History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 62

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

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John G. Moechnig, a well-known farmer of West Albany Township, resid- ing in section 15, on a farm of 223 acres, was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, Minn., January 11, 1888, son of Gottleib and Mary (Fick) Moechnig. His grandparents, Karl and Caroline Moechnig, were pioneers in West Albany, arriving there in 1858. After suffering many hardships, owing to poverty and the wildness of the country at that time, they got a farm started,

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which subsequently came into possession of their son Gottleib, who enlarged and improved it, and, with his wife and several of his children, is still residing thereon. He has also bought much other land, both in Wabasha County and in North Dakota. Some of the former he has sold to three of his sons, includ- ing the subject of this sketch. John G. Moechnig was accorded the educational facilities afforded by the rural school. He grew up on his parents' farm and was engaged in assisting his father until September, 1912, at which time he began his independent career, buying from his father 143 acres in section 15, adjoining the old home farm. In 1919 he added to his land another tract, of 80 acres, and now has 175 acres under the plow. On his original purchase was a good house and some other buildings, the latter being in fair condition. To improve the farm, Mr. Moechnig has built a new barn, 34 by 100 by 14 feet, with a full basement of 81/2 feet for stock, and provided with a full modern equipment. The farm lies eight and a half miles south of Lake City, and five miles from Theilman, which village is his principal market. Mr. Moechnig is a good worker and has made substantial progress. He carries on general farming, giving particular attention to the breeding of pure-blooded Shorthorn and Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He owns an auto car, and is a stockholder in the Pepin Co-operative Creamery of Lake City, the Farmers' Co-operative Elevators at Lake City and Theilman, the Terminal Packing Plant at Newport, and the Wabasha "Leader." Politically he is a Republican with independent tendencies, and holds the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Moechnig was married, June 12, 1912, to Flora Celestia Blohm, who was born June 13, 1887, daughter of William and Ida Blohm, of Gillford Township. To him and his wife two children have been born: Marvel Celestia, on March 20, 1914, and Marcella Geneva, on November 8, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Moechnig are members of West Albany M. E. church.

William O. Polson, a prominent farmer of Oakwood Township, operating 240 acres, was born on his present farm, September 9, 1884, son of Emric and Sophie (Johnson) Polson. His education was acquired in rural district No. 44, and he was subsequently associated with his father in agricultural opera- tions on the home farm until 1918. He then bought the property, which in- cludes 240 acres, located in sections 21 and 28, and is here engaged in diversi- fied farming and stock raising, keeping Shorthorn cattle, for general purposes, and Chester-White hogs. His operations are conducted on a scientific and profitable basis, the farm, capably managed, proving a good source of income. Mr. Polson is a member of the Farmers' Shipping Association at Millville. He was married, June 14, 1917, to Lela Olin, who was born in Brainerd, Minn., March 25, 1897, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Olin. Their union has been blessed with two children : Emric O., born May 24, 1918; and Paul F., born October 24, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Polson attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

Hein D. Hinck, who is successfully engaged in agriculture in section 17, West Albany Township, was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, Minn., June 22, 1894, son of Peter and Engel Hinck. The parents were among the early settlers in this region, their farm being located in Gilbert Valley. Hein D. was educated in the district school and acquired his agricultural train- ing on the home farm, where he resided up to the age of 22 years. He then removed to his father's farm in section 17, West Albany Township, which he has since been engaged in operating. It contains 160 acres, of which 110 are under the plow, the balance being in timber and pasture. He owns the stock and operating equipment, including all necessary machinery, together with four good horses, and is carrying on general farming on a profitable basis, being a practical man in his line and a hard and steady worker. Politically he is a Republican. Being unmarried, his household is presided over by a sister. Mr. Hinck was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and is a member of the Belvidere congregation. He has a wide acquaintance and is popular among his fellow citizens.

