History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 119

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

Chicago, and Bertha is in the employ of the Watkins Medical Co. of Winona. The others are residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. August Neumann, the parents of Mrs. Maas, were born in Germany and came to Minnesota in 1884, settling in Oakwood Township, Wabasha County. Until 1892 Mr. Neumann worked as a stone mason. After that he operated a farm until 1904, when his active career was brought to an end by a stroke of paralysis, though he is still living. Mrs. Neumann died April 15, 1903. She, like her husband, was a member of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of eight children: Paul, Annie, Agnes, Minnie, Martha, August, Bertha and Frederick. Paul and Annie are now deceased.

Wallace M. Whipple was born in Zumbrota Township, Goodhue County, Minn., May 6, 1876, son of Charles J. and Louise (Nichols) Whipple. The father was born in Madison County, N. Y., and the mother in Vermont. The latter came to Minnesota with her parents when a young girl, the family set- tling at an early day in Zumbrota Township, Goodhue County, where they homesteaded 80 acres of land. They then purchased 80 acres more, and on their farm of 160 acres the parents spent the rest of their lives. Charles J. Whipple came to Goodhue County when 19 years old and bought the homestead of Grandfather Nichols. He married at Red Wing, Louise Nichols and spent the rest of his life farming the old homestead of his wife's father. He died May 4, 1915. His wife, Louise, died August 18, 1883, and after her death he married Mary Colling of Mazeppa, who is also deceased, having passed away in 1895. By the first marriage there were five children, two of whom are now living, namely, Wallace M., and Clarence E. of Spokane, Wash. Those deceased are Charles, Mary, and Louis. By his second wife Charles J. Whipple had nine children, all now living: Marvin W., of Douglas, Minn .; William, of Goodhue County; Martha, wife of Archie Stull, of Mazeppa; Dollie, wife of George Hor- ton, of Hammond, Minn .; Elsie, wife of John Rolland, of Hammond; Nellie, wife of Arthur Sandburg, of Maiden Rock, Wis .; George, of Minneapolis; John, of Bay City, Wis .; and Edna, wife of Arthur Izenburg, of Arizona. Wallace M. Whipple was reared on the farm in Goodhue County, attending the district school, the Zumbrota high school and Red Wing Business College. He re- mained on the home farm until 19 years old, helping his father, and then began farming for himself on the William Parkinson place in Zumbro Township, Wa- basha County. Here he has since remained engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was married August 12, 1896, on the Parkinson farm in Zumbro Township, to Margaret Ann Parkinson, daughter of William and Ellen Parkinson. She died December 14, 1915, and he married, March 28, 1916, Mary Parkinson, daughter of James W. and Nettie Parkinson of Zumbro Town- ship. By the first marriage he had four children: Wallace W., Margaret A., Lizzie L. and Charles R. Of the second marriage two children were born: Amos and Lloyd. Mr. Whipple owns and operates 395 acres in Zumbro and Mazeppa Townships.

James W. Parkinson, one of the leading farmers of Zumbro Township, and an extensive stock raiser, was born in Lancashire, England, January 24, 1863, son of William and Ellen (Knight) Parkinson, both of whom were natives of England. William Parkinson, the father, had but a limited education, as at the early age of nine years he was obliged to work in a cotton factory. When a young man he served as groom and gardener for a clergyman, remaining in England until 1864, when he came to the United States with his family, having been previously married to Ellen Knight. For some time he resided in Joliet, Ill., being employed as a guard at the state prison. Later he went to Wiscon- sin, where he was employed in the lumber business. In 1869 he came to Wa- basha County, Minn., and bought 80 acres of land in section 14, Zumbro Town- ship. In time he cleared all of his land, erected necessary buildings and de- veloped a good farm, on which he resided until his death, October 20, 1906. His wife survived him less than three years, passing away September 21, 1909.

