USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 75
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 75
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Hor Hiram A. Scriver, of Northfield, was born in Hemming- ford in the province of Quebec, on the 22d of April, 1830. 11c secured a good common school education and spent some time at the high school in Potsdam, N. Y. Ile was engaged in mer cantile pursuits from the ending of his school days. In 1856 he came to Northfield, and on the 12th of June in that year he purchased the general merchandise store of Coulson Bros., who had started a few months before, where the Scriver block now stands, and at once became one of the leading and influential citizens of the new community. He was an early member of the board of supervisors, of which he was chairman, and has held other town and county offices. He was also a member of the school board. When Northfield became a city Mr. Scriver was
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its first mayor, and he was a member of the legislature in 1877 and 1879. lle took a great interest in educational matters and gave liberally to the support of Carleton college, of which he was a trustee from its organization. He was a director of the First National Bank of Northfield from 1878 to the day of his death in 1890. Mr. Scriver was a member of the Congregational Church, a regular attendant and a liberal contributor to its charities. Mr. Scriver was twice married. In 1860 he married Clara E. Olin, and they had one child, which died when two years old. llis wife was killed in a runaway some years ago, and in August 1886, he was married a second time, to Delia M. Vander- bilt, of Geneseo, N. Y., who survives him. He died from paralysis June 1, 1890. He was a man of upright character ; his business reputation was of the best, and in his daily walk and conversation lie proved himself a conscientious, kindly Christian gentleman. His life and character were largely influential in determining the high standard maintained in Northfield from the beginning to the present time.
Hon. George W. Batchelder. A true pioneer must needs be a man of varied abilities and well controlled mind. He must be able to do hard work himself as well as to direct his fellow men; to endure hardship with fortitude and success with modesty; to follow the right when wrong would seemingly prove more profit- able ; to rebuke dishonor, even when such rebuke brings disfavor from high places. Such a man was the late George W. Batchelder, whose biography, fully written, would almost enbody the whole history of Rice county, so closely were his activities interwoven with its progress. At the time of his death-January 9, 1910- the press of the state and nation voiced their eulogies and such phrases as "Faribault's most prominent and oldest citizen," "His life an example of integrity and honor," "Sad death causes uni- versal sorrow," "Widely known public man," were frequent. One paper said : "No man in the city or county, and few in the state of Minnesota, were better known than George WV. Batchel- der. A residence of fifty-four years, extending back beyond Minnesota's statehood, back into frontier life, back to a period when Faribault was a little village, when its chief commercial city was little more than a field of drifting sand, when Indians roamed at will all over the state, together with an active, influ- ential life, made him well known, while his love of justice, and his honorable manhood made his acquaintance desirable. Few, very few, men are permitted so long a life of activity -- and fewer still are permitted to couple with that activity so much that stand for true manhood and worth. It is little wonder that he was widely and favorably known. Active in his practice as a lawyer, active in business affairs, always a staunch friend of his chosen
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city and state, kindly in his friendships, charitable to those in need, always building up, never tearing down, it is not strange that Faribault should long mourn, or that its sorrow should extend far beyond its borders. In his carlier years Mr. Batchel- der mingled freely in a social way with his neighbors and friends ; he was of a genial disposition and his home was one of the cen- ters of Faribault social life. He was a scholar and student and devoted to music, while his strong and varied mental endow- ments made him a charming associate always. He was not a politician, in the common acceptance of the term, but was an active Democrat all his life. When official life came to him, he discharged its duties with studious care and fidelity. Ile believed in the people, and their rights of citizenship within the law. He feared the aggression of organized wealth; feared the coming of that condition that now confronts the nation and used his influence to check it."
