History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 101

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

by his second wife, Jessie, were Harold D., Esther M., Helen J. and James F., all now living.

Charles P. Cleveland, a prominent representative of the agricultural in- dustry in Glasgow Township, was born in Highland Township, Wabasha County, September 13, 1880, son of John and Cora (Hathaway) Cleveland. As a boy he attended district school in Glasgow Township, to which his parents had moved in 1889, and also went to school for awhile in Wabasha village. After working for his father for several years he took up telegraphy, which occupation he followed for 14 years, being employed by the Northern Pacific railway at Tower City, N. D. In 1913, at the time of his father's death, he returned home and entered into possession of the home farm, buying the inter- ests of the other heirs. Since then he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising here, keeping a good grade of stock, his hogs being of the Poland-China breed, with a full blooded sire. Mr. Cleveland was married Sep- tember 15, 1909, to Charlotte Black, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Black, of Tower City, N. D., where Mr. Black worked at the blacksmith's trade for 14 years. In 1920 Mr. and Mrs. Black moved to Kellogg, Wabasha County, where he is now operating a shop. They are members of the M. E. church. Their children are Jessie C., Charlotte, Roy, Jennie and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Cleve- land are the parents of three children : Pliny D., born July 5, 1910; and Gail and Dale (twins), born December 14, 1915.

Henry and Christian Eggenberger are well known business men of Theil- man, where they are successfully operating a sawmill and are also carrying on other industries. Henry was born near Toronto, Canada, July 30, 1864, and Christian in West Albany Township, Wabasha County, Minn., June 12, 1869. Their parents, Christian and Anna Elizabeth Eggenberger, were born and married in Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1854 on a sailing vessel, being three months on the ocean. Locating first in Buffalo, N. Y., they subsequently went to Canada, and in 1865 came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, taking 160 acres of wild land in West Albany Township, which they developed into a farm with good buildings. In the early seventies the father sold the farm and bought one in Glasgow Township, near Theilman village, and besides carrying on agriculture operated a sawmill. Industrious and enterprising, he was also successful in a high degree, and he and his wife were highly respected. They were members and liberal supporters of the German Reformed church in Theilman village. The father died May 2, 1902, and the mother January 25, 1910. Of their family of ten children, three were born in Switzerland, namely: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Bernard Korthour of Buffalo Gap, Custer County, S. D .; Emil, deceased; and Emma, who died on board ship while crossing the ocean. The children born in this country were as follows: John, a prosperous farmer and sawmill operator in Alberta, Canada; Emma (second), now Mrs. Leonard Seiger, of Buffalo Gap, S. D .; Rosanna, who married Dan Peterson, of Portland, Ore., and is now deceased; Henry, of Theilman, Minn .; Amelia, now Mrs. Frank Laqua, of Alberta, Canada; Christian, of Theilman, and Louise, wife of August Schleicher, a hardware dealer of Millville, Wabasha County, Minn. The two sons Henry and Christian were formerly associated with their father in farm- ing and in the mill, and in time succeeded to the mill business. Besides oper- ating the mills, they contract extensively for cement work, barns, bridges and other miscellaneous work, and are also successful apiarists. They are mem- bers and liberal supporters of the German Reformed church at Theilman, and are politically aligned with the Republican party. Henry Eggenberger was married in November, 1910, to Hattie Krahn, who was born in Pennsylvania, February 25, 1868, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert Krahn. Her father was pastor for some years of the German Reformed church at Theilman, to which the subjects of this sketch belong. The two brothers are enterprising business men, and are successfully conducting an important industry, which is a factor in the prosperity of the village in which they have made their home.

MR. AND MRS. HENRY EGGENBERGER,

CHRISTIAN EGGENBERGER.

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John A. Knabe, blacksmith and grain buyer, of Dumfries, Glasgow Town- ship, was born in Trout Brook Valley, Buffalo County Wis., December 14, 1878, son of Christ and Anna (Bader) Knabe. He was educated in the common school, and his parents being farmers, he early acquired a knowledge of agriculture. In 1888 the family moved to the far West, spending two years in Utah and Colorado, but subsequently returning to Buffalo County, Wis., where the mother died in the following winter. In June, 1892, John A. Knabe came to Wabasha County, Minn., and here for three years he worked as a farm hand for John Simons. At the end of that period he went to Wabasha to learn the blacksmith's trade under F. W. Simons. Having done so, he took up his resi- dence in Kellogg, where he worked three years for Nicholas Schmidt. In 1903 he came to Dumfries and opened a blacksmith shop here, which he has since conducted. In addition to carrying on his business he acts as grain buyer for the R. E. Jones Co: of Wabasha. He was clerk of School District No. 68, in politics being a Republican. Mr. Knabe was married December 24, 1902, to Edna, daughter of Louis and Jane Chipman of Kellogg, Minn., in which place she was born October 3, 1882. Of this union have been born two children : Leona Loretta, October 16, 1903; and William John, March 11, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Knabe are Protestants in religious faith. They own a comfortable home in Dumfries and are people well known and respected in the community.

