USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 35
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 35
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tion to the Department of the Gulf, and with his regiment went to New Orleans in December, 1862. He served in independent command under Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, being engaged in numerous battles and skirmishes, including the destruction of the Confederate gunboat "Cotton," the reducing of Camp Bis- land, the siege and capture of Port Hudson, the expedition to Sabine Pass, Texas, and the battles of Bank's Red River cam- paign. Ile was then ordered north with his company and partici- pated in the battle of Deep Bottom, Virginia, July, 1864, under Hancock. He was then ordered to the Shenandoah valley under Sheridan. He participated in the battle of Opequan, Va., Sep- tember 19, 1864. In this engagement he was wounded in the right arm, and sent to the rear, being unable to join his regi- ment until after the battle of Cedar Creek. He marched in the Grand Review at Washington, and was discharged with his regiment November 1, 1865. After his discharge he assisted in the reconstruction by serving in the Freedmen's Bureau in Washington. After this he chose the law as a profession. His first training was received in the office of his colonel, Judge Charles C. Dwight, Auburn, N. Y., after which he entered the Albany (N. Y.) law school, graduating in 1869. In the meantime he established a residence in Owatonna, where he subsequently had a highly honorable career, serving as eity attorney, judge of probate and state senator. The law firm of Wheelock and Sperry, with Hon. W. A. Sperry as a partner, was formed in 1879, and continued until the death of Mr. Wheelock. Judge Wheelock was a zealous member of the G. A. R .. and served two terms as department commander for the state of Minnesota. Ile was selected by the Department Encampment of Minnesota as one of the committee to frame the bill for the establishment of the Soldiers' Home and Soldiers' Relief Fund. May 5, 1886, he was elected a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, through the Commandery of Minnesota, and was a mem- ber of the council from May 8, 1906, to May 14. 1907. The committee of this commandery at the time of his death passed the following resolutions following a recital of the biographical facts of his career : "Judge Wheelock was greatly beloved by his comrades throughout the state; his cheery disposition witty sayings and good judgment making him a great favorite. As a citizen Companion Wheelock was interested and active in everything that promoted the public welfare ; he served as presi- dent of the board of education, and at the time of his death was president of the Owatonna Free Public Library board, as well as a director of the First National Bank. At one time he was postmaster. His large law business and publie duties did not exhaust his energies. He was active in Freemasonry and was
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the prelate of the Commandery of Knights Templar at the time of his death. In the realm of things spiritual, Companion Wheclock was a sincere and devout believer. He belonged to the Congregational Church, but his breadth of view embraced all followers of the Christian religion. For more than forty years he was superintendent of the Sunday school, and with great ability occupied the pulpit when occasion required. And many were the souls he inspired to higher ideals in things spiritual." Lewis L. Wheelock was married in 1871 to Adelinc Burch, of Hillsdale, Mich., who died February 24, 1901. To this union seven children were born. Of these four are living. Arthur B. resides in Seattle, Wash .; Dwight is in Oro Fino, Idaho; Paul is a student at Ann Arbor, Mich. ; and Mrs. Paul II. Evans lives in Owatonna. Mr. Wheelock was again married in April, 1902, to Mrs. Miranda A. Inglis, who resides at the family residence in Owatonna.
C. K. Anderson, of the Guarantee Concrete and Construction Company. has taken an active part in the upbuilding of Owatonna, and the many beautiful buildings in whose construc- tion he has had a part, will long stand as a monument to his work. He was born in Owatonna, February 5, 1868, son of Silas and Adeline Amanda (Davenport) Anderson, long-time residents of Owatonna. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the graded and high schools of Owatonna, and after leaving school learned the bricklayers' trade with the idea of following in his father's footsteps as a general contractor. After thoroughly mastering this trade, he became a member of the firm of Hammel Brothers & Anderson. In 1907, Mr. Anderson entered into partnership with R. T. Woodward under the firm name of the Guarantee Concrete and Construction Com- pany, doing all kinds of cement contracting, etc. The firm does a large business, and its work is its best recommendation. Mr. Anderson is a Democrat in politics, and his services for six years as alderman from the second ward have given general satisfaction. Being of a fraternal nature, he has interested hin- self in the K. of P., the M. W. A., and the F. O. E. He was married in 1893, at Los Angeles, Cal., to Effie Runkle, whose parents are residents of California. This union has been blessed with one son, Harold W. The family faith is that of the Universalist Church, and the residence is a comfortable home at 605 East Vine street. Silas Anderson, contractor and builder, was born in Pembrooke county, New York, August 5, 1832. His wife, Adeline, was born in Scoharie county, New York. They were married December 21, 1857. In 1865 he enlisted in Company F. First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and saw service in the southern states. He came to Minnesota with his wife in the
1132 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
early sixties and established a business at Owatonna, success- fully continuing same until his death, July 9, 1905. His wife died June 21, 1910. Their children were: Willard Edward, deceased ; Cyrus K .; Myrtie, now Mrs. George Lull, of Roches- ter : Charles, deceased ; Nellie, deceased.
