USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 69
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 69
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eighteen years. Meantime Mr. Skinner was frequently en- trusted by eastern people with money for investment, and he conducted such negotiations with so much sagacity, and so much to the satisfaction of both borrowers and lenders, that he grad- ually developed a loan business of such magnitude that he was obliged to devote his entire time to it, withdrawing from his mercantile pursuits for that purpose. It is a fine tribute to both his business and his moral qualities that in the more than forty years that this business continued, not a dollar thus invested for other people was ever lost, and no mortgaged property came back upon the hands of the investors. The confidence which his neighbors had in him was attested in many ways. He was for several years officially connected with the Citizens' Bank, of Northfield, and was for twenty-one years, a director and for fourteen years the vice president of the First National Bank. The welfare of Northfield and its people was ever dear to him, and he was foremost in every enterprise which he be- lieved to be for the general good. In 1892 he was elected as a member of the city council, and was twice re-elected, making his office six years, after which. in March, 1898, he was elected mayor, which office he held four years. It was during this official period of his life, and largely through his efforts and influence, that some of the most important and progressive im- provements were introduced, including the system of water- works, to which he gave so much time and attention. September 5, 1859, Mr. Skinner was married, in Anoka, Minn., to Emily Willey, daughter of the Rev. Austin Willey, then pastor of the Congregational church in that place. The union was a sing ularly happy and fortunate one, securing him a companion and helper whose sympathy, capacity and co-operation were of in- valuable service to him in every walk of life. Their home was a charming social center, where their friends and neighbors delighted to gather, and overflowed with the most generous hospitality to the large circles of guests, whether acquaintances or strangers. Mr. Skinner's religious character was as marked and earnest as his business enterprise. He was from childhood seriously inclined, and a regular attendant at church and Sunday school. In March, 1858, he joined the Congregational church at Northfield. and was one of the most exemplary and active members during the remainder of his life. He engaged actively in Sunday school work, and was a regular attendant at the devotional meetings of the church. He served it as clerk. treas- urer, deacon and trustee, and was a generous giver to very good cause. His piety was of a kind that begins at home, where family worship was regularly maintained, and the many interests that were dear to him were daily remembered. In no organi-
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zation was he more interested than in the Old Settlers Associ- ation, and its unusual success has been largely due to his energy and ingenuity. He was a member of the first board of trustees of Carleton college and served in that capacity until his death. His interest in the college was intense, and his gifts of time and money extending over a period of more than forty years, were many and generous. Although doing such a prodigious amount of work, Mr. Skinner, was, during a large part of his adult life. a sufferer from impaired health. Before he was thirty years old, he developed pulmonary difficulties that threatened his life, but from which, rest, temporary change of climate and skillful nurs- ing brought him gradually back to health, though with some remnants of the old troubles from which he was never entirely free. During the last three or four years of his life he was a sufferer from other serious disorders, which, in spite of all that medical and surgical skill and devoted care could do, culminated in his death, on July 19, 1909. His death was felt as a personal and public loss. Places of business were closed during the funeral hour, and his neighbors and associates went enmasse to the service. Mr. Skinner left a wife and one daughter. An infant son died in 1863.
