History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 67

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

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

born June 4, 1847, at Wyocena, Wis., and of this union nine children were born, of whom eight are living, namely, Charles A., born June 26, 1868; Edna M., March 23, 1870; Lottie, July 26, 1877; George H., Feb. 11, 1872; Elizabeth, March 31, 1880; Maude, February 14, 1882; Nellie, May 7, 1887, and Ruth, June 23, 1891. Maggie, born in 1885, died at the age of nine years. Of the survivors the following is a brief record: Charles A., who is now superintendent of schools at Worthington, Minn., married Anstis Belden. Edna M. is the wife of Herbert E. Preston and resides in Viola Township, Olmsted County. She has four children, Maude, Blanche, Joseph and Josephine, the two last mentioned being twins. George H., who is a farmer in Viola Township, Olmsted County, married Belle Lewis. Lottie is the wife of George Troupe, a farmer of Boyce- ville, Wis., and has two children, Mark and Beth. Elizabeth married Albert A. Monnette, a hardware merchant of Dayton, Wash. She has two sons, Wallace and Albert. Maude is an instructor in the state university, in the department of clothing and textiles. Nellie is the wife of Philip Finch, of Elmira, N. Y., and has one child, Philip. Ruth, who was formerly a teacher, is now studying clothing and textiles in the state university. On Monday, March 27, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Patchin celebrated their golden wedding, the occasion being a notable one, marked by the presence of most of their children and grandchildren, be- sides other relatives and friends, to a large number. Others too far away to attend sent letters of regret and congratulation. The dining-room was beau- tifully decorated in a color scheme of white and yellow, with jonquils, daffo- dils and roses as the floral ornaments. Noticeable also were the white and yellow streamers from the chandelier to the table, and the place cards in the same colors. All those present joined in wishing the aged couple many more pleasant anniversaries, and on having attained in good health a milestone on life's highway reached only by a few. Mr. Patchin is still as active as many a much younger man. On election days he casts his ballot for the Republican candidate.

Richard L. Wood, a prominent resident of Elgin Village, whose life has been spent in agricultural pursuits, and who is now conducting a farm in the vicinity of the village, was born in Marquette County, Wisconsin, February 6, 1862, son of David J. and Sarah (Holt) Wood. When an infant of about three years he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minn., and subse- quently attended district school in Elgin Township, where the parents had taken the farm on which he passed his youthful days. Under his father's instruc- tions he became initiated into the best methods of general and dairy farming, proving himself an apt pupil. After leaving home he was employed for nine years as foreman on the farm of his father-in-law, H. G. Richardson, and at the end of that time, bought a farm of 80 acres in section 25, Elgin Township. The place was much run down, but he set to work with energy and enthusiasm to improve conditions, a task in which he admirably succeeded. Among his achievements were the erection of a house, 28 by 28 feet, with two stories and cellar; a basement barn, 40 by 80 feet, and a number of other out-buildings, for stock, poultry, tools and machinery. On this place he conducted general farm- ing and stock raising very successfully until 1916, when he moved with his fam- ily to Elgin Village, and has since resided with his father, David J. Wood. He continued, however, to conduct his farm from town, until the spring of 1920, when he sold it, and is now conducting a farm of 70 acres adjoining the village limits, which he purchased in the summer of 1919. For three years Mr. Wood was a member of the Elgin town board, and for two years one of the directors of the Co-operative Creamery. He belongs to Elgin Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., and is also a Scottish Rite Mason. On September 28, 1884, he was united in marriage with Sylvia Richardson, who was born February 20, 1865, daughter of H. G. and Julia A. (Bowen) Richardson. Of this union five children have been born: Clayton, May 25, 1886; Gladys, April 5, 1893; Bernice, June 13, 1897; Florence, January 16, 1904, and Mildred, October 27, 1905. Clayton mar-

MR. AND MRS. DAVID J. WOOD

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

ried Hazel Depuy. Gladys is now the wife of Leo Petit, a farmer of Plainview Township. Bernice is the wife of Wray Eastlick, of Rochester, Minn. Florence and Mildred are students in the Elgin high school.

