USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 33
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 33
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board of supervisors. He was united in marriage March 2, 1910, with Anna Ahlers, daughter of John Ahlers, a native of Ger- many. They have two children: Ewaldt, born September 5, 1903, and Erwin, born December 5, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Wilker attend the German Lutheran Church. John H. and Emelia (Welk) Wilker. parents of our subject, are natives of Gutten- burg, Iowa, and of Stravabelauf, Germany. The father came to this country with his parents in 1856, and purchased land in Meriden township, where he followed general farming for many years, seeing the gradual development of the county from its earliest pioneer days to present times. The Republican party claims him as a member, and he has held many township offices of trust. In religious matters he is a follower of the teachings of the German Lutheran Church. Seven children were born to him by his first wife, only two of whom survive their mother, who died in 1891. They are John C., our subject, and Albert H., who is farming on the old homestead. Mr. Wilker was married again to Emma Drache, to whom was born one child, Minnie. The family reside on Walnut street, the father having retired from active work.
Frank Zwiener, a retired farmer of Blooming Prairie town- ship, was born in Prussia, March 8, 1827, son of Frank and Lena (Stark) Zwiener, natives of Germany. The father was a mason by trade. The parents lived all their lives in Germany and died there. Frank received his education in Germany and then learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until coming to America. He immigrated to America in May, 1854, locating first in New York state. He then came west to Milwaukee, where he followed his trade for three years, after which he removed to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. In 1876 he came to Steele county, locating in Bloom- ing Prairie township, where he purchased 160 acres of land, eighty acres in section 1I and eighty acres in section 12. where he erected his home and farm buildings, broke and improved the land, and followed general and diversified farming until 1909. At this time he sold the farm to a son, F. A. Zwiener. but still resides on the old homestead. He also owns sixty-four acres in section 1 and seventy-four acres in section 2.
Mr. Zwiener was married in Germany, February 28, 1852, to Thresa Bartsch. The wife died July 27, 1907. Five children were left to mourn her death: Anton J., farmer and clerk of Blooming Prairie township; H. L., bookkeeper at Ortonville, Minn .; E. A., lives at home; F. A., who now owns and con- ducts the old homestead; and Almond, hardware merchant of Ortonville. Mr. Zwiener is a Democrat in political sentiment. In religious faith he adheres to the Catholic Church. He enlisted
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in the Union army, August 12, 1862, in Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to corporal and served in nine prominent battles with his regiment. He was discharged at the end of the service, in 1865, at Galveston, Texas, and mustered out at Madison, Wis. He is a member of the James A. Goodwin Post. G. A. R., of Owatonna. He has served seven years as supervisor of his township. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator of Blooming Prairie.
Eli Martin Morehouse, M. D., was an ideal representative of that type of rugged pioneer physician now long since passed from this section of the country. He was the first physician in Steele county, locating in Owatonna in 1855, with no other phy- sicians nearer at that time than Rochester, Mankato, the Twin Cities and McGregor. In the days of his early practice he kept relays of horses stationed at different points quite long distances from town and would often be absent several days at a time, sometimes making hundreds of miles at a trip, his itinerary cov- ering all of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. For the first two or three years his riding was done on horseback, even in the winter months. With this experience he acquired a wide acquaintance and obtained a greater popularity than any other physician in southern Minnesota if not in the entire state. This popularity continued until the day of his death. The majority of his staunchest and truest friends were among common people. While he had a very large clientele among those 'in the higher walks of life, they received no favors that were not bestowed with equal cheerfulness upon the poor. As a practitioner of medicine Dr. Morehouse was a man of infinite resource. He pos- sessed that intuition which many men inherit from the maternal