History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 51

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

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Gotfried Voss was married in Germany, November 11, 1862, to Amelia Thom. Their children are: Anstena, Anna Amelia, William, Martha, Christ, Fred B., Gotfried, George, Marie Augusta, Amelia Helena and Ida L. Ans- tena was born in Germany, March 22, 1863, and died at the age of nine months. Anna Amelia was born in Germany, February 22, 1865. William was born in Germany, April 16, 1868, and died at the age of six months. Martha was born in Eden Lake township, Stearns county, April 15, 1870; Christ was born in Eden Lake township, May 9, 1872; Fred B. was born on the present homestead, November 13, 1873. Gotfried, George, Marie Augusta, Amelia Helena and Ida L. were all born on the old homestead, Gotfried, October 7, 1875; George, September 17, 1877; Marie Augusta, March 17, 1880; Amelia Helena, September 10, 1882; Ida L., June 5, 1884.

Amelia Thom, who became the wife of Gotfried Voss, was the daughter of Henry and Reca (Spraman) Thom. Henry Thom died when his daughter, Amelia, was six months of age, and she was reared in the home of her step- father, August Lestman.

Fred B. Voss, who operates 300 acres of good farm land in section 7, Eden Lake township, was born on the old homestead where he still resides, No- vember 13, 1873. He has always remained on the home place, and has had it in charge for the past fifteen years. During these years he has erected a

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new barn, and also added more land. In addition to his Stearns county holdings he has a fruit farm in Washington. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Telephone Co., and a director in the Roscoe Farmers' Creamery. He has also done efficient work as treasurer of the school district.

Mr. Voss was married in 1897 to Matilda Schonleben, daughter of John and Amelia Schonleben, of Munson township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Voss have five children : Roland, born April 3, 1899; Idela born May 2, 1900, Fred and John, born November 6, 1905; and Bennie, born October 21, 1913.

Wilson Thompson Mills, early merchant and agriculturalist of Eden Lake township, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, December 7, 1834, son of Morgan and Rebekah (Driver) Mills. He was married October 28, 1854, in his native county to Martha J. Driver, who was born in the same neighbor- hood, June 15, 1833. In the spring of 1865 they severed their ties in the county of their nativity, and came to Minnesota, bringing their three chil- dren, William Riley, Noah E. and Sarah Ellen. They located on 120 acres in section 14, Eden Lake township, and started in life anew as pioneers, erecting a log cabin, breaking the land, cutting roads, and bringing about general developments. In time he acquired 500 acres of land. He opened a store on his land, called the Eden Lake Store, and kept such a stock as is demanded by a rural population. In addition to prospering in business he took an interest in town affairs, and served at different times as township clerk and supervisor, and on the school board. He died October 11, 1905. His wife is still living. They had twelve children: William Riley, born November 18, 1852; Abigail J., born June 10, 1856 (died May 22, 1858) ; Harvey D., born March 17, 1858 (died June 28, 1864) ; Noah Ephraim, born June 7, 1859; Andrew J., born December 9, 1861 (died October 18, 1864) ; Sarah Ella, born June 3, 1864 (died June 4, 1867) ; Charles R., born October 9, 1866; Sherman W., born November 26, 1868; Doctor Franklin, born De- cember 11, 1870 (died December 8, 1872) ; John Morgan, born July 20, 1872 (died November 24, 1872) ; Egbert L., born February 5, 1874 (died July 6, 1875) ; Alto S., born May 27, 1875.

Alto S. Mills, who keeps the rural store in section 14, Eden Lake town- ship, was born on the home place, May 27, 1875, received a good education in the neighborhood school, became interested in the store as a young boy, and upon his father's death succeeded to the business. In addition to con- ducting the store, he operates eighty acres of land. upon which he raises the usual crops. He is a popular man in the community, and belongs to Court, No. 893, Court of Honor, at Eden Valley village. Mr. Mills was married in St. Cloud to Mary Wilson, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Marshall) Wilson, who were married in Kentucky, came to Minnesota in the fifties, and located in Meeker county, where they reared their twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have had five children: Ethel May, Eva Grace, Lester Alto, Marvin Leslie and Golda Margret.

