History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 102

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

mers his services being needed on the farm. He became his father's helper and has always remained on the old home, which he bought in 1906, and has since been engaged in general farming and stock raising on his own account, his stock consisting mainly of Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine. The farm, which is situated six miles southwest of Wabasha, has adequate buildings and a good operating equipment and Mr. Sanders is conducting it with profitable results. Aside from his interests therein he is a stockholder in the Green- field Farmers Telephone Co. Mr. Sanders was married September 8, 1908, to Rose Elizabeth Wilde, who was born in Theilman, Wabasha County, Jan- uary 7, 1890, daughter of August and Rose Wilde, of West Albany Township. Of this union three children have been born: Joseph Otto, January 21, 1911; Violet Rose, April 23, 1913, and Richard Donald, April 28, 1920. Mr. San- ders was reared a Lutheran but is a member of the German Reformed church of Wabasha. Politically he is a Republican.

August Evers, one of the thriving farmers of Glasgow Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, October 10, 1875, son of Henry and Mary Ann (Hermes) Evers. The parents came to the United States in 1876, directly to Wabasha County, Minn., and were accompanied by two children: Caroline, now Mrs. Anton Schuth of Greenfield Township; and August. They settled on section 12, Glasgow Township, buying 160 acres of land, of which ten or 15 acres were improved. There was also an old log house on the place. There the parents passed the rest of their lives, the father dying February 9, 1892, and the mother, November 23, 1909. Their children were as follows: Caroline, already mentioned, who was born in Germany; August, also born in Germany; Henry, born in Wabasha County, October 5, 1877, who died October 16, 1894; Anna, born November 5, 1879, now Mrs. Garrett Wolfe of Greenfield Township; Joseph, born November 16, 1881, who resides in Greenfield Township; Anthony, born in April, 1883, who died in childhood; Mary, born September 16, 1885, now Mrs. Henry J. Meyer of Pepin Township, and Margaret, born May 9, 1891, who resides with her brother Joseph. The father, Henry Evers, had a successful career, working industriously to de- velop his farm. At the time of his death he owned 253 acres, and had a good frame house, besides a log barn and other buildings. This he gained by his own energy, assisted by his family, as he came here with very little in the way of capital to start with. He was a Democrat in politics but held no local office. August Evers was educated in District School No. 68, Glasgow Town- ship, and has always resided on the home farm, to which he has added 40 acres, now owning 293 acres. To meet the necessities of his business and keep up with modern progress, he has erected a fine set of buildings with modern equipment, among them a good silo. He is giving his attention to general farming, principally stock raising and dairying, milking about 20 cows. His cattle are high grade Holsteins and his hogs of the Duroc breed and as a part of his equipment he owns a good auto car. He is a stockholder in the Greenfield Farmers' Telephone Co. and the Dumfries Hall Association. In politics he is a Democrat, but has so far held no office except that of clerk of his school district. Mr. Evers married Augusta Passe, who was born in Glasgow Township, March 5, 1883, daughter of Albert and Mary Passe. Of this union 12 children have been born: Leo B., February 16, 1904; Martha M., November 8, 1905; Laura J., January 18, 1907; Agnes L., July 29, 1908; Marion L., December 5, 1909; Marcella H., July 28, 1911; Albertine J., April 18, 1913; Clara M., August 9, 1914; Julius C., February 24, 1916; Bertha H., October 8, 1917; Irvin F., October 11, 1918, and Lucile R., December 25, 1919. Mr. Evers and his family are Catholic in religion, belonging to St. Felix parish, Mr. Evers being also a member of St. Joseph's society.

William McCracken, a pioneer of Wabasha County, who developed a farm from the wilderness in Glasgow Township, was born in Scotland, August 15, 1815, the last day of the battle of Waterloo. He was reared in his native

