History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 55

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

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DR. EMERY H. BAYLEY

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District No. 44-the district in which he attended school as a boy. On April 9, 1896, Mr. Olin was united in marriage with Blanche Leeper, of Oakwood, who was born in Fremont, Neb., in 1870. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: Lela, now Mrs. William Polson; Alice, who graduated from the Wabasha high school in the class of 1917, and is now a teacher; Bessie, a grad- uate of the same high school in the class of 1920; Arthur, who is assisting his father on the home farm; and John, Bernice, Harold and Hazel Marie. Mr. Olin and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

Emery H. Bayley, M. D., a medical and surgical practicioner of long ex- perience and recognized ability who has followed his profession in Lake City for the last 25 years, was born at Vernon, Waukesha County, Wis., November 5, 1865, son of Herbert O. and Emma A. Bayley. The father, who was born in 1848, became a farmer and is still following that occupation at Lake Beulah, Wis. The mother died December 5, 1865, when her son, Emery, was but one month old. Emery H. Bayley acquired his elementary education in the com- mon schools of Vernon, which he attended until the age of 15 years. He then spent one winter at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis., and afterwards for three years the Greeley high school at Greeley, Colo., graduating in 1886. He then en- tered the University of Colorado, from which he was graduated with the B. L. degree in 1890. His graduation from Rush Medical College, Chicago, took place in 1893, and he subsequently served as interne in the Asbury M. E. Hospital at Minneapolis. He then came to Lake City, opened an office, and has since built up a large practice and won a high reputation both as a physician and as a use- ful and interested citizen. For a number of years he has been president of the City Board of Health. He is also president of the Wabasha County Board of Health; president of the Wabasha County Tubercular Sanatorium at Wa- basha; president of the Lake City Board of Education, and vice president of the Citizens Bank of Lake City, in all of which positions he has proved himself an energetic and capable man of affairs, with an eye for the public good. Po- litically he has always been a Republican. In the Masonic order he has ad- vanced as far as the Commandery, and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and other societies, being ex- amining physician for several benefit orders. Dr. Bayley was married, Jan- uary 3, 1896, to Catherine Covell, who was born at Roscoe, Ill., December 27, 1867, daughter of G. W. and Jennie Covell, then of Maquoketa, Ia. She was a graduate of the Rockford Seminary, at Rockford, Ill., and for 4 years previous to her marriage was principal of the high school at Lake City. Dr. and Mrs. Bayley are the parents of three children : Emery Covell, born February 13, 1899, who was graduated from the Lake City high school and is now a student of Carleton College, at Northfield, Minn .; Anna Pauline, born May 5, 1902, now a student in the Lake City high school; and Ralph, born April 4, 1905, who is at- tending school in Lake City. The family occupy a neat and comfortable resi- dence on High street, which the doctor purchased some years ago. They are members of the Congregational church and among its most active workers.

Albert Olson, a prominent representative of the farming interests of Oak- wood Township, where he ranks among the well to do citizens, is a native of Wabasha County, born in October, 1859, a son of Ole and Anna Olson. The parents, natives of Norway, were among the earliest settlers in this county, arriving in the United States in 1849, coming west to Minnesota, and settling on Indian Creek, where they in time, by dint of hard work and perseverance, established a good farm. In 1908 they retired and took their residence with their son Albert, at whose home the father died in 1913. The mother died in 1912. Albert Olson's earliest years were passed amid pioneer scenes, which had changed but little by the time he began to attend the rural log schoolhouse. After that followed years of hard work on the home farm, on which he assisted his father, at the same time acquiring a good practcial knowledge of agricul- ture, stock raising, and other branches of the industry, at first by means of

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primitive methods, machinery being only gradually introduced. As a partner with his brother William, he operated the home farm, to the area of which they added until it included 600 acres, and as stock raisers they branched out extensively, keeping as many as 100 head of cattle. In 1894 Albert bought his present farm of 200 acres in sections 22 and 15-a fine piece of property on which he has built a good residence and barn. He continued actively engaged in its operation until the spring of 1920, when he rented the place to his son Bert, who is proving a capable manager. Poll Angus cattle are raised for beef purposes, and registered Chester-White swine are also bred. Mr. Olson is one of the directors of the State Bank of Millville, and the Farmers' Eleva- tor at Millville. As a citizen active in local interests, he has served as a mem- ber of the school board of his district. In October, 1892, Mr. Olson was mar- ried to Jennie Polson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emerick Polson. To him and his wife three children have been born: Jonas N., Mary and Bert. The last mentioned married Vida Nelson, who are living on the home place in a new house erected in 1920 for them by his father. The Olson family are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal church, while politically Mr. Olson is a Republican.

