USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 49
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 49
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moved to Waseca county, again taking up the battle of life on a farm, and proving himself of the true pioneer stuff, capable of enduring the hardships of those early days. Mr. Bell remained engaged in the cultivation of his tract, and teaching school win- ters, until 1879, when he entered into the implement business in Faribault, Rice county, Minn., remaining in this line ten years and meeting with unusual success. His next venture was in flour, feed, seed and grain business, in which he is still engaged, together with his son. H. P., the firm being known as the Fari- bault Seed Company, the father acting as president and manager. The company is doing an extensive and flourishing business and its products are widely and favorably known throughout this section of the Northwest. In politics Mr. Bell adheres to the teachings of the Republican party, and is keenly interested in the welfare of his city and county. He served as assessor several years while in Warsaw township. The Masonic order numbers him among its loyal members. July 10, 1862, he was united in marriage with Eliza W. Patterson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Patterson, the father a prominent farmer of Warsaw township for many years. He is now deceased, as is his wife. Mrs. Bell died August 6, 1907, leaving five children, three others -Frank, Estey and Ellis-having previously died. The other children are: M. E .. of Aberdeen, S. D .; Arthur G., of Tahoma Falls, Ore .: Armina J., now Mrs. T. B. Brown, of Faribault ; Blanche E .. of Faribault ; and H. P., who is in partnership withi his father. The family residence is on Fourth street. Mr. Bell also owns another residence on Lincoln avenue. The Methodist Episcopal church counts the family among their valued mem- bers. Alfred and Phoebe A. (Goodale). parents of our subject. were born and reared in Massachusetts: afterwards moved to Saratoga county, York state, where the father followed farming till his death, in 1842. His wife died in '65: was buried in South Egremont Cemetery, Bershire county, Massachusetts.
Emery Russell Bloomer was born in Morristown township. Rice county, Minnesota. April 4, 1872, and is a son of Colman and Sarah J. Russell Bloomer. Our subject's great-great-grand- father Bloomer was kidnaped in England and brought to Amer- ica. He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade in New York. and there died at the age of one hundred and two years. William Bloomer, a grandson of this centenarian, was a native of New Jersey. He was a millwright and built a grist and saw mill on his large farm in Fayette county, Ohio, where he married Sarah nee Paul. They moved to Wabash county, Indiana. in 1839. and there died in 1846. William Bloomer's son, Coleman, our sub- ject's father, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, March 15, 1834. He was left an orphan when twelve years old and had but
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meager educational privileges. In the summer of 1855 he ac- companied to Rice county, Minnesota, an invalid brother, who passed away June 20, 1856. Here he pre-empted and settled on the northwest quarter of section thirty-four, Morristown town- ship, and has lived there continuously ever since, the place being known as Pleasant Ridge. In 1864 he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers, infantry, and under General Sulley helped to drive the Indians through the bad lands into Canada, and later served in the War of the Rebellion, being stationed at Charlotte, N. C. He has always taken a deep interest in religious affairs, and the first Methodist Epis- copal church society and Sunday school in Morristown township was organized in his cabin in 1856 by the Rev. A. V. Hisscock. On December 20, 1859, he married Lydia C. Pool, who died July 7. 1866, leaving two children, viz .: Florence May and Ella Alice. On October 24, 1867, he married Mrs. Sarah J. (Russell) Soule and they have five children, named, respectively, Olive Patience, born September 20, 1868; our subject : Lee Coleman, born January 11, 1874; Jesse Hartwell, born February 27, 1881. and Lloyd Chester, born December 14, 1887. Mr. Bloomer is a strong advocate of temperance and both he and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Elmer Russell Bloomer. Our subject acquired his education in the district schools of Morristown township and at the Fari- bault high school. On attaining his majority he located a home- stead in South Dakota and lived there five years. Selling his interest there. he returned home and turned his attention to dairy farming on seventy acres which he bought in section twenty-six, Morristown township. He has the place finely im- proved, well fenced and all under cultivation and well stocked. Mr. Bloomer has remodeled the barn, which has a capacity of thirty-five tons of hay, and built two splendid silos, twelve feet in diameter, with twenty-six-foot posts. He is a man of force and influence in the community and has been called to fill numerous local offices, among others, that of town clerk, by election four years and by reappointment to complete the unex- pired term of Mr. Charles Mckenzie. He is secretary of the Morristown Creamery, also holds membership in the Modern Brotherhood of America and is senior warden of Cannon River Lodge, No. 52, Morristown, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is an earnest advocate of temperance, and since he was sixteen years old has been a loyal and active church worker. He was for a number of years in his earlier life iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal church, but after his mar- riage joined the Congregational church, with which he is now affiliated. On June 21, 1899. Mr. Bloomer married Miss Ger-
