History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 69

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

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 69

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

kirsch, bought out J. A. Schonweiler and engaged in the general mercantile business. Later he and Mr. McDonough bought the interests of Mr .. Weimschkirsch, and in 1905 the business was incorporated. Subsequently Mr. McDonough sold out and the concern has since been conducted as the John Costello Co., with John Costello as president, and is now numbered among the important and flourishing business houses of Kellogg. In 1905 C. C. Hirschey, Linn Whitmore and John Costello started a private bank in Kellogg, which was conducted as such for three years. In 1908 it became a state bank, with Mr. Costello as cashier, which office he held until his son, John D., returned from the war in December, 1918, when the latter became csahier, John Costello taking the office of vice president, which he still retains. Mr. Costello was married at Wabasha, Minn., to Carrie Hager, daughter of Herman and

(Brandseit) Hager. The parents were natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States at an early date, settling in Glasgow Township, this county, where they engaged in farming. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cos -. tello have had two children, Margaret L. and John D., the former of whom came to a sad and tragic end. She was a school teacher in Rochester, and had just stepped off the sidewalk, being about to cross the street, when she was struck by an automobile driven by a Canadian, and killed. John D. Costello, now cashier of the State Bank of Kellogg, enlisted in the United States' service in August, 1917, and was honorably discharged in December, 1918, his service having been in this country. Mr. Costello and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he belongs also to the Knights of Columbus, Modern Woodmen and Samaritans.

William A. Engel, proprietor of a confectionary business in Elgin, Minn., was born in Winona County, this state, January 28, 1878, son of Frederick and Johanna (Holst) Engel. The parents, natives of Germany, came to this coun- try when single, and were married at Fountain City, Wis. On settling in Wi- nona County, Minn., they took a farm on Oak Ridge, near Mt. Vernon. Fred- erick Engel died in 1895. His wife subsequently removed to Plainview, where she passed away in February, 1909. They had six children, one of whom, Ed- ward, died from influenza in 1918, a sister, Freda, having died in 1894. The living are: William A., of Elgin; Herman, who now owns the old home farm, having bought the interests of the other heirs; Henry, a resident of Stockton; and Minnie, who is the wife of Henry Ott, and lives on a farm near Plano, Ill. William A. Engel acquired his education in the district school and grew to man- hood on his parents' farm, on which he resided until 1906, when he removed to. Plainview, Wabasha County, with his mother. After her death he worked in different places, spending three years in Rochester. Then in 1910 he came to Elgin and opened a grocery store in a building which he purchased, later add- ing general merchandise to his store. For awhile his brother Henry was in partnership with him. Subsequently he sold out to W. O. Frish and Harry Engel. The store is now known as the Farmers' Store and is operated by Frish & Oelkers. Mr. Engel also opened a confectionary store, which he took charge of after disposing of his general mercantile business, and which he is still conducting, handling, in addition to confectionary, ice cream, soda, candy, cigars and tobacco. He enjoys a good patronage and is numbered among the enterprising business men of the village.

Alfred C. Roberts, one of the leading merchants and business men of Ham- mond, was born in Plainview, Wabasha County, Minn., August 12, 1872, son of Dr. Francis H. and Helen (Perrine) Roberts. The parents, who were natives. of Missouri, came to Wabasha County in the early sixties, settling in Plainview, where Dr. Francis H. Roberts for many years practiced his profession of phy- sician and surgeon, becoming one of the best known doctors in this part of the state. He was also one of the most popular, being a man whom every- body not only respected but loved, not merely for his skill, which, for his day, was of a high order, but for his cheerful, kindly and helpful disposition. He

