History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 71

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 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Henry T. Fuller, a prominent representative of the agricultural industry in Watopa Township, was born in Mankato, Minn., June 17, 1855, son of Tim- othy and Josephine (Cratt) Fuller. The father was a native of New Hamp- shire who came west in 1852, settling in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where he worked for the government, running a store at Traverse De Sue for two years, and afterwards conducting one for himself. Finally selling out in that place, he returned to Wabasha village, where he operated a store and saloon until 1860, when he again sold out. After that he was employed at the car- penter's trade until 1896, when his activities were brought to a close by his

430

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

breaking his hip. He died in Wabasha in 1901, having then been a widower for 24 years. He and his wife had eight children, Henry T., Frank B., Lenora T., Martha, Dave, Mary, Charles and Rebecca. Lenora and Martha are de- ceased. . Henry T. Fuller was educated in the district school. He remained at. home until the death of his mother in 1877, and then helped his father, working at the carpenter's trade. After that he operated a rented farm for seven years in West Albany Township, and at the end of that period bought his present farm of 280 acres in sections 10, 15, 16 and 17, Watopa Township, on which he is profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising. His improve- ments on the place include the erection of a barn 42 by 56 feet, besides repair- ing the other buildings and fencing. He is a member of the Episcopal church. On February 13, 1883, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage with Matilda Burns, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Burns. Her parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States in 1853, settling in the town of Zumbro, this county, where they farmed for a number of years. Later for 25 years they conducted a hotel in Millville. Mr. Burns died May 16, 1918, and Mrs. Burns August 17, 1905. Their children, five in number, were John, Emma, Matilda, Minnie and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have been the parents of eleven chil- dren, who were born as follows: John H., May 8, 1884; Josephine S., April 10, 1886; Harry H., September 29, 1888; Elmer C., October 17, 1890; Ervin M., November 8, 1892; Mary C., December 5, 1894; Dave T., September 30, 1896; Lenora M., May 26, 1900; William E., December 20, 1903; Ethel B., August 17, 1907; and Viola G., July 12, 1908. Josephine S. is now the wife of Harry Maginnis., Harry H. was drafted for service in the war with Germany, Sep- tember 19, 1917, on the first draft, and became a member of the 464th En- gineers' Pontoon Train. He sailed for France August 9, 1918, and died from accident, February 7, 1919, being buried in France. Mary C. is the wife of George Kleiber. Dave F. was drafted for war service June 24, 1918, but failed to pass the physical examination at Camp Grant. Lenora M. is now Mrs. Ber- nard Sheehan.

Henry Peter Juers, a successful and well known farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township, whose farm and residence is located in section 29, was born on this same farm, December 23, 1883, son of Peter and Catherine Juers. His parents, who came from Germany, were early settlers in this locality. He acquired his elementary education in the district school, and during the winter of 1902-3 attended the Lake City Business College. He then entered the employ of Kemp & Roschen, general merchants of Lake City, and was with them until 1912. Then returning to the home farm, he took up its operation and has since made good progress as a general farmer, working hard and having the satisfac- tion of seeing his bank account grow from year to year. The farm contains 240 acres, 210 acres of the land, which is very fertile, being under cultivation. It also possesses a fine set of buildings, the house being a substantial frame structure of two stories, and in addition to his operating equipment Mr. Juers owns a fine Cleveland touring car. His cattle are of the Shorthorn breed, the

herd numbering from 30 to 35 head, and he milks on an average of nine cows. He has also a good herd of 25 to 30 swine. Aside from his interests in the farm, he is a stockholder in the Oak Center Creamery, the Farmers' Elevator at Lake City, the Farmers' Terminal Packing Co. of St. Paul, and the Goodhue County Co-operative stores. He is also a member of the Lake City Shipping Association. On September 4, 1906, Mr. Juers was united in marriage with Anna M., daughter of David and Anna (Thomford) Holzworth, of Brownsville, Houston County, Minn. He and his wife have one child, Elmer Peter, who was born November 28, 1907, and is now helping his father on the farm. The fam -. ily are members of the Lutheran congregation at Belvidere, Goodhue County. Politically Mr. Juers is a Republican, though of broad tendencies, as he exer- cises his right to cast his vote for the best man, regardless of party.

Daniel B. Lydon, the popular postmaster at Kellogg, which position he has occupied for the last five years, was born in Highland Township, Wabasha.