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trude, daughter of George and Ella (Nichols) Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer have no children of their own, but have taken to raise and educate a brother and sister-Leslie and Edna. Mrs. Bloomer's father. a native of Vermont, was born in 1846, the son of John and Martha (Schofield) Davis, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont. The father, George Davis, moved from Vermont when he was fifteen years old, with his family, and settled in Warsaw town- ship, Rice county, where he improved a fine farm and reared his family, and where he died about 1886. His wife died there about 1876. George Davis was the fourth child in order of birth of their family of two sons and three daughters, and suc- ceeded to the family homestead, whence he moved to Morris- town township, and from there to the village of Morristown in 1900.
O. Benson, one of the respected and well-to-do citizens of Northfield, Minn., was born in Sweden on August 11, 1834. On attaining his majority, in 1855, he came to the United States. and lived one year at Knoxville, Ill., whence he removed to Red Wing, Minn. While there he took up a claim near Cannon Falls. In 1858 Mr. Benson settled at Northfield, and owned a blacksmith shop and for eighteen years carried on a successful business. In 1876 he closed out his business and, going to Dakota county, purchased and settled on a farmi of 340 acres in Sciota township, and for thirty years devoted himself to its improvement and cultivation with eminent success. Mr. Benson made a specialty of dairy farming and breeding fine stock, par- ticularly Poland China hogs, and his place, with its modern equipment and appliances, came to be widely known as one of the model farms in the county. In 1906 Mr. Benson retired from his farm and and took up his permanent residence in Northfield, in his commodious and pleasant home on Union avenue. In 1908 he sold a portion of his farm land, but still retains a quarter section, which he leases. Throughout his life Mr. Benson has been a hard worker and by wise management and thrift has acquired an ample competence, and richly deserves the esteem in which he is held by all who know him. He is an active member and generous supporter of the Swedish Lutheran church, and in all that related to the betterment of his com- munity has always shown a commendable interest. In political sentiment he is a Republican, but in voting is not bound by party lines, always supporting the candidate whom he thinks best qualified and fitted for the office sought. In 1859 Mr. Benson married Betsy Johnson, and they have six children : Nels, Theodore, Oscar, Maude, Anna and Ella, all of whom are happily married and comfortably settled.
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Wilbur N. Bowman is a native of Marquette county, Wis- consin, and was born June 2, 1862, to W. P. and Lestina (Boynton) Bowman, natives of New York. His father, a farmer by occupation, after the close of the war, in which he served, moved to Osage, lowa, in 1865, and there bought a quar- ter section of land and carried on farming nine years. In 1874 he went to Clay county, Iowa, and was there engaged in the coal business and draying until his retirement, in 1897. Ile now lives at Spencer, in Clay county. The mother died in 1906. Wilbur N. received his schooling at Osage and Spencer and learned the printer's trade in the office of the "Spencer Reporter." Going to Dell Rapids, S. D., in 1883, he was there in the machinery business four years, and, selling out in 1886, he spent the next three years as traveling salesman for D. M. Osbourn & Co. After this he worked as a printer in various towns and cities, learning the linotypes in the office of the "Sioux City Tribune," Sioux City, Iowa. Later, associated with Mr. W. M. Dynes, bought the necessary machinery and under the firm name of Dynes & Bowman carried on a gen- eral linotype composition business one year. He then sold his interest in the business, and September 1. 1908, established himself at Faribault, where he has since continued as proprietor of the Faribault Composition Company, which does high class composition for the trade. Mr. Bowman is an active, energetic man, and takes an interest in various organizations, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Workmen. He is independent in his political opinions, and in religions matters is affiliated with the Congregational Church. On January 5, 1885, Mr. Bowman married Miss Nellie Mckay, whose parents, Cyrus and Livia A. (Porter) Mckay moved from Pennsylvania, their native state, to Decorah, Iowa, where they made their home and where the mother now resides. The father, who was an accountant by occupation, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have had four children, of whom the eldest, Lyle, died in infancy; Clifford L. lives at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Jessie Alice and Lloyd Porter live at home. Miss Jessie was graduated from the high school in 1910.