side, and which gives them an insight into the mysteries of nature often deeper than can be obtained by any manner of in- ductive reasoning. Dr. Morehouse was born at Warren, Trum- bull county, Ohio, March 2, 1835. His parents were Nelson and Sarah (Johnson) Morehouse. His father, Nelson Morehouse, was a mill owner and his grandfather, Eli Morehouse, was a veteran of the War of 1812. Eli M. received an academic edu- cation in his native town and commenced reading medicine when a mere lad. At seventeen he had graduated in medicine and at eighteen commenced practice at Warren, having received his di- ploma from the University of Medicine and Surgery at Philadel- phia. In 1853 Dr. Morehouse crossed the Mississippi and engaged in practice at Independence, Iowa. Early in 1855 he came to Min- nesota and from that time until the day of his death was in con- stant practice at Owatonna with the exception of a short period in 1864, when he took a trip to the Northwestern states and ter- ritory in search of gold and adventure. He was absent for about
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two years, practicing part of the time at Virginia City, Nev. After this trip he again resumed his practice in Owatonna. In May, 1871, he was one of the leading spirits in the formation of the Minnesota State Eclectic Medical Society, of which he was the first president. He was also a member of the National Eclectic Medical Association, having in his early life received diplomas from the New York and Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Colleges. lle was chosen a member of the state senate in 1877 and the following year was upon seven committees, including those of public lands, Indian affairs, State University and State Library. In the early days he was a Republican, but after the war became a Democrat. Aside from this he held many po- sitions of public trust and private honor and there were few po- sitions in the gift of his fellow citizens that could not have been his for the asking. He was an Odd Fellow and a high degree Mason. From his arrival in Owatonna until the date of his deathi Dr. Morehouse took an interest in the commercial prosperity of the city. In 1874 he built the old Morehouse Opera House, later the Merchants Hotel and still later the present Morehouse Block, which houses the Owatonna Hotel and many business concerns. In addition to this he owned hundreds of acres of improved land throughout the county. He was several times alderman from the Third ward, and at the time of his death was serving his third term as mayor of Owatonna. He was the prime mover in the installing of the water works system in Owatonna. For some years he was engaged in the general mercantile business. His death occurred May 23, 1891, at the age of fifty-six years. His funeral services were held in Central Park and were at- tended by probably the largest assemblage ever present on such an occasion in the history of the county. On August 19, 1868, Dr. Morehouse was united in marriage to Lorinda A. McRostie. a native of Ogdensburg. N. Y. To this union four children were born, viz: Eli Martin, practicing medicine at Yankton, S. D .; Effie L., wife of John W. Adsit, of Owatonna ; Timothy N., de- ceased : Guel G., physician and surgeon of Owatonna.
Dr. G. G. Morehouse, one of the younger of the successful physicians of Steele county, is a native born son of Owatonna, having first seen the light of day October 27, 1876. He attended public schools and then entered the high school, graduating with honors in 1897. Determined to follow in the footsteps of his father as a medical practitioner. he entered the Bennett Medical College at Chicago, receiving his diploma in 1902. The follow- ing year he spent at the University of Indiana at Valparaiso, graduating in 1903. He then took the usual hospital practice in the Cook county hospital for one year and a half. Thus being admirably equipped he returned to his native town in 1904 and
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has since continued the practice of medicine and surgery with considerable success. He has built up a large practice and is highly regarded by his wide circle of friends. Being thoroughly ethical in practice he associated himself with the American state and county medical associations. He is a high degree Mason and affiliates also with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is a prominent member of the Minne- sota State and Steele County Automobile Clubs. Since 1905 he has served as examining surgeon for Company I, Second Regi- ment Minnesota National Guards. Aside from his professional interests Dr. Morehouse possesses business holdings in Owa- tonna and is one of the proprietors of the Owatonna Hotel, which is the leading hostelry of Steele county.