John Gregor, an early settler in Elgin Township, and now residing in Elgin Village, was born in Austria in 1842, son of John and Amalia Gregor. The father dying in Austria, his widow married Adolph Bartosch, and in 1852 John Gregor accompanied his mother and step-father to the United States, the fam- ily settling in Jefferson County, Wis., where the mother finally died. At the age of 17 years John Gregor began working out and supporting himself. In 1865 he came to Wabasha County, Minn., locating in Elgin Township, where for awhile he continued to work out. In 1868 he engaged in agriculture for him- self, buying 220 acres in the southwest quarter of section 3. There he resided for nearly 40 years, building up a good farm, and retiring to take up his resi- dence in the village in 1907. His success was accomplished by hard work, and he was long widely known and recognized as one of the representative farmers of his township. He also served many years as justice of the peace, assessor and town clerk, being closely affiliated with the work of local government. During most of this time he was aided by the companionship and co-operation of a good wife, having been married, January 21, 1867, to Rosa Wurst, who died in 1902. They became the parents of eight children: Joseph, now of Han- cock, Minn .; Jay, residing on the home farm; John, of Beardsley, Minn .; James A., of Oakwood Township; William, of Elgin; Jesse, of Browns Valley, Minn .; Ida, now Mrs. Joseph Mareck, of Elkton, S. D .; and Rosa, who resides in Elgin.

James A. Gregor, a prosperous farmer residing in section 16, Oakwood Township, was born in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, Minn., July 15, 1882, son of John and Rose (Wurst) Gregor. His education was acquired in the district school, and he worked on his parents' farm until he was 21 years old. Then he bought his present farm of 230 acres in section 16, Oakwood Township, which he has improved considerably, having put up every building on the place except the house and the barn, which he remodeled, making it 36 by 80 feet, with a full basement. His farm is well stocked with Shorthorn cattle, Duroc- Jersey hogs and a good grade of sheep, and he follows diversified farming with good financial results. He is a member of the Farmers' Shipping Asso- ciation, and is affiliated in either a business or fraternal way with the Massa- chusetts Mutual Insurance Co., the Equitable Fraternal Union of Wabasha, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Millville. Mr. Gregor was married Feb- ruary 23, 1905, to Elizabeth Shade, who was born in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, June 23, 1884. He and his wife have one child, Beulah R., who was born October 30, 1916. They are affiliated religiously with the Evangelical Lutheran church.

John D. Siem, cashier of the First State Bank of Elgin, Minn., was born on a farm in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, December 9, 1872, son of Claus

CLARENCE A. HUBBARD

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H. and Marguerite (Reimers) Siem. The father was a native of Germany and the mother of Blue Island, near Chicago, Ill. They were married in this country and came to Minnesota in 1870. Seven of their children are now living, five sons and two daughters, namely: Lizzie, Emma, John Henry, George, Arthur, Edward R., and John D. Lizzie, who married Frank Richardson, resides in Elgin; Emma is the wife of Byron Rice of South Dakota; George is employed in a general store in Elgin; Arthur is assistant cashier of the Clark County National Bank, in Clark County, S. D .; Edward R., who resides in Elgin, enlisted in the U. S. navy and served 26 months in the World War, being stationed at Bordeaux, France, and was honorably discharged in 1919.

