History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 104

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

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Joseph Pike was born in New Hampshire, and was there reared. From there he went to New York State. In the middle forties he brought his fam- ily to Illinois, and secured a farm in Lake County. In 1849 he followed the

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

rush of the gold seekers to California, but being unsuccessful in his quest he returned to Illinois. He died at Beaver Creek, Ill., in 1899 at the age of 88 years. Mr. Pike by his first wife, who was a Miss Woodard, had three chil- dren: Joseph B., an unnamed daughter who died in infancy and Amanda M. Joseph B. is a resident of Beaver Creek, Ill .; Amanda M. married Homer Weaver, and died at Lansingburg, N. Y. By his second wife, Sibyl Clarke, whom he married at Malone, N. Y., and who died in Lake City, this county, in 1879 at the age of 73 years, he had two children, Jennie, the widow of D. E. Cross of San Diego, Calif., and Nelson C., a real estate man of Lake City. Joseph Pike and family moved to Lake City in 1866.

Nelson C. Pike, a prominent real estate and insurance man of Lake City, formerly engaged in local and metropolitan journalism, was born at Warren, Lake County, Ill., November 18, 1848, the son of Joseph and Sibyl (Clarke) Pike. He came to Lake City after the Civil war, and here continued his edu- cation. Upon attaining his majority, he entered the office of the Lake City Leader to learn the printers' trade. From 1872 to 1873 he was employed by the Minneapolis Times and Tribune, and from 1874 to 1875 by the Chicago. Inter-Ocean. Then he returned to Lake City, and was again employed by the Lake City Leader. In 1879 he entered the real estate office of Joseph Man- ning at Lake City, and has since continued in the same line of business for 40 years. At Mr. Manning's death in 1898, he became the administrator of the estate, and three years later in 1901 he took it over in his own name. In addition to his extensive real estate business, he represents a number of lead- ing insurance companies. His 40 years' experience has given him a deep in- sight into real estate values in this region, and his judgment is highly re- garded. In addition to the farm lands which he holds from time to time as a part of his business, he owns a pleasant home in Lake City, and a comfort- able summer home at Pinehurst, on Long Lake, near, Park Rapids, Minn., where in the summer months he is enabled to indulge his enthusiasm for fishing and outdoor life. A thorough believer in education, Mr. Pike did effi- cient service as a member of the Lake City board of education for nine years. His Masonic connections are with Carnelian Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., Lake City; Hope Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., Lake City; Tyrian Council, No. 4, Red Wing; Lake City Commandery, No. 6, K. T .; Lake City Chapter, No. 75, O. E. S .; Winona Consistory, No. 4, A. & A. S. R., S. J .; and Osmund Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., St. Paul. The family faith is that of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of which he has been treasurer for many years. Mr. Pike was mar- ried November 30, 1875, to Rose N. Manning, daughter of Joseph and Miriam Manning, of Lake City, and this union was blessed with two sons, Jay N. and Roy M. Jay N. was born October 1, 1876, graduated from the Lake City high school and the dental department of the University of Minnesota, and is now practicing in Minneapolis. Roy M. was born September 29, 1879, and gradu- ated from the Lake City high school and from the Birmingham (England) School of Technology, and is now proprietor in London of an art metal plant which during the war was turned into a munitions plant. Mrs. Rose N. Man- ning Pike, who was born in Massachusetts, September 8, 1851, died at Lake City, March 19, 1899. June 8, 1901, Mr. Pike married Bertha E. Walter, born in Lake City, April 2, 1871, daughter of William L. and Laura H. Walter. Their home is brightened by a beloved adopted daughter, Mabel, born Janu- ary 30, 1904, and now a student in the Lake City schools.

August G. Schandel, manager of the Farmers Co-operating Creamery at Lake City, was born at Rochester, Minn., January 5, 1880, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Schandel. The parents were natives of Germany, who came to America about 1867, settling in Olmsted County, Minn., where they engaged in farming. They brought with them two children: Gustav H., now a butter maker in a creamery at Rapidan, Blue Earth County, Minn., and Mary, who is the wife of George Ahrus of Faribault County, Minn. August C. Schandel

