History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 43

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

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MR. AND MRS. ANTWINE LA ROCQUE

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in Quincy, Olmsted County. William Albert, who married Bridget Sullivan, died on the same day as his wife, October 29, 1918. They left four children, Arthur, Catherine, Loretta and Bernard. Alexander is married and is a farmer at Webb Lake, Wis. James Henry is married and living on the home farm at Woodland. Ellen Maria is residing at home. Mr. La Rocque has always affili- ated with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal church, while the children attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. La Rocque now have fourteen grandchildren and four great grand- children. On Thursday, November 4, 1915, they celebrated their golden wed- ding, having been married just fifty years. The occasion was a notable one. Besides the family there were present twenty-two old friends and nighbors. The home was prettily decorated in white and yellow, and an old-fashioned dinner was served at 12 o'clock. The tables were nicely spread with good things, and when all were seated about the festal board, the honored couple, perhaps feeling slightly older, were just as happy as fifty years ago. During the afternoon they were presented with a number of gold pieces, and several other beautiful presents, including a great many golden chrysanthemums and boquets of flowers. They were the recipients of hearty congratulations and many good wishes for the future, and the important event was thus happily celebrated.

John Boehlke, formerly an active and successful farmer in Elgin and Plainview Townships, but now deceased, was born in Germany. He married Justine Reiter, also a native of that country, and in 1872 they located near Potsdam, Minn., where they resided two years. Then coming to Elgin Town- ship, Wabasha County, they rented farms until 1888, in which year they bought a farm in Plainview Township, also renting in addition a tract of 480 acres, of which, four years later, they bought 150 acres. There they remained and built up a fine farm, Mr. Boehlke adding to its area until it contained 400 acres. After a useful and successful career, he died in the year 1902. Mrs. Boehlke is still living in Plainview.

J. L. Boehlke, manager of the Gilchrist & Co. elevator at Plainview, was born in Elgin Township, this county, March 30, 1880, son of John and Justine (Reiter) Boehlke. He acquired his education in the district school, and re- mained on his parents' farm until 1901. In that year, on August 15, he became an employee of the elevator company as the second man in charge, and occupied that position until April 1, 1902, when he returned home. On August 8, the same year, he resumed his position in the elevator, being second man until March 1, 1903, when he was promoted to be manager of the elevator belonging to the company then known as the American Malting Company. With them he remained until 1905, when the elevator was turned over to the Western Elevator Company, after which he was continued in the management by the new owners until 1915, when the property was bought by Gilchrist & Co., of McGregor, Iowa, in whose employ he has since remained. The company handles grain, fuel and seeds, and do quite a profitable business, Mr. Boehlke exercising careful supervision over every detail. Aside from his business interests in this direction, he is holder of some valuable farm lands in the Dakotas, and owns a nice residence in Plainview. As a citizen interested in the welfare of the community, and conversant with its needs, he has cheerfully devoted a part of his time to the public service, for three years formerly being a member of the board of education, and mayor of Plainview for three years, from 1916 to 1918, inclusive. He was also re-elected to the latter position in 1919, but was obliged to decline service owing to the demands of his increasing business. On October 21, 1903, Mr. Boehlke was married to Bertha C. Kitzman, who was born in Olmsted County, Minn., in May, 1880, daughter of Michael and Augusta (Reinke) Kitzman. Mrs. Boehlke died November 22, 1908, leaving one child, Maurice G., who was born June 18, 1905. Since his wife's death Mr. Boehlke's household has been presided over by his sister Emma. The family are mem- bers of the Lutheran church.

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Benjamin Bennett, now living retired in the village of Weaver, has been a resident of Wabasha County for nearly 54 years, and during his active career contributed his share toward the development of its agricultural resources. He was born in Kentucky, and came to this county in 1866. He married Mary E. Peterson, who had arrived here ten years before him, their wedding, how- ever, taking place in Minnesota. About the time of his marriage, or soon after, Mr. Bennett took a homestead of 80 acres in section 31, Watopa Township, and began the arduous task of developing a farm from wild and heavily timbered land. The labor involved in cutting down the trees, grubbing and breaking the land, and erecting necessary buildings, is but little appreciated by the present generation, but was all too familiar to the early settlers of the county who laid the foundations of its present prosperity. In this work Mr. Bennett had his share, but he also reaped his reward in a fine farm of 440 acres, with good buildings, he having purchased more land from time to time, as he made progress with the development of that previously purchased. There he farmed until 1892, when he went to Nelson, Wis., where he remained four years. Re- turning subsequently to Wabasha County, he took up his residence in a neat little cottage on the outskirts of the village of Weaver, where he is now living at the advanced age of 83 years. His wife died on the farm in Watopa Town- ship in 1892. They had a family of ten children, namely: James, of Highland Township, this county; Frank L., a real estate dealer of Plainview; Charles, residing in Winona; Cyrus, who died in 1900; Byron, now on the home farm in Watopa Township; Guy, who died at the age of eight years; Herbert, who is farming in Montana; Florence, deceased; and Harry, who is engaged in the business of well digging.

