USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 38
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 38
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
of productiveness. High-grade stock furnishes milk that brings the highest returns from the local creamery. Mr. Wanous also owns a large number of Poland-China hogs. In political convic- tions he is a Democrat, taking an active interest in all public affairs. He was married, in 1901, to Rosa Stursa, daughter of John and Anna Stursa. They have four children : Rosa, Georgia, Samuel and Alice, all living at home. John and Anna, parents of our subject, came over from Bohemia forty-seven years ago, at once locating in Steele county, where the father followed farm- ing. He is still living at Pratt, Steele county, enjoying a ripe old age. Eleven children were born to him and his good wife. all of whom are leading a useful life.
N. O. Partridge, a self-made farmer of Steele county, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, December 12, 1854. His edu- cation was received in the common and high schools of Dane county, concluding with a course in a commercial college at Madison. After his graduation he taught school for ten years and then emigrated west to Montana, where he accumulated most of his property, afterward returning to Wisconsin for a time, coming to Steele county in the spring of 1889 and purchasing eighty acres in Clinton Falls township and forty acres one mile east of Owatonna. The entire 120 acres is under the plow and in spite of poor health he has been successful in his farming operations. Much attention is given to dairying, graded stock being bred and raised. All modern improvements conducive to up-to-date farming and the comfort of the family have been added, the home being fitted with heat, gas and the other con- veniences. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party and has always taken an active part in local affairs, having served as county commissioner, chairman of township board of supervisors, president of Merton Creamery, president of Deer- field Insurance Company, vice-president of the Farmers' Ele- vator and Mercantile Company, secretary of Steele County Good Roads Association, and director of the school board.
Hle is now a member of the Minnesota Co-operative Dairies Association, for the marketing of Minnesota butter; secretary of Merton Telephone Company, and member of town board. In 1889 he was married to Anna Van Buren, by whom he has three children: Jessie R., attending the University of Minne- sota as a junior ; Charles .A., a graduate of the Owatonna high school ; and Osborne V. B., who is in his senior high school year. Joseph and Ruth Ann (Scott) Partridge. parents of our subject, were born and reared in Massachusetts and Nova Scotia, respec- tively. The father was a merchant and shipper of Boston for many years, but later removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming. He died in 1861. The mother deceased at Owatonna
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in 1885. Ten children were born to them, eight of whom are living. Martin and Rose (Buhlman) Van Buren, parents of Mrs. N. O. Partridge, resided in Wisconsin until the spring of 1901, when they moved to Owatonna. He died in 1904.
Conrad Henry Wilker, a well known farmer of Meriden town- ship, Steele county, was born in Guttenburg, la., August 22, 1854. Two years after his birth his parents came to Steele county and here he received his education in the district schools and grew to manhood. Leaving school, he assisted his father in the carrying on of the home farm until he became of age, and then engaged in farming on his own account, having since acquired a well improved and highly productive farm of 320 acres, well stocked with cattle and high-bred hogs of the Duroc-Red variety. As to political faith he is loyal to the Republican party and has ably served four years as county commissioner and is now round- ing out his fifteenth year as a member of the district school board. He has also filled numerous township offices. April 5. 1876, he was united in marriage with Dora Abbe, daughter of Henry Abbe, a resident of Meriden township, before his decease. Ten children have been born to this marriage: Martha, who is married to Fred Henkensiefken, a farmer of Berlin. has two children, James and Elsie; H. C., engaged in farming in Berlin township, is married to Lena Vanberg and has five children, Mamie, Oliver, Clarence, Alice and Ruby; John. a farmer of Meriden, is married to Martha Dinse, has one child, Irena ; Emma, is the wife, of Carl Ruel, a farmer of Summit township. and has two children, Esther and Mabel; Ella, now Mrs. Fred Dinse, has one child, Alma ; and Mary, Mathilda, Herman, Clara and Dora all live at home. The family are loyal adherents to the faith of the German Lutheran Church. Christopher Henry and Louisa (Ribbe) Wilker, parents of Conrad Henry, are natives of Hanover. Germany. The father emigrated to the United States at about the age of twenty-one, and after working on a canal for a time and seeing a good deal of the country, he finally located in Guttenburg. la .. where he followed farming. In 1856 he came to Steele county, together with other hardy pioneers, and homesteaded the farm now known as the Mrs. Brase place, in Meriden township, remaining here until 1890, when he removed to San Diego, Cal., where he now lives retired from active life. Ten children were born to him, six of whom are still living : John H., of Owatonna ; Conrad Henry, the sub- ject of this sketch ; Anna, wife of John Scholljegerdes, a farmer of Lemond township; William, engaged in farming in Summit township ; E. L .. a farmer of Havana township : and Mary, mar- ried to Frank Janke, a prominent fruit grower of California and interested in politics.
