USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 42
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 42
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now a clerk in the clothing house of Leuthold & St. Clair, of Owatonna, and Lelah May, born May 1, 1891, died April 18, 1908. Mr. Winship is a member of the Congregationalist Church and his political affiliations are with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are members of the B. A. Y. and of the U. C. T.
Anton J. Zwiener was born in Germany, March 16, 1846, son of Frank and Thresa Zwiener, natives of Germany. The parents emigrated to America in 1854, locating in New York state, where they remained for one year. In 1855 they removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where the father followed the trade of a cooper for three years. In 1858 they removed to Jefferson county and engaged in farming until 1876, when they moved to Steele county, Minnesota, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Blooming Prairie township. The father continued to farm here until 1909, when he retired from active life. He still makes his home on the old homestead with his son, a brother of our subject. The mother passed away July 28, 1907. Anton received his early education in Germany. Leaving his native land with his parents on his eighth birthday, he attended the public schools after arriving in Wisconsin. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Company F. Twenty-ninth Regiment Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry. He served until October, 1864, when he was honorably discharged on account of sickness. During his enrollment he was with his regiment in all its battles, the last being with Banks, on the Red river. In 1868 he engaged in farming in Winona county, where he remained for a period of six years. Then he farmed three years in Wisconsin. In 1878 he came to Blooming Prairie township and bought eighty acres of land. He erected a home, built outbuildings, and greatly improved the land, and has been engaged in general and diversified farming here ever since. He now has under construction a new modern house. Mr. Zwiener was married May 12, 1874, at Watertown, Wis., to Bertha Menzel. Nine children have blessed their home, viz .: Mary, now Mrs. James Feeney, of Minneapolis; Edward Il., who died in infancy ; Frank E., of Blooming Prairie: Lena, now Mrs. Carl Peterson, of Blooming Prairie village; Thresa, a bookkeeper in Portland, Ore .; Lawrence, who conducts a restaurant at Blooming Prairie ; Edwin, George, and Raymond. Mr. Zwiener is Democratic in his political views. In religious faith he adheres to the Catholic Church. He served the township as clerk from 1881 to 1893, and was again elected in 1906 and is still serving. He was instru- mental in the organization of the Union creamery, of which he is a stockholder. He is a highly respected citizen and has aided in the upbuilding of his community and Steele county.
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George M. Flinn, one of the flourishing farmers of Medford township, first saw the light of day on March 8, 1860, in Nova Scotia. Here his boyhood was spent and his schooling obtained. In April, 1879, he heard the call of the new West, and, coming to Minnesota, located in Medford township, where for five years he was employed by others. At the end of that time Mr. Flinn purchased two hundred and ninety-eight fertile acres, which he has since cultivated and on which he has made his home. He pays special attention to Holstein cattle and Yorkshire swinc. His wife was Alice Hankerson, to whom he was married in 1885. Mr. Flinn attends the Congregational Church, belongs to the Republican party, is a member of the K. of P., M. W. A., and has served on the town and school boards. Three sisters and three brothers shared his father's home with him: Ellen Congdon, who is dead; Mary Bergess, living in Connecticut ; Sarah, who died in infancy ; William: Everett R .: Herman A., who died in 1884. David and Sarah E. Flinn were the parents of George M. Flinn. The father was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1848. Mrs. Flinn was born in New Bruns- wick. They first located in Nova Scotia and lived there until 1886. In that year they moved to Minnesota, settling on a farm in Lyon county. Mr. David Flinn died there in 1899. His wife passed away in 1909. George O. and Eliza A. Hankerson were natives of Maine. They came to Minnesota in 1854, locating on a homestead in Medford township.