HENRY P. JUERS AND FAMILY, MR. AND MRS. PETER JUERS, MR. AND

MRS. DAVID HOLZWARTH

431

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

County, Minn., March 9, 1859, son of Coleman and Honora (McDonough) Ly- don. The parents were natives of Galway, Ireland, and were married at Hast- ings, Minn., Coleman Lydon having come to this country with other immigrants and settlers in Wabasha County, including the McDonoughs and Costellos. After their marriage he and his wife engaged in farming in Highland Town- ship, this county, but subsequently homesteaded a quarter section in Watopa Township, where they farmed for many years. Their last years they spent in Kellogg, where Coleman Lydon died in 1904, and his wife in 1907. They had twelve children: Mary, Daniel B., Bartley, Patrick, Coleman, Nora, Mary (sec- ond), Bartley (second), Anna, Edward, James and Thomas. Those now living are: Edward, a resident of St. Paul; Daniel B., of Kellogg; Patrick, of Max- well, Colo .; Anna, wife of J. D. McDonough, of St. Paul; and Nora, wife of Ed- ward McDonough, of California. Daniel B. Lydon spent his early youth on his parents' farm, where he learned habits of industry, and attended District School No. 69, Watopa Township. After leaving school he spent six years in travel. He then began teaching district school, an occupation which he pur- sued for 20 years, gaining a reputation as an excellent teacher. For a year subsequently he acted as janitor for the Kellogg school, at the same time serv- ing on the school board, and he was thus engaged when he was appointed post- master of Kellogg, January 26, 1915. He is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Lydon was married, October 21, 1890, to Mary E. Galway, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Galway. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother of Massachusetts, and for a number of years after their marriage were farmers in Highland and Watopa Townships, this county. Both are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lydon have been the parents of eleven children, Frank, Mary, James, Joseph, Alberta, Vincinza, Veronica, Catherine, Rose, Eileen and Patrick, all of whom are living, except Joseph, who died in infancy. Mary is a teacher in the convent at Portsmouth, Ohio, and is known as Sister Arthur. Vincinza is in the convent at Rochester, Minn., her adopted name being Mary Maud. Frank and James enlisted in the service of the United States during the recent war, and served in this country, Frank for 13 months and James for five months, thus evincing a laudable patriotism, a quality in which no member of the family is deficient.

Otto H. Gaebe, proprietor of the Millville Creamery, where he is success- fully engaged in the manufacture of butter and ice cream, was born in Addie- ville, Washington County, Ill., September 19, 1885, son of William and Dorothy (Detring) Gaebe. The parents were natives of Germany who came to America with their parents, the father at the age of 16 and the mother at that of twelve. They settled in Illinois. After the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, Wil- liam Gaebe, then 19 years old, enlisted on President Lincoln's first call for 120,000 men, in the Ninth Illinois regiment. He served three years with Grant's army, was wounded at Shiloh, and took part in other engagements. After returning home he engaged in farming and subsequently conducted a general store. About the year 1900 he moved to North Dakota, in which state he died in 1912. His wife is still living. They had twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, nine of whom are living, namely: Henry, Christ, John, Edward, Frank, Otto, Minnie, Carrie, and Mollie. Minnie is the wife of Henry Nadtler and lives in North Dakota. Carrie, who is the wife of William Lehdey, and Mollie, who is the wife of Fred Tellmann, also reside in that state. Those deceased are William, Fred and Lydia. The mother now lives with her son Frank at New Salem, N. D. Otto H. Gaebe was reared on his parents' farm in Illinois, where he attended district school. He went with the family to North Dakota, and for a number of years remained on the home farm there. At the age of twenty he found employment in the creamery at New Salem, N. D., and liking this occupation, he resolved to perfect himself in the business, and ac- cordingly took a course in the Wisconsin Dairy School at Madison, where he learned butter-making. On April 12, 1919, he came to Millville, and bought the

432

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Millville Creamery. In the winter of 1919-20 he took a course in ice-cream making at the University of Minnesota, and in addition to butter-making, he now manufactures ice cream for the trade in the surrounding towns. He has established himself on a firm business footing and is making satisfactory prog- ress. Mr. Gaebe was married in Addieville, Illinois, in 1907, to Minnie Garlich, daughter of Rudolph and Mary Garlich, her parents being natives of Illinois but of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Gaebe have three children, Dorothy, Ralph and Verna, all residing at home.

