History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 125

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

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David L. Philley, who came at an early day to Wabasha County, and after an interval of some years, made a permanent settlement, was born in McDon- ough, Chenango County, N. Y., September 8, 1823, son of Isaac and Eliza Philley. His grandfather, Remembrance Philley, served through the Revolu- tionary War under Washington. The family name is of Irish origin, but the

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mother of Remembrance was Scotch. David L. Philley was reared on a farm and received a meager common school education. At the age of 21 he began to teach and educate himself, teaching eight winters in all. He also bought farms and sold them after making improvements. He was married. March 5, 1849, to Clarissa L. Eaton, who was born in Willet, Cortland County, N. Y., and whose father, John Eaton, was born in Utica. In 1857 Mr. Philley came to Wabasha County, Minn., on a prospecting tour, and bought 240 acres of land in Chester Township, subsequently returning East. In 1868 he came back to Minnesota, bringing with him his family, and they settled on his land in Chester Township, which he improved, carrying on agriculture there until 1875, when he moved to Lake City. About a year later he came to Mazeppa, where he built a good residence, and engaged in the buying and selling of land, an occupation in which he continued until his death on March 28, 1903. He had been a wid- ower for over ten years, his wife having passed away December 23, 1893. Of their six children, five are now living: Melinda, a widow residing in Mazeppa, her husband, Albert Stowell, having died in 1905; Isaac L., a hardware mer- chant in Lewisburg, Minn .; John E., of Mazeppa; Murray, who lives in Can- ada; and Viola, who married Edward Noonan of Portland, Ore. The one de- ceased is Sherman. Mr. Philley was at one time, in the early eighties, the owner of 2,100 acres of land, of which 1,300 acres were in Lac Qui Parle County. He was a member of Mazeppa Lodge, I. O. G. T.

John E. Philley, now living retired in Mazeppa, after a number of years spent in farming and stock raising in Chester Township, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., September 9, 1856, son of David L. and Clarissa (Eaton) Philley. He was in his twelfth year when he accompanied his parents to the farm they had purchased in Chester Township, this county, and he was there reared to manhood, acquiring under his father a practical knowledge of agriculture. On his father's death in March, 1903, he fell heir to the farm, which he conducted until April, 1912. He then rented the place to a tenant and came to Mazeppa, where he has since lived retired. He has been school dirctor for several years, and for three years justice of the peace, and is a man held in esteem by his fellow townsmen for his sterling qualities as a neighbor and good American citizen. He is fraternally affiliated with the United Workmen. Mr. Philley was married April 3, 1880, to Clara A. Ford, daughter of Orton and Finette (Hogan) Ford. Her grandfather, Joseph Ford, was. one of the earliest set- tlers on the site of Mazeppa, pre-empting 160 acres of land in the north half of section 6, and he and his son, Orville D., who settled in the south half of the same section, laid out and platted the village, the site of which was owned by Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Philley are the parents of three daughters: Olive, wife of Delbert Cunningham, of Zumbrota, Minn., and Almeter and Elsie, re- siding in Mazeppa, the latter being clerk in Nichol's store. A son, Clarence, is now deceased.

Charles A. Swanson, head of the firm of Swanson & Sons, of Plainview, engaged in buying and shipping produce, was born in Wabasha County, Oc- tober 30, 1871, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Swanson. He acquired his educa- tion in the district schools, and at the age of 19 years began working out as a farm laborer. This occupation he followed for a few years and then rented the - Patton farm in Elgin Township, this county, which he was engaged in operating for 14 years. Afterwards he bought an 80-acre farm in the same township, on which he lived for seven months, in 1909 selling the farm and moving to Plain- view in order that his children might enjoy better educational opportunities. For a while after coming here he followed teaming, carpentry, painting and interior decorating, and is now, in company with his sons, engaged in buying- and shipping such farm produce as cabbages, onions, and potatoes. In 1918 he bought a farm of 80 acres in Oakwood Township, this county. Enterprising and energetic, he has made good progress on the road to affluence, and is recog- nized as one of the prosperous and reliable citizens of the village. Mr. Swan-

