USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 78
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. II > Part 78
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William Mee, like many other of the ante-bellum settlers of Faribault, is a native of New York, born in Ausable Forks ( Essex county), September 8, 1838. He received his education in his native town, worked on the farm and clerked in stores until November 25, 1861, when. lured by the stories of western pros- perity then rife in the East, he came to Faribault. For some time he clerked in the general store of Gilmore & Brown, and on August 20, 1862, he enlisted in D. D. Loyd's company of citizen soldiers, which accompanied General Sibley on his expedition against the Sioux after the horrible massacre in 1862. In 1864.
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in company with L. Jackson, Mr. Mee, under the firm name of Jackson & Mee, engaged in the mercantile business. After a time Thomas Mee purchased the Jackson interests and the firm became the Mee Bros. In 1867 a third interest was sold to Anton Kaus, and the company became Mee Brothers & Kaus. It is worthy of note that this company built the first brick front store building in Faribault, the date of erection being 1868. In 1877 the business was sold to J. F. Squires. He was the first station agent for the M. & St. L. Ry. when that road was first put through Faribault in 1882. At about this time he served as secretary for the Cannon Valley Agricultural & Mechanical Asso- ciation for several years with much credit, the association under his administration enjoying a successful period of prosperity. In 1885 Mr. Mee went with the flour milling firm of F. A. & S. L. Bean as traveling salesman, in which position he remained until 1890, when he became the state sales agent for Illinois for the Northwestern Consolidated Milling Company, of Minne- apolis, Minn., in which capacity he continued until failing health caused his retirement in 1906. On September 29, 1864, William Mee was married to Mary E. Gifford, eldest daughter of Ezra D. and Lydia A. Gifford, who came to Faribault in 1856 from Essex, N. Y. To this union have been born three sons-llarry B., William G. and George H.
William Henry Rumpf, M. D., physician and surgeon of Fari- bault, was born in Dubuque, la., January 2, 1867, son of William Henry and Adele (Caesar) Rumpf, both natives of Oldenburg, Germany. The subject of this sketch received his common school education in the public schools of Dubuque, and then attended the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. From 1884 to 1886 he attended Yale University. From 1886 to 1891 he studied at the Universities of Berlin, at Freiburg and Kiel, Germany, receiving his degree of M. D. at Kiel in 1891. The following year was spent in post-graduate work in Berlin and Vienna. He first took up the practice of his profession in Chicago in 1892 and remained there ten years, coming to Fari- bault in 1902. While in Chicago he was connected with the Northwestern Medical School, the Post-Graduate School and the St. Luke's and Chicago hospitals. Ile is now physician for Shattuck School and lecturer at that institution on physiology and hygiene. He is also physician for St. Mary's Hall, and Faribault physician for the C., M. & St. P. Ry. Dr. Rumpf has allied himself with the Rice County, the Minnesota State and the American Medical Associations, the Chicago Gynecological Society and the Chicago Academy of Medicine. In the Masonic order he is a member of the Osman Shrine, the Faribault Com- mandery, Royal Arch and Blue Lodge. He is also a member of
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the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Samaritans, the Elks, the Tray- elers' Club and the Golf Club. Dr. Rumpf was married April 24, 1894, to Ethel Gresty, born in Manchester, England, and to this union three sturdy sons have been born, the birthplace of all three being in Chicago. William Henry is aged fifteen ; Walter Carl, thirteen, and Ernest Frederick, ten.