MRS. JOHANNA MCCRACKEN

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

land and remained there until 25 years old, when he emigrated to Canada, landing in New Brunswick, April 1, 1841. In that province he resided for twelve years. In the year 1855 he joined the stream of emigration to the northwestern states, arriving in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, Minn., June 7. Here he took a tract of wild land in section 20, on which he built a pioneer cabin which was his home for many years. When he ar- rived here he was accompanied by his family, having been married March 24, 1847, to Magdaline Scott, a native of Ohio. They were to have been married in Canada, all preparations having been made, but when the minister ar- rived it was discovered that he had no license to marry in Canada, so they crossed over to New York State, where the ceremony took place on the same day. Mrs. Magdaline McCracken was of Scotch ancestry. By her. he had five children, the eldest of whom, Ann, became the wife of William Jacobs of West Albany Township, Wabasha County. Another daughter, Hannah, married James Gray of the same township. The three other children died young, and the mother did not long survive after coming to this county, pass- ing away on the home farm, June 14, 1857. In 1860 William McCracken mar- ried for his second wife Johanna Jacob of West Albany Township, a native of Germany, who continued to live on the old home farm until her death, July 22, 1920. By her he had nine children, three of whom died prior to 1882. The others were Minnie, William, Margaret, Jennie, John and Robert. Mr. McCracken was the first man to make improvements in Glasgow Township. By 1882 he had accumulated 560 acres of land, all in one body, and at his death owned 725 acres. His widow afterward added 40 acres to the estate, bringing it up to its present size of 765 acres. The narrow guage railroad from Wabasha to Faribault was built through Mr. McCracken's land, and McCracken station was named for him. One of his children, Mary, was run over and killed by the cars previous to 1882. The children now living are: Lena, Minnie, Margaret, Jeanette, William, John and Robert. Lena is the wife of Henry H. Rahman, a farmer of West Albany Township. Minnie is the wife of Knute Utigard, a farmer of Oakwood Township. Margaret is now Mrs. James Lowe of Pease River District in Alberta, Canada, she and her husband owning a ranch there of over 1200 acres. Jeanette is the wife of James McFarland of McCracken, Wabasha County. John, Robert and Wil- liam are on the home farm, of which each operates a portion, having separate residences, though the estate was to be held intact until the mother's de- mise, and which at this publication is still intact. Mr. McCracken was a prominent citizen of Glasgow Township in his day, at various times holding local office. Politically he was a Republican. He was a man of great energy and perseverance, and a good neighbor, and he will long be remembered as one of he hardy band of pioneers who laid the foundations of the present prosperity of this county.

William McCracken, a representative of one of the leading pioneer fam- ilies of Glasgow Township, was born in this township, December 4, 1865, son of William, Sr., and Johanna (Jacob) McCracken, whose history as pioneer settlers and farmers in the township is elsewhere given. His educational opportunities were limited, but he attended District School No. 87 as he was given opportunity, and was trained to agricultural work on the home farm, being associated with his father until the latter's death in 1888. Here he has always resided, and he and his brothers, John and Robert, are manag- ing the estate, which is to be kept intact during their mother's life time, each occupying a separate portion and residence. That operated by William amounts to 205 acres, of which 120 acres-all fine land-are under the plow. In 1918 he erected a fine modern two-story frame house with full cement basement, finished in the finest of oak and handsomely furnished. It is elec- trically lighted, and installed with a hot water heating-plant, pressure tank, and an elegant bathroom with the most modern pulmbing, and is the finest

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equipped modern home in Glasgow Township. He has also put up barns and outbuildings. The farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine, and yields Mr. McCracken a good income, so that he is now rated as one of the wealthiest farmers in Glasgow Township. This property has been won by hard work and good management, of which it is the fitting reward. Mr. McCracken is a Republican in politics. He is a heavy stock- holder in the Theilman State Bank. He has devoted some of his time to pub- lic affairs, formerly serving three years on the town board, and for 20 years having been clerk of his school district. He was married January 16, 1893, to Caroline Preshun, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christ Preshun. Her parents dying when she was but six years old, she was adopted and reared by Mrs. Fred Engel of West Albany Township. Mr. and Mrs. McCracken are the parents of three children: Mabel, born October 24, 1894, who was graduated from the Lake City high school, spent one year at the Winona State Normal School, and is now the wife of J. A. Danckwardt of West Albany Township; Ruth, born May 12, 1900, was graduated from the eighth grade of the gram- mar school and is now residing at home; and Frederick, born March 1, 1905, who is also at home and is a student in the eight grade. Mr. McCracken and family attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church of West Albany.

