History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 39

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

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 39

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Monroe J. Manchester, a well known and prosperous business man of Plainview, proprietor of an elevator there, and also of another at Viola, Olm- sted County, was born at Waterville, Vt., June 13, 1863, son of James M. and Charlotte R. (Wells) Manchester. The father, who was a soldier in the Civil War, was captured and died in Andersonville prison. His widow subsequently married D. C. Harvey, of Waterville, Vt., and in 1875 they came to Olmsted County, Minnesota, locating at Dover. Monroe J. Manchester was twelve years old when he accompanied his mother and step-father to Dover, Minn. There he attended the public schools, and at the age of 16 years became operator at the Dover station. For about 34 years subsequently he continued in railroad work, from 1879 being operator or station agent successively at Dover, St. Charles or Utica, then for eight years at Dover, becoming station agent at Plainview in February, 1893, which position he filled for 20 years, or until

Cinguista. E. Cover

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October, 1913. In 1912 he had purchased an interest in the C. E. Richmond & Co.'s elevator, and in 1913 he became active in the concern, retiring finally from railroad work. On May 1, 1917, Mr. Manchester became sole owner and proprietor of the business and elevators at Plainview and Viola. In June, 1918, he built his present sightly elevator at Plainview, and is now doing an extensive business, handling grain, feed, coal and fuel. Though starting an independent career somewhat late in life, he has shown himself possessed of the requisite business capacity, and has made great progress within a short space of time, having estabished himself as one of the substantial business men of Plainview and the surrounding region, throughout which he is widely known. As an old proverb says, "Nothing succeeds like success," of which Mr. Manchester's case is an admirable illustration, and the universal respect in which he is held is not unmerited. He is a Mason of high degree, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Plainview, the Chapter at St. Charles, the Consistory at Winona, and to Osman Temple of the Mystic Shrine at St. Paul. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Plainview, the Elks lodge at Rochester, and to several other orders, including the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Samari- tans, the Yeoman and the Independent Order of Foresters. On June 10, 1885, Mr. Manchester was married at Dover, Minn., to Mary Estella Dickey, who was born at Strong, Maine, September 10, 1861, daughter of John W. and Martha M. (Hunt) Dickey. The only child of this union, Hazel, died at the age of six months.

August Stoltz, now living retired in Plainview village, was an early settler in this county, and for many years an active member of that agricultural class which has contributed the most to its development and the building up of its wealth and material resources. He was born in Germany, September 20, 1842, and was educated in his native land, where he grew to manhood. In 1865 he came to America, locating at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. After a residence there of three years, he came in 1868 to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and began farm- ing, renting a tract of land in Plainview Township. Later he removed to 80 acres in section 5, which had been broken, but on which there were no buildings. These were erected by himself and formed a good set, including a comfortable residence. Through strenuous work he made good progress, each year finding him farther advanced, and he kept enlarging his farm by the purchase of additional land until he found himself the owner of 400 acres. In 1889, having acquired a reasonable competence, he retired from active work, and he and his wife have since resided in the village, where they have a large acquaintance among well known people. It was here that Mr. Stoltz was mar- ried, May 7, 1869, to Augusta Meitzner, who was born in Germany, April 18, 1847, and who came to America at 19 years of age, in 1866. Five children have been born to them, namely: Emma, April 15, 1870; Rudolph, June 28, 1872; G. Adolph, October 20, 1876; Atelia, January 29, 1879, and Sophia, October 7, 1881. Emma is now the wife of John Kuhmann, of South Dakota. Rudolph married Anna Bank, and is now a farmer in Highland Township. Atelia is the wife of August Quandt, of Mower County, Minnesota. Sophia is the wife of John Leibert, of South Dakota.