alexander Huddleston

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

acquired a common school education in Faribault County. At the age of 17 he began working out as a farm hand in Olmsted County, Minn., and was thus occupied for about two years. Then he went to Rapidan to learn butter making with his brother Gustav, and was there two years. He then entered the employ of the Rome Co-operative Creamery Co. in Faribault County; was with that concern for two years, and was for three years subsequently in the employ of the St. Clair Co-operative Co. at St. Clair, Blue Earth County. After that, until 1916, he worked as butter maker at Glencoe, McLeod County. He then took a vacation of one year. On April 1, 1917, he came to Lake City to take his present position as manager and operator for the Farmers Co- operative Creamery Co., which position he has since held, being also a stock- holder in the company. A master of his trade, he turns out an excellent product, and his services have proved highly satisfactory. His political affili- ations are with the Republican party. Mr. Schandel was married, May 16, 1904, to Clara, daughter of Leopold and Anna Krum, of Blue Earth, Minn., and he and his wife began domestic life at St. Claire. They have had two children : Doris, born January 20, 1917, and John, who died in infancy.

Alexander Huddleston, who is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Glasgow Township, is a native of Wabasha County, having been born in Glas- gow Township, April 26, 1862, son of Thomas and Sarah (McIllreavie) Hud- dleston. He acquired his elementary education in the district school and sub- sequently took a course in stenography and bookkeeping in the Lake City Com- mercial College. During his early manhood he was associated with his father in operating farms in Glasgow Township, but for three years, from 1903 to 1906, he was employed in the construction department of the Dwelle Tele- phone Co. of Lake City. In 1907 he returned to the home farm in section 10, Glasgow Township, which he has since operated. It contains 225 acres, and is provided with a good residence, two modern barns, one 40 by 80 by 16 feet with an ell, and the other 20 by 60 by 16 feet, with a good basement for cattle and full steel equipment; also a triple-wall silo and substantial outbuildings, all electrically lighted. Mr. Huddleston follows general farming and is a suc- cessful breeder of pure-blooded Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He is a man of activity and enterprise, not only in matters pertaining to his busi- ness, but in others of public concern. He was chairman of the meeting held for the purpose of organizing the Wabasha County Farm Bureau Association and is now the first vice president of the Wabasha organization. He served on the school board of District No. 68 for nine years, and was town treasurer seven years. During the participation of the United States in the world war he took a leading part in patriotic work, serving as chairman of the Glasgow Township liberty loan drives; as a member of the Public Safety Commission for Wabasha County; as federal food administrator for Glasgow and West Albany Townships, with the Villages of Theilman and Dumfries; he took part in the war saving stamp drives and was a member of the Minnesota Motor Corps. In politics Mr. Huddleston is a staunch Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Republican State Central Committee and a member of the Agricul- tural Division of the Republican National Committee. Religiously he was reared a Presbyterian. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order, he being a member of Wapahasa Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of Wabasha; Hope Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., of Lake City; Lake City Commandery, K. T., No. 6, and Osmun Temple of the Mystic Shrine at St. Paul. Mr. Huddleston was married August 6, 1907, to Maude J. Grimm of Wabasha, in which place she was born January 4, 1886, daughter of William and Lovina (Cratt) Grimm. The domestic circle of Mr. and Mrs. Huddleston has been broad- ened and brightened by the birth of four children: Neil Alexander, May 5, 1908; Helen J., February 28, 1911; Sarah Lovina, November 2, 1916, and Mar- garet Esther, February 7, 1920.

Menzie Thomas Cliff, a prosperous and representative farmer of Lake Township, residing in section 17, was born in Frederickton, New Brunswick,