David J. Wood, formerly a representative farmer of Elgin Township, but now living retired in the Village of Elgin, is one of the most widely known pioneers of Wabasha County now living, and is a man who has always com- manded the respect of his fellow citizens by his superior qualities of mind, heart and character. He was born in Middleburg Township, Wyoming County, N. Y., March 10, 1833, son of David and Marie (Vader) Wood. The parents, who were both natives of New York State, born near the Mohawk river in 1843, followed the trend of westward migration to Kenosha County, Wis., where David Wood, the father, worked land for two years. In 1845 they moved to Fond du Lac County in the same state, where they made a permanent home, spending the rest of their lives on a farm. David Wood died in 1883, and his wife survived him but a short time, passing away in the following year. They had a family of six children, Margaret, Peter, Sarah, Uriah, David J., and Mathias, of whom David J. is the only one now living. David J. Wood acquired his education in New York State, and was twelve years old when he moved with his parents to Brandon, Wis. He grew to manhood on their farm, and re- mained with them until he was 19 years old, at which time he went to Fox River, Marquette County, where he engaged in farming on his own account, also in threshing and land-breaking. In the meanwhile he married, and on July 28, 1865, located with his family in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, Minn. Two years later he purchased 80 acres of land in section 24, Elgin Township, a part of which tract was broken, and there was also standing on it a straight side-board house. With this for a beginning, Mr. Wood set out to develop a good farm, and for a number of years was busily employed. He sided and re- modeled the house, erected barns and other necessary out-buildings, and broke the balance of the land. He also increased the area of the farm to 120 acres by the purchase of 40 acres adjoining, and by long and arduous toil became in time the proprietor of a fine place, and widely known as a successful farmer and representative citizen. For several years he served as a member of the town board, and for many years as school director; and for a number of years during the latter period of his active career he was a member of the Farmers Elevator Company at Elgin, to which place he retired in 1910, purchasing his present residence. He is a member of Illustrious Lodge No. 63, A. F. & A. M., of Plainview. Mr. Wood was married January 1, 1857, to Sarah Holt, who was born in New York State, April 12, 1831, and who, after 54 years of happy mar- ried life, died July 11, 1911. Two children were born to them: Jerred D., March 28, 1859, and Richard L., February 6, 1862. Jerred D., who is now a prominent farmer of Olmsted County, married Ellen Bedard, and has had two children, David, now deceased, and Clara. Richard L. is now a representative citizen of Elgin.

Dorr Dickerman, who as farmer and merchant made a bright record dur- ing his active career, the last years of which were spent in Elgin Village, was born in Tunbridge, Orange County, Vt., March 12, 1855, son of Lewis and Emily Dickerman. He was educated in the schools of his native place, and when 23 years of age followed the tide of emigration westward, arriving in Elgin, Minn., March 30, 1878. He first worked as a farm laborer, and subse- quently farmed for himself on rented land. In the spring of 1881 he pur- chased an interest in a hardware store in Elgin, and was engaged in the hard- ware business for nearly four years as a member of the firm of Ordway, Dicker- man & Co. . Later he exchanged his village property for the Ezra Dickerman farm in the north part of Viola Township, Olmsted County, which he owned at the time of his death, and erected thereon a very comfortable residence for himself and family. In 1915 he concluded to give up the strenuous labor of farming, and leaving his son Lewis to care for the farm, built a comfortable

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modern home in the Village of Elgin, from which he passed to the life beyond the grave, November 17, 1916, after being an invalid for some two years. At various times Mr. Dickerman had held local office, both in Elgin and Viola Townships, being a man of clear perceptions and practical purpose in domes- tic and public affairs. He was one of the charter members of the Elgin Co- operative Creamery Association, and was elected at once as its treasurer, which office he held at the time of his death. His religious preferences were for the Universalist church, though he was not a member of any religious organization. His soul, however, was strongly imbued with the essence of true religion, and in his relations to his fellow men he followed the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as ye would that others should do unto you," than which no better can be found. His departure left a void not easily filled, and that the world was the better for his sojourn here is a fact realized by his family and all who knew him. Mr. Dickerman was married March 15, 1882, to Mary Senrick, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Senrick of the town of Haverhill, Olmsted County, Minn. The issue of their marriage was ten children, seven daughters and three sons: Emily, now Mrs. Charles Bailey, of Lamont, Wash .; Blanche, wife of Leon Sawyer, of Elgin, Minn .; Grace, wife of Roy Haney, of Rochester, Minn .; Stella, Nellie, Doris and Helen, unmarried; Lewis, who married Ada Sivley of St. Charles and is working his father's farm; Harry, employed in the Dripps Wholesale Grocery, Rochester, and Frank, the youngest child, residing with his mother. Nellie and Dorris are students at the Winona Normal School, and Stella is a clerk in the Elgin postoffice.

