History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 32

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

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Alfred L. Zuercher, M. D., for many years a beloved physician of Mel- rose, was born in Zug, Switzerland, September 5, 1850. He studied in the University of Wurzburg and the University of Paris, and was duly qualified for the practice of his profession. In 1873 he came to America, and located in New Munich, in this county, where he married Mary Broker. Soon after his marriage they removed to Stillwater, where he practiced his profession. In that town his five children, Marie, Alfred J., Anna (deceased), Oscar and Alexius (deceased), were born. In 1882 the family moved to Melrose, and there he practiced until his death, November 29, 1892. In his death the county lost a sincere and useful citizen. He was an able scholar, was a master of seven different languages, and possessed a thorough medical and scientific knowledge. He was noted for his manly and kindly bearing, and was a friend of all. He was a practical Christian of the Catholic faith. Mary Broker, the wife of Dr. Alfred L. Zuercher, was born in Richmond, Munson township, Stearns county, July 24, 1859, daughter of Henry and Mary (Edelbrock) Broker, both natives of Germany. Henry Broker was an accomplished musi- cian, and was highly educated in the commercial line. He came to America, and reached Stearns county, after passing through St. Louis and Iowa. Upon arriving in St. Cloud he opened a general store, being one of the early mer- chants of that city. After some two years there, he moved to Richmond, where he conducted a similar store some five years. Subsequently he taught school several years, first at Jacob's Prairie and then at New Munich, both in this county. Then he moved to Collegeville, this county, where he was store- keeper, postmaster and station agent for some quarter of a century. He died in 1906. He had then reached the age of eighty-three years, the date of his birth being September 13, 1823. His wife is still living at the age of seventy- six. She was born September 19, 1841. They had ten children: William, Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, Walberga, Cresence, Henry, Alexius, Gertrude and Scholastica. Mary Edelbrock, the mother of Mrs. Alfred L. Zeurcher, was

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the daughter of Anton Edelbrock, who settled in St. Cloud at an early day, owned considerable prairie land, and operated the ferry. She was a sister of Abbot Alexius Edelbrock, president of St. John's College. Dr. Alfred L. Zuercher was the son of Dr. Johan and Mary (Deschwanden) Zuercher. Both names are well known in Europe, the Zuerchers as physicians and the Desch- wandens as artists.

Samuel Young, Jr., one of the earliest pioneers of Stearns county, was one of the remarkable men of this part of the state. He settled on Maine Prairie in 1856, and at the age of eighty-eight was still hale and hearty, could read without glasses, always kept well abreast of the times, and had one of the largest libraries to be found in the rural districts of the county. He was born in Newport, on the picturesque and historic banks of Newport lake in Penobscot county, Maine, December 25, 1825, a son of Samuel Young, Sr., and Hannah Judkins Young, and grandson of Samuel Young. The grand- father, Samuel Young, owned sixty acres in the city of Manchester, New Hampshire, fought in the Revolutionary War, and was the father of twenty sons and two daughters. The father, Samuel, Sr., was a strong Baptist in religion. He was one of the pioneers of Newport, Maine, and had eleven chil- dren: Mary, William, Johannah, Samuel, Jr., Augusta, Hannah, Orrin, Oliver, Helen, and two who died in infancy. All are dead except Augusta and Helen. The latter lives in Seattle, Washington. Samuel Young, Jr., attended the schools of his neighborhood, and began life as a farmer. In 1851 he went to Pennsylvania, and lived there two years. In 1853 he started for the West. By rail and coach he reached Galena, Ill., and from there took a boat to St. Paul, from which place he went to St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis, arriving October 15, 1853. For three years he was a lumberman. July 8, 1856, he landed on Maine Prairie. The prairie was then the resort of Indians, the first settlers having arrived a few months earlier than Mr. Young. He secured a claim of 120 acres, where Isaac Coleman now lives, and erected a log cabin, barn and shed, thatched with hay. He began farming with an ox team. He and his brother, Joseph Young, and Josiah E. Hayward, had eight oxen together, and they pooled their interests in breaking the land. Mr. Young, in his latter years, often told of the trip which they took to St. Paul when they spent but thirty-five cents, the journey being made in ox wagons, which were used at night to shelter them from the elements. In 1862, Mr. Young located on the place in section 18, which he owned for more than fifty years. At that time there was a log cabin standing on the place. Mr. Young tore down this cabin, and from his former location moved a board granary for a residence. This granary is a part of the present home. He took an active interest in the early affairs of the township. During the Indian uprising he assisted in building the stockade in section 13. This stock- ade was built of logs standing on end, sixteen feet high, and covering a space 30 by 40. Twenty families were sheltered. The Indians, however, were never nearer than two miles. Mr. Young was one of the early supervisors of the township. It is interesting to note that in 1867, Mr. Young was one of those who contributed $500 of the $10,000 capital required for starting the private institution that is now the First National Bank, of St. Cloud. He never

