History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 56

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

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Henry Sprick, in former years an industrious farmer and esteemed citizen successively of Mt. Pleasant and West Albany townships, was born in Hanover, Germany, where he worked both as a farmer and distiller. About 1881 he came

LUCUS M. KUEHN AND FAMILY

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to the United States with his wife, whose maiden name was Adelheid Bramer, and their only son and child, Christopher, then six years old. After arriving at Red Wing, Minn., Mr. Sprick settled with his family in Belvidere Township, Goodhue County, and for a few years worked as a farm hand. By 1885 he had saved up $500, and that year he rented the Wood farm in Mt. Pleasant Town- ship, Wabasha County, which he operated up to 1896. He then bought 160 acres in section 7, West Albany Township, this county, on which tract were a few buildings, including a small house. There he labored industriously and continued in agricultural pursuits until his death on October 24, 1905. His wife survived him a few years, passing away on the farm, October 5, 1912. Their son, Christopher, now owns the old home, which he has improved and developed.

Christopher Sprick, proprietor of a productive farm in section 7, West Albany Township, of which he is a substantial and respected citizen, was born in Hanover, Germany, October 9, 1875, son of Henry and Adelheid (Bramer) Sprick. He was six years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family first settling in Belvidere Township, Goodhue County, and after that operating farms in Mt. Pleasant and West Albany townships, Wabasha County. Both are now deceased and he owns and resides on the last farm which they occupied, one of 160 acres, of which he has 110 acres under the plow, the balance being in timber and pasture. Mr. Sprick raises both grain and stock, having a herd of 20 to 30 Shorthorn cattle, including eleven milch cows, and a herd of 20 to 25 Duroc-Jersey swine, with full-blooded sires for both herds. He has a good operating equipment and also owns a Chevrolet five-passenger car. As an enterprising farmer, Mr. Sprick has made some valuable improvements on his place, having remodeled the house, which now contains nine rooms and is gas-lighted; built a barn, 38 by 50 by 20 feet, and a tile silo of 110 tons capacity. Through industry and frugality Mr. Sprick has conquered success and is one of the prosperous and respected citizens of his township. He has served efficiently in the office of school clerk. He was married September 25, 1906, to Margaretta, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Eckoff) Ehlers, of Lake Township, this county. She was born January 14, 1886, in Hay Creek Township, Goodhue County, and her parents are now living near Mazeppa, in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County. Mr. and Mrs. Sprick are the parents of five children, born as follows : Alvin Henry Peter, May 6, 1907; Walter Christopher William, February 19, 1909; Henrietta Wilhelmina Anna, December 8, 1911; Albert John Frederick, June 26, 1913; and Margaretta Alfrida Louise, August 23, 1916. Mr. Sprick and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, worshiping with the Jacksonville congregation in Gillford Township, which Mr. Sprick has served as trustee.

John C. Schmidt, a pioneer of West Albany Township, now deceased, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, September 7, 1833. He grew to manhood in his native land and was there married to Julia Lange, who was born March 5, 1831. For some years after their marriage he and his wife continued to re- side in Germany, and there three children were born to them. In 1857 they emigrated to Minnesota, and entering Wabasha County at Read's Landing, pro- ceeded to West Albany Township, where they took a claim of 160 acres of wild land. To these adventurous pioneers newly arrived from a highly populous and civilized land, their surroundings must have seemed strange, and at times depressing, or even sinister. The tangled wilderness lay before and around them, to be subdued and tamed to man's use only by long and herculean labor ; their white neighbors were few and widely scattered, but the mysterious Red Man, of whom they had heard or read strange and terrible stories, was ever present or not far away; and when the evening shadows lengthened and night cast its mantle o'er glade and forest, the howling of wolves in the timber so close at hand, must have caused them to exchange many an uneasy glance, ac- companied perhaps by inward forebodings. Such, doubtless, were their first