William H. Richardson, of Elgin, banker, grain merchant, and man of af- fairs, widely known and universally respected throughout this region, was born in Elgin Township, March 16, 1868, son of Joseph and Ursula E. (Miles) Rich- ardson. He acquired his education in the local schools and at Darling's Busi- ness College in Rochester, Minn. For three years subsequently he was engaged in the grain business with Richardson Brothers in Elgin. He then became manager and buyer for the H. J. O'Neill Grain Co., at Leroy, Minn., continuing with that firm for six years. For the next 17 years he was traveling auditor for the American Malting Co. and the Western Elevator Co. In 1916 he pur- chased the estate interest belonging to his father, the late Joseph Richardson, in the Richardson Bros.' elevator at Elgin. It was then incorporated as the Richardson Elevator Co., with Charles S. Richardson, president; Clyde S. Rich- ardson as manager, vice president and treasurer, and William H. Richardson as secretary. The company does an immense business in all lines of grain, coal, mill feed and salt. Mr. Richardson is also president of the First State Bank of Elgin. Aside from his own weighty personal affairs, he has rendered public service, having been president of the village council in 1917 and 1918, and being now treasurer of the board of education. In the Masonic order he has advanced to the thirty-second degree, the Arlington Club of Winona num- bers him among its members, and he belongs also to the United Commercial Travelers. Politically'he is a Democrat. Throughout his business career Mr. Richardson has shown quickness of perception, energy in execution, and a comprehensive grasp of affairs that have marked him out as a man of excep- tional ability. He occupies a high place in the community, which he has won through force of character; yet success has left him unspoiled, and he is a man approachable and companionable, with an intelligent and sympathetic in- terest in every live topic, and ready to lend his aid and influence to every worthy cause.

Angus McGillivray, residing in the Village of Elgin, is a representative of that large class who, having achieved success in the cultivation of the soil, are now spending their latter years in ease and comfort as village residents. He was born at St. Polycarpe, Province of Quebec, Canada, January 10, 1859, and was there educated and grew to manhood. In 1880 he crossed over into the States and took up lumbering in the Michigan woods. Three years later,

WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

in 1883, he transferred his activities to the pineries of Wisconsin, where eight years of his life were spent. Coming to Minnesota in 1890, he located at Wood- land, in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, and for two years worked as a farm hand. Then, in 1892, he began farming for himself, buying 80 acres of land in section 25, Elgin Township, on which were a few unimportant improve- ments. The next 26 years of his life were spent in developing the place into a good farm, a task that included the erection of a complete set of buildings, be- sides fences, and land cultivation. An additional purchase of 40 acres gave him a farm of 120 acres, on which he followed agriculture until the spring of 1918. Then, finding himself in independent circumstances, he rented his farm to a tenant, and retired to Elgin Village, where he purchased the old Purvis place, together with four lots. This is a very pretty place, surrounded by an evergreen hedge, and the yard contains numerous evergreen trees and fine shrubbery. In 1919 Mr. McGillivray sold his farm. While residing on it he served two years as assessor of Elgin Township. He is a member of Elgin Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M. On June 10, 1891, Mr. McGillivray was united in marriage with Clara Kimball, who was born in the county of Prescott, On- tario, Canada, December 14, 1863, and who came to the United States in 1883, locating in Plainview old settlement.