Henry P. Sime, an esteemed resident of Faribault, has the distinction of having been the last village clerk of Faribault, elected for two years in 1870, and the first city recorder under the new charter in 1872. holding the office for three years. He was also chief engineer of the Faribault fire department for fif- teen years. In fraternal circles he is a prominent Mason and is one of the trustees of the Masonic building at Faribault. Mr. Sime was born in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, May 13. 1842. Early left an orphan, he went to live with his uncle. Dr. T. M. Sime, of Worcester, Mass., at the age of four years. After arriv- ing at the age of ten years he started out in life working at any- thing he could get to do. He then went to Ogdensburg. New York, earning money by driving stage to attend the academy at Gouverneur, N. Y .. one year. Then he started westward and in 1857 entered the employ of Robert Hanna & Co., wholesale merchants at Cleveland. Ohio, and remained about one year, after which he became assistant clerk on a Lake Superior line of steamboats. In 1860 he located at St. Anthony, Minn .. and did various work until 1863, when he came to Faribault. For five years he was clerk of the historic old Barron House. After this. in 1868, he started work for the United States Express Company, with which he has since remained. being the oldest expressman, in point of continuous service, in the Northwest. From 1868 to 1882 he was agent at Faribault, but during the years 1869-70 he was also engaged in the machine business with II. C. Prescott, in addition to being express agent. In 1882 hie became route agent for the same company on the road. In 1883 he resumed his former position in Faribault. and one year later became chief clerk to the general superintendent. From 1887 to 1890 he held the same position, with headquarters at St. Paul. In 1890, having demonstrated his worth and ability, he was made assistant superintendent of the northwestern division of the United States Express Company. In 1898 he again took up the agency at Faribault, and has since retained the position, his resi- dence being a pleasant home at 614 Sixth street. Mr. Sime was married September 9, 1884, to Adelaide E. Crossett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Crossett. To this union two children have been born, Malcolm. September 8, 1887. now of St. Paul. and Robert H., February 15, 1892, who still lives at home. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church. The parents of
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Henry P. Sime were Peter and Jane ( Purvis) Sime, natives of Scotland. They located at St. Andrews, N. B., in 1840, and the father followed the water as a sca captain until his death, sailing in American waters under the United States flag. Ilis wife died in 1842 and he passed to the great beyond four years later.
Scott Neil Swisher, city editor of the "Republican" at Fari- bault, was born in Parsons, W. Va., July 14, 1880, son of Silas Newton and Mary ( Parsons) Swisher, both descended from well known West Virginian families. He attended the common schools of his native city and the West Virginia University at Morgantown, W. Va. He remained at home until seventeen years of age, was clerk and manager of a department in a book store for some time, and then became manager of the Swisher Theater, Morgantown. W. Va. Subsequently he was manager of the monthly "West Virginian." a state magazine. He after- ward worked on the Morgantown "Daily News." Previous to this, while at school. he had mastered the printing trade. Decem- ber, 1909, he assumed his present position. He is well liked in Faribault and aside from his membership in the Elks belongs to several literary, fraternal and theatrical organizations.
Frank A. Skluzacek, one of the popular young farmers of Rice county, was born in Wheatland township, where he still resides. March 31. 1885, son of Joseph and Katherine (Sticha) Skluzacek, prominent residents of this locality. He attended the public schools in Wheatland township and then took a course in the engineering department of the State Agricultural School. With this exception he has spent his life on the farm and now successfully conducts his father's estate, carrying on general farming in a scientific manner along the most modern lines.
Edmund K. Clements, for many years president of the Fari bault Board of Education, was born in Napanee, Ontario, Canada. December 15. 1865, son of Timothy and Jane ( Keyes) Clements. Ile received his carlier education in the common schools of Canada and after coming to Minnesota attended the Faribault high school and Shattuck school. He then took a professional course in the University of Michigan, graduating July 1, 1886, in dentistry as the president of his class. He then came to Faribault and since that date has practiced continuously at the corner of Second street and Central avenue, twenty years over R. J. Lich's store, and four years at his present location in the Wheeler block across the street. Dr. Clements' greatest service to Faribault has been rendered as president of the Fari- bault Board of Education, in which capacity he has served con- tinnously since 1896, with the exception of three years. During his term of office the McKinley, Washington and Lincoln schools
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have been built and substantial improvements in the way of heating and sanitation have been made in the older buildings. The efficiency of the system has also greatly increased. From 1889 to 1895 Dr. Clements was president of the State Board of Dental Examiners. He has been a member of the Faribault Travelers' Club since its beginning and was its president two years. He is a Master Mason, belongs to Osmun Temple, St. Paul, and was commander of the Faribault Commandery two years. He is also a popular member of the Elks. The subject of this sketch was married June 20, 1892, to Mary Slocumb Wheeler, daughter of J. B. Wheeler, one of the pioneers of Fari- bault who located here in May, 1856. To this union two children have been born-Loraine and Jane. Sidney T. Clements was married on St. Valentine Day, 1865, to Sarah Jane Keyes, of West Brome, Eastern townships, Quebec, and practiced dentistry in Ontario for twenty-five years. He was active in church and school work and for several years taught school in the French language in various parts of Quebec. He came to Faribault in 1881.