John F. Ring, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Glasgow Township, was born in this Township March 3, 1893, son of Martin and Sarah (Roan) Ring. His grandfather Ring was one of the pioneers of this county, coming here in 1855 and settling in Glasgow Township on section 20. Martin Ring resided on the parental homestead until 1898, when he moved to Highland Township, selling at the time 400 acres which he owned in Glasgow -- a farm possessing good buildings-and buying 160 acres in Highland. He retired in 1898 and his son, George, now operates the Highland farm. He is now 58 years old, having been born May 18, 1862. John F. Ring worked with his father on the Highland farm up to 1915. He then bought 240 acres in sec- tion 21, Glasgow, a tract of land without buildings, which he has since erected. He also has 100 acres of his farm under cultivation, the balance being in timber and pasture. He owns a good operating equipment and is successfully carry- ing on general farming, his principal market being Theilman, three and a half miles away. Mr. Ring was married July 30, 1917, to Phoebe McMillin, daugh- ter of John and Catherine McMillin of Theilman, Minn., and a native of High- land Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ring are the parents of two children: Francis, born March 19, 1918, and Rosemond, born January 19, 1920. Mr. Ring and his family are members of the Catholic church, belonging to St. Joseph's parish at Theilman. In politics he is independent, voting for the man rather than with the party.

John Riester, the proprietor and operator of a beautiful farm of 240 acres known as ""Grand View Farm," situated four miles southwest of Wabasha, in Glasgow Township, was born in this township February 12, 1863, son of Ottman and Magdalena Riester. The parents came to America at an early date from Baden, Germany, about 1856, and coming to Minnesota, settled in Glas- gow Township, Wabasha County, near the site of the present village of Dum- fries. When quite a small child John Riester lost his father, of whom he has no recollection. He attended the district school and from early youth made his own way in the world. His farm, which he has himself developed, is now one of the best in the township. The surroundings are beautiful, and he has a fine residence provided with hot water heat and other modern conveniences; he has a good substantial barn, and his silo and outhouses are well constructed and in good condition. He has also an adequate operating equipment. The sell of his farm is productive, and as he is a hard worker with a practical knowledge of every branch of agriculture, he has been very successful and is now one of the well to do and prominent citizens of his township. He is a

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stockholder in the Wabasha Creamery Company and the Greenfield Farmers' Telephone Company, in the latter concern being a member of the board of directors. Some part of his time has been given to public affairs, as he has served on the township board several terms and also on the school board of District No. 102. On November 21, 1888, Mr. Riester was married to Mary Laqua, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Laqua of West Albany Township. He and his wife have been the parents of nine children: Joseph J., born Feb- ruary 9, 1890, who died September 1, 1893; Leo F., born September 8, 1891, who is in the auto business at Kellogg; Genevieve M., born April 30, 1893, now Mrs. George Blue of West Albany Township; Rosalie A., born May 14, 1895, who graduated from St. Felix high school at Wabasha and is now teaching in Minneapolis; Herbert J., born August 9, 1897, who is married and resides in Minneapolis; Elizabeth G., born April 4, 1899, unmarried and residing in Min- neapolis; Margaret J., born January 6, 1901; John W., January 18, 1903; and Rosanna A., August 27, 1907, all three of whom are residing on the home farm, John W. assisting his father. The family are Catholics and members of St. Felix parish. Mrs. Riester is a native of Wabasha County, having been born in West Albany Township August 7, 1861. Her parents came from Silesia, Germany, but were married here.