Thomas N. Huddleston, Jr., who is engaged in truck farming and poultry raising at Dumfries, Glasgow Township, was born in this locality May 13, 1892, son of Thomas and Sarah (McIllreavie) Huddleston. His education was begun in District School No. 68, Glasgow Township, which he attended up to the age of 15, and was continued at the Southern Minnesota Normal School at Austin, Minn., he also taking a two-years' preparatory course at Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna. In the two latter schools he studied music and became a fine violinist, subsequently playing four years in orchestras employed by the Strechfus Steamer Line on the Mississippi river. He also played with other musical organizations in various places. In 1914 Mr. Huddleston returned to Dumfries and engaged in his present business of truck farming and poultry raising, which he has found profitable. He owns a comfortable home in the village. On March 18, 1914, he was married to Otilia Creuzer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Creuzer of Wabasha City, where she was born June 11, 1891. One child has been born to them, Mary Dorothy, on January 2, 1920. Mr. Huddleston was reared a Presbyterian, but there being no church of that denomination at Dumfries, he affiliated with the Congregational church at Lake City. He is a member of Wapahasa Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of Wabasha.

Thomas Huddleston, Sr., an elderly resident of the little hamlet of Dum- fries, is one of the oldest living pioneers of Wabasha County, and is a man with a notable experience as an early lumberman, Civil War veteran, and farmer. He was born at Westfield, Chautauqua County, N. Y., August 15, 1839, the eldest of the twelve children of David and Jane (Cochrane) Huddleston. His parents were natives of Ireland who emigrated to the United States in the early thirties, resided for a while in New York City, and subsequently on a farm in Erie County, N. Y. Then coming west to Wisconsin, they re- mained there a year, and then located near St. Charles, in Winona County, Minn. After farming for many years, they retired, and both died in Glas- gow Township, Wabasha County, the father in 1892 and the mother in 1894. Of their 12 children, seven are now living, namely: Thomas, David, James, John, William, Jane and Margaret. Thomas Huddleston was a boy of 15 years when he came west with his parents in 1854. The journey was made via the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, and for about a year the family resided at a point half way between Beaver Dam and Fox Lake, Wis. In the fall of 1855 they came with an emigrant train to Minnesota, being obliged to stop for a week at La Crosse on account of the limited ferry accommodations and the size of

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the party. Other immigrants were also arriving, and the ferry proprietors issued numbered tickets, or designated each family by a number, and the fam- ily was transported across the river when its number was called. On a hill close to La Crescent young Thomas shot his first deer, and at once conceived himself to be a mighty hunter, which opinion was apparently shared by the other members of the party, for they delegated him as a committee of one to procure more meat, but unfortunately for his too easily won reputation, he failed to secure another deer during the remainder of the journey. In the fall of 1856 his parents settled on land one and a half miles south of the thriv- ing village of Utica in Winona County. Thomas, himself, soon grew big and strong and went to work for the Knapp-Stout Lumber Company, of Menomonie, Wis., being engaged in rafting on the Chippewa and Mississippi rivers. Those were the days of romance and adventure, and he enjoyed them with all the capacity of a bold and adventurous youth. He remained with the lumber company two seasons, receiving $13 a month and his board. In the year after he came of age the Civil War broke and opened up a new and ex- citing sphere of action for the patriotic youth of the land. Thomas Huddle- ston was among those who went to the front. Enlisting in the First Minne- sota Battery, he was mustered into the service October 5, 1861, and spent a part of the following winter at Benton Barracks and the arsenal at St. Louis, Mo. In January, 1862, his company was moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., aboard the Ohio River steamer "Himalaya," and assigned to Sherman's com- mand, and not long after he took part in the bloody battle of Shiloh, known to the Confederates as "Pittsburg Landing." As readers of American history know, the first day's battle was practically a defeat for the Union forces, which were taken by surprise, and by night the situation had been saved from total rout chiefly by the desperate resistance of Sherman's command. Re-enforce- ments early the following morning turned the defeat into a victory and the enemy was driven back. Afterwards Private Huddleston was in action at Hornet's Nest, the siege of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, under General Grant, and still later fought under Sherman at Atlanta, and was on the March to the Sea, accompanying that great commander all through his victorious campaign. At the close of the war he took part in the grand review at Wash- ington, one of the most notable occasions and grandest scenes in the history of our country, and was mustered out there not much the worse for the thrilling experiences through which he had passed. On his return to Minnesota Mr. Huddleston again entered the employ of the Knapp-Stout Company on a salary of $75 a month, holding the same position that he had previously got $13 a month for, and so continued for three years, in the performance of his duties following dim and half obliterated trails through the dense forest. At the end of that period he returned to Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, where on February 23, 1869, he was united in marriage with Sarah McIllreavie, of Reach, Province of Ontario, Canada, the pastor who united them being the well known pioneer preacher of Lake City, the Rev. Silas Hazlett, who founded the Presbyterian church there. Mr. Huddleston and his wife began housekeeping in Chester Township, where they resided for nine years. They then removed to Mazeppa, which place was their home until 1882. In that year Mr. Hud- dleston bought a farm in Trout Brook Valley, section 16, Glasgow Township, on the site of the present hamlet of Dumfries. He also branched out exten- sively in the purchase of land, acquiring over 700 acres in one body. In 1896 he moved from section 16 to section 10, where he and his family made their home until 1906, when he took up his residence in Dumfries village, where he now lives, owning a good residence property. He also still owns some three or four hundred acres of his farm land. He may be called the father of the village, as it was through his influence and efforts that it was founded and a post office established, the post office, however, being discontinued on the coming of the railroad. The village now possesses a store, town hall, black-