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financial success and he is now in the enjoyment of an ample competence. Mr. Heise personally operated the farm until 1918, in which year he retired from active work and leased it to his son August, who owns the stock and operating equipment. The entire farm is under cultivation. Mr. Heise has been able to give all his sons a good start in life. He is well known and highly respected in West Albany Township and the vicinity, and though now 71 years old, is still hale and hearty, with good prospects of enjoying life for a number of years to come. He and his wife have had six children, as follows: Frederick and Charles, who are farmers in Gillford Township; Johanna, who married Charles Krett, a farmer of Gillford Township, and died April 27, 1919; Gustav, who is farming in Gillford Township; August, born October 30, 1882, who is now operating the home farm on his own account; Lillian, born March 10, 1893, who is residing at home. The five elder children were born in Germany, and Lillian in West Albany Township. August, in addition to his interest in the home farm, is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Co. of Theilman, and the Terminal Packing Co. of Newport. He is a member of the Non-Partisan League. Mr. Heise and his family are members of the Jacksonville congregation of the Lutheran church.

Edward Hall, a former resident of Oakwood Township, where for a number of years he was engaged in agriculture, was a native of Ireland. After emigrat- ing to Canada, he was there married to Maria Elems, and together they came to the United States, stopping for a while in New York State, and later in Michigan, where Mr. Hall found employment in the copper mines at Rockland. In 1866 he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, buying a farm of 160 acres in section 25, Oakwood Township. Here he left his family and returned to Silva Island, Canada, where he worked for two years, earning and saving money. He then returned to his farm in Oakwood Township, this county, and was sub- sequently engaged in general farming here until his death on July 4, 1893. His wife is still living and is now a resident of Plainview. They were the parents of nine children: Catherine, who married Charles Harlan, of this township, both she and her husband being now deceased; James E., who lives in North Dakota; Marie, wife of J. H. Harlan, of Langdon, N. D .; John M., who died in North Dakota in March, 1915; Theresa, who was the wife of R. H. Tombs and died in California in 1903. Thomas F., of Oakwood Township; Bird J., who married R. O. Halelelid of North Dakota; Frances E., wife of J. P. Waste of Plainview; and Edward R. Hall of Winona.

Thomas F. Hall acquired his elementary education in the rural schools and was a student for one year in the Plainview high school. His early in- dustrial experience was on the river, and he also spent two years in the woods at lumbering. In 1890 he took up farming on the home farm, but later bought 80 acres, being the west half of the northeast quarter of section 25, adjoining the home farm, on which he carried on agriculture for some years, and where he still lives, though for the last ten years he has rented out the place to a tenant. He has made a number of improvements on the property, including the erection of a barn, 36 by 80 feet, with full basement, and all outbuildings. These structures were all built from timber which grew on his farm. He has also rebuilt and stuccoed his house and added to it a large screen porch. Mr. Hall is a member of the Catholic church and also of the Independent Order of Foresters. He has served two years as chairman of the town board and for a number of years was school clerk. He was married June 2, 1903, to Caroline C. Gessner, who was born in Highland Township, February 26, 1876, daughter of J. M. and Theresa M. (Noll) Gessner. Her parents, natives respectively of Wisconsin and Indiana, settled in Wabasha County about 1865. The father died October 29, 1908, and was survived by his wife, who is now a resident of Plain- view. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Hall eight children have been born: Theresa M., April 10, 1904; Inez L., September 2, 1905; Myrtle F., April 16, 1907; Lester E., January 29, 1909; Thomas C., January 2, 1911; Ralph J., March 4, 1913; Mildred M., October 26, 1915; and Mary E., October 2, 1917.

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John F. Anderson, proprietor of the National Nursery, one of the important and growing business concerns of Lake City, was born in Sweden, May 22, 1870, and came to America in 1872 with his parents, the family settling in Lund, Wisconsin. The father was a tailor by occupation, and the family numbered twelve children, of whom six are now living. The parents also survive and reside in a comfortable home next to that of their son John. At the age of fourteen years John F. Anderson entered the employ of the Jewell Nursery Co. at Lake City, and remained with them altogether for 29 years. He also spent some time with the Rose Hill Nursery Co. of Minneapolis, and with these two concerns learned every detail of the business. In the fall of 1910 he, with his brother, Axel Anderson, and Emil Bellman, started in the nursery business on Iowa street, in the south end of Lake City, beginning on sixteen acres of land. Two years later Mr. Bellman sold his interest to Edward Anderson, a brother of John and Axel, and the business was then organized as the National Nursery Co. In 1918 John F. Anderson became the sole proprietor and has retained the old name of the concern. The business has grown to considerable dimensions, and draws its supplies principally from territory in Wisconsin and North Dakota. Previous to the entrance of the United States into the World War, the concern employed eight traveling salesmen, but the war took some of its men, and since then they have done a large wholesale business, supplying other nurseries with stock, which they grow on contract. Frugal and industrious, Mr. Anderson has accumulated all he has through his own personal efforts. He owns a comfortable home at 414 S. Sixth street. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Equitable Fraternal Union, and is also a member of the Swedish Sick Benefit Co., all of Lake City. Politically he is independent, voting for the man rather than with any particular party. Mr. Anderson was married October 26, 1896, to Alma Soderstrom, who was born in Pepin County, Wisconsin, one of the seven children (three daughters and four sons) of Peter and Mary Soderstrom. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been the parents of six children, three of whom died in infancy. The other three who are living, are: Glenn A., born January 26, 1898; Helen V., born July 4, 1903, and Maurice W., born May 8, 1913. The family are members of the Swedish (or Second) Con- gregational Church of Lake City.

