History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 48

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

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John Krebsbach, a pioneer, was born in Prussia, Germany, November 15, 1827, and died in Rockville township, in 1900. About 1847 he came to the United States, and with a party of several people made a trip through the Northwest. St. Anthony (now a part of Minneapolis) and St. Paul were then frontier hamlets, and St. Cloud had not been thought of. After taking

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this trip, Mr. Krebsbach located near New York city. In 1854 he again came to the Northwest, this time in company with John Thelen. The two men came as far as possible by rail, and part of the way by boat, but made a considerable part of the trip on foot. They crossed the Mississippi river at St. Cloud, and found their way to what is now Rockville, where Mr. Krebsbach took a pre- emption of 160 acres. He built a log house and barn, and started pioneer life in the new country. With the aid of Michael Fuchs he broke some land, and got some seed in the first year. When he finally secured good crops, he had to cart his wheat to St. Paul with oxen, and there purchase supplies. Several times he was driven out by the Indians. The country later began to be thickly settled, and in time it became a prosperous community. Mr. Krebsbach mar- ried Theresa Bahner, daughter of Peter Bahner, a pioneer. She now makes her home in McLean county, North Dakota. There were in the family eleven children : Rose, Theodore, Mary, Josephine, Martha, Nicholas, Joseph, Aloy- sius, Helen, Kate and John.

Aloysius Krebsbach, one of the sons of this family, was born on the old homestead in Rockville township, and spent his early youth there. As a young man he homesteaded a claim in McLean county, North Dakota, where he spent some five years. Since 1907 he has been in the refreshment business in Rockville. Aloysius Krebsbach married Mary Ulrich, the daughter of Max Ulrich, of Belgrade, this county, and they have six children: Julia, Walter, Jerome, Genevieve, Florence and Euphrosine.

The Lakeview Stock Farm, owned by the Hodgson Brothers, represents everything that is ideal in a country estate. Six hundred acres, on which the hand of man has brought Nature to its highest perfection, stretch away in pastures, meadows, tilled land and forests, and here and there herds of blooded stock of the purest breeds give an enlivening touch of pastoral beauty to the slumbering landscape. Amid all this beauty, and surrounded by park-like grounds beautified with picturesque drives, neat walks, velvety lawns, flowering gardens, sightly shrubbery and stately trees are set the comfortable residence and the modern farm buildings, while like a green- set gem, Pearl lake stretches to the southward. About the lake are many cottages owned by city people who here seek rest and quiet during the warm weather, and the view from the wave-lapped shore of the Lakeview Farm is as beautiful a one as a person could desire to look upon. But while the scene ravishes the eye, and delights all the senses, the utilitarian purpose has not been forgotten, and the brothers have been more than usually successful in their farming operations. The excellence of their stock is known in many states, and commands the highest prices, and all the products of their large farm are noted for their excellence and find a ready market. Their work, their surroundings and their achievements represent the culmination of the purpose toward which leading agriculturists have for so many years been striving.

Victor A. Hodgson, general manager of the firm of Hodgson Brothers, of the Lakeview Stock Farm, Rockville township, was born in Ottawa, Ill., June 3, 1882, son of L. G. and Lelia (Ebersol) Hodgson, who in 1883 brought him to Rock county, Minn. He attended the graded and high schools of Luverne,

LAKEVIEW STOCK FARM

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Minn., and also the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. In 1903 he associated himself with his father in the business of stock raising, and this partnership continued until the father's death in 1911. As adminis- trator of his father's estate, he sold the home farm in Rock county, and pur- chased the Lakeview Farm, of 600 acres, in Rockville township, Stearns county. Then he and his mother and two brothers, Ray W. and Robert, took up their home here. They have made a specialty of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, and their exhibits at numerous state and county fairs have won many blue ribbons.

Mr. Hodgson was married December 4, 1907, to Margaret Peteler, and to them have been born two children, Alice and Lewis. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

Ray W. Hodgson, second member of the firm of Hodgson Brothers, of the Lakeview Stock Farm, Rockville township, was born in Luverne, Minn., son of L. C. and Lelia (Ebersol) Hodgson. He received his education in the graded and high schools of Luverne. He came to Rockville with the other members of the family in 1912.

Mr. Hodgson married Miss Spencer, and they have one child, Lewis Spen- eer Hodgson.