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son was married December 24, 1894, to Lulu M. Sexton, who was born in New York state May 11, 1877, and acquired her education in the Plainview, Minn., public and high schools. The children of this union are Charles A., Theodore S., Earl Ervin, Clarence August, Levi Lewis and Velva Lila Maude. Charles A., born November 1, 1895, after graduating from the Plainview high school at the age of 16 years, in 1912, entered the Winona Business College, from which he received four diplomas. For a time he was with the Huntley moving picture people at Winona, after which he worked as bookkeeper at Cooperstown, N. D. From there he went to Redwood Falls, Minn., where during the war he was em- ployed in the draft office, and at the end of his term of service was. accorded honorable mention as not having made a single mistake. On May 13, 1919, he became cashier in the freight depot at Tracy, Minn. His wife, Minnie, to whom he was married November 1, 1895, by a previous marriage, had one child, Leland. Theodore S. Swanson, born July 2, 1897, acquired his education in the common and high school of Plainview. He then engaged in farming at Eagle Grove, Iowa. On April 1, 1918, having been selected to serve his coun- try, he went to camp at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was there for about a year, being discharged April 14, 1919. He was married at Mason City, Iowa, to Emma Mitchell, and they reside at Eagle Grove, Iowa. Earl Ervin Swanson, born June 24, 1899, was graduated from the Plainview high school in 1918, and had the honor of being at the head of his class of 32 pupils. In September, 1918, he went to Minneapolis, where he entered the S. A. T. C .. remaining three months. In January, 1919, he entered a business college in that city and was graduated in the same year. Clarence August Swanson, born November 5, 1900, is now a student in the Plainview high school. Levi Lewis, born January 1, 1902, is attending school in Plainview, being in the eighth grade. The young- est child, Velva Lila Maude, was born March 27, 1911, and is in the third grade of the same school. All the older children have shown exceptional ability, and the younger are bright and promising, the family apparently being possessed of good mental endowments.

Michael James Sullivan, a representative farmer of West Albany Town- ship, owning and operating a good farm of 285 acres in section 30, was born on this farm May 18, 1868, son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Burke) Sullivan. The parents were natives of County Kerry, Ireland, where they made each other's acquaintance. Both came to America in 1850, and in 1851 they were married in New York City, soon after their marriage coming to Wisconsin and settling on a farm near Milwaukee. In 1855 they came to Wabasha County, Minn., and settled on 160 acres of the land now occupied by their son, Michael J., which they subsequently entered under the homestead law. The land was wild, but there was a small shanty standing on it, which obviated the necessity of building a house. Other improvements were made in time and the land de- veloped into a farm, on which the parents resided until their death. The father died May 27, 1881, and was survived by his wife for nearly 21 years, her death occurring May 7, 1902. Their family numbered six children: Jeremiah, a farmer in West Albany Township, adjoining the old home farm; James, de- ceased; Mary, now Mrs. John Howard of Milwaukee; Johanna, deceased; Daniel, deceased; and Michael James, the subject of this sketch. Michael James Sullivan was reared on his parents' farm, and attended District School No. 23 in West Albany Township, until the age of 16 years. In 1892 he became owner of the farm, which in the fall of the same year he leased out, and went to Minneapolis, where he remained until 1904. While in that city he was em- ployed for a number of years in the Syndicate Block on Nicolet avenue, and for four or five years was in the employ of the United States Express Co. In 1904 he returned to his farm in West Albany Township, which he has since been engaged in operating. He has built a comfortable frame house, barns, granary and other necessary buildings, and has also added to the original area, having now 285 acres of land, of which 200 are under the plow. His equipment is up

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to date and complete and includes a good auto car. Mr. Sullivan carries on general farming on a profitable basis, his farm, which lies 12 miles south of Lake City, being well stocked with grade Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Co. of Millville. He is a Democrat politically and for seven years was treasurer of his school board. On October 3, 1893, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage with Nellie, daughter of Michael and Anna (Worth) Sweeney, of St. Paul, Minn. She was born on a farm in Goodhue County, Minn., January 31, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan began home making in Minneapolis, where he was then employed. They have had three chil- dren : John, born August 9, 1894; Marion, born October 5, 1895; and Mildred, born May 9, 1898. John died in infancy. Marion, who was graduated from the Lake City High School in the normal school course, has been a teacher for the past seven years. She resides on the farm with her parents. Mildred is the wife of Ralph Harlan, a farmer near Plainview, and has one child, Edward.

