History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 28

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1110

USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Capser was prominent in the community along various lines. He served his district in the legislative halls of the state for a number of years. In 1875-76 he was a member of the senate presided over by Lieutenant-Gover- nor Alonzo Barto. He was elected to the lower house of the legislature in 1878 and again in 1891. A Democrat in politics he was seven years chair- man of the State Central Committee of that party. He was county commis- sioner two terms and a member of the Sauk Centre board of health for thirty-three years and was a member of the city council two terms. Mr. Capser and his excellent wife have always been highly respected residents of the community. They have ever stood for everything that was right and honorable and good, and the members of their large family are worthily following in their footsteps. In 1876 Mr. Capser was placed on the Demo- cratic ticket as presidential elector for Samnel P. Tilden. He was one of the original members of the Church of St. Paul at Sauk Centre. The first Catholic meeting in this vicinity was held at his home by Father Mathias, and when the church was built he contributed toward buying the site and was always a heavy donator and contributor toward its support.

Mr. Capser was married May 31, 1864, to Mary E. Ley, daughter of Henry J. Ley, an early settler. She was born in Madison, Wis., and the marriage took place in St. Joseph, Stearns county. In all his undertakings, Mrs. Capser has been her husband's capable helpmeet, a true wife and loyal mother. In the family there are seven children: Henry C., Josephina, Sufronica C., Albert J., Edward A., George W., and Joseph L. Henry C. was born in a snow covered shed in the rear of his father's first store, just outside of the stockade at Sauk Centre, he being the first male child born in Sauk Centre. The present family home was completed in 1881.

On January 1, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Capser celebrated the Golden Anniversary of their wedding, which was to fall several months later. The early celebration was for the sake of one of the daughters who was to leave for the west. Around the family table gathered the seven children and the numerous grandchildren. In all the family there has never been a death

902

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

for over half a century. A massed Bavarian band discoursed music, many songs were sung, and the happy couple received congratulations from all over the state. Among the gifts was a bag of gold coins presented by the children and grandchildren. Henry C. Capser presided as toastmaster and related many incidents of the early days, while Mr. Capser himself also spoke with much feeling of the happiness that his wife and family have meant to him. In writing of the event the Sauk Rapids "Herald" said: "Not many people are privileged to live together for fifty years as man and wife. Still less rear a family of seven, and they in turn rear families, without a single death in half a century. A most remarkable achievement. In talking with the 'Herald' man following the event, Hon. Joseph Capser stated that he and his aged wife fully appreciate the blessings which had been bestowed upon them all these long years. They are proud of their children and thank- ful for their achievements. The people of Sauk Centre rejoice with Mr. and Mrs. Capser in their having practically reached the half century mark of their married life. That they may be spared to enjoy the society of each other and their children is the wish of the entire community."

John H. Canfield, of Sauk Centre, county commissioner, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, October 10, 1846, son of Abram and Caroline Canfield, with whom he came to Sauk Centre. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Civil War and participated in the Indian campaign. He was mustered out July 11, 1865. For many years he devoted his life to farm work. He did good service as town and school officer, and so won the respect of his fellow men that they elected him one of the county commissioners, a position he has now held for some eleven years. He votes the Republican ticket, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Canfield married Rosetta Richards in 1870, and they have two children : Llewellyn and Iris P. Llewellyn is married and has four children. Iris P. lives at home and teaches music.

Abram Canfield, an early physician, was born in New Jersey, came to Sauk Centre and practiced medicine for many years. He died in 1909 at the age of eighty-six years. . Abram Canfield married for his first wife, Caroline Van Linder, of New York, by whom he had four children: Manning F., John H., Phoebe A., and James M. For his second wife, Abram Canfield married Rosetta Truax, also a native of New York, and to this union there were born seven children: Dillon, Louisa, Rosetta, Florence, Charles, Hattie and William.

