History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 70

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

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Frank and John Howe, who are engaged in the implement business and other lines of industry in Kellogg, were born in Glasgow Township, this county, sons of Jacob and Katherine Howe. The father, a native of Germany, came to Wabasha County, Minn., at an early day with his parents, being only four years old at the time. He has since resided in Glasgow and Highland townships, and is now well to do. He and his wife Katherine, who was born in Highland

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Township, were married in this county. They have had six children, Frank, John, Andrew, Matilda, Ed and Apolona, all of whom are now living. Ed en- listed in the United States' service and took part in the world war, serving eight months in France in the Second Headquarters Division. Andrew also enlisted, his service, however, being in this country. Frank and John Howe, the direct subjects of this sketch, were reared on their parents' farm and worked on it till May, 1918, when they came to Kellogg and engaged in the implement busi- ness, handling everything in the lines of machinery, wagons and buggies. They also operate a well driller, and have done saw mill work for John Dietz of Cameron Dam fame. They own the property which they now occupy, and with their father are also the owners of 1,000 acres of land in Wabasha County. Their business is prospering and they enjoy an increasing trade. Both were educated in the district schools and are members of the Woodmen's lodge. In religion they are Catholics. -

Diedrich Fitschen, one of the self-made men of Wabasha County, proprietor of a fine 235-acre farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, November 18, 1868, son of Fredrick and Anna (Rigger) Fitschen. He had a somewhat limited education in his native land, where he remained until 1885, when he came to the United States, and directly to Wabasha County, Minn. For nine years he worked as a farm hand in Wabasha and Goodhue Counties, practicing economy and saving his money with an eye to the future. At the time he was ready to start in for himself he chose a life partner in the person of Anne Marie Mojen, daughter of Christopher and Engel Mojen, who had come with her parents from Hanover, Germany, in 1891; and at the same time he rented the Moren farm in Lake Township. There he and his family re- mained for five years, and then in the fall of 1897 Mr. Fitschen bought 160 acres in Gilbert Valley, section 3, Mt. Pleasant Township, five miles west of Lake City, the same being the farm on which he now resides. He has, how- ever, increased its size, by an additional purchase of adjoining land, to 235 acres, and as the soil is rich it is a fine agricultural property. Mr. Fitchen has improved it by the erection of new buildings, including a comfortable, eight- room, two-story house; a barn 36 by 60 by 16 feet, with full stone basement of eight feet; a granary, machine shed, two double corn cribs, poultry house, and a steel windmill. He has 90 acres under the plow, the rest of the land being in pasture and timber, and his tools and equipment are fully adequate to all pur- poses of modern farming, which Mr. Fitschen follows in its various branches. He is improving his Shorthorn cattle and Chester-White swine by the use of full-blooded sires, and achieving good results, with a resultant prosperity that marks him as one of the successful men of his township. As he began with nothing this success is the more to his credit. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as clerk of the school board of District No. 8 for 20 years. Mr. and Mrs. Fitschen are the parents of five children: Emma Catherine, born No- vember 15, 1893, who is residing on the home farm; Anna Catherine, born De- cember 12, 1895, now the wife of John Hinck of Mt. Pleasant Township; Fred- erick William, born October 24, 1898, who is assisting his father to operate the home farm; Minnie Matilda, born June 23, 1901, and Freda Meta, born June 23, 1908, who are residing at home. The family are members of St. John's congre- gation at Lake City.

John Keating, one of the earliest settlers in Watopa Township, and a resi- dent of Wabasha County for 46 years, but now deceased, was born in County Kerry, Ireland. He emigrated to America when a young man, and was married in Hartford, Conn., to Margaret Twomey. After a residence of some time in Hartford, they came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, in 1856, settling on 80 acres of land in Watopa Township, which they later homesteaded, also buying another 80 acres adjoining. On that farm John Keating spent the rest of his life, which came to an end on October 4, 1902. He had made a good record as an indus- trious and useful citizen, and had served as supervisor and in other town offices.

