History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 36

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

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James M. Lyons, a most estimable citizen of Clearwater village, has had his share in the progress and development of the community, and is highly regarded by all with whom he comes in contact. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, August 19, 1846, son of Benjamin T. and Lydia (Wince) Lyons, the pioneers. With them he went to Champaign county, Ill., in 1854, and with them came to Lynden township, this county, in 1856. He was reared amid pioneer conditions, and learned agricultural pursuits from his father. On February 26, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 1, 1865, being discharged at Charlotte, N. C., and mustered out at Ft. Snelling. For several years thereafter he devoted his time to various pursuits, including logging and rafting. Later he took a homestead in Fair Haven township, and bought 120 acres in section 5, Lynden township. He there erected a shack and engaged in farming about ten years. He then purchased 160 acres in section 9, Lynden township. This farm he improved and developed, adding forty more acres, and bringing the place to a high degree of cultivation. In 1900 he rented the farm, and pur- chased a residence in the village of Clearwater. For several years he was the village marshal. On August 24, 1913, he purchased his present establishment. He sells ice cream, confectionery, canned goods, cigars and tobacco, and con- ducts a restaurant and lunch room. He has built up a good business, and has proven himself the right man for the place. Mr. Lyons has been interested in many movements and organizations, and is senior vice commander of the A. C. Collins Post, No. 112, G. A. R., of Clearwater.

Mr. Lyons was married September 19, 1878, to Mary F. Ridley, who was born in Silver Creek, Wright county, September 17, 1862. Mrs. Lyons has

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proven a most capable helpmeet throughout their married life. She is an energetic manager, a keen business woman, and a good wife and understanding mother. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have two children: Frank D. and Elsie May. Frank D. lives in Minot, North Dakota. He married Jennie Simley and they have six children: Bessie, James, Harry, Mildred, Howard and Elsie May lives on the old homestead. She married Charles Lumley, and they have five children : Lucile, Margaret, Charles, George and Vernon.

Mrs. James M. Lyons is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Ridley, natives of Maine. They came to Minnesota in the early days, lived for a while in Minneapolis, and then came to Silver Creek township, Wright county, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Ridley died in 1865 and his wife in 1868. Aside from Mrs. Lyons there was in the family one son, Victor E. Ridley, of Sand Point, Idaho.

Homer T. Heaton, a successful farmer of Lynden township, was born in Waterbury, Green county, Vermont, July 16, 1851, son of Tertius and Fatima (Perkins) Heaton, natives of Vermont, who came west to Wisconsin in 1857, and in 1859 to Stearns county, where they located in Lynden township, and here spent the remainder of their lives. Homer T. Heaton came to Lynden township with his parents, attended school here, and has devoted his life to farming. He has been a successful farmer and has a good place of 175 acres, which he has improved and developed in various ways, erecting all the build- ings himself. Mr. Heaton was married April 3, 1880, to Ida M. Slattery, and they have seven children: Mollie, now Mrs. Clarence Bentley; Kate Pearl, now Mrs. Willard Clayton; James; Fay A .; Jennie, now Mrs. Clarence A. Miller ; Hollis E. and Blanche.

Clarence A. Miller, a splendid example of the modern type of farmer, was born in Lynden township, July 23, 1883, on the homestead where he still re- sides. His parents were Daniel D. and Harriet (Dawson) Miller. He attended the district schools and learned farming from his father. While still a young man living with his parents, he bought eighty acres in section 20, adjoining the homestead, and by hard work and untiring effort cleared and grubbed it, and brought it to a high stage of cultivation. On his father's death he also came into possession of the homestead, so that he now has a fertile farm of 160 acres, where he successfully carries on general farming. He is of the progressive type, and aims to follow the most modern methods of agricultural science. He has erected a new barn and outbuildings, and is now planning a modern residence. He is especially interested in good stock, and he is well started toward a full blooded herd of cattle and drove of swine. Mr. Miller is constable of the township. He and his wife are justly popular among their many friends and neighbors, and their home is one of the most hospitable to be found in Lynden. Mr. Miller was married, December 5, 1911, to Jennie Heaton, daughter of Homer T. and Ida M. (Slattery) Heaton.