Frank Marx, vice-president and treasurer of the Friedmann-Marx Co., Eden Valley, was born in Kosel, Germany, November 18, 1876, son of Joseph and Mary (Janetzko) Marx, both of whom are still living in Germany, he at the age of sixty-five and she at the age of sixty-one. In the family there

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

were eight children: Mary, Anna, Francis, Matilda, Martha, Adolph, Lud- wick and Frank. Frank received an excellent education in Germany. In 1892 he came to America, and was employed for a while as a farm hand in Stearns county. Later he purchased 160 acres in Eden Lake township, to which he added until he owned 240 acres, on which he conducted general farming, with special attention to dairying. In 1906 he sold out and engaged in the mercantile business at Eden Valley. In 1913 when the Friedmann- Marx Co. was formed, he assumed his present position. They carry a good stock and do an excellent trade. In addition to this, Mr. Marx has consider- able work as local agent for the National Casualty Co. Being interested in the progress of the village, he has been elected a member of the council for several years. He is also a faithful member of St. Joseph's Society. Mr. Marx married Anna K. Rothstein, a native of Stearns county, and they have seven children: Agheta, Hildegaard, Marcella, Vincent, Norbert, Albion (de- ceased), and Alouise.

John Mehr, Eden Valley, was born in Zion township, this county, Au- gust 19, 1872, son of Mathias L. and Regina (Spoerl) Mehr, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Mehr, and Mr. and Mrs. Simon Spoerl. The subject of this sketch was the oldest in his family. He was educated in the schools of his native township, and farmed for many years on the homestead of his grandfather Mehr, which he still owns. In 1906 he came to Eden Valley vil- lage and engaged in the refreshment business, in which he is still occupied. He married Kate Kotschevar, daughter of Peter Kotschevar, of Munson town- ship, and they have seven children: Mathias A., John P. (died at the age of three and a half years), Veronica Theresa (deceased) Edward Christ, Leo Mathias, Ida Katherine, Clara Catherine and John Peter.

Mathias L. Mehr was born in Germany, September 6, 1844, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mehr, who brought him to America in 1855, lived in Illinois until 1858, and then came to Stearns county and settled in section 17, Munson township, where they secured 160 acres, erected a log cabin, and underwent the usual experiences of pioneer life. Mathias L. grew to manhood on this farm, and married Regina Spoerl, who was born in Germany, March 4, 1845, daughter of Simon Spoerl, a pioneer, who at one time owned the land on which the village of Greenwald, this county, is now located. Mr. and Mrs. Mehr located on 160 acres in Zion township, in 1869. They prospered ex- ceedingly, and in time acquired a splendid area of 700 acres, located in Zion, St. Martin and Munson townships. The members of the family were devout Catholics, and assisted in building early churches at Richmond and St. Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias L. Mehr are now retired and live in Richmond village. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters.

James Jones, veteran of the Civil war, and for many years a respected farmer of Stearns county, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, March 3, 1838, son of Michael and Nancy Jones. He grew to manhood in Indiana, and was married, January 1, 1858, to Elizabeth Driver, born in Randolph county, Indiana, daughter of James and Sarah (Rhoda) Driver. The secession of the Confederacy found them in Cooper county, Missouri. March 5, 1861, they returned to Randolph county, Indiana. January 1, 1864, he went to Wells

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

county, and enlisted, being mustered in the same day at Indianapolis in Com- pany I, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. M. But- ler and Col. R. G. Morrison. He was honorably discharged February 23, 1866, at Brownsville, Texas. While on garrison duty, Mr. Jones, with no other implement than a case knife, whittled from a piece of black ebony a handsome cane which is still cherished in the family. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Jones brought his wife and two children, Sarah and Allena, to Stearns county, and settled on 160 acres in Eden Lake township, where they erected a log house and barns, started farming with an ox team, and endured all the hardships incident to life in this vicinity in those early days. Mr. Jones became a prominent member of the community, and served in both town and school office. He was a member of Litchfield Post, G. A. R., at Litch- field, Minn. March 23, 1899, he retired and moved with his wife to Eden Valley village, where he died August 21, 1907. His widow still makes her home in the village. Five children were born in Minnesota. They were: John W., Riley (deceased), James Michael, Oscar and Oliver P. (deceased).