L. C. Hodgson, one of the leading stock raisers in Minnesota, now de- ceased, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, December 21, 1852, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Robinson) Hodgson, and there attended school, grew to manhood and was married. In 1883 he took up his residence in Luverne, Rock county, Minn., and purchased 320 acres, which he developed into the widely-known Hodgson Stock Farm. His farm was considered the best in Rock county and one of the best in the state, while his thoroughbred Aberdeen-Angus cattle, his Percheron horses, and Chester White swine were the very best that choice selection and careful breeding could produce. His success was marked, and his reputation as a stock raiser was only exceeded by his reputation as a man of integrity, force, character and honor.

Mr. Hodgson was married February 14, 1873, to Lelia Ebersol, daughter of Amos and Calista (Whittlesey) Ebersol, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and Connecticut. To this union were born nine children: Lewis (de- ceased) ; Ernest (deceased) ; Nellie C., now Mrs. C. S. Olds, of St. Cloud, and the mother of four children: George, Charles, Dorothy and Lewis E .; Carl W. (deceased) ; Victor A., of Rockville; Laura C., now Mrs. R. A. Morrison, of Portland, Oregon; Stanley (deceased) ; and Ray W. and Robert, of Rock- ville.

Michael Molitor, a pioneer, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 17, 1838, son of Martin and Mary (Hammerding) Molitor. The other children were: Michael (deceased), Peter, Matthew, Mary and Margaret. In 1856 the family set sail for America. After fifty-six days on the water they landed in New York, and at once made their way to Lockport, Ill., where they lived for four years. About 1860 they started out for St. Paul, driving a horse and bringing their goods with them. From St. Paul they went to St. Cloud, and from there came to Rockville. Their nearest neighbor was Pierre Thomy, who had ar- rived some two years previous. The family set to work to improve the home-

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stead of 160 acres. They built a log cabin 16 by 20, and a log barn thatched with straw. The father died in 1882 and the mother in 1891. Michael Molitor has continued to live on the old homestead. The land, which was originally broken with the aid of a pair of oxen is now well developed and highly im- proved. The farm now consists of 260 acres. A modern home with com- modious out buildings has replaced the rude log cabin originally erected. The community from which the citizens fled during the Indian troubles is now a neighborhood of settled peace and tranquillity. Mr. Molitor has devel- oped with the community. During the Civil war he served in Company E, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the famous "March to the Sea," as well as in the Grand Review at Washington. He was one of the first supervisors of the township and has served in other town and school dis- trict offices. He was one of the original members of the old log church on Jacob's Prairie, and had a part in building the present splendid edifice in which the congregation now worships.

Michael Molitor was married January 27, 1870, to Elizabeth Schmit, a native of Germany, and this union was blessed with two children, Martin and Mary. Martin, of Roscoe Village, married Elizabeth Eich. Mary, of Rock- ville township, married Michael Kneip. Elizabeth (Schmit) Molitor died March 19, 1872. On February 3, 1875, Mr. Molitor married Elizabeth Neid- hardt, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 22, 1851, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Seifert) Neidhardt. This second union has resulted in the birth of ten children: Peter, of Eden Valley, married Mary B. West- man. George, of Wakefield township, married Elizabeth Theis. Elizabeth, of Ottertail county, Minn., married Peter Jungles. Mary Ann, of Wakefield township, married Jacob Theis. Barbara, of Rockville township, married Albert Meyer. Agatha, of Rockville township, married Frank Bauer. John and Joseph are at home. Lena and Agatha, first, are deceased.

Peter Neidhardt and his wife were born in Germany, came to Ohio as children, and there married. In 1853 they came to what is now Stearns county, and located five miles south of what is now St. Cloud. They took a claim of 160 acres, built a log cabin, broke the land with the aid of oxen, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Like the other pioneers, they carted their wheat to St. Paul and there obtained provisions. Peter Neid- hardt died September 8, 1900, his wife in 1896. Of their eight children, three, George, Mary and Elizabeth, lived to adult years.