Frederick Upham Davis, M. D., physician of Faribault, was born in this city December 19, 1875, son of Rev. George H. Davis, D. D., late warden of the Seabury Divinity School, and Alice Tupper Davis, his wife. He attended the public schools and graduated from the Brainerd (Minn.) high school in 1893. He received his B. S. from the University of Minnesota in 1898, and his M. D. from the University of Minnesota in 1902. He practiced medicine at St. Clair, Minn., from 1902 to 1906, and in the latter year came to Faribault where he is now actively engaged in active practice. During the Spanish-American War Dr. Davis served as first sergeant of Company D., Fifteenth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, and on May 31, 1907, he received his commission as captain of Company B, Second Infantry, Minne- sota National Guard, and is still ably serving. He is surgeon general, Department of Minnesota. United Spanish-American War Veterans; secretary of the Rice County Medical Society ; and secretary of the Staff Association of Evangelical St. Lucas Hospital, Faribault. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Association, the Rice County Medical Society, the Phi Kappa Psi and Nu Sigma Nu, college fraternities, the A. F. & A. M., the B. P. O. E., the M. W. A. and the I. O. F. Dr. Davis was married November 29 1904. at Mankato, Minn., to Erna Marie Lossow.
George Clinton Tanner, D. D., was born January 21, 1834, in West Greenwich, R. I., son of Joseph and Amy Kinne (Gates) Tanner. He received his earlier education in the district schools of Voluntown, Conn., his later home, in the Plainfield Academy,
LUKE HULETT
JEAN BAPTISTE FARIBAULT
LEVI NUTTING
GEORGE 6. TANNER. D. D.
CLI
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Plainfield, Conn., and in Brown University, Providence, R. L., in which latter institution he took courses with special reference to teaching, and in the Seabury Divinity School. He received his M. A. degree from Brown University in 1857, married, and came to Minnesota the same year, opening the first graded school at Winona in November, 1857. Ile came to Faribault as head- master of Seabury Grammar School in October, 1858; was ordained deacon in 1860, and priest in 1862. He continued as a member of the Bishop Scabury Mission until 1867, and then moved to Owatonna where he was rector of St. Paul's Church from 1867 to 1887. During this period he was superintendent of schools in Steele county from 1872 to 1887. From the latter year until 1909 he was director of study in Shattuck School, Faribault, and in 1909 became instructor in classics and liturgies in Sca- bury Divinity School from which institution he received the degree of D. D. in 1896. For many years he has been registrar of the Diocese of Minnesota. It is a fact worthy of note that 1910 completed fifty years of educational and ministerial work, all of which had been spent in Minnesota with the exception of a part of one year, from November, 1886, to June, 1887, when he served as chaplain and head master at Bethany College, Topeka, Kan. From 1860 to 1861 he was a member of the Winona Normal School Board; from 1896 to 1910 a trustee of St. Mary's Hall, and from 1896 to the present time a trustee of Breck School. llc was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Brown University in 1857, and is a member of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity of the same institution. Ile is also a prominent mem- ber of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers. Dr. Tanner was married October 17, 1857, to Emma Campbell, of Voluntown, Conn., and to this union were born the following children : Frank Howard, of Yokohama, Japan ; Mary Cornelia, deceased ; Edwin Campbell, Samuel Seabury ; Amy Eliza and George Welles. Dr. Tanner's book on "The Diocese of Minnesota" is an authoritative contribution to the ecclesiastical history of this state. Dr. Tanner's life work is written in the hearts of men and women, and no culogy of the biographer could add to his fame or ade- quately express the loving regard and veneration in which he is held.
Adam Weyer, the well known wagon maker, was born in Germany January 28, 1839, son of Martin and Anna Marie Porten Weyer. both of German birth and ancestry. He came to America in 1847, and located in Kenosha, Wis., where he com- menced to learn the wagon maker's and wheelwright trade at the age of eighteen. The following year he went to New Orleans where he engaged at his trade three years. He then removed to Chicago, and in 1866, came to Faribault where he opened a
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wagon manufacturing shop under the name of Bieter & Weyer. In 1874 the present stone shop at the corner of Second avenue and Willow street was erected. Mr. Weyer is still actively engaged in business and his wagons and bob sleds have a wide sale throughout this part of the country, the demand far exceed- ing the supply. Mr. Weyer was married February 2. 1870. to Sybilla Roell, and to this union eight children have been born- Martin C., October 9, 1871 ; Anna, now deceased ; Joseph John, February 6, 1876; Marie, December 7, 1878: Edward MF .. Sep- tember 21, 1880; AAngeline, deceased : Charles, January 30, 1884 ; Clara, January 24. 1889. Mr. Weyer has served several terms as alderman of the city, and is just retiring from thirty-five years faithful service as treasurer of St. Lawrence Church.