Joseph Friedmann, president and general manager of the Friedmann- Marx Co., Eden Valley, was born at Cold Spring, this county, March 10, 1870, son of Jacob and Mary Ellen (Young) Friedmann. He was educated in the public schools of his neighborhood, and in the St. Cloud State Normal School. In March, 1891, he began his business career by forming a partner- ship with Mathias E. Weiler in the general mercantile trade at Eden Valley. They began in a small building, with a floor space 22 by 40. By hard work, honest dealing and attention to details, they increased the business until it was housed in a building 50 by 130 feet, two stories high, with a basement. In 1913, a co-operation called the Friedmann-Marx Co. was formed, with Joseph Friedmann as president; J. L. Friedmann as secretary; and Frank Marx as vice-president and treasurer. In addition to the mercantile business, Mr. Friedmann has operated a brick yard and dealt extensively in real estate. For many years he has been prominent in political affairs. He has been active as a member of the city council for many years, and in the sessions of 1907 and 1909 sat in the lower house of the Minnesota Legislature. Fra- ternally he associates with the Knights of Columbus at St. Cloud, and the Catholic Order of Foresters at Eden Valley. He is a broad-minded, pleasant gentleman, one whose personality and liberal views have had a distinctive in- fluence in the community. Mr. Friedmann married Ann Eliza Fourniea, born near Minneapolis, daughter of William Fourniea, who was born in Canada and came to Minnesota in the forties. Mr. and Mrs. Friedmann have one daughter, Mary Irene; and are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Eden Valley.

William O'Brien, man of affairs of Eden Valley, editor, postmaster and township officer, was born in Galena, Ill., August 24, 1869, second of the ten children of Hon. James O'Brien and his wife, Catherine Lyons, who brought him to Houston county, this state, in 1870. In that county, William O'Brien received his early education and his boyhood and young manhood were spent after the usual manner of the younger generations in a rural community. His father was a prominent man, state senator, chief justice of New Munich, 1888-

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1892, and county officer, and young William was early inspired to make the most of his own life. In time he was enabled to enter the University of Notre Dame, at South Bend, Indiana. At that institution his mental powers were given an opportunity for the widest development, and when he was graduated from the scientific department in June, 1892, he was amply qualified to step into any position which Opportunity might place before him. After looking about for a short time, he came to Eden Valley. Here on September 27, 1892, he issued the first number of the Eden Valley Journal. In this paper he has labored earnestly for the best good of the community. He never embraces a project until he is thoroughly satisfied as to its merits, but having once given his support to a cause, nothing can swerve his loyalty. The wide circulation, of the Journal, and the influence it exerts, is ample proof of the success of his labors. Under Mr. O'Brien's care, the postal service has reached a high degree of efficiency. He received his appointment in June 1897, and has since served continuously to May, 1914. He has been town clerk since the spring of 1901, and the school clerk since 1898. He has been manager of the Eden Valley Telephone Co. since 1910. Mr. O'Brien was married in 1898, to Mar- garet Sattler, who was born in Eden Valley in 1879. They have five chil- dren : Marie, James A., Malonia, Lucille and William, Jr.

John Leisen, veteran of the Civil war, a resident of St. Cloud for forty- one years, and active merchant for twenty-seven years, a public spirited and honored citizen during all his residence here, died at St. Raphael's Hos- pital, May 18, 1908. Mr. Leisen was one of St. Cloud's foremost men, and was esteemed and respected for his sturdy honesty and integrity. He be- longed to that class of Germans, whose thrift and industry has done so much to enhance the material prosperity of this section of the state. His business career was a successful one, and his prosperity was also enhanced by his real estate ventures. He was a devout and regular worshipper at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

John Leisen was born March 25, 1839, in Meirsdorf, Province of the Rhine, Prussia, Germany, and as a youth of thirteen years was apprenticed to a shoemaker from whom he thoroughly learned the trade. In 1860 he entered the German army, and served three years in the cavalry. It was in 1864 that he came to America and located in Kenosha, Wis. Nine months later he came to St. Paul. For a short period, from May 28, 1865, to August 4, of the same year, he was enrolled as a private in Company G, Second Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry. May 7, 1867, he gave up his work as a shoe- maker in St. Paul, and opened a foot-wear store in St. Cloud, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. He retired December 31, 1894. The site of his original store at the corner of Germain street and Seventh avenue south is now occupied by the handsome Leisen block, where his two sons are now in busines. In addition to this block, Mr. Leisen owned some of the most valuable business property in St. Cloud, as well as a number of lots in St. Paul. His store was for many years the best of its kind in St. Cloud. It would be difficult to find in this neighborhood, a better example of thrift and attention to business than has been embodied in the success achieved by John Leisen. Aside from his business and his church he took

John Lesen Un

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

a keen interest in patriotic matters, and was a valued member of McKelvy Post, G. A. R. John Leisen was married at St. Paul, January 22, 1867, to Elizabeth, and this union resulted in four sons: John J., Michael A., Frank P., and an unnamed deceased infant. John J. is a leading dry-goods mer- chant of St. Cloud. Michael A. is a prominent resident of St. Cloud, and Frank P. of St. Paul. Mrs. Elizabeth (Fetsch) Leisen is dead.

