. The subject of our sketch received his early education in Denmark. He emigrated to America when a youth, coming here May 10, 1872. He first located at Perth Amboy, N. J., where he remained for three years. In 1875 he came to Cleve- land, Ohio, and followed the seafaring life on the lakes for a year. Ile then removed to Clinton, Iowa, where he was occupied as a clerk in a store one year. Leaving this occupation, he went to Ann Arbor. Mich., in 1878, and attended the high school of that place one year. He later attended the medical department of Michigan State University one year, and then went to De- troit, Mich., where he was employed as a pharmacist. In 1880 he removed to Rochester. Minn., where he was employed in a drug store two years. From there he went to Blooming Prairie. Steele county. Minn., and purchased a drug store, conducting same until 1884. At this time he moved his stock of goods to Owatonna and entered into the drug business, which he con- ducted with success for twelve years. In 1896 he went to Chi-
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cago, where he took up the study of medicine at the Illinois Uni- versity, graduating from that institution the same year. To gain an additional knowledge of the subject, he took a course in the Chicago Physicians' and Surgeons' College, supplemented by a course in the Illinois Medical College at Chicago. He has been in the practice of medicine and surgery at Owatonna since 1896, and has met with a marked degree of success. Dr. Peterson was married December 29. 1883, at Blooming Prairie, to Anna M., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jens Johnson. Their home is blessed with two children, viz .: Alvin C., born November 28, 1884, is now engaged as a telegraph operator and secretary at the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific station at Owatonna ; Ella J. is engaged with the Olkon Dry Goods Company. Dr. Peterson is a Democrat in political sentiment ; he is a member of the Lutheran Church, also a member of the A. O. U. W., the Danish Brotherhood, the E. F. U., and the M. N. R. He has held a number of local offices, having served as county coroner one term and one term as justice of the peace. He was elected city physi- cian in 1899, which office he held for eight consecutive years. He was again elected in 1908 and 1909, and is still holding that office. The doctor resides in a pleasant residence on Flowervale street and West side. He enjoys a very extensive practice and makes a specialty of the treatment of the eyes.
Rev. John N. Pivo was born in Bohemia on May 12, 1865, son of Francis and Theresa (Svoboda) Pivo, natives of Bohemia. They came to America in 1888 and located at Chicago, where they remained for a period of fifteen years, when they removed to Jackson, Minn., where they now reside. Rev. Pivo received his education in the classics at Budweis, Bohemia ; he then went to Belgium and took up the study of philosophy in the American Seminary of Louvain; he came to America in 1887 and entered the St. Paul Seminary and graduated from that institution No- vember 15, 1890. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at St. Paul by Rt. Rev. McGolric, of Duluth, Minn. He first took up his duties at Madison, Minn., but remained there only three months, when, on the death of Father Singer, pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, he received a call to that parish, on June 14, 1891, where he has since remained. He has a congregation of 100 families.
Joseph W. Rowland, register of deeds for Steele county, was born in Liverpool, England, March 7, 1864, son of Dr. Henry M. and Ann Jane (Wren) Rowland, natives of England. His father was a physician and practiced his profession in the city of Liverpool until his death, December 23, 1864. His mother is still living. Joseph acquired his early education in the private schools of England, and after leaving school went to work in a cotton
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1063
broker's office in his native city, where he remained for six years. In 1884 he came to America and located at Owatonna. He worked at farming for tyo years and then entered the hardware store of E. Y. Hunnewill, where he remained two years and then accepted a position as bookkeeper at the Owatonna cream- ery, where he was engaged two years. He then moved to Minne- apolis in 1889 and became assistant bookkeeper for the Minnesota Creamery Company. After remaining there for one year he went to Duluth and took charge of the wholesale commission house of the Potter-Lucas Company, where he remained for two years, and then returned to Owatonna and opened a real-estate and insurance office which he conducted until he was elected register of deeds of Stecle county in 1904. He was re-lected in 1906 and 1908 and still holds the office. In politics Mr. Rowland is a con- sistent adherent of the Republican party. Before assuming his present position, he served in various public capacities, including a three years' term as city recorder. Mr. Rowland has achieved his success by fidelity and hard work, and well deserves the hon- ored position he has attained. Amid a life filled with industry he has found time to develop the social side of his nature, and lias affiliated with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen of America. The subject of this sketch was married March 11, 1891, at Owatonna, to Eva M. Doolittle, and this union has been blessed with two children, Frances M. and Josephine W., both living at home. The family residence is at 405 East Vine street, Owatonna.