George Washington Batchelder was born in Danville, Cale- donia county, Vermont, February 18, 1825, his parents having been John Batchelder and Alice Kittridge Batchelder. His ancestry is traced to Rev. Stephen Batchelder, who was a dis- senting minister, and who emigrated from Surrey, England, in 1732, and settled in Lynn, Mass. George W. lived on his father's farm till he was twenty years of age, attending the public schools and fitted for college at Phillips Academy, in Danville. He entered the University of Vermont in 1847 and graduated in 1851. Immediately after graduating he was employed to take charge of the high school at Windsor, Vt .. where he taught one year- 1851-52-and then went to Tennessee, where he taught a year in Tazewell Academy and a year in McMinn Academy, Rogers- ville, East Tennessee. During this time he studied law, first with Hon. Warren Currier, of Windsor, Vt., and closed with Hon. Frank II. Walker, of Rogersville. Returning to Vermont, he soon after left for Janesville, Wis., where he was admitted to the Rock county bar, which at that time embraced many able and distinguished lawyers. Realizing that the professional field was well filled, Mr. Batchelder in 1855 came to Faribault, in com- pany with the late Judge John M. Berry. At the time of Mr Batchelder's arrival Faribault was only a trading post of Alex- ander Faribault with the Sioux Indians, and contained hut few white people. Mr. Batchelder took an active part in the work of organizing the county, dividing it into townships and school districts, laying ont highways and making Faribault the county seat. He was a member of the state senate in 1872-73 and pro- cured the passage of the act giving to Faribault a city charter. He was mayor of the city in 1880 and 1881, president of the city board of education from 1881 to 1893. He was politically :
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Democrat but moderate in his views. He was the Democratic candidate for congress in the First district in 1868 against Hon. Morton S. Wilkinson, and in 1888 was the Democratic candidate for associate justice of the Supreme Court, but was defeated, his party being in a minority in the state. He has for upwards of twenty years been president of the Rice County Bar Association, and up to the time of his last illness had attended every session of the district court that had been held in Rice county and many sessions of outside courts. He was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court at the December term, 1884.
He at first formed a partnership with Hon. John M. Berry, late justice of the Supreme Court of Minnesota, the firm having been Berry & Batchelder, and next with Hon. Thomas S. Buck- ham, now judge of the District Court of the Fifth Judicial Dis- trict, which endured for twenty-three years under the firm name of Batchelder and Buckham. For the last nineteen years he had been in partnership with his son, Charles S., under the name of Batchelder & Batchelder. Mr. Batchelder was counsel for the proprietors of the town site of Faribault against contesting claimants, tried before the United States Land Office at Winona and appealed to the United States General Land Office at Wash- ington, D. C., in which the proprietors were successful. He was also counsel for the noted Younger brothers, indicted for murder. He has been employed in a large share of the litigation in his own county and other courts.
He was a regular attendant upon the Congregational Church, though not a member, and was a liberal contributor to its sup- port and for the aid of other churches. He was a Mason of the blue lodge. Mr. Batchelder was married, July 12, 1853, to Kate E. Davis, of Fond du Lac, Wis., but a native of Delaware county, New York, who survives him, with three children, viz. : Georgia Louise, Charles S. and John Davis Batchelder. The latter is professor of modern languages in the Case School of Applied ton, Me., September 26, 1843, where he received his early educa- tion. He came west in 1857, with his parents, Jonathan and Science, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
John Clifford, of Northfield, now deceased, was born in Stock- Susan B. (French) Clifford, who located in Stanton township. Goodhue county, Minnesota, where they engaged in farming. John attended the public schools and remained at home until in 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, and served three years, being mustered out at Charlotte in North Carolina, July 11, 1865. The regiment was finally disbanded August 1, 1865, at Fort Snelling, Minn., after which Mr. Clifford returned to his home. December 7, 1867, he was married to Jemima Masson, who was born in Roslin, Hast-
JOHN CLIFFORD
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ings county, Ontario, Canada, May 20, 1849, daughter of Alexan- der H. and Mary (Armstrong) Masson. Alexander H. Masson was born in Nairn. Scotland, and was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. The mother, a lady of rare culture, intelligence and refinement, was born in Sligo, Ireland, of English parentage. Mrs. Clifford came to Minnesota in 1865 to take up educational work, and taught in the district schools in Goodhue county for a time. She was afterward assistant to the state superintendent of public instruction and also did special institute work, in which she continued ten years. In the Masson family were ten daughters : Catherine, Mrs. John R. Jones, of Leeds, N. D. ; Mary, Mrs. John N. Dickson, of Northfield : Isabella, Mrs. William F. Whittle ; Margaret. Mrs. E. B. Law, and Jemima, Mrs. John Clifford, also of Northfield. Elizabeth, Mrs. Janes Law ; Caroline Louisa, Mrs. Cassius M. Clay Viant ; Matilda Masson ; Hannah, Mrs. Adam Stark, and Jean Masson are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford lived on their picturesque farm, "Violet Grange," in Stanton for six years after their marriage, and there Mr. Clifford erected a new home. In April, 1874, they moved to Northfield, where Mr. Clif- ford was engaged for a time in the Law brothers' general store. In 1885 he erected a building and opened a grocery and fruit store, which he conducted with much success up to the time of his death, which occurred August 23, 1905. Mr. Clifford was a man of sterling qualities, honest and upright, and liked by all with whom he came in contact. He possessed those peculiar qualities that drew men to him and held their unwavering friend- ship. He was always known as a good citizen and a true advo- cate of all good causes pertaining to the general interest and uplift of humanity and welfare of the city. His record as a sol- dier against the Indians and in Tennessee and North Carolina with General Schofield's Twenty-third army corps was without a stain as a brave and faithful veteran. He served the city faith- fully for twenty-two years as treasurer, being re-elected regu- larly each two years without an opposing candidate and was holding the office at the time of his death. He was a charter member of the J. L. Heywood Post, No. 93, G. A. R., was at one time commander, and held the office of adjutant for many years. In his politics he was a Republican.
