History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 109

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

He makes a specialty of dairying, keeping Jersey cattle, of which he has at the present time about 26; ships on an average of 80 Duroc-Jersey swine yearly ; and also breeds Percheron horses and Shropshire sheep, of the latter now hav- ing a flock of about 60. He is a member of the Plainview Stock Shipping Asso- ciation. His society affiliations include membership in the Old Settlers' Asso- ciation and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family attend the Congregational church. Mr. Christison was married December 24, 1900, to Addie Horn, of Plainview, who was born in Plainview Township, daughter of John and Nancy Horn, and who died October 31, 1918. He and his wife became the parents of three children: William J., born November 23, 1901; Mildred E., September 7, 1906, and Everett G., July 8, 1909. All three are residing on the home farm. William J. is a graduate of the Plainview High School in the class of 1920, while the other two are attending the public school. Such in brief outline is the sketch of one of Wabasha County's modern and most progressive farmers-a class of men who, though they have not had to contend with the difficulties experienced by their predecessors, the pioneers, have carried the science of agriculture to a point never dreamed of by those early settlers in the days of their most vigorous labors, and are enjoying a reward far beyond what they ever received.

Moritz Anding, one of the hardy pioneers of Wabasha County, now de- ceased, who developed a farm in Gillford Township, was a native of Germany, where he learned and followed the trade of cooper. He was there married to Dorothy Clemenhagen, and continued his residence in his native land until 1853, when he came with his family to America, locating in Iowa County, Wis., not far from the village of Highland. The nearest place worth calling a market was Galena, Ill., 50 miles distant, whence with an ox team he hauled his farm products and brought back necessary supplies. When he arrived at Highland from Germany he had practically no money. The trip had been a long one, lasting nearly three months, as they had crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and as there was no railroad from Madison, Wis., to Highland, they hired a team to transport them and their luggage. The hire of this wagon and team cost $25, and the driver refused to unload their things until he had been paid. This Mr. Anding was unable to do, and the neighbors, who proved very kind, came to his assistance. His family then numbered seven people, and to sup- port them he worked at whatever he could find to do, laying stone, plastering, or anything else. In the spring of 1866 he came with them to Wabasha County, Minn., having previously bought some wild land in section 13 Gillford Town- ship, and his son William having come the previous fall and being already on the ground. William in the meanwhile had been splitting rails and fencing the farm. With this son's assistance Mr. Anding grubbed and cleared the land and built a frame house, hauling the lumber from Read's Landing with horses, as he had brought two horse teams from Wisconsin. On this farm Mr. Anding lived seven years, at the end of which time he sold 80 acres of it to his son William, and the rest to a neighbor, and moved with his wife to Read's Landing. There Mrs. Anding died in the fall of 1878, and Mr. Anding subsequently mar- ried a lady of Minneapolis, where he took up his residence and died in August, 1897. By his first wife, Dorothy, he had eight children: Mary, now the widow of Fred Stahman, formerly of Lake Township, Wabasha County; Georgiana, who married Charles Hornbaghen, a carpenter of Read's Landing; Frederick, deceased; William, of Gillford Township; Mary, the widow of Capt. Henry Slocum of Winona; Charles, a resident of Winona; Herman, an engineer who died at Pierre, S. D., where his family is still living; and Lizette, wife of Edwin Porter of St. Paul. Mr. Anding was a hard worker and a useful man in his township, ready to lend a hand to any project for the public welfare. He donated and hauled the lumber for the first schoolhouse, which he also built, with the assistance of Sam McCullom. His son William, then only a boy, drove the team which hauled the first load of lumber for the schoolhouse. Mr. Anding

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM ANDING

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

also served as first treasurer of the school district, and that office has always been held by some member of the family, his grandson, William H., being now the incumbent.