John D. Siem was reared on his parents' farm and educated in the district and public schools of Elgin Township and village. Becoming clerk in a general store in Elgin, he worked there nine months, and was subsequently employed for three months in a clothing store in Rochester. Then returning home, he bought a half interest in a hardware store, which was operated for 13 years under the style of Searles & Siem, and later for four years, owing to a change of partners, under that of Siem & Bortz. Mr. Siem then sold his interest in the business and bought a general store, which he operated for four years, or until 1916, when he took the position as assistant cashier of the First State Bank, becoming cashier in January, 1920. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Odd Fellows, and served one year as president of the village board of Elgin. As a business man and citizen he has made a good reputation, and is an influential member of the community. Mr. Siem was married at Elgin in 1900, to Nellie M., daughter of Walter and Helen Dunn, who were early settlers in Wabasha County, and farmers by occupation. Both her parents are now deceased. They had one son and five daughters, all of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Siem have two sons: Walter, born December 2, 1901, and Wyatt B., born in 1902. Walter is now a clerk in the J. A. Saufal general store, re- siding at home, while Wyatt is living on the farm of his uncle, Henry G. Schroeder.

Clarence A. Hubbard, president of the Lake City Bank from 1907 to 1919, and who for half a century had been connected with that institution throughout its various phases, was born in Ingham County, Mich., November 4, 1844, son of John I. and Lucy L. (Smith) Hubbard. The parents, natives of New York state, were descended from old New England stock, and both families had members who figured prominently in the Revolutionary War. In June, 1853, the subject of this sketch accompanied his parents to Winona, Minn., thereby be- coming a youthful pioneer of this state. In 1858 he returned to Michigan and for two years was a pupil in a school in Lansing, taking an academic course. In 1860 he was back in Winona, where he entered the normal school. The breaking out of the Civil War put an end to his studies there, as he soon en- listed in the Eighth Minnesota Infantry, as a member of which organization he served on the frontier during the Sioux uprising, and was later on the staffs of Generals R. N. McLean and H. H. Sibley. Honorably discharged at the close of the war, he settled in Lake City, where, until 1869, he was engaged in the grain and commission business. In that year he entered the banking business with C. W. Hackett & Co., as cashier, and on the organization of the Lake City Bank in 1871, an outgrowth of the previous institution, he became one of its directors, and was subsequently connected with its fortunes until his death on April 4, 1919, the last twelve years of his life being spent as its president. His record was clean and honorable, and for many years he was a potent factor in the development of the community in which he made his home. An ever- ready worker, he lent his aid and influence to the furtherance of all. practical plans for the benefit of the city, whether moral or material, and his charities were numerous and liberal. He was for many years a consistent member of the Congregational church, and was affiliated fraternally with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. His work had great and permanent results, and he will

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long be remembered as one of the notable pioneers and upbuilders of this community. Mr. Hubbard was twice married; and by his first wife had one son, William Adelbert, who was long associated with him in business and is now the president of the Lake City Bank of Minnesota. The only child of the second marriage was Florence Blanchard, now residing in California with her mother.

William A. Hubbard, president of the Lake City Bank of Minnesota, was born in Lake City, Minn., August 9, 1867, son of Clarence A. Hubbard. His literary education was acquired chiefly in the public and high schools of this city, and was supplemented by a course at the Hoboken School of Technology at Hoboken, N. J. He then took up the machinist's trade, which he followed for five years at Brooklyn, N. Y., after which he returned to Lake City and entered the employ of the Lake City Bank as clerk. In 1907 he was tendered the position of cashier, which he accepted, and filled efficiently until May 1, 1919, when he was elected president, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, Clarence A. Hubbard. He is also interested in several other local enterprises, and is an active member of the Lake City Commercial Club, which he served both as vice-president and treasurer. During this country's partici- pation in the World War, he took an active part in all the loan drives and other war work, and was county chairman for the sale of treasury certificates of in- debtedness during and since the war. He is also one of the prominent working members of the Congregational church. In short, Mr. Hubbard's career has been one of intense activity along various lines bearing directly on the welfare and progress of the community, and he has accomplished some valuable, and in all probability, permanent results. Fraternally he is a member of Carnelian Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., of Lake City, of which he is past master; and is also a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Mason, being past commander and past high priest. In addition to the above mentioned branches of the order, he belongs to Lake City Chapter, No. 75, O. E. S., of which he is past patron. Mr. Hubbard was married June 9, 1897; to Mabel Schmitz of Winona. He and his wife have had two children: Anna, born May 31, 1910; and Lincoln, who died in infancy.