MR. AND MRS. C. IL. WILKER
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T. E. Barker, one of Medford township's substantial farmers, is a native of the state of New York. He was born in Homer, Cortland county, April 28, 1845. In 1863 the Barker family came to Minnesota and located in Lemond township, where the subject of this sketch attended the district school. Upon leaving school Mr. Barker followed farming and when about twenty-four years of age purchased railroad land in Lemond township. Here he lived and labored for eighteen years. Selling this property, he bought land in Medford township, which he cultivated for three years, then disposed of this farm and removed to Missouri, where he bought land and lived six years. Returning to Minne- sota, Mr. Barker rented a farm for a year before he secured the 162 acres in Medford township, upon which he still resides. In 1874 T. E. Barker was united in marriage to Clara Curtis. Their home has been blessed by eight children: Ella Grace, Clara B., now a teacher in Oregon; T. F. Barker, a farmer in Havana township; W. G. Barker, now a resident of North Dakota ; Charles B., deceased, W. S., Josephine and Esther still remain under the parental roof. Mr. Barker is a stanch Repub- lican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and holds the office of pathmaster in Lemond township. He is interested in all that promotes the prosperity of his home community and is a stockholder in the Medford Creamery. Barzillai Barker and Serena Chollar, his wife, parents of T. E. Barker, were natives, respectively, of Rhode Island and New York. Mr. Barker was a blacksmith by trade, but left this occupation to engage in farm- ing. In 1863 he came to Minnesota and located in Lemond township, where he bought land, but only lived one year after coming West. The mother died later on the old homestead.
Riley A. Case, a progressive farmer of Steele county, his birthplace, was born August 22, 1868. After receiving all the education possible in the neighboring district school he engaged in farming on the home place with his father, now having the entire management. The farm consists of 160 acres of well improved land in Somerset township and is well equipped with modern buildings and machinery, far different than it was in the early days when the grain was mowed with a scythe and a log cabin sufficed for a dwelling. A large herd of Durham cattle furnish milk of a grade which commands top prices at a neigh- boring creamery. Poland-China hogs are also a profitable fac- tor. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party. Phelps and Catherine (Powell) Case, parents of our subject, were among the earliest settlers of this county, the father coming here from Connecticut and pre-empting the quarter-section now owned by his son in 1856. Every man had to depend on himself in those days. and the hardships and privations discouraged all
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
but the stoutest spirits. Mr. Case proved to be of true pioneer stuff, however, and now lives with his wife on his son's farm, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. Nine children were born to him: William, the oldest is an architect at Duluth ; Addie May is deceased: Sam S. is engaged in the livery business at Rochester, Minn .: Delbert is connected with the wholesale firm of Stone. Ordey & Wells, of Duluth; Riley A., our subject ; Charles, a farmer of Dodge county ; Jeanette is married to E. H. Naylor, a farmer of Merton township : Mamie is the wife of T. A. Kuchenbecker ; and Frankie died in infancy. Phelps Case has always been an active member of the Republican party, serving for eighteen years as town clerk and in many school offices.