Adam Smith, a retired farmer, now living in Northfield. Minn., is a native of Germany and was born May 10, 1839. His parents. Nicholas and Mary (Wolf) Smith immigrated from Germany, their native land, in May, 1846, and settled on a farm near Buffalo, N. Y., where they reared their family and spent their lives. Here our subject spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and acquired his education attending school, held in a log cabin. He left home in 1857 and coming to Minnesota, reached Northfield October 7th, and during the following six months lived on what was known as the Captain Ives farm near the then Village after which, until 1862, he was employed as a farm hand. After the opening of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company A. Seventh Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers, infantry, and after serving one year in the Indian Expedition, was transferred to St. Louis, Mo., where he was on parol duty for a time, and then with his regiment, went to Paducah, Ky. He continued in the service till the close of the war in 1865, participating in the numerous battles of the various campaigns and was honorably discharged, being mustered out at Fort Snelling. Returning home, Mr. Smith resumed farming, settling in Sciota township where he continued three years, after which he farmed two years in Waterford township, and then for a period of ten years con- ducted a teaming business, carrying between Cascade and North - field. Through these years of industry, economy, and thrift. Mr. Smith accumulated sufficient capital to buy a farm of one
1438 HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
hundred and sixty acres in Stanton township, Goodhue county where he settled in 1879 and which he conducted with eminent success for a period of twenty years, carrying on general farm- ing and dairying. Mr. Smith still owns this farm, but since 1899 has lived in Northfield where he enjoys the well-earned fruits of his labors in his fine home on Union avenue. On Sep- tember 24, 1863, Mr. Smith married Julia H., daughter of the late Josiah Austin, a pioneer farmer of Goodhue county, a native of Vermont. and who recently died in Washington. Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the eldest, Ida is married to Arthur Drake, a carpenter, of Northfield, Lillian is married to Simon La Pointe, a farmer, in the outskirts of Northfield. and Sidney S., who married Lizzie Dack, is engaged in farming near Northfield. Mr. Smith is a member of the G. A. R .. Heywood Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Northfield, and he was the last man to whom Mr. Heywood handed money over the bank counter before the bank robbery.
Henry A. Swartwood, retired farmer of Faribault, and former member of the legislature, was born in Wyoming county, Penn- sylvania, July 20, 1836. After receiving the usual education of the boys of his period, he followed farming until 1857 on the home farm in Pennsylvania. After coming to Cannon City township with his parents, he still farmed with his father until 1859 when he purchased 100 acres of his own. To this he added until he owned 220 acres, which he improved and cultivated, suc- cessfully conducting general farming. During this period he rose to distinction among his neighbors. For many years he served on the school board and for two terms was supervisor of his township. In 1887-88 he was a member of the state legis- lature and reflected credit upon himself and the district he repre- sented. During the Indian outbreak. he received a commission as second lieutenant in one of the companies raised for frontier service, but he did not leave home. In 1899. Mr. Swartwood rented his farm and purchased a comfortable residence at 625 Seventh street, Faribault. where he is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. In politics he is an independent Republican. Mr. Swartwood was married in March, 1859, to Harriet Shepard. who died in April. 1896. To this union were born six children : Fred A., a physician in Waseca : Frank I., an insurance agent in Minneapolis; Wilbur E., secretary of the Minneapolis Paper Company, in Minneapolis ; Clifford H., in the mining business at Cripple Creek, Col .; Jennie M .. married to Edward A Pike and living on the old homestead; and Carlton H., of Minneapolis. Mr. Swartwood was married April 20, 1899, to Alice E. Covert. daughter of Joseph Covert, of Wheeling township, born March 2, 1859. Mr. Covert died April 20, 1893, and Mrs. Covert died
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
April 28, 1898. The family faith of the Swartwoods is that of the Episcopal church.
Henry and Catherine ( Brunges) Swartwood parents of Henry A. Swartwood were natives of Pennsylvania, their oldest son, Charles came in 1855 and the father in 1856, and returned the same year to his old home and moved his family in 1857, having purchased 320 acres and followed farming until their retirement in 1884. Mrs. Swartwood died February 27, 1886, and Mr. Swartwood October 31, 1895.
Andrew J. Stauffer, son of one of the pioneer Minnesota families, was born in territorial days, at Afton, Washington county, Minnesota, September 4, 1856, and spent his boyhood in that place. In 1869 he came with his parents to Faribault and continued his schooling in the public schools of this city. After completing his studies, he still remained at home, and in 188} took chage of the home farm, coming into possession of the old homestead at the time of his father's death. From 1889 to 1895 he engaged in a general mercantile establishment in Idaho, but with the exception of those years, has devoted his life to farming. In 1903, the farm house, which had stood many years, was burned, and the family moved to 516 West Fifth street. Mr. Stauffer, however, continued to carry on general farming on the home place with great success. The farm, which is a fertile one, is located within the city limits and is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Stauffer is a loyal Prohibitionist, and belongs to the Modern Samaritans and the Equitable Fra- ternal Union. He has never sought publie office. April 30, 1881, Mr. Stauffer was married at Cannon City to Lina J. Covert, born September 1, 1860, daughter of Hon. Joseph Covert. To this union have been born three children: Leslie J. was born June 11, 1884, and was married September 28, 1907, to Ruby P. Rawson; Roy J. was born April 14, 1888, and died March 26, 1892; Hazel T. was born April 30, 1899, and lives at home. The family faith is that of the Congregational church. John and Hannah (Shull) Stauffer, territorial pioneers, parents of Andrew J. Stauffer, were born in Pennsylvania, and there spent their early life, migrating to St. Anthony Falls in 1854. Subsequently they lived in Afton, Minn., where their son was born, and in 1869 came to Faribault and purchased the Hulett farm, where they conducted general farming until 1881, when they retired. The mother died November 28, 1885, and in 1887 the father returned to Pennsylvania, where he died at York, in April, 1894. To John Stauffer belongs the credit of originating the raising of clover in both Washington and Rice counties.