Norman Evans, banker, financier and business man, is a fine example of successful American manhood, having by hard work, frugality and honesty attained his present rank of trust and honor in the community. He was born in the country village of Minerva, Essex county, New York, amid the picturesque scenery of the Adirondacks, his parents, Richard and Cynthia (West) Evans, being native New Yorkers. His ancestors on his father's side were of an old Welsh family, who settled in New York City in the eighteenth century. and on his mother's side were men and women of colonial and Revolutionary fame. who trace their lineage to the Mayflower. The early education of Norman Evans was received in the district schools of his native village. Being thorough believers in education, his parents sent him to a neighboring high school, and later on-after he had decided to devote his life to business rather than to the profes- sions-he pursued a business course in the Bryant and Stratton commercial college at Troy, N. Y. With this preparation, he started in life for himself as a general merchant in Minerva. In 1878, with a view of securing greater opportunities and a wider field, he came to Minnesota, and for three years conducted a gen- eral store at Dover, in Olmsted county, subsequently maintain- ing a similar store in Blooming Prairie, Steele county, for seven years. A venture in the shoe business in Sioux Falls, S. D., while proving a success financially, strengthened him in his resolve to make Minnesota his permanent home; consequently he came to Owatonna, and for eight years engaged in the drygoods busi- ness. He then started his career as a banker by buying a private bank, which he conducted in connection with a large real estate business in Dodge county. Later he organized the Farmers National Bank of Dodge Center, and became its president. In 1904 he purchased a large interest in the First National Bank of Owatonna, becoming one of the directors of that institution which he served for three years. A trip to the coast, during
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which he visited the large cities of the West, studying business conditions, was followed on his return by the purchase of a con- trolling interest in the Security State Bank of Owatonna, of which he has since been its honored president. Mr. Evans is a high degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is also a member of the Congregational church, of which he was a trustee for nine years. Although never active in politics, Mr. Evans did efficient work on the public school board, during his residence in Dodge county, and has on many occasions served his community in matters of trust and honor. He is an admirable citizen, and his record speaks for itself as to his ability, as well as to his interest in public affairs. He was married February 7, 1875, to Helena MI. Bradley, daugh- ter of Commodore Henry Bradley, a prominent citizen of Essex county, New York. Two sons have been born to this marriage, Paul H., who is cashier of the Security State Bank, and Robert K., who is still in school. The family residence is "Gynnedd Crag" on South Cedar street. Richard and Cynthia W. Evans, parents of Norman Evans, spent the earlier years of their lives in New York state and moved to Olmstead county, Minnesota. in 1879. In 1890 they moved to Owatonna, making their home with their son the remainder of their days. Richard Evans was a heavy land owner and lumber dealer in New York and amassed a comfortable fortune, of which he gave generously to many Owatonna institutions.
Paul H. Evans, the efficient cashier of the Security State Bank of Owatonna, was born in Minerva, N. Y .. April 5, 1876, son of Norman and Helena M. (Bradley) Evans. When two years of age he was brought by his parents to Dover, Minn., and from there went to Blooming Prairie, Minn. After attending the public schools of Blooming Prairie, he entered Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, having moved to Owatonna in 1890 and graduated with honors in 1895. This was supplemented with a two years' course in Beloit College at Beloit, Wis. Thus equipped with a liberal education, he came to Owatonna and became a reporter on the Owatonna Journal, filling this position one year. In 1898, in company with his father and W. G. Brown, he engaged in a banking and real estate business in Dodge Cen- ter, Minn. This business continued until 1904, when the Farm- ers National Bank of Dodge Center was organized. The same year the Evans interests in this bank were sold, and Norman and Paul H. Evans purchased heavy holdings in the First Na- tional Bank of Owatonna. The subject of this sketch was elected cashier and director of the institution and held these positions until 1907. The Kinyons then acquired the Evans holdings by purchase, and Norman and Paul H. Evans secured a controlling
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interest in the Security State Bank of Owatonna. Paul II. be- came cashier and director of this institution, and has had an im- portant part in bringing the bank to its present high standard of soundness and progressiveness. Mr. Evans is a high degree Mason, and belongs both to the Commercial Club of Owatonna and to the Tomahawk Club. He served four years as a private in Company I, Second Minnesota National Guard. Amid a career filled with business activities, he has found time to attend to the higher duties of life, and has done good service as super- intendent of the Congregational Sunday school. Mr. Evans was married July 26, 1905, to Adeline C. Wheelock, daughter of Lewis L. Wheelock, of honored memory. Mrs. Evans is a grad- uate of the Owatonna high school and a former student of Carl- ton College at Northfield. The Evans home has been blessed with two daughters: Norma W., born August 4, 1907, and Ruth B., born February 7, 1909. Mr. Evans is a progressive young man and is greatly interested in everything that tends toward the material development of Steele county.