Alexander Chambers, a live and progressive farmer of Steele county, was born in Havana township, Steele county, January 12, 1873. The beginning of his education was received in the district schools of Havana, later attended Pillsbury Academy, and concluding with a course at Lawrence University, of Apple- ton, Wis. After leaving school he engaged in teaching five years and then bought a general store at Pratt, Minn., in partnership, with Willis Chambers, remaining in this business for two years. After disposing of his mercantile interests he purchased the farm which he now operates, consisting of a hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, mostly under cultivation. All machinery and buildings are of up-to-date style, a cement silo furnishing a large proportion of the feed for his herd of thoroughbred Hol- steins. He is actively interested in the Havana Creamery, having served as its president five years and as secretary and manager one. A large number of Yorkshire hogs add to the productive- ness of the farm. Mr. Chambers takes an active part in local politics as a Republican, now serving as chairman of the trustees of Havana village. June 28. 1899, he was married to Rose M. Crickmore, daughter of Robert Crickmore, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cham- bers, four of whom are living. Named in order of ages they are: Robert Burton, Lindsey Alexander (deceased), Emma Lucy, George William, and Charles Frank. George and Emma ( Burns) Chambers, parents of our subject, are natives of Belfast, Ireland, and New York, respectively. The father emigrated to this country at the age of twenty-one, locating in Cattaraugas county. New York, as a foreman on the Genessee Valley Canal. In 1856 he came to Steele county, shortly afterwards spending a winter in Winona, and then returned and purchased a farm in Havana township of Danforth Potter, on which he followed general farm- ing until his death in 1898. Ilis wife followed him to the great beyond seven years later. He was prominent in local politics, serving as a member of the town board many years. In religious
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1161
faith he was a Presbyterian and in his early days was an elder in the church of that denomination at Owatonna. Seven children were born to him: Sarah Isabel, wife of M. E. White, of Clare- mont ; Minnie May, married to Emery Reynolds, of Indianapolis ; Margaret Jane, now Mrs. W. E. Williams; Alexander, the sub- ject of this sketch ; William J., who operates a tiling machine in partnership with his two younger brothers, George J. and Frank R.
D. Searls, an old and prominent resident of Merton township. Steele county, was born in New York state, March 27, 1838. His education was received in the district schools, afterwards work- ing on his father's farm until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted with Company B. Thirty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, in May, 1861, the time of the first call to arms. His regiment formed part of the Army of the Potomac and he saw active service in all the battles of his regiment, among them being those of first and second Bull Run, in the latter of which he was wounded. South Mountain, Maryland, Antietam, Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville and Chantille. At the close of the struggle he was mustered out at Elmira, N. Y. Returning to civil life, in 1865, he migrated west and settled on eighty acres, which he has now increased to 200, in Merton township, Steele county. Single- handed he attacked the virgin soil, gradually bringing it up to its present state of productiveness. At first he lived in a rude log shanty, but this was soon supplanted by a comfortable frame dwelling. He has about one hundred acres under cultivation and does general farming, raising cattle and Poland-China hogs with much success. Roy, Ralph and Erwin, the three boys living at home, attend to the working of the place, though Mr. Searls takes an active part in the direction of affairs. In politics he is an adherent of the Republican party. James A. Goodwin Post, No. 81, Grand Army of the Republic, counts him a valued mem- ber. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Celestine Wallace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Putnam) Wallace, of Vermont. Six children have blessed this marriage: Walter, of the state of Washington ; and Marion, Gertrude, Roy, Ralph and Erwin, all living at home. The family attend the Methodist Church. Walter and Charlotte (Cook) Searls. parents of our subject, were born and raised in New York state, where the father followed farming up to the time of his death. The mother is also deceased. Eight children were born to them, four of whom are still living.
Peter Brosen, an energetic young farmer of Steele county, his birthplace, was born July 6, 1880. After receiving a common school education in the district schools and a thorough knowledge of farming on his father's farm he launched out for himself, now. carrying on extensive farming operations on 160 acres of his own
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in Section 26, Merton township, and on 400 adjoining which he rents. High-grade Durham cattle are raised, which supply cream of the best quality to a neighboring creamery, of which Mr. Brosen is a stockholder. Poland-China hogs are also a money- making factor. The house and barn, together with all the numer- ous outbuildings, have been remodeled and are now strictly up-to- date. As to political convictions he is a Republican, but has never aspired to office. In 1902 he was united in matrimony with Georgia Naylor, daughter of George and Jennie (Smart) Naylor, well known pioneer settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Brosen have two children : George N. and Lester Emerson. Nels and Mary (Scott) Brosen, parents of Peter, are natives of Denmark. In 1873 they emigrated to this country, farming it in Wisconsin for a year, and then removed to Merton township, Steele county, still residing on the old farm, consisting of forty- three acres, adjoining their son's property.
