History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 60

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

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Albert W. Ritzenthaler, an active and respected citizen of Elgin Township, who has had an extended industrial experience in various localities, was born at North Freedom, Sauk County, Wis., March 1, 1880, son of Jacob and Salome (Steinger) Ritzenthaler. He was educated in the school of his native district and resided on his parents' farm at North Freedom until 1902. He then came to Olmsted County, Minn., and for eight months was employed on the farm of

HERMAN BRUNKOW

HENRY WESCOTT MORGAN

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Bradley Sawyer, of Viola Township. Then returning to North Freedom, he worked at home until the fall of 1903. He now directed his steps southward as far as the Gulf of Mexico, and after visiting several southern states, re- turned home again. In 1906 he set off in a different direction, going to Edmon- ton, Alberta, Canada, where he was employed for a time in brick yards. From there he went to Cass County, N. D., where he was engaged in farm labor until his return to North Freedom, where he remained until 1913. The summer of 1916, Mr. Ritzenthaler raised one acre of tobacco and twelve acres of grain and potatoes in Dane County, Wis. The next winter he worked in the pineries in Sawyer County, that state, and after that spent his time at North Freedom until 1919. Then coming to Elgin Township, Wabasha County, he took charge of a large maple sugar orchard on the Orchard Hill farm, now owned by E. W. Graves, in which occupation he is still engaged, being an expert sugar maker. Mr. Ritzenthaler's parents are both deceased, the father having died in North Freedom, Wis., when his son, Albert was two years old, so of him he has no memory. The mother resided at North Freedom until her death on January 4, 1915. Mr. Ritzenthaler has six brothers and three sisters, all in this country, the brothers being: Jacob, of Milwaukee, Wis .; George, of Baraboo, Wis .; Fred, of North Freedom, Wis .; Louis, a dentist in Milwaukee; Edward, of Reedsburg, Wis .; and Will, of Seattle, Wash. The sisters are: Sophia, now Mrs. E. W. Langdon, of Baraboo, Wis .; Carrie, wife of F. J. Ballone, of North Freedom, Wis .; and Emma, now Mrs. F. Templie of Baraboo, Wis.

George Timm, a well known and respected citizen of Elgin Township, who is proving a factor in its agricultural development, was born in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, Minn., January 21, 1893, son of Adolph and Mary Timm. He was educated in the Plainview village school, and subsequently worked on farms near Plainview until 1916, in which year he rented a farm east of the village, which he operated for two years. In 1918 he rented his present farm of 160 acres in section 10, Elgin Township, where, in addition to raising crops and stock, he is doing some truck farming. On January 26, 1915, Mr. Timm was united in marriage with Charlotte Hilton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Hilton, and of this union three children have been born: Madonna M., December 8, 1915; Dorothy E., August 18, 1917; and Franklin G., January 9, 1919. The religious affiliations of the Timm family are with the German Lutheran church.

Edward Schad, a well known citizen of Plainview Township, where he is engaged in farming and the raising of garden truck, was born in Highland Township, Wabasha County, Minn., July 1, 1888, son of Christian and Cecelia (Ruffs) Schad. He acquired his elementary education in the district schools of Highland and Plainview townships, and subsequently St. Johns University and the Mankato Business College, being graduated from the last mentioned institution in 1908. Afterwards, until 1914, he worked for his father on the home farm in sections 19 and 20, Plainview Township. He then started in for himself, buying his present farm of 60 acres in section 29, Plainview Town- ship, which he has improved by the erection of a new residence, chicken house and out-buildings. Besides raising the usual farm crops, including garden produce, he breeds some hogs and cattle, and is making good progress finan- cially. Mr. Schad was married in September, 1912, to Celeste Melvin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Melvin, and he and his wife have four children : Harold E., born September 25, 1914; Leona C., born July 4, 1916; Melvin J., born August 17, 1918; and Josephine Agnes, born August 2, 1920. Mr. Schad and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he also belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Henry Westcott Morgan, who for over 32 years was one of the ablest members of the legal profession in Lake City, was born near Camden, N. J., May 1, 1850, son of Hiram and Sarah (Llewellyn) Morgan. Of his parents' five children the only one now living is Anna, who resides in New Jersey, the

