History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 117

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

large concourse of friends followed his remains to their final resting place. Mr. O'Brien was the father of seven children, of whom six were by his first wife, namely: Mary J., who married John Steel of La Crosse, Wis .; J. Syl- vester, Frank M., and James R., who are farmers in Mt. Pleasant Township, and Catharine B. By his second wife he had one son, George A. In addition to his farm within the city limits, Mr. O'Brien owned a fine farm of 620 acres in Lake and Mt. Pleasant Townships. In politics he was independent, support- ing the man rather than the party.

John Sylvester and Frank Michael O'Brien, who, under the style of O'Brien Brothers, are conducting an extensive farming business in Mt. Pleasant Town- ship, were born in section 18, Lake Township, John Sylvester on December 3, 1860, and Frank on December 15, 1863. They are sons of John and Hannah (Mahoney) O'Brien, who came to Lake City in 1868. There John S. and Frank M. attended school, Lake City being their home until 1880. In the meanwhile their father had purchased and begun the operation of a farm in sections 13 and 24, Mt. Pleasant Township, on which the two brothers took up their resi- dence on completing their schooling. In 1898 they formed 'a partnership with their brother James to operate the farm, and the three brothers were associated together for several years. Then James withdrew and John S. and Frank have since continued the business together, from time to time enlarging their sphere of action as they became more and more prosperous. They now own and oper- ate 378 acres in Mt. Pleasant Township, also 240 acres adjoining in Lake Town- ship, having 420 acres under the plow. In addition to the above mentioned property, they own a 200-acre farm in section 26, Mt. Pleasant Township, which they rent out. On the Mt. Pleasant farm operated by themselves is a good set of buildings, including a two-story frame house, a frame barn 46 by 70 by 18 feet, with a full stone basement of eight feet, a tool shed, poultry house, wagon shed, sheep house and granary, all good substantial buildings, and the land is: well cultivated and productive. They are doing general farming and stock raising, their stock consisting of Shorthorn cattle, Duroc-Red hogs and Shrop- shire sheep, of which they have 100 ewes. For each herd they have full- blooded sires. Of cattle and sheep they ship annually one car load of each to the Chicago and St. Paul markets. Their 200-acre farm, which they rent, has. 180 acres under the plow, and is in a good state of cultivation. It also has good buildings, the house being a two-story frame; the barn measuring 20 by 30 by 16 feet, and the other out-buildings including a granary, tool shed, wagon shed, and a shop, woodshed and summer kitchen combined. Industrious and capable, the O'Brien Brothers have taken rank among the most prosperous farmers of their township. Politically they are Democrats, and John S. has served as township treasurer for seven years, also for some years as a member of the school board. As yet he -has not married. Frank O'Brien was married in 1909 to Elizabeth, daughter of Maurice Schaffer of Goodhue County. She died a little more than a year after her marriage, and the household is now presided over by Catherine O'Brien, a sister of John and Frank. Their mother died in 1871 and the father, who subsequently remarried, died in 1898. The family are Catholics in religion and members of St. Mary's parish at Lake City. They are people of wide acquaintance and are doing a valuable work in devel -. oping the agricultural resources of their locality, thus contributing materially to the aggregate wealth of the county in its most important industry.

Andrew Boss, an early settler in Gillford Township, and at one time one of the leading citizens of Wabasha County, was born in Kinross, Scotland, July 6, 1835, and came to America at the age of 17 years. For two years h remained in New York City, being employed as clerk in a drug store. He the came west and at Janesville, Wis., about 1859, he met and married Jeanett Nesbit. In 1863 Mr. Boss came with his wife to Wabasha County, Minnesota, buying a homestead claim on section 15, Gillford Township. The place was but slightly improved, only a small part of the land being broken, the house:

MR. AND MRS. ANDREW BOSS

DEDRICH REINCKE AND FAMILY.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

being a shack, and straw sheds in use as a substitute for stables. Mr. Boss at once started to develop a good farm, erecting a substantial house and other buildings. He worked hard, made good progress, and was very successful as a farmer. For a long period he served as town clerk, and in time acquired such local popularity that he was elected to the state legislature, in which he served for two years, in politics being a Democrat. He died on the farm August 22, 1897, and was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1905, also on the old homestead. Their children were as follows: Marcia, now Mrs. A. H. Lamb of Oak Center; Jean, wife of J. E. Knight of Sherwood, Ore .; Andrew, an in- structor in the Minnesota Agricultural College at St. Paul; William, who holds a similar position there; Bessie, deceased, who was the wife of E. M. Anding of Dumont, Minn .; James, of Zumbro Falls, Minn .; Alexander, of Sherwood, Ore .; David, now proprietor of the old home farm in Gillford Township; John, who is deceased, and two others who died in infancy.