Joseph Bernhardt Freese, who settled 36 years ago in West Albany Town- ship, where he began agricultural improvements that have since resulted in a good farm now conducted by his son John, was born in Germany, February 23, 1830. He grew to manhood in his native land and was there married. In 1866, with his wife, Mary Elizabeth, and six children-five sons and one daughter, the youngest, John, being then only eight months old-he took passage on a sailing vessel for New Orleans, reaching that port safely, and then came by boat up the Mississippi river to Bellevue, Iowa, which place the family reached November 14, the same year, owing $60 for transportation. In his native land Mr. Freese had been a farmer, and in Bellevue he engaged in ordinary labor, whatever he could find to do. He and his family remained there until the fall of 1879, when he came to Wabasha County, Minn., locating on a farm on Wabasha Hill, three and a half miles from Wabasha village, which he rented from Charles Roemer. There he remained four years, engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In the fall of 1884 Mr. Freese rented the Henry Curry farm in section 13, West Albany Township, to which he and his family moved. He continued to operate it until 1889, when he retired, and it was purchased by his son, John, the present owner. Mr. Freese died January 9, 1902. His wife, who was born October 24, 1838, passed away only three days before him. They were the parents of eight children : Clement, now of Breckenridge, Minn .; Bernhardt, a retired farmer living in Wabasha; Theresa, now Mrs. Bernhardt Kreye of Pepin Township; Joseph, a prosperous farmer of West Albany Township; Henry, who is farming in Glasgow Township; August, a farmer in West Albany Township; Mary, now deceased; and John, residing on the old home farm.

John Freese, a prominent representative of the farming interests of West Albany Township, where he has resided for over 40 years, was born in Han- over, Germany, March 6, 1866, son of Joseph Bernhardt and Mary Elizabeth Freese. As a babe he accompanied his parents, together with a sister and four brothers, to the United States, Journeying on a sailing-vessel to New Orleans, and thence up the river to Bellevue, Iowa, where he attended the common school, and where the family remained until the fall of 1879, when they came to Wabasha County, Minn. Here his education was supplemented by three months in the Sisters' school at Wabasha, and was afterwards associated with his father on the home farms, first on Wabasha Hill, and then in section 13, West Albany, where he now lives, until the father's death in 1902. He then bought the farm, which his father had rented, and has since remained its pro- prietor, carrying on general farming and successfully breeding Shorthorn cat- tle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. The farm, which is now one of the best in the township, has been made so largely by his own exertions. It contains in all 216 acres, of which 160 acres are improved land in section 13, and the other 56 acres timber land on the Zumbro bottoms, near by. The original buildings were poor, the house being partly of frame and partly of log construction. Mr. Freese has replaced it with a large two-story frame house, consisting of an up-

NATHANIEL A. ROSEBOOM.

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right and wing, and has built a good frame barn, a machine-shed, double corn crib, hog house and other necessary structures. He raises from 40 to 50 head of cattle annually and about the same number of hogs, and is doing a prosperous business. His operating equipment includes the usual farm machinery and some eight or ten horses, and he owns a fine Oakland auto. In politics Mr. Freese was formerly a Republican, but has joined the Non-partisan League. He has served his township several terms as supervisor, is still serving in that office, and has been a member of the local school board for years. In addition to his direct farming interests, he is one of the directors of the Theilman State Bank, is treasurer of the Farmers' Elevator Co. of Theilman, and is a stock- holder in the Terminal Packing Co. of St. Paul, and in the Wabasha "Leader" (now his party's organ), and of the "Daily Star" of Minneapolis. He is also a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union of St. Paul. Mr. Freese was married October 7, 1902, to Augusta Markus, who was born in Trout Creek Valley, Glasgow Township, this county, June 29, 1876, daughter of Henry and Mary (Krull) Markus. Of the six children born to him and his wife, one died in in- fancy. Those living, with their birth dates, are as follows: Marie C., February 14, 1904; Gertrude, March 8, 1908; Arthur J., March 19, 1910; Elizabeth B., May 16, 1912; and Clarence J., May 26, 1914. Mr. Freese was reared a Cath- olic, and he and his family are members of St. Joseph's parish at Theilman, he also being a trustee of the parish.