Patrick Henry Rahilly, whose active walk, kindly greeting and hearty handshake still do much to enliven the daily routine of Wabasha County, despite his near approach to a full score years beyond the allotted three score and ten, has been blessed with the companionship and friendship of many nctable empire builders, statesmen and social and religious leaders during the last half of the eighteenth and the first two decades of the nineteenth cen- turies. His own share in the foundation and development of the county, state and the great Northwest is evidenced in many various directions. The eldest son of Matthew and Mary (Lynch) Rahilly, he was born on March 8, 1832, on a farm near Limerick, County of Limerick, Ireland. After school days passed in and near Limerick and in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where the family settled, he joined the pioneers in what was then the great and almost unknown West, arriving at Rochester, Minnesota, in the early fifties, at a time when what is now the city of Rochester consisted of one log cabin. Having pre-empted a quarter section of land in section 22, Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, he undertook what was in those days the long and arduous journey to New York State where, on August 23, 1860, he married Catherine, the daughter of James and Jane Norton, who was born in County Galway, Ire- land, and who thenceforward shared with him the hardships and the triumphs of pioneering in the great Northwest. By industry, economy, unusual foresight and good judgment they succeeded in establishing one of the largest, most modern and best improved farms in the country. Mr. and Mrs. Rahilly were blessed with seven children and seven grandchildren: Mary, Jennie I., Mary E., James M., Catherine A., Margaret R. and John T. Two of the grandchil- dren, Louis and Eugene P. McCahill, enlisted in the World War, the former, in the Motor Corps, having made the supreme sacrifice in France six days before the signing of the Armistice; the latter serving in the Naval Aviation Corps. After the death of Mrs. Rahilly, July 12, 1910, Mr. Rahilly disposed of the beautiful country home to his daughter, Mary E. (Mrs. James McCahill), who occupies it as her summer home, and removed to his residence on Oak street, in Lake City, where, respected and admired by the thousands of his acquaint- ances and friends, he still attends to the details of his many varied interests. Always active as a member of the Democratic party, he was elected to the Legislature in 1872, serving three terms as Representative and two terms in the Senate, and, in 1875, as candidate for State Auditor, carried the strong Repub- lican county of Wabasha, and though running ahead of his ticket throughout the state, was defeated in that overwhelming Republican year. Always promi- nent in the affairs of the Knights of Columbus, of which he is the oldest mem- ber in Minnesota, he visited Europe in 1910 and at Rome was kindly received by the Holy Pontiff. Mr. Rahilly's life, past and present, is an exemplification of what can be accomplished by sterling integrity, tireless industry, frugality, constant study and continuous application. Never too occupied for a social chat or a business engagement, his life has been and is an inspiration to the younger men of the community which he has helped found and develop in and around Wabasha County.

Herman Engel, a prominent farmer of Elgin Township, and the present chairman of the town board, was born at Oakridge, Winona County, October 19, 1874, son of Fred and Johanna (Holst) Engel. Fred Engel, the father, was a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, and came to America in 1873, locating at

433

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Fountain City, Wis., where he remained during the winter. In 1875 he bought 80 acres of land in Winona County, Minnesota, in Mt. Vernon Township, and was there engaged in farming until 1881. In that year he bought 160 acres in section 4, Whitewater Township, that county, on which tract he erected the entire set of buildings himself. As a general farmer he continued to prosper until his death on August 26, 1896. He was married in November, 1873, to Johanna Holst, also a native of Germany, and they had six children: Herman, of Elgin Township; Edward, who died October 19, 1918; William, a resident of Elgin; Freda, who died in 1893; Minnie, now Mrs. Henry Ott, of Plano, Ill .; and Henry, who is a merchant in Stockton, Minn. Herman Engel acquired his education in the Hoosier Ridge District School, Winona County. After be- coming industrially active, he worked on farms in that vicinity until 1895, after which, on account of his father's illness, he was for two years at home. In 1897 he rented 80 acres in section 8, Plainview Township, and began farming for himself. He remained at that location until 1901, in which year he bought the 80-acre farm in section 24, on which he now resides. On this place he has erected a new house, barn, and outbuildings, and his land is well cultivated and productive. Mr. Engel was married, October 6, 1897, to Pauline Jacob, who was born October 19, 1874. He and his wife have been the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living. The record in brief is as follows: Helen, born July 23, 1898, now Mrs. George Ihde, of Mansfield, S. D .; Laura, born September 26, 1899, now Mrs. Alfred Zimdars, of Winona, Minn .; Lydia, born January 4, 1901, now attending business college in Winona; Esther, born October 12, 1902; Edna, born July 3, 1905; Erwin, March 7, 1907; Mollie, Feb- ruary 13, 1909; Harold, born August 31, 1910, who died February 17, 1918; and Ardell, born August 1, 1912. Erwin, Mollie and Ardell are attending school. Esther and Edna are also residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Engel and their family are members of the German Lutheran church. They are people of good standng in the community and have a wide circle of friends. He is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Elgin and in the Plainview Co-operative Creamery, and a member of the Elgin Shipping Association.