Albert Edwin Erwin, secretary and general manager of the Erwin Elevator Co., was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, May 1, 1849, son of Franklin and Aurilla (Walbridge) Erwin, also natives of the same county. The parents came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1854. There the father dealt in stock. In 1861 the family came to Minnesota and located in Dakota county, where the - father engaged in agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. The father died in February, 1890. The mother died in October, 1895. In the family there were nine children: Charlotte, now Mrs. William Church, of Dakota county; Lucia, now Mrs. Elias Scott, of Renville ; Cecelia, now Mrs. Nelson Whipple, of Duluth; Albert E., of Sauk

ALBERT EDWIN ERWIN

MR. AND MRS. C. G. HERBERGER

903

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Centre; Eliza, now Mrs. D. S. Hassen, of Duluth; Temperance (deceased) ; O. W., of Little Falls, Minn .; Mary, now Mrs. Alexander Jamieson, of Sauk Centre, and Cora, now Mrs. J. L. Whitson, of Sauk Centre. Albert Edwin Erwin was brought from New York state to Walworth county, Wis., by his parents in 1854. He there attended the schools of his neighborhood, and also the schools of Milwaukee. In 1861 he came to Dakota county, Minn., with his parents. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, attending schools winters and working about the farm in the summer time. After he was twenty-one he worked out for various farmers. In 1874 he came to Sauk Centre, and engaged in the grain and elevator business. With this beginning he has achieved a splendid success. He now has elevators located at Sauk Centre, West Union, Long Prairie, Browerville, Round Prairie, Little Sauk, Gray Eagle, Burham and Ward Springs, most of which he erected him- self. He is a master of all the details of his business, is highly respected by everybody, and is in every way a straight-forward, strictly honorable busi- ness man. For two terms he served on the village council. Fraternally he has passed through the chairs of Sauk Centre Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F. Mr. Erwin was married June 21, 1882, to Emily Jamieson, of Canton, New York, daughter of Andrew and Annabelle (Cooper) Jamieson. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have two children, Annabelle and Harriet. Annabelle graduated from the Sauk Centre High School, and attended Carleton College at Northfield. Har- riet also graduated from the Sauk Centre High School, received her splendid musical education under private instructors, and is now a proficient teacher of instrumental music.

L. W. Gingery, successful real estate dealer of Sauk Centre, was born in Summit county, Ohio, August 25, 1869, son of Curtiss C. and Valma E. (Wise) Gingery, who took him to Nebraska when he was nine years of age. He was reared and educated in Nebraska, and there remained until 1899. Then he came to Mason City, Iowa, and engaged in the grain and lumber business. In 1901 he came to Sauk Centre, and in company with M. W. Lee, engaged in the grain and elevator business. In 1905 they incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. Their elevators and lumber yards were at West Union and Sauk Centre. In July, 1914, the company disposed of its inter- ests, and Mr. Gingery is now successfully engaged in the real estate busi- ness. He is a public spirited citizen and has served as president of the vil- lage council for years. He is a member of the Commercial Club and of Sauk Centre Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F. Mr. Gingery was married August 24, 1893, to Minnie Lee, and they have three children: Carleton, born March 4, 1905; Maudie, born November 18, 1906, and Dorris, born October 12, 1901.

Conrad George Herberger, one of the well-known old settlers of the county, and a respected resident of Sauk Centre has prepared for this work the following statement concerning his career :

"I, Conrad George Herberger, was born in Rheinesheim, Baden, June 23, 1834. My father was Michael Herberger, my mother was Catharina Whit- mann. To them was born twelve children, ten boys and two girls. I was the youngest of the family. Six of the younger boys came to this country; Ignaz and Max came in 1849; Carl, Fred and Theobold, in the spring of 1853.

904

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

I came to New York, January 6, 1854, went to Buffalo, N. Y., remained there until May, 1854, and then went to Detroit, Mich. I left there in 1855 and went to Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois, and on July 1, 1856, I came to St. Cloud, Minnesota. On October 1, 1857, I was married to Catharine Schurmann. My wife was born in Hoglar, West Falen, November 12, 1837; her father was Nicholas Schurmann, and her mother was Leusill Becker. They were the parents of twelve children. My wife and her parents came to this country in 1855 and located at Guttenberg, Iowa, my wife coming to St. Cloud in 1856. To us were born twelve children, of whom only four are now living: Frank J., George F., Edward Herberger, and Rose (Herberger) Johnson. My brothers and sisters are all dead except Theobald who is living in Los Angeles, Cal., eighty-two years of age. My wife has three brothers and two sisters living. When I came to St. Cloud in 1856 I started a blacksmith shop. In 1859 the first stage run from St. Cloud to Georgetown, a distance of 200 miles, and Burbank & Co. hired me to do their horse shoeing. In 1860 my wife and self were stationed at Pomme de Terre to keep the night station on the stage line. I was to shoe the horses used.on the line from Sauk Centre to Georgetown. Pomme de Terre is twenty-two miles this way from Fergus Falls and twelve beyond Evansville. We got along there fairly well until the Indian outbreak, on August 22, 1862. At that time we were forced to return to St. Cloud, where I resumed blacksmithing until 1869 when my brother Fred and myself organized and operated a brewery, known as the Her- berger Brothers Brewing Co. We sold out in 1875, and in 1877 I went on a farm in Todd and Douglas counties, three miles from Osakis. I re- mained on the farm until 1901, when in September of that year I came to Sauk Centre where I have resided ever since."