William Hager, who is engaged in operating the farm formerly belonging to his parents in section 16, Glasgow Township, was born on this farm Sep- tember 2, 1887, son of Herman H. and Anna M. Hager. The parents, who were born in Germany, came to Wabasha County, Minn., in the early seventies and were here married. They settled first on section 12, Glasgow Township, but in a short time removed to section 16, where they took 180 acres of land with few improvements and no buildings. For temporary purposes they erected a small frame house and log barn, but later built a better frame house and other build- ings. Here Herman H. Hager died April 9, 1912, having suffered the affliction of blindness during the last 20 years of his life. He was survived by his wife, who passed away February 6, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Hager reared a family of seven children : Bernard, now a merchant at Dumfries; Louisa, wife of Wil- liam Riester of Greenfield Township; George, a farmer in Greenfield Township; Herman, who died in childhood; Joseph, who died in 1909; William, the sub- ject of this sketch; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Austin of Glas- gow Township. William Hager was reared on his parents' farm and attended district school No. 25 up to the age of 14, except one summer, during which he remained on the farm with his brother, Henry. After the father's death he operated the farm for the estate until September, 1920, when he became the sole owner. He has a good herd of grade stock and follows diversified farming. A practical man in his line of industry, he has been successful and is num- bered among the industrious and useful citizens of his township. He was mar- ried June 26, 1918, to Sarah Elsie, daughter of John F. and Etta J. Van Houten of Glasgow Township, but who was born in Knox County, Neb., April 2, 1899. The issue of this union is one child, Helen Elizabeth, who was born August 28, 1919. Mr. Hager and his family are members of the Catholic church, be- longing to St. Felix parish at Wabasha, he being also a member of St. Joseph's Society. In politics he is independent.

Matthias Markus, who for 30 years was engaged in farm development in Highland Township, but is now deceased, was a native of Luxemburg, and came to this county about 1875. Settling directly in Highland Township, he took land which was little or not at all developed, and spent the next and last thirty years of his life in its improvement, transforming it finally into a good farm. He died May 17, 1905. Mr. Markus married Christine Youck, who was born in Switzerland in 1865, and who had come to America with her brother. They had a family of eight children: Peter L., now a merchant at Dumfries, in Glasgow Township; Lena, wife of John Cook, a farmer of Plain- view Township; Garrett, who is residing on the old home farm in Highland

MR. AND MRS. HERMAN H. HAGER WILL HAGER AND FAMILY

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Township; Anna, unmarried, also living on the home farm; Margaret, now Mrs. Irvin Dietrich of Watopa Township; George and Joseph, both on the home farm; and Doris, who is a stenographer for the Goodrich Rubber Co. at St. Paul, Minn.

Peter L. Markus, a member of the mercantile firm of Hager & Markus, hav- ing a store at Dumfries, Glasgow Township, was born in Highland Township, Wabasha County, January 9, 1883, son of Matthias and Christine (Youck) Markus. He acquired his education in the district school and was brought up to farm life and labor, remaining on the home farm until the fall of 1909. In 1910 he went to Montana, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land near Glas- gow, Valley County, which property he still owns. In 1912 he returned to Wa- basha County and for one year operated a farm which was located near the old home farm. His present business was entered into in the fall of 1913, when he bought a half interest in the mercantile concern of Hager & Stamsch- ror, of Dumfries, which thereupon became Hager & Markus. The firm keeps a large assortment of general merchandise and is liberally patronized by the people of the surrounding territory. Mr. Markus was married June 4, 1913, to Theresa Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schmidt of Glasgow Town- ship. Of this union three children have been born: Vera, August 9, 1915, who died July 24, 1918; Floyd, born February 3, 1917; and Wilfred, April 5, 1920. Mr. Markus and his family are members of the Catholic church. Politically he is a Republican.