DIEDRICH FITSCHEN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

His widow remained on the farm until 1905, when she took up her residence in Kellogg, where she passed away July 1, 1915. They had seven children : James, Thomas, Margaret, Kate, John, William and Mary. James, who served as school superintendent, and was for some time editor of the Wabasha Herald, died in 1916. The others are still living, and the old homestead is still owned in the family.

John R. Keating, a well known and prosperous merchant of Kellogg, where he is engaged in the implement business, was born in Watopa Township, this county, September 28, 1872, son of John and Margaret Keating. The scene of his birth was the pioneer home of his parents, who had settled in the township as early as 1856. Before he appeared to play his part on this earthly stage, dis- trict schools had been established, and his attempts to master "the three R's" were made in that belonging to District No. 34, where he acquired enough scholastic knowledge for the ordinary purposes of life. Much of that life has been spent in the important industry of agriculture, as he resided and worked on the home farm until 1909, when he came to this village, having been ap- pointed boiler inspector by Governor Johnson, a position in which he served four years. At the end of that period he engaged in his present business, han- dling all kinds of farm implements, also wagons and buggies, in which line of industry he has built up a good trade. He has also had experience as a pub- lic official, as he was chairman of the Watopa town board for eight yers, and justice of the peace in Kellogg two years. He is a member of the Catholic church, and a citizen of high business and personal reputation.

Jacob Howe, a leading farmer, extensive land owner and public official of Highland Township, was born in Germany, January 16, 1857, son of John and Susan (Leisen) Howe. The parents were natives of Germany, where they were married. On coming to the United States in 1857 they settled first in Iowa, in which state they remained four years. At the end of that time they came to Wabasha County, Minn., taking a homestead of 160 acres in Glasgow Township. The land was wild and covered with timber, and as there were no buildings John Howe's first task was to build a log house. That accomplished, he en- tered upon the work of clearing his land, in which he was aided by his wife and sons, and which he kept up until his death in 1873. After that Mrs. Howe and her sons continued the work together until her death in 1880. The farm then came into possession of the son Jacob, who has since remained the owner. With untiring industry and enterprise, he has continued to make improve- ments, and has increased his landed possessions by successive purchases, until he now owns over 900 acres, two-thirds of which is tillable, the rest being in timber and pasture. Of the tillable land he farms 100 acres, the rest being rented and seeded down. Mr. Howe carries on general farming, including stock raising and dairying, keeping from 25 to 30 cattle. He also has a herd of fifty or more sheep and some swine of mixed breeds. In 1894 he moved to section 2, Highland, and erected his present frame residence of eleven rooms, which is electrically lighted, and the kitchen provided with running water. He has two good barns, one for horses and the other for cattle and hogs, and both these and the other outbuildings are substantial structures in good condition. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a stockholder in the local telephone company and in the Kellogg co-operative store. Though a busy man, Mr. Howe has devoted some part of his time to the public service. For 30 years he has been school clerk of his district, and for several years town clerk and justice of the peace, and is a man who enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Howe was united. in marriage February 10, 1879, with Catherine Shouweiler, daughter of Frank and Eva (Lehnertz) Shouweiler. Her parents were natives of Germany, the father born in Lumenburg and the mother in Prussia. They came to the United States in 1857, settling on a farm in Highland Township, this county, and for the remainder of their lives were engaged in agriculture. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are the

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parents of six children: Frank, a resident of Kellogg; John, also residing in Kellogg, where he is engaged in the implement business; Matilda, wife of Bartley Schouweiler, of Highland Township; Andrew M., who is engaged in a printing and electrical supply business in Kellogg; Edward P., who is assist- ing his father on the home farm; and Appolonia C., also residing at home with her parents. In the family of John and Susan Howe, the parents of Jacob, there were seven children-five sons and two daughters-and five of these children are now living, namely: George, a resident of Wabasha; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Peter Schilling, of Plainview; Peter, president of the State Bank of Kellogg; John, of Waudena, Minn .; and Jacob, the subject of this sketch. The two deceased are Mary, who was the wife of John Plein, of Watopa, and Mathias.

