USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 68
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 68
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 112:
Carlton W. Sanford was an honored and respected citizen of Faribault, Minn., a native of Belfast, Alleghany county, N. Y., his date of birth being February 22. 1835. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of his birthplace, and at the age of thirteen years emigrated West with his parents, settling in Walmuth county, Wisconsin. Here he passed the rest of his boyhood days, and later was in the drug business for some time. Then he returned to his native state and was engaged in photog- raphy there until his removal to California, where he followed mining for five years, meeting and overcoming the obstacles and privations common to those rough pioneer times. Coming East, he located in Richland township, Rice county, on a farm of 400 acres and gave his attention to general diversified farming till 1883, when he sold out and removed to Faribault, going into the insurance business, which he conducted until his death, in April. 1910. He also conducted a sixty-acre farm within the city limits. Mr. Sanford was in his seventy-fifth year, and very clearly remembered the experiences and perils of the early times, espe- cially those of the Indian Outbreak in which he bore arms against the savages. In politics, he adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He served as supervisor of his township in Walmuth county, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Con- gregational church. January 8, 1863. he was united in marriage with Sarah Vose. of Wisconsin, daughter of Gilman and Olive (Nicholas) Vose, who have since deceased. Five children have blessed this marriage, named in order of births, respectively : Stella Honegate, of Minneapolis: Winnie E., a stenographer of Minneapolis ; Carlton C. who is a real estate dealer of Minne- apolis ; Mrs. Sadie O. Franz, of Denver, Colorado; and Morton W., who is a printer at Faribault. Abram and Susan ( Wads- worth) Sanford, parents of our subject, were born and raised in New York, and followed farming as an occupation all their lives-first in their native state, then in Wisconsin, later return- ing East again, then west to Wisconsin, finally locating in Rice county where they deceased.
Willis Sheridan Shaft, a prominent business man at Fari- bault, Minn., was born at Elmyra, Chemung county, New York, July 15, 1865. Ilis education was received in the public schools of Hastings, Minn. where he removed with his parents from New York when six years of age. When eleven years old, he was given employment as a newsboy on the Hastings & Dakota Railway, in which capacity he served for two years. He was then employed in the "Hastings Gazette" office for some five years and became pretty well versed in the printing business.
In 1884, he went to Aberdeen, S. D., and embarked in a gen- eral merchandise business. Two years later he opened a retail
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shoe store under the style of "Shaft, the Shoe Man," and built up a large and thriving business there, which he continued until 1891, when he engaged in the shoe manufacturing business in connection with the retail store. A year later, Mr. Shaft sold out his retail business and removed the manufacturing plant to Minneapolis, Minn., and in 1903, transferred his estab- lishment to Faribault, where he has continued the manufacture of shoes to the present time. His company, known as the Shaft- Pierce Shoe Company, has won a wide reputation for its goods throughout the entire northwest, having a steadily increasing call for its product. They now operate to the full capacity, a large plant at Faribault covering a floor space of 25.000 square feet. The success of the business is largely due to the efforts of its president, Mr. Shaft.
He is also vice president of the Hathaway-Shaft Shoe Com- pany of Minneapolis, Minn., shoe jobbers. The Republican party values him as a staunch supporter, and he is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his city, county and state. He is at present serving as a director of the Faribault com- mercial club and is also a member of the Minneapolis com- mercial club. Numerous fraternal organizations count him an active supporter of their respective associations, including the Masonic Order, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Cathedral club, of which he is president. While in Aberdeen. Mr. Shaft was associated with the Pioneer Builders of that city, a member of the fire department, a member of the common coun- cil and of the school board.