The Irish Family. The Irish family is one of the old American families, dating back considerable over a century. The original Irish forebear came from England, and settled in New York state. One of the sons in this family was Jonathan Irish, born at Lake George, N. Y., April 9, 1807. His wife, Eliza, was born July 17, 1813. They had seven children. Sydney, born Jan- uary 22, 1833; Mercy, June 29, 1835; Abner, February 28, 1837; Matthew, February 25, 1839; Eber, May 5, 1842; Matilda, October 29, 1844; Caroline, April 24, 1848. The deaths recorded in the family Bible are as follows: Eber, October 26, 1862; Jonathan (the father), March 24, 1884; Eliza (the mother) ten years later; Matthew, November 26, 1907; Abner, February 8, 1909; Syd- ney, April 2, 1912.

Abner Irish, the third child in this family, was born, as noted, February 28, 1837, in Warren county, New York. As a young man he served through the Civil War. He reached Minnesota May 24, 1864. He lived for many years in Sauk Centre, where he was a prominent citizen. A farmer, carpenter and contractor, he nevertheless found time to devote to public affairs. He was one of the supervisors of the town, and a justice of the peace. As a member of the board of education he was one of those who were responsible for the establishing of the High School in Sauk Centre, and also freely gave of his time and labor to help establish the First Presbyterian Church of Sauk Centre by hewing the timbers used in its construction. This church later

MICHAEL HOGAN

905

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

became the home of the First Congregational Church of Sauk Centre, of which Mr. Irish was a faithful member at the time of his death. In politics he was a Republican. He died February 8, 1909, highly respected by all who knew him.

Abner Irish married Rose Spencer, and they had five children: Louis J., Carrie (died May 2, 1905), Hattie E. (died September 8, 1875), Margaret and Carl A. Margaret is a graduate nurse and lives with her mother. Louis J. is a member of the city council of Sauk Centre. He conducts a 'bus and transfer business. He was married June 25, 1902, to Myra E. Clifford, and they have a daughter, Edna Elizabeth. Carl A. is a prosperous rancher in North Dakota, was married to Jennie M. Gray, December 26, 1900, and has four children; Margaret M., Carleton G., Arelyn D. and Marvin S. and be- sides, two adopted children, Harry M. Shepard, nephew of Mrs. Irish, at the age of 13 months, and Helen R., adopted March 8, 1895, at the age of three months.

Alexander Jamieson, president of the Erwin Elevator Co., with head- quarters at Sauk Centre, was born in New York state, December 25, 1846, son of Andrew and Annabelle (Cooper) Jamieson. He came to Minnesota at the age of twenty-one, and for about twenty-five years farmed in Dakota county. In 1896 he purchased an interest in the Erwin Elevator Co., of which he is now the president. Mr. Jamieson is a vestryman and treasurer of the Church of the Good Samaritan, Episcopal, and has taken an active interest in the welfare of that body. He is doing the village good service as an alderman. Alexander Jamieson married Mary Erwin, and they have three children : Gladys J., Edward E. and Vera. Gladys J. married Ray Car- penter, and they have three children: Maxwell, Louisa and Fannie. They live in Alberta, Canada. Andrew Jamieson and Annabelle Cooper, his wife, spent the span of their years in New York state, and are laid to rest in Canton, New York, the former dying at the age of eighty-two and the latter at the age of seventy-seven. There were nine children in the family: Alex- ander, George E., John, Emily, Hattie, Sarah, Nettie and Elizabeth.

Michael Hogan. To some villages comes the good fortune to number among their citizens, men of ability, probity, intelligence and worth, who are willing to devote their time, energy, influence and money for the upbuilding of the part of the country in which they have cast their lot. Such a man was Michael Hogan. Coming to Sauk Centre in the prime of life he at once became identified with its progress, attained business success and worthy reputation, served in the most responsible political, social, educational and financial positions, and as a fitting climax to his life secured for the village a permanent literary institution whose influence will be felt for many genera- tions to come.