Daniel D. Miller, now deceased, one of the early settlers of Lynden town- ship, was born in Ohio, April 6, 1843, and was there married April 9, 1867, to Harriet Dawson, who was born in the same state, May 16, 1845. It was in 1867 that they came to Minnesota and settled in Lynden township, where he purchased the rights of a homesteader who had settled in section 20. He

MR. AND MRS. D. D. MILLER

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

opened up a good farm, broke and grubbed the land, and erected a splendid set of buildings. In course of time it was discovered that the farm con- tained an excellent quality of lime stone, and for several years Mr. Miller suc- cessfully engaged in lime burning. His latter years, however, were devoted to farming. He was always loyal to the town, held many town and school of- fices, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He died June 1, 1908. His wife died July 16, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had ten children: E. C., Car- rie L., Lee N., Ella, Edna, William B., Clarence A., Lottie L., Olive and Hattie. E. C. is a prominent citizen of Lynden. Carrie L. married Samuel Stokes, of Lynden township. Lee N. lives in Clearwater. He married Laura Livingston, who died in October, 1912, after being terribly burned, leaving three children. Ella lives in Annandale. She married F. N. Nugent, and they have four chil- dren. Edna lives in Clearwater, Wright county. She married Orville A. Smith, and they have three children. William B. lives in Canada. Clarence A. lives on the home farm. He married Jennie Elizabeth Heaton. Lottie L. lives in Clearwater, Wright county. She married Fred Dixon. Olive lives in Clearwater. She married Hughgene Dixon, and they have two children. Hattie, twin sister to Edna, died at the age of two months.

Ernest C. Miller, a prosperous and scientific farmer of Lynden, was born in Fair Haven township, February 4, 1868, son of Daniel D. and Harriet (Daw- son) Miller. He was brought to Lynden township when only a few months old and has since continued to reside here. He attended the public schools, learned farming from his father, and remained on the home farm until 1886. Then he purchased 40 acres in section 16. Later he purchased eighty acres more. All this land was wild. He cleared, grubbed and broke it himself, and has brought it to a high degree of cultivation. He also erected a good house and sightly barns, doing nearly all the carpenter work himself. Year by year he has achieved prosperity until now he is one of the leading men of his community. He is a hard worker, a deep thinker, a wide reader and a good business man. His farming is conducted along the lines of the latest discoveries. His herd of mixed Jerseys have brought him a large income, producing the best of milk and cream. His Poland-China swine are also the pride of the neighborhood. He has also achieved good results with the usual crops. Mr. Miller, with all his busy life, finds time to devote to public affairs, and he has been director for some years of School District No. 169, as was his father before him. He was one of the members that aided in incorporating the Clearwater Co-operative Creamery, and is also a member to the Farmers' Club. Mr. Miller was married March 30, 1895, to Mary S. Meacham, who was born in Osseo, Minn., June 5, 1877. This union has been blessed with five children : Morris Alvin, born April 12, 1896; Theodore Willis, born April 9, 1900, and died two months later; Julia Olive, born September 14, 1906; Floyd Clifford, born April 30, 1908; and Effie Adelia, born April 15, 1910. Mary S. Meacham, now wife of Ernest C. Miller, is the daughter of William M. and Julia (Chinver) Meacham. William H. Meacham was descended from the Meacham family, which dates in America from 1613, and figures promi- nently in the Colonial annals. He was the father of six children: John N. of Long Beach, California; Mary S., wife of Ernest C. Miller; Agnes, wife of

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Henry Jones, of Minneapolis; Adelia, wife of William Delaney, of St. Paul; Rachael, wife of Alva Newman, of Fair Haven township; and Nettie, a half sister to the others.

William Mitchell and his good wife, Elizabeth Deacon, were born in County Leitren, Ireland, there received their education, grew to adult years, and were married. After being married for some years, William Mitchell de- termined to seek for himself and family the wider opportunities and greater freedom of the new world. Consequently in February, 1865, he set sail for America. On reaching New York he at once enlisted in a New York regiment, and was sent south. He was honorably discharged at the close of the conflict at Cloud's Mills, Virginia. Upon his return to civil life he came at once to Stearns county, and took a homestead in Fair Haven township. In July, 1866, his wife and children joined him. After proving up on the homestead he moved to Lynden township, and purchased eighty acres in section 5, Lyn- den township, where he built up a place which, for that time, was an unusually good one. He became one of the leading men in the community, and died in 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. William Mitchell were born seven children: Susanna M., now Mrs. William Lyons, of Lynden; Eliza Jane (deceased) ; Alexander, of Lynden; Ann, now Mrs. B. F. Lyons, of Lynden; John, of Lynden; Samuel (deceased) ; and W. L. P., of Montana. The youngest son was born in Fair Haven, and the rest in Ireland.