Sylvester Statelar, one of the sturdy old pioneers of Minne- sota, was born in Ohio, March 14, 1817, in which state he re-
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ceived his education. After his school days, he served an appren- ticeship in a blacksmith shop, following this line of work for several years in his native state and continuing it after his re- moval to Stillwater, Minn., in 1842. He remained in Stillwater till 1846, when he removed to Lake Superior, staying there one year. In 1847, he was appointed government blacksmith for the Chippewa Indians, being stationed at Crow Wing, Minn., holding this position until 1862, and experiencing the usual hard- ships and perils incident to the carly pioneer days. He then came to Rice county and located in Warsaw township, where he purchased a quarter section of land and entered into agriculture with his characteristic energy and vim, remodeled the house, erected new outbuildings and made numerous other improve- ments. Mr. Statelar's farm is known as one of the best in the township. Besides carrying on general farming, he has made a specialty of gardening, also of grape culture, in which he has met with very marked success. In connection with his farm. he has always conducted a blacksmith shop for the purpose of doing his own work in that line, and has also helped out his neighbors on numerous occasions. He has occupied much of his time in his advanced age in fine metal work, especially in the making of carving sets, having made five sets after his eighty- fifth year. As to politics, Mr. Statelar is a follower of the Demo- cratic party, and has been honored with various local offices, having served his town for many years on the school board as well as in other town offices. In religion, he is a believer in the teachings of the Episcopal church. He is identified with the 1849 Territorial Association, organized in '57. Mr. Statelar is now in his ninety-fourth year, but is still hale and hearty and has a very vivid recollection of the early days with their privations and trials. He is universally loved and esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact. December 21, 1863, at Little Falls, Minn., he was married to Sarah J. Elwell, who died February 3, 1907, leaving two daughters and one son. Chlora, the eldest, married Charles Murray, now of Merriam Park. James S., the second in order of birth, has always been engaged in general farming with his father on the old homestead, looking after the interests of the farm and caring for his father in his old age. He also owned and conducted another large farm in connection with the old homestead for some years. As well as other business enterprises, chief of which is a large interest in and the presi- dency of the Faribault Canning Company. Sarah A., like her brother has always remained at home, caring for her father and attending to the household duties that her mother so faithfully performed before her passing to the Great Beyond.
There were three older children by a former marriage, Nannie,
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who resides in St. Paul; Truman, who died in 1906, and Sophia, married to Henry Sidebottom, who died in 1901. There is one grandson, Radcliffe Sidebottom, born in England, in 1895.