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impressions; but the human spirit is elastic, and men and women, and even children, soon adapt themselves to their environment. Necessity and ambi- tion spur them onwards in the healthful stimulus of work and the accom- plishment of the daily task. So it was with the Schmidts. They had cut loose from all artificial support, had left their friends behind in a distant land, and were dependent solely upon their own resources. No stronger tonic was neces- sary. The children were as yet too young to be any aid, but their very help- lessness furnished an additional stimulus to the parents. They had taken their resolution to wring a living from the soil on which they stood, and immediately they went at the task. Their most pressing needs were food and shelter, and Mr. Schmidt erected a shanty, in which task he was doubtless aided by such white neighbors as he may have had, for the pioneers were helpful to one an- other, and especially to newcomers. He then began the task of clearing and breaking his land, which was not so quickly done, being the labor of years; but as fast as it was broken crops were sown, and in time the harvest reaped. A hard worker, Mr. Schmidt made gradual progress, and was ably assisted by his wife, and later by his children as they grew to the age of usefulness. On their original claim they remained until 1868, in which year they sold out and bought 160 acres in section 34, Lake Township. This second farm was their home until 1876, in which year they rented it and moved to Lake City, where, having accumulated a competency, they built a comfortable residence. It is no small tribute to their industry that they had been able to accomplish so much in a new country, and in an era of low prices for farm products, within the space of 18 years, and shows them to have been possessed in a high degree of the qualities of courage, self-reliance, industry and frugality. Mrs. Julia Schmidt enjoyed their new life of ease in a settled community for eleven years, and then passed to the world beyond the grave. John C. Schmidt subsequently remarried, and survived his second wife, passing away in Lake City on October 19, 1907, at the age of 73 years. He had well done his part as a builder up of this county, and was a man widely known and respected, enjoying the confi- dence of his fellow citizens to the extent that he was elected a county com- missioner, in which office he served for ten years. Politically he was aligned with the Democratic party. Of his children but three are now living: John E., born in West Albany Township, July 13, 1864; August G., born in West Albany Township, April 25, 1866; and Julia, born March 30, 1887, in Lake Township, who is the wife of George Mohr, a traveling salesman of Sibley, Ia. The two sons above mentioned are now engaged in the business in Lake City.

John E. Schmidt, who with his brother, August G., is conducting a pros- perous business in Lake City, was born on a farm in West Albany Township, Wabasha County, July 13, 1864, son of John C. and Julia Schmidt. His parents were pioneers of that township, but when he was four years old, moved to Lake Township, and in 1876 retired and took up their residence in Lake City, where John E. attended the common school, and subsequently entered the ranks of industry. In 1884, at the age of twenty, he went to St. Paul, where he learned the plumber's trade, at which he worked there until 1896. In the latter year he returned to Lake City, and, forming a partnership with his father, John C., established the business here which they successfully conducted. On October 10, 1907, Mr. Schmidt became county commissioner to fill out the unexpired term of his father on the latter's death, and he has since continued to serve as a member of the board through election. In politics he is independent. As a business man he has been prosperous and owns a good home on the corner of Center and South Garden streets in Lake City. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, to which he still remains attached. Mr. Schmidt was married April 10, 1886, to Augusta B., daughter of Gustaf A. and Augusta Rieman of West Albany Township, she, herself, being born in Germany, February 4, 1863. Her father was an Evangelical Lutheran pastor in Germany, who, on account of his health, came with his family to Wabasha County, Minn., in the early seventies, and took

ABNER DWELLE

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

up farming here. After following that occupation for fifteen years he re- turned to the ministry. He died at Lake Elmo, Minn., in 1908, being survived by his wife, who passed away at St. Paul, Minn., in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Schmidt are the parents of two children: Franz W., born September 22, 1886, who is an employee in the U. S. customs office at Baudette, Minn .; and Lillian J., born March 31, 1888, who is the wife of George Eggert and lives in Chicago.

Thomas L. Dwelle, an early settler, was born in Kalamazoo County, Mich., September 12, 1840, son of Abner and Electa C. (Lawrence) Dwelle, with whom he came to this county as a boy in 1854. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Co. I, 1st Minn. Vol. Inf., and served with the Army of the Potomac. At the Battle of Ball's Bluff he received a bullet wound in the shoulder, from which he was disabled, and as the result of which he was discharged in Feb- ruary 7, 1863. Then he returned and devoted his life to farming. He acquired a good farm, partly in the city limits, and carried on a profitable agricultural and dairy business. Mr. Dwelle was married in October, 1877, to Laura M. Sears, born in Racine Co., Wis., daughter of William Sears. This union has been blessed with two children: Addie Pearl, born April 28, 1880, and Arthur Sears, born August 13, 1885.