William Anding, Sr., a leading citizen of Gillford Township, where he was in former years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, but is now retired, was born in Hesse, Germany, March 16, 1847, son of Moritz and Dorothy (Clem- enhagen) Anding. He was a young child when he accompanied his parents to America, and resided with them for a short time near Highland, Wis. In the fall of 1855 he came alone to Gillford Township, Wabasha County, Minn., to split rails and fence a farm, or tract of wild land, that his father had purchased here in section 13, and was joined by the rest of the family in the following spring. This farm he helped his father to develop, and when his parents moved to Read's Landing, about 1873, William Anding bought 80 acres of the home farm, where he has since resided. His original 80 acres, however, have been increased by him to 400, by additional purchases, and he has developed an excellent farm. Industrious and frugal, he achieved success, and continued actively engaged in agricultural work until 1905, when he retired, and has since led a life of comparative leisure. His son, William H., operates the original 80 acres of the old homestead. William Anding, Sr., was married March 19, 1872, to Magdalena Kirchner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kirchner of Glas- gow Township, Wabasha County.

She was born in La Crosse County, Septem- ber 16, 1854, being the first white child born in that locality. She died June 23, 1918, after 46 years of happy married life, and was laid to rest in Jacksonville cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. William Anding, Sr., had five children, all of whom are now living and prosperous. They are as follows: Charles F., born October 21, 1873, now a resident of Gillford Township; William H., born August 14, 1875, also of Gillford Township; Martha E., born April 23, 1878, who married Frederick Engel of West Albany Township, but is now living in Elgin Town- ship; Adeline M., born December 23, 1882, who is at home keeping house for her father; and Lillian A., born April 8, 1893, who is now Mrs. Edward Wieck of Gillford Township. All these children were given a common school educa- tion, and Charles F., in addition, attended agricultural school for two winters. Mr. Anding is a member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church, which he has served for years as treasurer.

Ernest J. K. Strandberg, a partner in the Strandberg Art Glass Co. of Lake City, was born near Stockholm, Sweden, March 3, 1876, son of C. J. and Olivia Strandberg. He was educated in the common schools of his native land, which he attended up to his graduation at the age of 12 years. During the two following summers he worked on a farm. At the age of 14 he began to learn the glass cutter's trade, which he subsequently followed in Sweden until 1903, when, having in the meantime married, he came to the United States, locating first in New York. Later he and his brother, T. H. Strandberg, with a partner, G. Carlson, established the Twin City Cut Glass Co. In the fall of 1911 a branch of the business was established in Lake City, and continued under the same name until April, 1911, when the triple partnership was dissolved and a new one formed of the Strandberg brothers, under the present firm name of the Strandberg Cut Glass Co. The head office and plant of the concern are still located in St. Paul the subject of this sketch having charge of the Lake City factory. The enterprise has been highly successful, the concern manu- facturing a high grade of glassware. Ernest J. K. Strandberg was married September 14, 1901, to Ruth L. Carlson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carlson, her parents being natives of Sweden and her father a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. She was born in Hallsburg, Sweden, February 17, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Strandberg are the parents of two children: Ernest Henry, born February 15, 1903, who is a student in the Lake City high school, and is also a glass cutter; and Ruth Anna, born February 16, 1907, who is a student in the eighth grade of the Lake City school. Mr. Strandberg is a citizen of the United

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

States and a Republican in his political affiliations. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Lake City.

Daniel C. Slauson, a respected citizen of Glasgow Township, who is at present operating the Thomas Huddleston farm, besides occasionally active in other industrial pursuits, was born at Nappanee, Ind., November 25, 1890, son of Albert and Elizabeth (Hughs) Slauson. On his father's side he is Pennsyl- vania Dutch, his mother's family being Irish. In his boyhood he attended the common school at Nappanee, and at the age of 14 had to go out into the world for himself. In the summer of 1908 he came to Dumfries, Wabasha County, Minn., being then a young man of 18, and soon after his arrival here he took a business course at the Southern Minnesota Normal College at Austin, Minn. On entering the ranks of industry he learned the carpenter's and cement work- er's trades, and having also picked up a knowledge of farming, has worked more or less at all three occupations. As a farm hand he worked six years in Glasgow Township, and is now operating the farm of 120 acres belonging to his father-in-law, Thomas Huddleston. Mr. Slauson was married October 14, 1914, to Edna L., daughter of Thomas and Sarah (McIllreavie) Huddleston. Her father, who is still living in Dumfries, is an old pioneer of Wabasha County, and a veteran of the Civil War, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Slauson have one child, Wilbur Thomas, who was born August 14, 1915. Mrs. Huddleston, Sr., being now deceased, Mrs. Slauson presides as housekeeper for her father and her own family. Mr. Slauson is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Wapahasa Lodge, No. 14, at Wa- basha. He attends the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is a member, and politically is a Republican. Enterprising and industrious, he has made financial progress and is esteemed by his fellow citizens, his wife also being socially popular.