William Howatt, now living retired in Lake City, after a long and success- ful career in agriculture, was born in the parish of Rothiemay, county of Banff, Scotland, September 14, 1842, son of John and Ann (Christie) Howatt. He lived at home until the spring of 1869, when he emigrated to the United States, com- ing directly to Lake City, Minn., where he has acquaintances, and arriving here May 1. In the Scotch Settlement in West Albany Township he entered the employ of William Perry, for whom he worked one year, being paid $200 for the year's work. About this time he received news of his father's death and returned to Scotland, while, being the eldest son, he took part in arranging the family affairs. Of the other four children-Ann, John, James and Christina- only one came to America, namely, John, who died in 1910. Ann is living, the others are dead. After his return to Scotland, William remained there about 14 years. He was there married August 7, 1874, to Isabella, daughter of Alexander and Jessie Lobban, who resided in the same neighborhood as the Howatt family. In 1884, Mr. Howatt returned to Wabasha County, Minn., accompanied by his wife and family, and bought an improved farm of 200 acres near Smithfield post office. This farm was located about six miles northeast of Plainview, and had fairly good buildings. After operating it until 1895, he sold it to William Koenig of Plainview, and moved to Mt. Pleasant Township, buying the George Watson farm of 280 acres in sections 25 and 36. On that place he farmed for eleven years, or until his retirement in 1905, when he took up his residence in Lake City, buying a home on the corner of Lyon avenue and Oak street, where he is now living. On his retirement he rented his farm to his son William, retaining its ownership until 1920, when he sold it to Henry

NATIONAL NURSERY: JOHN ANDERSON

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Geppert of West Albany township. While residing in Highland Township (near Smithfield) Mr. Howatt served as a member of the school board, and he has also rendered service in the same capacity in Mt. Pleasant Township. Politically he is a Republican, while he is fraternally affiliated with Carnelian Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Free Church of Scotland, but subsequently united with the First Congrega- tional Church of Lake City, of which they have long been active members and liberal supporters. They have been the parents of five children: William I., born May 3, 1875; Jessie Ann, born August 12, 1876; Isabella, born August 24, 1878; John, born October 21, 1880, and Alexander, born August 14, 1883. The last mentioned, who was a bank employee in Minneapolis, died August 28, 1908. Jessie Ann is now the wife of Henry Young, of Dairy Brook Farm, Lake City. . She is the mother of eight children: Clarence, Gladys, Violet, Roy, Marion, Harold, Alice and Genevieve. Isabella is the wife of Mellville Coulter, a dentist of Mankato, and has three children, Preston, Melva, Jean and James. John, who is chief engineer for the board of education of Chicago, married Della Freckholm, and has had two children, William, now deceased, and Gordon. In 1898 Mr. and Mrs. Howatt went to Scotland on a visit, and arrived home just a week before the death of their son Alexander. The winter of 1919-20 they spent at Long Beach, California. They have many friends in Lake City and elsewhere in Wabasha County, and are as highly respected as they are well known.