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continued in active practice until five years before his death, which occurred March 7, 1909, and when he passed away there was deep sorrow throughout the community. Dr. and Mrs. Roberts were the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living: Carrie, Mary, Alfred, Tenna, Frances and Edward. Car- rie is now the widow of Edward Woodruff and resides in Rochester, Minn. Mary, the wife of Arthur Searles, resides on a farm in Olmsted County. Tenna married Schuyler Bigelow and lives on a farm in Olmsted County. Frances is the wife of Frank Domkie, a farmer of Olmsted County. Edward is a telegraph operator residing in the State of Washington. Alfred C. Roberts was reared in his native township of Plainview, where he attended public school. For five years he followed farming, and then went into the creamery business, being employed as butter maker for 16 years. In 1901 he came to Hammond from Millville, and conducted the creamery here until 1908, at which time he opened a general store in Hammond under the style of A. C. Roberts Co. After conducting the business successfully until 1915, he sold it to the Farmers Co-operative Company, who retained him as manager. More recently the business has again come under his control, and he is now conducting it on his own account with profitable results. For several years he has served the village as trustee, and has proved himself an active factor in its development. His fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Roberts was mar- ried at Douglass, Minn., to Anna Kohn, daughter of William and Augusta Kohn. Her parents were born in Germany and emigrated to Minnesota, taking a farm in Olmsted County. Both are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children: William and Leonard, both of whom are living at home, William help- ing his father in the store and Leonard attending school.

Forest W. Dushek, one of the leading hardware men of southern Minnesota, located in Elgin Village, was born in Quincy Township, Olmsted County, this state, May 10, 1883, son of Perry and Lucy (Smith) Dushek. The father was a native of Austria, who came to America at the age of seven years, and to Plainview, Wabasha County, in 1865. For several years he broke land here with an ox-team. In 1873 he and his wife, the latter a native of this country, located in Olmsted County and engaged in farming. in Quincy Township, where they are still living. They are the parents of five children: Forest W., subject of this sketch; Mattie, now Mrs. Bert Hein; Harry, residing on the home farm in Olmsted County ; Wealthy, wife of Gust Miller, of Olmsted County; Pearl, wife of Frank Muirhead, who is principal of the high school at Davenport, Ia. For- est W. Dushek was educated in the public school of Elgin. In 1906 he bought a farm of 400 acres, located in sections 19, 20 and 29, Elgin Township, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1910. He then sold the place and moved to Elgin Village, where he purchased a half interest in the hardware firm of Siem & Bartz, Mr. Siem retiring from the firm, the business for the next four years being conducted under the style of Bartz & Dushek. Mr. Dushek then purchased the interests of Mr. Bartz, and since then has been sole owner and proprietor of the business, which he has considerably developed, at present carrying about $16,000 worth of stock, including a full and complete line of shelf and heavy hardware. His store is modern and is fully equipped for han- dling an immense trade, the floor space amounting to 25 by 118 feet. His sales are on the increase and amount to a large sum annually. Mr. Dushek has won the reputation of an honest and upright business man. He is a good buyer, and energetic in all his dealings, prompt to ascertain the public demand and quick to supply it at prices comparing favorably with those in the large cities. He has recently erected the finest residence in the Village of Elgin, it being thoroughly modern in every respect. The house is large and spacious, measur- ing 30 by 36 feet. The main building has nine rooms, with a full set of closets. There is also a sleeping-porch, and large verandas, the inside finish being in quarter-sawed white oak. The residence is electrically lighted, and provided ' with hot water heat, and with a domestic ice plant. Mr. Dushek is a member

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of Elgin Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M. He was married February 22, 1906, to Clara Lamprecht, of Plainview, who was born September 2, 1882, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lamprecht. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Willa W., who is a student in the Elgin public school.

