USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 66
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 66
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Peter Paulson was born in Sweden, February 1, 1854, a son of Paul Nelson and Nellie True, natives of Sweden. The father carried on farming there until his death, in 1906. The mother
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died in 1908. Peter Paulson attended school in Sweden. After leaving school he worked on a farm and later bought a farm, which he sold in 1885, and came to America. He located first in Minneapolis, but remained there only a few months, then came to Forest township, Rice county, and farmed until 1900. Hle rented his farm and engaged in the general mercantile business, which he follows at the present time. He was married in 1882 to Tilda Nelson, whose parents were natives of Sweden. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Paulson : Paul E., who lives at home; Carl H., died in 1905; Amelia D., living at home. His wife died in 1892. In 1894 Mr. Paulson was married a second time to Ellen Johnson, a daughter of John Martinson, a native of Sweden. He has no children by his second wife. In politics he is a Republican, and his religious faith is Lutheran. He has served as treasurer of the school board and is now serving as town treasurer.
J. A. Prinzing was born in Pennsylvania, February 22, 1870. Ile is a son of J. F. and Pauline (Fink) Prinzing, natives of Ger- many. The father was a brewer. He came to America and located first in Pennsylvania, where he worked for some time in a tannery ; coming to Minnesota in the spring of 1878, he settled in Rice county, in Forest township. llere he bought eighty acres in section 21, and has been engaged in farming up to the present time. J. A. Prinzing acquired his education in the public schools in Pennsylvania and in district school No. 66 of Forest. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm for several years, and in 1902 bought eighty acres in section 21; this he farms, and he also has charge of his father's farm. lle has two brothers and two sisters: Fred and Charles, both farmers in Forest township; Louise, now Mrs. Keeler, of Winona, and Celia, a graduate of the Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, where she is now employed. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in his political views a Republican. He has been road overseer for several years.
James Peterka was born in Bohemia, September 13, 1863, a son of Albert and Anna Peterka. The parents were natives of Bohemia. They came to America in 1870 and located at Cleve- land, Ohio, where they remained for five years, and then came to Rice county and located in Wheatland township. Here he bought 100 acres and did a general farming up to 1885. Ile then retired from active work and made his home with his son James, where he still lives. The mother died in 1896. James Peterka attended the public schools at Cleveland, Ohio, and the district school at Wheatland. After leaving school he worked on the farm with his father, and in 1885 became manager of the old homestead. II .. has since added more acreage, and now has a farm of 220 acres.
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on which he has carried on general farming up to the present time. He was married in 1885 to Annie Frejlach, a daughter of John and Annie Frejlach. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterka: Mary, James, and Albert ; Annie, now de- ceased. and Annie, at home. In his political views Mr. Peterka is a Republican, and he is a member of the Catholic Church at Lonsdale. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and M. W. A. He has served for a number of years on the school board.
F. C. Palon, of Dundas, Minn .. was born in Rice county Janu- ary 9, 1879. He is a son of John and Mary E. ( Woolery) Palon, natives of Canada. The father was a blacksmith and veterina- rian. He came to Minnesota in 1868 and located in Dundas, where he followed his trade and profession up to the time of his decease. June 28. 1908. The mother still resides in Dundas. The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the public schools of Dundas. Leaving school at a young age, he followed the trade of blacksmithing until 1895, at which time he engaged in the livery business, which he still follows. This family was blessed with seven children besides our subject, viz .: John R. conducts a sale stable at Omaha, Neb .: Thomas lives at Fari- bault; Richard, engaged in the blacksmith trade at Dundas ; Lela, now Mrs. Jillson, of Monoco, Wis .; Steven lives with his brother at Omaha ; Hetty lives at Minneapolis, and Glen attends school at Dundas.
F. C. is a Republican. He with his family belongs to the Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. He held the office as constable and village police at Dundas for six years.