W. H. King was born in Lake county, Illinois, November 22, 1858. In 1866 he came to Minnesota with his parents, and received his early education in the district school of Merton township. Leaving school, he worked on the farm, and after his father's death he had charge of the farm, and has remained there, carrying on a general farming business. In 1891 his mother died, leaving him the owner of the home farm. During the same year he was married to Mary McDonald, daughter of Charles MeDonald and Louise Daugherty, his wife. They have four children : Arthur E. and Marjory R., graduates of the high school at Owatonna: Mary L., attending the Owatonna high school; Florence V., attending the district school. Mr. King affiliates politically with the Democratic party, is a member of the Catholic Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters. IIe has been clerk of the school district twenty-two years, and a member of the town board of supervisors. He is also a stock- holder in the Merton creamery and the Owatonna Farmers' Elevator Company. John King and Mary Bartley, his wife, parents of W. H. King, were natives of Ireland. They came to America at an early date, remaining in New York state for a time ; then came to Illinois, where they carried on a farm until
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1866, when they bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section thirty, Merton township, where they conducted a general farming business. Mr. King died in 1869. His wife lived until 1891 on the home farm.
H. A. Kruckeberg, an extensive land owner and farmer of Steele county, was born in this county, January 13, 1880. After concluding a common school education in the district schools he assisted in the management of the home farm for a time, prior to commencing farming operations on his own account. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of productive land in Steele and Dodge counties, on which he was personally engaged in farming until 1909, when he rented the place and moved to Owatonna, purchasing his present residence at 928 South Cedar. He is expecting to return to the farm and assume charge within a few months. October 25, 1902, he was united in marriage with Amelia Behne, daughter of August and Maria Behne, natives of Germany and now engaged in farming in Aurora township. Steele county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kruckeberg, three of whom are living: Clarence, Leora and Ethel. George, born February 25, 1903, died July 25, 1903; Walter, his twin, deceased March 24, 1907; and Sloyd, born November 1. 1906, died in April, 1907. The family attends wor- ship at the Lutheran Church. Fred and Sophia (Meyer) Krucke- berg, parents of our subject, came over from Germany in the carly sixties, locating in New York two months, and then two years in Illinois. Removing to Minnesota, the father home- steaded a farm in Aurora township, Steele county, on which he followed general farming until his death, November 24, 1894, at the age of sixty-three years, being known as a first-class farmer and good neighbor. The mother passed away May 14, 1892. All their eleven children-Sophia, Henry, John, Fred, Wilhelmenia, Anna. Ernest, Ida, Lizzie, George, and Herman- are living.
W. H. Kilty was born in Stillwater, April 18, 1866. His parents, Timothy and Abigail (Cashman) Kilty, who were natives of County Cork, Ireland, came to this country in the year 1865 and located at Stillwater, where they lived up to the time of their death. Mr. Kilty received his education at the St. Michael Catholic School, after which he went into the hide business, traveling the country, buying hides, wool, etc, for Kilty Brothers, of Stillwater. He followed this business with success until 1897, whence he came to Owatonna, where he formed a partnership with Mr. Willett. Together they suc- ceeded in establishing a flourishing business, which they con- tinued until 1909, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. Willett conducting the hide part of the business and Mr. Kilty entering
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into the rendering business, which he has conducted, buying hides and furs up to the present time. Mr. Kilty was married on January 11, 1893, to Miss Julia Frawley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Frawley, who are well-known prosperous farmers of Erin Prairie township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin. In his political views Mr. Kilty is a staunch Democrat, and is a member of the Catholic Church. He is also a member of the following orders: The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Catho- lic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, and United Commercial Travelers.