On May 15, 1889, at Aberdeen, S. D., he was united in marriage with Emma May Callender, born February 21. 1867, to Mr. and Mrs. James C. Callender. of Harvard, Ill. The father deceased in 1880, and the mother in November. 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Shaft have three children; Dorothy H., born December 23. 1904, Willard S., born April 30, 1907, and Helen G .. who was born December 8, 1908. The family have a beautiful home on the corner of Fifth avenue and Seventh street. As to re- ligious faith, they adhere to the tenets of the Episcopal catholic church. Alpheus D. Shaft, father of our subject, was a native of England : Margaret M. (Curtis) Shaft, his mother, was born in Pennsylvania, but of Scotch descent. The father came to America from his home in Shaftesbury, Eng., at the age of six years, with his parents locating in New York where he received his education. After finishing school he held different positions on the Erie Railroad, and was master of mechanics for this com- pany at the time of his death, in November, 1867. The mother died August 16, 1898.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Warren Smith, sole proprietor and owner of the Faribault Cement and Pavement Works, was born in Monroe township, Waldo county, Maine, December 31, 1849.
At an early age, he emigrated West with his parents who located in Forest township, Rice county, Minnesota, and here he passed his boyhood, having the usual experiences of a farmer boy in those pioneer times and acquiring his education in the district schools and in the public schools of Faribault. After school, he worked with his father on the home farm until he arrived at his majority, and then entered the Polar Star Mills. of Faribault, in which he thoroughly learned the miller's trade during the following two years. Removing to Medford, Steele county, he continued in his chosen vocation for the next three years, subsequently locating in Owatonna four years, and then two years in Janesville, Minn., all the while being engaged in his former line of work. In 1886, he returned to Faribault, being connected with the Sheffield Mills for a year and then with a mill at New Prague for six months. In 1888, he again returned to Faribault and bought out the cement works, now known as the Faribault Cement and Pavement Works, of which he is still sole owner and proprietor, engaging in general cement con- tracting and building in which he has been very successful. catering to a large and growing trade, and employing from six to fourteen men constantly. As to politics, the Republican party claims his allegiance, though he has never aspired to public office. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Mystic Toilers, and has been associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past thirty-five years. December 27, 1876, at Faribault, he was married to Rosana Van Osdale, of Wells township. They have three children: Arthur L., born November 20, 1877, now in business with his father, served in the Spanish American War and afterwards remained in the regular army seven years; Ella E., born March 1, 1879, died October 27, 1881 : Elda R .. born February 28, 1886, is the wife of C. F. Britt and has one child, Gerald L .; and Arthur, married to Helfreda Faugher, is engaged at present with the city of Faribault as City Inspector, inspecting Portland cement and tests of cement and brick business. The family residence is located at 623 First street, West. They attend worship at the Methodist Episcopal church. Hugh and Huldah (Garland). parents of our subject were natives of Maine, where the father followed farming. Coming West in April, 1855. they settled in Forest township, Rice county. and homesteaded a quarter sec- tion of wild land, which the father subdued and cultivated under the trying conditions of those pioneer days, being engaged in general farming until his death, December 21, 1885. The mother
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passed away August 25, of the following year. Mrs. Warren Smith is a daughter of Simon and Elizabeth Van Osdale, the father following farming in Wells township, Rice county, up to the time of his death in '97. His wife deceased in 1872.
D. F. A. Skinner, a wideawake business man of Faribault, Minn., was born July 15, 1869, in Chatauqua county, New York. His early education was received in the district schools of his native county, supplementing this with a course in the State Normal School at Fredonia, N. Y., and later being graduated from a school of business in Burlington, Iowa. His school days over he held several positions in Burlington until '88, when he enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment of Infantry of the United State Regular Army, participating in the campaigns of '88 and '89 against the Sioux Indians, and receiving his baptism of fire in an engagement at Fort Custer, near the scene of the gallant General Custer's last stand. After two years service, he was honorably discharged and came to St. Paul, being con- nected with various wholesale houses until 1892, when he be- came interested in a wholesale harness and saddlery business. the company being retired during the financial depression of the following year. In 1895, he removed to Walcott township. Rice county, and six years later came to Faribault, and started a creamery and ice cream business on First avenue, North, his increasing business soon compelling him to seek larger quar- ters in a two story brick building, situated on Second street, be- tween Central and First avenues. The building is admirably adapted to the uses to which it is put, being thoroughly modern and sanitary in every respect, and ideally equipped to handle his extensive and ever-growing trade in the retailing of milk and cream, butter and ice-cream -- which he manufactures, and apples, eggs and dairy produce. Mr. Skinner also has com- fortable apartments in the same structure, occupied by himself and family as residence. In politics, he inclines towards the tenets of the Republican party, being a firm believer in pro- tection by tariff. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen count him a valued member of their respective organizations. October 18, 1893, he was united in marriage with Nellie B. Cowden, of Fredonia, N. Y., by whom he has two children : Lillian Louise, born in St. Paul, September 23, 1894, and Genevieve Cowden, born February 19, 1897, in Walcott township.