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smith's shop, and other buildings. It was here that Mr. Huddleston's wife died on December 5, 1917. Besides doing all he could to advance the interests of the little settlement, Mr. Huddleston served for a number of years on the Glasgow town board. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Mazeppa, and in re- ligion is a Presbyterian. He and his wife were the parents of 12 children, namely: John, Catherine, Alexander (first), Samuel, William, Sarah, Julia, Alexander (second), Grace, Mary, Edna, and Thomas Neil, Jr. Of these chil- dren, John, Alexander (first), Samuel and William are deceased. Catherine, who is unmarried, resides at home with her father. Sarah is now Mrs. A. J. Henze of Minneapolis. Julia is the wife of John Duffus of West Albany Town- ship. Grace is the wife of Albert Zillgitt of Lake City. Mary is the wife of Ben E. Fick of Lake City. Edna is the wife of Daniel Slauson of Dumfries. Mr. Huddleston's career has been contemporaneous with that of Wabasha County. As a boy he saw it in its infancy ; later watched it developing its rich resources, as he himself developed into ripe manhood, and now in the evening of his life he is spared to witness its fullness of achievement as an organized part of the great commonwealth to which it belongs. In that wonderful growth and development he, himself, took an active part, and the life of ease and. leisure he now enjoys has been well earned.

John A. Martin, proprietor of a highly improved farm of 160 acres in sec- tion 33, West Albany Township, was born in Olmsted County, Minn., (near Rochester), March 22, 1875, son of John and Susan (McCain) Martin. The father was a native of Ireland, born in 1828; the mother was born in Penn- sylvania in 1847. The former, John Martin, after coming to this country, resided first in Pennsylvania, from which state he removed to Wisconsin. After the breaking out of the Civil War he joined the Sixteenth Wisconsin Volun- teers, with which he saw service. Coming to Minnesota after the war, he set- tled near Rochester when there were very few houses there, and he and his wife, Susan, were married in this state. They settled on a farm of 240 acres in Farmington Township, Olmsted County, which they developed into one of the best farms in the county, and there Mrs. Susan Martin is still living. Her husband died May 31, 1914. It was there that their son, John A., was reared to manhood, attending the district school to the age of 15 or 16, and there he remained until the year 1899, when he was married to Hulda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Schuchard, of Bremen, Wabasha County, where she was born February 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Martin began housekeeping on the Patsy Fox farm in section 33, West Albany Township, but in the same spring Mr. Martin bought his present farm of 160 acres, which had no buildings at the time, though 120 acres of the land had been grubbed and cleared. He has since built a good frame house, two good barns and other necessary buildings, and has 140 acres of the land under cultivation. The house is lighted by gas, and everything about the place is in excellent condition. Mr. Martin's equip- ment, includes a fine "Dort" auto car. The farm, which lies 12 miles southwest of Lake City and four miles north of Millville, is well stocked with grade Dur- ham cattle and Poland-China swine, and Mr. Martin successfully follows gen- eral farming, keeping usually milch cows. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Millville. Politically a Democrat, he has served as chairman of the school board, and he and his family are members of the Grace Lutheran Church of Millville. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin six children have been born : Myrtle, May 4, 1900; Hazel, November 11, 1902; Elmer, July 27, 1905; Alphy, July 24, 1908; Henry, January 24, 1912; and Evelyn, January 29, 1915.