Michael Hogan was born in Prince Edward Island Province, Canada, was there reared, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He came to Sauk Centre in 1882 and became clerk in the real estate office of Moore & Bennett. Later he engaged in the real estate business for himself, then had Charles Hendryx for a partner for a while, and subsequently continued alone. As a real estate lawyer he had few if any equals in this part of the state. During

906

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

his long residence in the village he took an active interest in the city's prog- ress, and in matters of public importance his excellent judgment and though- ful energy had much to do with the substantial upbuilding of Sauk Centre. For four terms he served as mayor and at various other times might have held the office had he not refused to accept the honor. He was also a mem- ber of the Sauk Centre board of education and was vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank. He started a correspondence with Andrew Car- negie, as the result of which the Carnegie Library was here erected. No one knew of the matter until Mr. Carnegie's offer had been formally made and the terms of the acceptance stipulated. Mr. Hogan died at St. Luke's Hos- pital, September 30, 1904. At the hour of his funeral every business house and public school in Sauk Centre was closed. The whole village joined in mourning, for his excellent qualities had endeared him to all. In business as well as in a social way, he was of an unassuming nature, a plain, scholarly gentleman, whose friendship was as high an honor as one could care to win. His place in the community will not soon be filled. Mr. Hogan was married April 19, 1887, to Mary Donahue, of Sauk Centre, daughter of Patrick and Ann Donahue, early settlers of Stearns county. There are two children, Edna, born in 1889, and Archie, born in 1894.

Theron W. Mann was born in Schoharie county, New York, August 11, 1854, attended the excellent public schools of his neighborhood, and obtained a diploma from the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., and taught two years. For a time he worked as a railroad man with headquarters at Platts- burg, N. Y. Then he came west, and was employed as an operator at the Ply- mouth, Wis., station for the Wisconsin Central. From there he came to Min- nesota, where he worked for the Northern Pacific for a quarter of a century, being operator at Wadena and Clitherall, and agent at Royalton, Sauk Centre and Little Falls. After leaving the railroad business he engaged in business in Minneapolis, and later in South Dakota. Then he came once more to Sauk Centre, where he conducted a music store until his death in December, 1912. The store is now conducted by his sons. His wife is still living. She makes her home in New York state. Mr. Mann was a prominent man in many ways. In addition to his store in Sauk Centre, he owned farms in Pope and Becker counties. He was one of the founders of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Sauk Centre. Confirmed as a communicant of the Episcopal Church, he was ever an ardent worker in that denomination. At Sauk Centre he was one of the most active members. Mr. Mann had three children: Mrs. L. O. Kerby, of Hibbing, Minn .; and Sydney T. and Henry A., merchants of Sauk Centre.

Sidney T. Merryman, manager of the Central Minnesota Power and Mill- ing Co., of Sauk Centre, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., January 15, 1890, son of Egbert S. and Barbara W. (Davidson) Merryman. He received his edu- cation in the graded and high schools of Milwaukee. His first employment was in a clerical capacity. His ambition was to become a sea captain, and with this end in view he secured a situation as watchman and wheelman on a Great Lakes boat. January 1, 1909, he came to Sauk Centre as accountant for the Central Minnesota Power and Milling Co. In February, 1911, he was

J. A. CAUGHREN'S RESIDENCE

MR. AND MRS. JOHN N. MeGIBBON

907

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

promoted to his present position. He is a rising young man, is a thorough master of his line of work, and is highly regarded throughout the community. Mr. Merryman is a member of Star in the West Lodge, No. 60, A. F. & A. M., and of Sauk Centre Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M. He was married February 11, 1914, to Marguerite Booth, of Chicago.

