USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 61
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 61
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born June 7, 1878, and died September 10, 1878, and Mabel A., born June 17, 1881. An adopted daughter, Pearl, was born April 6, 1887, and married Stephen Goff, May 4, 1909. She only lived five months after marriage, and died October 4, 1909.
George and Isabel (Carlow) Law, parents of John Law, were born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1811, and February 28, 1820. respectively. They were married September 4, 1835, and were the parents of ten children, eight of whom were born in Scotland. The children were: James, August 6, 1836; Jane, born April 18, 1838, and married to Thomas Lorimar ; Margaret. born April 23. 1840, and died March 29, 1842; John, the subject of this sketch; Margaret (second), born April 23, 1844, and ‹lied May 28, 1845; Ebenezer, born March 5, 1847; Archibald, born February 20, 1851, and died November 9, 1901; Walter, born July 4. 1855; Agnes, born September 4. 1859, married to Reuben Taylor, and George, born October 16, 1862. George Law, the father, brought his family to America and located in Sciota township, Dakota county, Minn., July 3, 1858, settling on a farm which had been pre-empted by his son James in 1855. He spent the remainder of his days here, passing away Decem- ber 16, 1871. The mother lived until July 9, 1897. Isiah and Cornelia (Redick) Beckstead, parents of Mrs. Law, were born in Canada, June 7, 1833, and November 11, 1836, respectively. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living. They are: Mrs. Ann Law ; Josephine E. Beckstead; Mrs. Edith Plantz, of St. Paul; George Beckstead, of White Bear Lake, Minn .; Mrs. Marietta Grant, of Northfield; William, of Hib- bing, Minn .; Mrs. George Heberlee, of Cambridge, Minn. ; Lilie, of Northfield; Mrs. Le Roy Carlaw, of Northfield. Mr. Beck- stead brought his family to Minnesota in 1869 and purchased a farm in Waterford township, Dakota county, where he con- tinued farming until his death, in 1894. his wife living until May 1, 1909.
Nicholas Lamberty, up-to-date farmer, has made a success of agricultural operations and is well liked by his neighbors, who often seek his advice upon business matters. He was born in Wisconsin, January 7, 1848, attended the common schools and remained at home until 1867, when he commenced farm work for others. About two years later he went to northern Michigan, and did various work, part of the time driving a team of his own, a venture which netted him considerable pecuniary profit. He returned from the Superior region in 1874 and sub- sequently purchased a farm in Dane county, where he lived until 1892, when he came to Northfield, Minn., and bought a farm of 160 acres, just outside the city limits, which he still owns. He has since purchased 160 acres inside the city limits,
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making in all 320 acres of highly improved land. He also owns three farms of 160 acres each in Sargent county, North Dakota, and in addition to all this owns a pleasant home at 906 East Fourth street. Northfield, with twelve city lots adjoining. Mr. Lamberty is a partner in the M. & F. Elevator, and a director in the same, having at one time served as treasurer. He also owns shares in the creamery and is a director in the Farmers' Store. He and his family attend the Catholic church, wor- shiping at St. Dominick's. Mr. Lamberty was married July 22, 1873, to Elizabeth Burr, born in Onondaga county, New York, June 7, 1853, a daughter of Peter and Emma (Ebb) Burr, both natives of Germany. They came to America when young. Peter Burr was killed in New York state by a tree falling on him. Mrs. Burr died in Northfield, June 21, 1909. Mr. Lam- berty and his wife have had four children: Emma H., born April 29, 1874, married to Fred Festler, of Northfield township ; Peter J., born in Wisconsin, August 16, 1876, married to Miss Clara Fleigel, of Faribault, November 13, 1906; Albin H., born May 7, 1889, married to Miss Mamic Friesen, of Faribault, June 3, 1908; Raymond I., born in Wisconsin, February 10, 1888. The parents of Nicholas Lamberty were Paul and Lina (Sleck) Lamberty, both natives of Germany. They came to Wisconsin in 1845 and settled on a farm, where they lived for many years. The mother died in Wisconsin, and subsequently the father came to Minnesota, where he died, December 31, 1890, buried on January 3, 1891, from St. Dominick's church, Northfield, Minn.