Ralph W. Christopher, a popular young business man of Millville, was born in this village, August 26, 1894, son of Ole and Bertha (French) Christopher. The father was a native of Norway and son of Christopher and Jane Christo- pher, who brought him to the United States at the age of seven years, in 1853. They first located in Iowa, from which state they came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, in 1859, taking land in Oakwood Township, where they engaged in farming. There Christopher spent the rest of his life. After his death his son Ole took charge of the farm, which he operated until 1894, since which time he has been living retired in Millville. He and his wife Bertha have been the parents of six children, of whom four are now living, Ralph in Millville, Edson in South Dakota, Jay in Minnesota City, Minn., and Bert in Revere, Minn. Ralph W. Christopher acquired a public school education and was reared on the home farm. After being thus employed for a time he became clerk in Frish & Engel's store in Millville, which position he held for seven years. Subsequently he worked six years for J. F. McGuigan, and at the end of that time, in 1919, opened his present confectionery and ice cream parlor, which is the only store of the kind in town, and enjoys a good trade. On June 15, 1917, he enlisted in the 311th Engineers, attached to the 86th Division in France, and served 16 months, during which time he was engaged in building bridges, roads, barracks, and other military constructions. He was honorably dis- charged July 8, 1918. His brother Edson enlisted in the United States service May 30, 1918, and also went to France, serving four months in the infantry. He was wounded in the Argonne and sent home with an honorable record. Ralph W. Christopher is a member of the American Legion. He resides with his father and mother in Millville, being as yet unmarried.

Patrick J. Cosgrove, cashier of the Millville State Bank, and village treas- urer, was born in Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, Minn., November 22,

434

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

1864, son of James and Mary (Behan) Cosgrove. The parents were natives of Ireland, but were married in Indiana, James Cosgrove having come to the United States in the late forties. In the spring of 1864 he and his wife came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and on arriving here bought a farm in Oakwood Township from Alexander McBride. There he was engaged in general farming and improving his property until his death in 1882. His wife survived him about ten years, passing away in 1908. They had six children, of whom James, Andrew and Mary are now deceased. Those living are: Elizabeth, wife of James McBride, and a resident of Keegan, Oakwood Township; Bridget, widow of Charles McNulty, and a resident of St. Paul; and Patrick J., the sub- ject of this sketch. Patrick J. Cosgrove acquired his elementary education in the district school, and subsequently pursued more advanced studies in the Lake City high school. He then engaged in teaching, in which occupation he continued in Wabasha County for 20 years. In 1904, on the organization of the Millville State Bank, he became its cashier, a position which he still retains, and in which he has shown good business capacity, and has made many friends. He has served as trustee and president of the village, and is now its treasurer. A member of the Catholic church, he belongs also to the Knights of Columbus, the Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is independent. Mr. Cosgrove was married at West Albany, this county, in 1900, to Nellie T. Mc- Guigan, daughter of James and Julia McGuigan, who were among the early settlers in this county. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove, one, James Leo, died in infancy. The five living are: William, now a student in the University of Minnesota; Edna, a student in St. Clare Seminary, Winona; and Helen, Loretta and Genevieve, who are residing at home.

Francis J. Wadley, the popular station agent at Millville, was born in this village, August 8, 1888, son of Michael and Catherine Wadley. The parents were natives of Germany who came to Wabasha County 45 years ago. The father was a mason by trade and so continued during his entire active career, retiring about 1915, since which time he has resided in Millville. There were four children in the family, John, Matt, Michael and Francis J., all of whom are now living. Francis J. Wadley was educated in the Millville public school, and for some years subsequently worked both as carpenter and mason, having a good practical knowledge of both trades. In 1910 he became station agent at Millville for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, which position he still holds, and for the last three years he has also been manager for the Green- wood Prairie Telephone Co. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Wadley was married at Lake City, May 22, 1916, to Agnes Dickman, of Hammond, of which place her parents, John and Marie Dickman, were early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Wadley have two children, Catherine and Kenneth.