MR. AND MRS. N. J. HILGER

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

They were members of the Episcopal church. Their children were: James W., Joseph, Elizabeth and Margaret, of whom Joseph and Margaret are now de- ceased. James W. Parkinson was an infant in arms when he accompanied his parents to America, and was only six years old when they settled in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County. He soon after began to attend the district school, where he acquired his education. As he grew older he began to make himself useful on his parents' farm, and was his father's assistant until 1887, in which year he rented the farm and for four years subsequently operated it on his own account. In 1891 he bought it and at later intervals he purchased other land until he now owns 515 acres in Zumbro township, in sections 10, 11,. 14 and 15. Here he is engaged in general farming, giving particular attention to stock raising, and is numbered among the enterprising and successful farmers of his township. In addition to his farm, Mr. Parkinson owns two lots in the Baker addition to Mazeppa. Mr. Parkinson was married May 10, 1887, to Miss Nettie Barnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Barnes. Her parents were na- tives of England who came to America in the early sixties and settled in Zum- bro Township, this county, where the father, Amos Barnes, died July 23, 1881. The mother now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Parkinson. The latter was one of a family of five children : George A., Nettie M., Charles E., John A., and Frankie, the last mentioned being now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson are the parents of six children, as follows: Mary E., born April 21, 1888, now Mrs. Wallace Whipple; Edna M., born March 12, 1890, who is the wife of Clarence Greer; John W., born April 29, 1893, residing on the home farm; Grace L., born January 28, 1895, now Mrs. Edward Herman; Sylvia M., born September 11, 1898, and James W., born June 4, 1905, both of whom are residing at home.

Nicholas J. Hilger, at different times a resident of Mazeppa village, and for several years a merchant here until his recent death, was born at Bellevue, Iowa, January 30, 1873, and was a boy when he came to Mazeppa with his parents. He acquired his education in the village school, and after entering the ranks of industry was occupied in painting and paper-hanging in Mazeppa and the vicinity until 1902. He then moved to Red Wing, where for four years he was engineer in the Red Wing Mill. In 1906 he entered the Red Wing Lin- seed Mill, where he was chief engineer for 11 years. In 1917 Mr. Hilger returned to Mazeppa and bought the G. H. Squire furniture business, later expanding his business by adding an undertaking department. He received an extensive patronage and was enjoying a well earned prosperity when he was called away by death on April 28, 1920. For some months previously he had been seriously ill. A contemplated operation was abandoned because it was found that the disease from which he suffered had progressed too far for aid. He endured the long wait for the end with exemplary courage, and his cheerfulness aided his family to overcome the despondency which might otherwise have affected them at the suffering of a loved one. Mr. Hilger served one term as a member of the village council of Mazeppa. He was a member of the Catholic church and of several societies, including the Knights of Columbus at Red Wing; the Catholic Order of Foresters, of which he was secretary at the time of his death, and the SS. Peter and Paul Society. He was held in universal esteem as a business man eminently fair in all his dealings and a useful and friendly neighbor and citizen. To his family he was a loving, thoughtful and provident husband and father. Mr. Hilger was married June 27, 1900, to Mayme H. Reding, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Reding of Mazeppa village. Of this union three children were born: Clarence J. A., April 3, 1903; Wilfred N., November 8, 1907, and Bernard G., July 28, 1911. Clarence is now a student at St. Mary's College, Winona. Since her husband's death Mrs. Hilger has operated the furniture store. While residing in Red Wing she passed through, all the chairs in the Degree of Honor, and has served as vice president and adviser of the Ladies' Catholic Aid Society of Mazeppa. In addition to his wife and children, Mr.

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Hilger left seven brothers and three sisters: Michael, Alexander, Dan, Wil- liam, Kate and Mrs. George Sand, of Mazeppa; Mrs. Clara Huberty, of Pine Island; John, of Wabasha; George, of Weaver; and Dr. J. M. Hilger, of Ione, all of whom were present at his funeral.

