History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 44

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

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now farming in Elgin Township, this county, married Goldie B. Yandon; John N., born February 11, 1881, married Winnifred Woodward. Mr. Donaldson is a member of Austin D. Carroll Post, No. 107, G. A. R., of which he was com- mander for six years. Since June, 1870, he has been a member of the Masonic order, and took his thirty-second degree at Winona. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. Though not active in the affairs of local govern- ment, he has always taken a good citizen's interest in the welfare and progress of the community in which he lived and his aid and influence can be relied on in behalf of any worthy project. Mrs. Donaldson died January 2, 1897.

Frank A. Taylor, who is an active factor in the business world of Plain- view, proprietor of a first-class barber shop, handsomely equipped, was born in Whiteside County, Ill., November 17, 1870, son of William Chauncy and Jenette Taylor. The parents were natives of New York state, and were there married. They removed west to Illinois about 1862, locating on a farm, where they resided many years, the father, William C. Taylor, dying there in 1904. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, and was honorably discharged on ac- count of disability. His wife, who survived him, is now living at Algonquin, Ill. Frank A. Taylor was educated in Illinois, attending the district and com- mon schools during the winters; his summers, from the time he was old enough, being occupied in working on the home farm. At the age of 18 he went to Iowa, where he worked for a while in saw mills, and at Lyons, that state, he learned the barber's trade. About 1897 he came to Minnesota, locating at Elba, Winona County, where he spent nine years. In 1906 he came to Plainview, purchased a barber's shop, which he has since enlarged and thoroughly equipped in modern style, and which he is now conducting, enjoying a large patronage. He has taken an active interest in public affairs, and during the recent war served on different committees, also obtaining labor for farmers, and whatever he could to help the cause of his country. He belongs to the fra- ternal orders of Odd Fellows and Elks and enjoys a wide social popularity. Mr. Taylor was married June 26, 1907, at St. Charles, Minn., to Kate Teahen, daughter of Timothy and Jane Teahen, her parents being natives of Ireland, who took a farm at an early date in Olmsted County, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children: William, born in 1908; Francis, in 1909, and John in 1911, who are attending school in Plainview.

Thomas Mills, one of the honored pioneers of Wabasha County, long since passed away, was born in England in 1824, and was there educated and grew to manhood. He was also there married to Elizabeth Hitchcock, a native of that country, born in 1830, and in 1852 they emigrated to America. After one year's sojourn in New York state, they came to Minnesota, arriving at Read's Landing in 1853. In the following year they removed to Greenwood Prarie, in Plainview Township, and took a claim of 160 acres, it being the farm which is now owned by August Schad. It was then, however, all wild land. As the first step toward its improvement, Mr. Mills built a board shanty and some straw sheds. Then he broke the land and began agricultural operations. Some years later he sold that farm and bought another of the same size, and in the same township, it being now owned by Goetz. On this latter farm he followed diver- sified agriculture until his death in 1882. Mr. Mills was one of the first settlers on Greenwood Prairie, now become almost historic ground as the place of set- tlement of some of the leading families in the county. He was himself one of the foremost citizens of the locality, and an excellent and enterprising farmer. It is worthy of note that he was the first man in the locality to raise strawberries, marketing the first which were ever sold in Plainview that were of home production. He took an active part in enterprises of public concern, was ready to give his aid to every good cause, and, with his family, was affiliated with the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mills were the parents of six children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Lorenzo Underwood of Plainview; W. A., of Dodge Center, Minn .; Sarah, better known as "Middie," who was born in 1857,

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married William Jackson, and died in 1887; John, born in 1855, who died in 1905; and Walter N. and Reed A., of Plainview. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Thomas) Mills, died in 1912, at the age of 82 years.