G. Adolph Stoltz, assistant cashier in the Plainview State Bank, and a business man of local repute, was born in Plainview Township, October 20, 1876, a son of August and Augusta (Meitzner) Stoltz. He acquired his educa- tion in the Plainview public schools, after which he was employed as clerk for two years in the general store of H. K. Oliverson. Then returning to the home farm, he remained there until 1910, when he moved to Plainview. In 1908 he was elected secretary of the Plainview Co-operative Creamery Association, and served as such until he resigned in 1917. In 1908 and 1909, while still living on the farm, he was engaged in the farm implement business in Plain- view, driving back and forth between the village and his parents' farm. This business he continued to follow until the spring of 1911, when he accepted a

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position as bookkeeper in the Plainview State Bank. Soon after, however, he became one of the assistant cashiers, which position he still holds. He has also farm holdings in Canada and North Dakota. He formerly served as assessor of Plainview Township. To his work, whether of a business or polit- ical character, he has always given close attention and has built up a reputa- tion both for probity and ability. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Mr. Stoltz was married, October 10, 1900, to Lydia A. Schwanbeck, who was born July 8, 1878. Four children have been born of this union : Milton, September 13, 1901; Merle, December 17, 1904; Belva, Decem- ber 24, 1906, and Everett, February 25, 1911.

Charles Brookings Carley, an Olmsted County pioneer, was born in New York State, descended on both sides of his house from old New York families. As a young man he moved to Luzerne County, Penn., where he was married. In 1856 he and his wife came to Minnesota, and settled on a tract of wild land in section 1, Oronoco, in Olmsted County. From there they moved to Farm Hill, in Farmington Township, in that county. After this they came to Wa- basha County and settled on a farm in Zumbro Township, a few miles from their former home. After a long agricultural career they retired and moved to Rochester, where they lived for a while. In 1895 they came to Plainview to make their home with their son, James A., and with him they moved to Wabasha. After that they again went to live among old friends and acquaint- ances in Zumbro Township and there the wife died July 5, 1915. Since then Mr. Carley has made his home with his children. He is highly respected by his fellow men, and has taken his share with the other pioneers in the devel- opment of this fertile region, having lived to see the wonderful changes that have transformed southeastern Minnesota from a wilderness into one of the most flourishing regions of the country. In politics, Mr. Carley has been a life-long Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Wesleyan Meth- odist church. Mr. Carley was married in Luzerne County, Penn., June 17, 1851, to Agnes Dodson, who was born there, Jan. 21, 1832. This union was blessed with ten children : Joseph Dodson, born April 18, 1852; Eliza, born July 10, 1854; Richard Sterling, born February 3, 1856; Frederick A., born August 6, 1858; Charles J., born September 29, 1860; Ernest, born March 12, 1862; Wil- liam, born July 30, 1864; Frank, born November 3, 1866; James A., born June 17, 1869, and Walter E., born March 13, 1871. Ernest died October 18, 1862, and Frank died August 1, 1868.

James A. Carley, senator, attorney, business man and public official, is a splendid example of those native sons of Minnesota, whose parents were pioneers, and who have worthily carried the affairs of the Commonwealth still further along the road of progress and eminence. With but little encourage- ment he has won his way in the world and in achieving a satisfactory measure of success for himself, has assisted materially in the public, civic and business development of the state. As farm boy, teacher, attorney, county attorney, mayor, state representative, state senator, real estate, telephone and lumber investor, he has faithfully done his duty as he has seen it, and in so doing has won the esteem and respect of the people with whom he has come in contact. So widespread is his sterling reputation that he has already been prominently exploited in the public press as excellent material for the Governorship, and in 1918 he secured heavy support for the Democratic nomination for that office. James A. Carley was born in Oronoco Township, Olmsted County, Minn., June 17, 1869, son of Charles Brookings and Agnes (Dodson) Carley. With a com- mon school training as a foundation, he secured an excellent education, his alma maters being the Wesleyan Methodist Seminary at Wasioja, Minn .; the Minnesota State Normal School at Winona, Minn .; the Hamline University at Hamline, Minn., and the law school of the University of Minnesota at Minne- apolis. In the meantime since the age of fifteen he had made his own way, teaching, working at farming, and at such other employments as promised suf-