Edwin H. Larson, who as butter-maker at the Elgin Co-operative Creamery, is a representative of an important industry, with which he is thoroughly con- versant through scientific training and experience, was born in Geneva, Minn., August 5, 1886, son of Arne and Mary (Thompson) Larson, who are still prom- inent farmers of Steele County, Minn. His schooling was obtained in that county, and he remained on the parental homestead until he was 18 years of age. He then went to Alberta, Canada, where for some time he was occupied as an expert driver of steam breaking-plows. Subsequently returning to Steele County, Minn., he was for two years second man, or helper to the butter-maker in the Owatonna creamery. In 1911 he took a short course in the Dairy School at Minneapolis, to better qualify himself as an expert butter-maker, and was thus able to accept a position in that capacity at Albert Lea, Minn., where he remained for one year. In January, 1914, he was tendered and accepted the position of expert butter-maker in the Co-operative Creamery at Elgin, Wa- basha County, and has since justified the confidence of the stockholders and management, having gained a wide-spread reputation as one of the best butter- makers in the state. Since taking the position he has never lost a pound of butter from carelessness or inefficiency, and his product has commanded at- tention at all the different county and state fairs where it has been exhibited- in all a considerable number, as he can show 20 diplomas received at such ex- positions, in addition to a large number of prize ribbons and medals, and one grand prize in the form of a silver medal received from the dairy show held at Columbus, O., in 1918. Mr. Larson is a member of the Butter-Makers' and Managers' Association, and is vice president of the District Unit No. 5. He is also a member of the village council of Elgin, and has shown himself to be a public-spirited citizen interested in the general welfare of the community. He is the owner of 160 acres of land in Greenbush, Roseau County, Minn. Mr. Lar- son was married May 27, 1914, to Anna Anderson, of Ellendale, Steele County, Minn., who was born April 14, 1888, daughter of Ole J. and Mary (Ellingson) Anderson. Two children have blessed their union: Avis L., born April 26, 1916, and Gladys G., born September 7, 1919. Mr. Larson and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

William Austin Johnston, a well known and respected citizen of Elgin Vil- lage, who is engaged in light occupation but otherwise practically retired, was born in Fond du Lac County, Wis., March 28, 1862, son of Robert. Bruce and Rosetta (Robbins) Johnston. The father, who was born in Greenock, Scot- land, in 1818, was originally a rope-maker by trade, but later became a carpen- ter, and still later a farmer. His wife, Rosetta, was born in Copenhagen, Lewis

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County, N. Y., and they were married in that state. They located in Fond du Lac County, Wis., in 1856, and for some three years Robert B. Johnston was there engaged in the manufacture of garden planters, in company with his wife's father, Austin Robbins, the inventor of the planter. After that Mr. Johnston worked 15 years as tank and bridge builder for the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railway. He then came to Minnesota and located on a farm in Viola Township, Olmsted County, having bought the property some eleven years previously. There he died January 16, 1911. His wife survived him a little over two years, passing away March 13, 1913. Their two children were: Emma M., who was born in New York State, July 6, 1851, and William Austin, the subject of this sketch. William Austin Johnston was educated in the stone schoolhouse of his district in Viola Township, Olmsted County, and also at the Elgin high school. He began industrial life as a worker on the home farm, of which in 1894, he became manager, and as such conducted it until 1916. He then moved to Elgin and bought his present modern residence on Park street, where he has since resided. He still works on the farm, however, help- ing the tenant to whom he has rented it. It is known as Pleasant View Farm, and contains 160 acres. All the important improvements on it were instituted by himself, he having rebuilt the house, put up out-buildings, and erected a good silo. During his independent career on the place he made a specialty of raising Black Pole Angus cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine, of which he bred large numbers, finding a profitable market. His sister, Emma, who kept house for him there, still performs that function in town. She was educated at Bran- don, Wis., and at the Bernard School, a private institution, at Watertown, Wis., and subsequently taught school for several terms in Dodge County, Minn. Both brother and sister attend the Methodist Episcopal church in Elgin, and are numbered among the intelligent, progressive and useful members of the community.

William Meyer, residing on a farm in section 20, Pepin Township, which through a long period of years he was engaged in operating, was born in Columbus, Ohio, October 6, 1848, son of Balch and Mary Catherine Meyer. When a boy of nine years he accompanied his parents to a small farm near Dubuque, Iowa, resided there six or seven years, and then came with them to Wabasha County, Minn., settling on a tract of 120 acres of grub land in Pepin Township, 40 acres being in section 20 and 80 acres in section 29. The family made their dwelling in a small log house, and William and his brother, John F., assisted the father in clearing the land, which they did with the help of an ox team. The work was hard and almost constant, and William had but little opportunity to attend school. In time he succeeded to the ownership of the farm, having worked with his father until the latter's death in 1900. He im- proved and developed it, following agriculture successfully until his retirement in 1920. It is now being operated by his son, John A., who is doing diversified farming and making the place pay, as his father did before him. Mr. Meyer was first married in 1863 to Susan Assal, a native of Germany, who died a number of years later. By her he had three children : William H., born August 20, 1870, now a farmer in Glasgow Township; Frank J., born March 8, 1874, who is a resident of Wabasha City; and Catherine M., born February 4, 1880, who is the wife of Michael Nigon, a farmer living near Rochester, Olmsted County. On August 29, 1881, Mr. Meyer married Mary Zeimetz, of Pepin Township, and of this union six children have been born: Nicholas P., August 5, 1883; John A., November 30, 1885; Thomas T., May 8, 1888; Joseph L., June 28, 1892; Amelia Margaret, May 28, 1895; and Mae Catherine, April 23, 1898. Nicholas P., now a farmer in Pepin Township, married Veronica Schons and has three children, Florence, Marcella and Veronica. John A. is operating the home farm. Thomas T. is a barber in Wabasha, married Jenevieve Meyer, and has two children, Eileen and Eleanor. Joseph L. is a carpenter in Wabasha. Ame- lia Margaret and Mae Catherine are residing at home. The latter, who gradu-

MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM MEYER

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ated from the St. Felix high school and the normal school, is now a teacher. Mr. Meyer is a Democrat in politics, and he and his family are Catholics in religion, being members of St. Felix parish, Wabasha.

Joseph Schmidt, now living practically retired on a farm in section 25, Pepin Township, was born in Germany, April 20, 1852, son of Bernhardt and Mary Schmidt. The father was a blacksmith by occupation and was in poor circumstances. Joseph attended the common school up to the age of 14, and resided with his parents until he was 20. He was then obliged to shift for himself, and having an uncle at Belleview, Iowa, in the summer of 1873 he came to the United States. He resided six months in Belleview, and then came to Wabasha County, Minn., where he had a brother living. Of his parents' family of four sons and one daughter, all the sons came to America, the only two now living being Joseph and Henry, the latter a resident of Wabasha City. On arriving in this county Joseph settled in Glasgow Township, where he spent three years, working for farmers, especially in grubbing land. In 1877 he bought 160 acres of partly improved land in the same township, and started in for himself. There was a small house on the land and some log sheds for cattle, and the farm lay in three sections, 18, 19 and 20. On April 29, 1879, he mar- ried Elizabeth Kolker, daughter of Gerhardt and Elizabeth Kolker, of Glasgow Township, and they began housekeeping in the small dwelling above men- tioned, in which they lived for ten years or more. At the end of that time Mr. Schmidt built a better house, and in subsequent years he cleared and developed the farm. In 1895 he sold it and bought his present farm of 166 acres in sec- tion 25, Pepin Township, a mile and a half from Wabasha City on the Lake City road. This property also he has improved, having a very comfortable house, and instead of the log stables which stood on the farm when he came here, he has today a good frame barn, 34 by 50 by 16 feet in size, with full stone basement; a good granary, hog house and other buildings. On the farm is also a fine orchard with over 100 trees. Mr. Schmidt retired from active work a few years ago, and since then the farm has been operated by August Drees, a son-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have two children: Elizabeth, born August 25, 1883, now Mrs. August Drees; and Mary, born October 27, 1885, who is the wife of Theodore Oenning, and resides on a farm in Pepin Township. Mary and her husband have three children, Marietta, Gerhardt and Theodore. Mr. Schmidt served the township as supervisor for several years, and has always taken a warm interest in the welfare of the community in which he lives. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, belonging to St. Felix congregation at Wabasha. August Drees was born in Germany February 5, 1876, son of Bernhardt and Theresa Drees, and came to the United States in 1892. He was married to Elizabeth Schmidt in 1912, and since 1913 has oper- ated the Schmidt farm, being a practical and successful farmer, and also a man highly esteemed as a citizen. He and his wife have three children: Joseph, born February 21, 1914; Mary, born December 26, 1915; and Margaret, born December 22, 1918.

Joseph Hampel, one of the pioneer settlers in Elgin Township, who has long since passed away, was born in Vienna, Austria, September 11, 1811. There he was married to Marie Prince, a native of the same historic city. For some time he gained his living as a mechanic, manufacturing the woodwork for clocks and accordions, and was thus engaged until 1850, when, with his family, he set out for America, on the arrival in this country locating in Coshocton County, Ohio. There he was occupied for several years in farming. In March, 1856, he joined the tide of emigration to the Northwest, reached Winona, Minn., and remained there with his family for the winter. Coming in the following spring to Wabasha County, he took a claim of 160 acres in section 6, Elgin Township, and having built a log shanty, started to develop a farm. During those early days he and his family endured all the hardships which usually fell to the lot of the pioneer settler, but endurance, patience and work carried the

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 67

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