Walter N. Mills, a respected resident of Plainview, now living retired, is a worthy representative of an old pioneer family of Wabasha County, and has himself taken an active part in its development. His activities have been along agricultural lines and connected industries, and he was the pioneer truck farmer in this township, if not in the county. He was born in Plainview Township, April 29, 1863, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mills) Mills, and acquired his education in the school at Brown's Corners. He grew to manhood on his parents' farm, where he acquired a good practical knowledge of agricul- ture. After remaining there until a few years after attaining his majority, he bought eight acres of land, to which he later added four acres, making a twelve- acre tract, and began the operating of a truck farm, which he carried on for eight years. He then went to Texas, where he bought 40 acres of land and started improvements, but after living there for six months he concluded that the North was a better field of enterprise for him, and returned to Plainview, where he rented a place for two years. He then bought his present residence property in the village, and later bought out the heirs of his parents' farm, which place he now owns. In 1911, together with M. J. Manchester, Mr. Mills purchased 160 acres near Eyota, in Olmsted County, which property they later divided, Mr. Mills taking 80 acres. This tract he later exchanged for a house and three lots in the village, from the development of which property he reaped good returns. For the last 13 years he has been actively interested in a number of local enterprises. For three years he was manager of the Plainview Canning factory, and he has also bought and shipped considerable produce. It is now 35 years since Mr. Mills first engaged in truck gardening on the old home farm, and his onion house was the first one built on Greenwood Prairie. In 1911, together with M. J. Manchester and Charles Posz, he built the cold storage plant now conducted by Mr. Posz, he superintending its construction. Mr. Mills invented the first onion crates used in the county for storing onions. Thus it will be seen that he has been a live wire in the community, especially in those lines of industry that are intimately connected with its general prosperity, and his own reward has been generous, as he is today one of the well to do and highly respected citizens of the village. He is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Mills was married September 23, 1894, to Rilla Orcutt, who was born in Little Valley, Olmsted County, Minn., August 12, 1869. He and his wife are the parents of two children: Eva, born August 21, 1895, now Mrs. Floyd Cowles, of Plainview Township; and Grace, born April 25, 1898, who married Arthur Wedge of Plainview, and has one child, Edward, born November 16, 1919. Mr. Mills and his family attend the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

Lemuel J. Orcutt, a Civil War veteran and retired farmer, who for 21 years has been a resident of Plainview Village, was born in Perry, Wyoming County, N. Y., February 2, 1840. He grew to manhood in his native state, and on Sep- tember 13, 1862, enlisted for service in the Federal army. He took part in the bloody battles of Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, and was honorably discharged June 12, 1865, after a service of two years and nine months. In April, 1866, he came to Minnesota, locating first in Fillmore County, but after staying a few weeks there, he came, on May 12, to Wabasha. Here also his stay was short, for the records of Olmsted County record his marriage there, September 3, 1866, to Mrs. Eliza Bradley, nee Eliza Coats, and widow of Richard Bradley. Mr. Orcutt than took a farm in Olmsted County, which he operated successfully for 32 years, retiring and moving to Plainview in 1899. Here he has since re- sided, a well known and respected citizen. For over nine years he has been a widower, his faithful wife, Eliza, having passed away December 27, 1910. They had two children: Rilla, now Mrs. Walter N. Mills of Plainview, and George,

MR. AND MRS. WALTER N. MILLS

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who is a resident of Hoquiam, Wash. Mrs. Eliza Orcutt, wife of L. J. Orcutt, whose maiden name, as above mentioned, was Eliza Coats, was born in the famous manufacturing town of Sheffield, England, April 12, 1826. In 1847, at the age of 21 years, she was married to Richard Bradley, of Sheffield, and in 1851 they came to America, settling in Canada, whence, about 1860, they moved to Little Valley, Olmsted County, Minn. Five years later, in 1865, Mr. Bradley died and was buried in Little Valley. There were born of this union eleven children, five of whom died young. With the surviving six Mrs. Bradley struggled along with difficulty, it often being the case that there was nothing in the house to eat but a little corn bread, and it was doubtless with a lightened heart that in the following year she gave her hand to the stalwart young farmer and veteran soldier, L. J. Orcutt, whose strong arm provided for the family and kept the wolf from the door. She also did her part. Always in- dustrious, a great lover of home and family, a kind mother and a good neighbor, she was loved and respected, and the tears shed at her demise were sincere tributes to the place she had gained in the hearts of her friends. Her remains were laid to rest beside those of her first husband in the Little Valley cemetery. Her children by Mr. Orcutt have been mentioned. The six children now living by her union with Richard Bradley are: Mrs. Sarah Pages of Mosier, Ore .; William Bradley of Taylor, Wis .; Tom Bradley of St. Charles, Minn .; Mrs. Lizzie Peterson of Nashua, Ia .; John Bradley of Plainview, Minn., and Richard Bradley of Hoquiam, Wash. For twelve years previous to her death, Mrs. Orcutt had resided with her husband in Plainview, with the exception of a short time spent in Texas. She was a remarkably well preserved woman for her age, and passed away after an illness of but a few days.