John Bernard Schmidt, a well known merchant operating a general store at Theilman, was born in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, Minn., January 19, 1880, son of Charles and Anna (Wolfe) Schmidt. The parents were natives cf Hanover, Germany, and came to Wabasha County, Minn., in 1870. They were married here and engaged in farming in Glasgow Township, where Mrs. Anna Schmidt is still living. Her husband, Charles Schmidt, died in Pepin Township, November 11, 1895. Their family contained nine children: Louise, now Mrs. Frank Passe, of Wabasha City; Christina, wife of Anton Passe, a farmer of Pepin Township; John Bernard, subject of this sketch; Anna, now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of William Goihl, a farmer of West Albany Township; Henry, who is residing on the old home farm with his mother; Mary, wife of Bernard Schmidt, a truck farmer of Wabasha City; Helen, wife of John Ramer, a Pepin Township farmer; and Josephine, who is living on the home farm. John Bernard Schmidt in his boyhood attended public school at Read's Landing up to the age of 14 years. Then, on his father's death, he being the eldest son at home, he left school to work the farm for his mother and remained on it until August 1, 1912. He then opened his present store at Theilman, and is carrying on a successful general mercantile business, occupying a commodious brick building. He is also a stockholder in the Greenfield Farmers Telephone Company. While residing on the farm he served six years as a member of the town board, for two years being chairman. He has also served as a member and treasurer of the school board. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic, being a member of St. Joseph's parish, of which for a time he was a trustee. On August 27, 1912, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Clara Louise, daughter of Nicholas and Anna Reil, of Theilman. She died of

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influenza November 18, 1918, leaving two children, Margaret, born August 31, 1914; and Victor, born June 30, 1917.

Frederick Sass, an early settler in West Albany Township, who took effec- tive part in its agricultural development, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, June 7, 1833. The first thirty years of his life were spent in his native land, and he was there married in the spring of 1863, to Mary Prueter. He and his bride at once came to America, arriving in Wabasha County, Minn., in June the same year, practically destitute of funds. Their object was to found a home, and accordingly, Mr. Sass homesteaded 120 acres of wild prairie land in section 21, West Albany Township. Strict economy was necessary, and even with that it was hard to get along, but progress was gradually made, and both worked together looking forward hopefully to a prosperous future, which in due time was realized. Mr. Sass broke and developed his land, also buying 80 additional acres, and erected a good set of buildings, and he continued to reside here until his death October 4, 1915. His wife is now living with their son, Louis, on the old farm. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Sass were: Amelia, now Mrs. Peter Schwirtz, her husband being a farmer at Theilman, Wabasha County; Augusta, wife of Charles Struckmyer, a farmer of West Albany Township; Mary, who married F. W. Moechnig of West Albany Town- ship, and is now deceased; Edward, a resident of Lake City; Frederick A., a prosperous farmer of section 13, West Albany Township.

Frederick A. Sass, of West Albany Township, who has attained prosperity through enterprising effort in the development of farms, was born in this township April 8, 1870, son of Frederick and Mary (Prueter) Sass. He was educated in the common schools, which he attended up to the age of 15, and outside of school hours he worked for the most part on his parents' farm, remaining at home until 1890. On January 15, that year, he married Amelia Moechnig, daughter of Frederick and Caroline Moechnig of West Albany Town- ship. He then rented the Tracy farm in the same township and operated it for two years, afterward moving to the Abbott Smith farm in Gillford Town- ship, where he remained until 1901. His next removal was to the Hentze farm in West Albany, which was his home for five years. In 1906 Mr. Sass bought 120 acres of improved land in Glasgow Township and for some time rented it out to a tenant. In 1906 he bought a 160-acre farm in section 13, West Albany, which had fair buildings, and operated this in connection with the farm of 120 acres in Glasgow Township, building on the West Albany farm a good frame barn 36 by 76 by 16 feet, with full 9-foot basement; two machine sheds, 24 by 40, and did diversified farming until the fall of 1918, when he leased the place to his son, Lawrence. This farm is well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, with full-blooded sires; and in addition has a first-class operating equipment. Mr. Sass owns a five-passenger Dort auto car, and also a nice residence at No. 522 South High street, Lake City. He and his wife have five children: Elsie, born March 3, 1891, now Mrs. Ferdinand Brunkow of Gillford Township; Lawrence E., born March 22, 1894, who is operating the home farm in section 13, Albany Township; Caroline, born No- vember 21, 1895, who is the wife of Arnum Zickrick of West Albany Township; Grace, born October 5, 1897, now Mrs. Earl Jones of Weaver, this county; and Esther, born February 4, 1905, who is a student in the high school. Mr. Sass is a Republican in politics and has served six years as a member of the district school board. He is a director of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and he and his family are members of the German M. E. church of West Albany, of which they are liberal supporters. In November, 1919, Mr. Sass moved to Lake City, where he now lives retired.