Mitchell Brothers. That the farmer is the backbone of the nation is an expression often used, and as the years pass by it is increasing in meaning. The man who develops a farm, and by toiling early and late thereon, pro- vides food for the use of the human race, is taking an important part as a producer, and is helping to solve one of the greatest problems of mankind. Among those who have devoted their lives to the advancement of agricul- tural conditions in this county may be mentioned Alexander and John Mitchell, widely known as the efficient proprietors of the Lake Maria Stock & Grain Farm, formerly known as the Poplar Grove Stock & Grain Farm. The place is located in sections 5 and 32, Lynden township, and its many natural advan- tages have been brought to the highest stage of perfection by cultivation, in- telligence and care.

Alexander Mitchell was born in 1858 and John Mitchell in 1862. They were born in County Leitren, Ireland, sons of William and Elizabeth (Deacon) Mitchell. The parents came to America in 1866 and located for a short time in Fair Haven township, this county. Then they came to Lynden township, and here the father farmed until his death in 1872. For several years there- after the mother, and the sons and daughters operated the place. Then John and Alexander bought out the interests of the other heirs, and became the sole owners and proprietors. They are of the most progressive type of farm- ers, and their success is due to their hard work, their intelligent enthusiasm, and their strictly honest business principles. Their farm, which consists of 350 acres, is one of the best in Lynden. They have erected a modern dwell- ing, and some splendid barns and other outbuildings. John Mitchell has served as supervisor of the township of Lynden for ten years. He was mar- ried June 24, 1908, to Mary E. Ross, who was born in Ontario, Canada, April

ALEXANDER MITCHELL

MR. AND MRS. JOHN MITCHELL

D. D. STORMS

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22, 1877. She moved to St. Cloud in early childhood, with her parents, where she grew to womanhood. She is a graduate of the St. Cloud High School, also of the advanced course of the St. Cloud Normal. She taught successfully in the public schools of Minnesota for a period of ten years previous to her marriage.

Frederick J. Ponsford, a well-known resident of Lynden township, was born in Herkimer county, New York, December 22, 1856, and there spent the first four years of his life. It was in 1860 that he came to Clearwater, in Wright county, with his parents, Joseph and Sarah (Vaur) Ponsford. Joseph Ponsford, the father, took a claim of 160 acres, lying partly in Clearwater township, Wright county, and partly in Lynden township, Stearns county. There he successfully farmed for many years, and there his wife died. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Orin Dorsey, in Lynden. Frederick J. Ponsford was reared on the home farm. In 1885 he purchased 160 acres of railroad land in section 29, Lynden township, and on this tract he still lives. He has developed an excellent place, erected a comfortable home and suit- able outbuildings, and successfully carries on general farming. Mr. Ponsford married Minnie Beilstein, a native of New York state, and they have four children : Walter, Leroy, Mabel and Archie. Walter married Maude Smith and they have had three children: Ruth and Vernon living, and Glenn, who died at two years of age. Leroy married Blanche Phillips, and they have had four children: Vivian and Wendell, living, and Arnold and Stanley, who died at the age of about one year. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

D. D. Storms, educator, agriculturist and man-of-affairs, was born in Hannibal, Oswego county, New York, August 17, 1839, son of John Post and Elizabeth (Dady) Storms, natives respectively of New Jersey and Massa- chusetts. The father was a hatter by trade, but also carried on agricultural operations. He and his wife lived for several years in Oswego county, New York, and in 1860 moved to Paterson, New Jersey, where they spent the re- mainder of their days. D. D. Storms received his early education in the pub- lic and select schools of Hannibal, and completed his studies at the Academy, at Rome, New York. With this preparation he became a teacher, surveyor and farmer. When he first taught he received $14 a month, and boarded around at the different homes. In 1860 he came west to Onarga, Iroquois county, Illinois, to visit his brother, and there he taught school for a short period. But the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in the Band of the Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. About eight months afterward the band was abolished and Mr. Storms returned to New York state. For some years he taught school winters and farmed summers. In 1867 he started for Denver, Colorado, but on the way stopped to visit his uncle, the Rev. William Dady, who was then preaching at Clearwater. Mr. Storms was so impressed with the advantages of this locality that he abandoned his trip to Denver, partly on account of the Indian outbreak on the plains, and purchased 160 acres of land in section 30, Lynden township, this county. For this tract he paid $700. The land was wild and covered with brush. He broke and grubbed the land, built his home and a set of buildings, and engaged in farming. He