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

August 23, 1870, son of Jonathan B. and Jane (Good) Cliff. The parents, who were respectively of English and Scotch descent, settled in New Brunswick at an early day. They died before their son Menzie had finished his school course, and he had to make his own way in the world. After graduating from a business college, he was induced by friends in Menominee, Mich., to go to that place, and there he found a position as bookkeeper with the "K. C." Lumber Co., remaining with them for two years and a half. In 1894 he went to Minneapolis to take a similar position with R. B. Tomlins & Son, wholesale hatters, and was with that concern for a year. While residing in that city he made the acquaintance of Addie May Spaulding, daughter of Addison Russ and Lamoile (Sanborn) Spaulding, of Lake City, Minn., and was united in marriage with her on July 15, 1894. In March of the following year he and his wife came to. Wabasha County to care for her parents, both of whom died within a few years, the mother on September 15, 1901, and the father on April 15, 1902. On account of his wife's health Mr. Cliff then went to Colo- rado and for some time was engaged in the real estate business at Greely, that state. The Spaulding farm, which had come into their possession, was in the meanwhile rented out to a tenant. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Cliff returned to Wabasha County and took up their residence on the farm in section 17, Lake Township, which he has operated ever since. It formerly contained 126 acres, but by an additional purchase he has increased its area to 226 acres, and now has 165 under the plow. The farm is one of the best in the county and is beautifully situated on the bluff, commanding a fine view of Lake City, Lake Pepin and Maiden Rock on the Wisconsin side of the river. Mr. Cliff follows general farming and dairying, his dairy herd consisting of pure bred Jerseys, while his swine are graded Chester-Whites. Although he has bred and owned many fine Jerseys, "Ella B." of River Lawn was the star boarder in his herd for many years. On February 13, 1914, Mr. Cliff started her on an official test for one year, although she was then 12 years of age. At the completion of her test on February 13, 1915, it was found she had given 11,336.6 pounds of 5.42 per cent milk, which yielded 614.5 pounds of butter fat, or 722 pounds 15 ounces of butter. During this time she had dropped a living calf, which, with her record, gained her a place in Class AA, Register of Merit. This wonderful performance at her advanced age showed her to be one of the most productive Jerseys in the United States. Mr. Cliff has a good modern equipment and is conducting a profitable business. . Politically he is a Republican of broad tendencies, in casting his vote usually placing the man before the party. He and his wife are the parents of a son, Ivan Spauld- ing Cliff, who was born August 11, 1898. This son was graduated from the Lake City high school in 1917 as valedictorian of his class, and is now operat- ing the farm with his father. During the recent war with Germany he vol- unteered and was three months in the S. A. T. C. at Carleton College. He is a member of Carnelian Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Cliff and his family are members of the First Congregational Church in Lake City.

Addison R. Spaulding, an early settler in Wabasha County, was born in Lewis, Essex County, N. Y., November 15, 1837, son of Luke and Rosina (Densmore) Spaulding, who were respectively of English and Scotch descent, and who lived on the farm which has belonged to the Spaulding family since the year 1800. There he attended school and spent the first 19 years of his life. In 1856 he came to Wabasha County, locating in Lake City. Here he first found employment at teaming, there being considerable work of that character to be done in freighting merchandise and goods from the foot of Lake Pepin before the construction of the railroad. He was married Decem- ber 25, 1868, to Mrs. Lamoile Dawley, whose maiden name was Lamoile San- born. She was born at East Hardwick, Vt., June 1, 1831, and had come to the State of Wisconsin in the late fifties as a school missionary. At the time of her marriage with Mr. Spaulding she resided at Clinton Junction, Wis.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

She passed away on September 5, 1901 She had borne her husband one daughter, Addie May, born May 22, 1870, who is now the wife of Menzie T. Cliff, and resides with her husband and only son, Ivan, on the old Spaulding farm in section 17, in Lake Township. In 1873 Mr. Spaulding purchased from the Indians 126 acres on the bluff overlooking Lake Pepin and Lake City. In the letter inclosing the deed to the property from Frank Huot, then of Oak Dale, Neb., was written, "My grandmother saw the girl who leaped from Maiden Rock." About four or five acres of the tract had been cleared, and he continued the work of improvement until he had developed the place into a valuable farm, erecting a fine two-story frame house, which is pic- turesquely surrounded by large native oaks. He also erected other build- ings, planted a number of trees and did everything to make his farm a place of beauty as well as of utility, and today it would be hard to find another farm that exceeds it in either respect. Mr. Spaulding was widely known for his sheep breeding and wool sales, and owned and raised a large flock of Shrop- shire sheep. At the World's Columbian Commission and International Exhi- bition in 1893, held in Chicago, he was awarded a diploma of specific merit for his wool exhibit, and also a bronze medal in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the landing of Columbus. Mr. Spaulding had a successful career as a general farmer, and, with the exception of five years, which he spent in North Dakota as superintendent of a cattle ranch belong- ing to the Jewell Nursery Company of Lake City, he resided on his farm in Lake Township until his death, which occurred April 15, 1902. Mr. Spauld- ing was a man of wide reputation, both as a capable farmer and active and useful citizen, his character being unusual in justice and honesty. He served his township and county in responsible public offices, and was appointed ad- ministrator of a number of estates. Mr. Spaulding and wife were members of the Baptist church at Lake City and were always liberal in its support. Divided in death by only eight short months, they were both laid to rest in Lakewood Cemetery at Lake City.