Andrew C. McDonough, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Highland Township, is a native of this county and comes of pioneer ancestry, having been born in Highland Township, February 24, 1865, son of Patrick and Julia (Lydon) McDonough. The parents were natives of Ireland, where they grew up and were married. They came to the United States in the fall of 1848 and resided successively in several eastern states, Patrick McDonough being en- gaged in railroad construction work. In 1854 they set out for St. Paul, Minn., making a part of their journey up the Mississippi river on a steamboat, which was unable to pass through Lake Pepin on account of ice, and the McDonoughs, therefore, disembarked at Read's Landing, and took land in Cook's Valley, at the locality now known as McDonough's Springs, Highland Township. The history of their pioneer experiences is told elsewhere in this volume. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living. Andrew C. McDonough was reared on his parents' farm and acquired his education in district school No. 37. He worked on the home farm until 1890, the year of his marriage, and then for two years was engaged in farming on his father-in- law's place. Afterwards he returned to the home farm, which his father gave him before he died, and he now has 140 acres, of which he himself purchased forty acres. He is carrying on general farming operations, raising cattle, hogs and sheep. Of the sheep, which are of the Shropshire breed, he keeps from 50 to 100. Mr. McDonough has taken an active part as a citizen, has been clerk of his school district for ten years and served three years as town assessor. He is a Catholic in religion, belonging to Conception parish, and is also a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Ancient Order of Hiberni- ans and the Knights of Columbus. On October 21, 1890, Mr. McDonough was united in marriage with Mary Bricher, daughter of John and Mary (Schiertz) Bricher, their union being solemnized in Conception Catholic church. Her father was born in Luxemburg and her mother in Minnesota. Their occupation was that of farming. Their family numbered ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, namely: Eliza, wife of J. N. Klein, of Kel- logg; Susan, who married Thomas Lydon and is now a widow; Anna, widow of C. C. Lydon; Katherine, who married John Schneider, of Pasadena, Calif .; Joseph, of Cottage Grove, Ore .; John D., who is with the Lydon-Bricher Manu- facturing Co. of St. Paul; Christ C., residing in the same city; Nicholas, cashier in the State Bank of Theilman; and Mary, wife of Andrew C. McDonough. Mr. and Mrs. McDonough have six children, all living: Alfred, of Theilman, and Viola, Eugene, Myrtle, Marion and Lloyd, residing at home.

Thomas E. McDonough, who is engaged in agricultural operations in Highland Township, residing in section 11, was born at McDonough Spring, in Cook's Valley, this township, December 30, 1860, son of Patrick and Julia (Lydon) McDonough. The parents were pioneers of this county whose history is elsewhere narrated. Thomas E. was brought up on the home farm and in his boyhood attended district school No. 37. He remained at home working on the farm until 27 years old, at which time he began farming for himself on 80 acres in section 11, Highland, which he had received from his father in

PATRICK McDONOUGH: FOUR GENERATIONS

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

payment for services on the home farm. This land was mostly covered with timber, which he cleared, also erecting the buildings. The farm now contains 120 acres, with 65 under cultivation, the rest being in pasture and timber. Mr. McDonough carries on diversified farming, including stock raising and dairying. He is doing a prosperous business, due to his energy and practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches. In religion he is a Catholic, and fraternally a member of the Woodmen and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Mr. McDonough was married in 1898 at Wabasha to Margaret Keating, daugh- ter of John and Margaret (Thoma) Keating. Her parents, natives of Ireland, came to the United States in 1858, and later to Wabasha County, Minnesota, settling on a farm on Snake Creek in Watopa Township, where they made their home until they died. The had seven children, John, William, Kate, Mary, James, Thomas E. and Margaret, all of whom are now living but James. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. McDonough have had four children, of whom three are now living, Joseph, Delbert and Lester, who resides on the home farm. Their other child died in infancy.