Henry Stamschror, a respected citizen of Wabasha, now practically retired, but who was formerly engaged in agriculture in Glasgow Township, was born in Germany December 26, 1854. He came to the United States in 1874, locating first in St. Louis, where he remained two years. Then in 1876 he came to Wa- basha County, Minn., settling in Glasgow Township. His first seven years in the township were spent in grubbing for farmers, but that period came to an end in 1881, when he married Mary Grass, his first wife, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Grass, of Wabasha. He then began life as an independent farmer, buying 160 acres on the Zumbro bottoms near Dumfries. Later he added to his land another 80 acres, and developed a farm, erecting the residence and other buildings. After seven years Mr. Stamschror sold that farm to his brother Anton and bought 160 acres on sections 3 and 4, one mile north of Dumfries, the place being known as the Knute Johnson farm. To this he added 40 acres, and resided there until 1914, when, having acquired a competency, he retired. Since taking up his residence in Wabasha he has done some light truck farm- ing in order to keep employed. Mr. Stamschror's first wife, Mrs. Mary Stamsch- ror, the mother of all his children, died a number of years ago. The children were as follows: Anna, now Mrs. F. J. Meyer of Wabasha; Anthony V., a farmer of Glasgow Township .; Agnes, who is residing with her father in Wa- basha; Henry, a farmer in Wabasha Township; Joseph, a farmer in Pepin Township; Paul, who is manager of a lumber business, and also postmaster, at Waverly, S. D .; William, who lives with his brother, Paul, at Waverly; An- drew of Kellogg who is a carpenter; Margaret, residing in Wabasha; and Arnold, Clement and another, who are deceased. Bereaved of his first wife, Mr. Stamschror contracted a second marriage November 27, 1907, with Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer, widow of Joseph Meyer, and who in maiden life was Eliza- beth Thyen. She was born in Germany April 7, 1859, and came to America in 1877, locating in Wabasha County, Minn. She was first married November 11, 1879, to Joseph Meyer, who was born in Iowa in 1857, and who came to Wabasha County as a child in 1864 and here received his education. On grow- ing to manhood Mr. Meyer engaged in agriculture and had a fine farm of 120 acres, which, however, he later sold, purchasing another 160 acres in Pepin Township. He subsequently bought other land until he owned 320 acres and continued in agricultural pursuits until his death on June 8, 1905. He was a prominent citizen of Pepin Township, which he served several

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years as supervisor. The children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Thyen) Meyer were: Frank, now a section foreman at Waverly, S. D .; Henry, residing on the old home farm, of which he owns 160 acres; Theresa, who married Henry Schuth, a farmer of Pepin Township; Mary, now Mrs. Matt Koob of Glasgow Township; William, who owns 160 acres of the old farm in Pepin Township; and Katherine, residing with her mother and step-father, Mr. Stamschror, in Wabasha. Mr. Stamschror is a Democrat in politics and a Catholic in religion, being a member of St. Felix parish, Wabasha, and prominent in the church. While living in Glasgow Township he served on the town board for 10 years and for 24 years was a member of the school board of District No. 68.

Anthony V. Stamschror, proprietor of a good farm in Glasgow Township, which he is cultivating with profitable results, was born in this township De- cember 13, 1883, son of Henry and Mary (Grass) Stamschror. He was edu- cated in District School No. 68, in his native township, and remained on the home farm, assisting his father, until arriving at the age of 21. After that for two years he worked for others as a farm hand. He then entered the employ of William Wolfe, a merchant at Dumfries, and after two years, in association with B. C. Hager, purchased the business, which was conducted by the two partners under the firm name of Hager & Stamschror. In the fall of 1913 Mr. Stamschror sold his interest to P. L. Markus, and with his brother, Henry, purchased their father's farm in sections 3 and 4, Glasgow Township. In 1915 Henry sold his interest to Anthony, and the latter is now sole owner of the farm, which is well equipped with buildings, machinery and stock. Mr. Stamschror raised Holstein cattle, at the present time having 16 milch cows. His hogs, of which he has a herd of 50 to 60, are of the Duroc breed. The farm contains 165 acres, of which 100 are under the plow. As a part of Mr. Stamsch- ror's equipment he owns a Dort passenger car. He is a member of the Non- Partisan League. For the last six years he has been a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Stamschror was married November 10, 1909, to Anna Stroot, daughter of Henry and Mary Stroot, of Wabasha Township, where she was born April 20, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Stamschror have been the parents of three children, one of whom died in infancy. The two survivors are: Eleanor Mary, born October 3, 1910; and Dorothy Elizabeth, born August 7, 1913. The family are members of the Catholic church, belonging to St. Felix parish, Wa- basha. Thoroughly skilled in all branches of agriculture, Mr. Stamschror has made good financial progress and is numbered among the substantial citizens of his township.