Nicholas Rutz, a retired farmer residing in Lake City, where he owns a comfortable home, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., January 16, 1862, son of Louis and Isabella Rutz. The parents were natives of Germany, but were married in this country in La Crosse County, Wis., where they settled among the early arrivals, and engaged in farming. There the father died May 16, 1917, after a long and active career. The mother is now living at La Cres- cent, Minn. Nicholas Rutz was early trained to agricultural pursuits on his parents' farm, and was educated in a parochial school in his native county. At the age of 18 he began working for others as a farm hand, and was thus occupied for three years. On January 15, 1883, he was united in marriage with Mary Magdalene Hammes, who was born in Belgium, March 28, 1860, and was brought to this country by her parents when a babe. Her father was engaged for some years in the manufacture of furniture in Paris. Both he and his wife are now deceased. After his marriage Nicholas Rutz went to work at the carpenter's trade in La Crosse, and followed it there until 1898. He then bought an improved farm of 200 acres in Glasgow Township, Wa- basha County, Minn., where he had married his wife, and engaged in agricul- ture. Six years later he bought another tract of 160 acres, thus increasing the size of his farm to 360 acres, of which he improved 140 acres, leaving the rest in pasture and timber. The farm was located seven miles west of Kel- logg, and he was there occupied with general farming until 1917, when he retired and moved to Lake City, renting his farm. He had bought a house on Prairie avenue, but in 1919 he sold that and purchased his present resi- dence at 820 S. Oak street, which is a fine modern house. His career as a farmer was a successful one and he acquired an ample competence, the result of hard work and a sound practical knowledge of the business. Mr. and Mrs. Rutz have had ten children: Clara, now Mrs. Henry Geisler of Lake City;

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Mary, wife of William Fuhrman of West Albany Township; Helen, wife of August Echenberger of West Albany Township; John P. and Joseph L., who are deceased; and Henry J., Frank L., Edward, Theresa and Rosella, residing in, Lake City, Rosella attending the public school. The son Henry J. was in the United States' service during the recent war, training at Camp Dodge in the motor corps. He married Wilhemina Echenberger and resides at 702 South Oak street, Lake City.

Herman Ahlers, who was for some years an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Glasgow Township, was born in Westphalia, Germany, April 9, 1874, son of Martin and Mary Ahlers. He attended common school in his native land to the age of 14 and was then bound out to a farmer. After following agri- cultural pursuits in Germany until October, 1900, he came to America in com- pany with Henry Stamschror. Having no money at the time, he worked as a farm hand for two years in Glasgow Township, and afterwards for a year on the farm of Chris Grass of Wabasha Township. On November 19,.1902, Mr. Ahlers married Anna Helmsorig, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, Oc- tober 11, 1880, and to whom he had become attached while in the old country. After his marriage he started in for himself, renting farms for four years in Glasgow and Highland Townships. In 1906 he bought 200 acres in sections 2 and 3, Glasgow, and 11 acres in section 11, the place being known as the Nick Zeimetz farm. The land was improved, but the buildings were poor. The lat- ter condition he remedied in time, in 1914 building a good residence of nine rooms. With better buildings and an adequate equipment he followed general farming successfully, and had got everything into good shape when he met with a sudden and accidental death, being killed by lightning April 19, 1916. At the time of his death he was serving as supervisor, having filled that position for three years. He was a consistent member of the Catholic church and a good citizen, respected and esteemed throughout Glasgow Township and the vicinity. Since his death his widow has conducted the farm and has made further improvements on it. In 1920 she built a frame barn, 32 by 76 by 14 feet, and a silo 12 by 28 feet in size, and her equipment includes a Chalmers auto car. Mr. and Mrs. Ahlers were the parents of eight children, all of whom are now living, namely: Bernard Joseph, born January 23, 1904; Henry Her- man, November 1, 1905; Aloysius Anton, July 14, 1907; Marie Helen, March 31, 1909; Martin Henry, December 31, 1911; Martha Catherine, 1912; Anna Bertha, January 14, 1914; and Gertrude Magdaline, November 28, 1915.