Charles Bollenbach was born in Wheeling, Cook county. Illinois, February 24, 1865. He is a son of M. and Magdeline (Barbaras) Bollenbach, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1855 and located in Cook county, Illinois. The father was a farmer by occupation and purchased a farm in that county, on which he did general farming up to 1893, when he retired and moved to Palatine, Ill., where he and his wife are still living. Charles Bollenbach was educated in the district
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schools of Illinois, and after leaving school worked on his father's farm until he came to Minnesota, in 1886. He worked out for three years and then bought a farm of eighty acres, and later acquired an additional eighty acres, on which he still lives and carries on general farming and stock raising. He was married on June 4, 1891, to Hannah Knopf, a daughter of Adam and Louisa (Clump) Knopf, natives of New York state. He came to Illinois at an early day with his parents, where they lived until 1856, when he came to Minnesota and located in Wheeling township. He bought a farm and has carried on general farming up to the present time. Mrs. Knopf died in 1876. Two children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bollenbach: Milton H. and Lyle C., both living at home. In politics Mr. Bollenbach is a Republican. He has been mayor of Nerstrand since the village was incorporated, in 1897, and still holds that office. He has been treasurer of School District No. 111 since 1901, and is a director of the Farmers' State Bank.
Helge A. Boe, for many years a hardware merchant of Northfield, was born in Norway, at Vang, Walders, July 17, 1849, and in 1864 emigrated to America, going direct to Decorah, Iowa, where he entered the school and attended one year, after which he and his brother decided to come west, and walked the entire distance from Decorah to Northfield, where they secured employment for a time, after which they engaged in the hardware business, in 1879, in partnership with A. R. Manning, and continued for about fifteen years, when Mr. Boe bought his partners' interests and continued to conduct the business alone. Part of his present store, which fronts on Main street, was at the time of the Northfield robbery occupied by the First National Bank. and in this building Mr. Haywood was killed by the robbers. Mr. Boe has built up a large and prosperous business, and carries a complete stock of hardware. He also owns a farm in Bridgewater township, located about two and one-half miles from Northfield. He was married to Mary Lajord, a native of Norway, who was brought by her parents to America when an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Boe have had four children, one of whom died in infancy. Aslak M., Bertha A. and Anna I. The family faith is that of the Nor- wegian United Lutheran Church, of which they are regular attendants.
Anders T. Brandvold, holder of extensive real estate inter- ests in Rice county, was born in Norway, April 7, 1846, and there received his earlier education, coming to America in 1862. at the age of sixteen years. He located first at Faribault, farmed two years. and then clerked for some time in a store. In 1869 he opened a general store and conducted same until
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1888. The rich lands of North Dakota were then attracting general attention, and Mr. Brandvold decided to try his for- tunes there. Accordingly, he shipped his goods to that state, and conducted the business a couple of years. Later he sold his stock and shipped horses to Dakota for a number of years and engaged in the real estate business. Mr. Brandvold always resided at Faribault, and though he is now practically retired, he still deals in real estate to some extent. Mr. Brandvold has been prominently identified with public affairs. He served on the school board ten years and was city treasurer of Fari- bault two years. IFc has been one of the trustees of St. Olaf College at Northfield twelve years and was cashier of the same institution four years. He is a trustec of Zion Lutheran church and has been treasurer of that institution since 1870. Andrew T. Brandvold was married July 10, 1877, in Goodhue town- ship, this state, to Sissel Haugen, daughter of Knute and Martha (Austinson) Haugen, prominent farmers of Holden township, Goodhuc county. To this union were born three sons. Arthur is a traveling salesman in California, Cornelius is in the laundry business in Faribault, and Gust O. is book- keeper in the Security National Bank, Faribault. The parents of A. T. Brandvold were Torkel and Gunver (Finseth) Brand- vold, natives of Norway, the former of whom died at the age of ninety-seven years, and the latter at the age of ninety-five.