Henry R. Sander, a wide-awake merchant of Owatonna, was born in Columbus, Wis., March 23, 1879, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Reickman) Sander, natives of Germany. The father emigrated from his native land in 1873, locating at Madison, Wis. In 1874 he went to Columbus, Wis., where he engaged in the bakery business until 1879. He was married in 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Reickman. He then came to Owatonna and en- gaged in the same business, which he continued until 1902, when he sold out to his son, Henry R., and retired from active business. He died April 2, 1907. The mother is still living in Owatonna. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of Owatonna, which was supplemented with a course at Pillsbury Academy. Lcav- ing school, he entered the employment of his father in the bakery in which capacity he continued until 1902. At this time he formed a co-partnership with Clarence Porter, and they purchased the bakery business from his father. In 1903 Mr. Emil Buboltz purchased Mr. Porter's interest, and they then continued under the name of Sander & Buboltz until Janu- ary 14, 1908, at which time Mr. Sander bought out Mr. Buboltz,
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and has since been the sole owner and proprietor. He conducts an up-to-date bakery and restaurant. He also manufactures ice cream and candy. He sells wholesale and retail and does a flourishing and steadily increasing business. Mr. Sander was married June 28, 1905, at Owatonna, to Mamie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Huber, of Owatonna. Mrs. Sander's mother died November 27, 1896. In religious faith he belongs to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Sander is a good citizen and a deserving young business man. He resides at 117 North Cedar street.
Dr. Clayton H. Stearns, one of the leading dentists of Owa- tonna, is well qualified both by nature and training for the pro- fession that he has adopted. He has a well equipped office, and his skill has attracted patients from even beyond the limits of the county. Dr. Stearns was born in Dodge county, Minnesota, July 2, 1859, son of Truman and Cornelia (Thayer) Stearns. He grew to boyhood on the parental farm, and attended the neigh- borhood schools, after which he took up the study of dental practice and surgery. After thoroughly mastering his chosen profession, he started practice in Elkader, Clayton county, Iowa. in 1878. In April, 1880, he went to Zumbrota, in Goodhue county, Minn., where he followed his profession until 1897, when he was attracted to Owatonna by the wider opportunities offered. His well equipped office, which he has since maintained, is a model for service and convenience. While in Zumbrota, Dr. Stearns served five years in Company D. Third Regiment, Minne- sota National Guard, and a part of that time was on the colonel's staff, with the rank of captain. After coming to Owatonna he was instrumental in organizing a company which was known as Company I of the Fourth Regiment, and was made captain. Later he was promoted to major and one year later to lieutenant colonel, in which capacity he served until the regiment was mus- tered out. Pillsbury Academy had the advantage of five years of his service, during which time he had charge of the military features of that school as commandant. In the profession of dentistry Dr. Stearns takes high rank. He has devoted much of his time to the advancement of his chosen life work, has sub- mitted several results of his study and research to the state and national societies, and has written articles that have occasioned wide discussion. He is a member of the National and State Dental Associations, and of the Southern Minnesota Dental Asso- ciation. Of the latter he was one of the organizers and first president, and he has also been president of the state association, serving with credit. Although a stanch Republican in politics. he has not found time to mingle in public life. Dr. Stearns is a Chapter Mason, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. Clayton H. Stearns was married May 17,
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1065
1886, at Waseca, to Clara Beierwalter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Beierwalter. This union has been blessed with three chil- dren : Josephine, Genevieve and Geraldine. The two older chil- dren are students at Carleton College, at Northfield, Minn. The family residence is located at 908 South Cedar street. The par- ents of Dr. Stearns were Truman and Cornelia (Thayer) Stearns, natives of New York state. They came westward to Minnesota in October, 1856, and were consequently carly pioneers. They located in Dodge county, took up a claim, and engaged in farm- ing in Ashland township. The mother died August 2, 1890, and the father, after renting his farm, took up his home with his son, and resided with him until his death, April 13, 1907.