John A. Mills, one of the old-time settlers of Plainview, who was called to his final rest March 8, 1905, was born at Troy, N. Y., April 3, 1855. In the same year he was brought by his parents to Geneva, Wis., and in 1856 from there to Wabasha, Minn. Soon after their arrival in Wabasha, or in the same year, the family moved to the homestead south of Plainview, where he resided Until August 1, 1904, on which date he moved to the village of Plainview. The year previous he had erected a comfortable home on his property in the north- ern part of town, where he and his aged mother might enjoy the comforts of life together for the remainder of their days, little thinking that he would be the first to go. Here he continued to reside until his death. He had always followed the occupation of farming, and for the last ten years of his life had been extensively engaged in truck farming, in which branch of industry he had been one of the pioneers in this vicinity, and by hard and steady work had achieved success. Mr. Mills had a strongly sympathetic nature and was noted for his geniality. As a man and as a citizen, and in every relation of life, hon- esty and rectitude governed his conduct, and he was universally beloved for his many virtues and hearty good fellowship. He left his aged mother, three brothers and a sister to mourn his loss: Mrs. Elizabeth Mills, Walter N. Mills, Reed A. Mills and Elizabeth (Mrs. Lorenzo Underwood) of Plainview, and W. A. Mills of Dodge Center, Minn.

Fred Denzer, who for 23 years was engaged in agriculture in Plainview Township, but is now retired, was born in Ohio, and on growing to manhood married Mary Hostetter, a native of Switzerland. In 1866 they settled on land in Whitewater Township, Winona County, and engaged in farming, remaining there until 1896. They then moved to Woodland, in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, where they are still living, Mr. Denzer having continued active until 1919. On December 4, 1916, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, a large number of friends being present on the happy occasion. They have been the parents of four children: Christian, a resident of Plainview; Albert, a farmer in Winona County; Minnie, deceased; and Ervin, who is residing at home.

Christian Denzer, for several years a breeder of Black Poll Angus cattle, but now living retired in Plainview, was born in Whitewater Township, Winona

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County, April 19, 1869, son of Fred and Mary (Hostetter) Denzer. He was educated in the common schools and grew to manhood on his parents' farm, working for them until he was 27 years old. He then purchased the home farm in Whitewater Township, Winona County, and for 13 years was engaged in its operation. At the end of that time he sold it and came to Plainview Town- ship, Wabasha County, for two years thereafter operating a rented farm. After that he bought a farm in Whitewater Township, on which he remained until the fall of 1916, when he sold the farm and retired to Plainview, purchasing a home on High street. During the summer he follows carpenter work. While in Whitewater he took an active part in the agricultural development of his town- ship, and as a progressive stock raiser made a high reputation, keeping a fine herd of Black Poll Angus cattle, with a full-blooded sire. He served his town six years on the board of supervisors, and for several years was on the school board. Mr. Denzer was married March 10, 1897, to Matilda Zenk, who was born in Whitewater Township, Winona County, Minn., October 18, 1879, daugh- ter of Charles and Anna (Strehlein) Zenk. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of Michigan. They followed general farming in Whitewater Township for a number of years until retiring to Altura, where both died, the father in 1915 and the mother in 1914. They had nine children: Louise, Bar- bara, Matilda, George, Carrie, Dora, Adella, Mary and Anna, of whom the two last mentioned are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Denzer have been born two children : Luella Caroline, August 23, 1902, now a student in the Plainview high school; and Orrin Charles, November 25, 1906, who is in the eighth grade of the common school. The family is identified religiously with the Congrega- tional church, and are people of good standing in the community, well known and respected.