Albert Mielke, a respected citizen of the Village of Elgin, where for many years he has followed the occupation of stock buyer, also dealing in farm lands, was born in Germany, March 22, 1852, son of Fred and Anna Mielke. Both his parents are now deceased, the mother having passed away when Albert was seven years old, and the father in 1914. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in his native land, where he remained until 1873. Then having attained his majority, he signalized his independence by sailing for America, locating first in Logansport, Ind., where for six months he was engaged in railroad work. But having some ambition, he was not content to be a wage earner, and rightly regarding the Northwest as a favorable field of opportunity, he set out for Wisconsin, worked there for about a month, and then came on to Minnesota. For two years thereafter he was engaged in farm work in Olmsted County, during which time by frugality he accumulated a little capital. Then he launched out into his present business of stock buyer-one that his father had followed in Germany, and of which, therefore, he knew something. For the first ten years he acted as buyer for Jake Risler, but since coming to Elgin, he has acted independently, buying for himself and shipping stock to the leading markets. When favorable opportunities presented, he has also bought and sold both farm lands and village property. His operations have been carried on with prosperous results, and he is now in good circumstances. Among his business interests are those of a stockholder in the State Bank of Elgin. Mr. Mielke forsook bachelor life some 54 years ago, when, on September 3, 1875, he was united in marriage with Paulina Radtke. She was born in Germany, January 21, 1856, daughter of Fred and Albertina (Hartwich) Radtke. Her father having died in Germany, the mother in 1873 married August Buhow, and in the following year Paulina came with them to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Mielke have had nine children, of whom the following is a brief record: Anna, born September 12, 1876, is now the wife of George Krohns, of Chicago. Tillie, born April 10, 1879, died at the age of six years. Fred, born June 7, 1881, married Dena Spring and resides in Rochester, Minn. Amelia, born August 12, 1883, was the wife of Walter Biele, but died in April, 1914. Lizzie, born in March, 1884, died at the age of one year. Laura, born February 19, 1886, is the wife of Philip Karon, of Chicago. Hulda, born September 3, 1887, died when nine months old. Tina, born May 8, 1889, is the wife of Jacob Lewis, of Chicago. Mattie, born May 9, 1891, married William Hagner of Elgin, where she is now living. Violet, the youngest child, born August 5, 1894, is now engaged in teaching. Mr. Mielke and family are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Joseph Schmidt, one of the sturdy pioneers of Wabasha County who made a notable record in his day as a developer of wild land, was a native of Ger- many, where he grew up and was married. With his wife, Barbara, he came to America about 1846, locating first in Iowa, where a son, Louis, was born. Mr. Schmidt had learned the trade of cooper in Germany and followed it in Iowa until 1854. In 1856 he pre-empted 160 acres of wild land near what is now Theilman, in Wabasha County, and moved onto it with his family. The next eight years of his life was spent in developing that property, which he sold in 1864. He was evidently a man of enterprise, not afraid of hard tasks, for he next invested in 1,120 acres of grub land in Pepin Township, seven and a half miles southeast of Lake City. There he built a small frame house and began the work of clearing, a task which he kept up until, with the aid of his wife and children, he had grubbed and cleared over 500 acres and developed a fine farm. In the early seventies, moreover, he built on his property a sub- stantial stone house, consisting of a large upright and wing, and which is now

HENRY SCHMIDT AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

occup. » by his grandson, Fred Joseph Schmidt. He also bought another tract of 160 acres adjoining the larger one, thus becoming the owner of 1,280 acres, and successfully carried on general farming. His work kept him too busy to engage in politics, but on election days he usually voted the Democratic ticket. His first wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Feister, died on the Thielmann farm, and he subsequently married Hannah Trother, of Reed's Landing. Of this second union there were no children, but of the first there were eight: Louis, Henry, Mary, Jacob, Lucinda, Joseph, John and Addie. All except Addie, who married John Kievel, of Fergus Falls, Minn., came to the Pepin Township farm and assisted to clear and develop it. Henry is now a retired farmer residing in section 19, Pepin Township. John is farming in Pepin Township. Lucinda is the wife of Horace Borst, a farmer in the same township. Louis, Mary, Jacob and Joseph are now deceased. Mr. Schmidt died in 1902 or 1903, having previously sold his farm to his son, Henry. As a pioneer farmer and developer of land he had made a fine record. In religion he was a Catholic, as are all the members of his family.

Henry Schmidt, now living retired in section 29, Pepin Township, on a iarge farm which he did much to develop, was born in Wabasha village, October 15, 1855, son of Joseph and Barbara (Feister) Schmidt. The parents had set- tled in this county in the previous year, being among the first white settlers here. Henry spent the first 11 years of his life on their first farm, near Theill- mann, and then accompanied them to the large tract of 1,120 acres in Pepin township which the father bought, subsequently purchasing 160 acres more. He helped the other members of the family to clear and develop 500 acres of this tract into an excellent farm, and has always remained on the homestead, which he finally purchased from his father, beginning independent farming in 1879 or 1880. At that time he built a small frame house, which is the wing of the present residence, and for three years lived a bachelor life. On July 23, 1883, he married Mary Gludt, daughter of John and Annie Gludt of Lake City. She was born in Iowa, August 26, 1863, and came with her parents to Reed's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., when two years old, in 1873 moving with them to Lake City, where her father engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Schmidt followed agricultural pursuits for 33 years on the same farm, and had a suc- cessful career. His early education was limited, but in his boyhood he ac- quired those habits of industry which were responsible for his success, at an early age driving the oxen which pulled the breaking plow for many days, weeks and months; also sometimes driving the ox team hitched to the old- fashioned two-wheeled cart which creaked so as to be heard a mile away. In later years he supplied himself with good modern machinery and equipment, adopting all improved methods of agriculture as fast as they were introduced. In 1916 he retired from active work, leasing the farm to his six sons. It is well stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and swine, and has three sets of buildings. The situation on the table-land commands a fine view of the Mississippi river. L. j.