Patrick McDonough, a notable pioneer of Wabasha County, who settled in Highland Township among the earliest arrivals, was born in Galway, Ireland, about the year 1817, and died on his farm in that township in 1917, having rounded out a century of existence. His early years were spent in his native land, where he grew up and married Julia Lydon. In the fall of 1848 they sailed for the United States, landing at New York November 1. For about six years after arriving in this country Mr. McDonough was engaged in railroad construction work for the Baltimore & Ohio and Pittsburgh & Wheeling rail- roads, residing successively in Vermont, Ohio and West Virginia, the last men- tioned state then being a part of Virginia. In 1854 Mr. McDonough and his family joined the tide of emigration to Minnesota, and on reaching the Mis- sissippi took a steamboat bound up the river, intending to go to St. Paul, but when they got as far as Reed's Landing it was found that Lake Pepin was blocked with ice and navigation closed, so they made a virtue of necessity and landed. After examining the prospect and hearing reports of the surrounding country, Mr. McDonough located as a squatter on a tract of land in Cook's Valley, Highland Township, at what is now known as McDonough's Springs. Minnesota was then a territory, but in 1858 it became a state, and a few years later he homesteaded his property, obtaining a legal title. Subsequently he bought more land until he had 400 acres. The first dwelling of himself and family was a small log structure, which at one time was occupied by four or five Irish families who had come from Galway and settled in the township, which was then a wilderness with few white inhabitants. Indians were nu- merous, but were friendly, and never gave the McDonoughs any trouble, though for a few years there was some timidity in regard to them, especially among the women, but with the increase of white settlers this feeling passed away. When Mr. McDonough squatted on his claim, so far as he knew there was no other white man or family to the west of him. Neither were there any roads or bridges, and the streams had to be forded. He was advised never to cross the Zumbro, as the land to the west would never be civilized, but he did cross and was not molested by the Indians. Though he had some money, most of the necessities of life were hard to get, as there were no stores nearer than Wabasha, twelve miles away. There he and his wife did their trading, Mrs. McDonough carrying eggs to market in a basket, and he bringing home bags of flour and groceries on his back. These expeditions were long, hard and tire- some tramps, but they belonged to the life of the pioneer and could not be evaded. Moreover they furnished some relief to the monotony of the daily routine of grubbing and breaking land, and at Wabasha an occasional steam- boat was seen, and new arrivals greeted and given free advice. At one time Mr. McDonough was offered the entire townsite of Lake City for $400, but he declined the offer, as he thought the land contained too much sand. His entire

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life, after coming to this county, was spent on the farm on which he first set- tled, and he kept improving it, with the aid of his sons, as long as his years permitted him to labor. After his retirement he enjoyed a well earned leisure in the society of his children, and of his faithful and loving wife until her death at the age of 85 years in 1909. He had performed a worthy part as one of the builders of Wabasha County, and as such will long be remembered. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McDonough were the parents of twelve children: Patrick, John, Bridget, Bartley, Daniel, Maria, Anna, Thomas, Coleman C., Andrew, Julia and James. James died in infancy, and Patrick, Bridget, Maria and Anna are also deceased. John and Coleman C. are residents of Kellogg; Bart- ley resides in the state of Washington; Daniel in Alberta, Canada; Thomas and Andrew in Highland Township, this county; and Julia is the wife of Wil- liam Keating, of Lodora, Idaho.

Coleman C. McDonough, a well known and popular merchant of Kellogg, where he is engaged in the produce business, and who in former years rendered efficient service in public office, was born on the pioneer farm of his parents, in the town of Highland, this county, December 14, 1863, son of Patrick and Julia (Lydon) McDonough. He acquired his elementary education in the district school, after one had been established in his neighborhood, and subsequently attended the State Normal School at Winona, from which he received a teach- er's certificate. Thus equipped and authorized, he followed the occupation of teacher in district schools for about five years. After that he became book- keeper for the Wabasha Lumber Company, remaining in their employ for four years. During this time he had become well known and acquired such popu- larity that in 1896 he was elected registrar of deeds for the county, and held that position four years, and from 1902 to 1906 he served as county commis- sioner. In 1893 Mr. McDonough engaged in the general mercantile business with John Costello, under the firm name of John Costello & Co., but in 1909 sold out his interest and engaged in the lumber business, but within a year he sold out his interest in that also and entered the employ of the International Har- vester Company, with which concern he continued until 1912. He then entered into the produce business, and for the last five years has been manager for the R. E. Jones Company, dealers in grain and produce, a position in which he has shown good business capacity and enterprise. He is a member of the Catholic church and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is respected as a useful citizen of proved Americanism. Mr. McDonough was married, in Highland Township, October 10, 1893, to Mary A. McNallan, daughter of James and Margaret McNallan. Her parents, who were born in Ireland, are both now deceased. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McDonough, four sons and four daughters, namely: Elmer, Leo, Margaret, Agnes, Francis, Helen, Lorette and Dominick. All are living except Elmer, who gave his life for his country in the recent war with Germany. He enlisted in August, 1917, as a member of the 151st Regiment, and was one of the first men in this state to leave for France, where he got into action in February, 1918, and was killed in battle on the Toul sector, March 6. His brother Leo also fought in the war, serving 18 months with the 318th Engineers in the Argonne and at Sedan and Verdun, being discharged with the rank of corporal in June, 1919. Thus two of Mr. McDonough's sons have helped to make world history, showing that patriotic devotion which has made this country great and strong. Of him who fell a tender memory will forever remain in the hearts of his friends.