Wilhelm F. Wilker, one of Summit township's prosperous citizens, was a native of the state, having begun life in Meriden township, January 29, 1859. Here he went to school in a log cabin in the pioneer days of Minnesota. In 1880 Mr. Wilker was married to Minnie Mueller, daughter of Adolph Mueller. Nine children have been added to their home: Carl, living in Summit township; Bertha, living in Owatonna ; Anna, living in Arkansas; Minnie, now in Meriden township; August, Alma, Arthur, Elda and Wilhelm, Jr., still remain at home. Mr Wilker has a fine farm home of 160 acres in Summit township, twelve miles from Owatonna, where he has lived fourteen years. Prior to this he lived in Meriden township, also on a farm. A fine herd of Durham cattle thrive in his pastures, the milk from which is sold at the creamery. He raises Poland-China hogs and is pro- gressive in all his methods. Mr. Wilker is a member of the Lutheran Church, chairman of the township board, member of the town board and is a public-spirited citizen.
Leonard Virtue, who is serving his county as state representa- tive, is one of its most honored and respected citizens. He was born in Clinton Falls township. Steele county, April 2, 1865, receiving his education in the district schools, the Owatonna high school, and concluding with a course in Pillsbury Academy. Leonard then taught school for two terms, after which he assisted his father on the old home farm until 1888, when he removed to Owatonna and engaged in the flour, feed and grain business. Two years later he became associated with the Hastings and Diment Mills, known as the Hastings Milling Company after Mr. Diment's retirement in 1893. Mr. Virtue's business ability soon made itself felt, and when the company was re-incorporated after Mr. Hastings' death he was elected president, successfully
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managing the plant till 1907, when he disposed of his interest and removed to Blooming Prairie. Here he purchased what is known as the "Big Farm," consisting of six hundred acres of fine land, all in the corporate limits. On this magnificent estate Mr. Virtue still follows general farming, dairying and stock raising, having one of the finest hierds of Durham cattle in the state. The Democratic party counts him as a very active supporter, his wide popularity making him a valuable candidate. In 1890 he served the city of Owatonna as alderman of the Second Ward; 1895, he was elected mayor of the city, holding the office three times; and in 1907 he was appointed on the Owatonna state school board of control by Governor Jolinson for a term of six years. Two years later, in 1909, he was obliged to resign, having been elected state representative, which position he is now ably filling. During 1907 he was a member of the Owatonna free public library board for a few months, resigning shortly after his election on account of his removal to Blooming Prairie. Mr. Virtue was one of the stockholders in the old Security Bank of Owatonna. The Modern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Owatonna Gun Club count him an active member of their respective organizations. He was identi- fied with the Owatonna Commercial Club for several years. At Minneapolis, May 30, 1889, he was united in marriage with Mabel L. Carpenter. They have one child, Gladys L., who is a student of the Southern Minnesota Normal College at Austin, Minn. The family attend the Universalist Church. John and Mary A. (Dinnin) Virtue, parents of Leonard, are natives of Ireland. Emigrating to America in 1855, they settled in New York state till their removal, four years later, to Clinton Falls township, Steele county, Minnesota, where the father has been engaged in general farming ever since. His wife died on June 25, 1901.
Mathias P. Afdem, the well known poultry breeder of Bloom- ing Prairie, Minn., was born in Norway, August 1, 1871, where he acquired his education and had the usual experiences of a Norwegian farmer boy. In 1893 he left the fatherland and came to America, engaging as a hired man on a farm at Madelia, Minn., for three years. Then he removed to Chokio, Minn., where he engaged in the painting and decorating business until his removal to Blooming Prairie in 1900. Here he continued to follow his trade until 1909, when he launched into the poultry business to which he has devoted himself with much success ever since, making a specialty of raising and breeding thoroughbred stock of all the approved varieties. He has specialized to Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds, Single and Rose Comb White Orpingtons, Partridge Wyandottes, besides many others. Six incubators of the most modern type having a capacity of 1,500
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eggs, are kept continually in use. Mr. Afdem's trade is con- stantly increasing and his product is becoming more widely and favorably known each year. He is an adherent to the principles of the Republican party, but always votes for what he considers the best interests of the community. As to religious belief, the Lutheran Church claims him as a member. Peter 11. and Gurie Afdem, parents of our subject, were natives of Norway, where they followed farming all their lives. The father died in August, 1908. and the mother in December, 1893.