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ficient financial return. His first school was at Farm Hill, which he had attended as a boy, and subsequently at intervals he taught other schools, in- cluding night classes at St. Paul. He was graduated and admitted to the bar in 1894. He at once opened an office in Plainview, but for two years there- after continued his career as an educator. Since then his life has been one of ever increasing success. In 1896 he was elected county attorney, and although then inexperienced, he conducted the office in such a manner that he was thrice reelected. At the close of 1908 he retired to take up his duties as a member of the lower house of the Minnesota State Legislature. So excellent was his record in this respect that in 1910 he was persuaded to run for the upper house of the Legislature. Owing to political conditions he was defeated, but in 1914 again became a candidate and was elected. Although a Democrat, and the county was largely Republican, he received the largest majority ever received by a candidate for the senate in this district. In the senate he has made a most notable record, and is one of the influential figures in Capitol politics. He was chairman of the Game and Fish Committee, and later of the Civil Administration Committee, and a member of the Finance, Education, Insurance, Judiciary, Towns and Counties, and Public Service Co-operations Committees, all being of the most important in the Senate organization. One of his most notable fights has been for a tonnage tax on iron ores, which after years of effort he and his friends enacted into a law, in 1919, only to be defeated by the Governor's veto. In Plainview, Senator Carley has likewise been an important factor in public life. From 1914 to 1918 he did most excel- lent work as president of the village. During the World War he took an active part in the various drives, and delivered hundreds of talks in behalf of the loyal support of the government, in his own county and at many points within the state. In business, he has been no less distinguished. He was one of the founders of the Greenwood Prairie Telephone Co. in 1902, and is now president and principal owner, having had the practical management of the company since 1908. He was president of the New Wabasha Lumber Co., at Wabasha, which has recently sold its yards to the Botsford Lumber Co., of Winona, and is one of the founders and president of the North Star Moulding and Frame Co., of Minneapolis. He has extensive real estate holdings in the vicinity of Plainview, and a large farm near Mapleton, in Blue Earth County, this state. He also has a pleasant home in Plainview. Fraternally he belongs to Plain- view Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Wabasha Chapter, R.A.M., Lake City Commandery, K. T., Winona Consistory, S.R.M., Osmon Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Rochester Lodge, No. 1091, B.P.O.E., and Plainview Lodge, I.O.O.F., besides being a member of many fraternal insurance orders. Mr. Carley was married October 4, 1900, to Mary G. Chamberlain, daughter of C. L. and Loretta (Woodard) Chamberlain. Mrs. Carley is a member of the Congregational church. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of the Eastern Star.

William W. McCue, one of the pioneer settlers in Plainview Township, now deceased, was born in Canada, November 18, 1835. He was educated in the Dominion, and on beginning industrial life took up farming. In 1861, at the age of 25 years, he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, buying 80 acres of land in section 23, Plainview Township. The land was wild and the only building on it was an old shanty. To improve the place into a good farm was a task of considerable magnitude, requiring much time and hard labor, but Mr. McCue applied himself to it with assiduity and kept at it until it was accomplished, erecting all necessary buildings up to a fine residence which he built in 1894, and which for that time was thoroughly modern and installed with every desirable convenience that was obtainable. His horses, cattle and swine were of good grade, and he also kept a few sheep. As a man and citi- zen he was widely respected and for several years was a school director of his district. In his latter years he was a member of the Old Settlers' Association,

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and was also an Odd Fellow. A man of abundant energy, taking a pleasure in work, he continued in the harness until death put an end to his labors in February 6, 1915. Mr. McCue was first married to Alice Berlin, who died May 24, 1872. By her he had one son, Wright B., born May 23, 1871, who is now residing in South St. Paul, Minn. On June 25, 1873, at Wabasha, Minn., Mr. McCue was married secondly to Anna Bairey, who was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, September 10, 1849. The issue of this marriage is a son, Fred W., born January 20, 1878, who is now operating the home farm, his mother keeping house for him. He is giving special attention to the breeding of Shropshire sheep, and also raises Chester-White swine, both with profitable results. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