Charles S. Crandall. Few men have contributed so greatly to the prosperity of southern Minnesota as Charles Scheretz Crandall, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Erie county, Ohio, January 18, 1840, and came to Steele county in 1857. During the more than fifty years that he has resided here, he has taken an active part in county and state affairs, and for decades bis council and advice have been sought by men of many walks in life. As journalist, law-maker, committeeman, merchant, county officer and postmaster his conduct has fulfilled a high ideal of manhood, and his influence has been of great impor- tance. In 1862, failing health and chronic asthma forced his retirement from farm life, and in that year he came to Owatonna and became a deputy in the offices of the register of deeds and the county auditor. Subsequently he was appointed register of deeds upon the resignation of that official. He held the office fourteen months under this appointment, and was after that elected to the office for two terms. He served with distinction in the house of representatives of the state legislature one term, and in the state senate two terms. He was eight years post- master of Owatonna, and was eight years editor of the "Owatonna Journal." Having been instrumental in securing the location of the state public school at Owatonna, he was appointed by the governor a member of the board of control of that institution, and heid the office twelve years, giving good service. He was also one of the board of managers of the State Reformatory at St. Cloud, Minn., for several years. He was removed from these boards upon the election of a Democratic governor, and his loss was keenly felt by those who had the interests of the institutions at heart. In addition to his other work, Mr. Crandall was one of the building committee of the Baptist Church building, though not a member of that organiza- tion. fle was also one of the committee which constructed the Metropolitan opera house, to which he, as well as many other citizens, contributed. Mr. Crandall was married in February, 1864, to Marietta E. Affen, a widow. To this union were born two children-Mary Elizabeth, February 22, 1865, and Georgiana Caroline, June 23, 1872. Marietta Crandall died in September, 1892, and Mr. Crandall married Irene A. Luers, a widow, in October, 1893. Charles Chapin Crandall, father of Charles S. Crandall, was born at Canadagua, Ontario county, New York, and died in Lorain county, Ohio, in 1850. The
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mother, Caroline Scheretz, was born in Erie county, Ohio, and died in Steele county, Minnesota. Her family was of German origin. Her parents came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, which was then a wilderness, in 1809, and settled in the Connecticut Western Reserve.