Martin C. Weyer, the leading jeweler of Faribault, has built up a large trade among a wide circle of well-satisfied customers and is well liked among an extended circle of friends. He is a native of Faribault, born October 9, 1871, son of Adam and Sybilla (Roell) Weyer. He received his education in the schools of Faribault and attended the Faribault high school, afterward taking a course at St. John's University. Then he worked in his father's shop three years and from 1890 to 1894 learned the jeweler's trade with F. Z. Sherwood. In 1895 he attended Parsons Horological Institute, at Peoria, Ill., and the following year went to Kentucky where he engaged in business two years. In 1897 he returned to Faribault and opened his present store. Mr. Weyer was married in Chicago June 20, 1900. to Harriett Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Charles and Julia (Sheridan) Smith of that city. Being of a sociable nature Mr. Weyer has allied himself with the Elks, the Faribault Commercial Club, the K. of C., and the M. W. A.
Rev. Francis Thomas Bouska was born in Spillville, Winne- sheik county, Iowa, March 9, 1876. His parents. John Bartholo- mew Bouska and Mary Cecilia Bouska, were born in Bohemia and spent the early part of their lives in that country farming. Soon after their marriage in 1870, they emigrated to the United States. Having no particular trade and not knowing the language of this country, the father was forced to follow the occupation of a laborer in order to support his family. This, together with sickness and misfortunes, kept the family in rather poor circum- stances. However poor, the parents gave their children the best and most necessary inheritance in this country, i. e., a good education. Of the family two daughters became nuns of the Order of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, one son became a priest, and another son is now studying sacred theology at St. Paul's Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., with the intention of also becoming a priest. In 1880 the parents moved to St. Paul, Minn.,
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where soon the young Francis T. Bouska attended first the public schools, then the parochial schools of St. Francis de Sales and St. Stanislaus and finally the Crotin High School. From there he went to St. Thomas' College, Merriam Park, where he completed the classical course in five years. After completing his classical course he went to St. Paul's Seminary where he studied philos- ophy and sacred theology for six years and at the end of this course of studies he was ordained a priest March 7, 1903. His first charge was the parish at Canby, Minn., where, after thirteen months of labor, his health became greatly impaired. From thence he was sent to St. Ann's parish at Le Sucur, Minn., to recuperate. After regaining his health somewhat he was sent to the Immaculate Conception Church, of Lonsdale, to become the first resident pastor of that parish. He arrived there Septem- ber 8, 1905, and has been laboring five years in that place.
Patrick Albert Smith, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Faribault, was born in Papmeaville, Quebec. July 27, 1866, son of Josiah and Mary (O'Brien) Smith, well known residents of that locality. He received his education in the Canadian public schools, at the Ottawa University, Ottawa. Canada, at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., and also in Vienna. Paris and London, in which three latter cities he took postgraduate work in the summer of 1910. During his practice in Faribault Dr. Smith has proved an ideal physician and enjoys the confidence and respect of the hundreds of families to whom he has ministered in the hours of illness and distress. He has been county physician of Rice county since 1904, was chairman of the Rice County Board of Health from 1907 to 1910. and is now a member of the advisory commission of the State Sanitorium for Consumptives at Walker, Minn. Being thoroughly ethical in his practice, Dr. Smith has allied himself with the State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation, and has also been honored with membership in the Vienna branch of the A. M. A. Dr. Smith was married April 20. 1892, to Lilias H. Brady, and this union has been blessed with four children-Ewart, Ardath, Verrill and Lilias.