Abner Dwelle, one of the honored pioneers of Lake City, was born in Greenwich, New York, January 2, 1805, son of Abner Dwelle, born in Massa- chusetts, and Miriam (Martin) Dwelle, born in New York State, and grandson of Abner Dwelle, a sea captain, born in Scituate, Mass. The family comes of a long line of English and Colonial ancestry, the father and grandfather having both been soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and received such education as the schools of his neighborhood provided. As a youth he learned the wool carding and spinning trade. In 1837 he brought his family from Onondaga County, N. Y., to Kala- mazoo County, Mich., where in Texas Township, he cleared a good farm. In 1854 he again set out with his family, this time bound for the newly developing upper Mississippi region. By the laying of half breed scrip, which he had purchased, he secured for himself and his family, three quarter sections on sec- tions 4, 8 and 9, Lake Township, moving into a log cabin purchased from a mixed-blood on section 4. Two years later, in 1856, with Samuel Doughty and Abner Tibbetts, he platted the city. About the same time, a short distance from his log cabin, he erected a good frame house. This house, one of the pioneer structures of the county, is still standing, and still occupied by mem- bers of the family. Mr. Dwelle remained on his original claim the remainder of his life, devoting most of his attention to farming. He lived to a good age, and saw the village he platted grow into a thriving little city. During his resi- dence in Michigan, he was an active worker and deacon in the Congregational church, and retained this title the remainder of his life. In his later years he was a Spiritualist. Before the war he was a Whig and an Abolitionist, but with the organization of the Republican party, gave that party his political alle- giance. Mr. Dwelle was married in Onondaga County, January 8, 1829, to Electa C. Lawrence, born June 22, 1810, and by this union had nine children, of whom seven survived. Mrs. Electa Dwelle died in Michigan in 1847. February 17, 1849, Mr. Dwelle married Zilpha Knapp, a native of Chase, N. Y. The seven children were: M. Carrie, Elijah, G. Merrill, Henry, Thomas L., Albert and Helen J. M. Carrie was born March 11, 1831, and now lives in the old home at Lake City. Elijah was born April 30, 1833, and died at Lake City, October 8, 1917. G. Merrill was born March 13, 1835, was an officer in the Civil War, died at Melbourne Beach, Fla., April 9, 1915, and is buried at Lake City. Henry was born May 9, 1837, served in the Civil War, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., March 18, 1903, and is buried at Lake City. Thomas L. was born September 12, 1840, served in the Civil War, has devoted his life to farming, and lives in Lake City. Albert was born December 2, 1842, died at Chicago, February 29, 1912, and is buried at Lake City. Helen J. was born April 26, 1845, and still lives on the old homestead.

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Henning E. Utigard, who is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Oakwood Township, was born in Romdalen, Norway, March 15, 1860, son of Eric and Marit Utigard. The parents, also natives of Norway, both died in their native land, the father in 1887, and the mother in 1911 at the age of 91 years. Their son Henning attended school in Norway and remained there until 1873, when at the age of 13 years he came to the United States with a party and relatives bound for the West. His first stopping-place was Omaha, thence he went to Wyoming, and after that to Utah, in which state he remained three years. Then returning east as far as Wabasha County, Minn., he went to work for his uncle, K. K. Utigard, of Oakwood, remaining in his employ for a year. After that he worked two years on the railroad. Being now a well grown and ambitious young man, he turned his attention to farming, and for several years operated a rented farm. On September 13, 1891, he bought his present farm of 76 acres, on which he has erected all the buildings. Here he con- tinued actively engaged as a general farmer until 1910, when he retired from active work, renting the farm to William Blattner, though he still continues to reside on it. In his early agricultural experience prices for grain and farm products were low, and he remembers selling barley for twenty cents a bushel. He formerly rendered service as school director, and was road overseer for sev- eral years. When he first came to Omaha he was sixty dollars in debt, but from that inauspicious beginning he has risen through hard work to a position of ease and prosperity. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Knute E. Utigard, engaged in agricultural pursuits in the townships of West Albany and Oakwood, was born in Trondhjem, Norway, September 24, 1858, son of Erie and Mary (Therstein) Utigard. The parents were farmers by occupation, and died in their native land, never having come to America. Their son, who is the subject of this sketch, remained with them until arriving at his majority. In 1880 he emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Wabasha County, Minn. Here he entered the employ of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St Paul Railway, and remained with that company for fifteen years, being foreman of a section gang. In 1895 Mr. Utigard resolved to take up farming, and accordingly bought 80 acres of land in Oakwood Township, ad- joining West Albany, and has since added 100 acres to his farm, which lies partly in section 35, West Albany Township, where he has his residence. The property was partly improved when he purchased it, having fair buildings. Mr. Utigard keeps grade Red Poll cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, having full- blooded sires for his herds. He also raises Shropshire sheep, keeping a herd of about 100. He has a good equipment, and 140 acres of his land is under cultivation, the rest being in timber and pasture. The soil is fertile and pro- duces good crops, and Mr. Utigard through industry has brought his place into good condition and is doing a prosperous business as a general farmer: He is a Republican politically, though not a strong party man. On November 26, 1893, he was united in marriage with Minnie McCracken, who was born in Glasgow Township, May 27, 1862, daughter of William and Johanna Mc- Cracken. He and his wife are affiliated religiously with the German Lutheran church of Theilman.