Garrett Roseboom, formerly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Zumbro Township, was born in New Jersey, September 23, 1848. In 1862 he came to Wabasha County, Minn., with his parents, Ares and Elizabeth Roseboom, who settled in Zumbro Township, and until 1864 he worked for his father. After that for several years he did farm labor, working for others. In 1868 Mr. Rose- boom started in for himself as an independent farmer, buying 80 acres in sec- tion 35, Zumbro Township, and building a house on his land. There he was engaged in general farming and stock raising until his death on November 15, 1886. Mr. Roseboom was married January 15, 1878, to Louise Renoux, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Renoux. Her parents were natives of France who came to America in 1845, settling near Lake City, Minn., on a small farm. Mr. Renoux dying in the following year, his wife subsequently operated the farm and reared her family. They had seven chlidren: Mary, Victoria (deceased), Joseph, Louisa, Emma and Alice (twins), and Harriett. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Roseboom, all now living, are as follows: Nathaniel A., born October 22, 1880; John J., born February 28, 1883, now residing in Olmsted County; Lydia H., born February 28, 1885, who is the wife of Arley Disney of Olmsted County; and Garrett, born July 14, 1887, who is operating the home farm for his mother, who has conducted it with the assistance of her sons since her husband's death. She has improved the place by the erection of a barn and outbuildings, and also bought 80 additional acres of land in section 36. The farm is now well improved and the family prosperous and respected.

Nathaniel A. Roseboom, a member of a prominent family of Zumbro Town- ship, and who for a number of years has been engaged in agricultural opera- tions here, was born in this township October 22, 1880, son of Garrett and Louisa (Renoux) Roseboom. His father dying in 1886, he subsequently worked on the home farm for his mother until 1897. Then he and his brothers, John and Garrett, rented the home farm and were associated together for 21 years, operating in all 520 acres-200 acres in Wabasha County and 320 acres in Oronoco Township, Olmsted County. In 1918 he branched out for himself, farming 200 acres of his own. On settling his father's estate he had inherited 40 acres, and in 1912 he bought 80 acres of land adjoining in section 36, Zumbro Township. Later he purchased another 80, making in all 200 acres, the farm on which he now lives. He has built a barn and outbuildings, repaired the fences and made other improvements, and is successfully carrying on general farming, raising high grade Durham cattle. He has also devoted a part of his time to

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public affairs, having served seven years as chairman of the town board of supervisors, and six years as a member of the school board of District No. 69. Mr. Roseboom was married June 22, 1910, to Jessie M. Cooke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cooke of Rochester, her parents having formerly resided many years in Zumbro Township. Mr. and Mrs. Roseboom are the parents of two children : Kenneth N., born January 11, 1912; and Jennie L., born February 26, 1920.

John J. Roseboom, well known in Zumbro Township, where for a number of years he was engaged extensively in agriculture, though now a resident of Olmsted County, was born in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County, February 28, 1883, son of Garrett and Louisa (Renoux) Roseboom. He was educated in the district school, and after his father's death in 1886 worked for his mother on the home farm until 1897. Then he and his brothers rented the farm for two years, and were associated together subsequently in farming operations until 1919, operating 520 acres in Wabasha and Olmsted Counties. In 1919 John J. Roseboom bought 120 acres in Olmsted County, where he is now engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has built a barn and machine-shed and put his new property into good condition. He was married June 20, 1906, to May R. Cooke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cooke of Rochester. Of this union three children have been born: Mildred L., October 21, 1908; Clifton J., August 14, 1909; and Percy, February 19, 1916.

August Thiele, a prosperous land owner of Chester Township, where he formerly engaged in farming, but is now retired, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, Octobr 23, 1856, about the time when this county was receiving its pioneer settlers. He was educated in his native land and remained there until 1878, in which year he emigrated to the United States and settled in Goodhue County, Minn. There until 1882 he was engaged in farm work in the vicinity of Belvidere. Then starting in for himself, he rented a farm in Chester Town- ship, Wabasha County, which he operated for ten years, or until 1892. He then bought 80 acres in section 31, Chester, and set out to improve the place, erecting a new set of buildings and fences and clearing most of the land. Later he bought 160 acres in section 32, which he subsequently sold to his son, Edward. His last purchase was the farm of 80 acres on which he now lives, situated in section 31, and which is operated by his sons John and Henry, Mr. Thiele hav- ing retired in 1912, after a successful career as a farmer and stock raiser. A man of energy and ambition, he helped to develop the resources of the township in which he settled, and has become well known and respected throughout the part of Wabasha County. August Thiele was married July 27, 1884, to Lenora Fricke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Fricke, natives of Germany, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Fricke came to America and until her death in 1916 resided with her daughter, Mrs. Thiele. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thiele have been as follows: John H., born November 22, 1885; Henry A., born November 4, 1888; Edwin H., born April 7, 1892; Rhinehart F., born May 7, 1893, who died September 4, the same year; Clara L., born February 4, 1895, now the wife of Ben Lemke; Elsie M., born March 3, 1897, who is keeping house for her brothers John and Henry; Sadie M., born September 11, 1899, and Lydia E., born November 17, 1903, both of whom are residing at home.