James Boss, a prosperous farmer residing in section 31, Gillford Township, was born in this township, October 12, 1876, son of Andrew and Jeanette (Nesbit) Boss. He acquired his education in the school of district 88, and sub- sequently for one year attended the Minnesota Agricultural College. He re- mained on the home farm until the spring of 1896, and the summer and fall of that year he spent in Crookston, Minn:, working on the State Experimental Farm. Then returning to Wabasha County, he remained on the home farm until 1901. That fall he began farming for himself on a rented farm at Oak Center, where he remained two years. He then bought an 80-acre farm in Gillford Township which he operated three years, and then sold, at the end of that time renting a farm of 260 acres in Gillford Township adjoining the old homestead. His next move was to Zumbro Falls, where he lived for two years employed as rural mail carrier. In 1913 Mr. Boss bought his present farm of 120 acres in section 31, Gillford Township, adjoining the village of Zumbro Falls, it being an old improved farm with a good house and other buildings, and he has since been profitably engaged in its operation. He has 108 acres under the plow, has a good tile silo, and an adequate equipment, and does gen- eral farming. His stock consists of grade Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep. In addition to his work on the farm, for the last five years he has been manager of the Farmers' Shipping Association of Zumbro Falls. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Co., the Zumbro Falls Telephone Co., and the Farmers Co-operative Creamery of Zumbro Falls. Mr. Boss was married October 29, 1901, to Media Ann Claflin, who was born in Big Stone, Minn., April 5, 1883, daughter of William H. and Adda M. Claflin of Zumbro Falls. Her parents, who were among the early settlers in Gillford Township, are now living at Sweet Briar, N. D. Mr. and Mrs. Boss are the parents of two children: Beth May, born November 29, 1903, who is attending Zumbro Falls high school; and Clifford James, born November 20, 1907, who is a student in the seventh grade of the common school.

Dedrick Reincke, better known as "Dick," the owner and operator of a good farm of 160 acres in Gillford Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 13, 1875, son of Herman and Catherine Reincke. About six years after his birth his parents emigrated to Minnesota, settling in Belvidere Township, Goodhue County, where they engaged in farming. Both are now deceased, the mother having passed away October 8, 1901, at the age of 69 years, and the father in the spring of 1911, at the age of 76. His parents being poor, Dedrick Reincke had to begin work at an early age, but attended district school in Bel- videre, as he had opportunity, up to the age of 14 years. Since boyhood he has supported himself. On June 11, 1902, he was married to Mary H. Dose, who was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, October 8, 1884, daughter of Frederick and Margaret Dose. In the same year he began farming on his own account, rent- ing the Fred Laqua farm in West Albany Township, Wabasha County. In the fall of 1904 he removed to the E. C. McCall farm on section 8, Gillford Town-

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

ship, which he operated under rental for nine years, buying it in 1912, and it has since remained his home. It is situated on section 8, and contains 160 acres, all tillable. When he took possession it had a fair set of buildings, but finding them inadequate, he has since erected others, including a barn 44 by 66 by 16 feet, with a full tile basement of 9 feet; a machine shed 24 by 60, a poultry house 14 by 36 by 8, and a steel windmill. He is engaged successfully in general farming, raising both grain and stock, his farm being well stocked with grade cattle and hogs. It is ten miles southwest of Lake City, which is his usual market. In addition to his direct farming interests, Mr. Reincke is. a stockholder in the Oak Center Creamery, the Farmers' Elevator at Lake City, and St. John's Hospital of Red Wing; and is a member of the Shipping Asso- ciations at Lake City and Zumbro Falls, and secretary and treasurer of the Gillford Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He has rendered some'public ser- vice as clerk of school district No. 15. Mr. and Mrs. Reincke have been the parents of six children, of whom five are now living, the record, in brief, being as follows: Alvin H., born May 12, 1905; Verna A., born August 16, 1908; Frederick E., born August 23, 1910, who died January 19, 1913; Wilbur A., born March 31, 1913; Thelma M., born January 25, 1915; and Linnea C., born Janu- ary 6, 1917. Mr. Reincke and his family are members of the Evangelical Lu- theran Congregation, commonly known as the "Lincoln Church," of Gillford Township.