L. Lockwood was born in New York state, January 25, 1859. He is a son of Mayland M. and Lucy (Portman) Lockwood The father and mother were both natives of New York. A farmer by occupation, he came to Minnesota in 1863 and located at Dundas, where he took up a claim, cleared the land and farmed for about three years. He then moved to Forest town- ship, where he bought a farm, on which he did general farming until his death, in 1894. The mother died in 1900. Mr. Lock- wood attended the district school in Forest township, and after leaving school he worked with his father on the farm until he was married. He bought a farm in Section 13, on which he has carried on general farming up to the present time. He was mar- ried in 1871, to Rebecca Gates, daughter of James N. and Ann (Tucker) Gates, the father being a native of Ohio and the mother of Indiana. They came to Minnesota in 1855 and lo- cated at Little Prairie, Rice county, where he farmed for some time, then moved to Otter Tail county, where he lived the re- mainder of his life. He died while on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Lockwood, in July, 1903; the mother died in 1902. Eight children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood: Mittie,
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born August 21. 1872. now at Eggleston : James B., born April 15, 1874, died in infancy ; Bert L., born July 24, 1877, living at home; Harvey, born April 29, 1880, at Wells township; Theron A., born January 19, 1883; Lesley, born April 5, 1885, died June 1, 1886; Frank O., born August 9, 1887, and Mabel E., born April 30, 1893. Mr. Lockwood's father served in both the Indian and also in the Civil War, and Mrs. Lockwood's father also served in both the Indian and the Civil War. Mr. Lock- wood is a Republican and a member of the M. E. church.
Theodore Langeslag is a prosperous farmer of Warsaw town- ship, Rice county, Minnesota, who has risen to his position by patient, persevering work. He is a Hollander by birth, and was born October 16, 1875, to Peter and Johannah (Cipers) Langeslag, both natives of Holland. The father, a farmer by occupation, came to this country in 1889 and engaged in gen- eral farming at Faribault, where he still resides. The mother died in Holland in 1890, and the father married his second wife in 1899. Theodore acquired his schooling in his native land and then followed farming there till 1893, when he joined his father at Faribault, and lived with him some four years. In 1897 he rented the farm where he now lives-180 acres in War- saw township-and cultivated it under lease for eight or nine years, and in 1906 purchased it. He had little to begin with save his own abilities and a determination to succeed, but worked hard, and economized and saved, with the result that he now-1910-owns one of the finest and most productive farms in his section of the county, finely improved, well culti- vated, where, besides general farming, he carries on dairying. The place is stocked with high grade Percheron horses, besides a valuable herd of blooded cattle, and well equipped with all the necessary appliances of a model modern farm. In political sentiment Mr. Langeslag is a Republican, but takes no active part more than to perform his duties as a good citizen. Ile is financially interested in the Faribault Creamery and there finds a sale for his dairy products. With his family he is connected with the German Catholic church and society of Faribault. In September, 1899, Mr. Langeslag married Riekie, a daughter of John and Dora (Bogart) Donkers, both natives of Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Langeslag have five children, named in the order of birth: Anna Theodora, Dora Margaret, Peter Henry, Johannah, Theodore John.
Michael Lynch was the youngest of a family of seven chil- dren born to John and Eleanor Lynch, pioneer settlers of Rice county, Minnesota. Of the other children, named respectively in the order of their births, John, Mary (who was married to Mr. Bird), Melachi, Ann, Ellen and Margaret, the last named
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IHISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
is the only survivor. It was in the fall of 1853 that John Lynch, the father, in company with Henry Masters, with the view of settling and making a home, drove from the then site of the present city of St. Paul, and located a claim in Sections 23 and 24, Morristown township, due cast of and near the present site of the village of that name, and there built a log cabin. Later he lost this claim through the foreclosure of a mortgage which he had placed on it, and in 1856 took up a claim in Section 14, same township, which became the family homestead, and where he and his wife spent their lives and reared their family. He was a sturdy, hard-working, far-sighted, thrifty farmer, who bravely faced all the hardships and privations of the strenuous pioneer days, and who, with his wife, lived to enjoy the well earned fruits of their labors. On his decease, in July, 1902, he left a large personal estate, besides 200 acres of valuable land, which descended to his then surviving children. Michael Lynch, whose decease occurred in 1910. always lived on the family homestead in Section 14, Morristown township, and owned at the time of his death 300 acres of land, which he leased in late years, having practically retired from active work. He also owned the Centennial Hotel in Morristown and other valuable property in Faribault. He died a bachelor and intestate.