Peter Meinz was born in Germany, January 22, 1833, and came to Amer- ica in 1854. Upon reaching Minnesota, he was favorably impressed with the possibilities in Stearns county, and finally took up 160 acres of land in sec- tion 4, Rockville township. He built a log cabin, and started in to improve the land. With the help of his faithful oxen he carried on farming during the pioneer days, and as the years passed he kept pace with the trend of the times, until he had the most modern farm equipment. He increased his hold- ings to 412 acres, all in one tract, except forty acres which is in St. Joseph township. Though busy with his work. he was not unmindful of his duties as a citizen. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and followed the fortunes of that regi-

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

ment throughout the conflict, both in the Northwest against the Indians and in the South against the Confederates. In December, 1899, after a long and useful life he retired to St. Cloud, where he died April 18, 1901. Peter Meinz was married July 4, 1865, to Theresia Pohl, who was born in Germany June 6, 1847, and came to America in 1856; for seven years lived in Calumet county, Wisconsin, and in July, 1863, came to Stearns county and located in Jacob's Prairie in Rockville township. His widow still resides in St. Cloud. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Meinz reared a family of twelve children, all of whom have attained success in life and occupy honorable positions in their respective communities. Joseph is a farmer in Rockville township. John is a blacksmith in Rockville village. Henry lives on the old homestead. Frank is a travel- ing man with St. Paul as his headquarters. Michael is a public school teacher, of Cold Spring. William is a Roman Catholic priest, known as Father Pius, O. S. B., located at St. Paul. Peter is a tinner at the Great Northern car shops at Waite Park. Kate is a sister of the Order of St. Benedict, and teacher at Browerville, Minn., where she is known as Sister Mary Celina. George is the assistant cashier of the Zapp State Bank, of St. Cloud. Aloys- ius and Theodore are merchants in Rockville. Josephine is the wife of John Hollenhorst, a barber of St. Cloud.

John Meinz, blacksmith of Rockville, was born in Rockville township, this county, September 29, 1868, son of Peter and Theresia (Pohl) Meinz. He received a good common school education, and learned the blacksmith trade from John Thelen, at Rockville. After working at Lake Henry and Freeport for several years he returned to Rockville and purchased the shop in which he had learned his trade. He was very successful, and out of his success he has contributed materially to the upbuilding of the village of Rockville. He built a stone blacksmith shop, a general store building and three good residences. When the village of Rockville was incorporated he was elected mayor, a position which he still retains. He belongs to the Cath- olic Order of Foresters, and the D. R. K. V. G., of Minnesota, is secretary of two German Catholic orders, is now serving his sixth year as treasurer of school district No. 44. John Meinz was married, September 24, 1894, to Cath- erine, the daughter of Nicholas Hansen, Sr., and they have one son, Leo Nicholas, and a daughter, Ida Cilinda.

Aloysius B. Meinz, of the firm of Meinz Bros., general merchants, of Rockville, was born on the old homestead in Rockville township April 30, 1884. He received a thorough common school education and remained home on the farm with his father, Peter, until 1899 when the senior Meinz retired. Henry, brother of Aloysius B., then took charge of the farm and Aloysius B. remained with him for four years. He then went to St. Cloud where for two years he was employed in the St. Cloud Grocery Co. Subsequently he was at the Great Northern Shops one year. He then went to Richmond, where he worked for five years in the general store of Lang & Utecht. At the ex- piration of this time he returned to Rockville and the firm of Meinz Brothers was formed. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was married July 25, 1907, to Anna Theisen, and they have two children, Nor- bert and Celina.

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Theodore Meinz, of the firm of Meinz Brothers, general merchants, lo- cated at Rockville, was born on the old homestead in Rockville township, June 7, 1886, son of Peter Meinz, the pioneer. He attended the district schools on Jacob's Prairie. Then after two years in the graded schools of St. Cloud, he entered the St. Cloud State Normal School. Subsequently he spent six months in a business college. For something over a year he was employed in the Ballard-Trimbell lumber yard at St. Cloud. Then he entered the employ of the Central Lumber Co., first as manager at Jana, South Dakota, and then in the same capacity at Kimball Prairie, in this county. December 31, 1910, he and his brother Aloysius B. Meinz, organized the firm of Meinz Brothers, and opened a general store at Rockville. The company carries a large stock of everything needed in a store of this kind, and in addition to this conducts a creamery station, handling about 1,500 pounds of cream daily. Theodore Meinz votes the Democratic ticket. He has been recorder of Rockville for some three years, and is often spoken of for higher honors. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the D. R. K. U. G., of Minnesota.