Andrew Schwirtz, a well to do farmer of West Albany Township, residing in section 36, was born in this township August 31, 1885, son of Valentine and Anna (Rathler) Schwirtz. The father was a native of Luxemburg, and the mother of Preisen, Germany, but they were married in this country. Valentine Schwirtz, after coming to Minnesota, was occupied for three years in operat- ing a dray line in Wabasha City. From there he removed to West Albany

ROBERT G. MCCRACKEN AND FAMILY

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Township, where his brother, John, was farming on section 26. For this brother he worked two years, at the end of which time he homesteaded 80 acres in section 25, and started in for himself. It was a tract of wild land which he subsequently developed into a farm, erecting buildings and bringing the soil into cultivation. In time he became the owner of 240 acres, and was successful and prosperous. He died March 29, 1911, at the age of 72 years, being survived by his wife, Anna, who passed away, aged 75, on December 22, 1915. Andrew Schwirtz acquired his education in the local school and was trained to agri- cultural pursuits on the home farm, which he rented for one year after the death of his father. In 1917 he bought his present farm of 160 acres in West Albany Township (formerly known as the Fred Rahman farm), the house and barn belonging to which lie in section 36. Here he has since been engaged in general farming, keeping good Hereford cattle and Poland-China swine. The soil is productive, and 125 acres of his farm are now under the plow. In 1920 Mr. Schwirtz built a substatntial addition to his barn. He ships his grain and stock through the Theilman Shipping Association, and is the owner of a large threshing outfit. The village of Theilman, two miles away, is his principal market. On January 17, 1909, Mr. Schwirtz was united in marriage with Hanna Laqua, who was born in West Albany Township, March 3, 1888, daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Smith) Laqua, who came to this country from Ger- many at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Schwirtz are the parents of two children : Eli Matthew, born June 12, 1910; and Myrtle Leona, born September 20, 1912. The family are members of the Catholic church and of St. Joseph's parish at Theilman.

William Charles Danckwart, who, though a young man, is proprietor of one of the best farms in West Albany Township, located in section 1, was born in section 9, this township, October 6, 1889, son of John and Sophia (Orning) Danckwart. His parents were among the earliest settlers in this section, and hence of necessity hard workers, whence, perhaps, he has derived some share of his own industry and enterprise. His education was acquired in the district school, which he left at the age of 15 years, and until 1913 he was associated in agricultural operations with his father. On October 7, 1913, he was married to Margaret, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Williams) Gilles, of Plum City, Wis., and he and his wife began home making on a farm in section 1, West Albany Township, which property he still owns. In the same section he now has 320 acres, of which 300 are under the plow. The house is a good two- story, 11-room frame building, and the barns, granary, machine shed, poultry house and other outbuildings are substantial and kept in excellent condition, while the operating equipment is complete and up to date. Mr. Danckwart follows diversified farming, keeping grade Shorthorn cattle, Duroc and Ches- ter-White hogs and Shropshire sheep. He is one of the stirring and successful men in his line of business, financially solid, and a good and reliable citizen. Originally a Democrat, he is now a member of the Non-partisan League. He was reared in the German Lutheran faith, and is a member of St. John's con- gregation, while his wife is a Catholic. They are the parents of two children: Robert William John, born July 2, 1915; and Herbert George, born June 12, 1920. The children are members of St. Mary's Catholic church.

Robert G. McCracken, one of the leading farmers of Glasgow Township, proprietor of a fine estate, was born in this township December 17, 1874, son of William and Johanna (Jacob) McCracken. The father was a native of Scot- land, born in 1815, who emigrated to New Brunswick in 1841, and came thence to Wabasha County, Minn., in 1855, taking land in section 20, Glasgow Town- ship. He was accompanied by his first wife, in maidenhood Magdalen Scott, a native of Ohio, and after her death he married in 1860 Johanna Jacob of West Albany Township, and a native of Germany, who passed away July 22, 1920. The McCrackens were among the first families to settle in Glasgow Township and gave their name to McCracken Station. William, the father, died in 1888,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 102

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