USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 54
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
1301
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
in 1900. The mother died in 1893. Mr. Davison went to the public school at Reeds Landing in his younger days and later attended Jones Commercial College at St. Louis, and at the University of Minnesota for one year. After leaving school he worked on the river for two years and then engaged in the drug business at Reeds Landing for three years, and at Groton, N. D., for four years. He then went back to the river and was a pilot until 1905. In 1896 he bought a farm in Forest township, on which he moved in 1905, and since that time has been engaged in breeding Holstein cattle and in general farming. He was married in 1886 to Bertha L. Gregg, a daughter of Lyman and Wilhelmina (Holzer) Gregg. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Davison: Lyman, living at home; Ethel Bertha, now of Minneapolis, Pauline Rose, who died in 1902, and Margaret M., also living at home. Mr. Davison attends the Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of the Blue Lodge Chapter of Masons. In his political views he is a Democrat. He has held the office of school clerk of district No. 29 for five years, and he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Faribault and in the Forest Creamery.
John F. Donaldson, who has lived in Rice county, Minnesota, more than half a century, was born June 17, 1833, in Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of Charles and Dorcas (Felton) Donaldson, both natives of that state. The father was a tailor by trade. He also owned a farm, with rich coal mines, which yielded him con- siderable profit. He moved with his family to Wells county, Indiana, in 1849, and thence to Rice county, Minnesota, in 1861, and was engaged in farming till his death in 1881. The mother ‹lied in 1882. John F. was reared on his father's farm in Penn- sylvania and there attended the public schools. After the family moved to Indiana and after attaining his majority he was em- ployed as clerk in a general store of Mr. John Studebaker, at Bluffton, for two years. At the earnest solicitation of a friend, he moved to Minnesota, making the trip (March, 1856) over- land in twenty-six days, and took up a claim four miles from Dundas and proceeded to make a home. He first built a house of rough logs, which was supplanted by a house of hewn logs two years later. Besides improving his farm, he operated a saw mill for a time, and engaged in teaming, hauling logs. At the opening of the Civil War in 1861 Mr. Donaldson responded to President Lincoln's call for men and enlisted and served with the Eleventh Regiment Minnesota Volunteers in the Army of the Cumberland. He served through the war, and after his dis- charge returned home and resumed his work of clearing land. hewing logs for the houses of pioneers, taking contracts for sup- plying wood and furnishing railroad ties, among these being a
130? HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
contract for clearing the right of way for the Milwaukee rail- road and a contract for supplying wood to Carleton College and St. Olaf's College, which he has continued for thirty-six winters, having in his employ all that time Captain Tonkey, who assisted in the capture of Booth. In carrying on this work Mr. Don- aldson has had in his employ as many as a thousand men, chopping, clearing, hauling, etc. Mr. Donaldson has always taken an interest in public matters, and soon after the close of the war served as tax collector. He served as tax collector, town of Forest, in territorial days, when the collector was ap- pointed by county commissioners. He was for eight years chairman of the board of supervisors of Bridgewater town- ship and helped to lay out the public roads of the county. He owns 300 acres of fine land, which he leases, and lives in Dundas, where he is esteemed and respected by all. He is a charter member of the local lodge of the Ancient Order United Workmen, established in 1876, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic at Northfield.
In 1865 Mr. Donaldson married Maria Jane Fulton, a native of Pennsylvania. Of four children born to them, James, the eldest, was killed by a railway train near Dundas: Mary E. is a teacher in the public schools; Charles E. died in 1881, and Harry is chief clerk of a large threshing machine company at Racine, Wis. All of the children were given the advantages of thorough schooling, Mr. Donaldson being a firm believer in the efficacy of education.
