History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 106

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

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John Schumann, who was a respected resident of Gillford Township for over 40 years, but has lately passed away, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, February 1, 1837. He grew to manhood in his native land and was married there, November 1, 1867, to Marie Will, also a native of Mecklenburg, born January 31, 1843. In 1873 Mr. Schumann with his family emigrated to the United States and coming to Wabasha County, Minnesota, settled in Gillford Township, where he engaged in farming. He and his wife then had three chil- dren. For the first year Mr. Schumann worked as a farm hand for others, hav-

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

ing arrived here very poor. At the end of that time he rented the Lippert place in West Albany Township and operated it three years. He then bought 80 acres in section 2, Gillford Township, on which farm he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, Mr. Schumann, after a successful career, being killed in an automobile accident on July 13, 1919. He had been a widower for more than a year, his wife having passed away April 16, 1918. They were the parents of the following named children: Fredericka Sophia, now Mrs. Claus Holst of Lake City; Caroline, who died in infancy; Minnie, wife of Ferdinand Brunkow of Herman, Minn .; Louis, Ida and John, who are deceased; Frederick C., a farmer in Gillford Township; William, deceased; August, who is on the home farm in Gillford Township; and Mary, who is now Mrs. Charles Abraham of Herman, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Schumann were members of the Jacksonville congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church, he being a charter member and a liberal supporter of it.

Frederick C. Schumann, the proprietor of a 240-acre farm in Gillford Township, was born in section 2, this township, November 25, 1877, son of John and Marie (Will) Schumann. The parents settled here in the early seventies and Frederick C. was educated in district school No. 19, at Jacksonville, which he attended to about the age of fourteen. Up to the age of 22 he remained on the home farm, assisting his father. Then on August 31, 1899, he married Catherine Ehlers, who was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, July 16, 1880, her parents being among the earliest settlers here. Mr. Schu- mann began farming for himself on the Henry Schlichting farm on section 2, Gillford Township, renting the place for ten years. In 1910 he removed to his present farm, which he rented up to 1913, buying it in the fall of that year. It contains 240 acres, all improved, and when he came into possession it had a good house but the other buildings were poor. Mr. Schumann has erected a frame barn, 40 by 86 by 14 feet, with a full nine-foot cement-block basement, provided with a steel equipment and with room for 75 head of cattle; a garage; a combined milk and washhouse; a hog house 22 by 34; corn cribs, an icehouse, machine shed, and a tile silo 12 by 35 feet. He has also installed a hot-air heating plant in the house and made other modern improvements. He is suc- cessfully carrying on diversified farming, giving considerable attention to stock raising. His present herd of high grade Shorthorns numbers 60 head and in- cludes about 20 milch cows, and he has a herd of 35 to 40 grade hogs. His buildings are provided with running water and equipped with the Delco electric light system, and his operating equipment includes a Case thresher and two auto cars, a Ford and a Chevrolet. In addition to his direct farming interests Mr. Schumann is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator of Lake City, the Lake Pepin Creamery, of Lake City, in which he is also a director, and the Shipping Association of Lake City. For a number of years he has served on the school board of his district, No. 19; politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Schumann are the parents of eight children, who were born as follows: Lu- cina M. Augusta, August 16, 1900; Lawrence Deidrich Heinrich, August 30, 1901; Harry Herman Frederick, October 12, 1902; Helen Mary Johanna, March 19, 1904; Leona Marguerite Catherine, October 9, 1905; Isabella Martha, Janu- ary 28, 1907; Luella Henrietta Sophia, September 12, 1908; and Evelyn Anna, March 29, 1910. The Schumanns are one of the prominent families of Gillford Township and are affiliated religiously with the Jacksonville congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church. All the children reside at home except Lucina, who is now Mrs. John Wiebush, her husband being a farmer of Gill- ford Township.