Stephen J. Leahey is a prosperous and wide-awake citizen of Warsaw township, Rice county, Minnesota, who has attained his success through persevering hard work and economy. He was born at Shieldsville, Rice county, June 15, 1863. His par- ents, Richard and Elizabeth (O'Connor) Leahey, were natives of Ireland and Canada, respectively. The father came to this country in 1856 and was employed at St. Paul, Minn., first as foreman and then as superintendent some three years. In 1859 he settled on an 80-acre tract of timber land at Shields- ville, which he cleared and improved, being one of the first settlers there. He afterwards removed to Warsaw township, in Rice county and bought the place, which he improved and where he made his home till his death, April 22, 1894, and where the mother now resides. Stephen J. grew up on his father's farm and attended the district school. and on reaching his majority engaged in farming on his own account. In 1891 he, while on a prospecting trip through Dakota, bought a tract of 120 acres, which he improved and cultivated and on which he built a house and barn. Mr. Leahey also owns his homestead of eighty acres in Rice county, a beautiful place, finely improved, where he carries on dairy farming and raises high grade stock-short horn cattle, Poland-China hogs and registered horses, selling the products of his dairy to the Faribault Creamery, in which he holds an interest. He also is financially interested in the.
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Faribault Elevator Company; in organizing it he was a prime mover, has served as a director, and for four years was secretary and treasurer. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1894 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, serving eight years, five of which he was chairman. In religious faith he is a Catholic. On September 7, 1897, Mr. Leahey married Catherine, daughter of Charles and Louisa (Dougherty) Mc- Donnell, natives of Canada, and Niagara county, New York, who. in 1866, settled on a farm at Deerfield, Steele county. Min- nesota, where they are now living a retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Leahey have two children, named, respectively, Stephen J. and Alice R.
J. Frank McCarthy, a citizen of Faribault. Minn., is a native of that city, his date of birth being May 2, 1874. He received a good education in the parochial school of Faribault, and sup- plemented this with a complete course in St. Thomas' College, Marion Park. After his school days he went into the granite and marble business with his father, this line claiming his atten- tion ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Phoenix, Ariz., in the retail oil business. He has also been a licensed embalmer since 1900, and is a member in good standing of the Funeral Directors' Association of Minnesota. Mr. McCarthy is a Democrat in politics, and has ably served his city as alderman from the Second ward for several years, being first elected in the spring of 1906 and re-elected in 1908. He is an ardent base- ball enthusiast, in his youthful days having played twelve years on the diamond. Numerous benevolent and fraternal or- ganizations claim him as a member: Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mod- ern Samaritans, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum. B. P. O. E. and the Eagles. Is also identified with the Commercial Club. Mr. McCarthy held the office of assistant deputy county treas- urer for three years. June 20, 1906, he was united in marriage at Faribault to Bessie E. Boynton, born to Mr. and Mrs. David Boynton, of Medford, Minn., August 18, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy have a pleasant home at 320 Eighth street. They worship at the Catholic church. T. J. McCarthy, father of our subject, still resides at Faribault with his wife. Mrs. Mc- Carthy's father died at Medford, in 1902. The mother survives him.
James Robert Mee, a prominent attorney of Faribault, was born in this city, April 12, 1868, son of Thomas and Emily I. (Davis) Mee, early settlers. He received his earlier education in the public schools and then attended the Shattuck School, after which he studied law in the office of G. W. Batchelder, and was admitted to the bar in 1890, taking up active practice in
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1891. In the meantime he worked as civil engineer for the C., M. & St. P. railroad, as a purchaser for Donald Grant and as a collector for the Walter A. Wood Harvesting Machine Com- pany. In 1892 and 1894 he served ably as county attorney and from 1902 to 1907 he demonstrated his ability in the position of city attorney. At one time he aspired to the position of rail- road warehouse examiner. He is a member of the Masonic order and a popular member of the Commercial Club. Mr. Mee was married October 8, 1904, to Emma L. Gilmore, daugh- ter of Albert Gilmore, a native of Massachusetts.