Herbert F. Luers, the energetic editor of the "Owatonna Journal-Chronicle," has taken a vital and active interest in the welfare of the city and county, and his editorial boostings of all things concerning this locality, have resulted in increased impetus in the progressiveness of Owatonna and Steele county. He was born in Owatonna, August 9, 1875, son of Herman Ilenry Luers and Irena A. Snedigar, his wife. Herbert F. started out in life with the intention of becoming a musician. At the age of ten years he started studying the piano and after eight years took up voice culture also. After attending the public schools of Owatonna, he graduated from Pillsbury Academy in 1893, and from the vocal music department of the same school two years later. He attended the University of Minnesota, 1893-94, in the academic department. He studied vocal music and the organ in New York City in 1896, and the year previous to that had taken a special course in the Curtiss Business College at St. Paul. After reaching maturity, Mr. Luers' tastes and energies demanded an occupation more connected with the world's work than the musical profession, and he therefore started on his journalistic career in 1896, as a reporter for the "Owatonna Journal." In 1897 he founded the "Owatonna Chron- icle" with E. K. Whiting. The story of the consolidation of these papers is found in the newspaper chapter in this work. Mr. Luers is now president of the "Journal-Chronicle" Company, and editor of the "Journal-Chronicle." daily and weekly. He is also secretary of the Steele County Good Roads Asso- ciation. During the Spanish-American War, Mr. Luers was elected captain of a company of 140 men, raised for the Fifteenth Minnesota Regiment, but this company was not accepted by the governor. The subject of this sketch enlisted in Company G, Fourth Infantry Reserve (later Company I. Second Infantry), Minnesota National Guard, in March, 1900. He was promoted through the grades of corporal, first sergeant, and second lieu- tenant, and was commissioned captain of the company, in April, 1904. In March, 1910, he received a medal for ten years' faith- ful service, and in July, 1910, he resigned the captaincy on account of the pressure of private business. While at college. Mr. Luers joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was married March 5, 1901, to Anne Stuart Richardson, of Princeton, Ill., and to this union have been born two children-Charles Herman Richardson, aged 8, and Irene Victoria, aged 7. Mrs. Luers
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attended the University of Michigan, and is an accomplished vocalist, having studied with leading teachers in New York and elsewhere. Herman Henry Luers, father of Herbert F. Luers, was born in Germany and was a prominent druggist in Owatonna from 1874 until 1887, the latter year being the date of his death. His wife, now Mrs. Charles S. Crandall, has taken an active part in club work. and is an officer of the State Federa- tion of Women's Clubs.
Samuel A. Rask, an energetic and hustling business man of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was born near Caledonia, Houston county, Minnesota. After receiving a common school education in the district schools of his county, he took and completed a course in the high school of La Crosse. Wis .. subsequently com- pleting a course in English literature at the University of Chi- cago. Leaving school in 1894, he held a position with the Security Savings and the Exchange State Bank, of La Crosse, Wis., until 1897, when he removed to the Twin Cities and engaged in the in- surance business till the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898. He was then a member of Company F, of the First Min- nesota National Guard, which became Company F, of the Thir- teenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry after the company entered active service. Mr. Rask went to the front with his regiment as a corporal. but shortly afterwards was taken sick and remained in the hospital at Camp Merritt, in San Francisco, Cal., until 1899. when he returned home. arriving but a few months before his company. Coming to Blooming Prairie, he was connected with the State Bank of Blooming Prairie as bookkeeper until 1901, when he was elected cashier, and five years later when the bank was reorganized as the First National Bank of Blooming Prairie, he was retained in his present position as cashier and became a stockholder and director. He is also a director in the Citizens' National Bank of Austin, Minn., and is serving as secretary and treasurer of the Steele County Telephone Company, of Blooming Prairie. In political convictions he is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in local affairs. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Order, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, and Sons of Norway. June 23, 1902, he was united in matrimony with Harriet O. Miller, of La Crosse. Wis. They have one child, a daughter, Catherine Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Rask have a comfortable home located at the corner of Hazel and Second streets. Peter O. and Louise (Sundt ) Rask, parents of our subject, emigrated from Norway to America in 1856, first locating in Winneshick county, Iowa, and, in 1858, settled in Wilmington township, Houston county, Minnesota, where the father was engaged in farming until the spring of 1886, when they removed to La Crosse, Wis.,
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
where they now live retired. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Miller, parents of Mrs. Samuel Rask, were among the early pioneers of La Crosse, Wis. The father died January 3, 1908, and since then the mother has resided with her daughter and son-in-law at Bloom- ing Prairie.