George Durland was born in Wheeling township, Rice county, Minnesota, December 27, 1856. He is a son of Hugh M. and Emma Durland, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Minnesota in the year 1855 and located in Wheeling township. His father was a farmer by occupation and he continued to reside on his farm until his death on January 4, 1897. His mother died in 1861. Mr. Durland attended the district school in Cannon City and after leaving school he worked with his father on the farm until the year 1882. when he purchased eighty acres in sec- tion twenty-six in Cannon City, to which he added by purchase 140 acres, where he carries on a general farming. Mr. Durland is the oldest thresher in the county, having started that business in 1874, when he was eighteen years old, and has continued in the same ever since. In 1882 he was married to Elizabeth Mil- ler, a daughter of John and Dorothy Miller, both natives of Germany. John Miller, the father of Mrs. Durland, came to America and settled in Rice county, Minnesota, where he lived until his death in 1880. The mother is still living and resides with her daughter. They have three children, Emma, Charles and Esther, all residing at home with their parents. In his po-
1303
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
litical views Mr. Durland is a Republican and has been road overseer in his district for a number of years. He is also a stock- holder and director in the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Fari- bault.
David Erb, a prominent and successful farmer of Cannon City township, was born in Wheeling township, Rice county, January 5, 1858, and spent his boyhood in Wheeling township, Faribault city and Cannon City township. After leaving school he took up lumbering and river driving in northern Minnesota two years, and then worked in Washington, Idaho and Montana, gaining much experience and seeing much of the world. In the fall of 1886 he returned to Cannon City township, and remained a year. He then rented the Swartoudt farm, section twenty-six, where he lived for eight years, and subsequently purchased 100 acres of land in section twenty-three, Cannon City township. He soon added another 100, and now has about 175 acres under culti- vation. He has brought his farm to a high degree of develop- ment, raises general crops, makes a specialty of dairying, and breeds Holstein cattle. Mr. Erb is an independent Republican, believing generally in the platform of the Republican party, but nevertheless deciding all questions for himself rather than blindly following the party leaders. He is now chairman of the board for school district No. 10, and he has been town supervisor and chairman of the township for several terms. Ile belongs to the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Erb was married November 29, 1888, to Emma L. Kiekennapp, daughter of William and Catharine (Lindeman) Kickennapp, both of whom are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Erb are the parents of four children: Alice J., Leroy D., Flor- ence E. and Minnie M., all at home. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. Mrs. Erb was born at Fort Snelling, Oc- tober 4. 1863. The parents of David Erb were Christian and Genevieve (Kneedler) Erb. The father came to America at the age of thirteen years, and located in Illinois. He came to Minne- sota in 1855 and to Wheeling township, Rice county, in 1856. Here he preempted 160 acres of land, and conducted the usual improvements until 1868, when he moved to Faribault. After two years he located in Cannon City township until 1874, when he purchased a farm lying in Cannon City township. He farmed until 1897, when he retired. He died in March, 1908, and his wife followed him to the grave just one year later.
Nelson S. Erb is secretary and manager of the Faribault En- gine Manufacturing Company, makers of a fine grade of gasoline engines. He was born in Canada, March 9, 1861, son of William and Lydia (Bowman) Erb, the father being engaged in the saw mill and manufacturing business. William Erb died in October, 1906, and his wife in November, 1902. The subject of this sketch
1304 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
received his education in Canada, and being much interested in dumb animals, decided to devote his life to alleviating their suf- ferings. Accordingly he entered the Ontario Veterinary College and graduated with honors in 1888. In August of that year he came to Faribault and began his practice here, continuing for six years with much success. He then took up railroad work, which he followed until 1909, when he purchased an interest in the Faribault Engine Manufacturing Company and assumed his pres- ent position. Mr. Erb is a high degree Mason. belongs to the Elks, the United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Fari- bault Commercial Club. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Automobile Club. Mr. Erb was married November 15. 1894, to Ellen Grant, born February 14, 1864, daughter of Donald Grant, of Faribault. To this union one daughter, Mary A., was born January 25, 1896. Mr. Erb has a pleasant residence on the corner of Third avenue and Seventh street. He and his family attend the Congregational church. Mr. Erb was elected mayor of the city of Faribault. April 5. 1910.
George H. Eigenbrodt, who has always lived in Faribault, Minn., where he was born April 20, 1869, is one of the enterpris- ing and prosperous business men of the city. His parents, John and Louise Eigenbrodt, came from Germany, their native land. to New York and thence went to Dakota county, Minnesota, where the father worked at his trade as a carpenter. From there he moved to Prairieville and engaged in farming till 1884, when he moved his family to Faribault. where he died in 1889 and where his widow is now living-1910.