Augustus H. Lamb, an active and prosperous farmer of Gillford Township, was born in this township July 6, 1862, son of Ezra G. and Laura J. (Wilson) Lamb. The parents were pioneers of the township, arriving in 1860 and sub- sequently developing a farm. August H. was reared on his parents' farm, on which he has always resided, and is now the owner. The farm is now one of the best in the township, and has been improved considerably by the subject of this sketch, who has built a good barn, tool sheds, granary and other build- ings. He carries on diversified farming, raising high grade Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Duroc-Jersey hogs. His operating equipment is modern and complete and includes two good auto cars. Among his herd are 16 milch cows, and he has installed on his farm two double-unit milking-machines. Mr. Lamb served for a number of years as a member of the school board of district No. 70. In politiics he is a Republican with independent tendencies. Mr. Lamb was married December 4, 1884, to Marcia Boss, daughter of Andrew and Jeanette Boss of Gillford Township. She was born at La Prairie, Wis., June 17, 1863, and accompanied her parents to Lake City, Wabasha County, when she was six months old, they subsequently settling on a farm in Gillford Town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were born five children: Eva, April 6, 1887; Harvey, April 6, 1890; John, November 18, 1892; Chester, July 12, 1895; and Gertrude, February 17, 1900. Eva, who is a graduate of the normal course in the Lake City high school and also of the Minnesota Agricultural school, has been a teacher for the past seven years. Harvey is a farmer in Gillford Town- ship. John, a graduate of the Lake City high school, is assistant cashier of the Lake City Bank of Minnesota. Chester, who is now with his father on the home farm, was a pupil for one year in the Lake Ciy high school, and also for a year in the Minnesota Agricultural School. On September 19, 1918, he volun- teered to serve in the World War, and was sent to Minneapolis, where he trained as auto mechanic in the Dunwoody Institute. He finished the course two days before the signing of the armistice and was discharged at Minne- apolis, December 12, 1918. Gertrude is a graduate of the Lake City high school; she studied for one year in the Winona Normal school and is now a teacher. Mr. Lamb and his family attend and help to support the Methodist Episcopal church. In addition to his direct farming interests Mr. Lamb is a stockholder in the Oak Center Creamery, of which he was a director for one year; also in the Farmers' Elevator at Zumbro Falls, and in the Zumbro Falls Telephone Company, being a director in the latter. He and his family are among the most respected residents of Gillford Township.

MR. AND MRS. EUGENE ADAMS, ROBERT C. ADAMS; FIVE GENERATIONS

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Ezra G. Lamb, one of the early settlers of Gillford Township who did pioneer work in developing a farm from the wilderness, was born in Vermont, August 28, 1820. He was married in the same state in 1841 to Laura J. Wilson, and in 1860 came with his family to Wabasha County, Minnesota. Here he arrived with but little means, but began farming in Gillford Township, he and his family living in a log house. He developed a farm of 160 acres in section 7, which farm is still in the family, being now the property of his son August. With the help of his sons Mr. Lamb brought his property into good condition, building a comfortable frame house and other buildings. He was successful as a farmer and was respected and esteemed as a man and a citizen. Polit- ically a Republican, he had served while living in Pennsylvania in several local offices, but here took no active part in local affairs. He and his wife spent the rest of their lives on their farm, Mrs. Lamb dying September 26, 1914, and Mr. Lamb December 29, 1905. They were the parents of six children: Erastus, Lovina, Thaddeus, Julius, Gould and Augustus H. Erastus, who served in the Civil War, suffered hardships in the army which left him in poor health for the rest of his life and is now deceased. Lovina and Thaddeus are also dead. Julius is living at Monrovia, Calif., Gould is in Lake City, Minn., and Augustus H. is on the old home farm in Gillford Township, Wabasha County.

Leroy W. Adams, who has been established for a number of years as a general farmer and stock raiser in Zumbro Township, was born in this town- ship, September 2, 1870, son of Eugene and Victoria (Hammons) Adams. The father was a native of the state of Maine, who came to Wabasha County with his parents, Robert L. and Mary Adams, at an early day, and who was married to Victoria Hammons in 1869. Her parents were pioneer settlers here also, and it was in honor of Mr. Hammons that the village of Hammond was named, with a change in the final letter of the name. The parents of the subject of this sketch are now living retired in Zumbro Township after a prosperous career in agriculture. Leroy W. Adams acquired his education in the district school and gained a knowledge of agriculture on his parents' farm, continuing as his father's assistant until 1891. He then began an independent career, buying a farm of 80 acres in section 14, Zumbro Township, which farm, how- ever, he sold in 1893. Later he bought his present farm of 120 acres, of which 80 lie in section 13 and 40 in section 14. He has improved the place by the erection of buildings and fences, and is carrying on general farming and stock raising with good success. Mr. Adams has been twice married: first on May 11, 1891, to Lesie Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Welcome Anderson. She died April 5, 1892.