Henry E. Binder, a well known business man of Plainview, which village he is now serving as mayor, was born in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, November 2, 1876, son of August and Julia (Wagner) Binder. The parents, who settled in this county 50 years ago, followed farming for a while in Elgin Township, and then removed to Highland Township, where they bought a farm and were engaged in agriculture until about 1907. In that year they retired and took up their residence in Plainview, where August Binder is still living. His wife died in September, 1910. Henry E. Binder, who was educated in the district and public schools, remained at home until reaching the age of 23 years. He then entered the mercantile store of F. J. Cornwall & Co. as clerk, and has since been closely identified with the business, at the present time being cashier, bookkeeper and assistant manager, entrusted with the general buying. This position he has attained by good head work and close application to his duties, and has gained experience which places him among the efficient and practical business men of the village. As such his services have been called into requisition in public affairs. In 1914 he became a member of the village council, and being subsequently elected mayor, took office in 1919. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church. On March 29, 1906, Mr. Binder was united in marriage with Clara Kitzman, of Farmington, Olmsted County, Minn., and who was born August 5, 1883. Their home circle has been enlarged and brightened by the birth of three children: Velva F., born Sep- tember 24, 1907; Lucille, November 28, 1910, and Maxine A., January 15, 1912.

Felix Har, an early settler in Plainview Township, was a man who, through energy and perseverance, achieved success in spite of serious initial misfor- tunes and discouragements which might have broken the spirit of a man of weaker fibre. He was a native of Germany who came to America when young, and who was married in this country to Katie Marnach. After their marriage they settled on a claim in East Indian Creek valley, this county, and by dint of arduous toil early and late, within a few years Mr. Har, with his wife's assist- ance, had made numerous improvements. Future prospects looked rosy, when all at once a stroke of misfortune descended upon them, as everything on their

MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. HAR

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farm-their barns, hay and stock-except their little house, was destroyed by fire. During the following winter they lived in the house, planning how to make a new start, but Mr. Har had hardly commenced work in the spring when he received a letter from a lawyer in Rochester, informing him that he would have to vacate his land, as it was legally the property of the railroad company. Upon investigation the fact was verified, and he and his family quit their claim, with its little shanty, and sought shelter elsewhere, perhaps congratulating themselves that, owing to the fire, they were not leaving much behind. For awhile Mr. Har worked for a firm by the name of Timmerson & Schwartz, grain dealers at Minneiska, saving what he could of his wages in order to get the wherewithal for a new start in life. In 1864 he bought, in company with his brother-in-law, Nick Marnach, a farm of 160 acres in Plainview Township. This they later divided, each taking 80 acres, and Mr. Har again began the task of home building. In time he enlarged the area of the farm to 1171/2 acres, and erected a good set of buildings, residing on the place until his later years, when he sold it to his widowed daughter, Mrs. August Steinke, who now lives there, and went to live with a son in Winona, his wife having passed away in 1887. With the son mentioned and his family he moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where his death occurred in October, 1906.

John W. Har, a leading contractor and builder of Plainview, was born in Plainview Township, December 9, 1866, son of Felix and Katie (Marnach) Har. He acquired his education in the rural schools in the vicinity of his parents' farm and at the Wabasha public school, where he was a pupil for one year. Until reaching the age of 21 years he remained an inmate of his parents' home. Then for two years he operated a part of the home farm on his own account, leading a bachelor's life on the place. In 1889 Mr. Har went to Wheaton, Minn., where he engaged in the clothing business, and there and at Fargo he learned the builder's trade. In 1891 he sold his interests there and, returning to Plain- view, launched out as a general contractor and builder. His entry into this line of industry was signalized by no flourish of trumpets, but was a modest be- ginning, he depending for success on honest and durable work, executed at a reasonable price. This policy brought its reward in a gradually increasing business based on the confidence of the public, and many of the substantial business blocks and fine residences of Plainview are his handiwork, as also many structures in the surrounding towns, villages and country. The com- fortable residence he now occupies was erected by him in 1903. He also owns four acres of land, on which he raises produce for himself and family, selling the surplus. On July 18, 1892, Mr. Har was married to Annie Hart, who was born in Allamakee County, Iowa, August 1, 1864, daughter of Patrick and Jane (Tracy) Hart, who were natives respectively of Ireland and the United States, and who were married at Dubuque, Iowa. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hart located on a farm in Allamakee County, and for many years were success- fully engaged in its operation. There Mr. Hart died in 1902, and in the fol- lowing year Mrs. Hart came to Plainview, where she is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. John W. Har three children have been born: Walter Leo, August 5, 1893; Cecelia J., May 14, 1899; and William L., October 1, 1902. But two are now living, Walter Leo having died March 31, 1901. Cecelia J. is now Mrs. Lester Spring, of Rochester, and William L. is associated in business with his father. The family are members of the Catholic church, while in politics Mr. Har is a Republican.