Addison A. and Laura (Tambling) Skinner, parents of our subjects, were born and reared in New York State. The father served two enlistments in the War of the Rebellion, being once mustered out on account of light weight. He met his death in the service of his country at Fort Snelling. He was a college
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1431
graduate, and while in civil life was engaged in farming in Chantanqua county, New York. His wife died in 1881.
Everett Spear, one of the substantial men of Northfield, Minn., comes of sturdy New England stock, and numbers among his direct ancestors three great grandfathers who served in the Revolutionary War. He is a native of Racine, Wis., and was born May 9, 1844, to Edward and Mary (Sawyer) Spear, who removed from Vermont, their native state to Wisconsin in the early thirties. The father was a manufacturer by trade ; but in his later life he engaged in farming, and died at Wyocena, Wis. Our subject acquired a common school education and taught school one year. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F. First Heavy Artillery, and was assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac, and guarded the Forts around Alexandria. After his honorable dishcarge, at the close of the War, at Milwaukee, he returned to his home, and in 1866 removed to Rice county and for a number of years was engaged in farm- ing in Northfield township with good success. He also, in addi- tion handled all kinds of farm implements. He was thus en- gaged different times till 1880, and the following year had a position with the St. Paul Harvester Works which he held till the latter part of 1882. He sold lis farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 1894.
Mr. Spear next turned his attention to well drilling, operating two machines. He conducted this line of work eight years, cov- ering almost the entire county. Since 1887 he has made his home in Northfield, having forty-five acres of land within the city limits ; and here he carries on dairy farming, having a fine lot of Jersey cows, selling his products to the creamery at Northfield, in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Spear built a number of houses in Northfield and is counted among her enter- prising citizens. He has been a member of the school board of ditsrict No. 78 a number of years, and at the present time- 1910-is a member of the common council of the city. In politics he is independent. Since this was written without be- ing a candidate or having his name on the ballot he received 316 votes for Mayor and came near being elected. There was two candidates with their names on the ballot, Dr. W. A. Hunt, and R. D. Barrett.
On November 22, 1871, Mr. Spear married Miss Lizzie A. daughter of Lambert and Martha ( Martin) Watts. Of two chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Spear, the elder, Lambert E. is a manufacturer of gasoline engines, Mande is married to Mr. D. D. Brubaker.
John W. Snyder, whose varied experiences have given him an extensive knowledge of affairs, is one of the prosperous busi-
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ness men of Faribault. Minn. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 10, 1858, to Casper and Elizabeth (Lyford) Snyder, natives of Germany. The father was a wood turner by trade and on coming to this country settled first at Cincinnati where he married, and thence moved to Watertown. Wis. In 1867 he went to Faribault and for a time was employed in the Wandel Fruit Factory in various kinds of work. He afterwards followed his trade in St. Paul and removed to Rochester, Minn .. where he died in 1902. and where his widow died in 1907. John W. grew up in Watertown. Wis., and acquired his education and here worked with his father learning the trade of wood turning, and followed it ten years. During this time he became an expert bicycle rider and spent three years as a fancy trick rider, and racer, with the high wheel. Coming to Faribault, he turned his attention to the bicycle trade. and sold the first safety bicycle that was sold there. Mr. Snyder continued in this business with good success, till 1895. and then began the bakery business that has engaged his principal attention ever since, supplying goods for both the retail and wholesale trade. sending his products to Morristown and various southern points and having an ex- tensive local trade with the hotels and restaurants of Faribanlt. Mr. Snyder is active in fraternal and benevolent organizations, being Past Chancellor of Knights of Pythias, and a member of Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Eagles. He was the prime mover in organizing the Faribault Guards and served five years as first lieutenant of the company. In November. 1878, Mr. Snyder married Fannie, a daughter of Albin and Mary Flye, natives of Boston. Mass. Mr. Snyder is a Republican in political sentiment and with Mrs. Snyder. is affiliated with the Episcopalian church.