Alfred Klindworth, a member of the firm of Klindworth Bros., hardware dealers and garage proprietors, of Zumbro Falls, was' born in Chester Town- ship, this county, August 26, 1893, son of Claus and Katherine Klindworth. The first 22 years of his life was spent on his parents' farm, and his education was acquired in the district school. At the age of 22 he came to Zumbro Falls and entered the employ of Gray & Klindworth, the latter member of the con- cern being his brother John. After three years he bought Mr. Gray's interest and became his brother's partner, the name of the firm at the same time being changed to Klindworth Bros. They do a profitable business in hardware, also selling auto cars and tractors, and running a repair shop in connection with their garage. Alfred Klindworth was married in 1915, in Gillford, Wabasha County, to Evas M. Gerken, daughter of John and Katherine (Heitman) Gerken. Her parents were farmers, the father being a native of Massachusetts and the mother of Germany. They had six sons and three daughters: Richard, Alfred, John, Henry, Frederick, Clarence, Evas, Lorena and Anna. The two latter are now residing in Lake City with the parents. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Klindworth have two children, Roderick and Lois.

Eugene W. Adams, an early settler in Zumbro Township, where he is now living retired after a long and successful career in agriculture, was born in

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the state of Maine, August 16, 1852, son of Robert L. and Mary (Dow) Adams. The parents were natives of the same state, who came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, at an early day, settling on 80 acres of land in Zumbro Township. Later they bought 80 more, which gave them a farm of 160 acres in section 34. Some of this land Robert C. Adams cleared, also erecting a set of buildings, and was engaged in general farming there until 1890, when he retired and took up his residence at Zumbro Falls, where he died August 5, 1917. His wife is now residing with her son Eugene. They had twelve children, of whom six are now living, namely: Walter, Margaret, Laura, Mary, Hannah and Eugene. The family are religiously affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. Eugene W. Adams was educated in the district school and worked for his father until 1869. He then bought 80 acres in Olmsted County, erected some buildings, and operated the place for ten years, at the end of which time he sold it. In 1879 he bought 160 acres in section 7, Zumbro Township, a place on which also he lived for ten years, or until 1889. He then bought 140 acres in section 7, and 120 in section 13. He erected buildings, increased the area of his farm to 340 acres, and was engaged in general farming until 1914, when he retired. His sons Le Roy and Ralph now operate the farm, on which he, himself, is still residing. For 15 years he served as a member of the school board. Mr. Adams was married March 19, 1869, to Victoria Hammons, daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hammons. Her parents were natives of Maine who were among the pioneer settlers of Wabasha County, arriving here in the early fifties, and it was in honor of Mr. Hammons that the village of Hammond was named. He was engaged in truck farming and also followed the occupa- tion of carpenter. He died April 15, 1897, and his wife on April 4, 1898. They had but one child, Victoria, who, as above mentioned, became the wife of Eu- gene W. Adams. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams three children were born: Le Roy, September 2, 1870; Ralph J., January 4, 1872, and Charles V., April 30, 1873. The last mentioned died August 21, the year of his birth. Mr. and Mrs. Adams had also an adopted son, named Glenn, who was born April 5, 1892, and who lived with them until 21 years old.

Otto Goetsch, a representative of a family that has been engaged for a number of years in agricultural development in Mazeppa Township, and who is himself an active and successful farmer, was born in Pommern, Germany, November 25, 1870, son of August and Mary (Piel) Goetsch. He was educated in his native land and came to America with his parents in 1884, the family, after a brief residence in Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Mazeppa Township, Wabasha County, Minn. Until 1907 Otto worked for his father, and the latter then deeded to him 160 acres of land in section 29, which is the old home farm. He has improved his property by the erection of a new barn and outbuildings, and is planning the erection of a new residence. As a general farmer and stock raiser he is meeting with success and is making financial progress. He is a director in the Peoples State Bank of Mazeppa and in the Farmers' Ship- ping Association of the same place. Mr. Goetsch was first married, June 30, 1913, to Anna Summerfield of Mazeppa Township. She died December 9, 1917, leaving one child, Celia, who was born June 16, 1916. On April 28, 1920, Mr. Goetsch married Elise Ploenert, a native of Germany, who came to this country a few years ago. Her father died in 1901 and her mother still resides in Ger- many. Mr. Goetsch and his family are members of the "Popple Grove" con- gregation of the German Lutheran church.