S. A. Kubat was born in Steele county June 20, 1870, son of Samuel and Matilda (Blazek) Kubat, natives of Bohemia. The father emigrated to America in 1856, locating at Freeport, Ill., where he remained only a short time. He then came to Minne- sota in 1858, locating at Owatonna township, Steele county, where he engaged in general farming until 1906. At this time he retired from active life and moved to Owatonna, where he now resides. The subject of our sketch attended the district schools of Owatonna township, which was supplemented with a course in the high school at Owatonna. In the summer of 1892 he entered the employ of Parrott & Smith, in whose employment he still remains, now being the head man of their firm. Mr. Kubat was married in 1896 to Inga, daughter of Ole and Katlı- erine Krogh, natives of Norway. The mother died when Mrs. Kubat was five years of age. Mrs. Kubat was born in Vadsa, Norway, February 21, 1872, came to America in 1886 and made her home in Owatonna ever since. Mr. Krogh has been in Alaska, but is now in the state of Washington. Besides our subject, there are two brothers and five sisters in this family, viz: Anna M., now Mrs. William Zatocill, at Michigan City, N. Dak .; Will- iam O. lives in Owatonna ; Henry L. farms in Havana township; Matilda, now Mrs. C. H. Markytan, farms in Owatonna town- ship ; Josie is married to J. W. Slezak and lives in Somerset town- ship; Olga and Elsie live with their parents. Mr. Kubat is a Republican. The family reside at 139 West Mill street.
Mr. Kubat is prominent in fraternal circles and is a member of the following orders: Star of the West, No. 14; I. O. O. F., Canton No. 12; Alma Rebekah, No. 27: Owatonna Aerie, No.
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1719, F. O. E .; Tenoch Council, No. 16, A. O. A .; Grand Lodge. A. O. A .: Owatonna Camp. No. 387. M. W. of A. He also be- longs to the Owatonna fire department and the Owatonna mili- tary band. In the Odd Fellows especially, Mr. Kubat has been an earnest worker. He has had all the honors in the subordinate lodge, Encampment and Canton. He has been district deputy grand master in the subordinate lodge, district deputy grand chief patriarch in the Encampment, and at present is captain of the Canton. He is a charter member of the Ancient Order of Aztecs and has been honored with all the different offices therein. He is now grand vice commander and chairman of the finance committee of the grand lodge. A. O. A.
Nels Lee, deceased, was born in Norway in May, 1843, where he received his education. He came to America in 1867 and lo- cated in Steele county, and three years later bought a farm in sections 22 and 23 of Aurora township, where he built his home and outbuildings and followed general farming until his death, which occurred May 11, 1903. In his political views Mr. Lee was a Republican and he was a member of the Lutheran church. He never held or sought public office, but he was a good citizen, interested in everything that was for the best interests of his town and county, and respected by all who knew him, leaving an honored heritage to his children. Mr. Lee was married in 1870 to Anna Larson, and to them were born seven children: Mrs. Albert Anderson, of Pratt : Mrs. John Vass, of Owatonna; Mrs. Charles Watts, formerly of Minneapolis, now deceased; Mrs. Thorvold Nylius, formerly of Minneapolis, now deceased; Rena Lee, of Minneapolis; Mrs. August Arndt, of Owatonna : Mrs. Edward Jackson, of Owatonna. Mrs. Anna Lee died in 1884. Mr. Lee was married June 6, 1887, to Hannah Johnson, born in Norway May 27. 1854, came to America in 1884 and still survives her husband. Two children were born to this union. Bertha, born February 28, 1888, is now Mrs. John Johnson, and lives on the old farm. Agnes, born March 2, 1892, is now Mrs. Knute Moe, of Aurora township.
Roy H. Naylor, a native of Minnesota, was born in Merton township. Steele county. December 9, 1877, a son of Arthur C. and Carrie (Jarrett) Naylor, both parents were natives of Eng- land, they came to America, and in 1855 the father located in Merton township on section 35, where he carried on general farming until 1909, when he retired and moved to Owatonna. Roy received his education in the district schools in Merton township and then took a two years' course at the Faribault high school. He then attended the Canfield school of business and in 1903 accepted a position as steward at the State public school at Owatonna, which he now holds. He was married on
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August 27, 1904, at Prescott, Wis., to Jessie K. Johnson. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Naylor : Sherwood L., born August 29, 1905, and Stanley R., born August 3, 1909. 111 politics Mr. Naylor is a Republican and a member of the Metho- dist church. He is also a member of the Masonic order, the 1. O. O. F. and the B. A. Y. He lives at his pleasant home, No. 446 Flora street, in the city of Owatonna, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
Martin Nelson was born in Denmark January 1, 1841. He came to America in 1868, first settling in Illinois. In 1875 he moved to Steele county and settled in Aurora township, where he farmed until 1895, when he rented his place and moved to the village of Bixby. In 1899 he sold the old homestead and is now conducting a feed stable.