„usm bluffs. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have had a family of nine children: Harry Leroy, born July 5, 1884; Ethel May, September 10, 1885; Gertrude Frances, July 25, 1887; Fred Joseph, August 27, 1889; Clarence William, June 28, 1891; Arthur Louis, July 25, 1893; Irene Mary, November 27, 1895; George Allan, February 28, 1898; and Edward Albert, May 18, 1900. Harry Leroy, now residing on a part of the home farm, was married October 3, 1912, to Augusta, daughter of George and Augusta Kuhfus, of West Albany Township, and has three children: Florence Augusta, born August 10, 1913; William Leroy, born November 4, 1916, and Mildred Marie, born August 27, 1918. Ethel May is the wife of Jacob Meyers, a farmer of Pepin Township. Gertrude Frances died October 8, 1888; Fred Joseph, who lives in the old stone house built by his grandfather, and works 200 acres of the home farm, was married February 22, 1915, to Della, daughter of Frank and Lena Meyers, of Wabasha City. He has one child, James Frederick, born

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January 28, 1917. Clarence William is residing on the home farm. Arthur Louis was one of the young men who served their country in the recent war. He was drafted August 6, 1918, and left Lake City for Jefferson Barracks; at St. Louis, Mo., remained there one week, and was then sent to Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas. He left there September 16 for Camp Merritt, N. J., and on Sep- tember 23 sailed on the S. S. Gen. Grant for France, landing at St. Nazaire October 7; was assigned to the 116th Ammunition Train, and transferred to the 5th Division, known as the "Red Diamond." He saw service on the Meuse and at Luxemberg in that division until July 8, 1919; sailed from Brest for the United States on the S. S. Zelander, landing at Brooklyn, N. Y., July 31, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Dodge, arriving home August 12, 1919. While abroad he was in Germany, Luxemberg, France, Belgium, Italy and the Alps country. He assisted in the burial at sea of 200 victims of the "flu," and was himself seriously ill from the same disease on the return voyage. Irene May, George Allan and Edward Albert, the three youngest children, are residing on the home farm. The family are members of St. Mary's parish, Lake City, Mr. Schmidt being a liberal supporter of the church.

Gustave Benike, now living retired in the village of Elgin, is a man with a good record as agriculturist and citizen. He was born in the province of Bran- denburg, Germany, November 12, 1834, son of Ludwig and Anna (Draekarnt) Benike, who were natives of the same province. The year 1853 saw him on his way to America, and on his arrival in this country he located first in Mar- quette County, Wis., where he found employment at farm labor. In 1865 he came to Olmsted County, Minn., and bought 160 acres of partly wild land in section 23, Farmington Township. The task of developing it into a good farm was a long one, but Mr. Benike was the man to handle it, and he erected build- ings, cultivated the soil, and added to his land area until he had 480 acres. There he farmed successfully until 1903, when he retired. Since then he has resided in Elgin, except for a brief period of two years during which he lived in Plain- view. He is now living with his son William. Mr. Benike was married June 29, 1859, to Pauline Stresey, and in 1909 they celebrated their Golden Wedding. In the following year of 1910 she passed away, leaving behind the memory of a woman who had been faithful in all the duties of life. Mr. and Mrs. Benike were the parents of ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The others were: Tillie, now Mrs. August Stephen, of Plainview; Albert, a farmer in Olmsted County; William H., of Elgin; Bertha, now Mrs. Julius Stephen, and a resident of Bradley, S. D .; Emil, a resident of Owatonna, engaged in buying hides on the road; Edward, deceased; Louisa, who married Edward Hampel and lives in Farmington Township; and Laura, wife of Theodore Gerths, a butcher in Rochester.