Merton J. Parcher, deputy county auditor of Steele county is a native son of Minnesota, he was born in Owatonna on March 17, 1874, son of Johnson and Sarah (Grandprey) Parcher. Merton received his early education at the public schools of Owatonna, then going to Big Stone City, S. D., where he finished his schooling. He then learned the meatcutters' trade which he followed for several years at Big Stone City, Ortonville and St. Paul Park, then he returned to Owatonna in the year 1889, and followed his trade until 1900. when he became a buyer, on the road of hides, wool and furs for Willet & Kilty for four years, and then with D. Bergman & Co., in the same line for four years. He then accepted a position with the Albert Lea Hide and Fur Company, but after working for them for six months again entered the employ of Willet & Kilty and con- tinned with them until February 1, 1909. On January 1, 1910, he was appointed deputy county auditor under A. J. Basshard, and is now holding that position. He was married at Owatonna on January 15, 1901, to Anna Brandick, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brandick. Two children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Parcher-Irene and Dorothy, both living at home. In his religious faith Mr. Parcher is a Roman Catholic and in his political views he is a stanch Republican, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and has been secretary of his lodge for the past four years, he is also a member of the F. A. E., the K. of P .. and the U. C. T., and of the Consoli- dated Casualty Company, of Detroit, Mich. Hle has won his success by his own efforts, and has the esteem and respect of all who know him. Ilis home is on the corner of University and Grove streets in the city of Owatonna.
William H. Montgomery is of that race of pioneers, who. when Minnesota was still in the possession of the Indians, came to this state, and, undaunted by hardships and discouragements, persevered in their endeavors until the present prosperous con- ditions developed from a pioneer frontier. He was born in Madrid. St. Lawrence county, New York, July 20, 1834. and came to Minnesota in the fall of 1850, locating in Hastings, when the country was still occupied by the Indians. He was one of the early jurors of Dakota county, and in other ways participated in public life. In 1865 he came to Steele county, and until 1872 engaged in farming, afterward conducting a hardware business in Owatonna for eight years. Then he established the retail furniture store, now conducted by Boice & Hanna. With W. S.
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Boice as partner, he remained in this business and then sold out to Milan Hastings, his retirement being necessitated by his wife's illness. Mr. Montgomery is a stanch Republican and a member of the Congregational Church. He was married May 18, 1860, in Jefferson county, N. Y., to Diana Boice, who after a life of Christian piety and faithful devotion, died October 17, 1890. To this union were born five children-Bion, Ella, Lester, and another son, not named, died in infancy. Nora, now of Los Angeles, married George Brown, a banker. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children, Stanley H. and Wilbur W., the joy and pride of their grandfather's heart. John and Margaret ( Raney) Montgomery, parents of William H. Montgomery, were natives of Ireland, but of Scottish descent. They came to America in 1818, located in New York state, and engaged in farming and the general mercantile business. The father died in New York state in 1840 and the mother came to Owatonna where she died in 1877.
John N. Schoen, a well patronized jeweler of Owatonna, was born there December 6, 1878. He is the son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Meyer) Schoen, natives of Germany. They emigrated from Germany as children, the mother in 1842, the father in 1846. They were married at Prescott, Wis., in 1861. The father first located in New York City, from where he moved to Mil- waukee, Wis., later removing to Madison, Wis., where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons. In 1865 he came to Owatonna and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, conducting a prosperous and steadily increasing busi- ness until 1900, when he retired from active life. He passed away October 17, 1902. The mother survived him and is still living at Owatonna. John N. received his education in the public and high schools of Owatonna, graduating from the latter in 1896. After leaving school. he took up the jewelry trade with Mr. Louis Watowa, remaining with him until 1905, learning every detail of the business. At this time he formed a co-part- nership with Mr. L. J. Mosher; together they purchased the jewelry business of Julius Young. They conducted this business for three years after which, in 1908, Mr. Schoen sold his interest to Mr. Mosher, and formed a co-partnership with John Jurgen- sen. They together purchased the jewelry business of his old employer, Mr. Louis Watowa, located on West Park street. The company carries everything found in an up-to-date jewelry store, making a specialty of all kinds of repairing. Mr. Schoen was married August 6, 1907, at Madison, Wis., to Miss Christine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bollenbeck. Their union is blessed with one daughter. Esther C .. born June 27, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Schoen are domiciled in a pleasant residence at 819 South Cedar
31. D. WHITMAN
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street. Mr. Schoen is a Democrat in politics. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic. He is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, viz .: the K. of P., M. W. A., and Com- mercial Club. Mr. Schoen is a wide-awake, enterprising young business man, well thought of by his large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Adolph Uber is a wide-awake business man of Owatonna, Minn., who has achieved his success by persevering effort in the line of a settled purpose. He is of German parentage and was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, July 27, 1871. He is a son of Charles Uber who emigrated from the fatherland in 1854, and settled in Washington county, where the father, a tanner by trade, followed that occupation all his life, his decease occurring in 1894, and where the mother still resides. Adolph acquired a good English education in the public schools of his native place and after leaving school learned the tanner's trade and worked at it with his brother under the firm name of Uber Brothers. He followed his trade also in Chicago, in New York and at Philadelphia, and in 1893 returned to Washington county and joined his brother in business. A year later, in 1894, he sold his interest to his brother and took up his residence at Owatonna and established the business to which he has continuously devoted his attention ever since, making a specialty of tanning sheep pelts and shipping the bulk of his products to eastern markets. In politics he is a Republican. He is identified with the Modern Woodmen and in his religious convictions holds to the faith of the Lutheran Church. On January 25, 1892, Mr. Uber married Miss Kate Komp, whose parents lived in Wash- ington county, where the father followed his trade as a harness maker. and where he died. The mother still lives there. Mr. and Mrs. Uber have two children, named respectively, Harley and Cordelia.