Hugh McGowan, one of the noted pioneers of Wabasha County, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1813. His parents dying when he was about 16 years old, he resolved to seek his fortune in the New World, and, having no money, worked his passage on board a sailing vessel to Nova Scotia, the voyage oc- cupying many weeks. During his residence in that eastern province he spent his summers engaged in the fishing industry, and in the winters, as he had re- ceived a good education in Scotland, he taught school. In Nova Scotia he mar- ried his first wife, by whom he had seven children, one of whom, Patrick, was killed in our Civil War. After her death Mr. McGowan came with these chil- dren, in June, 1855, to Minnesota, settling in Wabasha County and taking land in Glasgow Township. About 1861 he contracted a second marriage with Ellen English of Greenfield Township, who was a native of Ireland. By her he had two children : Maurice, the present proprietor of the old home farm; and Nellie, now Mrs. Joseph Welp of Pepin Township. Mr. McGowan's second wife, Ellen, dying in 1867, he married in 1872 Mrs. Eliza Currier, a widow, who died in 1910. Mr. McGowan became a very prominent man in this county. It was he who gave the name of Glasgow Township, and he was for years chair- man of the town board. He also took an active part in the county seat fight between Lake City and Wabasha. His death, which occurred February 6, 1896, was an event noted and regretted throughout the county.

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Maurice McGowan, proprietor of "Oakland Farm" in section 8, Glasgow Township, which was established in pioneer days by his father, was born on this farm July 4, 1863, son of Hugh and Ellen (English) McGowan. He was only four years old when he lost his mother, and when he was nine his father married again, his step-mother having previously been Mrs. Eliza Currier. His educational opportunities were confined to the district school. Subse- quently he worked with his father, helping to develop the farm, and in that way acquired in time a good practical knowledge of agriculture and stock raising, which occupations he has since continued to follow. He has always remained on the parental homestead, of which he is now the owner, and which he is operating successfully and with profitable results. He is a mem- ber of the Equitable Fraternal Union. A Republican in politics, he served as town clerk 13 years and as school treasurer 20 years, and is a highly re- spected citizen, both as the son of pioneers of this county and in virtue of his own personal qualities. Mr. McGowan was married October 21, 1896, to Christine Olson, who was born at Read's Landing, Minn., August 18, 1868, daughter of Even and Ingeborg (Eggen) Olson. As a girl she attended the public school at "Read's," subsequently took a high school course at Aber- deen, S. D., and for ten years was engaged in teaching. To Mr. and Mrs. McGowan have been born three children: Robert Hugh, August 8, 1898; Maurice Earl, June 22, 1902, and Irvin Donald, April 15, 1904. All three are residing at home. Robert Hugh spent one year in the high school at St. Paul, then entered the University of Minnesota Agricultural School at St. Paul, from which he was graduated in the class of 1918. Maurice Earl is a student in the Wabasha high school, and Irvin Donald has completed the eighth grade of the district school. In 1918 their home was entirely de- stroyed by fire, and at once they built a new modern seven-room bungalow. Even Olson, father of Mrs. Maurice McGowan, was born in Norway and there acquired his education, and grew to manhood. In 1861 he came to America and located at Read's Landing, where he was employed in various ways on the Mississippi river. In a few years he returned to Norway and brought back with him his fiancee, Miss Ingeborg Eggen, who soon after be- came his bride. They made their home at Read's Landing, where Mr. Olson entered the employ of the Shaw Lumber Co., of Eau Claire, and continued with the same until his death in 1874. Mrs. Olson died four years later. Their only child was Christine, now Mrs. Maurice McGowan of Glasgow Township.

Otto Sanders, the present proprietor of the old Sanders farm in Glasgow Township, was born in section 4, this township, October 10, 1876, son of Henry and Caroline (Sass) Sanders. The parents were natives of Germany who were married in Wabasha County in the early sixties. Henry, the father, arrived first, at Read's Landing, and for two or three years was en- gaged in rafting for the Knapp-Stout Lumber Company. He arrived in Wa- basha County with nothing, but was economical and saved his money, and about the time of his marriage, when he gave up river work, settled on a partly improved farm of 160 acres in Glasgow Township, near Dumfries. The original buildings were log structures, but a frame house was later erected and occupied. There Henry Sanders died August 7, 1901, and Mrs. Caro- line Sanders, March 6, 1906. He was never a very robust man, but worked hard and was ably assisted by his wife. They were members of the Luth- eran church in Wabasha and liberal in its support. They reared a family of seven children: Alfred, now deceased; Hulda, now Mrs. Conrad Johns of Eau Claire, Wis .; Etta, wife of George Gillis, a farmer near Plum City, Wis .; Margaret, wife of D. Zevley of Minneapolis, Minn .; Otto, on the home farm; Lena, wife of Theodore Miller of Highland Township, and Emma, wife of James Safford, a dairyman at Port Atkinson, Wis. Otto Sanders acquired his education in the district school, which he attended winters, in the sum-

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 101

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222