George F. Brott was born at Chittenango, Madison county, New York, July 24, 1825, and lived in his home town until May 20, 1850. He was of Knickerbocker Dutch stock on his father's side and of Mayflower stock on his mother's. He attended the local schools, and began the study of law but by reason of the death of his father, who was a manufacturer of wagons and carriages, he carried on the latter business, with contracting and building. In the early spring of 1850 having seen at Syracuse a panorama of the Mis- sissippi river from St. Louis to St. Anthony Falls, he became fired with a desire to see this new country and started at the date named, leaving home with $80 in cash, an outfit of tools and a muzzle-loading rifle. When he reached St. Anthony Falls his $80 had dwindled to $5, but nothing dis- couraged, he rented a building and began making wagons and sleighs, the venture proving so profitable that he soon had a number of men in his employ. This building being destroyed by fire he moved to the west side of the river, erecting the pioneer grist mill, manufacturing corn meal and unbolted flour. In the fall of 1851 he was elected sheriff of Ramsey county, entering on his duties the following January. His jurisdiction extended from Lake Su- perior to the Missouri river and north to the British Possessions. He served until 1854, and then engaged in the real estate business at St. Anthony Falls. He organized the townsite company which platted St. Cloud City, as is more fully described on another page. In the spring of 1862 he took to New Orleans the first ship loaded with merchandise to enter the port of that city following its capture, the venture being a very profitable one. Inside of two years his fortune from various sources amounted to six million dollars, practically all of which was lost within the year following. In 1876 he left the south and located at Washington City, which was his home until his death, March 13, 1902. In a sketch written a few years prior to his death he described himself as a "farmer, wagon and carriage maker, sheriff, postmaster, real estate dealer, editor, townsite promoter, owner of flour mills, steamboats, steamships and sailing craft, wholesale and retail mer- chant, member constitutional convention, colonel of engineers, canal and railroad president and inventor." Even this enumeration did not fully ex- haust the list of the activities of this remarkable man. He had married a daughter of C. T. Stearns, who died near New Orleans, September 26, 1860, aged 30 years.

Christ Highhouse. The following pen-and-ink sketch of Chris. High- house, the first sheriff of Stearns county, is given by a contemporary : "Chris. was a tall, lank-sided customer, always ready for a quarrel if there was any chance for one and willing to fight if he could find someone to measure strength with him. He was ignorant, generous when in funds, a frequenter of saloons, and made himself popular among the early settlers of Stearns

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county by his hospitable regards at the bar, and his roystering habits when not engaged in disputes. He was elected the first sheriff of Stearns county and his position among wrong-doers was certainly unique. As a matter of fact in those early days the judges themselves did not set any too good an example of sobriety and court proceedings were often blent with scenes of mirth and gaiety, occasioned by a too free indulgence in ardent spirits. After having run his course here Chris. went to Little Falls where he en- gaged in some alleged robberies and finally left the country."

Peter Magnus Magnusson, psychologist, was born in Angstugan, near Vexi, Sweden, March 4, 1865, son of Sven and Maria Christina (Stendahl) Magnusson, who brought the family to America in 1868. In 1887-8 he was principal of the St. Ansgar's Academy, St. Ansgar, Minnesota, and in 1890 received his A. B. from the Gustavus Adolphus College, at St. Peter, Min- nesota. In 1890-91 he attended the Johns Hopkins University. In 1893-4 he was teacher of psychology and methods in the State Normal School at May- ville, North Dakota, and in the State Normal School at St. Cloud, Minne- sota, in 1894-1905 and 1906. In 1906 he attended the University of Minne- sota and received the degree of L. L. B. and in 1907 the degree of L. L. M., being admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1906. During 1905 and 1906 he was the president of the Minnesota College at Minneapolis. In 1906 he was also the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State of Minnesota. He was a member of the Charter Commission of the city of St. Cloud which drew up its present charter.