Otto C. Siercks, proprietor of Twin Mounds Stock Farm, situated in sec- tions 26 and 27, Zumbro Township, of which township he is one of the leading citizens, was born in Clay County, Ia., February 28, 1872, son of Hans T. and Doris (Stark) Siercks. The parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States in the early sixties, settling in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County, Minn. Later they removed to Clay County, Ia., there taking a claim of 40 acres on which they resided five years. They then returned to Wabasha County, Minn., and for several years rented a farm in Zumbro Township. Mrs. Doris Siercks died August 28, 1888, and Hans T. Siercks resided for some two years in Plainview Village, afterwards returning to Zumbro Township, where he again engaged in farming and continued in that occupation until he finally retired. He now resides with his daughter, Mrs. E. Schuchart of Zumbro Township. He and his wife had six children, Fred, Otto C., Emma, Anna, Minnie and Helen. Fred and Helen are now deceased. The parents were members of the German Lutheran church. Otto C. Siercks acquired his elementary education in the district school and also attended school for a while in Plainview Village. For several years he worked for his father and then went to Winona, Minn., where he was engaged in the butcher's business until 1893. In the year 1893 he conducted a butcher's shop at Tyler, Minn., after which he returned to Winona and was there again for a year. In 1896 Mr. Siercks moved to Hammond, Wabasha County, and was engaged in the hardware and machine business there until 1900. In that year he engaged in farming on his present farm, containing 160 acres in sections 26 and 27, Zumbro Township, which is known as Twin Mounds Stock Farm and which he purchased in 1911. Here he has erected a complete set of buildings, in- cluding a basement barn, 36 by 80 feet, installed with the James equipment, and including a Pine Tree milking machine. It is lighted with electricity. Mr. Siercks does general farming but gives special attenton to stock raising and dairying. He is raising Holstein cattle, keeping full-blooded sires, and also breeds Percheron horses and Chester-White hogs. He has served seven years as a supervisor on the town board and several years as a member of the school board of his district and is a man of public spirit who takes an active interest in whatever concerns the general good of the community. He is also president of the Hammond Co-operative Creamery. On October 17, 1895, Mr. Siercks was united in marriage with Mary Schulz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schulz of Faribault, Minn. Of this union six children have been born: Pearl L., born July 27, 1896, now Mrs. Howard Ranstead of Faribault; Charles L., August 21, 1899, who is on the home harm; Doris E., July 1, 1903, who is attending the high school at Faribault; Wilbur L., August 28, 1905; Judson K., December 12, 1908, and Marion L., April 5, 1910, the three young- est members of the family, like Charles L., residing with their parents.

Briney Scott, the proprietor and operator of a farm of 249 acres in Zum- bro Township, was born in West Albany Township, Wabasha County, March 8, 1867, son of Patrick and Mary (Lane) Scott. The parents came to Wa- basha County from Ireland in the early sixties, settling on a tract of 200 acres in West Albany Township, a part of which the father cleared, also erecting buildings and carrying on general farming. He died in 1912, having survived his wife Mary, who passed away in 1905. Their children were Mary, Briney, Michael, Richard, Margaret and Annie, the last three mentioned of whom are now deceased. Briney Scott was educated in the district school and after be- ginning industrial life worked for his father until 1892. He then bought a threshing-machine that he operated for several years. In 1894 he purchased 160 acres of land in West Albany Township, on which he built a residence

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and outbuildings, and was engaged in farming and stock raising there until 1899, when he sold the property. After that, for a number of years, he op- erated rented farms in Wabasha County. Then, in 1916, he bought his pres- ent farm of 249 acres in section 11, Zumbro Township, on which he has made some improvements, and where he is successfully carrying on a gen- eral farming business. He was formerly a member of the school board in Highland Township, is fraternally affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Scott was married June 16, 1893, to Anna McNulty, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cormick McNulty, her parents being natives of Ireland who came to America in the early sixties and settled in Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, Minn., where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Briney Scott are the parents of 11 chil- dren, all of whom are living, namely: Florence, born November 3, 1894; Rich- ard, March 8, 1896; Theresa, October 23, 1897; Irene, August 14, 1899; Ber- nard, August 17, 1901; Ralph, July 11, 1903; Alice, September 10, 1906; Wil- liam, September 26, 1907; Lloyd, February 12, 1909; Vincent, September 19, 1911, and Arthur, August 30, 1914. Florence is now Mrs. Frank O'Donald, Richard resides in Gary, Ind., Theresa is now Mrs. Walter Canfield of Kellogg, Irene is a teacher in the Smithfield district, and Lloyd is a student in the high school at St. Paul.