George L. Smith, a prominent citizen of Faribault, was one of the "pioneer babies" of Rice county, born in Forest township. September 27, 1857, son of Alexander and Julia .\. Smith, the pioneers. He received a large part of his education at home with his mother and owes much to her tuition and training. He also attended the district schools. At the age of nineteen he started teaching school in the same school house which he had attended as a boy, teaching winters and farming summers. In 1879 he went to Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, but in 1881 came back to the home farm, again teaching school and
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farming until 1884 when he came to Faribault and entered into co-partnership with A. J. Bell in the farm machinery business one year. The following year he was village marshal at Dundas, but after that he again returned to the farm. He purchased the farm from the other heirs in 1888 and worked it until 1896 when he was elected register of deeds, serving until 1900. when he was succeeded by G. S. Whitney. For four years he served under W. K. Adams as deputy county auditor, and then defeated Judge James S. Hunter for judge of probate at the primaries, and M. F. Donahue at the polls, being re-elected in 1906 without opposition. He was defeated in 1908 by Judge Hunter. In 1907 he defated James R. Smith for mayor, was elected in 1908 without opposition, defeated P. J. Gallagher in 1909, and was succeeded in 1910 by N. S. Erb. He is now serving as deputy county auditor with E. J. Kelley. In Forest township he served as justice of the peace as early as the age of twenty-one years. He was also township supervisor and clerk of his school district. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the I. O. O. F .. the A. O. U. W., the B. P. O. E., the M. B. A., and the M. S. He was married March 17, 1884, to Olive Olson, of Ft. Washington, Wis., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson. To this union one son. Lucius Alexander, was born January 20. 1891. He is now studying law at the State University. Alexan- der Smith and Julia A. Foster, his wife, the pioneers, were born in Maine and Vermont, respectively, and came west in 1855. In 1856 they located in section 34, Forest township, and started farming on wild land which Alexander broke and improved. He was the first town clerk of Forest and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death. July 28. 1873. His wife is still living in Faribault at the age of eighty-four years, making her home with her son, George L. Smith.
Alfred E. Haven, for nearly four decades editor of the "Fari- bault Democrat," well fulfills the ideal of a weekly newspaper editor. He has taken a vital interest in all public matters, and his paper, preserved in neatly bound form, contains the complete history of the county from 1871 to the present time. The editorial utterances have been of weight and the destiny of the paper has been woven into the warp and woof of the destinies of the county. Mr. Haven was born in Guilford. Chenango county, New York, February 4, 1840. In 1858 he went to La Crosse, Wis., and was a pupil in the high school for two years. Then he studied law in the office of Judge Hugh Cameron, learning the art of printing at the same time. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with the Army of the Potomac until 1864, receiving his discharge in July. In August of the same year he com-
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menced work in the office of the "La Crosse Democrat," and was gradually promoted to the position of associate editor, having entire editorial charge during the last three years of his connec- tion with that paper. In 1871 he came to Faribault, and with M. Stevens, purchased the "Faribault Leader," changing the name to the "Faribault Democrat," and sending out his first issue September 8, 1871. About a year later he purchased Mr. Stevens' interest and has since conducted the paper himself. He served as a member of the Faribault school board sixteen years, was county superintendent of schools four years, Faribault post . master from 1894 to 1899, trustee of Faribault public library since its organization and its present secretary, commander of Michael Cook Post, G. A. R., two terms; member of board of trustees, Minnesota Soldiers' Home, since 1907; vestryman and warden of the Parish of the Good Shepherd eighteen years; president Faribault Board of Trade two years. He has taken an active interest in Masonry, has served as eminent commander of Fari- bault Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar ; has been master of Faribault Lodge, No. 9. A. F. & A. M., and for fourteen years was high priest of Tyrian Royal Arch Chapter, No. 6. Mr. Haven was married November 13, 1877, to Mary A. Meeker, who is prominent in club, church and philanthropic circles. To this union have been born the following children : Reide M., Haven and Mary Alfreda Haven (Mrs. Andrew B. Eddy, of Provi- dence, R. I.).
Hon. Rodney A. Mott, one of the most distinguished figures in Rice county history, was born in Warsaw. N. Y., December 6, 1825. At the age of nine years he was taken by his mother to Chicago, his father having died at sea before his memory. He attended Baker Academy, in northern Illinois, and Knox College, in Galesburg, until 1848, supporting himself by teaching and at the same time completing his literary and law studies, taking the latter in the office of James H. Collins in Chicago. In 1850 he went overland to California, and returned by the Isthmus of Panama in the summer of 1852. He was married in October. 1852, to Mary Ripley, daughter of Rev. David Ripley, of Pomfret, Conn. Soon after Mr. Mott's return from California he started a school known as Crete Academy for training teachers, remaining in it for several years. In the spring of 1856 he came to Fari- bault and began his long and honorable career here as a teacher in the public schools. He was editor of the old "Rice County Herald," and later became its proprietor, changing the name to the "Faribault Herald." This is the paper that still exists as the "Faribault Republican." He left this enterprise in 1858 and immediately started in the practice of law, was county attorney several terms, county superintendent a number of years, served
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