Christian Peterson, a prosperous farmer and citizen of Web- ster township, Rice county, Minn., who achieved his success through diligent work. was born in Denmark, February 10, 1860. In 1881 he immigrated to this country at the age of twenty-one years, together with his parents, Peter and Anna (Anderson) Peterson, who settled in Rice county, where they lived until the death of the mother, in 1906. Ihis father thereafter moved to Northfield, where he still resides. Our subject received his edu- eation in Denmark, where he lived until he reached his majority, whenee he emigrated to this country, and settled in Castle Rock township, Dakota county. Here lie remained for three years ; then he came to Webster township, Rice county, and entered the employ of Mr. McCabe, in whose service he remained for three years. In 1887 he bought an eighty-acre tract of timber in Da- kota township. This he cleared, improved, and still carries on general farming. A few acres of this was turned over for relig- ious purposes and is now the site of the Danish Church at Hazel- wood. In December, 1891, Mr. Peterson married Anna Thore-
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son, daughter of Ole and Betsy Thoreson, who in their early days came to Minnesota and located at Eureka, Dakota county, being one of the oldest settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have one child, Oscar, who resides with his parents. Mr. Peterson is a Modern Woodman of America, a stockholder in the Star Tele- phone Company, and Greenville Co-operative Creamery. He is an independent voter, favoring neither party, but rather the man who in his estimation is best qualified for the office for which he is a candidate. In religious belief he is affiliated with the Lutheran Church.
N. Parson, a native of Sweden, was born in 1870, and came to this country with his father when a boy of sixteen years of age. His mother died when he was six years old. Mr. Parson and his father, upon their arrival in this country, first located at Stillwater: there they remained for a year, whence they moved to Webster township, Rice county, and engaged in farming. Together they cleared, improved and cultivated the farm until 1891, when the father died, leaving the son, then a young man of twenty-one to fight life's battles for himself. During the year 1892 Mr. Parson was united in marriage to Hannah Ackerson. daughter of Nels and Ellen Ackerson, also natives of Sweden. having come to this country in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Parson had six children born to them: Oscar A., Ernst S., Edwin L., Harry D .. Esther A. and Florence A. Oscar and Ernst accidentally drowned while skating on Union lake, November 29, 1906.
Mr. Parson is an industrions, enthusiastic citizen of his state. has influence having assisted them to the present standard. In political sentiments Mr. Parker favors the Republican party. He is a stockholder of the Farmers' Elevator at Northfield, in the Northfield Telephone Company, being one of the first direct- ors to organize it, and its first manager, at present being presi- dent of the Northfield Mercantile Company. His religious belief is with the Congregational Church.
J. H. Petteys, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, was born in Camden, Oneida county, N. Y., March 9, 1835. He is a son of Hiram and Susan ( Brand) Petteys, who were natives of New York state. Mr. Petteys was a minister of the gospel, and moved West in 1850, locating in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he lived two years. In 1852 he moved to Boone county, Illinois, where he lived until 1854, when he went to Henry county, Ilinois, and died in September, 1864. Mrs. Petteys died in 1873. Mr. Pet- teys received his early education in the grade schools of New York and Wisconsin, and was two years in a high school in Illinois. After leaving school he taught district schools in Illi- nois in the winter, and farmed in the summer. He remained in Illinois until 1865, when he came West and located in Minnesota,
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buying 160 acres of land in Walcott township, Rice county. Here he carried on general farming and also did considerable stock raising, Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs being his favo- rite breeds. lle was married September 28, 1859. to Harriet West, daughter of Leonard and Harriet (Allen) West. Mr. West was a native of Saratoga county, New York, and Mrs. West a native of Connecticut. Mr. West was a farmer, running a general farm until 1868, when he retired. Ile was ninety-five years old at the time of his death, on October 8, 1888. Mrs. West attained the ripe old age of ninety-eight years. She died February 2, 1902. One child has blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Petteys, Ernest E., who was born on October 5, 1860. He is married and lives on the old farm of his father. Mr. Petteys is a Republican in his political views, and is a member of the Christian Church. He enlisted as a soldier in the war, but was rejected. When twenty-three years of age he was elected an assessor in Illinois, and served two terms. He was also a jus- tice of the peace of Henry county, Illinois, which office he held until he left the state. He was supervisor of the town board of Walcott for ten years, and during the same period held the office of town clerk. He was a member of the legislature in 1876 and 1877, and served his people as county commissioner for four years. He took the census in the year 1880, and served for twenty-seven years as clerk of the school board, being elected in 1867 and serving until 1894. Hle assisted in organizing the Walcott Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1895, and has served as their secretary and treasurer since its organization. He was secretary and treasurer of Walcott Creamery Company until 1889, when the institution was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company.