Otto L. Zillgitt, who is operating a farm of 226 acres in West Albany Town- ship, is a native of Wabasha County, having been born in Lake Township, April 27, 1888, son of Christ and Wilhelmina (Furst) Zillgitt. The parents were born and married in Germany, and there their two eldest children were born- Lena and Hannah-whom they brought to America with them. On arriving in Wabasha County, Minn., they settled in the close vicinity of Lake City, where the state camp is now located, and the remainder of their lives was spent there, both father and mother passing away about 1903. They had in all ten children, eight being born in this country. Of the two born in Germany, Lena married Clifford Long and lives in Saskatchewan, Canada; and Hannah married George Taylor and lives in California. Those born in this country are: August,

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a farmer near Oak Center, Wabasha County; Edward, who operates a truck farm in Lake City; Clara, wife of Louis Rolland of Lake City; Albert, a truck farmer of Lake City; Otto L., of West Albany Township; John, a farmer of Lake Township; and George, residing in Lake City. Otto L. Zillgitt resided with his parents as long as they lived, then from 1903 to 1905 he worked as a farm hand, and subsequently rented and operated farms in Lake Township. In the fall of 1917 he came to his present farm-known as the Zwick farm-in section 17, West Albany Township, eight miles south of Lake City, where he is now operating 226 acres of land as a general farmer, and with good financial results. He keeps a good grade of stock, has a good operating equipment, is a hard worker, and is making farming pay. Politically he is independent. Mr. Zillgitt was united in marriage, June 14, 1912, with Rosina Henn, daughter of Henry and Mary Henn. She was born in Goodhue County, July 29, 1890. This union has been blessed by four children, born as follows: Allen Walter, August 2, 1913; Florence Clara, December 6, 1914; Frederick John, September 5, 1916; and Gladys Rosina, January 2, 1920. The family are members of St. John's Lutheran Congregation at Lake City.

Charles J. Nygren, an extensive landowner, now deceased, was known for many years throughout southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin as a large dealer in horses and mules. He was one of those men who came to this county with absolutely nothing, and by hard work, native shrewdness and sterling integrity achieved a respected place among the most prosperous men of the country, and left to his large family the memories of a worthy life, and the heritage of a respected name. He was born in Orobo, Sweden, March 5, 1846, the son of Erick Nygren. Left motherless at an early age, he was reared in his native land, and was thrown on his own resources when but eleven years old. As a young man he married Maria Johanson. In 1869 they came to Amer- ica, reached the Mississippi by railroad, came up that stream on a boat, and disembarked at Hastings with practically no worldly possessions. Securing such work as he could, Mr. Nygren made his way through Goodhue County into this county, where he was variously employed, in general labor, as a team- ster, and as a farm renter. After awhile he bought a place of his own. Grad- ually he added to his possessions until he owned a large tract of good farm land lying in Mt. Pleasant and Gilford Townships. Of this tract, two of the sons, Oscar M. and Charles Elmer now each own a farm of 240 acres in Mt. Pleasant Township, on each of which Mr. Nygren put up a dwelling and a good set of buildings. In addition to the busy cares of operating his broad acres, Mr. Nygren dealt in horses and mules, buying, feeding, breeding and shipping. His principal shipping point was Lake City, and his principal market at St. Louis. It was through this trading, that Mr. Nygren became so widely and favorably known throughout this entire region. In 1903 he moved to Lake City and purchased a home at the corner of Prairie avenue and Dwelle street. He continued from this point in horse dealing and shipping. After a long and useful life filled with worthy accomplishment, he died June 21, 1912, and his death was sincerely mourned. His wife still makes her home in Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. Nygren were the parents of ten children: Carl Herman, Ida M., Carl Sigfred, Huldah, Oscar William, Edla M., John Herman, Charles Elmer, Anna Louisa and Selma Eugenia. Carl Herman was left with relatives in Sweden, and died at the age of four years. Ida M. was born August 17, 1870, and lives at home. Carl Sigfred was born April 3, 1873, and is in the real estate business at Lake City. Huldah Maria was born April 14, 1874, and is now dead. Oscar William was born April 7, 1876, and is a farmer in Mount Pleasant Township. Edla M. was born April 12, 1878, who is now Mrs. Louis Walther, of Waseca, Minn. John Herman was born April 27, 1880, and is a veterinary surgeon at Waverly, Ia. Charles Elmer was born January 8, 1883, and is now a farmer in Mount Pleasant Township. Anna Louisa was born May 1, 1885, married Oscar Olson, and resides at Brooten, Minn. Selma Eugenia