Burton W. Disney, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Zumbro Falls, and an enterprising citizen of that village, was born on a farm in Gillford Township, Wabasha County, October 5, 1874, son of William J. and Sara (Ward) Disney, elsewhere mentioned in this volume. He was educated in the district school and the Joliet (Ill.) public school, making his home in Joliet with his aunt, Mrs. Bowen; also at the Darling's Business College, Rochester, Minn. He worked on the home farm until the family moved to town,

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and after that worked for others at farm work for two years. Subsequently he was engaged with his father and brothers in the stock buying business, also in the lumber business and the operation of a hardware store. On the organ- ization of the Zumbro Falls State Bank on June 6, 1907 (the name of which was changed April 21, 1920, to the Farmers and Merchants State Bank) he was offered and accepted the position of cashier, in which he has since served effi- ciently, proving popular with the patrons of the institution. For ten years he has been village recorder, and served one term as village treasurer. He is a member of Tyrian Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M., of Mazeppa; Lake City Com- mandery No. 6, K. T .; and Osmund Temple, A. A. O. M. N. S., of St. Paul. His career has been one of industry, wisely directed, and he has proved an asset to the village in which for a number of years he has made his home. Mr. Disney assumed the responsibilities of domestic life on November 5, 1902, when he was united in marriage with Ethel V. Drinkwalter, daughter of Pratt and Lena Drinkwalter, of Zumbro Falls, who were early settlers in Wabasha County. Mrs. Disney's father was born in Newark,. Wayne County, N. Y., and her mother in Wabasha County, the former being engaged in farming until his death in 1914. Mrs. Drinkwalter is still living, being a resident of Zumbro Falls. They had four children: Ethel, Laura, May and Howard, all of whom are now living. " To Mr. and Mrs. Disney three children have been born: Law- rence, Lois and Everett. Lawrence is at present attending the Lake City high school. The two others are residing at home.

Herman Zarling, who is farming successfully on section 26, Highland Township, was born in St. Charles Township, Winona County, Minn., in 1885, son of William and Caroline Zarling. The parents were born in Germany and came to the United States in the late seventies, settling on the farm in Winona County on which their son Herman was born. In 1895 they removed to High- land Township, Wabasha County, where William Zarling became the owner of 700 acres of land, besides owning 180 acres in Winona County. They carried on the farm until he died in 1910. His wife passed away in 1917. They had a family of eleven children, all of whom are now living, namely: Bertha, wife of Henry Limekoul; Lizzie, wife of Matt Schelling; Herman, August and Emil; Maggie, wife of Jacob Schilling; Lena, wife of Louis Timm of Winona County ; Ludie, wife of Tater Zierell; William, Caroline and Albert. After the death of the father the 700 acres in Highland Township was divided among the chil- dren, the mother keeping 160 acres. Herman's farm contains 180 acres. Wil- liam Zarling, the father, was a member of the Congregational church, and served as school director for a number of years. He was a well known and highly respected citizen, his wife sharing his popularity as a worthy woman and gcod neighbor. Herman Zarling was given a district school education and was reared on his parents' farm in Winona County. After the family moved to Highland Township, Wabasha County, he continued his schooling in district No. 40. He remained at home helping on the farm until he was 25 years old and then engaged in farming for himself on section 26, where he has since remained. He successfully raises both crops and stock, the latter consisting chiefly of Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He has a good residence, which, with the other buildings on the farm, is lighted with electricity. His barn measures 30 by 60 feet, and his other buildings, all substantial, include two silos, milk house, granary and machine shed. He milks on an average of 14 cows. He also uses the De Laval Milking Machine in his dairy, and with his brother Emil owns and operates a threshing-machine, which he has operated 14 years. Mr. Zarling was married in 1914 at Dover, Winona County, to Della Miller, daugh- ter of Albert and Minnie Miller. Her parents were natives of Germany, but came to this country when quite young and were reared in Winona County, this state. By a previous marriage Mr. Miller had two children, Roy and Clarence. By his second marriage, with Minnie Millbrandt, he had four-May, Della, Goldie and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Zarling are the parents of four children:

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 117

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