George W. Mack, early settler of Olmsted County, and veteran of the Civil War, was born in Connecticut in 1839, son of Orilana Mack, a veteran of the war of 1812, grandson of John Mack, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and descended from John Mack and Dr. David Fuller, who came over in the May- flower in 1620. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm near Norwich, Conn., and came to Minnesota in 1859, locating in Olmsted County. On October 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Third Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry. After that regiment was captured by General Forrest and paroled, it did valiant service against the Indians on our western frontier. After receiv- ing his honorable discharge September 2, 1865, Mr. Mack returned to his Olm- sted County farm, and there remained until 1871. He then removed to Swift County, this state, where he died May 29, 1872. He was a Republican in pol- itics, and his fraternal associations were with the Odd Fellows of Rochester. George W. Mack was married January 10, 1870, to Margaret E. Utter, born in New York state, daughter of Alex M. and Alida M. (Putnam) Utter. This union resulted in one son, Will G. Mack, editor of the Plainview News. Mrs. Mack died September 22, 1887.

Alex M. Utter, educator, farmer and Civil War veteran, was born in Wash- ington County, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in 1857, and to Minnesota in 1861, locating in Elgin Township. He was a man of good education and broad read- ing, and became an early teacher. From this county he moved to Swift County, this state, where, after teaching a while, he became county superintendent, a position he retained for some 17 years. He was a man of highest ideals as to conduct and education, and the educational system of Swift County still bears the impress of his influence, personality and untiring work. In the nineties he returned to Wabasha County and here spent his declining years at Plainview, where he died in September, 1896. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company G, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was also an early member of the Masonic order. Mr. Utter married Alida M. Putman, a native of Montgomery County, N. Y. She died in June, 1906.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Joseph W. Marshall, for many years a well known farmer and stock dealer of Plainview, attained prosperity by his own efforts, stood well in the com- munity, and he and his good wife gave the best of rearing and education to the largest family in Wabasha County. He was born in Crawford County, Penn., October 5, 1831, son of I. P. and Isabel (Wilson) Marshall, descended on the paternal side from an old Vermont family, and on the maternal side from good old Pennsylvania stock. He was reared to farm pursuits at home and in 1857 came to Wabasha County with F. L. Meachum, and located on a farm in section 3, Elgin Township. Later he disposed of this land and purchased 240 acres adjoining. He gradually developed into the dairying and stock raising business and in time became a stock dealer, breeding, buying, feeding and shipping. For some years he was in partnership with Mr. Meachum, with whom he came to the county. He was well regarded in the community, was a charter member of Plainview Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., and in politics was a Democrat. Mr. Marshall was married April 6, 1857, to Elizabeth Cram, daughter of Humphrey Cram, of Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with 16 children: Cloe A., Murray A., Otis H., Abel A., Alice I., Ever E., Elmer, Olney, Hattie, Grace, Maude, Mary, Layton, Arthur, Charles and Flossie. Of this splendid family all are living except Murray A.