William H. Benike, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, at Elgin, is a man whose business career has been marked by energy and perseverance, and who seems to have found the right groove for the development of his native enter- prise in the position he now occupies. He was born in Marquette County, Wis., October 24, 1863, son of Gustave and Pauline (Stresey) Benike. In 1865 he was brought to Olmsted County by his parents, who located in Farmington Township, and there he attended district school. Until he was 25 years old he remained on his parents' farm, acquiring a practical knowledge of agriculture. Then he started farming on his own account, buying an 80-acre farm in Farm- ington Township which had but poor and limited improvements. He rebuilt the house, erected barns and outbuildings, and by the purchase of 80 additional acres, doubled its area. After seven years on the place, crowded with work but crowned with success, he sold it and went to Potsdam, a village in the same township, where for 18 years he conducted a hotel and saloon. At the end of that time he sold out and moved to Elgin Village, where in 1911 he built his first residence, and sold it to Ferd. Hample; one year after he built another and sold to Henry Werner. During the next five years he traveled through Minne-

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sota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota and Montana, conducting a merry-go- round, for one year of this time being with the T. I. Cash Carnival Co. Then returning to Elgin, he built the Commercial Hotel, of which he has since been proprietor. It is one of the best little hotels in southeastern Minnesota, built of brick and tile, with full basement, and provided with a large and pleasant office, lighted through two large plate glass windows on the side of the main street, one window light measuring 9 by 10 feet, and the other 9 by 11 feet. The office is neatly finished with oak fixtures, and furnished with swivel chairs, comfortable to the tired traveling man. The hotel contains 14 rooms upstairs, neat, clean and sanitary, with bath and toilet on the upstairs floor. The best commercial rooms are furnished with hot and cold running water, are all heated and are always warm and comfortable. In fact, everything is homelike from the basement to the garret, while Mr. and Mrs. Benike are sociable and ac- commodating in every way. The hotel is noted for its hospitality and its "good eats." While living in Farmington Township, Mr. Benike served on the town board and was constable at Potsdam for seven years. Mr. Benike was mar- ried, December 6, 1888, to Ida C. Reinke, who was born in Elgin Township, August 30, 1868, daughter of Charles and Augusta (Breise) Reinke. He and his wife are the parents of five children: Theodore, born November 8, 1890; Oscar, October 28, 1891; Alvin, April 11, 1896; Violet, June 12, 1901, and Leonard, December 28, 1907. Theodore, who resides in Minneapolis, married Lydia Dunbar of Isanti County, Minn. Oscar, who is now a carpenter in Rochester, Minn., married Helen Reiter of Wabasha County, and has one child, Margaret. Alvin is a carpenter and joiner. Violet is the wife of Earl Lehnertz of Plainview, Minn., and lives in Milwaukee. Leonard is residing at home with his parents. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

George W. Baker, manager of the Bottsford lumberyard at Elgin, was born at Blue Earth, Minn., August 15, 1888, son of Fremont and Rhoda (Robinson) Baker. The father was a mason by trade, came to Minnesota from Indiana about 1858, the time when Minnesota became a state. After following his trade for a number of years, he engaged in farming in Martin County, and is now in the same line of occupation at Pine City, Pine County. He and his wife, who is still living, have been the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters: William H., residing at Pine City; Hazel, who married Sam Warner and lives in Minneapolis; Mona, wife of Fred Warner, residing on a farm; Mamie, wife of Will Schubert, living on a farm at Moneta, Ia .; Gordon L., of Pine City, and George W. of Elgin. George W. Baker acquired his ele- mentary education in the district school and was graduated in 1907 from Sherburn high school. He worked on his parents' farm and also taught three terms of district school, after which he took a commercial course in a business college at Mankato, Minn. In 1911 he entered the employ of the Bottsford Lumber Company, and for three months was stationed at Jackson, Minn. After that he spent nine months in the company's yard at Wauseca, then four and a half years at Rochester, then a year at Sherburn as manager, coming to Elgin in the same capacity January 22, 1919. Mr. Baker saw service in the world war, enlisting in the Signal Corps of the United States army at Sherburn, and serv- ing eleven months in the West, being located at Vancouver Barracks. He re- ceived an honorable discharge December 29, 1919, shortly before he came to Elgin. He is a member and vice president of Post No. 179 of the American Legion, which has about 200 members. He also belongs to the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 69

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