History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 71

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 964

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Patrick Brandon Gorman, attorney at law, St. Cloud, was born in County Sligo, Ireland, March 10, 1845, son of Mark and Mary (Brandon) Gorman, who came to America iu 1848, lived for a while on the banks of the Niagara river, near Lewiston, N. Y., and then moved to a farm in Ash township, Mon- roe county, Mieh. The subject of this notice lived with his parents until 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served through the Civil War, being discharged honorably in July, 1865. After the war he returned home. The next few years he spent in teaching and in study, taking lessons at the Ann Arbor High School, from which he gradu- ated in 1868, and having also the advantages of a two years' literary course in the University of Michigan. In 1873 he was appointed principal of the schools of Lanesboro, Minn. Four years later he came to Stearns county, and after teaching for some years, was county superintendent for two terms. He read. law in the office of Judge James M. McKelvy, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1884. Since then he has been in constant praetiee in St. Cloud. In 1886 he was appointed register of the United States Land Office at St. Cloud, and served for four years. In 1892 he was elected to the lower house of the Minnesota legislature and served one term. He is a member of the Stearns County Bar Association.

P. 13. Samman

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Mr. Gorman married Jane Abigal Miller, now deceased, daughter of Dr. Luke Miller, a native of Peterborough, New Hampshire, one of the leading citizens of southern Minnesota, and a prominent lawyer of Minnesota in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Gorman have four children: Louise, Mary G., Lydia M. and Arthur M. Louise lives with her father. Mary G. teaches in St. Paul. Lydia M. taught for several years, and is now an accountant in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. Arthur M. is secretary to Congressman Charles A. Lyndburgh, in Washington, D. C. He is a graduate of the academic department of the University of Michigan, and is spending his spare time studying law at the Georgetown University, at Washington.

John D. Sullivan. In the early days of the United States, it was con- sidered necessary that the expounders of the law should be the law makers of the country. The law was a stepping stone to high political honors, and the presidents, the leading senators and congressmen, and the influential as- semblymen and legislators of the states had all been trained in the law. With modern times circumstances have changed. Educators, business men and farmers occupy high positions and have a leading part in framing national, state and local legislation. But the lawyers still have their place; and their experience, education, and keen legal minds are a necessary accompaniment of the councils which terminate in the enaction of new laws. Among the lawyers who have, in recent years, had an important part in the legislation of Minnesota is the attorney whose name heads this sketch.

John D. Sullivan, lawyer and statesman, has been one of the most suc- cessful prosecutors in the state of Minnesota. He was born November 25, 1862, at Peterboro, Ontario, and as a boy attended the public schools of his native town. Afterward he graduated from the Collegiate Institute there. After teaching school for four years he resumed his studies by taking a law course. In 1884 he came to St. Cloud, and took up the study of law in the law office of Taylor & Taylor. He was admitted to the bar in July, 1886, and has since remained in continuous practice in St. Cloud. A Democrat in prin- ciples, he began to take an active part in politics soon after his admission to the legal profession. In the fall of 1890 he was nominated by his party for the office of county attorney and was elected by a plurality of about 1,000. But by a defect in his citizenship he was deprived of the office that term. But two years later, his friends elected him by a majority of about 3,600. He held the office of county attorney eight years and was also city attorney three years. In 1910 he was elected state senator and has made an excellent rec- ord. Mr. Sullivan was married in 1886 at St. Augusta, Minn., to Elizabeth M. Schmidt, and they have four children: Frank J., Henry H., Charles J. and Margaret E.

John B. Pattison, lawyer, was born in St. Cloud township, this county, December 25, 1876, son of William and Mary (Duncan) Pattison. He attended School District No. 2 (of which his father was treasurer for many years), and graduated from the St. Cloud High School in 1893. In 1898 he went to the Philippine Islands as quartermaster sergeant of Company M, Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He saw active service with his company,