Homer Tenney, apiarist and orchardist, of Rockville, was born in Onon- daga county, New York, June 12, 1846, son of Amos Thompson and Phoebe L. (Elms) Tenney, both descended from old New England families. As a young man, Homer Tenney went to Missouri, and purchased land near Se- dalia. He lived in that neighborhood until 1903 when he came to Rockville township, and located on land which his brother, Orlando, the pioneer, had taken in 1866. Homer Tenney has made many improvements, and erected a comfortable home. His attention is now turned largely to bees and fruit trees. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Tenney was married in Missouri to Mary Etta Jones, who was born in Indiana February 13, 1850. They have ten children: Oscar Anson, born October 21, 1871, died January 17, 1897; Charlotte Elvira, born March 17, 1874, died August 20, 1875; Cora Elnora, born August 20, 1876, died October 9, 1876; Le Grand, born June 24, 1878; Clarence Homer, born February 7, 1881, died January 10, 1882; Ernest War- ren, February 16, 1883; Charles Orlando, March 4, 1885; Nathan Amos, Feb- ruary 1, 1887; Henry Cyrus, April 30, 1890; Earl Elms, March 2, 1895.

Amos Thompson Tenney was born November 3, 1792, and died April 5, 1866. He was married May 12, 1814, to Polly M. Whiting, who was born April 13, 1790, and died August 4, 1828. For his second wife he was married March 3, 1829, to Eunice Sebbins, who was born October 19, 1793, and died March 28, 1831. For his third wife he was married to Phoebe L. Elms, who was born May 12, 1809, and died October 27, 1868. Amos Thompson Tenney was the father of eleven children: Emeline, April 16, 1815; Chancellor, Feb- ruary 10, 1817; Mary Ann, August 19, 1818; Eliza, March 31, 1821; Orlando, September 17, 1822; Amos, September 5, 1824; an unnamed infant, August 4, 1828; Charles, July 24, 1833 ; Charlotte, July 24, 1836; Maria, July 11, 1838; Homer, June 12, 1846.

Orlando Tenney was one of the notable pioneers of Stearns county. As just mentioned, he was born September 17, 1822, the son of Amos Thompson Tenney. He became a millwright, carpenter, and general woodworker, and following these trades traveled extensively. He was a man of striking per-

ORLANDO TENNY

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sonality, an artisan of much skill in his work, and his services commanded high compensation wherever he went. It was in 1866 that he came to Stearns county and settled in Rockville township and took land. Much of his life in this county, however, was spent in St. Cloud. He died October 27, 1904.

Mathew A. Schmit, a farmer of section 21, Rockville township, was born in Kenosha county, Wis., January 11, 1860, son of Bernard and Margaret (Streit) Schmit, the pioneers, the former born in Germany in 1831 and the latter in 1833. The parents came from Germany as young people and were married in Wisconsin. In 1861 they came to Stearns county bringing their only son, Mathew A., then a mere infant. They secured eighty acres of land in Rockville township, and lived the life of pioneers. On the place was an old log cabin, and some ten or fifteen acres had been broken. The father began with an ox team, and gradually prospered until he had acquired 280 acres of good land. Here he farmed for many years. In his later life he retired, and moved to Cold Spring where he died June 8, 1904. He was well known in his township, and served a term as assessor. Margaret (Streit) Schmit now makes her home with her daughter Mary, wife of Dominick Schloe- der of Luxemburg township. Mathew A. Schmit, the subject of this mention, has always remained on the home place. Like his father he has been assessor of Rockville township, now serving his second term, and is clerk of school district No. 44, and has taken his part in the affairs of the community. He owns 200 acres of land in sections 16 and 21, and has been very successful. Mr. Schmit was married February 7, 1888, to Mary Ahles, who was born March 24, 1869, daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth (Fischbach) Ahles. There were fourteen other children in the Ahles family. Mathias, the father, was a true pioneer, and a veteran of the Civil war. Upon coming to Rockville he lived in the tamarack bush and slept in the woods until his cabin was erected. He secured 160 acres of government land, and before his death increased this to 300 acres. He did good service in the war, was injured in the leg, and received an honorable discharge for disability. Mr. and Mrs. Schmit have eleven children: Mathew, Michael, Edwin (deceased), Benjamin, Susan, Lawrence, Anna, Christopher, Marie and Tracy. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Andrew Weisman was born in Wisconsin, October 21, 1867, son of Michael Weisman. At the age of five years he was brought to Rockville by his parents, and here received his early education. His trade is that of carpenter and builder. He has also been a clerk, a grain dealer, and the operator of a ma- chine shop. Since the early part of 1913 he has been in the refreshment business. He takes much pride in the fact that he was a good carpenter, and such structures as the Granite Company Hotel, the John Weisman resi- dence, his own residence and place of business, stand as monuments to his skill and abilty. For five years he was secretary of Carpenter's Union, No. 930, of St. Cloud. He was one of the organizers of the Cold Spring Lodge of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The St. Joseph Society also numbers him as a member. Mr. Weisman married Elizabeth Wedel, daughter of August Wedel, a pioneer, who came to Munson township, this county, from Wisconsin, and took an active part in the preparations for defense against the Indians

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in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Weisman have five children: Leo, of Minneapolis; Oliva, August, Clarence and Hildegard, at home.