Oliver F. Brand, of Faribault, successful nurseryman, was born in Lewis county, New York, January 7, 1844, of English parents, being the thirteenth in a family of fourteen. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and there received his boyhood education. When he had reached the age of twelve years his mother died. and he spent his fourteenth and fifteenth years working on farms. While still in his middle teens he enlisted in Company K, First
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Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in at Milwaukee as a private October 8, 1861, and remained with his regiment nearly a year, being mustered out in November, 1862, by reason of ill- ness, at Nashville, Tenn. After this he returned to Fond du Lac and in the fall of 1863 entered the employ of the old Rochester Nursery, of Rochester, N. Y., S. Moulson being the proprietor. He traveled for this company in Wisconsin and Illinois for one year and spent the year following in Iowa, manufacturing and selling milk safes; then ninety days in southwestern Wisconsin buying cattle and shipping them to Chicago. In January, 1866, he resumed the nursery business, planting his first 700 grafts in April, 1867, at Wabasha, Minn. In the spring of 1868 he started a small nursery in Richland township, Rice county. He also owned a nursery in Medford, Steele county, and one at Wells township, purchased in 1868 from J. R. Brown by Mr. Brand and Henry Lindsey. After about a year this partnership was dis- solved each partner taking an equal share. In 1870 Mr. Brand purchased his present home place from Judge John M. Berry, the property consisting of sixty acres, now in the city limits of Faribault. In 1877 Mr. Brand purchased a large tract of land in Lincoln county, Minnesota, but disposed of this in 1882. He made an unsuccessful venture in the production of sorghum during the cold summer of 1883. That fall, on account of the failing health of his beloved wife, he went to Tennessee, thence to Florida in November, 1885, returning to Faribault in the spring of 1886, where he has since resided. Mr. Brand is a fear- less Prohibitionist in politics and wields a vigorous pen against the saloon. He was a presidential clector on that ticket in 1908. He helped to organize the township of Ash Lake, in Lincoln county. Minnesota, and was one of its first supervisors. He also helped to organize the first school district of Ash Lake. He is a member and has been twice commander of Michael Cook Post, No. 123. G. A. R., and is the only surviving charter mem- ber of Unity Lodge, No. 45. A. O. U. W. He was married, De- cember 16, 1867, at Fond du Lac, Wis., to Mary Jane Mack, and of the children born to this union four lived to maturity, three dying in infancy. Norton F. is connected with his father and brother as salesman ; Archie M. is his father's partner in the nurs- ery business. Frank R. lives in Cannon City township. John S. is a traveling salesman. Mrs. Mary Jane Brand died May 12, 1899, and Mr. Brand was married July 19, 1900, to Mrs. Adalaide G. (Cooley) Paul, of Faribault.
Mr. Brand took a very active part in the Granger movement of 1872 to 1874 and was secretary of a council of eighteen granges which held quarterly meetings at Faribault. In February, 1873, he was elected a member of executive committee of the state
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grange, which at that time was the representative of 600 granges in the state. That fall he went as one of three delegates from the state to attend a convention on transportation held at Keokuk, Iowa. He has always been progressive and has originated a great many seedling apples, plums and pears, and the finest lot of seedling peonies in America. He is a believer in Spiritualism and Christian Science.