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returned to San Francisco, California, October 3, and was mustered out there October 13, 1899. Mr. Pattison read law in the office of D. W. Bruckert, grad- uated from the law school of the University of Minnesota in 1900, and was admitted to the bar the same year. Then he entered the office of Ripley B. Brower. In 1903 Mr. Pattison engaged in the practice of law on his own ac- count. In 1913 he married Anna Hartfiel. Mr. Pattison is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Hubert Hansen, attorney, was born June 16, 1858, son of Michael and Mary Johanna (Bormann) Hansen, the pioneers. He was the first white boy born in Rockville, in this county. After attending the public schools, he en- tered St. John's University, at Collegeville, Minn. He studied at the St. Cloud State Normal School during the terms of 1875, 1877, and 1879, graduat- ing the latter year. During these years he also taught school, and by this means, in connection with hunting and trapping, earned the money to pay expenses. He taught school in District No. 13, Le Sauk; District No. 40, Maine Prairie; District No. 106, Farming; all in this county; and in District No. 5, Minden, Benton county. He graduated from the law course of the Iowa State University, June 20, 1882, and with intervals of public office holding has been in continuous practice in St. Cloud since 1884. Mr. Hansen was city justice from 1892 to 1896; and judge of probate from 1895 to 1901, and from 1905 to 1907. He has a flourishing insurance business and good law practice, and makes a specialty of probate matters. The family worships at the Catho- lic Church. Judge Hansen was married July 31, 1884, to Mary De Wenter, a native of St. Joseph, this county, born January 9, 1865, the daughter of John and Louise (Evers) De Wenter. They have five children: Marie Louise, John H., Alphonse J., Cyrille J. and Hubert H. Marie Louise was born August 16, 1891. She was married May 12, 1913, to William G. Ryan, of Northampton, Mass. John H. was born March 4 (Inauguration day), 1893, and is located in Great Falls, Mont. Alphonse J., born October 17, 1894, is at home. Cyrille J., born June 10, 1900, and Hubert H., born April 15 (Easter Sunday), 1906, are at home.

Michael Hansen was born in the Province of the Rhine, Prussia, Germany, December 5, 1811, son of that Michael Hansen, who was born in Villa Mas- ingen, Prussia, August 1, 1784. He fought in the French army under Napo- leon, and on January 18, 1810, received a pension certificate which is still preserved in the family. The subject of this sketch obtained a good German education, and worked on his father's farm until he was about thirty-two years of age, having in the meantime served from April 1, 1833, to September 28, 1835, in the Prussian army. In 1852 he came to the United States, and after farming in Illinois for three years, he took a claim in Rockville, this county, in 1855. Though by trade, a turner, he devoted a large part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was a leader in his community, was chair- man of the first board of supervisors in his township, and occupied various local offices from time to time. In February, 1864, he was appointed one of the county commissioners by Governor Stephen Miller. Mr. Hansen died March 18, 1882, and his wife died October 2, 1887. Michael Hansen was mar- ried February 11, 1840, to Mary Johanna Bormann, and they had four chil-

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J. I. DONOHUE

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dren: An unnamed daughter (deceased) ; Susan (deceased) ; Peter, of Rock- ville township; Hubert, of St. Cloud.

J. I. Donohue, patent and pension attorney of St. Cloud, was born in Pilot Mound township, Fillmore county, Minnesota, July 30, 1865, son of Jere- miah and Jane (Donavan) Donohue. Like other boys of his neighborhood he attended the district schools, and received a good elementary education. Later he entered the University of Minnesota, being graduated from the College of Science and Art, in 1884, and from the School of Agriculture in 1887. For a time he was assistant chemist to Dr. H. W. Wiley, in the Department of Agriculture, at Washington, D. C., and later he became special examiner in the United States Pension Bureau there. Mr. Donohue came to St. Cloud in 1890, and has since devoted much of his attention to patents and pensions, in which particular work he has been especially successful. He has also found time to take an active part in the affairs of the city. From 1893 to 1896 he served as alderman. In 1894 he was elected a member of the school board, and served continuously until 1906, occupying every office on the board. His influence on that body is still felt in many progressive measures for the benefit of the educational system. His terms as county commissioner from 1900 to 1912 were also memorable, and resulted in many forward movements in county affairs. His work as city justice, in which office he has served continuously since 1902, has also met with wide approbation. Mr. Donohue's education, his wide reading, and his extensive experience in Washington have admirably fitted him for a splendid citizenship. He is well versed in the affairs of state and nation, a convincing and easy speaker, and a pleasing conversationalist. By extensive study he keeps well abreast of the times, and his professional opinion as to the real import of various important national laws is often sought. Mr. Donohue married Edith P. Howes, and they have two children: Florence and Dorothy. Jeremiah Donohue was born in Ire- land, and came to America about 1846. After living a few years in Cincin- nati, Ohio, he came to Minnesota, reaching Fillmore county, October 10, 1856. He secured a farm in section 24, Pilot Mound, and there resided until his death, February 12, 1888. His wife still lives on the old homestead.