Frank L. Bennett, a prosperous and well known business man and real estate dealer of Plainview, was born in Watopa Township, Wabasha County, Minn., June 11, 1872, son of Benjamin and Mary E. (Peterson) Bennett. His education was acquired in District School No. 82, this county, and he resided on his parents' farm until reaching the age of 18 years. From that time until he was 21 he followed various occupations-whatever might furnish him with a livelihood. Deciding finally that farming offered the best opportunity of making financial progress, he rented a farm in Plainview Township, which he operated for two years, at the end of that time renting the home farm in Watopa Township. This he operated for 13 years, or until 1909, in which year he came to Plainview village and engaged in the real estate business, which he is still carrying on, handling farm lands and town property, with profitable results. He has widened the scope of his operations, and besides having a one-fourth interest in the home farm established by his parents, he owns two 10-acre tracts which his son operates as truck farms; owns a small farm in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas; has a house and three acres in Wabasha, and a nice residence in the Village of Plainview, and also owns an interest in the Dewey Theatre here. These holdings are the reward of long-continued work and good business foresight, and all his transactions have been conducted on an honest and equitable basis. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Odd Fellows, including the Rebeckah lodge, and of the Woodmen. Formerly he served as assessor of Watopa Township, and also as enumerator of both Watopa and Plainview townships. Mr. Bennett was married March 31, 1896, to Edith Dittrich, who was born in Mt. Vernon Township, Winona County, Minn., March 30, 1875, daughter of Ernest and Lucy (Reish) Dittrich. Her father and mother were natives respectively of Germany and Switzerland, and on settling in Winona County they engaged in farming. In 1893 they located with their family in Watopa Township, Wabasha County, where Mr. Dittrich is still living. His wife, mother of Mrs. Bennett, died in 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have two children: Percy F., born February 22, 1898; and Floyd C., born December 6, 1903, the last mentioned of whom is now a student in the Plainview high school. Percy F. Bennett, who is engaged in truck farming,

HENRY WELTI AND FAMILY, MR. AND MRS. JOHN WELTI, MR. AND MRS. JOHN KEOUGH

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married Phyllis Gorrell. During the recent war he entered the Great Lakes Training School as a common seaman, and after nine months' service was discharged as first class musician. He plays the trombone in both orchestra and band. Mr. Bennett and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Epis- copal church. In politics he is a Republican.

John Keough, an early settler, and for many years a substantial resident, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, on June 27, 1840. In 1862 he came to America and in time found his way to Plainview, in this county, where for several years he was variously employed. By hard work and frugal life he saved enough to make the first payment on a farm of 120 acres in section 17, Oakwood Township, and to the management, upbuilding and development of this farm he devoted the remainder of his life. He died April 29, 1909. Mr. Keough was a devout member of the Catholic church, a considerate father and kind husband. At the time of his death the Millville Review said of him: "Few of us will live so long or so well," and the entire community felt that the words were true. Mr. Keough was married November 5, 1874, to Ellen Hollihan, born in Greenfield Township, this county, February 14, 1856, daughter of John and Mary Hollihan, the pioneers. Immediately after their marriage the young couple began the building of a house on the homestead, two miles east of Mill- ville, which now stands as a monument to the thrift, energy, and economy of their daily lives. Their happy home was blessed with nine children: Mary, Katherine, Agnes, John, William, Theresa, Veronica (deceased), Frances, and Joseph of St. Paul. Mary died in infancy. Katherine is the wife of Henry Welti, of Plainview. Agnes lives in McIntosh, S. D. John is manager of the Botsford Lumber yard at Plainview. William married Sarah McGuigan, and lives on the home farm. Theresa is the wife of William McGuigan, of Mc- Intosh, S. D. Frances is the wife of William Hagen, of Rhinelander, Wis. Mrs. Keough, like her husband was a devout member of the Catholic church. She was a loving wife and mother, and a friend to all, devoting her life to her reli- gion and the building up of a home for the comfort of those she loved. Her pleasant disposition, her kindly words, and her happy greetings were her distinguishing characteristics. She died September 10, 1908, and is laid to rest in St. Patrick's Cemetery, West Albany, this county.