After completing his studies in the public schools at Fari- bault, George H. clerked for a time in a grocery store. In 1887 he formed with Mr. Lanfenberger a partnership which continued till 1900. when he sold his interest in the concern to his partner, and on September 6, 1901, opened the up-to-date store, which he has since continued with great success, building up an extensive and constantly growing trade. Mr. Eigenbrodt has devoted him- self closely to his business, and has found little leisure for out- side matters. He takes no specially active part in political mat- ters, but adheres to the principles of the Republican party. In religious faith he is Evangelical. Hle is a member of Faribault Commercial Club. In May, 1891, Mr. Eigenbrodt married Miss Louise, a daughter of Henry and Louisa Trout, who settled on a farm at Castlerock, Dakota county, Minnesota, where his father (lied.
Mr. and Mrs. Eigenbrodt have three children, named in order of their births, Helen Mabel. Mabel Louise, and Erma.
Louis J. Eisert is a native of Steele county, Minnesota, and was born in 1876 to Charles G. and Mary Eisert. The father
1305
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
settled in Steele county prior to 1860. He was a veteran of the Civil War and died April 27, 1907. His widow now-1910-re- sides in Morristown. They had five sons and one daughter. Louis J., the fourth in order of birth, acquired his education in the common schools of Deerfield and grew to manhood on his father's farm. After attaining his majority, he served an ap- prenticeship of two years at the tinner's trade, and in 1902 clerked in a hardware store on the east side of Division street in Mor- ristown. A year later he turned his attention to the furniture and undertaking business, which he carries on in his substantial two-story building, twenty-four by seventy feet in dimensions, built by him for that purpose. On the first floor he carries a line of furniture, together with a large and complete assortment of wallpaper, while the second floor is used for the undertaking de- partment. Mr. Eisert is a licensed embalmer. Aside from his regular business hic takes an active interest in the affairs of the community and has served in the village council and as treasurer in 1909, and 1910 was elected president of the village. He has also held an official position in the Morristown Telephone Com- pany. Mr. Eisert is a member of the State Lodge of Knights of Pythias, No. 3, at Minneapolis, and also belongs to the Cannon River Lodge, No. 52, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In all his affairs he is prompt and reliable and is esteemed through- out the community as a man of genuine worth. Mr. Eisert is married to Leona, daughter of George and Caroline (Buick) Breed, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter making her home with her five daughters, Mrs. Eisert, Mrs. George Semon, Mrs. William Schneider. Mrs. Clyde Dorn and Mrs. Roy Durrin.
George Empey is a native of Canada, and was born January 29, 1831. son of Phillip and Lavina (Dillabaugh) Empey, both of whom were natives of Canada, where they spent their lives. George came to the United States in June, 1865, and settled in Northfield. where he was employed in the lumber mills in Minne- apolis for a couple of years, and in 1867 he purchased a farm of 200 acres in Greenvale township, Dakota county, and remained here until 1890, when he came to Northfield and made a perma- nent residence. January 10, 1859, he married Mary Irving, who was born in Scotland, March 14, 1838, daughter of James and Gracie Irving, who came to Canada in the early days and re- mained there all the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Empey have four children: James I., who was born May 21, 1860, and married Lillian Cowell. They reside in Olivia, Minn. Alex- ander, born July 31, 1862, was married October 3, 1894, to May Gilmore. They reside at Farmington, and have four children, of whom three are living: Clifford, Merrill (deceased), Ruth and
1306 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
George. Agnes Isabella. born May 31, 1865, married Dana Hoyt, December 27. 1888, and they reside at Glenwood, Minn. They have one daughter, Elsie L., who is a school teacher. Gracie G., born January 15, 1870, married Clarence Bunday, of Westport, Minn .. June 7, 1893, and they have two children. James Empey and wife have three children, Olive, Irving, and Richard. January 10, 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Empey celebrated their golden wedding by a reunion of all their children and grandchildren and many friends. Mr. Empey was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Elevator at Northfield, and served as president for one year and is at present vice-president, and is one of the directors, which office he has held since the beginning. Mr. Empey is a highly respected and influential citizen, and has served as a member of the city council for a number of years. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