Joseph Rolandt, a prominent representative of the farming industry in Gillford Township, was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, June 8, 1856, son of Henry and Mary (Schultz) Rolandt. He came to America with his parents in the fall of 1874, the family settling on a farm in West Albany Township, where Joseph lived until about 1894. The father, Henry Rolandt, died in the fall of

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1896, and the mother in the spring of 1906. Joseph had been given a common school education in Germany and attended school two winters after coming to Wabasha County. He began working as a farm hand three days after arriving in the county, and was four years in the employ of Christ Wempner. On Decem- ber 16, 1879, he married Anna Stohrman, who was born in Glasgow Township, October 27, 1862, daughter of Frederick and Mary Stohrman, and at the time of his marriage he bought a farm of 80 acres in section 13, Gillford Township, where he remained five years. He then sold that place and bought 160 acres in section 23. This was a farm with improved land, but poor buildings, and Mr. Rolandt built better ones, though with an eye to further improvements in the future. In 1906 he rebuilt the house, which is now a comfortable two-story residence; and in 1915 he erected a good frame barn and has now all necessary buildings. He is successfully following diversified farming, keeping grade Hereford cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Shropshire sheep; he also does dairying and is the owner of a threshing outfit. In politics he is independent. He and his family are members of the Jacksonville congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church, which he served as trustee for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Rolandt have been the parents of six children: Clara S., born October 15, 1880; Alvina M., May 5, 1882; Anna Minnie, April 26, 1886; Frederick H., June 24, 1892; Joseph F., September 29, 1894; Alfred Frederick, May 18, 1901. Clara S. is still residing on the home farm. Alvina M. married John Burfeind of Mt. Pleasant Township and died May 13, 1918. Anna Minnie is the wife of Herman Heldt, a farmer of Goodhue County. Frederick H., who took a mechanical course at the Southern Normal University at Austin, Minn., served in the World War, being inducted into the U. S. service as a private in 1917. He trained at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and was promoted to corporal in the auto mechanic depart- ment, Company C, A. E. F., and served in France, going across in November, 1918. He served until March, 1919, being attached to the 313th ammunition train. Joseph F. is a farmer in Gillford Township.

Frederick Stohrman, a Wabasha County pioneer who had a notable and adventurous career, was a native of Hanover, Germany. He emigrated to the United States at an early day and took part in the rush to the California gold fields, where he met with more success than fell to the lot of the average ad- venturer. At last, not caring to stay there any longer, he returned east to Minnesota and settled at Funk's Ford on the Zumbro river in Glasgow Town- ship, Wabasha County, where he engaged in farming. He died quite well to do about the close of the Civil War period, his loss being greatly regretted. Having more money than almost any of his neighbors, he was not only able, but willing, to assist new arrivals, and a number of the pioneer settlers here owed much to his friendly help. Mr. Stohrman married Mary Ending, who survived him many years, dying October 10, 1900, in Lake City. They reared a family of four daughters and one son, the daughters who are now living, being: Emma, who married Frank Hoppe and has been a widow for twenty years, being now a resident of Breckenridge, Minn .; Eliza, who is the widow of Peter Peters and lives in Lake City, Mr. Peters having died 14 years ago; Anna, now Mrs. Joseph Rolandt of Gillford Township; Clara who is the wife of William Deifenbrock, and Frank, who is deceased.

Max C. Wimmer, now deceased, who was for twelve years engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Gillford Township, was born at Frontenac, Goodhue County, Minn., July 24, 1866, son of George and Sophia Wimmer. The parents were natives of Mecklenburg, Germany, and came to this country at an early day, settling in Goodhue County. Max C. Wimmer was given a common school education and received his industrial training on the farm. On January 17, 1890, he married Margaret Meyer, who was born in Hanover, Germany, April 17, 1866, daughter of Carson and Anna Meyer. She came to the United States with a brother and sister, John C. and Anna, her parents coming three years later and settling in Wabasha County, Minnesota. Max C. Wimmer and wife began

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home making as renters on the Candell farm in Gillford Township and remained there about seven years. They then removed to the farm on which Mrs. Wimmer now resides, in section 18, Gillford, containing 150 acres of tillable land, and which is one of the good farms of the township. It was operated by Mr. Wimmer until his death on June 24, 1902, and has since been further im- proved by his wife, who built in 1918 a modern two-story, ten-room house; also, in 1912, a good barn, 36 by 60 by 14 feet, with a tile basement of 8 feet; a steel mill and other necessary structures. Mr. Wimmer was a sturdy type of man, a good worker and farmer, and a respected citizen. He was a Republican in politics and served on the school board of his district No. 70. With his family he belonged to the Trinity congregation of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was liberal in its support. He assisted in building the present church edifice, which was his last work of a public spirited character. Mr. and Mrs. Wimmer became the parents of two children, both daughters, namely: Amalia Anna Georgina, born November 21, 1890, and Elda Sophia Catherine, born July 11, 1897. The elder daughter married John A. Tiedeman of Gillford Township, and has one child, Evelyn, who was born November 19, 1911. The younger daughter, Elda, is the wife of Louis P. Tiedeman, and resides with her mother, her husband operating the Wimmer farm. She has one child, Marion A., born June 8, 1919. The Wimmers are a highly respected family in the com- munity and have a comfortable residence being supplied with a hot air furnace and lighted by electricity, with other modern conveniences.