Peter W. Wagner, a prominent farmer of Zumbro Township, now chair- man of the town board of supervisors, was born in the Province of the Rhine (or Rhenish Prussia), Germany, June 22, 1867, son of Nicholas and Anna (Lichtendahl) Wagner. The parents came to America, and to Wabasha County, Minn., in 1893, settling in Hyde Park Township, where Nicholas Wag- ner was subsequently engaged in farming until his death on September 8, 1903. His wife died in October, 1913. They were Catholics in religion. Their children were Peter W., Helen (now deceased), Anna and Andrew. Peter W. Wagner came to this country before his parents, in 1889, locating at Hammond, Wabasha County, Minn. At first he engaged in farm labor, and then for eight years operated rented farms. In 1903, having through economy made some financial progress, he bought 267 acres in section 27, Zumbro Township, where he now resides. He has improved his place by the erection of a complete set of buildings, including a fine barn 36 by 80 feet in ground dimensions. His farm is equipped with an individual electric lighting plant. As a general farmer and stock raiser he has been very successful, and also feeds a large amount of stock in the winter time. He is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Hammond; also in the Hammond Co-operative Creamery and the Hammond Telephone Company. He has been a member of the town board for three years, now serving as chairman, and is a man of public spirit in all things concerning the welfare of the community in which he resides. A Catholic in religion, he is fraternally a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Mr. Wagner was married November 2, 1897, to Ida Mullen, born March 19, 1867, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Mullen, the parents being natives of Pennsylvania, in which state the mother still lives ; the father died January 10, 1912. They had ten children: George, John, James, William, Frank, Anna, Bernice, Ida, Stella and June. James is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are the parents of six children: Agnes, born September 12, 1898, now Mrs. Thomas McGrath of Highland Township; Ruth, born December 24, 1900, who is the wife of Leo Wiley of Plainview Village; Paul, born May 19, 1902; Arthur and William (twins), born February 24, 1905; and Carl, born April 6, 1912.

Joseph J. Cliff, whose death some 12 years ago deprived Chester Town- ship of one of its leading citizens, was born in England, May 7, 1844, and came to the United States with his parents in 1865. The family settled in Chester Township, Wabasha County, Minn., and engaged in farming. Joseph worked for his father until 1873, and then started in for himself, buying 280

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

acres in section 23, Chester. With commendable energy he improved his place by the erection of a new set of buildings, and followed general .farm- ing and stock raising with profitable results until his death on August 28, 1908. He was a citizen held in high esteem and served as supervisor on the town board. Mr. Cliff was married in 1873 to Melissa Merrill, who died after a few years of wedded life in 1876. On June 13, 1882, Mr. Cliff married Mary Robinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Robinson of Mazeppa. Both her parents have passed away, the father dying in 1909, and the mother in 1907. The children of Joseph J. and Mary Cliff were as follows: Anna B., born June 21, 1884, now Mrs. Ernest Beals of St. Paul; Maude J., born March 10, 1886, who is the wife of F. C. Yotter of Mazeppa; Charles P., born April 16, 1889, who is now in North Dakota; Jessie F., born November 26, 1891, now Mrs. Alfred Rucker of Oronoco, Minn .; Florence, born October 6, 1893, wife of Lawrence Wassman of Lake City; Clark R., born July 17, 1894; Mckinley, born February 18, 1897, and Ruth E., born August 28, 1898. The three last mentioned are still residing on the home farm with their mother, it being operated by the two sons, Clark and Mckinley. The Cliff family have a good social standing and are affiliated religiously with the Congregational church. Charles C. Robinson, the father of Mrs. Cliff, was born in New York State, and came west to Illinois, where he engaged in farming. There he married Elizabeth Peeler, and at a still early day they came to Wabasha County, Minn., and engaged in farming in Chester Township. They had six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom are now deceased except Charles of Minneapolis, Edwin of Idaho, Mary, widow of Joseph J. Cliff, and Eva, wife of Will Vilas of Denver, Colo. During the Civil War Mr. Robinson enlisted in a Minnesota regiment and served about two years.

John Befort, a representative farmer of Chester Township, where he has resided all his life, was born here March 30, 1869, son of William and Anna (De Ville) Befort. The parents were natives respectively of Germany and France who came to this country in the early sixties, and who, after re- siding in New York State for several years, came west to Wisconsin, thence to Goodhue County, Minn., and later to Chester Township, Wabasha County, where they spent the rest of their lives in farming. The mother. died in 1908 and the father in 1909. They were members of the Catholic church. Their children were William, Mary, Anna, John (first), John (second), Katherine, Frank, Lena and Agnes. The first John died in infancy and Katherine is also now deceased. The subject of this sketch, who was the second child of his parents to be named John, was educated in the district school and learned agriculture on the home farm, working for his father until 1895. Then for four years he operated 80 acres of land which he rented of his father. In 1899 he moved to the main part of the home farm, which consisted of 160 acres in section 30, and which he afterwards purchased, improving the prop- erty by the erection of a barn and outbuildings. Here he has since carried on general farming, raising good stock. For eight years he has served as clerk of the school board of District No. 91, and still holds that position. He is a member of the Catholic church and also belongs to the Catholic order of Foresters. Mr. Befort was married April 23, 1895, to Rose Redie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Redie of Mazeppa. She was one of two children, hav- ing a sister Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Befort are the parents of five children, who were born as follows: Mary, November 16, 1896; Annie, June 19, 1899; Viola J., December 7, 1901; William R., December 3, 1904, and Caroline G., July 6, 1908. Mary is now the wife of Joseph Reuter and Annie the wife of Theo- dore Manthei.