The parents of Oliver F. Brand were Benjamin and Abigail Baker (King) Brand, natives of England, who came to America in 1827, locating in Albany, N. Y., until 1833, then moving to Lewis county, in the same state. Benjamin Brand took charge of surveying and selling a large tract of land for Garret Denni- son, a New York attorney. lle acquired 106 acres of this land for himself, developed it, and followed general farming until 1849. He then sold out and the following year moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, farming 100 acres until 1864. In the fall of that year he came to Rice county, purchased 160 acres in Richland township, section 22, and farmed until 1870, when he purchased a home within the city limits of Faribault, and there ended his days, December 3, 1882. His wife died in Fond du Lac December 30, 1855.
William Saemrow, a prosperous farmer of Shieldsville town- ship, Rice county, Minnesota, was born in Germany, January 10, 1863, and is a son of William and Caroline (Melchort) Saemrow. The father died in Germany in 1870, but the mother still sur- vives. When William was seventeen years of age, in 1880. accompanied by his brother Charles, he immigrated to the United States, and coming direct to Minnesota begun by hiring out to farmers by the month. Later on they purchased farms, which they have since carried on with eminent success. Charles set- tled on section 7 and William on section 31, in Shieldsville town- ship, the latter buying the farm formerly owned by Postmaster W. L. Eddy. The few old buildings that were then on the place have been supplanted by a fine class of up-to-date improvements, the spacious and substantial ten-room farmhouse being heated by a system of hot air, and the place being fully equipped with all modern appliances and implements required in conducting a modern farm. Mr. Saemrow carries on general farming and stock raising and withal is thrifty and forehanded. On July 1, 1888. Mr. Saemrow, married Bertha Boldt, who died in 1904, and on September 25, 1906, he married Emma Schnesdtke, a native of Germany. By his first marriage Mr. Saemrow had seven chil- dren : William, twenty-one; Mattie, eighteen; Lydia, seventeen ; Lena, fourteen ; Emma, eleven; Bertha, ten, and Rosena, six years of age.
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Edward F. Swanson, a successful and popular business man of Faribault, is a native of Minnesota, and was born at Warsaw, Rice county, July 31, 1868. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Markenson) Swanson, natives of Sweden, came to this country in 1847. They lived in Chicago a short time, and then settled on a farm in Goodhue county, Minnesota, whence they moved, in 1868, to the town of Warsaw in Rice county. Here the father carried on general farming till his decease, which occurred at the family homestead in February, 1900. The mother died in March, 1898. Edward F. spent his boyhood on his father's farm. and after closing his school days in the district schools worked on the home farm after attaining his majority some twelve years. On November 14, 1901, he began his business career in Faribault as a partner with Dr. Hay, in the livery, boarding, feed and sale stables, with which he is now connected. Under careful and conservative management the business has been a success from the start and each succeeding year marks a most satisfactory advance and growth in trade. Mr. Swanson is active in fraternal organizations, being a member of the Eastern Star, the Eagles. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Modern Wood- men of America. He also belongs to the Commercial Club, of Faribault, and as a member of the common council served as chairman of the committee on streets in 1908. He is a Repub- lican in political opinions, and in his religious convictions adheres to the faith of the Congregational Church. On February 15, 1894, Mr. Swanson married Lulu B., daughter of Alvin A. and Ellen (Archer) Barrett, natives of the Empire State, who moved to Minnesota in 1882, settling on a farm near Owatonna, where the father carried on general farming till his retirement in 1891. His death occurred in 1899 and that of the mother in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have one child, Leroy F., who resides at home.