William Killeen, now deceased, who left behind him the record of one of Wabasha County's hardy pioneers, was born in Ireland about 1825, the third of a family of six children, the two elder being Lucy and Elizabeth, and the three younger, Mary, Joseph and Catherine. His parents died when he was a mere boy, and when he was 15 he and his sisters and brother emigrated to the United States. He had had little schooling, but was naturally shrewd and determined, knowing no such word as fail. After a residence for some time in New York State he and the other members of the family came to Wabasha County, Minn., being among the first settlers at Lake City. At that time very few farms had been started, the country was in its primitive state of wildness, wolves were abundant in the woods, and the Indians were numerous. In 1859 Mr. Killeen pre-empted 160 acres of wild land on section 16, Lake Township, four and a half miles from Lake City, and began the laborious work of developing a farm. To live all alone in such a wilderness for any great length of time, without social intercourse, and at night listening to the howling of the wolves in the sur- rounding timber, would have made any man turn melancholy, if not go insane, and nearly all the pioneers, when they took land to develop, took also wives for companionship, domestic felicity and mutual aid. Prompted by these rea- sons, and also by those of affection, Mr. Killeen, in the spring of 1861, was united in marriage at Lake City to Anne Finnerty, daughter of James and Catherine Finnerty, of that place. She was born in Ireland in 1835, and had come to this country on a sailing vessel with friends at the age of 15, the voyage occupying a number of weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Killeen worked hard to- gether developing their farm and building up a home, and in time their labors were crowned with success. Before Mr. Killeen's death he had accumulated four quarter sections of land. He was always ready to invest on a favorable opportunity, whether he had the money at the time or not, but his debts and pecuniary obligations were always paid at the appointed time and his credit was always good. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1872, he was numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township, and was a man highly respected. He was a Democrat, though not active in politics, and he and his family were faithful Catholics in religion and members of St. Mary's parish at Lake City. In 1899 Mrs. Killeen left the farm and removed to Lake City, where she died, highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Killeen had six children: Charles H., Catherine M., Luvy C., George W., William J. and Anastasia. Those now living

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are Charles and Lucy, both unmarried and residents of Lake City; and George W., who is on the home farm.

George W. Killeen, a well known and prosperous farmer of section 26, Lake Township, was born in this township May 18, 1865, son of William and Anne (Finnerty) Killeen. His parents were pioneer settlers of the township, the father arriving here in 1859 and starting the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives. The latter as soon as he was old enough attended country school and for nearly 30 years remained on the home farm, after his father's death in 1872 operating the farm for the mother. In 1894 he moved to Lake City, where he was engaged in the meat business, and also in horse dealing, until 1900. During the first two years of this period he rented out the farm, and during the last four operated with hired help. On May 17, 1899, Mr. Killeen married Anna May O'Brien, daughter of Richard and Margaret O'Brien of Lake Township, he and his wife having grown up on adjoining farms, whence a mutual acquaintance had sprung up. In 1900 Mr. Killeen returned to the home farm, taking his wife with him, and since then it has been their home. It contains 160 acres and is situated four and a half miles south of Lake City. The residence is a good brick house consisting of an upright and wing, and two stories in height. The ground dimensions of the barn are 36 by 66 feet, and there is a granary, 22 by 32; a machine shed, 30 by 40; poultry shed, 18 by 30, and a corn crib with a capacity of 1,000 bushels. The farm is well stocked with a good grade of cattle and swine, and Mr. Killeen's operating equipment including a Ford truck. Altogether, he has a well improved place and is doing a successful business as a general farmer, being a thoroughly competent man in his line of industry, with a sound practical training. He is, moreover, a good American, and was actively identified with the various war drives during the recent unpleasantness with Germany. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as clerk of his school district. To Mr. and Mrs. Killeen four children have been born: Mary Irene, August 8, 1901; George - Kenneth, February 15, 1903; Francis William, May 23, 1904; and Florence Mildred, August 18, 1905. Mary Irene is a student in St. Theresa College, Winona; Kenneth and Florence Mildred in the Lake City high school, and Francis William in St. Mary's Catholic College for boys at Winona. Mrs. Killeen, who was born in Lake Township, April 19, 1876, has proved a good helpmate to her husband and together they are bringing up a family of sons and daughters who show bright promise of future usefulness.