Jorgan Madsen, a native of Denmark, was born March 2. 1842. He acquired a good education in the public schools of Denmark and then enlisted in the standing army of his native country, serving in the war with Germany of 1864, and having some exciting and interesting experiences. Two years later. 1866, he left the Fatherland and came to America, locating in Cannon City township, Rice county, Minnesota, where he re- mained for fifteen months, doing farm work. He then removed to Faribault, where he was employed as a laborer, teamster, etc., for the next ten years. Mr. Madsen then bought a dray, and from a small beginning built up a large draying business, all through hard work and careful management. This business claimed his attention for ten years, when he launched a hack line, which he has conducted ever since with much success. In 1879 he returned to Denmark, having a very pleasant visit with the friends of his youth. His wife, Mrs. Karsten (Rass- mussen) Madsen, whom he married August 28, 1869-she making the trip over to this country to marry him-accompa- nied him. They have an adopted daughter, Kasma Sophia, who lives at home with her parents at 1204 East avenue, North. Mr. Madsen is a Republican in politics, but has never aspired to office, other matters taking his time and attention. He has some property in St. Paul. The family hold to the faith of the Lutheran church. Matt Tomsen Madsen and Karsten (Ever- sen) Madsen, parents of our subject, were natives of Denmark and followed farming as an occupation all their lives. The father died in 1860 and the mother in 1871.
Timothy J. McCarthy was born in Ireland, January 13, 1848, coming to America with his parents at the age of five years. They located in Rice county, Minnesota, after a year in Du- buque county, Jowa, and here Timothy J. passed his boyhood, receiving his education in the district schools, supplemented with two terms in the Shattuck Military Academy of Faribault. After school he clerked in a general store for five years, then buying the business together with E. J. Haley and P. J. Moran. The other partners bought Moran's interest a year later, the
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business being conducted under the name of McCarthy & Haley until 1876, when MeCarthy withdrew. In 1884 he engaged in the marble and granite trade, which he has followed ever since with marked success. Mr. McCarthy also conducts a thor- oughly equipped undertaking establishment. He has served as alderman of the First ward and as city treasurer. August 4, 1873, he was united in marriage with Anna C. Byrnes of Fari- bault, daughter of Patrick and Julia Byrnes, now deceased. Twelve children have blessed this marriage, ten of whom sur- vive: Frank, an undertaker, married to Bessie Boynton ; George, engaged in railroad work ; Phelix, living at home ; Fred, a book- keeper in the Citizens' Bank: Albert and Clement, who live at home; Mary, now Mrs. F. J. Lenz; and Olive, Anna and Isa- bella, who live at home. Timothy J., Jr., died at the age of nineteen years. Ilis brother Charles also died while young. John and Mary McCarthy, parents of our subject, were natives of Ireland. Emigrating to this country in 1853, they settled on a farm in Dubuque county, lowa, where the father died a year later. The mother then removed to Rice county, together with a colony of other hardy pioneers, under the leadership of Gen- eral Shields. They reached their destination in 1855, founding the town of Shieldsville. Mrs. McCarthy is now the wife of John Banks.
Frank W. McKellip, now serving as city engineer of Fari- bault, Minn., is a native son of that city, being born October 12, 1872. His early education was received in the public schools of his birthplace, being graduated from the local high school and later entered the electrical engineering department of the state university, receiving his diploma in 1898. After school his first practical experience was with the Minneapolis General Electric Company, with whom he remained two months, being compelled to give up his position and come home on account of sickness. He was then engaged as a bookkeeper in the Citizens' National Bank of Faribault for a short period, subse- quently being connected with the Chicago Telephone Com- pany for six months. In 1902 he removed to Mexico, acting as surveyor for the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient railway during the next fifteen months, after which he returned home and held the position of deputy county auditor for several months. Mr. MeKellip now became connected with the Great Northern railroad as a surveyor, seeing active service in Mon- tana and Nebraska the following three years and proving him- self a thoroughly trained and capable engineer. In 1908 he again returned to Faribault and turned his attention to draft- ing. A year later he was elected city engineer, which office he still fills with credit to himself and the city. In politics he gives
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1371
allegiance to the Republican standards, and takes a keen inter- est in the welfare of the community. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and is also a wide-awake member of the Live Topic Club and the Commercial Club. While in col- lege he served as first lieutenant of the cadet battalion and had four more years of military experience in Company B, Second regiment of the Minnesota National Guard. In affairs of re- ligion he inclines toward the tenets of the Congregational church. His residence is located at 623 Third street, South. Charles D. and Emily A. (Woodmas), parents of our subject. have been prominent in the business and social life of Fari- bault for many years.