Peter Brick, attorney at law, St. Cloud, was born in Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada, December 25, 1848, son of Peter and Katherine (Keiser) Brick. He graduated from St. Jerome's College, of Berlin, Ontario, and en- tered the office of Mr. Bowlby, the Crown's attorney, where he read law two years. In 1870 he came to St. Cloud and taught school for a short time. Then he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in 1871. After returning to St. Cloud he was ad- mitted to the bar, in June, 1871, with Judge D. B. Searle. With this prepara- tion he entered upon the practice of his profession. He engaged actively in the work of bettering public conditions, and was honored with various city offices. A still wider field, however, demanded his attention, and he was county attorney four years and judge of probate eleven years. He is a mem- ber of the Stearns-Benton County Bar Association, and belongs to the Wood- men of the World and the St. Joseph Society. In 1873, Peter Brick and Peter E. Kaiser started the German paper known as "Der Nordstern." Peter Brick

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married for his first wife, Johanna Melenowski, and this union was blessed with six children. Peter E. died at eighteen years of age. John lives in Oregon City, Oregon. Leo is a dentist in Great Falls, Montana. Carl is in the jewelry business in Great Falls, Montana. Rupert is chief clerk in the Great Northern shops at St. Cloud. Katherine M. lives at home. Lizzie is the wife of Edward Armstrong, and has one daughter, Marjorie. The present Mrs. Brick was Marie E. Mueller, daughter of Philip Mueller, of Stillwater. They have two sons, Othmar, who is studying dentistry in the University of Chicago, and Bayard, who is at home. Mr. Brick is one of St. Cloud's promi- nent women, and has been public librarian for several years.

Albert H. Klasen, judge of probate and attorney at law, was born in Milwood township, this county, April 3, 1870, son of Henry H. and Helen (Luebbers) Klasen. He was reared on the home farm, and attained the usual training of the district schools. After perfecting himself in the academic branches at the Moorehead State Normal School, St. John's University, at Col- legeville, this county, and Valparaiso Normal, at Valparaiso, Indiana, he en- tered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the law course of that institution with the class of 1903. Then he took up the prac- tice of his profession in the office of Judge Theodore Bruener, at St. Cloud. He was elected to his present office in the fall of 1906, and is now serving his fourth term. Eminently fitted by nature and training for the responsible duties entrusted to his care, he has won and retained the confidence and regard of his fellow men. He is a member of the Stearns-Benton County Bar Asso- ciation, and of the Knights of Pythias. Judge Klasen married Matilda G. Hermann, daughter of John Hermann, and they have two children, Mildred E. and George J., the former born April 28, 1908, and the latter November 19, 1912.

Henry H. Klasen took an active part in the early history of Millwood township, this county. Upon coming to America in 1869, he found his way at once to this county, and took a claim in section 22, Milwood. When the town was organized May 1, 1871, the first election was held at his cabin. Mr. Klasen is now living in retirement in the village of Freeport, in this county. His wife passed away August 2, 1910.

J. B. Himsl, St. Cloud attorney, was born in Austria, February 6, 1872, son of Alois and Marie (Moestl) Himsl. In the fall of 1883 he started for America with his mother. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, and on November 13, 1883, reached Avon township, Stearns county, where the father had settled the previous spring. J. B. was reared on the farm, attended a log school near the present site of Collegeville, and finally entered St. John's University, at that place. With this preparation he became a teacher. For a year he taught in the Eclectic Business College at Minneapolis. He was also for some time a teacher in the country schools of Stearns county. He took an active interest in the communities in which he taught, and became an im- portant man in public affairs. While in Milwood township he was town clerk and justice of the peace. His ability was soon accorded wider recognition, and he was made assistant superintendent of schools in Stearns county, being the first person to occupy the position. In 1900 he gave up his teaching and