MR. AND MRS. ELIAS D. MO 'S

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drew any of the income from this investment, but allowed it to accumulate. At the time of his death, March 22, 1914, he was the oldest stockholder in the institution. Mr. Young was a man of sterling integrity and lived up to the traditions of his Puritan ancestors. He was an excellent citizen, a kind and helpful neighbor, and a man of strong convictions, according to the opinions of others the same respect which he demanded for his own. The Old Settlers' Association found him a faithful and active member. Though he was ninety years of age, nearly, he retained a wonderful hold on life to the very end.

Mr. Young was first married in October, 1861, to Marilla B. French, who died in August, 1883. On July 21, 1884, he married Susanna Golden, who was born in England, January 15, 1848, daughter of Thomas and Anna Golden, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England, who came to America in 1849 with their daughters, Elizabeth, Susanna and Mary, and settled in Pennsylvania, the father dying in that state and the mother in Kentucky. Mrs. Young survives her husband. Their companionship was an ideal one, and Mrs. Young has sincere sympathy in being bereft of her life-companion whose love has meant so much to her. They were often pointed out as a model couple, and they were tender lovers to the end.

Elias D. Moss, for many years a respected farmer of Kimball, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, November 6, 1836, son of Thomas and Rachael (Donahue) Moss, natives of Pennsylvania, who were married in Indiana and came to Maine Prairie, Stearns county, in 1865. Elias D. was reared on the home farm, and there spent his early manhood. On September 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 83rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as corporal, and served thirty-two months until the close of the war. He followed the for- tunes of that company and showed his valor in many battles and skirmishes. By an explosion of a cap on his gun he eventually lost the sight of his right eye. At the close of his service he participated in the Grand Review at Wash- ington. After he was discharged and mustered out June 2, 1865, he returned to his old home in Indiana, and then came to Stearns county. He secured 160 acres in section 28, Maine Prairie township, where he built a log cabin and started farming with an ox-team. After he had proved up on the claim he went back to Indiana, and upon his return brought his wife here. The young couple faced life together, and their efforts were crowned with success. They became leading members of the community, and their home was noted for its hospitality. Mr. Moss served as a school officer and was one of the members of the J. Whitney Post, G. A. R., at Kimball. In 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Moss retired and moved to the village of Kimball, where they happily resided until the sad event which cut short his life. On July 4, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Moss started out with relatives, to hold a family reunion at Lake Betsy. In going down a hill by the lake, the horse became very frightened, and ran down the road, throwing both out of the buggy. This was about 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Mr. Moss was taken home, and every attention was given him, but in spite of skilled medical aid he passed away at three in the afternoon, thus ending a noble life, well spent, and filled with kindly deeds. Mr. and Mrs. Moss both joined the Methodist Episcopal Church many years ago. Elias D. Moss was married in Indiana, August 14, 1873, to Emma Brinkman, who

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was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Myers) Brinkman, both of whom died in Ohio.

Fred Meyer, Sr., farmer and elevator man at Kimball, was born in Han- over, Germany, September 1, 1860, son of Henry and Eliza Meyer. He left Germany in 1880, and found employment in Iowa county, Iowa, where he was joined the following year by his parents. Later he secured a farm in Fayette county, in the same state. In 1898 he brought his family to Stearns county, and secured 160 acres adjoining the village of Kimball, in Maine Prairie town- ship. Later he added forty acres more. Here he carries on general farming. In 1906 he was made manager of the Osborn, McMillan Elevator Co., at Kim- ball. Mr. Meyer was married in 1884 to Louise Silschott, a native of Han- over, Germany, who came to Fayette county, Iowa, with her parents in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have eight children. Mary, Henry, Fred, Jr., William, August and Louise were born in Fayette county, Iowa; while Albert and Walter were born in Stearns county, Minnesota.