Henry Welti, now residing in Plainview Village on a competence acquired in the farming industry, was born in Oakwood Township, this county, March 4, 1865. He acquired his education in District School No. 85, and was brought up to agricultural pursuits on the parental homestead, where he remained until he was 30 years of age, for a number of years being associated with his father in the management of the place. In 1895 he bought a farm in Elgin Township, consisting of 160 acres, or the northwest quarter of section 3, and this he operated on his own account, making extensive improvements on the place, including the erection of a large, modern nine-room house, a barn, 28 by 50 feet, and other outbuildings. His residence there lasted 19 years, or until 1914, when he sold the farm and bought one of 160 acres in section 16. In the spring of 1919 he added to it 80 acres more, thus increasing its area to 240 acres. Previous to this, however, he had erected on the original tract of this farm a fine barn, 36 by 60 feet in size. His own residence on the place was terminated in 1918, when he retired from active work and moved to Plainview Village. During the latter part of his active career he made a specialty of dairying, keeping a good herd of milch cows. As a farmer he was successful, while his character as a good neighbor and reliable citizen was thoroughly established in the community. For some time he rendered efficient service as clerk of School District No. 85. His present ease and independent circum- stances were won by hard work and therefore are the better enjoyed. He is a member of the Catholic church, and politically a Democrat. Mr. Welti was married July 19, 1904, to Catherine Keough, who has proved a faithful wife and wise and loving mother. They have had seven children: Marion, born June

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5, 1905, who died December 25, 1916; Helen, born May 28, 1907; Elizabeth, June 2, 1909; John, June 20, 1911; Edith, March 13, 1913; Eugene, May 12, 1915, and Catherine, June 28, 1917.

Charles R. Petrich, one of the builders of Wabasha County, his energies being directed along the line of agricultural improvements, who has passed away leaving behind him an honorable record, was born at Potsdam, Olmsted County, Minn., November 30, 1868. He was educated in the district school and resided at home until 22 years of age, at which time he began an independent career, purchasing a farm at Woodland in Plainview Township. It contained 120 acres and was partly improved, and Mr. Petrich set to work to develop it still further, a task for which he was fully competent. Besides breaking what remained of wild land, he rebuilt the house, erected new out-buildings, and fenced the entire farm. Later he increased his property holdings by the pur- chase of 40 acres of timber land. There he carried on general farming with great success until his death on February 23, 1914. He was a man of sterling qualities, much esteemed, and his passing left a void not easily filled. Mr. Petrich was married August 27, 1890, to Ernestina Zabel, who was born at Potsdam, Olmsted County, January 27, 1870, and who, after his death conducted the farm until 1916, when she moved to Plainview, buying a fine residence on West Broadway. She still owns the farm, which she rents out. Mr. and Mrs. Petrich were the parents of six children: Ida B., born March 29, 1891; Clara L., November 14, 1892; Alfred C., October 3, 1894; Arthur F., August 15, 1896; Belva L., October 4, 1905; and Thiel Marie, April 17, 1910. Ida B. was graduated from the Plainview high school, the Winona normal school and the Minnesota State University, and is now dean of women at the Girls' Acad- emy, at Hebron, Neb. Clara L. was graduated a trained nurse from the Hahne- mann Hospital at Chicago. Alfred C. graduated from the Plainview high school and the Minnesota State University, and is now following the profession of electrical engineer at New York City. Arthur F. is connected with the tele- phone business at Minneapolis. Belva L. is a student in the high school and Thiel Marie in the public school of Plainview. The older children have received good educational advantages, which are being extended also to the younger, and all are showing a disposition to make the most of their opportunities. The family are members of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Petrich also belonged.