Harry Peasley, a thrifty farmer of Richland township, first saw the light of day January 25, 1872. lle is a son of Moses C. and Martha C. (Finlayson) Peasley, natives of Vermont and Canada, respectively. The parents came to Minnesota and located in Rice county, where the father did general farming, until he moved to Richland township. He later bought 160 acres in section 22, where he carried on general farming until the time of his death. in 1878. The mother still lives in Millerburg, Rice county. The father enlisted in Company A, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served during the Civil War. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of Rich- land township. Leaving school he went to work on his father's farm until 1899, at which time he bought the old homestead, on which he still lives, and where he carries on general and diversi- fied farming. In 1899 Mr. Peasley married Grace, daughter of
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Joe and Rose (Birch) Fredenburg. Joe Fredenburg was a native of Delaware. Rose Birch was a native of Minnesota. They came to Minnesota and located in Northfield, where the father conducted a successful meat market business, remaining there until 1879; he then moved west to Marshall, where he lived until his decease. Mrs. Fredenburg now lives at Marshall, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley have two children, named, in the respect- ive order of their birth, Naomi and Verna, who are both at home with their parents. Mr. Peasley is not affiliated with any polit- ical party, but casts his vote to the best of his judgment, regard- less of party lines. He with the family belongs to the Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Yeomen Lodge. He is a stockholder in the Richland Creamery Association.
Bernard R. Richter, one of Faribault's self-made and pro- gressive business men, is a native of Prussia, Germany, his date of birth being May 15. 1859. At seven years of age. he emi- grated with his parents to America, locating at New Lisbon. Wis., and attended the public schools till 1872, when he went to Winona, Minn., receiving employment in a general mercan- tile store. He was then engaged in the local postoffice under D. Sinclair three years. Leaving Winona in 1879, he came to Milwaukee, and entered a grocery store, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, and later became connected with the Swift, Mendahl & Company wholesale grocery house as book- keeper and cashier until his removal to St. Paul in 1889. Here he engaged in the oil business, together with Joseph Bartlett. being in strenuons competition with the Standard Oil Company, which soon decided that a good enemy would make a better ally. and gave him the position of superintendent of the Standard Oil Company of St. Paul, which he held till 1889. Mr. Richter then moved to Chippewa Falls, Wis., and took up his duties as head of the wholesale grocery establishment of Leslie Willson, in which capacity he remained five years. Removing to Faribault in 1903, he was associated with the Theopold Reid Mercantile Company until 1906, when he withdrew and started a poultry farm, which he has managed very successfully ever since. having a splendid and ever-growing market for his products in the Twin Cities and all through the state. He handles a complete line of all the well-known kinds of thoroughbred poultry, and makes a specialty of catering to particular customers. In politics he stands independent of party, always voting for the man best fitted to serve the people. His business has always demanded all his time and attention, and though he takes a keen interest in public affairs, he has never aspired to public office. The local Commercial Club knows him as an active member. He was
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united in marriage with Emma W. Roth, who died December 7, 1899, leaving four sons: Bernard F., a traveling salesman of Portland, Ore .; Albert E., in the grocery business at Portland, Ore .; Fred H., with the United States Navy, now, located at Newport, R. I .; and Ralph W., of Minneapolis. He was mar- ried the second time to Bertha E. Simon, of Chippewa Falls, Wis., August 24, 1903. They have a charming home on Shimm- way avenne, situated on a tract of fourteen acres; August and Dora (Wolff), parents of our subject, were born and reared in Prussia, Germany, where the father was engaged as a baggage- master on one of the Imperial railways. Emigrating to America in 1866, he located in Milwaukee, Wis., being engaged as a barber for one year. He then came to New Lisbon, Wis., and continued in the same line of work in this place until his wife's demise, in 1872. Returning to Milwaukee the same year, he followed his trade till his decease, in 1907.
Frank Revier, business man and live stock dealer, of North- field, was born in Bridgewater township, this county, August 31. 1869, and received his early education in the district schools, remaining on the home farm until reaching his majority, when he went to Seattle, Wash., and spent one year. He then returned home and in 1884 opened a meat market in Northfield, continuing in this business about two years and a half. He subsequently went to Lewiston, Idaho, and conducted a market one year. Upon his return he spent about four years on his farm in sections 2 and 3, Northfield township, and during this period served on the board of supervisors. In 1902 he commenced the business of buying and shipping stock, in which enterprise he has been most successful. His principal market is at South St. Paul, but he has also done considerable business in Chicago. He now resides in the city of Northfield, and stands well with his fellow citizens. Mr. Revier is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F. and the M. B. of A. He was married October 5, 1898, to Bertha C. Dunlap, born in Essex county, New York, March 10, 1877.