Will G. Mack, editor of the Plainview News, is a splendid example of the modern small city newspaper man. An adept in thoroughly modern journalism, and an expert in up-to-date business methods, he produces a newsy, influential paper, and maintains a printing office that is a model of business efficiency. A native of this region, he is thoroughly conversant with the needs of the com- munity, and the characteristics of its citizens, which gives to his paper a neighborly tone not often found in such a sheet. The news he records is that of the people with whom he has spent the greater part of his life, the successes he heralds are those of people with whom he has been associated from youth, the deaths and misfortunes he transcribes are those of friends who have been near to him since boyhood, and his paper is thus a family journal in a much deeper sense that a newspaper usually attains. While conservative in judg- ment, Mr. Mack is the friend of every move that has for its objet the better- ment of the community, and his personal work and the influence of his paper has been an important factor in many of the improvements that have enhanced the value of property, and made the vicinity a more desirable place in which to live. Will G. Mack was born in Quincy Township, Olmsted County, Minn., February 17, 1871, son of George W. and Margaret E. (Utter) Mack. He lost his father when but a little over one year old. At the age of 12 he started his career by securing work in a hotel, where he worked for his board and clothes while attending school. For a time thereafter he worked as a cattle ranchman. In 1888 he entered the field of journalism and printing in the em- ploy of Toland & McCune of Benson. He came to Plainview in 1892 and en- tered the employ of the Plainview News. In 1899 he and W. J. Walton started the Plainview Record, issuing the first number September 23, 1899. In 1902 Mr. Mack bought out his partner and became the sole owner. In 1903, after the Plainview News had been burned out, the two papers were consolidatd and Mr. Mack became the sole owner and proprietor. In 1912 he erected the present sightly and convenient office and printing plant. Mr. Mack is prom- inent in Masonry, being a member of Illustrious Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., Plainview; Winona Consistory, No. 4, S. R. M., and Osmand Temple, A. A. O., N. M. S. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Independent Order of Foresters and Odd Fellows. In politics he is a staunch Republican. On June 28, 1893, Mr. Mack married Maude E. Marshall, daughter of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Cram) Marshall, and this union has been blessed with three children : Glenn Ira, born October 14, 1894; Robert Joe, born September 25, 1896, and Margaret Elizabeth, born January 8, 1901. Robert J. Mack enlisted in the navy April 27, 1917, and was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training

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HISTORY OF WABASHA. COUNTY

Station. He was transferred to the S. S. Charleston, doing convoy duty, then transport duty. In July, 1919, he re-enlisted for two years and is now serving on the Pacific coast as a first class seaman and gunner's mate. Glenn Mack went into service September 3, 1919, and remained at Camp Grant until being discharged November 30, 1919.

John Robert Foley, county attorney for Wabasha County, and a man who has established a high record as a useful and patriotic citizen, was born at Barry, Traverse County, Minn., November 1, 1890, son of Daniel and Ellen (Dunn) Foley. He belongs to that sturdy Hibernian race which has taken so prominent a part in the development and progress of the United States and the British colonies along professional, business and industrial lines, and which has always maintained its faith and hope for the future in spite of oppression and unjust restriction upon its natural ambitions. The father, Daniel Foley, who was born in Ireland about 1850, emigrated to the United States at the age of 29 years, leaving his native land April 29, 1879, landing at New York, and reaching St. Paul, Minn., May 12. There he found employment in the Great Northern Railway shops, and several years later, on April 1, 1883, was married to Ellen Dunn, who was born in Ireland about 1858, and had come to this country. While in the employ of the railroad Mr. Foley assisted in building the Milwaukee Short Line railway between St. Paul and Minneapolis. In 1883 he moved to Traverse County, Minn., and homesteaded 160 acres of unbroken prairie land three miles north of the village of Barry, which tract he subse- quently developed, erecting good buildings, raising chiefly grain, and becom- ing one of the most successful farmers in that country. By 1908 he had accu- mulated 800 acres, all under good cultivation. On his retirement in that year he took up his residence in Graceville, where he is still living. His wife, Ellen, died on the home farm near Barry, October 25, 1893, and on April 7, 1896, he married for his second wife Mary Wall of De Graff, Minn. The family are Catholic in religious faith, and Mr. Foley is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. All his children were by his first wife, and were as follows: Thomas and Michael (twins), born February 1, 1884, of whom Thomas is now a resident of Graceville and Michael of Minne- apolis; Patrick, born September 23, 1885, who is unmarried and lives at Bill- ings, Mont .; Daniel, born August 1, 1887, who died August 18, 1889; John R., the direct subject of this sketch, born November 1, 1890; and Agnes, born August 18, 1892, who is a teacher in the Morris (Minn.) public schools. John R. Foley, after attending the country schools and the common school in Barry, Minn., up to the age of 12 years, entered St. Thomas Military College at St. Paul, Minn., where he received an academic and military training, remaining there six and a half years, and being graduated June 11, 1909. At the time of his graduation he held the rank of lieutenant-adjutant. In the fall of 1909 he entered the law department of Minnesota University, where he was graduated in the spring cf 1912, and on June 14 the same year he was admitted to the bar of the state. He at once entered the law office of Mathias Baldwin and Joseph Murphy in Minneapolis, and was with them until March 1, 1913, after which he was associated for over a year with Thomas C. Daggett of St. Paul. On May 13, 1914, Mr. Foley came to Wabasha, where on the following day he opened an office. Here he has since remained and has built up an extensive practice, being now one of the leading attorneys in the county. In May, 1916, he was appointed city attorney of Wabasha, and held that office until January 7, 1919. In May, 1918, he became a candidate for the office of county attorney, to which he was subsequently elected, entering upon its duties January 7, 1919. His record in this office is one of earnest work and honorable achievement, and, among other things, has resulted in the breaking up of a formidable gang of automobile thieves operating between Chicago and the Twin Cities, the glory of which Mr. Foley shares with Sheriff Ed. Fitzgerald. Confronted with the ring of clever manipulators, who managed for a long time to cover up their