William L. Eddy has had a varied experience and is counted among the enterprising citizens of Morristown, Minn. He was born in Mason county, Illinois, in 1861. He comes of sturdy New England stock and is a son of Reuben Eddy, a native of Coloraine, Mass., where also his grandparents, Ebenezer and Phoebe Eddy, were born and lived. William L. was a precocious child and began attending school in Morristown when four years of age, his teacher being a Miss Philbrick. His father then moved onto a farm and he attended the district schools and when thirteen years old passed an examination and received a second grade teacher's certificate. Ile again took up his home in Morristown in 1879, attended the public school one year, then from 1880 to 1886 learned and worked at the cooper's trade. He next spent two years farming at Redwood Falls, after which he worked at his trade in Faribault and Sheffield Mills. Return- ing to Morristown, he was in the hardware business as a member of the firm of Jackson and Eddy for a year and a half, but sold out to Messrs. Soule Brothers and returned to his farm in Mor- ristown township. In 1891 he again moved into the village, but continued farming till 1893, when he went back to Faribault and clerked a year in a hardware store. Ile again resumed farming in 1894 and still later conducted a hardware store under the firm name of Richter and Eddy. When this business was burned out in 1900, Mr. Eddy turned his attention to the live stock trade and was thus engaged in 1903, when he assumed the duties of his present office as postmaster at Morristown under appointment of President Roosevelt. Mr. Eddy is active in benevolent and fraternal organizations, being a past master of the Cannon River Lodge, No. 52, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; clerk of the Modern Brotherhood of America, member of the Modern Wood-
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1307
men of America and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Eddy is also village treasurer. In 1887 he married Miss Orpha, daughter of Mr. A. E. Bailey, of Morris- town. They have two charming and accomplished daughters. Zoe and Esther.
Charles F. Ebel, clerk of the district court of Rice county, is a native of Northfield, Minn., born March 28, 1873. He received his early education in the public schools, attended the Northfield high school, and then took a business course at West Superior. Wis. Returning to Minnesota, he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1895 he came to Faribault, and in 1899 moved to Morristown, Minn., and opened a general store in partnership with Fred Laufenburger. In 1902 he came to Faribault and opened a general store in partnership with Fred Laufenburger. In the fall of 1905 he assumed his present duties for the county. Mr. Ebel is one of the popular young men of Faribault, and his friends predict for him a bright future. In 1908 he was president of the Taft-Sherman Club, of Faribault, which did such efficient work for the Republican party, and his work in the Faribault Commercial Club has also won commendation, he being a charter member of the club and a member of the membership committee., Being of a sociable nature, he has allied himself with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the United Workmen, the Modern Brother- hood and the Yeomen. Mr. Ebel was married in September, 1899, to Emma Laufenburger, daughter of Fred Laufenburger, now assistant postmaster of Faribault, Mr. and Mrs. Ebel have a pleasant home on Sixth street.
August and Mary (Kester) Ebel, natives of Germany, were the parents of Charles F. Ebel. They came to America, located in llolden township, Goodhue county, and then went to North- field, where the father was a manufacturer. They later came to Faribault to live. Both parents are still living.
F. A. Emery, a substantial farmer of Bridgewater township. was born there September 3, 1868, son of A. L. and Mary A. (Galiger) Emery, natives of New York and Canada respectively. His father, who was a farmer, came to Minnesota in 1855 and located in Bridgewater township, where he farmed until about 1884; he then moved to Faribault, where he has followed the car- penter trade up to the present time, being employed in Leache's factory. He is a veteran of the Civil War. The mother is still living. Our subject received his education in the district schools of Bridgewater, which was supplemented by an additional school- ing at Faribault. Leaving school he worked in Leache's factory in Faribault a number of years, and later he worked on a farm until 1899, at which time he bought the old homestead in Bridge- water township, on which he has carried a general farming up to
1308 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
the present time. He has bred Holstein cattle on a quite exten- sive scale. On October 10, 1894, Mr. Emery married Cina, daughter of Chauncey and Mary Squier, father a native of Penn- sylvania and the mother a native of Ireland. They spent the greater part of their lives in this country. Mr. Squier enlisted in the army and served in the Civil War. He died in 1886; the mother still lives at Faribault. Mr. and Mrs. Emery have one adopted daughter, Myrtle. Mr. Emery affiliates with the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Methodist church, and has served on the school board.