George J. Purcell, in former years a successful farmer and well known citizen of Gillford Township, but now deceased, was born in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in 1843, son of Timothy and Margaret Purcell. He was educated in the common schools, grew to manhood in his native state, and remained there until 1865, when he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minnesota, the family locating on section 24, Gillford Township. The tract they bought. consisted of 160 acres, the previous owner being a Mr. Hayes. But little of it was broken and the buildings were very poor. The Purcells at once began to make improvements, in which the son, George, took an active part, and in time a good farm was developed. On this farm George J. Purcell resided all his life, with the exception of three years spent in Lake City, and after the death of his parents he became its owner. His father died in October, 1882, and his mother on June 18, 1884. His own ownership of the property, however, lasted but a few years, as he himself passed away on December 6, 1890. Mr. Purcell was one of eight children, Richard, Thomas, Ellen, George J., Bridget, Margaret, Mary and one who died in infancy. Richard, who was a farmer, died at Ross, N. D. Thomas, also a farmer, died at Aberdeen, Wash. Ellen, who married Thomas White, died in Chicago, 1918. Bridget is the wife of John McShane of North Yakima, Wash., her husband being a fruit grower. Margaret is now Mrs. John Whelan of Waseca, Minn. Mary died at the home of her brother Thomas at Aberdeen, Wash. George J. Purcell was married on January 6, 1881, to Eliza M. Reedy, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Reedy, and who grew up in the same locality as her husband, they being ac- quainted in early youth. Her parents subsequently engaged in farming in Gillford Township, Wabasha County, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell were the parents of five children: Mary E., born November 25, 1882; Margaret A., February 22, 1884; George J., August 10, 1885; Francis J., September 10, 1887; and Helen K., November 14, 1891. Mary E. is now a graduate nurse employed in the Mayo Brothers' hospital at Rochester. Margaret, who graduated from the Lake City high school and the University of Southern Minnesota, has been a teacher in the primary department of the public schools for the last nine years. George J., who is a farmer at Alberta, Canada, is married and has four children, George Burnette, Margaret, Robert McLean and Francis J. Helen K., a graduate of the University of Southern Minnesota, has been a teacher for the last five years. Francis J., who is unmarried, is operating the home

MRS. BERTHA HUBER

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farm for his mother, having been in charge since 1907. General farming is carried on and the farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine. There is a good set of buildings, in 1918 a new barn having been erected, 36 by 80 by 14 feet, with a full cement block basement; also a tile silo 14 by 42 feet, with a capacity of 150 tons. The crop products of the farm are mostly fed back to the stock. George J. Purcell, Sr., was not only an indus- trious and successful farmer, but also a public spirited citizen, devoting some of his time to the public service. For some years he was a helpful member of the town board, and also served on the school board of his district, No. 20. Politically he was a Democrat. The family are Catholics in religious faith and members of St. Patrick's parish at West Albany.

Albert Huber, a native of Wabasha County, for many years engaged in farming in Greenfield Township, but now deceased, was born July 6, 1859, son of John and Caroline (Wacholtz) Huber. He received a district school educa- tion, and for a number of years worked on his parents' farm, assisting his father. After that he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account, for a few years operating a rented farm. In 1883 he bought 80 acres in section 9, Greenfield Township, which place he improved by the erection of a house, and he subsequently followed general farming, including truck raising, and keep- ing some stock, until his death on May 29, 1907. Since then the farm has been successfully operated by his wife, who has put up a new barn and other build- ings. Mr. Huber was married December 3, 1878, to Bertha Birkly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Birkly. Nine children were the fruit of this union, as follows: Elizabeth, born May 26, 1880, now Mrs. Victor Gustavson; John, born May 24, 1881, who died August 24, 1882; Caroline, born June 26, 1882, now Mrs. Hubert Marking; Albert, born July 3, 1884; George, born September 19, 1885; William, born June 30, 1886; Frank, born March 2, 1888, who died Oc- tober 4, 1889; Louie, born July 28, 1892, who died August 26, 1892; and Louisa, born July 28, 1894. The last mentioned is now Mrs. Cyrus Hylmer of Deer Park Wis. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Catholic church.