Claus Klindworth, who for 43 years was a respected citizen of Chester Township, where during his active period he was engaged in agriculture, was born in Hanover, Germany, where he resided until 11 years old. He then in 1872 came with his parents to America, the family locating on a farm in

CLAUS KLINDWORTH AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Hay Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minn. After a residence there of one year, they moved to Chester Township, Wabasha County, taking a farm which they cultivated and developed into a valuable property, and where Mr. Klind- worth died December 4, 1919, at the age of about 55 years. He had been an . active and industrious citizen, a good neighbor, and the worthy head of a worthy family. His wife, who survived him, is residing in Zumbro Falls. Their family numbered eight children, evenly divided between sons and daughters, namely: John A., Anna, Alfred D., Clarence, Johanna, Lorena, Esther and Raymond. John A. is now engaged in the hardware business at Zumbro Falls, with his brother Alfred. Anna is the wife of Jacob B. Schwartz of Zumbro Falls. Clarence resides at Dumont, Minn. Johanna is the wife of Richard Gerken, and lives on the Gerken farm at Hyde Park. Lorena, residing on the home farm in Chester Township, is the wife of For- rest Atkinson. Esther and Raymond reside with their mother. Claus Klind- worth, the father, was a man who took an active interest in all matters affect- ing the good of the community in which he lived, serving as road commis- sioner and as school clerk for a number of years. He left his farm of 120 acres in good condition and it is today a valuable piece of agricultural property.

John A. Klindworth, a member of the prosperous hardware and farm im- plement firm of Klindworth Bros., of Zumbro Falls, was born in Chester Township, Wabasha County, in 1891, son of Claus and Katherine Klindworth. In his boyhood he attended the district school and engaged in farm work, as- sisting his father until 1909, in which year he came to Zumbro Falls and en- gaged in the hardware and implement business with H. R. Gray. In Septem- ber, 1919, his brother Alfred bought Mr. Gray's interest in the business, which is now carried on by the firm of Klindworth Bros. In addition to hard- ware the firm handles auto cars and tractors, and operates a garage where they repair all kinds of cars. They have a good patronage and the business is growing, with satisfactory financial results. John Klindworth served on the village council in 1917, and in 1919 was elected mayor, which office he still holds. He was married in 1911 to Anna Gerken, daughter of Cord and Anna (Duden) Gerken, the parents being natives of Hanover, Germany, who on coming to Wabasha County, Minn., engaged in farming and became pros- perous. Cord Gerken died in June, 1919, but his wife is still living. They were the parents of four daughters and one son: Ella, wife of Henry Heit- man, of Gillford; Katie, wife of Fred Heitman, also of Gillford; Mary, wife of Albert Manthie, of Chester; Henry, who died in 1919; and Anna, wife of John Klindworth. Mr. and Mrs. Klindworth have two children, Elmer and Bernice, both attending school. Mr. Klindworth is a prominent member of the community in which he has cast his lot, and that he is popular and rec- ognized as a capable man of affairs is proved by his election to the highest local office within the gift of his fellow citizens.

John T. Goodman, engaged in agriculture in Chester Township, of which township he is one of the prominent citizens, was born in Goodhue County, November 26, 1861, son of John and Jeanette (Bump) Goodman. The father, who was born in Germany, came to America in the early forties, settling in Goodhue County, Minn., on 80 acres of land. During the Civil War he served in the Union army, being honorably discharged in 1865. Shortly after his re- turn from the war he died. His wife survived him a number of years passing away in 1879. They were members of the German Lutheran church. They had only two children, both sons, Charles E. and John T. John T. Goodman acquired his education in the Mazeppa village schools and lived with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Orson Bump, until he was 17 years old. He worked at farm labor by the month, near Mazeppa, until 1881, after which he rented different farms in Goodhue and Olmsted Counties. In 1901 he bought his present farm of 93 acres in section 31, Chester Township, on which he has

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 119

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