Charles L. Wyatt, an enterprising and successful farmer of Zumbro Town- ship, was born in Zumbro Township April 30, 1869, son of Daniel and Anna (Stevens) Wyatt. The father was a native of New Hampshire and the mother of Maine. They came to Minnesota in the late fifties, first settling in Mazeppa Township, Wabasha County, and later in Zumbro, where Daniel Wyatt took a claim of 80 acres in section 13. He subsequently increased the size of his farm to 200 acres and built a house, barn and outbuildings. After remaining in the same location until 1905, he removed to a place a mile and a half east, but later tcok up his residence in Zumbro Falls, where he died May 4, 1908. His wife died February 6, 1913. They were members of the Congregational church

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and were widely known and respected. Their family numbered nine children, Frank, Minnie, Henry, Lillie, Eugene, Laura, Ella, Anna and Charles. Henry, Laura and Ella are now deceased. Charles L. Wyattt acquired his education in the district school and was trained to agriculture on the home farm. He worked for his father until 1898, in which year he rented a farm in Bear Valley, Chester Township. After operating that farm for three years, he removed in 1898 to Gillford Township, where he bought 80 acres, which also he operated three years, or until 1901, after which he spent a year on a dairy farm in At- kins County. In 1902, returning to Wabasha County, he bought 240 acres in sections 12 and 13, Zumbro Township. On this place, where he resided 15 years, he built a barn and outbuildnigs. Selling it in 1917, he bought 156 acres in section 24, Zumbro Township, which is the farm he is now living on, though he has since increased its area to 236 acres, and has built a garage and made other improvements. His operations as a general farmer and stock raiser have been successfully conducted and he is now numbered among the well to do citizens of his township. Mr. Wyatt was married February 6, 1894, to Nannie Cliff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Addene Cliff. Her parents were natives respec- tively of England and New York State, the father coming to this country in the early sixties. After their marriage they resided in Connecticut for two years, and then came to . Wabasha County, Minn., and engaged in farming in Chester Township. Mr. Cliff died April 7, 1898, and Mrs. Cliff July 8, 1912. They were members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Their children were Carrie, Nannie, Samuel and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wyatt eight chil- dren have been born, as follows: Carl J., May 19, 1895; Lela M., November 29, 1897; Norman E., August 16, 1898; Theodore R., July 1, 1900; Beth A., October 23, 1902; Frank D., December 25, 1904; Myrtle J., June 17, 1907, and Lawrence C., October 20, 1910. The eldest son, Carl J., was one of those noble American youths, who, when this country was drawn into the maelstrom of the great World War, without waiting to be called on, enlisted in its service, the date of his enlistment being December 17, 1917. At first a member of the H. M. O. R. S., he subsequently transferred to the 2d Battalion, First Division, and went over seas to France. Though he was not called on to serve at the front, he gave up his life, falling a victim to influenza, and his body is still in France. Lela M. is now the wife of Percy Anderson. Norman E. is employed in the garage at Hammond. The other children are residing on the home farm. Mr. Wyatt and his family are affiliated religiously with the Congregational church; and he also belongs to the fraternal order of Modern Woodmen of America.

Albert F. Fuerstnau, a prominent business man of Hammond, where he is engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business, and also, with his wife's assistance, operates a hotel, was born in Germany in 1866, son of William and Eva (Ristau) Fuerstnau. The parents were born in Germany, where the father died in 1873. Thirteen years later, in 1886, his wife came to this country, settling in Indiana, where in time she died. She left two sons and two daughters: William Herman, Gusta, Henrietta and Albert F. Gusta is now Mrs. Ed Werner of Thief River Falls, Minn. Henrietta is the wife of F. Dickman of Hammond. Albert F. Fuerstnau came to the United States in 1882, settling first in Indiana, where he remained three years. Then coming to Hammond, Wabasha County, Minn., he farmed in this vicinity for six years, after which he opened a hardware store. After working four years in the creamery he became a partner with Peter Ilgen in the hardware and machinery business, being thus occupied for six years. After that he was connected for a short time with the Roberts general store, and was then employed for some time in the Kitzman hardware store. Subsequently he worked 18 months for the Standard Oil Co. Mr. Fuerstnau then bought Albert Kreinbring's interest in the hardware store of which he is now proprietor. In the fall of 1919 he opened a hotel of nine rooms, which his wife takes care of. Besides ordinary hardware he carries everything in the line of farm machinery, and is doing

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 125

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