Hugh Leonard, former superintendent of schools of Wabasha County, for the last six years a member of the state legislature, and who also has busi- ness and agricultural interests in the county, was born in Gillford Township, Wabasha County. March 4, 1865. His parents, Hugh and Catherine (Boland) Leonard, were natives of County Fermanagh, Ireland, where they were mar- ried, and where also they continued to reside until 1855, when they came to the United States. For about four years they remained in New York state, where three children were born to them, and then in 1859 they came to Wabasha County, Minn., disembarking from a steamboat at Read's Landing almost des- titute of funds. From that place to a location in Hyde Park Township-a dis- tance of 20 miles-they proceeded on foot, Mrs. Catherine Leonard carrying her youngest child in her arms. The five or six years they spent in Hyde Park Township were years of struggle and privation, but they made some progress, and at the end of that period bought 320 acres of wild land in Gillford Town- ship, on their tract building a log cabin. Mr. Leonard then bought a team of oxen and began the development of his new farm, a task which occupied him for many years. There he died on April 9, 1909. For the last nine years of his life he had been a widower, his wife having passed away on the home farm February 2, 1900. The children born to them were as follows: James, now a farmer near Hettinger, N. D .; Mary Ann, who married James McCaffrey, and died at St. Thomas, Minn., where her husband was engaged in farming; Michael, now deceased; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Hugh Mc- Caffrey, of Wabasha; Theresa, wife of Hugh McGuigan, of South St. Paul; William, a farmer in Gillford Township; Hugh, the subject of this sketch; and Thomas, who is a farmer in Gillford Township, and owner of part of the old home farm. Hugh Leonard acquired his elementary education in the common schools, after which he was a pupil for two years in the Lake City high school,

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and for two years in the Winona Normal School. He then took up the profes- sion of a teacher, and was thus occupied for three years in District 3, Pepin Township, Wabasha County, having 100 pupils enrolled. His next school was at Mazeppa, this county, Minn., which he taught three years and subsequently he spent several years in teaching other schools in the county. Having shown more than ordinary ability as an educator, Mr. Leonard was elected to the office of county superintendent, in which he served two terms, from January 1, 1899, to December 31, 1902, making as good a record as a superintendent as he had as a teacher. Since 1907 he has owned and operated 160 acres of the old home farm in Gillford Township, and now has it all under cultivation except 10 acres. He breeds Shorthorn and Durham cattle, having full blooded sires for his herds. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Shipping and Elevator Association of Millville, which he is serving as vice president, and is president of the Plainview Farm- ers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1914 he was elected to the state legis- lature, in which body, through successive re-elections, he has since continued to serve. Politically he is a Democrat. On May 9, 1889, Mr. Leonard was

united in marriage with Margaret McCullogh, who was born in Oakwood Town- ship, Wabasha County, Minn., May 31, 1891, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McCullogh. Eight children have been born of this union, as follows: Thomas Howard, January 20, 1891; William Grover, March 30, 1893; Joseph Homer, July 4, 1896; Ambrose, March 11, 1899; John, in March, 1903; Marguerite, March 30, 1905; and Helen Angela, May 30, 1908. The eldest son, Thomas H., who is unmarried, is now living on the home farm. William G. is married and is a farmer in West Albany Township. Joseph H. is inspector in the U. S. immigration office at Winnipeg, Canada. Ambrose and John are both de- ceased, Ambrose having died in infancy, and John when two and a half years old. Marguerite is a student in Lake City High School. Helen Angela is resid- ing at home with her parents. Mr. Leonard and his family are Catholics in religious faith, being members of St. Patrick's parish at West Albany, which he is serving as trustee and secretary.