John J. Puetz, local manager and grain buyer for the Big Diamond Milling Company, of Pratt, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in the city of Milwaukee on November 27, 1870. John gained his early education in the district schools of Blue Earth county. Upon leaving school he took up railroad work in St. Paul with the St. Paul & Duluth Short Line, now the Northern Pacific, staying in this work from 1891 until 1895. During these four years he attended a night school in one of the business colleges of the city. Leaving his railroad work in the city, Mr. Puetz engaged in farming for two years, then for four years conducted a general merchandise business at Madison Lake, Minn. Selling out this business in 1907, he accepted a position as local manager and grain buyer for the Big Diamond Milling Company, at Pratt, Aurora township, which position he still maintains. On October 18, 1899, Mr. Puetz was united in marriage to Mary Mullerleile. They have three children-Nellie, born January 27. 1901; Irene M., born December 25, 1903, and Bernice J., born January 18, 1908. Mr. Puetz politically is a Democrat; is a member of the Catholic Church, and of the A. O. U. W. at Madison Lake. ITe served as village clerk for one year at Madison Lake, and was also a member of the village council for two terms. Mr. Puetz is a good citizen, respected by his community. Anton Puetz and Mary Scherkenbach, his wife, parents of John J. Puetz, were natives, respectively, of Germany and of Milwaukee, Wis. Anton Puetz came to America at seven years of age and located with his parents at Milwaukee. After receiving his education he learned the blacksmithing trade and was married to Miss Scherkenbach in Milwaukee in 1872. They then removed to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming until 1895. JIe then sold his farm and went to Madison Lake, where he lived a retired life. His wife died in 1882.
Cyrus M. Finch, the well-known and respected merchant of Clinton Falls, Steele county, was born in Clinton county, New York, September 22, 1847. At an early age he came west to Steele county with his parents, receiving an education in the
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district schools, and later engaged in farming, teaching school winters five years, and then devoted his entire attention to farm- ing, until 1904, when he purchased the store at Clinton Falls, which he still conducts. A complete line of general merchandise is carried. In addition to his mercantile business he has a well- improved farm of a hundred and sixty acres, all under cultiva- tion, with the exception of a few acres of pasturage. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party and is an ardent advocate of the temperance cause. He is now serving as path- master of Clinton Falls, and he served a term as county commis- sioner several years ago. The Order of Yeomen numbers him among its loyal brethren. April 27, 1869, he was married to Martha Huston, a native of Wisconsin, and her parents of New York. They have four children: Maud S., a graduate of Pills- bury Academy and of the University of Minnesota, is principal of the high school at LeRoy, Minn .; Blanche Helen is the wife of Judson L. Day, a dentist at LeRoy, and has three children, Ruth, Laura and Eleanor; Walter J. is connected with a bank at Winona, Minn .; and Ruby is attending Carleton College. The family is prominent in the Baptist Church, the father serving as trustee and deacon. James M. and Minerva (Moses) Finch, parents of our subject, were natives of New York, the father being a surveyor. In 1855 they came west with other hardy pioneers and located in Steele county, where the father acquired a farm, dividing his attention between farming and surveying, acting as county surveyor. He was a War Democrat, and a deacon in the Baptist Church many years. He died in 1873 and his wife in 1879. Four children were born to them. Lucretia (deceased) was married to W. A. Williamson-Steele county's first marriage; Tyler B. is living at Henry, S. D .; Albert C. (deceased) ; and Cyrus M.
William Ferrington was born in New York state, Novem- ber 15, 1856. He is a son of Abner E. and Caroline (Tabor) Ferrington, both natives of New York, who came west to Wis- consin in 1858 and engaged in farming until 1863, when they removed to West Concord, Minn., where they followed farming until 1867, when they came to Steele county and took a home- stead in Blooming Prairie township and followed general farm- ing until 1883, thence going to Redwood county, where they passed the remainder of their days. The father died August 23, 1891, and the mother died September 3, 1867. William received his education at the district schools and then took up farming with his father until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1882 he started out for himself and purchased an eighty-acre farm in Blooming Prairie township, section thirteen. He added to this until he had two hundred and sixty acres, but later sold
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one hundred acres, and now has a quarter section of well- developed and well-tilled land upon which he follows general farming. He was married on March 16, 1880, to Addie Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Smith. Mr. Smith was at that time a prominent farmer of Blooming Prairie township, now retired and living in Blooming Prairie village. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferrington: Luther R., a farmer, of Blooming Prairie township; Tabor W., Clarence, Olive B., William L., and Bessie A., all living at home. Mr. Ferrington is a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He served his township as a member of the board of supervisors for fourteen years and served on the school board from 1894 until 1909. He is now serving his second term of four years as county commis- sioner. He is a director of the Blooming Prairie Separator Creamery Company and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Eleva- tor, of Blooming Prairie. He is respected and esteemed by all who know him.