M. D. Whitman, an old and respected pioneer of Steele county, was born in Grafton county, New Hampshire, October 8, 1839. After receiving a limited common school education, he engaged in farming until the call to arms in 1862, when he entered the service of his country with Company H, of the Twelfth Vermont Infantry, enlisting at Bradford. His first assignment was on picket duty about the national capital. Later he was transferred to the First Army Corps, in which he served until he was mustered out with his company at Brattleborough, Vt., at the close of the war. Returning home, he remained there until 1867 when he migrated west to Winnebago county, Illinois, and carried on farming eight months, subsequently removing to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and continuing to make his living as a farmer for a year and a half. He then came to
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Meriden township, Steele county. a year later moving into Som- erset township and purchased a quarter section of school land, his present farm. In spite of his seventy-one years, he takes an active interest in its operation, his youngest son, Lynn, assisting him. All modern buildings and machinery of the latest types are found on this farm, which has greatly aided in making it one of the model farins of the county. It is located six miles from Owatonna. A beautiful modern home contributes to the com- fort of the occupants. Shorthorn cattle, Poland China and Berk- shire hogs are raised. Mr. Whitman was one of the main pro- moters of the Steele Center creamery, which is situated almost at his door, and has held every office in the gift of the creamery association. In politics, he is an adherent of the Republican party, and has always taken an active part in the affairs of the community, having filled the office of postmaster at Steele Center for twenty-five years, and also that of chairman of the township supervisors. He is now acting as treasurer of his school board. The Owatonna post of the Grand Army of the Republic numbers him among its active members. He was married in 1867, to Anna (Bryant), daughter of Augustus and Angeline (Sage) Bryant. Mr. and Mrs. Whitman have seven children- Clarence, formerly a minister of the Baptist Church, located near Boston, but now a missionary to Africa ; George, an electrical engineer of Minneapolis; Frank, manager of a creamery at Avon, Minn .; Arthur, located at Good Thunder, Minn .: Hattie, wife of Geary Felton, a farmer of Merton township ; Charles, engaged in farm- ing near Lyman, Lincoln county, Colorado; and Lynn, who assists his father in the working of the old home farm. The family are prominent in the Baptist Church. The parents of our subject were natives of New Hampshire where the father fol- lowed farming up to the time of his death. The mother also died in the east.
Galen A. Merrill, the efficient superintendent of state public school for Dependent and Neglected Children, was born in Kala- mazoo county, Michigan, December 28, 1859, a son of George and Sabra ( Wallace) Merrill. His mother was a native of New York and his father of Connecticut. They went to Ohio at an early day and moved from there to Michigan, where the remain- der of their life was passed. The father died in the year 1867 and the mother in 1889. Galen A. was brought up on a farm and received his early education in the district schools of Miehi- gan and in the high school at Ludington, Mich. He first took up teaching in 1879 and also commeneed the study of medicine at the State University, but failed to complete the course, drop- ping it to accept the position of assistant superintendent of the State Public School for Dependent Children, a position which
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