The grandfather of Frank Revier was Gabriel Revier, and his grandmother was Mary De Rosia Revier, both natives of Canada, of French parentage. In this family there were eleven children. Gabriel Revier died while residing in New York in 1862 and in 1867 Mary De Rosia Revier brought her family to Rice county, where she died.
The father of Frank Revier was Lewis Revier, who was born on Long Sault Island, St. Lawrence county, New York, January 31, 1836. He was one of Rice county's pioneers, coming here from Canada in this spring of 1857, being employed by the late J. S. Archibald, of Dundas, to take charge of a number of horses which were being shipped from Canada to Minnesota. After it
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had been decided to erect mills at Dundas, Lewis Revier was engaged to assist in gathering material for the buildings, con- tinuing in the employ of Mr. Archibald for a number of years. December 18, 1860, he was married to Julia Barry, born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, September 12, 1841. He purchased a farm south of Dundas, but later sold this place and bought a farm in Bridgewater, two miles south of Northfield City. He enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served out his time of enlistment, receiving his honorable discharge. He then returned to his farm and there remained until the time of his death, December 7, 1900. His wife still lives in Northfield. In the family were six children : Mrs. Igna- tius Rosch, of Long Prairie, Minn .; Mrs. D. J. Ferguson, who died February 5, 1903; John, of Spokane, Wash .; Edward. of Spirit Lake, Idaho; Frank and Andrew, of Northfield. The parents of Mrs. Revier (nee Bertha C. Dunlap) were Daniel and Mary Jane (Evand) Dunlap, who came to Northfield in 1884. Mrs. Dunlap died September 17, 1909, and Mr. Dunlap now lives in Washington.
J. Warren Richardson, retired real estate dealer and loan agent, was born in Shutesbury, July 24, 1844. He was brought to Walcott township by his parents at the age of nine years, and received his education in the public schools of Faribault. After leaving school he enlisted in the service of his country, being at that time but eighteen days over eighteen years of age. He served in Company B. Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was organized August 1, 1862, and was originally commanded by Col. Minor T. Thomas, of Stillwater, Minn. It was stationed at frontier posts until May, 1864, when it was ordered upon the Indian expedition. It was engaged in the fol- lowing battles, sieges, skirmishes and marches: Tah-cha-o-ku-ttt. July 28, 1864; Little Missouri, battle of the Cedars, Wilkinson's Pike, December 7, 1864; near Murfreesboro, December 8, 1864, and Overall's creek. Ordered to Clifton, Tenn., thence to Cin- cinnati, thence to Washington, thence to Wilmington, then to Newbern, N. C .; at the battles of Kingston, March 8, 9, 10. 1865. The men were mustered out at Charlotte, N. C., July 11. 1865, and discharged at Ft. Snelling Minn. After this Mr. Rich- ardson returned to Faribault, and in 1866 took up farming inside the city limits. He owned seventy acres, on which he conducted general agricultural pursuits, making a specialty of dairying until 1891, when he engaged in the money loaning business. In 1900 his business was enlarged to include real-estate dealing. In 1903 Mr. Richardson went to Beach, N. D., remaining until 1908. when he retired and returned to Faribault, where he has since resided, having a beautiful home at 314 Sixth street, West. He
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owns 160 acres in North Dakota and 260 acres in Walcott town- ship. While Mr. Richardson was in North Dakota he served as a supervisor of the township of Beach. He has served in minor offices in Rice county. As a veteran Mr. Richardson is inter- ested in the Michael Cook Post, No. 123, G. A. R., and is now serving as quartermaster of that post. In religious belief Mr. Richardson is a Baptist. Mr. Richardson was married April 16, 1866, at Minneapolis, Minn .. to Elizabeth S. Kerr, of Fari- bault, Minn., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kerr, of Dane county, Wisconsin. She was born November 19, 1844. and died June 24, 1890, leaving five children : Carrie R., born February 18, 1867, married to W. M. Smalledge, of Minneapolis; George \\'., born April 30, 1869, now of Beach, N. D .; Emma L., born March 12, 1872. married to Clifton A. Sneli, of Minneapolis; J. Edwin. born December 24. 1882, now of Beach, N. D., and Gilbert A., born May 17, 1887, a telegraph operator in British Columbia. Mr. Richardson was married August 25, 1891, to Laura S. Van- Horn, born December 18, 1846, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Van Horn. who came to Faribault in 1856.