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

widow of Albert Sweaton. Henry W. Morgan was given good educational advantages, first attending school at Blackwood, then taking a preparatory course at Lewisburg, Pa., and further pursuing his studies at Bridgeton and Lawrenceville, N. J. Having decided to embrace the legal profession, he read law in the office of Furman Shepard of Philadelphia, and J. W. Morgan, a cousin, at Camden, N. J. After being admitted to the bar, he practiced several years in New Jersey, and was there married, April 1, 1884, to Mary Kelly, daughter of Patrick and Martha (Lawson) Kelly of Central Point. In the same year he came west and settled in Lake City, Minn., opening an office for the practice of law. Here he was highly successful and in time accumulated a competency. He was recognized as one of Lake City's leading citizens, and, as a Democrat, was active in politics, though holding no office, except that at one time he served as a member of the school board. He was a heavy holder of city and farm reality, and as a business man was noted for his honesty and candor. In early life he had been a member of an engineering corps and had helped to build a railroad from Amboy to Camden, N. J., besides two other lines. His death, which occurred June 13, 1918, as the result of paralysis, was an event which caused deep sorrow in the community. To his widow he left a comfortable home on North High street, where she is now residing. She also owns the old farm of her parents in Hyde Park Township. Mr. Morgan was reared a Baptist , but was not affiliated here with any church. To him and his wife were born three sons: Hiram, November 27, 1887; Matthew P. Kelly, March 11, 1894; and Alexander, September 4, 1897. Hiram, who is now living in Los Angeles, Calif., married Dorothy Maby of Lake City, in November, 1914, and they have one child, George Lawton. Matthew P. Kelly died unmarried March 27, 1920. He was drafted for the World War but was rejected on account of physical disability. Alexander is employed at the revenue office at St. Paul, but makes his home with his mother in Lake City.

Patrick Kelly, a noted pioneer of Wabasha County, for many years a resi- dent of Hyde Park Township, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, about 1803. He came to the United States a single man about 1846, locating in Philadelphia. In 1855 he married Martha Lawson of New Jersey, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, September 13, 1816. With her and their first born child, Mary L., he came in the early spring of 1857 to Wabasha County, Minn., travel- ing by rail to Dubuque, Iowa, and then up the river by boat to Read's Landing. Thence they journeyed to Hyde Park Township, which at that time was only a wilderness. The land which they took was almost entirely wild, only half an acre having been broken, and Mr. Kelly began improvements by building a small log house. From that time on, though suffering the usual hardships of pioneer life, he and his family made gradual progress, and in time he found himself the owner of one of the good farms in that section. He erected sub- stantial buildings, the sills and timbers of his barn being of oak and walnut. l'o his original tract of 160 acres he added 40 more, and was engaged in farming there until 1876, when, having accumulated a competency, he retired at the age of 73 years to Central Point, a part of Lake City, where he built a fine brick residence. Politically Mr. Kelly was a Democrat, and for a number of years served as town clerk of Hyde Park, though in his youth he had received but little education. His wife, however, was an accomplished scholar. The latter was the first to pass away, her life coming to a close on August 1, 1898. Mr. Kelly survived her somewhat less than five years, dying May 12, 1903, at the remarkable age of 100 years. During his entire career he never suffered from sickness, but fell a victim at last to old age. He was noted as a man of integ- rity and was a staunch Catholic. Mrs. Kelly was reared a Presbyterian. They now rest side by side in the Lakewood cemetery at Lake City. They had but two children: Mary L., born December 9, 1856, who is the widow of Henry W. Morgan; and George M., born January 7, 1860, who died in childhood.

James McGuigan, formerly a farmer in Oakwood Township, and later a well known merchant in Millville, was born at Shullsburg, Wis., son of Patrick

PATRICK KELLY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY .

and Sarah McGuigan, who were natives of Ireland, which country the mother left when nine years old. They were married at Galena, Ill., and came to Wabasha County, Minn., in 1856, settling on 160 acres of land in Oakwood Township, which they later homesteaded, and where Patrick McGuigan died in 1886. James was reared on that farm, on which he worked until his mar- riage, when his father bought him an 80-acre farm. His wife, Julia Lynch McGuigan, was born near Milwaukee, Wis. They resided on the farm until 1882, but in 1880 he, with his brother, J. F. McGuigan, started a store in Mill- ville, of which he was one of the proprietors until his death in 1893. His wife survived him until February, 1917. They had seven children, all of whom are now living: Mary, wife of William Kiley of Millville; Thomas W., a mer- chant of Millville; Clara, wife of Casper Verhalen of Milwaukee; Ellen, wife of P. J. Cosgrove, a banker of Millville; Sarah, wife of William Keough; Fran- cis, manager of his brother Thomas' store in Millville; and Joseph, who was in the U. S. service during the recent war with Germany, having the rank of second lieutenant, and being stationed at Washington, D. C., and who is now in the employ of the United States shipping board.