Patrick Cronin, who took part in advancing the agricultural interests of Wabasha County by the development of a good farm in Gillford Township, but who some eight years ago joined the silent majority, was born in West Albany Township, this county, in March, 1862, son of Patrick and Mary Cronin. The parents came to Wabasha County, Minn., from Ireland in the latter fifties, locating in Hyde Park Township, whence, after a few years, they moved to West Albany Township, near the Catholic church. Both are now deceased. Patrick Cronin (Jr.) was reared on his parents' farm and educated in the dis- trict school. He followed agriculture all his life, beginning for himself at the age of 21, when he bought 320 acres of productive land in Gillford Township, section 14. When he took possession there were no buildings, but he erected a good set, including a substantial and comfortable frame house, and all neces- sary barns and outbuildings. With an adequate equipment he carried on gen- eral farming successfully until his death on February 13, 1911. Politically he was a Democrat, with independent tendencies, in casting his vote placing the man above the party, and in religion was a Catholic and a member of St. Pat- rick's congregation in West Albany Township. Mr. Cronin was married June 21, 1898, to Mary Laqua, who was born in Gillford Township, this county, Janu- ary 1, 1880, daughter of William and Mary Laqua. Of this union five children were born: William P., July 12, 1899, who is now helping his mother to operate the home farm; Edward James, born January 17, 1901, who died in June the same year; Edward Joseph, born November 14, 1902, who is living on the home farm; Mary Rita, born April 17, 1905; and John Sylvester, born July 6, 1908, who being the youngest members of the family, are also living at home with their mother. After her husband's death Mrs. Cronin moved to Lake City, but in 1918 she returned to the farm, where she has since resided.

ERNEST V. FOSTER

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Frederick Scholts, who was formerly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Gillford Township, but is now passed away, was born in Hanover, Germany, April 17, 1827. He was reared in his native land, where he became a farmer, and where in the sixties he married Marie Wiebusch. In 1877 he came with his family to Minnesota, and for six years worked on the John Martin farm in Gillford Township, Wabasha County. In 1883 Mr. Scholts moved to the Jona- than C. Haradon farm as a renter, it being a farm of 120 acres situated in sec- tion 12. Here he remained as a renter for some years, and then with his son, John, bought the property. The rest of his life was spent in cultivating and improving this farm, on which he died November 19, 1903. He and his wife had three children: John, born March 26, 1869; Rebecca, born December 19, 1873; and Margaret, born September 14, 1876. John is now manager and part owner of the farm, on which his mother, who shares the ownership with him, and his sister, Margaret, also reside, the latter being the housekeeper. The daughter Rebecca, who was married June 28, 1905, to Henry Wolfe, a mechanic of St. Paul, died in that city April 16, 1919. She left two children: Helen, born May 10, 1906, and Margaret, born April 11, 1909. The Scholts farm is a good piece of agricultural property and is situated 10 miles from Lake City. It has a good set of buildings and general farming is carried on with profitable results. Mrs. Scholts was born in Hanover, Germany, December 26, 1844. She and her chil- dren are members of the Jacksonville congregation of the Evangelical Luth- eran church, and are well known and respected throughout Gillford Township and the vicinity. Politically John Scholts is a staunch member of the Repub- lican party.

David Boss, who is traveling the road to fortune along agricultural lines in the township of Gillford, was born in this township August 6, 1881, son of Andrew and Jeanette (Nesbitt) Boss. His parents, natives of Scotland, were among the Wabasha County pioneers of 1863. He was reared on the home farm and in his boyhood attended district school No. 88, continuing his studies up to the age of 17. In 1901 he was graduated from the Minnesota Agricultural Col- lege, and in 1908 he bought the home farm, on which he has always resided, and is now operating it as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Boss breeds pure blooded Hereford cattle, having now a herd of about 50, and raises about the same number of pure blood Poland-China hogs annually, together with a good grade of Shropshire sheep. He has greatly improved the buildings on his farm and has built a tile silo and other necessary structures. He has also provided himself with a first class operating equipment. His business interests are not entirely confined to his farm, as he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Shipping Association of Zumbro Falls, the Farmers' Elevator Co. of the same place, of which he is an officer ; the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Zumbro Falls, the Zumbro Falls Farmers' Telephone Co., and the Terminal Packing Co. of Newport, Minn. A Democrat in politics, he has served as town clerk for the past three years and is a member of the school board of his district. He has a wide acquaintance throughout this part of the county and is universally re- spected.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 106

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