Charles H. De Long, marble and granite worker of Owatonna. was born in St. Lawrence county, New York state, October 18, 1862, son of Richard and Harriett De Long, natives of New York and Vermont, respectively. They emigrated west in their early days, locating at Owatonna township in 1865. Here the father bought one hundred and twenty acres of farm land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed up to the time of his decease. November, 1883. The mother is still living in Min- neapolis. Charles received his early education in the district schools, which was supplemented by a course at Pillsbury Academy, Owatonna. After leaving school in 1884 he went to South Dakota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, remaining there six years. He returned to Owatonna in 1891 and engaged in farming on the old homestead for a period of one year. He then engaged in the marble and granite industry, representing that business as a traveling salesman, which he continued to do for four years. Later he purchased the Owatonna Marble and Granite Works, also the Stone Marble Works. He is the sole owner and proprietor of this business and is conducting a very extensive and prosperous business. He has a number of men traveling, representing the firm in Minnesota and also in Iowa. He is also carrying on farming in connection with his business, having a farm of two hundred acres in Meriden township. where he carries on general and diversified farming. Mr. De Long was married April 27, 1896, at Pine Island, Goodhue county, Minnesota, to Mrs. Jane Wun- derlich, of Cherry Grove. Their home is blessed with one child, Richard, born October 26, 1898. Mr. De Long is a Democrat in
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politics. In religious faith he adheres to the Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the M. W. A. and the U. C. T. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. De Long is located at 112 East Vine street. Mr. De Long is an enterprising business man.
Patrick J. Brennan was for forty years a highly respected and prominent citizen of Owatonna, upon the affairs of which city he left his impress as a man of sound common sense and shrewd business intelligence. He was one of the familiar figures of Owatonna life and took an active interest in all local matters, being so well versed in the subject of municipal and public interests that his opnion was considered one of weight even outside of his large circle of acquaintances. Patrick J. Brennan was born in Waterford, Ireland, on St. Patrick's day, March 17, 1835. When fifteen years of age he crossed the ocean to the United States and landed in New York City, where he remained several years and received one year's schooling. From there he worked westward through Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. lle then engaged in railroad contracting for him- self, and laid many sections of roads in the western states. February 13, 1858, he was married at Beaver Dam, Wis., to Mary A. Quinn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Quinn, of that place. In 1866 he went to St. Paul and lived there some time, building railroads out of that city. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway at that time was built as far south on this divi- sion as Faribault, and from that city Mr. Brennan was instructed to work south. Accordingly, he laid the section of track from Faribault to Owatonna. His associations in Owatonna were so pleasant and he was so favorably impressed with the city that he decided to move his family here. They arrived shortly after- ward and have since maintained a family residence in this city. For many years Mr. Brennan enjoyed the reputation of being one of the oldest and most successful contractors of the North- west and was identified with the construction of many of the leading systems. Six years before his death he retired from active work, having accumulated enough worldly wealth to live comfortably in his old age. His handsome home was erected where it now stands, and his later years proved to be ideal for a man of his age. Not only was Mr. Brennan closely associated with the welfare of Owatonna, but he was a liberal giver toward whatever interests would help Owatonna most, and this liberal policy stamped him as a true Irish-American gentleman-as a man of sterling quality, honest and true to his friends and kind to all. Mr. Brennan was loved by his family, and his taking away was a great shock to his bereaved wife and children. To Mrs. Brennan he was ever devoted, doing all he could to
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make her home life pleasant. An unkind word never passed his lips for any member of his family, and he succeeded in making his immediate home happy at all times. To his children he was the same, and held the place a loving father should in their heart of hearts. Mr. Brennan was a Roman Catholic and contributed liberally to that cause. He voted the Democratic ticket, but, though often urged by his friends. never cared to accept public office. He was a popular member both of the Knights of Columbus and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brennan was made happy by the presence of seven children. Edward worked as a contractor with his father until January 7, 1907, when he died while on a visit to his mother in Owatonna, leaving to mourn his loss a widow and three children. Agnes Brennan was married to Terrence J. Lilly, November 9, 1886. To them were born six children, four of whom are living-Edward, George, Eugene and Richard. She died in November, 1901. Nellie Brennan was married to John C. Burke, of Owatonna. To them was born one child, Mary Elizabeth, who died at about the age of eight months. Mr. Burke died November 1, 1891. John W., Alice and Eliza- beth, the fourth, fifth and sixth children, all died in infancy. Mary L. lives at home with her mother. Mr. Brennan died April 11, 1906, and his death caused universal mourning through- out the community in which he had occupied so important a place.