Jacob Weisman, general merchant at Rockville, was born July 8, 1865, in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, son of Michael and Kate Weisman. Jacob received his early education in the public schools, after which he had the advantages of a course in a business college, and in the St. Cloud State Normal School. With this preparation he became a teacher. Later he engaged in commercial pursuits. In 1893, he formed a partnership with Peter Hengel and Anton Lommel in a general store at Rockville. In 1895, Mr. Lommel withdrew from the firm. In 1900, John Weisman purchased Mr. Hengel's interest. Since that date the store has been conducted by Jacob and John Weisman, under the firm name of Weisman Brothers. The company has erected a large building, and handles a good line of general merchandise. Jacob Weisman has been postmaster at Rockville since 1900. He is a director in the Rockville State Bank, and a member of the Catholic Order of For- esters. Jacob Weisman was married to Mary Lutgen, November 25, 1895, a daughter of Nicholas Lutgen, a Stearns county pioneer. They have two children : Ruth C. and Veronica.

Michael Weisman came from Germany to Wisconsin. It was about the year 1873 when he came to Minnesota, and secured 200 acres of land in Rockville township, near Grand lake. He erected a log cabin 16 by 20 feet, and experienced all the accompaniments of pioneer life. In time he added forty acres to his original holdings. The cabin was replaced with modern buildings, and the family became prosperous. He and his wife are both dead. They left nine children: Michael, Joseph, George, John, Jacob, An- drew, Catherine, Barbara and Mary.

Johan Frederick Liebrenz was born in Pomerania, Germany, the son of John and Gusta Liebrenz. In 1874 he started for America with his mother (Gusta Liebrenz), his sisters, Amelia (later Mrs. Lewis Schwartz), and Au- gusta (afterward Mrs. Chris Wendlandt), and his future wife (Caroline Wolter). He worked out for a while as a farm hand, but finally bought a place in section 3, Roseville township, Kandiyohi county. This place con- sisted of 200 acres of wild land. Mr. Liebrenz ereeted a log house and log barn, and commeneed farming on a small scale, gradually increasing his operations until he was one of the leading farmers in this vicinity. He now owns 900 aeres of good farm land and operates 480 acres himself. On his first place he has a beautiful orchard and many other good improvements.

Charles Liebrenz, a successful farmer of Roseville township, Kandiyohi county, was born in the township where he still resides, November 27, 1879, son of Johan Frederick and Caroline (Wolter) Liebrenz. He received a fair education in the distriet schools, and for several years farmed with his father. Charles Liebrenz and his wife Augusta (Hein) Liebrenz have one son a bright boy, Harry, born June 20, 1902. As a young man he farmed the homestead of John Brown, the pioneer, which his father had purchased for him in 1891. This property consisted of 160 aeres. On it stood a log house and a small frame barn. In the development of this farm, Mr. Liebrenz has been especially

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successful, and takes much pride in its appearance. He now owns 320 acres of good farm land, and operates 240 acres himself. He also has city property in the west part of Paynesville. All the usual crops flourish on his farm and orchard. He is especially interested in his thoroughbred Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. Like all the most progressive of his neighbors he owns stock in the local telephone company. It is interesting to note that Mr. Lie- brenz's father used to start out for town with an ox cart, prepared for an all-day trip, while Mr. Liebrenz jumps into his automobile and makes the journey in a very short time, and he owned the first car in the neighbor- hood.

Johan Frederick Liebrenz married Caroline Wolter, and their children are as follows: Augusta married Herman Gruetzmacher. They live in Zion township. Charles married Augusta Hein and is a prosperous farmer of Roseville township. Fred died at the age of about three years. Herman married Lena Kingsriter, and they live on a farm in Lake Henry township. Lena married Carl Rien and they live on the old Rien homestead in Zion township. Ida and William are at home. Minnie is now Mrs. William Bast, of Lintonville. Emmett and John are at home. The family faith is that of the Grove Evangelical Church.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 48

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