Silas Zickrick, a prominent farmer of Highland Township, the owner and operator of a well improved farm of 250 acres, was born at St. Charles, Winona County, Minn., February 11, 1880, son of Edward E. and Hattie (Biers) Zick- rick. The father was born in Lomira, Dodge County, Wis., and the mother in Canton, Ohio. When children they came to Minnesota and were subsequently married in Olmsted County. In 1910 they came to Wabasha County, settling on a farm of 160 acres in Highland Township, having previously farmed for a number of years in Winona County. They had four children: Silas, Ray, Arnum and Etta, the last mentioned of whom is the wife of Elmer Pomery, a farmer of Downing, Wis. Silas Zickrick was reared on the home farm and educated in the district school. He remained at home assisting his father until reaching his majority, after which he worked for three years in Argyle, Minn., and in North Dakota. He then returned to St. Charles and for six years worked on farms in that vicinity. At the end of that period, or about 1910, at the time his parents moved to this county, he also came here and bought his present farm of 250 acres in section 1, Highland Township. At that time there were no improvements on the place, but since then he has cleared six acres and put 135 acres under cultivation, besides erecting all the buildings. These include a five-room house; a barn 32 by 50 feet, with a lean-to 24 by 50; a silo 14 by 36; machine shed 24 by 50; a granary 12 by 40, with a lean-to 16 by 40, also used as a machine shed; a chicken house 12 by 40; feed house 12 by 14, and a hog

MR. AND MRS. HERMAN AHLERS

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

house 12 by 24 feet. He has also fenced the entire farm. Mr. Zickrick carries on general farming and stock raising, breeding graded cattlte, Chester-White hogs and Belgian horses. He is a member of the Masonic order, having taken the thirty-second degree, Scottish rite, and also belongs to the Modern Wood- men. He was married at Kellogg, Minn., June 16, 1909, to Margaret Young, daughter of George and Catherine Young. Her father was born in Muskegon, Mich., and her mother in Iowa. They came to Wabasha County at an early day and followed farming, but are now retired and are living in Kellogg. Mr. and Mrs. Zickrick have one son, Kermit, who was born July 4, 1910, and is now attending school in Cook's Valley.

William L. Appel, well known in former days as an industrious and en- terprising farmer and sterling citizen of Highland Township, and not yet for- gotten, was born in Baden, Germany, September 18, 1842, son of Adam and Katherine (Eckert) Appel. He was young when he accompanied his parents to America, and as a boy attended school in Mercer County, Pa. Subsequently he learned the blacksmith's trade in Greenville, that state, which he followed there as a journeyman until 1866, when he came to Wabasha County, Minn. For three years he followed his trade in Highland Township, and at the end of that time turned his attention to farming, buying 205 acres in section 8. The land was raw and covered with timber, which he cleared off, also erecting a good frame house and other farm buildings. He continued successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death on the farm, July 29, 1910. He was a man highly esteemed and much regretted. Mr. Appel was married November 11, 1869, at Wabasha, to Margaret Arvilla Harncame, daughter of George and Elizabeth Harncame. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Minnesota in 1855 among the early settlers, locating first in Wabasha, where they remained five years. In 1860 they took land in section 6, Highland Town- ship, but later traded that farm to Henry Hampe for a farm in Cook's Valley, where they spent the rest of their lives, Mr. Harncame dying January 6, 1876, and his wife November 30, 1887. They had a family of eight children, of whom there are now only three survivors: Katherine, wife of Darwin Brainard, of Glenwood, Minn .; Mary E., wife of Peter Rasmussen, of Valley City, N. D .; and Margaret Arvilla, widow of William L. Appel. Those deceased are : James, Henrietta, Matilda, Alice and Sarah. Henrietta married Peter Rasmussen, who is also deceased. Matilda married Peter Hall, who is also deceased. Alice married a Mr. Runnels, and Sarah was the wife of Henry Leisen. Since Mr. Appel's death Mrs. Appel has rented out the farm, occupying a part of the house when not visiting her sisters.

William E. Rother, who ranks among the active and successful farmers of Highland Township, was born on a farm in section 18, this township, December 11, 1888, son of Gottlieb and Katherine (Sauerssig) Rother. The father, a na- tive of Germany, and the mother, a native of Wisconsin, came to Wabasha County, Minn., at an early day, taking a farm of 120 acres in sections 7 and 18, Highland Township. To this Mr. Rother subsequently added until he owned 260 acres. After operating his farm until advanced years he finally retired with a competence and took up his residence in Plainview, where he died in 1916. His wife is still living with her son, Edward. William E. Rother was reared on his parents' farm, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of agri- culture in its different branches, the district school supplying him with an education sufficiently practical for his career in life. After his father's retire- ment he and his brother, Edward, rented the home farm for five years and oper- ated it together, at the. end of which time they bought it. Two years later William sold his interest to Edward and bought the P. H. Feehan farm in sec- tion 17, also 80 acres of the Hogan farm, making 160 acres altogether, and it is on this place that he is now residing, carrying on general farming. He raises graded Hereford cattle, having a registered bull, and also Chester- White hogs. He has a good six-room residence, a substantial barn and other

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 104

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