Herbert J. O'Connell, one of the leading business men of Plainview, where he is engaged extensively in the produce business, was born in this village, July 3, 1878, son of John H. and Minnie (Fricke) O'Connell. The parents were married in Plainview, where John H. O'Connell was in the grain business for over 30 years, conducting elevators both here and at Minneiska with the O'Neil line. His last years were spent in retirement in Plainview, where he died April 5, 1918. His wife is still a resident of the village. Herbert J. O'Connell, who was his parents' only child, after attending the public schools of Plainview, engaged in the grain business, and for several years was travel- ing auditor and manager of different elevators in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Dakota, during ten years of the time being stationed in various places in Dakota. In 1914 he changed his occupation, engaging in the produce business in Plainview, and in 1916 the present company, known as H. J. O'Connell & Co., was formed, with Al. D. Posz as Mr. O'Connell's partner. They handle potatoes, cabbage and onions, also doing a small jobbing business. In 1919 they shipped 314 cars to various southwestern and eastern markets, and through honest dealing and careful management the business is increasing from year to year. The company raises about 30 acres of crops themselves, buying their other produce from the surrounding farmers. Mr. O'Connell was married February 27, 1906, to Martha Gurski, who was born at Hastings, Minn., May 22, 1887, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gurski. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Connell three children have been born: John, February 7, 1907; Frances, July 29, 1908; and H. J., Jr., December 30, 1911. The family are members of the Catholic church.

William H. Van Horn, previous to his recent death, a retired farmer and Civil War veteran, Senior Vice Commander of Carroll Post, G. A. R., Plain- view, was born in New York City, September 17, 1836, son of Isaiah and Han- nah (Ostrander) Van Horn. Both his parents were natives of New York City, in the public schools of which he acquired his education. After relinquishing his studies he entered the Brooklyn navy yard, where he learned the ship- building trade, and was thus occupied until the first call for volunteers in 1861. He then enlisted for three years in Company D, Fourteenth New York Volunteer Infantry, and soon found himself in action. At the battle of Bull Run he received a bullet in his right wrist, a part of which is still there, and was also captured and thrust into Libby prison. Subsequently he was trans- ferred to the prison at Tuscalosa, Ala., and later to that at Salisbury, remaining a prisoner for a year altogether. After his release he was honorably dis- charged and returned to New York City to find his mother and sister in mourn- ing, as it had been reported to them that he was killed. In 1869 Mr. Van Horn came west to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and first bought two acres of land and a small house in Plainview Township, in which little home he and his family lived for three years. He then bought a small farm of 84 acres nearby, which he operated until 1890. In that year he sold the farm and bought a home in Plainview village, for several years thereafter following the occupa- tion of carpenter. After his wife's death he sold "his home and took apart- ments with his daughter, Mrs. Daniel McFarlin, having the upstairs flat, where

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. VAN HORN

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his daughter Minnesota kept house for him. In spite of his 83 years Mr. Van Horn was a very active man until his death, which occurred June 20, 1920. When a young man he joined Yew Tree Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of New York City, from which he has never been dimitted. In politics he was a Republican, and religiously affiliated with the Congregational church. Mr. Van Horn was married, June 11, 1864, at New York City, to Elizabeth Osgood, who was born in New York City, May 11, 1843, daughter of John B. and Sarah (Woolsey) Osgood. She died July 19, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn five children were born, William H., Annie May, Minnesota, Edna L. and Jennie. William H., born August 11, 1865, who is a railroad man residing at Winona, married Irene Briggs, and has two children, Vivian and Laura E., the former of whom married Arthur Waterstreet and has one child, Wayne. Annie May, born in New York City, April 27, 1868, is now Mrs. Daniel McFarlin of Plainview, and has one child, Merle. Minnesota, born April 14, 1870, in Plainview Township; Edna B., born January 7, 1873, first married Alexander McGee, by whom she has one son, Theodore. She is now Mrs. Cassius Breed, of Plainview, Mr. Mc- Gee being deceased. Jennie, born November 22, 1879, is the wife of Asa Knowl- ton, of Plainview Township, and has three children, Archie, Holsey and Jack. Mr. Van Horn had seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Thomas J. Moore, D.D.S., of Plainview, a good representative of the pro- fessional class in this lively village, was born in Chatfield, Minn., June 23, 1882, son of John W. and Ellen (McLaughlin) Moore. The father was born in the state of New York of English descent, whose active career was spent in farm- ing, and who is now living retired in Chatfield, in which place he was married to Ellen Mclaughlin, a native of Ireland. Thomas J. Moore acquired his literary education in the public and high schools of Chatfield, being graduated from the high school in the class of 1904. In 1908 he was graduated from the dental department of the State University of Minnesota, and in the same year came to Plainview and opened an office in the Koenig Block, where he has since remained. He occupies a suite of five rooms, neatly furnished, and fitted out with a full complement of implements and apparatus belonging to his profession, including an X-ray outfit, and since establishing himself in the village he has built up an excellent and lucrative practice, being widely recog- nized as a highly competent dentist. He has also taken his place as one of the leading citizens of Plainview, having served efficiently as a member of the village council, of which he was president for a year and a half, and as a mem- ber of the board of education, which position he has held for several years. As a Mason he belongs to Illustrious Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Plainview, and to the Scottish Rite lodge at Winona. Aside from the emoluments derived from his profession, he owns a fine farm of 95 acres in Plainview Township, which he rents out. Dr. Moore was married, June 11, 1910, to Eva Gran, of Wabasha, Minn. She was born in Wabasha, November 16, 1885, daughter of John and Sophia Gran. Her father is now deceased, but her mother is living and is now a resident of Rochester. To Dr. and Mrs. Moore three children have been born: Margaret E., May 17, 1911; Alice L., December 28, 1912, and Thomas R., November 10, 1916. The family are affiliated religiously with the Congrega- tional church.