Francis M. Bassett, a successful and well known business man of Owatonna, and who has a beautiful home at 129 East Rose street, was born in New York City January 17, 1870. He is the son of Walter 1. and Melissa (Nash) Bassett, of Brooklyn. N. Y. The father is a plumber by trade. In 1878 he emigrated West to Minneapolis to take charge of the plumbing business for J. J. Dunnigan, a large plumbing and steam fitting establish- ment. He had charge of all the plumbing and steam fitting at the Capitol and the Ryan Hotel at St. Paul, where he is now located. Our subject received his education at the public schools of St. Paul; then took up the plumbing trade for three years. Hle was then employed by the St. Paul Bottling Works for eigh- teen years, having charge of it for five years. He was also with the Highland Springs Company of St. Paul. On July 5, 1904. he came to Owatonna as manager of the Mineral Chemical Com- pany and has held that position ever since. Mr. Bassett was married September 6, 1896, to Kate Reinhard. Their home was blessed with one child, May Kate, who was born May 28, 1898. Mr. Bassett is a Republican. He belongs to the Episcopal church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., I. O. F., A. O. A. and F. O. E.
James A. Kent, a well known dentist of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was born in Hamilton, Ontario, September 20, 1865. His education was received in the public schools of his birthplace and at the Niagara high school, near his home. He then went to Philadelphia and was enrolled in the Philadelphia Dental Col- lege, receiving his degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, in 1887, and opening offices in Minneapolis the same year, where he remained in the practice of his profession until 1890, when he removed to Red Wing, Minn., in which place he was engaged in dentistry for three years. In 1893 he removed to Blooming Prairie, his present location, and enjoys a large and growing
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practice. As to politics, Dr. Kent is a believer in the principles of the Republican party and has served one term as justice of the peace. The Knights of Pythias value him as an active member, as does the Congregational church. March 26, 1890, he was married to Laura Tubbesing, daughter of Peter and Margaret (Vogt) Tubbesing, of Red Wing, where the father still lives, the mother is deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Kent reside on Fourth street. E. R. and Sabra (Angle) Kent, parents of James A., were natives of Sheffield, England, coming to Canada in their younger days and locating at Hamilton, Ontario, the father being engaged as a crockery and glassware manufacturer until 1881. He then en- tered the real estate business together with O. A. Pray, R. F. Hulbert, Mr. Minnford and C. G. Pillsbury. of Minneapolis, the company having extensive land and mining interests in Minne- sota and northwestern Canada. In 1888 he retired and returned to llamilton, where he died in April. 1889. The mother died in November of the same year.
E. F. Laughlin, a hustling and progressive farmer of Merton township, Steele county-his birthplace-was born July 2, 1868. After receiving a good education in the district schools he imme- diately engaged in farming, first with his father and later for himself. He now owns a hundred and sixty acres of productive land, a hundred of which is tillable, the remaining sixty acres being used mostly for pasturage. In addition to general farm- ing he carries on stock raising on an extensive scale, breeding and raising thoroughbred Percheron horses, Holstein cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs ; also breeder of Scotch collie dogs. The use of modern buildings and machinery add to the profits of the place, a large up-to-date barn. forty by sixty-four, fourteen-foot post, comfortably housing all the stock. Mr. Laughlin also has a modern dwelling house. As to political convictions he is a Democrat and has always taken an active part in local affairs, having served as assessor during 1902 and 1003 and has been town clerk since 1905. He was married. in 1895. to Bertha A. Conlin, by whom he has six children : James A .. Catherine L .. Edward E., Mary E., Raymond P. and Lucile. John H., the father of our subject, is a native of Pennsylvania ; his mother, Katie. (Conway) of Steele county, Minnesota. The father joined the Westward tide of emigration, in 1856, locating on his farm in Merton township, Steele county, where he still resides. Be- sides attending to the working of his farm he was a stock buyer for three years during his younger days. His good wife lives with him on the old place. Patrick and Mary ( MeGrath ) Conlin, parents of Mrs. E. F. Laughlin, are old settlers of Minnesota, where the father carried on farming for many years. They are
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