Lawrence E. Sass, an active and enterprising young farmer who is operat- ing his father's farm in section 13, West Albany Township, was born in this township March 22, 1894, son of Frederick A. and Amelia (Moechnig) Sass. He was educated in District School No. 1 in the Scotch Settlement, and has

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always been associated in agricultural work with his father. On the latter's retirement in 1918, he leased the farm from him, but owns the stock and oper- ating equipment. He is carrying on diversified farming very successfully, keeping grade Shorthorn cattle, and has a herd of 30 to 40 swine. In 1917 he was engaged in operating the Christ Fick farm in Lake Township. Mr. Sass was married March 4, 1919, to Odelia Catherine, daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Witte) Wallerich, of Glasgow Township. They have one son, Lyle E., born April 5, 1920. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church of Theilman.

Lucas M. Kuehn, an enterprising and well known merchant of Wabasha City, who has also been a factor in local politics, was born near Alma, Buffalo County, Wis., March 27, 1870. His parents were Marcus and Caroline (Kunkel) Kuehn, who came to this country from Germany at an early date, homesteading 160 acres of wild land in the location above mentioned, on which they built a log cabin with a hard clay floor. It was in this cabin that their son, Lucas M., was born. After remaining on the Buffalo County farm until 1879, Marcus Kuehn sold out and moved with his family to Wabasha City, Minn., where, in association with his son, he opened a butcher shop, which he carried on until 1904. He then sold the business and moved to Winona, where he engaged in the meat business on Mankato avenue. About 1907 he retired, and is now living in Winona, on Center street, near the Milwaukee depot. He and his wife had four children: Lucas M., who was the first born; Frank, who is living in Winona; Edith, now Mrs. Edward Kalskopf, of Milwaukee, Wis .; and Mary, now Mrs. Val Stahr of Winona. Lucas M. Kuehn was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to Wabasha. He attended St. Felix' parochial school, passing through the eight grades, and then entered the Wabasha high school, where he was a pupil up to the age of 16 years. With this mental equipment he began industrial life, engaging with the firm of Jewell & Schmidt of Wabasha to learn the tinner's trade. After remaining with them for three years, he entered the employ of the Kuehn Mercantile Co., of Wabasha, delivering goods. Subsequently he spent another three years in the employ of Jewell & Schmidt, and then again returned to the Kuehn Mer- cantile Co. On May 10, 1901, Mr. Kuehn entered into the grocery business in Wabasha, in company with Emil Arnes, under the firm name of Kuehn & Arnes. The partnership was continued up to June 7, 1905, when Mr. Kuehn bought his partner's interest in the business, and continued it alone. It developed to such an extent that after a number of years he felt the necessity of expansion, and accordingly, in April, 1919, he purchased the business block on Main street, which he occupied, and also the adjoining block, adding dry goods, shoes, ladies' wear and other lines to his stock. He is enjoying an excellent trade and his business is still growing, as the result of earnest endeavor, industry and fair dealing. Mr. Kuehn is a Republican in politics, and served the city two terms as alderman, showing a quick comprehension of local interests. He is a good musician, a member of the Wabasha Boosters' Band, and for a number of years has been a member of the city fire department. These various inter- ests have identified him closely with the development of the city along various lines, in each of which he has proved his worth and ability. In November, 1897, Mr. Kuehn was married to Clara B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Young, of Wabasha. She was born in Pepin County, Wis., July 3, 1877. The children of this marriage are: Clarence B., born July 13, 1898; Ethel M., born March 20, 1900; and Dorothy, born September 27, 1913. Clarence is now in business with his father; Ethel M., who was graduated from the Winona Busi- ness College in 1918, is now stenographer for the Wabasha County agricultural agent. Mr. Kuehn and his family are Catholics in religion, and members of St. Felix parish of Wabasha.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 55

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