John N. Donaldson, now living retired in Plainview, comes of a prominent family in Wabasha County, of which he is a worthy representative. He was born February 11, 1881, in Plainview Township, on the farm of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Donaldson, and was educated in the district school and the Plainview high school. Until he was 21 years old he remained on the home farm, assisting his father. After that, for five years, he was engaged on his own account in conducting both the home farm and another one ad- joining it. He then rented a farm in the vicinity, which he conducted for two years. Then moving to Plainview, he followed teaming for a year and a half in the village. At the end of that period farming again claimed his attention, and he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Quincy Township, Olmsted County, on which he made considerable improvements, remodeling some of the buildings, and erecting new ones, and putting up fences until he had brought the place into admirable condition. There he followed general agriculture successfully until the fall of 1919, when, as a result of his industry he found himself in a position to retire from farming, and accordingly moved to Plainview, where he purchased his pleasant residence on Jefferson street. While engaged in agri- culture he served on the school board of his district, and has always shown on intelligent and helpful interest in public afairs. To some extent he still keeps occupied, occasionally doing a little carpenter work. Mr. Donaldson was mar- ried, June 19, 1907, to Winnifred Woodward, who was born in Elgin Township, July 26, 1885. Two children have come to brighten their home: Marian D., born February 3, 1910; and Glenn H., born March 10, 1915.

CHARLES F. BRUSEHAVER AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

John Brusehaver, who was the practical founder of what is now one of the fine farms of West Albany Township, situated in section 5, was born in Meck- lenburg, Germany, where he grew to manhood and married Sophia Mahler. In the late seventies he came with his family to Minnesota, and settled first in Gillford Township, Wabasha County. After a while he bought the farm above mentioned, in section 5, West Albany, which contained 160 acres, but had a poor set of buildings. He at once set to work to improve it, a task that took him a number of years, but on which he made good progress, erecting new buildings, and cultivating the soil with profitable results until 1903, when he leased the place to his son Charles F. and took up his residence, with his wife, in Lake City. There he died March 23, 1908, and his wife on January 15, 1912. Their married life was tinged with joys and sorrows, in which the sorrow at one time seemed to predominate, as within one month, during an epidemic of diphtheria, they lost four of their five children, three sons and a daughter, the only sur- vivor being Charles F., now the owner of the home farm.

Charles F. Brusehaver, who owns and operates an excellent farm in sec- tion 5, West Albany Township, which was the home of his parents, was born in Gillford Township, Wabasha County, Minn., March 3, 1881, son of John and Sophia (Mahler) Brusehaver. He acquired his preliminary education in the district school, and subsequently attended Lake City Commercial College dur- ing the winters of 1898-9 and 1899-0. Since early childhood he has resided on the parental homestead, where he thoroughly learned the science of farming, an occupation which he has continued to follow with good financial results. He . has made various improvements on the farm, now having an eight-room, two- story frame residence, gas-lighted; and in 1911, he built a fine circular barn, 70 feet in diameter, with 16-foot posts, and full 8-foot basement. Later he built a stave silo of 100-ton capacity, has a steel windmill, and owns a five-passenger car. His cattle are mostly high grade Guernseys, but he is also breeding some Guernsey registered stock, while his hogs are of the Duroc Jersey variety. His ample equipment includes a large tractor. In addition to his farming in- terests, he has held the office of school director for six years, he is a stock- holder and for two years was treasurer of the Lake Pepin Co-operative Cream- ery Co. of Lake City, a stockholder in the Lake City Co-operative Elevator Co., and the Terminal Packing Company of Newport, Minn., and a stockholder in the Wabasha County Leader, of Wabasha, and is one of the organizers and directors of the new Farmers Milling Co., of Lake City. Mr. Brusehaver first married Anna Luetjen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christ Luetjen of Mt. Pleas- ant Township. She died in 1917, leaving five children, namely: Eugene John, born November 4, 1903; Lorinda Mary, December 1, 1904; Emma Henrietta, May 23, 1906; Fritz Frank, November 24, 1907, and Gladys Frances, April 3, 1911, all of whom are now residing at home. Mr. Brusehaver married secondly, October 8, 1919, Emma Prigge, daughter of Hein and Mattie Prigge, of Lake Township, Wabasha County. They have one daughter, Dorothy, born June 1, 1920. He is a member of the Non-Partisan League and of the German Lutheran church, he and his family worshipping with the Jacksonville congregation in Gillford Township, Wabasha County.