John Sery was born in Bohemia, June 24, 1866, son of Albert and Annie (Cecka) Sery, natives of Bohemia. The father acted as foreman under Prince Swartzenburg, and also as road over- seer in his county for forty years, he died in 1849. John Sery was educated in Bohemia, and came to this country with his mother and sister in 1880, they first located at New Prague where he and his sister worked in a hardware store for one year. He then went to work on a farm for two years in that vicinity, and then worked one season on a farm in Dakota county in order to learn the English language. He then went to Dakota where he worked out on a farm for four years. Returning to Minnesota he went to St. Paul and entered the butcher business which he followed for one year. lle then returned to Rice county and worked at odd jobs for one year, then moved to Tacoma, Wash., where he entered the wood business and con- tinued in that for about three years, when he again returned to North Dakota. In 1894, he removed to Minneapolis and entered the butcher business but he followed it for only a few months, when he returned to Rice county and farmed for one year, and then moved to Pine county, where he farmed until 1902, going from there to McHenry county. N. Dakota where he took up a homestead. In 1905 he sold out and returned to Rice county where he bought eighty acres in Wheatland township, section 23. and now does a general farming. In 1887 he was married to Johanna Cihlar, a daughter of Mithias and Elonor Cihlar who were natives of Bohemia. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sery : John. now in the hardware business in Dakota ; Annie and Nora, twins, living in Minneapolis, and George lives at home. His wife died in 1902. He married as his second wife in 1905. Mary Kotraba, widow of Chas. Kotraba. Ile has one child by his second wife. Emma, who lives at home. In his religious belief Mr. Sery is a Roman Catholic, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. He has served as supervisor and town chairman of Wheatland township, and also on the school board. He is now serving as chairman of the village board of Wheatland. He is also president of the Wheat- land Creamery Company.
O. H. Stenbakken, a retired farmer of Wheeling township, is a worthy example of those men of sturdy race, who left the shores of Europe for the new world to achieve for themselves a name and fortune. He was born in Norway. September 17. 1848, son of H. O. and Carrie (Erickson) Stenbakken, who emigrated to America and located in Rock county, Wisconsin.
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in 1854. The father was engaged there as a laborer until 1856 at which time he moved to Minnesota and located in section 12, Wheeling township. where he bought 160 acres of land, which he improved and engaged in general farming until 1875. At this time he retired and lived with his son until the time of his decease in 1899. The mother died in 1862. Our subject attended school only six months, acquiring his education by diligent study during spare hours at home. He started life on the old home- stead on which he continued to do general farming until 1907 when he retired from active life. He still makes his home on the old homestead with his son. Mr. Stenbakken was married December 13, 1875. to Bergit H., daughter of II. K. and Sigre (Rustan) Rauk, natives of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1859, and located in section 7. town of Ilolden. Goodhue county, where the father farmed until 1892 at which time he retired and moved to Blooming Prairie. Steele county, where he died. Mrs. Rauk lives in Minneapolis with her daughter. Mrs. O. II. Veblen. Mrs. Stenbakken died in 1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Stenbakken have had five children: Carrie MI .. deceased ; Hanna Sophia, married to J. O. Hellerud. who lives in the town of Wheeling: Gine K., married to Joseph Hellerud. and lives in Wheeling : Hans O. has charge of the farm ; Serana B., now Mrs. A. B. Larson, member of the hardware firm of Held & Larson, at Nerstrand. Mr. Stenbakken is a Republican, and in religious faith he belongs to the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He has filled a number of local offices in the township, such as supervisor, justice of the peace, constable, township treasurer and clerk for the school board twenty years. He is also an active worker for the co-operative institutions in the community, being president and director of the Wheeling Mutual Fire Insurance Company: vice-president and director of the Farmers' State Bank at Nerstrand; stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, and a director in the Northfield Telephone Company. and assessor of the village of Nerstrand for twelve years.
Thomas Skluzacek was born in Wheatland, March 31. 1887. a son of Joseph and Katherine (Sticha) Skluzacek, natives of Bo- hemia. The father was by occupation a farmer, and came to this country in 1855, locating at St. Louis, remained there about one year, and then came to Minnesota, settling at Jordan, where he resided for six months. He then moved to New Prague, where lie was in the hotel business for about eight years: from there he moved to Wheatland township, where he bought a farm in section 19, which he carried on until 1890. Ile deeded the prop- erty over to his oldest son, Joseph F., and moved two miles fur- ther south, where he farmed until 1907. He moved to Lonsdale. where he now lives. Mr. Thomas Skluzacek was educated in
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the district schools of Wheatland, and at Montgomery. He spent seven months at a business college in Mankato. After leaving school he took up banking. He started as bookkeeper in the State Bank of Lonsdale, and is now cashier. He is one of a family of fourteen children. In his political views he is a Re- publican, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. IIe is now the village recorder and is a stockholder in the Lonsdale Bank.