Edward J. Brennan, after giving promise of becoming one of the foremost railroad contractors of the Northwest, was dili- gently following in his father's footsteps when cut off by death, January 8, 1907. He was born at Beaver Dam, Wis., Novem- ber 13, 1858. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Owatonna, where Mr. Brennan made his home until his twenty-first birthday, at which time he went to work for his father, Patrick J. Brennan, assisting him in his large contract work in railroad construction. He was with his father for about eighteen years, and during that time a partnership was formed which lasted until the latter's death. Subsequent to that time E. J. Brennan followed the same line of work, and his success was most flattering. He engaged in building many railroads in the Northwest. His last contract was for the stretch of road between Albert Lea and Mankato. He was married Novem- ber 15, 1887, to Jennie E. O'Toole, daughter of William and Anne O'Toole. This union was blessed with five children- Ruth, Edward and Robert, living; Mary and Agnes, deccased. Mr. Brennan's death left a vacancy in a wide circle of friends. He possessed those same qualities which were so prominent in his father, and during his boyhood days in Owatonna he achieved
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a popularity among his companions which followed him until his lamented death.
Fred Haberman was born May 9, 1860, in Ceska, Trebova, Bohemia, where he received his carly education. Coming to America with his parents in 1871, he attended the district school in Blooming Prairie township, and since has followed farming. June 21, 1883, Fred Haberman was united in marriage to Rosa Fisher. They have nine children, all living. Fred, a painter and carpenter, lives at home ; William is in a nursery office at Clinton Falls; Anna, a dressmaker, at home; Libbic, Robert, Henry, Helen, Nora and Emily, also at home. Mr. Haberman is inde- pendent in politics, voting for men rather than party. He is a prosperous farmer, has extensively improved the one hundred and nineteen acres, most of which is under cultivation and meadow. He keeps full-blood Holstein cattle. Chester White and Poland-China hogs, and conducts a general farming and dairy business. Mr. Haberman is interested in all that helps in the progress of his community; was secretary of the Union creamery five years ; has served two years on the town board; is school treasurer, and has been treasurer and secretary of the Cemetery Association for the past eight years. Wencl Haber- man and Rose Stangler, his wife, parents of Fred Haberman, were natives of Bohemia. where he was a weaver. In 1871 they came to the United States, locating on the farm in Summit township where he spent the remainder of his life. Ten chil- dren were born to this couple, of whom five are living-Wencle, of Summit township; Jacob, of Blooming Prairie; Fred, the subject of this sketch; Rosie Scykora, of Brownsville, Minn .; and Theresa Wencl. Mr. Haberman died in 1893; his wife in 1905. Frank Fisher and Theresa Rehak, his wife, parents of Rosa Fisher, were natives of Bohemia, where they followed farming. About 1847 they came to America, locating in this county, where the mother died in 1887. Mr. Fisher survived until 1910.
Orison M. Jones, for many years a prominent and up-to-date farmer of Havana township, Steele county, was born in Mc- Henry county, Illinois, April 18, 1853. At an early age he came to this county with his parents, who homesteaded a hundred and twenty acres in section nineteen of Havana township, and here he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the crude dis- trict schools of those pioncer times. His school days over, he engaged in farming with his father, later coming into possession of the place. It then had only an old log house on it, but he gradually erected new buildings of the most approved type, planted trees, and added other improvements until he had one of the model farms of the county. He always gave much of his
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