The parents of J. Warren Richardson were Joseph and Louise (Boynton) Richardson, natives of Shutesbury. Mass. The father. who was a lumberman in the East, came West in 1854, and took up his abode in Walcott township, where he pre-empted 160 acres in section 28. After occupying this claim nearly two years. he sold his pre-emption claim to Samuel Walcott, from whom the town was named. Joseph Richardson was the first postmaster in Walcott township, and at his house Elder Cressy. of the Bap- tist Church, held the first religious ceremony in the township. On coming to Faribault, Mr. Richardson, Sr., started manufac- turing chairs, and later he entered the furniture factory of Hill & Brockway, remaining several years. Ile went East in 1866 and returned in 1867, managing a loan office until his death, February 10. 1889, seventy-five years after his birth, February 27, 1814. His wife died July 13, 1892.
Willard McC. Reid, a progressive young business man of Faribault, was born in Louisiana, Pike county, Mo., September 30, 1877. He attended the public schools and took a course in the Hasbrook Institute in New Jersey. From there he went to the historic Phillips Andover Academy, at Andover. Mass., grad- uating in 1898. Ile then accepted a situation with the P. P. Lorillard Tobacco Company, in Jersey City, N. J., and in 1899, when that company was absorbed by the American Tobacco Company, he went with the latter concern as assistant manager of the salesmen's department. In 1901 he went with the Ameri- can Cigar Company, as manager of a factory at Savannah, Ga. After eighteen months, he left that place, and for three years was
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located in several cities in the South, superintending the erection and opening of new factories. In 1905 he came to Faribault, and became a partner in the concern of Theopold-Reid Company, Inc., wholesale grocers, of which Mr. Reid is vice-president and treasurer. Being a lover of outdoor sports, Mr. Reid has taken an active interest in the Tetepaha Golf Club, and is at the pres- ent time serving as its president. He is also a member of the Minnesota Club of St. Paul, and of the Faribault Commercial Club. Mr. Reid was married at Faribault, in the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, October 9, 1905, to Natalie Rochester Bill. daughter of Rev. Edward Clark Bill, a prominent Episcopalian clergyman. To Mr. and Mrs. Reid have been born two children : Priscilla, born July 23, 1906, and Natalie E., born December 9, 1908. The family residence is a beautiful dwelling at the corner of Seventh street and Fifth avenue.
Samuel Reid, father of Willard McC. Reid, was born in Ken- tucky. He was a tobacco manufacturer in Missouri, and in 1888 went to Jersey City. N. J., where he became general manager for the P. P. Lorillard Tobacco Company. In 1898 he retired from active life, coming to St. Paul in 1907. His wife, Ann Eliza Young, was also a native of Kentucky. She died at Jersey City. September 30, 1905.
Henry H. Roth was born in Lee county, Iowa, September 5. 1849. At the age of eight years he came with his parents to Wheeling township, Rice county, receiving his education in the district schools and in the public schools of Faribault. After school he engaged in farming for a time with his father, later managing a rented farm till 1884, when he located near Faribault, continuing in general diversified farming. He was next em- ployed for over eight years as a bookkeeper in Faribault, and then, in 1905, opened a store in the same city, in which he has remained ever since, having been very successful and doing a large and flourishing business. The Republican party claims his allegiance in political matters, and though he has never sought office. he has held the position of road overseer for many years. December 18. 1873, he was married to Sophia Hildeburd, of Goodhue county, who died June 29, 1896, leaving five children : Benjamin J., Carrie, Adda, Emma and Florence. Three others, Sarah, Gertrude and Herbert, died in early youth. The family are loyal attendants of the German Methodist Church. Jacob and Bar- bara Roth, parents of Henry H., were born and reared in Beyen. Germany. Coming to America in 1844, they first located in Ohio, farming it for two years. and then removed to Lee county, Iowa, where the father wrested a living from the soil after the fashion of those pioneer days, until 1857. They then came to Wheeling township, Rice county, being among the first settlers, and con-
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