W. W. Eldred, a well-to-do farmer of Bridgewater township, was born in Illinois, August 16, 1850, son of Wilson and Harriet (Brown) Eldred. The father, a native of New York state, came to Minnesota in 1859 and located in Morristown, where he bought land. and the next spring-1860-he died. The mother died in 1861. The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the district schools of Morristown, and he also attended school in Faribault. Leaving school he worked on a farm for some time, and in 1880 he bought twenty-three acres, to which he later added an additional purchase of ninety-three acres in section twelve, Bridgewater township, where he remained until 1902. He then sold this farm and bought 107 acres in sections twenty- seven and twenty-eight, Bridgewater township. He lived in Dundas for two years previous to moving on to the last named farm, where he still remains, carrying on general and diversified farming. Mr. Eldred was married in 1876 to Jennie, daughter of Peter and Jane Greenville. The fruit of this union is one child. Harriet, now Mrs. Arthur Taylor, of Bridgewater. Mr. Eldred believes in the principles of the Republican party in politics, and in religious matters he adheres to the Episcopal church. He be- longs to the order of United Workmen, and has served on the town board about seven years.
George Sidney Edwards, one of the prosperous farmers of Morristown township, Rice county. Minnesota, was born De- cember 6, 1858, in Livingston county, New York. lle is the sec- ond of a family of nine children (eight of whom are now living- 1910) born to Andrew and Elmira (White) Edwards. The father, also a native of Livingston county, New York, was a farmer by occupation. He moved with his family to Green county, Wis- consin, in 1861, and settled on a farm of eighty acres, which he improved and cultivated. In 1874 he sold out and removed to Rice county, Minnesota, where he worked leased land in Morris- town township two years, then bought the northwest quarter of section twenty for $10 per acre, fourteen acres of which was under cultivation. He and his son George, our subject, cleared the re- mainder of this tract, and here he made his home and carried on
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1309
general farming and reared his family, and here he died in June, 1887, at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow, our subject's mother, who was a native of Ohio, still survives at the age of seventy-three years and makes her home with her children. Our subject's grandfather, Harvey Edwards, was a farmer; he mar- ried a Miss Shaw and they had a family of thirteen children, of which Andrew, our subject's father, was the fourth in order of birth. George S. was reared on his father's farm, and acquired his education in the district schools of Green county, Wisconsin, and also attended school two terms after the family moved to Rice county, Minnesota. On attaining his majority he began working leased farms in the neighborhood of his home, and con- tinued this till 1895, when he bought the interests of the other heirs of his father and moved onto the old homestead. He has built a fine addition to the old farmhouse, and besides other improvements has built a substantial basement barn, thirty-six by sixty feet in dimensions, with fourteen feet posts, and is now converting the place into a modern dairy farm. It is a beautiful place, with fine groves and with its equipment and facilities and fine herd of Durham and Holstein cows and other stock is rightly regarded as one of the model farms of Rice county. Mr. Ed- wards is now serving his third year as member of the local board of supervisors, has also been school director of district No. 7, and for nine years has held the office of school treasurer. Mr. Edwards is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and is also a member of Cannon River Lodge, No. 52, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Morristown. In 1887 Mr. Ed- wards married Emma Rohl, a native of Michigan, and they have five children, named respectively, Lucy, who is married to Taylor Soules, a farmer : George, Arthur, Charles and Ralph.
John Evert was born in Forest township, Rice county, Minne- sota, January 1, 1876. He is a son of John and Louise Evert. both natives of Germany, who came to America in the later six- ties and located first at Dundas; they worked there for about five years and then bought a farm in Forest township, where the father did general farming until about the year 1904, when he retired from active work, renting the farm to his son, who has since carried it on. The mother died in the year 1880. John Evert attended the district school in Forest, and after leaving school he worked on the farm with his father, until he rented it from his father and commenced work for himself in 1904. He has five brothers and sisters: Henrietta Shultz, Louise Siemers, Gotlieb, now deceased, Charles, who lives at Faribault. In poli- tics he is an independent voter, and in his religious belief he is a Lutheran.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.