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also became one of the leading school teachers of the county. Thus teaching and farming, his industry, his strong will and his ability won him success and he became an important factor in Stearns county life. His first house was rebuilt from an old wagon shop which he moved from Clearwater. This, however, soon gave way to more commodious structures. In addition to his original purchase he bought forty acres of railroad land and homesteaded eighty acres of government land. On his large farm, thus acquired, he lived for many years. In 1904 he retired from the more strenuous duties of farm life and turned the home place over to his son, Frank F. In 1907-08 he was at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, in North Dakota, with headquarters at Fort Yates, as industrial teacher to the Indians. In the spring of 1914 Frank F. Storms built a cottage home next to the old home, and D. D. Storms now resides with him. D. D. Storms has taken a deep interest in the affairs of his township, and his opinions are eagerly sought and looked upon with the utmost respect. He has served for a long period as clerk of the school board. For some twenty years, at different periods, he has been asses- sor. He has also been justice of the peace and town supervisor. He is a mem- ber of Clearwater Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., and has been especially active in the G. A. R. For six years he was commander of A. C. Collins Post, No. 112, G. A. R., and is now senior vice commander. He has been a delegate from the G. A. R. posts in the Sixth Congressional District to National Grand En- campments at Salt Lake City, Utah; Los Angeles, California; Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Rochester, New York, and Detroit, Mich. Mr. Storms was married, April 18, 1863, to Mary Ann Ketcham, who died December 12, 1884, leaving one son, Frank F., who was born March 9, 1866. Frank F. Storms is one of the prominent men of the township. He conducts the old home farm, and is regarded as a substantial and successful man in every way. He was married April 9, 1886, to Laura Foster, and they have two sons, Lewis D. and Earl F. Lewis D. was born April 5, 1885, and married Regina Thole. They live in Lynden township. Earl F. was born December 19, 1890, and married Pauline Kiffmeyer. They occupy the old home residence, making the third generation that has lived there. D. D. Storms came from a patriotic family, his grandfather having served in the War of 1812, and he, with four brothers, having served in the Civil War, no two being in the same regiment. The four brothers were: L. P., J. C., H. and E. C. There would have been two more, H. C. and E. G., but they were too young.

Samuel Stokes, an influential farmer of Lynden township, was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 5, 1859, son of Luke Hillis and Mary (Weilding) Stokes, who brought him to Lynden township, this county, in 1867. He obtained a good education in the district schools, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. After his father's death he purchased the old homestead of 120 acres, in sections 19 and 20, and by hard work and close application to business he has become one of the leading and representative farmers of his county. To the original place he has added eighty acres in section 16. The whole place is an unusually attractive farm property, and is in a high state of cultivation. He has remodelled the residence and has crected a large and roomy barn, together with a good set of outbuildings. He

GEORGE W. STOKES AND FAMILY-ADAM BEILSTEIN

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

has a full equipment of farm machinery, and follows general farming and stockraising.

Mr. Stokes was married, December 23, 1886, to Carrie L. Miller, who was born in Lynden township, August 9, 1869, daughter of Daniel D. Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes have two children: Jennie Olive, born December 20, 1887, and Arthur D., born January 16, 1891.

Luke Hillis Stokes, a pioneer, was born in England, and was there edu- cated and reared. He there married Mary Weilding, a native of the same country. In 1849 they came to America, and located in the Bronx, West- chester county, New York, now one of the boroughs of New York city. Later they moved to the northern part of the state and a year later moved to the westward and settled in Herkimer county, in the same state. His trade was that of carpenter and joiner, and this is the line of work he followed until 1866. In that year he came to Stearns county, Minn., and secured a farm of eighty acres in section 20, Lynden township. He erected a pleasant home and a good barn and outbuildings, and developed the farm. His char- acter and worth soon caused him to be regarded as one of the substantial and representative men of the community. He died in 1886. His good wife died in 1888. In the family there were four children: George W., a retired farmer of Lynden township, now living in Clearwater; Mary (deceased) ; Mattie (deceased), wife of Isaac Philo (deceased) ; and Samuel, who owns and oper- ates the old home farm in Lynden township.