George H. Shipman was born August 12, 1869, at Faribault, Minn .. and has lived there all his life, and is one of the pros- perous and wide-awake busines inen of the city. His parents, George and Margaret (Weben) Shipman, came from Germany, their native land, in 1866. and settled at Faribault, where they still live, the father being well known as a painter and decorator. They have besides our subject, a daughter, Flora Cecelia, who lives with her parents. George H. acquired his education in the German Lutheran, and public school, worked with his father as a painter and decorator, becoming a skillful and expert work- man. He continued with his father till 1909 and then branched out on his own account, thoroughly prepared and fully equipped to furnish estimates, and take and carry out contracts for paint- ing and all manner of work relating to decorative art. Mr. Shipman always devoted himself closely to his chosen work, but gives a reasonable amount of time to social and outside affairs.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
He is a member of the Commercial club of Faribault, and be- longs to the Mutual Life Association. He is a Republican in political faith and in his religious affiliations is connected with the German Lutheran church. On October 7, 1898, Mr. Ship- man married Margaret Miller, whose parents. Jaques and Car- oline Miller, came from Germany, their native land, about 18- and settled in Brooklyn, N. Y., moving, five years later to Rice county, Minnesota, where the father bought and settled his family on a quarter section of land in Morristown and engaged in general farming, and where he and his wife still live. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman have two children named. respectively. Serena Isabella and Helen Ardelia.
Walter Scott, proprietor of the Fariott Garage and Engine Factory is a native of Rice county. Minnesota, and was born at Morristown, June 19, 1866, to James G. and Lucia A. (Wood) Scott, natives of New Jersey and Illinois, respectively. The father was one of the early settlers of Rice county and did much towards its development in the early days. Hle carried on gen- eral farming and sheep raising in Richland township and later in Morristown. In 1871 he sold his interests here and purchased milling property at Robert Lake, and was a leading and influ- ential man in his community. Ilis death occurred in 1885, but his widow survived till 1907, when she passed away. Walter acquired his education in the public schools and when twenty years old. in 1885, entered the works of F. W. Winters and Company of Faribault, and learned the machinist's trade and remained there five years. The next five years he was em- ployed as engineer for M. B. Sheffield. at Walcott, after which he went to Stillwater, and was there in the bicycle business till the year of 1900. In the fall of that year he returned to Fari- bault and for a year worked in the automobile factory of the Chicago Electric Vehicle Company, and since that time, in one way or another has been interested in, and connected with the automobile trade. His present factory was established January 1, 1909. and besides the manufacture of gas engines and motor boats, he does an extensive business in automobiles and other repairs and in supplies of every kind in this line, and is the representative of the Olds, the Buick and the Oakland machines for Rice, and a half of Goodhne counties. Mr. Scott is a member of the Automobile club and Boat club of Faribault, and also belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America, and for three years, 1905-8, was state game officer. He is independent in his political sentiments and actions, and in religious belief, adheres to the faith of the Presbyterian church. On October 23, 1888, Mr. Scott married Edith M., daughter of J. W. and Ella R. Brierton. natives of Illinois and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were
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early settlers of Olmstead county, Minnesota, and in 1869 set- tled on a farm in Steele county.