Horace Everett Barron, now deceased, came of a family of American patriots, noted in the annals of United States history, and himself added much to the family name by his life and work, more notably in connection with the public institutions here located. Business methods introduced by him are still in vogue in these institutions. Mr. Barron was a notable type of the true American gentleman. Of ancient and illustrious lineage. he was nevertheless of a democratic and affable nature, com- bining the best of the traditions of New England with the expansiveness and breadth of the northwest. His influence on the little hamlet of Faribault in the earliest days, and upon the city of Faribault in later years, has never fully been meas- ured. He was born in Bradford, Vt., March 21, 1826, and spent his early boyhood on his father's farm, growing to sturdy boyhood and young manhood. An old-fashioned district school afforded him his first educational training, after which he at- tended Bradford Academy and Norwich University, becoming especially proficient in the mathematical branches. When about eighteen years of age he joined the engineering party that made the first survey of the railroad from White River Junction to Derby Line (in Vermont), and was thus engaged for four years, until the road was completed and the cars in
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operation between White river and Wells river. The news- papers of the East were then filled with stories of the vast opportunities of the middle West, and in the fall of 1850 Mr. Barron went to Chicago, where for five years he was traveling representative for wholesale houses in that vicinity, traveling in the three states of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. In Octo- ber, 1855, he came to Faribault, then a straggling village with several log cabins and a very few frame dwellings. Strangers were coming into the city rapidly, and many who came to take up claims were locating in the village while waiting to go on their farms. Consequently, Mr. Barron saw an opening for a good hotel. Therefore he purchased a site, and in the spring of 1856 he erected the Barron House. In 1862 the death of his only brother, William T., necessitated his return to Chicago, to look after his brother's affairs. Two years were spent in settling the estate, and in 1864 Mr. Barron came back to Fari- bault, and again took up the active management of his hotel. In 1870 he built a stone addition to this house, leaving the frame part as an annex. The place became known as one of the finest of its day in Minnesota. In 1879 it was leased, and in March, 1881, it was destroyed by fire, the total loss being $25,000. only $12,000 being covered by insurance. The sub- ject of this sketch held various municipal offices, and in 1874 was a member of the state legislature, serving as chairman of the committee on ways and means. He became a director of the state institution for the deaf, dumb and blind in Faribault. and served many years as president of the board of directors of that institution. In 1882. after the internal reorganization of the institute, Mr. Barron resigned as president and became steward and superintendent of construction. At the entire reorganization of the institution, under the name of the Minne- sota Institute for Defectives, by the legislature of 1887, Mr. Barron retained this position. and served until his death, Feb- ruary 26, 1892. So highly were his services esteemed that Barron Ilall, at the school for the deaf, was named in his honor. In politics Mr. Barron was a Whig. Later he became a Republican, and was a delegate to a number of conventions. although he never cared for political life, except on such occa- sions as would promote the interests of his friends. Ile was a member of the Episcopal church and a high degree Mason. Horace E. Barron was married February 22, 1876, in St. George's church, at St. Louis, Mo, to Kate Gray, born in Chi- cago, January 2, 1847, daughter of James L. Gray, a merchant on North Clark street, Chicago. James L. Gray died December 23, 1859, and his wife, Estelle (Cummings) Gray, of Virginia, died August 15, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Barron had four children.
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Marie, Elsie and Kate are dead. Mary G., born January 26, 1880, is a teacher in the Minnesota School for the Deaf.
William Trotter Barron, only and elder brother of Horace E. Barron, graduated from the University of Vermont and took up the practice of law in Chicago, being for several terms judge in Cook county. He was killed by a railroad accident at Kenwood Station, Chicago, in 1862.