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was born October 1, 1887, and is a teacher in the Lake City high school. She lives with her mother.

James W. Nolan, a prominent member of the agricultural community of Oakwood Township, owning and residing on a farm of 280 acres, was born on this farm, August 18, 1867, son of Patrick and Ellen (O'Neil) Nolan. The father was a native of Ireland, and the mother of Pennsylvania, in which state they were married. Immediately, or soon after that event, they came to Wa- basha County, Minn., to found a home. It was the year 1857, when Read's Landing was the only village in the county. By an almost undiscernable foot- path they found their way to their claim of 160 acres in section 9, Oakwood Township, finding the land all wild, a part being covered with timber and the rest prairie. All the elements of a good farm were present, but the farm had to be carved out and developed from the primitive conditions which con- fronted the pioneers. To this labor Mr. Nolan immediately addressed him- self, assisted by his wife. A log house was first erected, and soon after a few rude outbuildings, while he also commenced the arduous task of clearing and breaking the land, giving his first attention to the prairie land as the easier task. After making some progress, he built a better log house in another lo- cation on his property, and kept on making improvements. By 1881 his farm presented a good appearance, and in that year he built a solid stone house, for which he, himself, quarried the stone. From time to time, also, he pur- chased more land, so that at the time of his death, which occurred in 1883, he owned 280 acres. His work as a pioneer developer of this county had been well done and has had permanent results. His wife Ellen survived him many years, dying at an advanced age in December, 1917. Their family numbered seven children: Frances, now Mrs. Edward Hyde, of Dubuque, Ia .; Joseph, of South St. Paul; Ellen, wife of John McClernan of Todd County, Minn .; James W., now owner of the old homestead; Patrick F., of South St. Paul; Thomas, residing in St. Louis County, Minn .; and Josephine, now Mrs. D. L. Cavanaugh of South St. Paul. James W. Nolan made his appearance in the household about ten years after his parents had settled on their claim in this township, and pioneer scenes and events are indelibly impressed on his mind as his child- hood recollections. When old enough he was sent to the district school, where he made his first acquaintance with the "three R's," and afterwards to the Zumbro Falls public school. At an early age he began making himself useful on the farm, and within a few years had acquired a good practical knowledge of agriculture. He assisted his father until the latter's death, and after that event operated the farm for his mother until 1901, in which year he bought it, and it has since remained his property. Every foot of its area of 280 acres is familiar to him, and most of the important improvements now standing have been his own work, as he has rebuilt practically all the buildings, and in 1917

erected a new modern house of nine rooms. The barn is 40 by 64 feet, with a full basement. He also installed an individual electric lighting system, fur- nishing light for all the buildings. Up to 1917 Mr. Nolan carried on diversified farming, and for many years was a successful breeder of Herford cattle, hav- ing one of the best herds in the county. Though he then retired from active work, renting the farm to a tenant, he still lives on it, and is, as he has been for many years, closely identified with the agricultural and other business in- terests of this section. He was one of the organizers and is president of the Millville Farmers' Co-operative Co., buyers and shippers of grain and all farm products. He was also one of the organizers and charter members of the Mill- ville State Bank, which he is now serving as president; and is financially in- terested in the Rest Island Silver Fox Company, at Lake City, of which he was vice president in 1919. Religiously he is a Catholic, and fraternally a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. On May 10, 1906, James W. Nolan was united in marriage with Catherine Rothgarn, who was born in Hyde Park Township, Wabasha County, Minn., March 2, 1885.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 56

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