Louis Miller, a Wabasha County pioneer, now deceased, who was one of the early settlers in Zumbro Township, was born in Germany, where he grew to manhood and was married. With his wife Mary he came to America in 1856, locating first in Milwaukee, where he found employment as a street la- borer for the city. In 1861 he removed to Wabasha County, Minnesota, the last stage of the journey being made up the river to Minneiska, from which land- ing-place he proceeded with his family to Zumbro Township. There he bought a farm of 165 acres, of which twelve acres was improved. Having built a log house, plastered with clay, he began the work of clearing and developing the rest of the land, using the oxen he had brought with him for the heavy draught work. Many years of industry were required to bring the farm into first class condition, but the task was finally accomplished. The old log building was replaced by a good frame house, and barns and outbuildings were erected. There Mr. Miller resided, engaged in general farming until his death in 1903. His wife did not long survive him, passing away in 1904, and after their death the property came into possession of their son Herman, who, after farming there for several years, sold it in 1911. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller

435

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

were: William, now a resident of Stearns County, Minn .; Louis, who lives in Renville County ; Charles, a resident of Rochester, Minn., where he is working for the Sears-Roebuck Company of Chicago; Herman, a prosperous farmer of Plainview Township; and Lizzie, who is the wife of Jacob Farber, of Olmsted County.

Herman Miller, a progressive farmer residing in section 4, Plainview Township, where he is a well known and influential citizen, was born in Mil- waukee, Wis., in 1861, son of Louis and Mary Miller. He was but a babe when he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and many years of his subsequent life were spent on their farm in Zumbro Township, where he was trained in agricultural pursuits, acquiring his education in the district school. On his mother's death in 1904, his father having died in the previous year, he came into possession of the home farm, which he operated on his own account until the fall of 1911. He then sold it and moved to section 4, Plain- view Township, where he bought 138 acres of well improved land on which stood a good barn and residence of eight rooms, besides other buildings. Here he has continued general farming, also raising stock and garden produce, and is doing a very successful business. Formerly he served five years as a member of the board of supervisors of Zumbro Township and he has always taken a public spirited interest in the affairs of the community in which he resides. Mr. Miller was married at Rochester, Minn., in 1899, to Mrs. Otillia Rich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Ost. She was born in Germany, where her parents died when she was five years old, and at the age of 17 she came alone to America, her only sister having come to this country three years before, settling in Minnesota. Otillia was twice married, her first husband being Robert Rich, of Rochester, Minn., by whom she had four children. Only one of these children is now living, namely, Arthur, who is employed in the C., M. & St. P. railway depot in Minneapolis. In 1917 he enlisted in the United States' service and served one year in France. The other three children died in in- fancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Miller six children have been born: Lillie, Adeline, Henry, Elmer, Florence and Janette. Lillie is employed in Plainview village and Henry is working as a farm hand. The others are residing at home with their parents.

William B. Oelkers, one of the leading merchants of Millville, a member of the firm of Oelkers & Frisch, was born in Goodhue County, Minnesota, Octo- ber 28, 1883, son of William and Anna (Augustine) Oelkers, who were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States with his parents at the age of 13 years, and was subsequently engaged in farming in Goodhue County until his retirement and removal to Red Wing in November, 1919. He and his wife have had ten children, of whom three, John, August and Anna, are now de- ceased. The living are Henry, William B., Edward, George, Albert, Gustav and Alfred. William B. Oelkers was educated in the district schools of Goodhue County, and subsequently worked on his parents' farm, also being employed one year as clerk in a store. Since then he has been engaged continuously in mercantile business., For 13 years he was associated with Satren Brothers and M. H. Satren, of Zumbrota, for six months of that time being engaged in the live stock business. On April 22, 1918, he came to Millville and purchased the interest of Harry I. Engel in the mercantile business of Frisch & Engel, the name of the firm being changed to Oelkers & Frisch. They are conducting an up-to-date general store, including hardware, dry goods and groceries, and also operate a similar store at Elgin, which is known as the Farmers' Store, Mr. Oelkers owning a half interest in both and acting as manager of both stores. As such he has shown good executive ability and made a name for himself in the business world. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Oelkers was married at Zumbrota, Minn., in June, 1907, to Anna Prigge, daugh- ter of Peter and Dora Prigge, who were early settlers in Goodhue County. Of this marriage four children have been born, one of whom, Malinda, died at the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 71

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