Alexander Spaulding, a retired farmer of Kimball, was born in Hodgson, Rusty county, Maine, son of Daniel and Margaret (Coldwell) Kimball. He received such meagre education as his neighborhood afforded by attending school three months a year during his earlier boyhood. In 1857 he came to Minnesota with his parents, his six brothers and sisters, his wife and his baby. With his brother, Willard, he drove an ox team from Clearwater, on the Mississippi river, to Maine Prairie. He took up a claim of 160 acres in the southwest quarter of section 9, and there built a bark cabin. Later he purchased forty acres in section 7. There he built a board shanty, which he shingled, and made comfortable. But while he was living in this place, news came of the Indian uprising, and he then moved to what was called Maine Prairie Corners. Then, after living in other parts of Maine Prairie, he moved to eighty acres in sections 18 and 19, Fair Haven township. There he lived until 1902, when, upon the death of his wife at the age of sixty-eight, he sold out. He tried life in the Dakotas for a while, but after about a year there, he came to Kimball, where he has since lived with his son, Charles L. Mr. Spaulding has been one of the leading men in this part of the county. For three years he was postmaster at Maine Prairie Corners. He worked hard to get the office established, was the first to be placed in charge of it, and often expended his own funds for the purpose of getting the mail con- veyed from Fair Haven. For many years he was a member of the school board of District No. 30. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-five years. During the Indian uprising, when the Maine Prairie Guards were organized, Mr. Spaulding was one of the members and was assigned to the duties of orderly sergeant. He was married November 28, 1855, to Mary McCoulm. This union has resulted in ten children: Daniel Milton, who died in Maine; Cordelia, who was born in Maine, was brought to Minnesota with her parents, and is now Mrs. A. B. Hicks, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Gilbert (deceased) ; Nellie, now Mrs. J. H. Lyon, of Maine Prairie ; Eva (deceased) ; Annetta, of Tacoma, Wash .; Charles L., of Kimball village, who married Hattie B. Bowen; Ernest George, who died at the age of eighteen months; Margaret, who married William Bowen, of Butte, Wash. (deceased),

MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN H. WINSLOW

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and Edith Jane, now Mrs. Ernest Quinn, of Monroe, Wash. The Spauldings are an old New England family, noted for their staunch Methodism. Men of the family figured in the early French and Indian Wars. The grandfather, Willard Spaulding, came from England, located in Massachusetts, and finally found his way to Kennebec county, Maine. The son of Willard, and father of Alexander, Daniel by name, was born in that county, and married Mar- garet Coldwell, a native of Ireland, but of Scotch descent. Daniel Spaulding had seven children: Alexander, Willard, Daniel, Jr., Alonzo, Mary Jane, David, Thomas and George. Daniel, Jr., died in Maine. The rest of the family came to Stearns county, with the parents.

Frank E. A. Wolff was born in Carver county, Minnesota, December 6, 1862, son of Henry and Anna Wolf. He received a good education in the district and graded schools, and as a young man became a carpenter. He was about thirty when he turned his attention to milling. For many years he was employed in this capacity in Appleton, Swift county, this state. In 1901 he went to Royalton, Minn., and was there head miller in a large mill for five years. In 1906 he came to Kimball, and purchased the Kimball Flour Mill. This mill, under his ownership, has been very successful. His leading brands, "Wolff's Best," and "Our Leader," are very popular with house- wives throughout the territory which he supplies. The mill has a capacity of 100 barrels. He and his wife are both interested in Masonry, he being a member of the Blue Lodge and she of the Eastern Star, at Kimball. He also belongs to the United Workmen at Royalton. For two years he did good service as a member of the village council of Kimball. Mr. Wolff was married March, 1889, to Ada Rhadigan, of Cascade, Iowa, daughter of Patrick Rhadi- gan. They have three children: Henry Douglas, a medical student; Charles Franklin (deceased) and James Clark, at home.