Stephen Appel, one of the early settlers and developers of Highland Town- ship, now passed away, was born in Germany and came to this country with his mother when twelve years old, settling in Pennsylvania. In 1859, as a young man, he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, after reaching La Crosse, Wis., making the journey on foot to Wabasha County. Here he homesteaded 160 acres of land in section 9, Highland Township, the tract being partly prairie and partly timber land, and without improvements. The Indians were

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

quite numerous in the vicinity, but gave him no trouble. He met with one early discouragement, however, after building his first residence, a small one- room house. He was baking bread one day, when the house caught fire and burned down, all the money he had, about $15, being consumed in the flames. He replaced the building with a larger house, which now forms a part of the present residence, occupied by his son, Frank J. The rest of his life was spent on the farm, where he followed general farming ,and he died in 1914. In the seventies he bought what was known as the Watkins Mill, which he operated as a grist mill for many years, it becoming known as the Appel Mill. He was a public spirited citizen of his township, serving as a member and clerk of the board of supervisors, and as a member of the school board. He was an advo- cate of good roads and of everything else calculated to benefit the community in which he lived. Mr. Appel married Elizabeth Hillenbrandt, who also was a native of Germany, their marriage being celebrated in Wabasha village. They spent fifty years of happy wedded life together and in 1913 celebrated their golden wedding. Mrs. Elizabeth Appel survived her husband about six years, dying in 1920. Of their family of eleven children, eight are now living: Katie, wife of John McMillin, of Theilman; John A., a farmer in Plainview Township; William, who is now in San Francisco; Edward and August, who reside at Metaline Falls, Washington; Ida, wife of Arthur Melzner; Amanda, residing at Butte, Mont., and Frank J., the present proprietor of the old homestead in Highland Township. Of the three children deceased, Louis died when a baby, Stephen, Jr., died of influenza in 1919, and Elizabeth, who married Gordon Campbell, of the state of Washington, died in 1919. All are buried in the fam- ily lot in Conception Cemetery.

Frank J. Appel, a well known and prosperous farmer of Highland Town- ship, proprietor of the old Appel farm established by his parents at an early date in the history of this county, was born on this farm, located in section 9, November 7, 1874, son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Hillenbrandt) Appel. He has always resided on the homestead and in his boyhood attended the local school. Subsequently he took a course in the agricultural department of Min- nesota University. For a number of years he was engaged in assisting his father, both on the farm and in the latter's grist mill. After the father's death he bought the homestead, where he is profitably carrying on general farming and stock raising. Active as a citizen, he has been town clerk of Highland for seventeen years, and a member of the school board for some years. He has also served eight years as secretary of the Plainview Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and was formerly president of the Plainview Telephone Co. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen and the Equitable Fraternal Union, also to the Greenwood Prairie Old Settlers' Associa- tion. Mr. Appel was married at Quincy, Ill., October 28, 1903, to Margaret King, daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Smyth) King, the parents being natives of Ireland who came early to the United States, settling in Quincy, Ill., where they spent the rest of their lives. They had seven children, five of whom grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Appel are the parents of three children: Frances M., Elizabeth M. D., and Lawrence L., all living at home, and the daughters attending the high school at Wabasha. Mr. Appel and his family are members of the Catholic church.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 70

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