Thomas J. Rions, a native of Minnesota, was born in Dodge county July 24, 1860, a son of John P. and Angeline (Strock) Rions. Thomas J. received his education at the Concord public schools, after leaving school he worked as a clerk in a store in Dodge county for twelve years, and then worked at farming mintil 1892, when he came to Owatonna and took a position at the Forest Hill Cemetery until July 1, 1908, and since then has had charge of the Catholic Cemetery. He also does job printing at his home where he has a full equipment for this line of work. He was married on June 10, 1886 at Dodge Center, to Eva E. Race, a daughter of John J. and Lovina (Miller) Race, of New York state, who came west and located first in Wisconsin, and in 1875 moved to Dodge Center, Minn. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed this line of work all his life. He died February 19, 1883, and the mother died June 23, 1887. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rions: M. A., born December 4, 1890, now a teacher at Avon, S. D., and Raymond A., born August 8, 1898, living at home. They also have one adopted child. Ethel M., born April 6, 1895. In politics Mr. Rions is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees.
John P. Rions was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1820, the only child of George and E. Margaret Rions. The father died when J. P. was an infant and several years later the mother married William Pittman, who served in the war of 1812. J. P. left home when he was sixteen years of age, and then started out in life for himself. He was married December 29, 1841, to Maria Richardson, who died ten years later, leaving three children who are now dead. June 23, 1852, he married Angeline Strock, of Beaver, Pa., to whom was born eight children. After fourteen years working on the steamboats between Pittsburg, Pa., and Mobile, Ala., he came to Minnesota in 1855 and located in Concord, Dodge county. In the spring of 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, and in the spring of 1860 to the Yankton Sioux reservation. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Company E., Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
until mustered out at Ft. Snelling, September 16, 1865, at the close of the war. In 1887, he and his wife spent a season in their old home in Beaver, Pa. Mr. Rions died June 14, 1896.
Anton Burzisnski, a prominent member of the Owatonna fire department, was born in Medford, Minn., May 24, 1885, removing with his parents at the age of six years to Owatonna, where he received his education in the Sister's school. His school days over, he was engaged in various kinds of labor for several years, after which he became a drayman, being located in Owatonna, all the while, with the exception of five months spent in Grace- ville, Minn., during the year 1905. Outside of his regular work in the draying line, he is a very active and loyal member of the fire department, having his residence in the Firemen's Hall. In political faith, he is a stanch believer in the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Burzisnski is a popular member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the A. O. A. He is affiliated with the Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lanara Burzisnski, parents of our subject, are natives of Poland, emigrating to this country in 1875, and locating at Duluth, Minn., where they remained till their removal to Medford township, Steele county, in 1887. Here the father was employed as a railroad section hand for four years, then removed to Owatonna and took up farming on a small tract inside the city limits on which he is still engaged.
Benedik Melby, a prominent physician of Blooming Prairie, Minn., was born at Whitehall, Wis., July 24, 1878, shortly after- wards removing with his parents to Merillan, same state. He received his education in the public schools, graduating from the Merillan high school, and then entered the medical depart- ment of the Minnesota State University from which he was graduated in 1903. After some practical experience in hospital work, he went to Hayfield, Minn., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession till 1905. Dr. Melby then located in Blooming Prairie, succeeding Dr. Bakke, and has built up a large and growing city and country clientage, which he still enjoys. He is affiliated with the Steele County Medical Associa- tion, State Medical Association and the American Medical Asso- ciation, being highly esteemed by his professional brethren. The Modern Woodmen of America, Masons and Sons of Norway also number him among their loyal members. In politics he is a believer in the principles of the Republican party and takes an active interest in all that is for the good of his county and village. The Lutheran Church claims him as a member. Olaf and Johanna (Nelson) Melby, parents of Benedik, are natives of Norway, coming to this country in 1870, and settling at White- hall, Wis., where the father conducted a general merchandise business till 1888, when he removed to Merillan, Wis., and
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