Charles N. Stewart, ex-sheriff of Rice county, was born in Madison county, New York, June 18, 1826, and was brought to Wisconsin by his parents as a lad of fourteen. IIe then remained on the home farm working for his father until 1854 when he came to Rice county, arriving at the present site of Northfield, October 20, of that year. He made a claim in North- field township on Prairie creek, built a cabin and returned that fall to Wisconsin. On account of his health, Mr. Stewart was unable to return inside of the required six months and conse- quently lost his claim right. Not daunted, he returned about the middle of July, 1855, and bought a claim of 160 acres from a Mr. Trolley in the township of Bridgewater. Here he lived for forty-seven years, winning his way in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and becoming one of the most honored, respected and trusted citizens of the county. In 1902 he moved to the city of Northfield where he now resides. Mr. Stewart was elected sheriff of Rice county in 1888 and served four consecutive terms. After returning from this office he took charge of the state farm which is conducted in connection with the state school for defectives, and remained about two years. He has now retired from the more strenuous duties of life and is enjoy- ing a well-deserved rest. Mr. Stewart has been a life long Republican. He was married October 30, 1860, to Olive Jose- phine Hull, born in Munnsville, Madison county, New York. September 15, 1833. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were born four children, two of whom are living. Birney Sinclair was born September 1, 1862, and died July 6, 1864; Charles S. was born July 18, 1865, and died January 31. 1901 ; Theodore A. was born May 10, 1867, and now lives at Hibbing, Minn .; Clara M. was born March 22, 1869, and married Herbert Clement, of Fari- bault, Minn. The family faith is that of the Congregational church.
The parents of Charles N. Stewart were Alexander and Margaret (Sinclair) Stewart, both natives of Scotland, married in Johnstown. Montgomery county, New York. Alexander Stewart moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, in 1840 and there followed the occupation of farmer. He and his wife are both dead. They were the parents of eleven children as fol- lows: Mrs. George Stewart, of Oneida, Madison county, New York; Mrs. Henry Gilbert, of Monmouth, Ill .; Robert A. Pewanke, of Waukesha county, Wisconsin; John, of Jackson, Mich. : Wiliam D., of Rice county, Minnesota; Mrs. A. B. Par- sons, of Delaware, Wis .; Janett Stewart, of Delaware, WVis .; Joseph A., of Northfield, Minn .; Archibald S., of Nyack, New
V. W. SKINNER
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 1435
York; Charles N .. of Northfield, and James T., of Waukesha, Wis. The parents of Mrs. Charles N. Stewart were Samuel W. and Mary L. (Frost) Hull, both natives of New York, the former born April 12, 1803, and the mother September 20, 1808. They were married September 21, 1826. The father died May 30. 1881, and the mother September 2, 1884. They were the parents of six children: Adelaide A., who died in infancy; Mrs. William Minton, of Brockton, Chautauqua county, New York; Mrs. Charles N. Stewart, of Northfield; Mrs. James De Grey, of Clinton, East Felisiana Parish, La .; Helen Adel, who died in infancy and David Virney, of Chautauqua county. New York.
Miron W. Skinner, now deceased, was for many years prom- inently identified with the life of Northfield. He was born at Jericho Center, Vermont, June 2, 1834. His parents, though having little of this world's wealth, were of sturdy New Eng- land stock, and rich in the virtues of the Puritan character. His mother was a Chapin. a name well known and honorably associated with much of New England history. Losing his mother when but eight years of age, and compelled to begin earning his own livelihood at fifteen, he early developed the independence and self reliance that were such important elements of success to him in after life. His education was received in the public schools and in the academy of the neighboring town of Underhill. His business training began with three years of clerkship in Burlington and Underhill. In 1853 he went to Dubuque, lowa, where he remained one year, and then to Galena, Ill., where he remained two years, as clerk in a wholesale house. and where business connections first called his attention to the possibilities of the Northwest. In 1856 he joined his two brothers in Jamestown. Wis., where they were engaged in the mercantile business. In the fall of the same year, with his brother, Martin P. Skinner, he went to Northfield, and estab- lished a similar business, the three brothers conudeting the two stores in partnership until the death of the Wisconsin brother in 1864. Northfield was then but a rude promise of a town. There was not a plastered house within its limits, and every- thing was in a corresponding state of crudeness. Of what it subsequently became, Mr. Skinner contributed his full share. By ability, industry, integrity and fair dealing, he not only achieved a substantial business success, but won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and contributed in many important ways to the best interests of the town. In 1866, his brother. Martin, died, and Mr. Skinner associated himself with other partners, from time to time-Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Lockwood and C. A. Drew, the partnership with the latter continuing for
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