Henry E. Wolff was born in Pennsylvania, and in 1852 located in Chaska, in Carver county, Minnesota. He was one of the true pioneers, and his experi- ences would, if recorded, make a most interesting volume. He started out from St. Paul, with an ox team, a few household supplies and provisions, and with fifty cents in his pocket. There was no road, and often he had to cut his way through the dense undergrowth. When he finally reached Chaska, he homesteaded 160 acres of land. Later he took forty acres of school land. Food was scarce and provisions must be brought from St. Paul. Corn was ground in a hand "coffee mill." Before a roof was put on the cabin, a child was born, with a rudely stretched sheet as the only shelter from the skies. But the years passed, the family prospered, and became well-to-do members of the community. During the Indian uprising, the family was many times frightened, and at one period went down to St. Paul on a flat boat and stayed for several days, fearing that the community in Carver county was to be wiped out by the Sioux. In 1878 the family moved to Bird Island, in Renville county, where the father and mother ended their days. There were eleven children in the family, all now living. They are: Clara, Caroline, Sarah, Henry, Charles, Otto, Samuel, Frank, David, Edward and Albert.

Benjamin H. Winslow, for many years a respected citizen of Maine Prairie township, was born in Waldo county, Maine, March 30, 1834, son of

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John N. Winslow, a Maine farmer and a veteran of the Civil War. In the family there were seven boys and one girl. Benjamin H. Winslow received his early education in Maine. In 1858 he set out with his wife, Betsey Goss, and their daughter, Ann (Mrs. Joseph Whitney), then seven months of age, now deceased. By rail, by boat and by stage, they at last reached Stearns county . in May, and located in Fair Haven township. In the spring of 1859 they moved to Maine Prairie township. Subsequently they lived in various places, and finally in 1865 purchased 100 acres in section 22. On this land there were then no buildings. Mr. Winslow erected a log house and a log barn, and with an ox team and a pair of black mares, which he later purchased, he estab- lished the foundations of his agricultural operations. On this farm he lived from 1865 to 1896. Then he moved to a forty acre tract east of the original farm, where he built a modern residence, and there spent the remainder of his days. He died April 18, 1913, having survived his wife, who died April 25, 1901. He was a well known man, and one whose opinions were of consid- erable weight. He served on the town and school boards, and was an active factor in many public movements. Mr. and Mrs. Winslow had seven children : Ann, Addie, Ulysses S., Laura, Celestia C., Viola and Newman. Ann mar- ried Joseph Whitney, and they had seven children: Ava A., Benjamin F., Estella, John (deceased), Ray, Jessie, and Myrno. Mrs. Joseph Whitney died May 24, 1907. Addie J. is now Mrs. Samuel G. Stickney. Ulysses S. is men- tioned elsewhere. Laura Emma is now Mrs. A. H. Houghton; she has ten children : Jesse, Florence, Myrtle, Gertrude, John, Harriet, Vesta, Ruby, Pearl, and James. Celestia C. married Simon P. Cassairt, who died August 15, 1906. Their children are: Florence H., Howard A., LeRoy, Henry, George Dewey, Olive and Edgar. Viola is now Mrs. Howard O. Tull, of Minneapolis. Newman died at the age of eighteen days.

Ulysses S. Winslow, stock raiser, of Maine Prairie, was born in Maine Prairie township, February 24, 1863, son of Benjamin H. and Betsey (Goss) Winslow. He attended district school, and remained at home until twenty- nine years of age. Then he located on 240 acres in section 34, Maine Prairie township, where he remained until 1905, when he sold out, and purchased eighty acres in section 11, near the village of Kimball. He now makes a specialty of dairying and raising swine, and his stock is of a good grade. Mr. Winslow belongs to the Royal Neighbors, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and the M. W. of A., of which he is a charter member. In politics a Republican, he has served two years as a member of the board of super- visors. For fourteen years he was manager of the Kimball Creamery Com- pany, of Kimball.

Mr. Winslow married Hettie E. Cossiart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cassairt. She died September 1, 1892, and on October 17, 1893, Mr. Winslow married Laura E. Goodner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Goodner. They have five children: Hettie, Conde, Clara, Lois and Helen.