Mr. Magnusson is the author of several well-known books: Logical and Psychological Principles Applied to Grammar, 1893; Great Educators, 1900; The Failure and Triumph of Jesus, 1903; Sociological Studies of the Family, 1903; Psychology as applied to Education, 1913. He was united in marriage to Eugenia Lillian Crosby, of Wychoff, Minnesota, June 11, 1896, and the family lives at St. Cloud, Minnesota.

James F. Stevenson, pioneer manufacturer of St. Cloud, and for many years a potent factor in the St. Cloud Methodist Episcopal church, was born in Washington county, near Pittsburgh, June 7, 1824, of Scotch ances- try. His early days were spent in Mckeesport, Penn., where he received his education. As a youth he became interested in the foundry and machine shop business, and that line occupied his attention in his native state until 1869, when he came to St. Cloud, and built what has now developed into the Granite City Iron Works. He also engaged in the hardware business and the old settlers relate that he brought here the first coal stove ever seen in St. Cloud. Some years ago he retired from the foundry business, but was very active in attending to his business affairs up to within a short time of his death. He was confined to the house the last four months of his illness, and to his bed the last two months. He died January 16, 1915. Mr. Steven- son was a profound student, especially of the Bible and kindred works. His name is inseparably connected with that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Receiving deep religious convictions as a youth, he early joined the church, and continued a faithful member the remainder of his life. Upon coming to St. Cloud, he united with the local church, September 23, 1871, under the

JAMES F. STEVENSON

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pastorate of the Rev. W. W. Satterlee. He was the main pillar of this society for many years, and his presence is greatly missed. Physically, mentally and morally, Mr. Stevenson was a bulwark and a tower of strength to the city, ever standing for the best as a citizen.

At his funeral, Rev. F. W. Hill read a tribute prepared by Dr. J. H. Dewart, a former pastor and old friend. The following extracts from that tribute will preserve to future generations something of the inspiration and moving force of Mr. Stevenson's life.

"In the twenty-five years that I have so intimately known Mr. Steven- son, I have regarded him as a wonderful man. The two qualities which char- acterized his whole life were integrity and independence. He was a strictly conscientious man, not only did he act honestly, but he was honest. He was not governed by external law, but by his internal ideas of right and wrong, and he most austerely followed the rigid lines which he laid down for his own conduct, conscientiously walking in the path he believed to be right. I have always regarded him as one of the most honorable men I ever knew. When a mere lad he joined the Methodist Episcopal church and for about seventy-five years he has remained a faithful and consistent mem- ber. There were those who did not agree with the theological opinions that he formed from his study of the Scriptures, but all agreed as to the purity of his life and the integrity of his character. He gave liberally to every good cause, especially to the church of which he was a member. For years he probably did more toward building up and sustaining the Methodist church in St. Cloud than any other man in the city, not only by giving lib- erally of his means and attending the services regularly, but by inducing others to become interested in the work of the church. In his latter years he was naturally less active, but he never lost his interest."

In 1876, Mr. Stevenson married Lovisa C. Freeman, who survives him. By this marriage there are three children: Frank A. Stevenson, Bertha J. and R. F. Stevenson. Frank A. Stevenson is an importer and wholesale dealer of fine teas and coffee in Vancouver, B. C. He married Julia O'Brien, of St. Cloud, Minn. Bertha J. is the wife of Dr. C. H. Kohler, of Minne- apolis. R. F. Stevenson is credit man for the St. Cloud office of the Inter- national Harvester Co. He married Adelaide H. Dunn, of St. Cloud.

Right Reverend Joseph E. Busch, D. D., Bishop of St. Cloud, formerly bishop of Lead, (South Dakota), was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, April 16, 1866. He completed his theological course in Innsbruck, Austria, where he was ordained in 1889. He spent the next two years at the Catholic Univer- sity, Washington, and on his return to St. Paul, was appointed secretary to the Most Reverend Archbishop. He was assistant at the Cathedral and at St. Mary's Church, St. Paul, and afterwards served as pastor at South St. Paul, Le Sueur, and St. Lawrence parish, Minneapolis. He was head of the Diocesan Missionary band from its organization in 1902 until his consecra- tion as Bishop of Lead on May 19, 1910. He was one of the six Bishops con- secrated by the Most Reverend Archbishop Ireland at St. Paul Seminary. March 18, 1915, he was duly installed as Bishop of St. Cloud.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 51

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