James P. McMahon, who is serving his fifth year as city attorney of Faribault, Minn., his birthplace, was born May 23. 1866. He received his education in the public schools and at the Shattuck School of Faribault. Minn. He then took up the study of law in the offices of Mott & Gibson, being admitted to the bar three years later. November 12, 1887, and going to Hope. Steele county, North Dakota, where he followed his profession with much success till 1897, holding the office of county attorney four years. Mr. McMahon next removed to St. Paul, in which place he engaged in the practice of his pro- fession until the death of his father, in 1900, when he came to Faribault, where he still enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large and growing clientage. His duties as city attorney. also help to make him a very busy man. In politics the Repub- lican party counts him a staunch supporter. Any enterprise tending for the good of his city, county or state is sure of his hearty co-operation. He is prominent in fraternal circles. being identified with the Independent Order of Foresters, the Modern Woodmen of America. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, E. F. U., the F. O. E. and the F. C. Club. The Catholic church also claims him as a member. Thomas and Bridget (Shanahan) McMahon, parents of James P., were natives of Ireland. Coming to America in 1854, they first located in Mt. Pleasant, la .. three years later removing to Waseca county, Minnesota, where they homesteaded a quarter section, bravely enduring the hardships and perils of those pioncer days. One ycar later they came to Faribault. the father engaging in quar- rying on what is now known as the Mankato quarries, a tract of ten acres. He sold this property, 1859, acquiring more land of the same kind, on which he carried on the quarrying of blue limestone until his death, December 12, 1900. His wife died March 10, 1904. They had a family of twelve children. three of whom died in infancy. Those now living are named, respec-
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tively, in order of ages: Edward J., who was born January 10, 1858, practiced law in Hope, N. D., and Minneapolis, Minn., from the date of his admittance to the bar, 1882, till his decease, May 12, 1908. He served as first lieutenant of Company K, Fifteenth Minnesota Volunteers, during the Spanish War. Margaret, born November 16, 1860, is now Mrs. John Allen, of Aitkin, Minn .; Mary, born July 31, 1861, is married to O. A. Blethen, of Minneapolis; Katie, born March 17, 1863, who was the wife of Charles Leach, died March 18, 1899; the fifth child was our subject ; Thomas J., born November, 1865, was a mem- ber of the bar, practicing in Hope, N. D., until his death, in July, 1901; W. F., born May 15, 1871, has his home in Minneapolis. being a traveling salesman for the Garr-Scott Company, of Richmond, Ind .; Theresa E., who was born September 19, 1873, is engaged as a housekeeper; Julia A., born February 19, 1875, is a department head of the Young-Quinlan Company, of Minneapolis.
John Miller, late of Northfield, interested himself largely in agricultural operations and in the business enterprises corollary to such pursuits. Ile was born in Morristown. N. Y., March 4, 1846. and there received his early schooling, remaining on the home farm until 1875, when he came west and settled in Waseca county, this state. In 1876 he came to Rice county and purchased a farm in Section 2, Northfield township, where he lived until the spring of 1905, when he moved to the city of Northfield. During the time when Mr. Miller was actively engaged in farming operations he made a specialty of raising high grade short horn stock. For over ten years he was presi- dent of the Dennison Elevator Company and for one year he served in a similar capacity with the Farmers' Elevator at Northfield. For a long period he was one of the directors in the Stanton Farmers' Creamery Company. A Republican in politics, he did his township distinguished service as chairman of the board of supervisors. Mr. Miller and his wife belong to the Congregational church, in which Mr. Miller was trus- tee for several terms. John Miller was married November 19, 1895, to Eva L. Couper. of Minnesota, a daughter of Judge J. C. and Harriet (Johnson) Couper. He died May 17, 1910. The parents of Mr. Miller were Archibald and Elizabeth (Couper) Miller, natives, respectively, of Scotland and of Mor- ristown, N. Y. They were married in New York state and there spent the greater part of their years, the father dying in July, 1848, and the mother in Inly, 1872.
Charles P. Manahan was born in Wells township, Rice county, Minnesota, November 6, 1862, son of John and Ellen (Murphy) Manahan, who came from Ireland, their native
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