Frank Henry Beumer, now deceased, pioneer, and for many years a leading business man in St. Augusta, was born in Germany, November 5, 1836, and there received a good education. In 1854 he came to America and lo- cated in Pittsburg, Penn., where he followed his trade as a shoemaker until

FRANK HENRY BEUMER AND FAMILY

MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK BEUMER

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

1857 when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent a year. In the spring of 1858 he came to Stearns county and settled in St. Augusta township. In the fall of 1858 he went to St. Louis, Mo., but in the spring of 1859 he re- turned to St. Augusta, and pre-empted 160 acres of land. He built a good home and other necessary buildings, and increased his holdings until he was the proud owner of 220 acres. In 1873 he sold his farm on account of poor health, and opened a small store in the village of St. Augusta. In time this store developed into a flourishing general mercantile business. In time he purchased the "Neenah Mills," located a mile south of St. Augusta village, and conducted this establishment in connection with his store. Aside from giving close attention to his business, Mr. Beumer was active in township affairs. For several years he was chairman of the town board, and for a long period he did excellent service on the school board. After a long and use- ful life, he died January 22, 1900. It is interesting to note that in the years when St. Augusta had a postoffice, Mr. and Mrs. Beumer served at different times as postmaster and postmistress. Mr. Beumer was united in marriage, February 11, 1860, to Marie Eilers, who was born in Germany, February 16, 1837, came to America in 1858. Mrs. Beumer has proved a faithful wife and mother. After the death of her worthy husband she carried on the business until 1911, when she retired. After her busy and useful life, she is now enjoying a well-earned rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Beumer there have been born eleven children. Of these six are living. Mary is the wife of Joseph Kiersteins, of Phoenix, Arizona. Theresa is the wife of William F. Mess- mann, of St. Augusta township, this county; Frank H. lives in St. Augusta township. Herman lives in St. Cloud. Joseph and Henry J. live in St. Au- gusta township. Anna, Henry, Katrina, Casper H. and Katie are dead.

Frederick Beumer, pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, has had much to do with the development of the township of St. Augusta, where he has lived for so many years. He was born in Germany, February 27, 1841, and received a good education in the land of his birth. At the age of sixteen he set sail for America with his father and mother, Henry Casper and Louise (Rotman) Beumer. The family lived in Cincinnati for about six months, and then came directly west to St. Augusta township, where they took a homestead in sections 10 and 15. Father and son worked together, became influential farmers and erected a fine home. In 1864, Frederick Beumer enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, saw active service at Nashville, Tenn., and was mustered out at Ft. Snelling at the close of the war. Even before his service in the South he had demonstrated his courage and bravery in the face of danger. During the Indian uprising he was the only one in the neighborhood who remained at home, and it devolved upon him to look after the affairs of his neighbors, take care of the stock, and carry provisions for those who had sought shelter in the stockade. Often suspicious looking Indians came around, and he was frequently aroused by their presence, but none of them ever harmed him. Upon his return from the Civil War, Mr. Beumer resumed his work on the farm, and after his father's death started in for himself. He has prospered exceedingly, and at one time owned several hundred acres in St. Augusta township. He now

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makes his home with his son, Fred. During his years of active farm work he erected a sightly residence, and a splendid brick barn said to be the largest of its kind in the county. His honesty and his willingness to lend a helping hand to the needy has won for him the respect and esteem of a large com- munity. A devout Catholic, his ideals and life have been in keeping with the high standards set by that church, and his children are worthily following in his footsteps. Mr. Beumer was married in May, 1866, to Gesina Eilers, an estimable woman in every sense of that noble word. She was born in Germany, March 9, 1846, and died in St. Augusta township, April 14, 1905. The children are as follows: C. H., of St. Augusta; John, of St. Augusta; Katherine, now wife of Nicholas Pesh, of Luxemburg township; Anna, now wife of Joseph Thole, of St. Cloud; Mary, now wife of John Schlagheck, of St. Augusta township; Louise, now wife of John Trestka, of St. Cloud town- ship; Fred, of St. Augusta township; Theresa, now wife of George Reishel, of St. Cloud; and Moritz, of St. Augusta township.

Fred Beumer, one of St. Augusta's younger farmers, was born on the place where he still resides, May 11, 1881, son of Frederick and Gesina (Eilers) Beumer. He received his education in the district schools and has devoted his adult years to working on his fine farm of 385 acres. Mr. Beumer is an enterprising young man and follows closely in the path of his father. In ad- dition to managing his farm, he has two threshing outfits, and handles two large crews of men. One of his outfits is for hulling clover and the other for threshing small grains, and the territory which he serves is large. Mr. Beumer was married May 22, 1907, to Emma Baidice, who died May 9, 1910, leaving one child, Bridget. On November 22, 1910, he married Mary Toenyes, of St. Augusta, and they have two children, Luella and Florentine. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 32

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