George W. Stokes, a prominent citizen of Lynden township, was born in the Bronx, Westchester county, New York, August 26, 1850, son of Luke Hillis and Mary (Weilding) Stokes. He was reared in New York state and there received his early education. At the age of sixteen he was brought to Stearns county by his parents, and here he completed his schooling. He was taught pioneer farming by his father, and was still a youth when he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres in section 16, Lynden township. To this he has later added eighty acres in section 17, and forty acres in section 9, making a good farm of 200 acres. He also erected a complete set of sightly and com- modious buildings. He broke the land and brought it to a high degree of cul- tivation. He was a prosperous and active farmer, and well deserved the suc- cess which rewarded his strenuous efforts. He continued farming until April, 1913, when he purchased his present home in the village of Clearwater, where he is now reaping the fruits of his years of toil. He has ever taken an active interest in town affairs. For twenty years he was a member of the town board and for ten years of that time he was chairman. For eight years he was clerk of School District No. 78. When his property was placed in Dis- trict No. 169 he became treasurer and so remained until he retired in 1913. He still owns the home farm. It is operated by his sons, David and Roscoe. The family faith is that of the Methodist Church. George W. Stokes was married April 24, 1881, to Mrs. Eliza Beilstein Carlile, and to them have been born four children: Hattie, Roscoe, David and Gertrude. Hattie took a course in the St. Cloud State Normal School, and is now a proficient teacher. Roscoe and David, as noted, live on the home farm. David married Annie Hansen. Gertrude is a student in the St. Cloud State Normal School. Eliza

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Beilstein, now Mrs. George W. Stokes, was born in New York state, Febru- ary 6, 1857, daughter of Adam and Catherine (Fetters) Beilstein. Mr. and Mrs. Beilstein were born in Germany, and came to America in 1856. They lived in New York state until 1866, and then came to Minnesota and located in Wright county, where they took a homestead. In 1867, Mrs. Beilstein died. Soon afterward Mr. Beilstein took a farm in Clearwater township, in Wright county. Four years later he traded this farm for one in section 8, Lynden township, on which he lived for a short time, after which he took up his home with Mr. and Mrs. George W. Stokes, with whom he lived for over twenty-five years. He died February 8, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Beilstein were born two children: Eliza and Minnie. Eliza is now Mrs. George W. Stokes, of Clearwater. Minnie is now Mrs. Fred Ponsford, of section 27, Lynden township. Eliza was first married, October 11, 1875, to H. G. Carlile, who died November 4, 1876, leaving one child, Frederick Edwin Carlile, a farmer of Wright county. Frederick Edwin Carlile married Louise Lyons and they have two children, Lulu and Floyd.

William Stewart, an active and progressive farmer of Lynden township, was born in County Leitrem, Ireland, August 19, 1866, son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Stewart, who brought him to Lynden township in 1880. In 1894 he purchased the home farm from his father and here he has since continued to live. He has greatly improved the place in many ways, has remodeled and rebuilt the dwelling, and in 1910 erected a large modern barn, which is a model of its kind. At the same time other outbuildings were erected. To his original tract of land he has added until he now owns 240 acres, well stocked and improved. He is engaged in scientific farming and keeps thoroughly abreast of his times by reading, observation and experi- ments. He is a valuable citizen in every way. Mr. Stewart was married December 28, 1897, to Elizabeth Eickmeyer, who was born in Fair Haven township, June 8, 1873, daughter of Christ and Caroline (Bodierson) Eick- meyer. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have three children: Emily E., born Novem- ber 22, 1898; Blanche E., born January 13, 1901; and Jessie A. W., born Feb- ruary 22, 1907. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Christ Eickmeyer and his wife, Caroline, were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1867, and located in Fair Haven township, this county, and became representative farmers. First they took a homestead of eighty acres, and later they bought eighty acres. Here he farmed the remainder of his life. He died in 1894 and his wife in 1903.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 36

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