Thomas W. McGuigan, a prosperous merchant and representative citizen of Millville, was born in Oakwood Township, April 12, 1872, son of James and Julia (Lynch) McGuigan. He acquired a good education, attending first the district school, then the Lake City high school, and subsequently the Winona normal school. He then became a teacher, which occupation he followed until the death of his father in 1893, when he took charge of the latter's store. One year later, on May 1, 1894, he sold a half interest to his uncle, and on May 1, 1895, he started a general store on his own account, which he still continues to operate. By close attention to business, honest dealing, and courteous atten- tion to customers, he has built up an excellent trade. In 1894 he began to buy grain in Millville and for 25 years was proprietor of an elevator, which, how- ever, he sold to the Co-operative Grain and Shipping Association in July, 1919. He has done his part in promoting the interests of the village and for four years served as village treasurer. He is a member of the Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus, Red Men and Woodmen, and is a man who has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Edgar W. Putnam, who owns and operates a farm of 160 acres in section 21, Elgin Township, was born in Whitewater Township, Winona County, Minn., February 19, 1874, son of Charles and Hattie (Irwin) Putnam. He was edu- cated in a district school in Glendale Valley, and his early years were spent on his parents' farm. In 1894 he began to learn the trade of wagon-maker, at which he worked until 1898, when he went back to the home farm and remained there until 1907. In the latter year he bought his present farm of 160 acres in section 21, Elgin Township. He has improved this place by the erection of a new barn, a silo and out-buildings, and has also a very comfortable residence. His farm is one of the best of its size in the township, and Mr. Putnam is numbered among the township's enterprising and prosperous citizens. He is a member of the local Masonic Lodge and of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Putnam was united in marriage August 14, 1907, to Lelia Crawford, and he and his wife are the parents of four children: Arva M., born May 18, 1908; Ray E., December 24, 1909; Hawley R., December 9, 1912; and Leslie M., January 1, 1914.

Hans Peters, who is successfully operating a farm of 240 acres, two-thirds of which lies in Elgin Township, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 7, 1872, son of John and Dorothy Peters. He was educated in his native land, where he remained until arriving at the age of 18 years. Then, in 1890, he came to the United States, locating first in Boone County, Iowa, where he worked on farms until 1897. In the latter year he rented a farm of 320 acres in Dickinson County, Iowa, and was engaged in general farming and stock raising there for three years. In 1903 he sold his place and going to Colorado,

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bought 320 acres there, which he subsequently sold. His next venture was the purchase of a 160-acre farm in Iowa, on which he resided for a year. After that he lived in North Dakota until 1916, in. which year he came to Wabasha County, Minn., and bought his present farm of 240 acres, 160 acres of which lie in Elgin Township, and 80 acres in section 31, Olmsted County. In 1918 he built a new barn, 32 by 72 feet, also a fine house and out-buildings. As a general farmer and stock raiser he is making good progress, and is one of the representative citizens of his township. He was married June 13, 1896, to Anna Ficken, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerhardt Ficken. To him and his wife five children have been born: John H., October 27, 1897; Louise Isabel, August 24, 1899; Rudie and Prudie (twins), April 27, 1902; and Lily, July 7, 1912. Mr. Peters and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.

Joseph A. Kennebeck, who for 17 years held a recognized place among the industrious and successful farmers of Greenfield Township, was born in Wis- consin, March 19, 1868, son of Bernard and Mary (Ramer) Kennebeck. The parents were natives of Germany who came to America in the early fifties, set- tling in Wisconsin: Later they came to Wabasha County, Minn., locating in Wabasha Township. There Bernard Kennebeck died, being survived by his wife, who is now living in Wabasha City. They were members of the Catho- lic church. Their family numbered 13 children, namely, Herman, Anthony, Theodore, Bernard, Charles, John, George, Joseph, Katherine, Caroline, Mary, Elizabeth and Anna, of whom Joseph and Anna are now deceased. Joseph A. Kennebeck's educational opportunities were confined to the district school, which he attended for the usual period. After beginning industrial life he worked for his father a number of years and then for several years did mis- cellaneous farm labor. In 1896 he began farming for himself, buying 200 acres in section 34, Greenfield Township, making improvements on the farm by the erection of a barn, and engaging in general farming and stock raising. In 1909 he sold that farm and bought one of 160 acres in section 28, Greenfield Township. This place also he improved, erecting a barn, garage and silo, build- ing fences and doing repair work. He continued in agricultural work here until his death, April 2, 1913, when Greenfield Township lost one of its sterling and respected citizens. In religion Mr. Kennebeck was a Catholic. He was married April 14, 1896, to Margaret Pulles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pulles. Her parents came from Germany to America in the early sixties, and were engaged in farming in Glasgow Township, this county, until the death of Mr. Pulles on October 12, 1918. Mrs. Pulles is now residing in Wabasha. Their children were Frank, Martin, Andrew, John (first), John (second), Kath- erine, Margaret, Theresa and Helen. Of these the first named John died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kennebeck became the parents of eight children: Louis. M., born May 20, 1897; Lavina H., September 17, 1898; Cecelia K., June 4, 1899, (died July 31, 1900) ; Amelia M., born April 6, 1902; Martin J., October 8, 1903; Viola T., November 15, 1905; Marsella E., May 3, 1908; and Lucille M., Decem- ber 2, 1910. Mrs. Kennebeck still operates the home farm, which is a nice agri- cultural property. She and her family are widely known, having many friends throughout this part of the county.