William Donaldson, one of the pioneer settlers of Plainview Township, of which for 30 years he was a well known and respected resident, was born. in Canonsburg, Washington County, Pa., February 16, 1805. In 1830, in Wash- ington, that county, he was married to Eliza F. Biles, who was born in Monroe County, Pa., June 30, 1806, and who had crossed the mountains with her people and settled in what was then the western frontier, the Ohio River valley, near Pittsburgh. In 1845 Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson moved to Cincinnati, which was their home until 1861, when they came to Minnesota, and located in section 31, Plainview Township, Wabasha County, Mr. Donaldson having a land warrant which he exchanged for 80 acres of wild land. This, in course of time, he im- proved and developed, erecting buildings, and carrying on agriculture there

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until his death, July 27, 1891. After that event Mrs. Donaldson continued on the old homestead with her son Charles until July, 1893, when she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. E. M. Evans, in Plainview, at whose home she died, May 12, 1901, having survived her husband nearly ten years. Although in her ninety-fifth year, she was comparatively active and retained all her faculties until entering into her last long sleep. Before her marriage she united with the Baptist church, in which she always retained her membership. She was a woman of strong character, possessing many admirable traits, and at the close of a long and useful life she left more than the usual number of friends and acquaintances to mourn her departure. Her sojourn of forty years in the com- munity had been marked by many acts of kindness, deeds of charity, and motherly helpfulness, for which she will long be held in remembrance. Her end was peaceful, as she had been in her usual health up to Saturday evening, May 11, only seeming a trifle restless when she retired, saying good night to the members of the family, and falling into a sleep from which she did not waken. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson were the parents of nine children; only four of whom survived her, namely: Mrs. E. M. Evans and Charles W. Donaldson, of Plain- view; Mrs. Hester J. Cheatham, of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Anna E. Cheatham, of Aberdeen, S. D.

Charles W. Donaldson, now living retired in Plainview, has been a resident of Wabasha County for nearly 60 years, during which time he has seen it develop from a wilderness into perhaps the richest agricultural county in the state-a transformation which he himself helped to effect. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., November 25, 1841, son of William and Eliza J. (Biles) Donaldson, whom he accompanied at the age of about six years to Cincinnati, where he attended school .. In 1861, a young man in his twentieth year, he came with them to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and to their farm in section 31, Plainview Town- ship. There he helped his father with the preliminary improvements on the place; but events were in progress which interrupted his home pursuits for awhile. Not only was the Civil War being fought, but in 1862 occurred the desperate outbreak of the Sioux Indians, and the attack on New Ulm, Hutchin- son and other places in Minnesota, and troops were called for to defend the white settlers. To this call Mr. Donaldson responded, enlisting in the Wa- basha Rangers, with whom he saw service until the outbreak was quelled. Early in 1865 he enlisted as a private in the First Minnesota Light Artillery, expecting to get into the struggle between the North and he South, but the war soon after came to a close, and he was discharged the same year, at St. Paul. On his return home. he resumed work on his parents' farm, which he worked for his father, and subsequently purchased. He increased its area to 180 acres, having 80 acres in section 32 and 100 in section 31, and made many other im- provements, remodeling the house, building a good barn and milk-house, erecting a wind-mill and digging a well. There he followed diversified farm- ing, keeping and raising good grades of hogs, sheep, horses and cattle, his op- erations, conducted with energy and experience, bringing him a good financial reward. In 1899 Mr. Donaldson rented the farm to his son, Wilson, but con- tinued to reside on it, until 1901, when he bought the house in town in which he has since lived. It was on February 14, 1867, that Charles W. Donaldson was united in marriage with Nancy E. Cheatham, at his bride's home in section 31, Plainview Township. She was born November 24, 1840, daughter of Winston and Margaret (Wilson) Cheatham, natives of Kentucky who removed to Illi- nois, and from there came to Wabasha County in 1862. Both parents are now deceased. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, as fol- lows : Zula E., born January 19, 1868, is now Mrs. H. A. Weikel of Plainview; Lillian E., born April 22, 1870, is the wife of George Cotterell, of Dover, Minn .; Jennie C., born April 15, 1872, died July 13, 1916; Charles J., born December 7, 1874, and now a jeweler in Plainview, married Ann Schroeder; Ellen, born May 15, 1876, is the wife of Ed Messerschmidt; Winston R., born January 8, 1879,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 43

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