WILLIAM H. ANDING AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

tracks, and hampered at times by numerous obstacles that seemed at times well nigh insuperable, County Attorney Foley and Sheriff Fitzgerald accomplished that which was said could never be done and precipitated the collapse at Chi- cago of the notorious auto ring which kept the authorities of many states on the jump for years. With grim determination and fearless aggressiveness these two officials tackled the big job, undaunted by repeated failures, until they finally succeeded and won the admiration, not only of the people of Wabasha County, but of the officials of other places who assisted them in the difficult task. As a result, three men are now serving sentences in this state and nine other persons, including one woman, have recently been indicted in Chicago. A thoroughly patriotic American, Mr. Foley took an active and effective part in home war work. He served as county publicity chairman of all Liberty Loan drives, and local member of all Liberty Loan and War Savings Stamp drives; also as county chairman of the Christmas Red Cross drive of 1917; as county chairman of the 1918 Red Cross drive; legal advisor to the county draft board, and as one of the "four-minute men," making a great many war addresses throughout the state. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Kellogg, Minn .; the Knights of Columbus, of Wabasha, in which order he has served as grand knight, two terms as district deputy, and as delegate in 1916 to the supreme council at Davenport, Iowa, and delegate in 1918 to the supreme council at New York City. On June 23, 1915, Mr. Foley was united in marriage with Ellen M. Brennan of Centralia, Penna. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Ellen Mary, born April 11, 1916; John R., born October 16, 1917; Robert Langdon, born February 17, 1919; and Catherine Langdon, born April 15, 1920. The family are members of St. Felix parish of the Catholic church in Wabasha.

William H. Anding, an enterprising and successful farmer of Gillford Township, a member of a pioneer family, was born in this township, in section 13, August 14, 1875, son of William and Magdalena (Kirchner) Anding. He was educated in District School No. 19, which he attended up to the age of 19 years, and was reared on the home farm, assisting his father until the fall of 1904. He now owns 160 acres in section 13, including 80 acres of the original homestead founded by his grandfather in 1865. The land is all improved, and there is a good stucco residence of two stories and 11 rooms, which was erected in 1915. His barn measures 36 by 60 by 18 feet, with a 10-foot full stone base- ment for stock, and among the other buildings are a granary 30 by 40 by 10, a shed for the threshing machine 16 by 26 by 10, a tool shed 30 by 44 by 8, a poultry house and hog house combined 16 by 34 by 8, a barn for young stock 16 by 24 by 8, and a garage 12 by 18 by 8, all substantial structures of modern type. Mr. Anding has also a good equipment, which includes a Case tractor and a Case thresher, and his farm is one of the best in the township. He is a suc- cessful breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and is recognized as a hard worker and good citizen. He took an active and leading part in war work, putting his division over in every drive. In politics he is a Republican, and is serving as treasurer of school district No. 19, an office which has come down in the family from his grandfather. Mr. Anding was married November 10, 1904, to Anna Holts, who was born in Belvidere, Good- hue County, Minn., December 13, 1882, daughter of David and Anna Holts, now residents of Gillford Township. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anding: Allen C., July 31, 1905; William C., April 7, 1907; and Irene L., April 7, 1910. Mr. Anding and his family are affiliated religiously with the Jacksonville congregation of the Evangelical church.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 109

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