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entered the law department of the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1903. For a year he practiced in Albany village. In the fall of 1904, he was elected county attorney, and moved to St. Cloud After he served eight consecutive years with distinguished ability, he felt that his private practice required more of his attention, and he accordingly declined to present himself as a candidate for further election. In the spring of 1913, he left for an extended trip through Europe. He visited his old home in Austria, traveled through the Austrian Alps, and took in the sights of the principal cities of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and northern Italy. For his return voyage from Hamburg to New York, he took passage on the "Im- perator," of the Hamburg-American Line, one of the largest vessels afloat, then on her maiden voyage. Upon again reaching St. Cloud he took up the practice of law. He has offices in the Court house, is well known in this vicin- ity, and enjoys a large and successful practice. Mr. Himsl has entered inti- mately into business, fraternal and educational life in St. Cloud. He served on the St. Cloud board of education six years, concluding his services in that capacity by reason of his trip to Europe. He is a director in the Zapp State Bank, and vice-president of Der Nordstern Publishing Co. The St. Joseph Benevolent Society and the Knights of Columbus count him as a valued mem- ber. J. B. Himsl was married September 14, 1897, to Elizabethi Rau, who was born January 9, 1876, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rau, of this county. They have five children: Rudolph, Valeria, Herbert, Maria and Joseph. Ru- dolph is a student at St. John's University, at Collegville, this county. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Alois Himsl was born in Austria, there obtained a thorough education, grew to manhood and married Marie Moestl. In the early spring of 1883 Alois came to America and settled on a farm in Avon township, this county. In the fall of the same year, his wife, with their son, J. B. Himsl, came to Amer- ica and on November 13, reached Avon township, where Mr. and Mrs. Alois Himsl journeyed through life together, helping each other and became very successful farmers. Mrs. Marie (Moestl) Himsl passed away February 5, 1908, and Alois Himsl died July 2, 1912.

Hanford Lennox Gordon, lawyer, poet, and man-of-affairs, was born at Elm Valley, near Wellsville, Allegany county, New York, December 30, 1836, son of William Brewster Gordon and Louisa McDonald Pearson, and the grandson of William Wallace Gordon (a near relative of Lord Byron's moth- er), and Rhoda Gordon Douglass. The grandparents came to America from Scotland in 1788, and after living awhile in Massachusetts, moved to Unadilla, New York, where both are buried. The parents moved to Wellsville, New York, when Hanford Lennox was a small boy. There the father built a saw- mill and a gristmill. Hanford Lennox received his early education in the district school at Wellsville. In 1854 he was tendered an appointment to West Point but was prevented from accepting by his father, who was opposed to military life. That same year, Hanford L. lost his mother and went to live and study law with his uncle, Hon. Samuel Gordon, of Delhi, New York, a wealthy and distinguished jurist, and a former member of Congress. Our subject was admitted to the bar at Ithaca, New York, October 20, 1857. In