P. H. Shields is one of the substantial farmers of Wells town- ship, Rice county, Minn., who has attained his honorable place in his community by force of character, energy and hard work. A native of Waukesha county, Wisconsin, he was born in 1846 to Charles and Catherine (Muldown) Shields, who came from Ireland, their native country, in 1839 and settled in Providence, R. 1., where the father followed his trade as a shoemaker. In 1844 he removed with his family to Waukesha county, Wiscon- sin, where he followed his trade and also conducted a store for a time and pre-empted a tract of 120 acres of land. The mother died there in 1882 and in 1883 the father moved to Minnesota and lived with his son the remainder of his life.
Our subject spent his boyhood at home and attended the public schools, and in 1868 bought eighty acres of land in Wis- consin, and engaged in farming ; selling out his interests in 1883. he came to Rice county. Minnesota, where he bought eighty acres of land, which he has improved and developed, and where he has made a beautiful home and carries on diversified and gen- eral farming with eminent success. Mr. Shields is an energetic man of affairs, prosperous and thrifty, and has served the com- munity in numerous local offices for many years, such as asses- sor, chairman of the town board, clerk of the school district, etc. Hle has held high positions in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and been prominent in temperance work. is a Democrat in poli- tics and, with his family is connected with the Catholic Church. Ile is also financially interested in the Faribault elevator and other local enterprises. On January 25, 1875, Mr. Shields mar- ried Mrs. Bridget Aspel, whose parents, Michael and Anastasia Connors, were natives of Ireland, and who came from their native land in 1850 and settled first in New York state, whence they moved to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled on a farm where they passed the rest of their lives, the mother dying in 1896 and the father in 1904. Of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shields, the eldest. Katherine, is married to Mr. M. Greenwood, and lives in Otter county, Minnesota : Anastasia married John J. Sullivan and lives in Erin township, Rice county : Bridget. who is the wife of Mr. John Welch, lives at Faribault : Eliza- beth lives at home with her parents; Anna E. is a teacher in
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Rice county: Charles P. lives at home; Nora is the wife of Mr. J. P. Sullivan, of Erin township. Rice county; Martin M. lives at home, and Mary attended a business college and is a teacher by profession.
Edwin Schwake resides on a farm in Wheeling township, Rice county, where he was born February 26, 1885, to Fred and Frederika ( Mahl) Schwake, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in about 1858 and located in Illinois, where the father farmed until the Civil War broke out. The father en- listed in the army and served all through the war. After the close of the war he came to Minnesota and located in Richland township. Rice county, where he bought a farm, which he im- proved and on which he did general farming until 1878. He sold this farm and bought 200 acres in section 16, Richland town- ship, remaining there until 1879. He then returned to Wheeling township. where he bought 160 acres in section 27. on which he was engaged in general farming up to the time of his decease in 1905. The mother died in 1901. Nine children blessed the home of this family: John lives on a farin in Richland town- ship: Martha. now Mrs. Ernest Schuette. lives on a farm in Steele county: Emma keeps house for the two brothers on the old homestead : Albert, a farmer, is married, and lives in Dodge county ; Margaret married W. H. Lindenburg, clothier at Fari- bault; Anna married H. A. Buchring and lives in Ellington, Minn .; Edwin, the subject of this sketch, and Arthur are both engaged in farming on the old home place: Alna makes her home on the farm and at Faribault. Our subject was educated in the district schools of Wheeling, which was supplemented by a course at the Dunker's Business College at Faribault. Leaving school, he returned to his father's farm, where he is still engaged in farming. In politics his sentiments are with the Republican party. He is a member of the German Evangelical Church.
J. W. Stoos, a progressive farmer of Richland township, was born there March 18, 1876, to N. H. and Sarah J. (Thompson) Stoos, natives of Germany and New York, respectively. The father came to America in 1850, with his parents. He came to Rice county as a young man and located in Richland township. sections 19 and 20, where he erected farm buildings, made im- provements and did general farming until 1904, at which time he rented the farm to his son, J. W., and moved to Owatonna, where he lives at the present time. The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the district schools of Richland, which was supplemented by five years' schooling at Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna. Leaving school, he came back to the old home- stead, where he still remains, carrying on general and diversified
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