John H. Dubbels, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, was born in Viola Township, Olmsted County, April 13, 1884, son of John and Mary Dubbels. John Dub- bels, the father, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 15, 1846. He was edu- cated in his native land and came to the United States in 1864, settling in Viola. Township, Olmsted County, Minn., where in the following year he bought 80 acres of land. Later he bought another tract of 150 acres, fenced his land, erected buildings, and developed a good farm, on which he carried on agricul- ture and stock raising until 1919. He then sold the farm to his son Charles and moved to Elgin Village. On April 21, 1875, he was married to Mary E. Bierbaum, who was the first white child born in Viola Township, Olmsted:

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JOSEPH A. KENNEBECK AND FAMILY

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County. They became the parents of eight children, Carl, Mary, Anna, Eliza- beth, John H., Joe, Charles and Elsie. John H. Dubbels in his boyhood at- tended district school in Viola Township, Olmsted County. He worked for his father until 1909, then he and his brother Joe bought 820 acres of land in Mor- rison County, Minnesota, where he did general farming until 1917, when they sold the land. In 1917 John H. bought 200 acres in section 18, Elgin Township, which he sold after residing on it three years. In 1919 he bought his present farm of 280 acres in sections 30 and 31, Elgin Township, on which he is carry- ing on general farming and stock raising with profitable results. He keeps Holstein cattle, with full-blooded sires, and a high grade of hogs. Mr. Dub- bels was married September 2, 1909, to Alma Tradup, and he and his wife have four children : John A., born September 6, 1910; Gerald M., September 16, 1911; Melvin C., May 20, 1915, and Genevieve E., March 18, 1918. The family are united in membership with the Lutheran church.

Edward J. Deming, one of the younger farmers of Oakwood Township who is making good progress, was born in this township, November 1, 1891, son of Frank and Margaret (Knoll) Deming. He was educated in the district school and in the public school at Plainview, which he attended for three years, and remained with his parents on the home farm until 1916, after which he rented the farm until the fall of 1919. He then bought his present farm of 120 acres in sections 25 and 26. At the same time he began improvements on it by erect- ing a new modern eight-room house, and sinking a well, and he now has under construction a new barn 34 by 60 feet, with a full basement and modern equip- ment, also a brick garage. He is carrying on diversified farming and stock raising very successfully, keeping Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and is a member of the local Shipping Association and the Co-operative Creamery. In religion he is a Catholic and fraternally a member of the Knights of Colum- bus. Mr. Deming was married November 8, 1917, to Florence Olson, who was born in Elgin Township, daughter of Swen and Carrie (Johnson) Olson.

Frank Diming, Jr., who is engaged in mixed farming, including stock rais- ing and truck farming, in Elgin Township, is a native of Wabasha County, having been born in the City of Wabasha, December 8, 1881, son of Frank and Margaret (Knoll) Diming. He acquired his education in a district school in Oakwood Township, this county, and was trained to agricultural pursuits on his parents' farm, working for his father until 1907. He then rented his present place, a farm of 120 acres in sections 11 and 12, Elgin Township, which he bought in 1911. He has improved the farm by repairing the house and buildings, and has also built a garage. His operations have been industriously pursued and have netted him good returns. Mr. Diming's marriage occurred September 22, 1908, his bride being Mary Angelbeck, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Angelbeck of Conception. This union has been blessed by six children: Margaret, born August 19, 1909; Raymond, November 15, 1910; Dorothy, March 27, 1912 (died June 17) ; Leo, April 27, 1914; Eleanor, November 16, 1915, and Alvin, October 18, 1918. Mr. Diming and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he belongs also to the Knights of Columbus.