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February, 1857, he received an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annap- olis, but after considering the matter for some time declined it. In April he joined his father on a trip to the West. They went down the Ohio river, reached St. Louis, from there went up the Missouri to Fort Leavenworth, went into the interior, then returned to St. Louis, eventually took a boat for St. Paul, where they landed June 3, 1857. June 10 they started up the river from St. Anthony Falls. From Clearwater they went to Clearwater lake, and built a camp of poles and bark. A short time later, the father bought the claim of "Lije" Doble, on the east shore of the lake, and the two took up their residence in a "shack" which they built on this claim. In the fall, Hanford L. returned to the East, visited friends, was admitted to the bar, and on February 22, 1858, married Sylvia Smith, of Ceres, N. Y., soon after which he came west again. He settled in Clearwater, and for the next few years devoted his energies to anything that would help support him in this new country, practicing law, teaching school, trapping, farming and fur dealing. In the fall of 1859 he was made court commissioner and county commissioner of Wright county, and soon afterward he became county attorney, which position he held till 1868. It was in the fall of 1859 also that his wife arrived with their little daughter, Ada. They spent the winter with his father, and brother Charles at Clearwater Lake. In the summer of 1860, H. L. Gordon and his wife moved into a house which he had purchased in Clearwater. May 21, 1861, he was mustered into the Union service as corporal of Company D, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. At the Battle of Bull Run he was cap- tured, but neatly turned the tables by capturing and bringing into the Union lines, a sergeant of the Second Mississippi Rifles who had been detailed to guard him. He was slightly wounded while on picket duty near Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861. After several more skirmishes, he received his discharge, the rigors of infantry life being too great for his constitution. With letters of the highest recommendation from his superior officers he returned to St. Paul, seeking military service more suited to his strength. Inspired by a promise of a junior first lieutenant's commission by the governor, he spent energy, influence and money in recruiting the Second Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery. Instead of the commission which he was promised, he was offered a commission as second lieutenant which he indignantly declined. He returned to Clearwater, where he was soon appointed postmaster, which posi- tion he held till he moved to Monticello. In 1864 having been fortunate in the fur trade, he moved to Monticello, and opened a law office there. In the fall of 1864 he was offered by Governor Miller a commission in the First Regiment, Minnesota Heavy Artillery, but declined it, and on March 30, 1865, he was commissioned Major General, Second Division Minnesota State Militia. In the fall of 1866 he was elected senator from the Sixth Senatorial District, and ran some 1,000 votes ahead of the Republican ticket on which he was nomi- nated. He served in 1867 and 1868, and made an admirable record. In July, 1868, he moved from Monticello to St. Cloud, and formed a law partnership with L. W. Collins, under the firm name of Gordon & Collins. July 4, 1870, he left St. Cloud, with his wife and daughter, seeking a new home in California, where his wife's health might be benefited. They visited various points on

FRANK TOLMAN

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

the Pacific coast, but in April, 1871, they again returned to St. Cloud, where Mr. Gordon resumed the practice of law. October 30, 1871, he was appointed register of the land office at St. Cloud, a position he filled until several months after his resignation, May 27, 1874. In the meantime his wife's health ap- peared to improve for about two years, but it again declined, and she died in March, 1877. Mr. Gordon's own health was in a precarious condition, and late in 1876 he went to Florida, where he remained until called home by the approaching death of his wife. In June, 1877, he and his daughter moved to Minneapolis, where he devoted his time to looking after his lumber interests. Most of his winters for some years thereafter were spent in the south. In December, 1887, he moved to San Jose, California, and bought four ranches, three of which he planted to fruit trees. On December 22, 1878, his daughter, Ada, married Dr. Alfred H. Hedderly, and at the same time and place, Mr. Gordon married Mrs. Mary L. (Carpenter) Thompson, by whom he has three children, Huntley Lennox Gordon, Mary L. Gordon (Brassey) and William Wallace Gordon. Mr. Gordon now lives in Los Angeles, to which city he moved in 1894. He is practically retired from the more strenuous duties of life. Throughout his life, Mr. Gordon has been active in public affairs, and has taken an active part in the political life of Minnesota and California. Aside from his other activities he has done considerable literary work which has received wide and favorable notice. Among his published works may be mentioned : "Pauline and Other Poems" (1878-G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London) ; "Legends of the Northwest" (1881-St. Paul Book & Sta- tionery Co.) ; "Feast of the Virgins and Other Poems" (1891-Laird & Lee, Chicago) ; "Indian Legends and Other Poems" (1910-Salem Press Co., Salem, Mass.) ; "Laconics" (four editions, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914-Holmes Book Co., Los Angeles and San Francisco).

Frank Tolman was born at Winnebago Prairie, Stearns county, on No- vember 14, 1857; attended the public schools at St. Cloud and was gradu- ated from there in 1876; attended the State University for one year imme- diately following his graduation from the high school at St. Cloud; read law in the office of D. B. Searle at St. Cloud; was admitted to the practice in 1881, and remained at St. Cloud in the practice of the law until April, 1894, when he removed to Paynesville, where he has since resided and is engaged in the practice of his profession. He was married on January 17, 1889, to Mary F. Wheelock, of Moscow, New York, and has four children. Mr. Tol- man is at present president of the board of education of Paynesville.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 71

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper Number of Pages: 964

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 964