F. M. McClure, a widely known veterinary surgeon and business man, located in Plainview, was born in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada, July 6, 1878, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McClellan) McClure. He was educated in his native province of Ontario, and came to the United States in 1892, locating at Calumet, Michigan. In 1905 he entered the McKillip Veterinary College at Chicago, where he studied his profession, being graduated in 1909. He first began practice in Calumet, Mich., but in 1910 came to Plainview, Minn., where he has since been established, and has built up a lucrative practice. In 1914 he built his present hospital, having in the previous year purchased a neat and comfortable residence. Thoroughly skilled in all branches of his profession,

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he has gained a wide reputation as a reliable veterinary surgeon. Aside from his profession, since 1917, in association with Charles E. Richmond, he has been engaged in the buying and selling of real estate, including farms, and farm land, also horses and cattle, with profitable results. He is now the owner of a fine farm of 640 acres in Montana. For a number of years he has been a member of the Masonic order, in which he has advanced to the thirty-second degree, and he also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. Dr. McClure was married June 14, 1904, to Myrtle Underwood, of Langdon, N. D., and he and his wife are the parents of one child, Ralph B., born February 16, 1908, who is now attending public school. Dr. McClure and his family are well and favorably known throughout the southern part of Wabasha County. Their religious affiliations are with the Congregational church.

Hiram Smith, son of Milo and Mary Smith, was born in Chautauqua County, New York, April 11, 1829. With his parents he moved to Michigan and later to Indiana. In 1856 he married Kate Williams and came to Minnesota, where he located on a homestead in Woodland, adjoining the homestead of his brother Milton, who came to Minnesota the same year. In 1890 he sold his farm to John Schultz and moved to Plainview Village, where he resided until his death, February 21, 1905. There were five children born to this union, all of whom have passed away at this writing. The last survivor was Dr. H. W. Smith, the only son, who was a prominent physician and surgeon located at Crookston, Minn., for a number of years and who passed away in December, 1917. The family, with the exception of Dr. H. W. Smith, is buried in the Woodland Cemetery.

Augustus Smith, son of Milo and Mary Smith, was born in Chautauqua County, New York, February 11, 1837. With his parents he moved to Michigan and later to Indiana. In 1862 he married Mareb Electa Robinson of Michigan. They came to Minnesota in 1865, settling on their homestead which joined with the homesteads of his brothers, Hiram and Milton. To this union seven children were born of whom six are now living. Mrs. Alice Gearey and Mrs. Harriet Tupper of St. Paul; Milton of Roosevelt, Utah; Mrs. Minnie Bear, wife of Dr. H. C. Bear of St. Charles, Minn .; Carroll S. of Portland, Ore .; and Leroy R. who is Chief Accountant of Stations for the Great Northern Ry. at St. Paul. Mrs. Smith died March 2, 1888. December 5, 1889, Mr. Smith married Miss Elizabeth Leininger who is still a resident of Plainview. Mr. Smith died June 2, 1909, at his home in the village where he had resided for the past eight years. Mr. Smith was a charter member of Illustrious Lodge No. 63, A. F. & A. M. and served eight years at various times as Master of the Lodge. He was also

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 39

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