A. J. Fricke was born February 22, 1864, at Plainview, Wabasha County, Minn. He is of German parentage. He has grown up with the town, and neither he nor the town have grown to be very large. . From babyhood until about 12 years of age he was in very poor health; so was the town. Then they both began to get well and started to grow. The doctor said he could not live, as his head was too large, and the people said the town had no head at all; but leave that as you will, they both grew. He wears a 71/8 hat at the present

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writing, and the town is estimated at 1,500 population; so both have survived. His boyhood days were spent in going to school, fishing, and wishing he had a gun. He has stood and watched the countless thousands of pigeons fly over this place, and driven the prairie chicken from her nest on the ground now called Posz Addition, and the spot where John Keough resides was a great promenade for them in the spring. He has seen ducks shot on what was called Silver Lake; now the grand stand and ball park occupy the same lake bed. He has carried wheat bundles together for A. J. Foster on the ground where William Lyons and Dr. Smith reside. He has seen them wash sheep and bap- tize people in the same swimming-hole at the Whitewater on the same Sunday. He has seen 25 to 40 games of chuck-your-luck and poker going on in Plainview right back of the old post office building on a Sunday afternoon. Plainview was wide open in those days, but not disorderly. The boys were all lumber- jacks and spent their money for the things they wanted. Wages were $3 to $3.50 or $4.50 a day in harvest, but not for six or eight hours work. He has watched the crooked politician for 40 years or more, and there is little change in their methods; the only thing that he can see is that they keep within the law. He was a great lover of the National pastime and played for many years on the home team. He can remember the first game of ball he ever witnessed, and most of the players, 47 years ago or better. They were Charles Donaldson, Sr., Jerry Baldwin, Sell Washburn, Theo. Washburn, George Smith, Frank Hal- leck, George Fuller, and one more whom he cannot remember. The ball park was where Adolph Stoltz now resides. Their uniforms were red flannel pants and white or grey shirts. He cannot remember as to the caps. The next team was: Lon Pomeroy, catcher; Ernie Eddy and Charles Hardy, pitchers; George Purvis, first base; F. Wilson, shortstop; J. Cline, second base; H. Thurston, third base; George Huntley, left field; A. Maxwell, center field; John Vincent (colored), right field. It is sad to look back and wonder where the old bunch have gone-Leo Redding, Charles and Bert Potter, Newton Groves, Albert Reifkogel, Grant Norton, William Giem. Some of them have joined the "big top," and perhaps the rest are playing one-night stands; we cannot tell. But,

God bless them, wherever they are. more sociable at the old schoolhall.

Oh, for a reunion of the old bunch, just one But not for us; it has passed for all time, and we can only see it in fancy. In politics Mr. Fricke is and has been a Democrat, casting his first vote for Grover Cleveland. He was married, Feb- ruary 22, 1890, to Jennie Dufield of Plainview. To them were born three chil- dren: John, Jessie and Florence. John is now an electrician at Rochester; Jessie a teacher at Jefferson, Minn., and Florence still at home.

Julius L. Fricke was born September 21, 1829, in the province of Hanover, Germany, near Hamburg. In 1852 he emigrated to America, landing at New York, where he engaged in the trunk and bag business, working for John A. Ketrick, Factory at No. 9 Thomas street, office corner of Wall and Broadway. On October 5, 1853, he was married to Annetta Tebbens. He continued to fol- low his trade in New York until the fall of 1857, when he and his family, con- sisting of his wife and two children, came to Wabasha, Minn., landing there October 28, 1857, from the steamboat Northern Light. With his savings, con- sisting of gold coin-the amount does not matter-he purchased a lot in what is now known as South Wabasha, erected a small house with boards running up and down, and battens to cover the cracks, and in this he prepared to pass the winter of 1857-8. Leaving his wife and children, he walked to Danlect, Wis., where he was employed by Willson & Tainter, lumbermen. Returning in the spring of 1858 to Wabasha, he worked at paper-hanging and upholstering, opening a small shop on Pembroke street, on the spot or very near to the site of the telephone exchange. There was little work and no money and times were very hard, but I have often heard him say that he was very poor but did not know it. He continued by saying we were all poor in South Wabasha, but we managed to get along. Then came the half-breed script, and he was com-

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 44

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