Lucas Kuehn, founder of the Kuehn Mercantile Company, one of the largest and most important business enterprises in Wabasha, which he is still operat- ing, is a favorable type of the "self-made" man, having risen from comparative poverty to a high position in the business world through his own exertions and the exercise of sound judgment. He was born in Baden, Germany, October 18, 1834, son of Michael and Cordelia (Bauman) Kuehn, his father being a linen weaver by occupation. In 1852 the family emigrated to the United States, settling first in Ohio, where they resided for three years. Lucas, who was 18 years old when he arrived in this country, found employment at ore mining, and showed such ability and close attention to his duties that in a year and a. half, though still very young, he was made foreman, his father and brother working under him. In 1855 the family made another removal, setting out with the intention of going to St. Paul by way of Dubuque, to which latter place they journeyed overland, and there took passage for their ultimate destination on an up-river steamer. While on the boat, however, the father heard that it would be impossible to procure a house in St. Paul, so he, with his wife and children, left the boat at Read's Landing, just above Wabasha. That night, the night of May 12, 1855, they spent on a woodpile, being unable to find shelter. Early the next morning Lucas found employment, being engaged to run log rafts down the Mississippi to Dubuque and other points, and saying goodbye to the other members of the family, left for down the river. At that employ-

LUCUS KUEHN

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

ment he spent one season, and for the next two worked on board a river boat under Capt. James. In September, 1858, being as yet unmarried, he settled in Wabasha, and built a cheap house on a site near the location of the present Wabasha Hospital. In this house he took up his residence with a sister, and for a few years subsequently followed various occupations. In 1862 he laid the foundation stone of his present prosperity by building an oven and starting a bakery, selling his wares from a rented room opposite his bakeshop. His capital, when he began this enterprise, consisted of a five-dollar gold piece, with which he purchased his first supply of flour, his pans and dishes being obtained on credit. Two years later, in 1864, he disposed of his bakery and entered into the dry goods and grocery business, in which he made good progress, so that in 1868 he was able to erect a substantial two-story brick and stone- building on the corner of Main and Alleghany streets, having a front of 20 feet on the former and 80 feet on the latter thoroughfare. In that store, as it then stood, he did business until 1874, when he enlarged it by building an addition of 40 feet on the east, which addition with the original building constitutes his present place of business, the largest store in Wabasha. The upper story of the block has long been occupied by attorneys and physicians and the editorial and composing rooms of the Wabasha Herald. As early as 1883 Mr. Kuehn em- ployed eight clerks, while since then the growth of his business has been im- pressive, if not phenominal; and, though now in his eighty-fifth year, he guides it with a firm and sure hand, ably assisted by his son-in-law, Henry Schwedes. At the early period above mentioned, Mr. Kuehn, besides conducting his store, furnished from a tract of 640 acres of timber land that he owned across the river in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, thousands of ties, with timber and wood, to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, operating portable mills on the land, and teaming the product to the railroad site in West Wabasha. A number of years ago Mr. Kuehn was made president of the First National Bank, but the pressing demands of his other business interests caused him to resign that position at the end of two years. In the early eighties, seeing the need of a good hotel for the city, he built the Commercial Hotel on the corner of Main and Bailley streets, a house of 40 rooms, which is still standing and in good condition, and which is now held by other parties on a lease. It was by means of such quick observation and foresight, and readiness to take advantage of a good opportunity, that he steadily advanced his fortunes, at the same time rendering a service to his fellow citizens and helping to promote the general prosperity. Through all his successes, however, he has remained modest and unostentatious, being satisfied to do things without the blare of trumpets, except when publicity was necessary to accomplish the desired results. In such cases the publicity has been given to the enterprise to be advanced, his own personality being kept as much as possible in the background. In politics he has never been a strong party man, preferring to support the best candidate regardless of party affiliations. Religiously he was reared a Catholic, but long since ceased church attendance. He has, however, been liberal in the support of all churches and the worthy causes set on foot by them. He is a charter member of Teutonic Lodge, No. 19, I.O.O.F., of Wabasha. Also a member of the Rebeccas. Mr. Kuehn was married Nov. 30, 1858, to Clara Guenthner, who was born in Baden, Germany, December 8, 1840, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Guenthner, and whom he saw in Baden when she was eight years of age. She had come to this country in 1855 with one sister, the parents being already here. After a married life of over 58 years, the happiness of which was tem- pered only by the loss of several of her children, she died in Wabasha, Septem- ber 8, 1917 .. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kuehn were as follows: Louise, born in 1859, who died in childhood; Mary Magdaline, born November 23, 1861, who became the wife of Henry Schwedes, and died in Wabasha May 12, 1918; Julia, born July 13, 1863, now deceased; Louise (second), born July 11, 1866, now Mrs. J. Achenbach, of Wabasha; Emil, born November 27, 1868,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 62

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