David Caughren, of honored memory, was one of that sturdy band of pioneers whose work resulted in the opening up and development of the Northwest. Whether as a youth in Canada, diligently working on the home farm; as a pioneer in Wright county, bringing the wild land under cultiva- tion and working for the advance of civilization; or as a freighter in the Black Hills, carrying still further the vanguard of development and settle- ment; he ever did his duty as he saw it. He was an influential citizen, and lived long enough to see the early fruits of success crown his privations and toil. David Caughren was born in Fredington, on the St. John's river, Prov- ince of New Brunswick, Canada, and married Matilda Ervin, a native of the same place. In 1859 they came to Minnesota, and located on a farm in Brock- way township, Stearns county, where they lived for several years. In 1864 they moved to Getty township, where Mr. Caughren purchased 160 acres. He broke and grubbed the land, brought it to a high stage of cultivation, and erected a fine set of buildings. He was a power for good in the community and was apparently permanently settled. But the pioneer strain was in his blood and unwilling to enjoy the established peace of a settled community while others were braving the rigors of pioneer endeavor, he left the com- munity which he had assisted in making, and removed to Bismarck, North Dakota, where he engaged in freighting between Bismarck and the Black Hills. He died at Bismarck, in January, 1881. His widow now lives in Merriam Park, St. Paul, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Caughren had seven children: J. A., a leading citizen of Sauk Centre, Stearns county ; Carrie, now Mrs. George Case, of Black Hills; William, of White Fish, Montana; Samuel, of Havre, Montana; Sarah, the deceased wife of E. G. Bloomfield, and Frank and Hattie, who died in infancy.

Henry Sprague was born in Chenango county, New York, September 22, 1808, and in 1823 was taken by his parents to Oakland county, Michigan. As a youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, and subsequently followed this trade for many years. In 1838 he moved to Will county, Illinois, from which county in 1854, he brought his family to Dakota county, Minn., and settled in Nininger township. While in Dakota county he was county commissioner and justice of the peace for several years. In 1865 he came to Stearns county, and settled on a farm in Sauk Centre township. He married Louise C. Walker, a native of Maine, March 14, 1883, and they had four children : Addison, Cas- sius, Millard C. and Esther Sprague.

John N. McGibbon, man of affairs, and one of Sauk Centre's most useful citizens, has wide interests and varied accomplishments. He is president of the Stearns County Agricultural Society, is serving his fourth consecutive term as mayor of Sauk Centre, is president of the board of education of Sauk Centre, president of the Sauk Centre Fire Relief Association, and superintendent of the city electric light plant. In addition to this he is

908

HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

successfully engaged in milling and farming. Thus busily engaged he has nevertheless found time for the development of the literary and ethical side of his nature, and his verse is published in many papers throughout the state. He is a member of Star in the West Lodge, No. 60, A. F. & A. M., and Sauk Centre Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M. His wife and he are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a Democrat in politics, and the members of the family belong to the Presbyterian Church. In whatever move- ment he takes a part, Mr. McGibbon is at once found at the head. He is genial, affable, unassuming, a hard worker, and a born leader of men. He preaches the doctrine of good fellowship and the brotherhood of man, and he is as agreeable as he is prominent. He and his wife are especially interested in the cause of education, and in the move for better schools throughout the country. Their untiring efforts and encouragement were an important factor in the building of the present sightly school edifice at Sauk Centre. John N. McGibbon was born in Canada, December 21, 1859, there attended the public schools and grew to manhood. He learned the trade of miller from his father and devoted much of his youth to that line of work. He reached Minneapolis at the age of twenty-one and entered the employ of the Minne- apolis Flouring Mill. Six months later he came to Sauk Centre and became head miller for T. C. McClure. Later he and Dr. J. D. DuBois bought out the mill which he conducted for three years. Mr. McGibbon was united in marriage, June 9, 1881, to Louise A. E. Crozier, who was born in Canada, February 23, 1862, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Walker) Crozier, natives of Scotland who came to Canada in their 'teens and were there mar- ried. Mr. Crozier was a farmer and was very successful in his chosen line of endeavor. He and his good wife both died in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. McGibbon have four children: Lillian L. married Tollef Jacobson, now a prominent banker of Alexandria, Minn .; John R. is secretary of the North- western Mortgage and Security Co. at Fargo, North Dakota; Robina H. mar- ried Henry Halverson, one of St. Cloud's representative merchants; Everette E. is a rising young dentist of Minneapolis ; James R. is a student in the Sauk Centre High school and lives at home. Alexander McGibbon and Jane (Brow) McGibbon, the parents of John N. McGibbon were of Scottish descent. Alex- ander McGibbon was a prominent miller in Canada, and owned and conducted a flouring mill for many years. The same mill is now operated by the son, Duncan D. McGibbon. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Gibbon both died in Canada and are buried there.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 28

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper Number of Pages: 1110

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1110