William Barron, great-grandfather of Horace, was a scout during the French and Indian War, and commanded a company from Lyndeboro, N. H., in the Revolutionary War. lle had seven brothers also in this war. He was born in Westford, Mass., and died in Lyndeboro, N. H., but the family originated from Watertown, Mass., the first of the name appearing on the records there in 1640.
Micah Barron, grandfather of Horace, was born in Tyngs- boro, Mass., adjoining Chelmsford, in 1763; moved to Brad- ford, Orange county. Vermont, in 1788, and engaged in lum- bering and farming. For twenty-three years he was sheriff of Orange county and was the man sent to Canada to arrest Stephen Burroughs, the noted counterfeiter and desperado. Micah Barron was at one time colonel of a regiment in the state militia, and rose to the rank of brigadier-general.
William Barron, father of Horace, was less than a year old when his parents moved to Bradford. The maiden name of his second wife, mother of Horace. was Hannah Davis Brooks, who had two brothers in the Canadian parliament. William Barron, like his father, served in the state militia, and rose to the rank of colonel. He was appointed by the first President Harrison to be United States marshal for the district of Ver- mont. He ended his days at Hartford, Conn., at the age of eighty-six years.
George Buchanan, supervisor of the township of Cannon City, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, December 1, 1857. and came to Cannon City township, Rice county, with his parents at the age of ten years. He received his education in the district schools, and has since continued farming on the home place. which consists of 120 acres. Before entering upon the duties of his present office he served several terms as super- visor. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for nearly five years. Mr. Buchanan is an estimable citizen in every respect and is held in high honor in the community where he has resided since early boyhood.
William Buchanan, and Jane Sloan Buchanan, his wife, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Cannon City township in November, 1867. and his widow is still living. Mr. Buchanan died in 1870. They had eight children: Evelyn, deceased ;
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Sarah J., of Cannon City village ; Thomas; George; Addie, wife of Edward McKieby, of Bridgewater township ; John, deceased ; Annie, a school teacher, living at home, and Mary Elma, a stenographer and school teacher in California. The family religion is that of the Christian church.
Amos H. Bice, retired farmer, of Faribault, and veteran of the Civil War, was born in Sandusky, Ohio, August 25, 1846, and came to Wolcott township, this county, with his parents in 1859, as a youth of thirteen years. He received his educa- tion in the public schools and remained with his father until sixteen years of age, joining the Union Army August 13, 1862. twelve days before his birthday. He enlisted at Prairieville, joined his company at Northfield, and was mustered in at Ft. Snelling as a private in Company A, Seventh Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry. He saw service for three years and was mus- tered out at Fort Snelling August 17, 1865. He then resumed farming with his father. In 1869 he bought forty acres in Wal- cott township, added land until he owned 120 acres, and suc- cessfully conducted farming operations until 1901, when he sold out to his son and retired, moving to Faribault. During his residence in Walcott township he served on the town board, was a member of the school board and served the town in other ways. Ile is a popular member of the Michael Cook Post, No. 123, G. A. R. Mr. Bice was married November 16, 1869, at Prairieville, to Sarah C. Cloce, born September 4, 1850, daughter of William Cloce, prominent resident of Richland township. Mr. Cloce was born September 9, 1827, and died April 12, 1893. Mrs. Cloce was born July 19, 1828, and is now residing at Fari- bault. To. Mr. and Mrs. Bice were born three children: Cora C., born August 16, 1870, is the wife of Carl Swartwood, of Minneapolis ; Mary E., born February 24, 1872, is the wife of O. V. Sherpy, of Northfield : George F., born June 16, 1874, owns the old homestead. He married Pearl Austin. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. The parents of Amos H. Bice were John and Mary (Johnson) Bice, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Minnesota in 1859 and located in Walcott town- ship, where they followed general farming. The father was born January 15, 1819 ,and died May 29, 1886. The mother was born February 3, 1825, and died October 10, 1868.
James Buchanan, a farmer, of Cannon City township, was born in West Middletown, Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1826, son of William and Sally (Piles) Buchanan, natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The father was a shoemaker. He died in Cannon City township in 1881. His wife died in Pennsylvania in 1838. James received his early education in Pennsylvania, and then for several years farmed.
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