William J. Diming, who operates a farm of 160 acres in Oakwood Township, is well known in many parts of Wabasha County, where he has resided all his life. He was born in Highland Township, this county, January 18, 1883, son of Frank and Margaret (Knoll) Diming, and was educated in the rural school of his district and the public school in Plainview Village, after which he took up farming at home. In 1910 he rented a farm of 160 acres in section 36, Oak- wood Township, which he operated until 1915. He then bought 80 acres of it, and in the fall of 1919 bought 80 acres adjoining, and is now remodeling and practically rebuilding a barn, 36 by 72 feet, to be furnished with modern ap- pliances. His principal stock consists of grade Durham cattle and Chester- White hogs, and he is doing a good-business, being a member of both the Creamery and Shipping associations. He is a director of school No. 42, and

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in public matters is an alert and helpful citizen. Mr. Diming was united in marriage, November 16, 1910, with Cecelia Evers, who was born May 12, 1890, daughter of Joseph and Theresa Evers. The children born of this marriage are: Helen, December 8, 1911; Paul, March 23, 1913; Angeline, June 29, 1914; Alfred, September 17, 1915; Marcella, February 17, 1918, and Ralph, July 1, 1919. Mr. Diming and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he belongs, in addition, to the Knights of Columbus.

John Welti, the enterprising proprietor of a good farm of 151 acres, lying partly in Oakwood and partly in Elgin Township, was born in Wabasha City, Minn., May 5, 1857, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Welti. He was educated in the Oakwood rural schools, and until 1898 worked with his father. He then moved onto that part of his present farm consisting of 80 acres in section 34, Oakwood Township, which he had purchased, and to which, in 1913, he added 71 acres that he bought in section 3, Elgin Township, thus acquiring a farm with an area of 151 acres. He has erected all the present buildings, including a good eight-room house, and a barn 30 by 42 feet in size, and in various ways has improved the property. Mr. Welti, besides raising the usual crops, is a suc- cessful breeder of grade cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He is a member of the Elgin Shipping Association and of the local creamery association, and is mak- ing rapid strides on the road to affluence. He has served as school treasurer of District 85, Elgin Township, for 18 or 20 years, and is a man who takes a lively interest in all matters connected with the good of the general community. For 22 years Mr. Welti has enjoyed the comforts and shouldered the responsi- bilities of domestic life, having been united in marriage, June 15, 1898, with Pauline E. Rother, who was born in Highland Township, this county, June 29, 1874, daughter of Gottlieb and Catherine (Saueressig) Rother. The children of this marriage are as follows : Philip A., born January 30, 1900, who is assisting his father on the farm; Lucy K., born March 7, 1902, now a student in the Elgin high school; Emma M. and Anna L (twins), born October 28, 1903, and Walter J., born January 30, 1910. Mr. Welti and his family are members of the Luth- eran church

James G. Lawrence, a pioneer of Wabasha County, and one who has taken an active part in its development, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., May 1, 1836, the son of Gardner and Maria (Cossett) Lawrence, the father being an attorney by profession. Mr. Lawrence was educated in the public and private schools of Syracuse, and entered the book and stationery business at the age of twenty- one, being thus occupied until 1859, when, on account of failing health, he went to Texas. Here he was employed in the capacity of sheep herder, seven days a week at a salary of $12.00 per month, and remained learning the business and regaining his health until the opening of the Civil War. Refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, he immediately started North via Galveston. That port was blockaded the day after he arrived. Not- withstanding this and numerous other difficulties, he finally reached his home in Syracuse. Mr. Lawrence then secured employment as clerk in the Quarter- master's Department under Captain Nye, chief quartermaster of the Army of the Ohio on General Buell's staff, serving in such capacity until November, 1862. He then came to Minnesota. Wabasha county appealed to him, and he purchased a large tract of land in Greenfield Township and established a sheep and cattle ranch, where he remained for many years. In 1882 the narrow gauge railroad between Wabasha and Zumbrota was under process of construction, but owing to the failure of the original contractors the work was suspended. In this circumstance Mr. Lawrence saw an opportunity, and he associated himself with men of prominence and ability and took over the road, which they completed and afterwards sold to the Chicago, Milwaukee & Saint Paul Rail- way. A Republican in politics, he has served the public in many capacities- as mayor of the City of Wabasha, as register of deeds of Wabasha County, also serving two terms in the Minnesota state senate and twenty-two years on the

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 60

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