J. H. Tetrault is a native of Rice county, Minnesota, and has always lived at Faribault, where he was born January 13, 1870. His parents, Frank and Mary (LeClair) Tetrault came from Canada, their native country, in 1868, and settled at Faribault. The father is a carpenter by trade, and had his first shop in Fari- bault on the site of the present Great Western railroad depot, and there manufactured wagons and sleighs. He made the first pair of bobsleds in Faribault. He afterwards worked as a cabinet maker for Mr. A. L. Hill. Still later he did finishing work and still follows his regular trade. His wife passed away in 1901. Our subject acquired a good common and high school education in his native place, and then, for a time, was engaged in farming. Since the spring of 1906 Mr. Tetrault has given his attention to the transfer business and as sole proprietor of the dray and
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transfer line which he then established he has achieved most gratifying success. Mr. Tetrault, although independent in his political views and actions, has served on Democratic com- mittees. He is a member of the Eagles and the Order of Catholic Foresters. In religious principles he adheres to the faith of the Catholic Church. On April 16, 1891, Mr. Tetrault married Minnie, daughter of Archibald and Minnie (Duffiney) Carpenter, who came from Canada to Minnesota about 1886. The father was a farmer and died in 1893. The mother now-1910-lives at Faribault. Mr. and Mrs. Tetrault have four children and they are named, in order of birth, Oliver, Olive, Cecelia and Eugene.
Philip A. Schochet, senior member of the firm doing business as the Faribault Iron and Metal Company, is a native of Russia and was born April 3, 1868, to Ephriam and Rose Schochet. The parents came to this country in 1890, and for two years the father was in the dry goods business at Minneapolis, and then moved to Faribault, where he and the mother now reside. Philip A. acquired his education in his native land, and there engaged in buying and shipping fruit. In 1888 he came to this country and for eleven years lived at Minneapolis, engaged in the dry goods trade and in buying and selling iron, metal, etc. In 1899 Mr. Schochet settled at Faribault and under the firm name of Schochet & Mark established and carried on a wholesale iron and metal business, buying and shipping their products in car- loads to Chicago and other large cities. The firm afterwards changed to Faribault Iron and Metal Company, the members of the present firm besides Mr. Schochet being Mr. M. Newman and Mr. Harry Mark. Mr. Schochet is active in fraternal organi- zations, being identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brother- hood. He is a Republican in politics, and in religious matters adheres to the Hebrew faith. On October 9, 1894, Mr. Schochet married Rachel Goldfarb, whose parents are natives of Roumania and now live at Omaha, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. Schochet have two children, viz. : Nachman and Sarah.
Harry Mark was born in Russia, November 16, 1871, and is a son of Charles and Molly (Kassler) Mark, who came from Russia, their native land, in 1893. They first settled at New Hampton, Iowa, and moved thence in 1897 to Minneapolis, where they now reside. Harry was educated in his native land, and there worked with his father at the butchers' trade. In 1887 he came to America, and going to Dubuque, Iowa, worked in a grocery store for a time, then spent two years at Elma, Iowa, in the clothing business, and from there went to New Hampton. In 1899 he took up his residence in Faribault, and engaged in business with
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Mr. Philip Schochet, buying and shipping iron, metal, second- hand machinery, etc. In 1909 Mr. M. Newman came into the business and the name was changed to the Faribault Iron and Metal Company, which has an extensive trade, ranking among the prosperous and wide-awake establishments of Faribault. Mr. Mark is a shrewd business man : a Hebrew in religious faith, a Republican in politics and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Samaritans and other fraternal societies. On December 24, 1893, Mr. Mark married Mollie Schochet, a daughter of Ephriam and Rose Schochet, now residing at Fari- bault. Mr. and Mrs. Mark have a family of seven children. named, in the order of their birth, Abraham, Israel, Ida B., Sarah, Benjamin M., Hillie and Charlotte.
Timothy Leary, proprietor of the livery business that bears his name, is a native of Faribault, Minn., and has always lived there. He was born February 29, 1868, and is the fourth child of John and Elisa (Hand) Leary, who reared a family of five children, viz. : William, now living at Walcott ; D. J., proprietor of the Commercial Hotel at Faribault ; A. H., of Minneapolis, and Mary, the youngest, who lives with our subject. The parents came from Ireland, and in 1840 the father settled at Syracuse, N. Y., and worked, farming, and thence moved to Portage City, Wis., and in April, 1857, settled at Faribault. In 1866 he estab- lished himself in the livery business, which was conducted under the name of Sheffield, Leary & Pew till 1876. He then purchased his partners' interest and for twelve years carried on the business in his own name. In 1888 the son, D. J., came into the business, and it was carried on under the name of John Leary & Son until 1899, when the father retired from active work. The mother passed away in March, 1904. Our subject attended the public schools at Faribault, and after leaving school was employed about his father's business. After his father's retirement he conducted the business with his brother, D. J., until 1909, since which time he has carried it on in his own name, having purchased his brother's interest.
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