Andrew Stageberg, secretary of The Kelly Company, Owa- tonna, was born in Minneola township, Goodhue county, Minn., April 12, 1872, son of N. A. Stageberg, of Goodhue county. An- drew received his early education in the district schools of Min- eola township, which was supplemented by two years in the Red WVing Business College. Leaving school, he started life as a clerk in a general store at Roscoe, Minn., which vocation he fol- lowed for three years. Having learned the details of the general merchandise business, he accepted a position as manager of a store at Zumbrota, remaining there one year. The following year he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at Zumbrota. September 28, 1899, he came to Owatonna and engaged as manager of the shoe department for J. H. Robson, in whose employ he remained for four years. At this time Mr. Robson sold to Mr. Kelly, and the establishment was incorpo- rated and is known as The Kelly Company. Mr. Stageberg became a stockholder in the new company, and was elected sec- retary, which position he still retains. Mr. Stageberg was mar- ried June 1, 1903, at Owatonna, to Marie J., daughter of C. Larson, of Lemond township, Steele county. One child was born to this union, viz .: Norman Clifford, born April 7, 1905. Mr. Stageberg affiliates with the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, also a member of various fraternal organizations, viz .: M. S., B. A. Y., K. of P. Mr. Stageberg is a very enterprising young business man.
F. M. Smersh, M. D., one of the honored physicians of Steele county, was born in Moravia, Austria, October 4, 1848, son of Thomas and Rosalie (Maca) Smersh. He came to America with his parents and lived in Pittsburg, Pa., and Davenport, lowa, before coming to Owatonna in 1878. Dr. Smersh obtained his early education by much toil and self-sacrifice, mostly in the night schools of Pittsburg. He took a course in the Owatonna high school, and then attended the Kings Medical College of Des Moines, Iowa, one year, graduating from the Bennet Col-
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lege of Eelectie Surgery, March 20, 1888. Subsequently he attended the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio. His first practice was at Allegheny City, Pa., but the climate not being suited to his health in that eity, he came to Owatonna, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profes- sino, having also an interest in the Smersh & Kubat Drug Com- pany. Being thoroughly ethical in his practice and profession, Dr. Smersh has allied himself with the national, county and state medical associations. and also belongs to the Minnesota Anti-Tuberculosis Society and the American Public Health Asso- ciation of the United States, Mexico and Canada. He has been chairman of the board of health of Owatonna since May, 1894, has served as alderman from the Third ward for a total of seven years, and has served on the library board for a number of terms past. The wide scope of his office-holding shows the wide diver- sity of his interests, and the service he has given shows his ability as a man, a citizen and a physician. Dr. Smersh was married June 20, 1891, to Amelia Slezak, and to this union have been born three children: Jerome, Rosaria and Clement. The family residence is at 216 North Oak street. In addition to the sanitary and medical societies mentioned above, Dr. Smersh is a member of the I. O. O. F., the M. B. A., the F. O. E., the Sons of Herman, the Z. B. G., and the C. S. P. S. His wife is also prominent in fraternal circles. Dr. Smersh is also at the head of the Ancient Order of Aztees, being the chief officer of its grand lodge. Casper Slezak and Anna, his wife, were natives, respect- ively of Bohemia and Steele county. The former makes his home with Dr. Smersh, and the latter died July 29, 1898. Thomas Smersh and Rosalia Maca. his wife, parents of Dr. F. M. Smersh, were natives, respectively, of Moravia and Bohemia. In the old country the father was a weaver. They came to America in 1867, and located in Pittsburg, Pa., remaining until 1876, then going to Davenport, Iowa. In 1878 they came to Owatonna, and here the mother died in February, 1888. The father died June 25, 1900.
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