History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 73

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

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George H. Russell, a prominent farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township, is a na- tive of New England, having been born in Windham County, Conn., July 3, 1852, son of Gurley and Marina (Clark) Russell. He was about six years old when he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, the family settling at Central Point, one mile west of Lake City. In that location they remained about five years, at the end of which time Gurley Russell bought 200 acres of wild government land in Chester Township. Although the land was cheap the purchase must have strained his resources, as he was very poor. For a dwell- ing he built a small board shack which had but one room, and which retained the heat so poorly that during the cold days and evenings in winter the family used to extemporize an inner room by hanging blankets at a little distance all around the stove and gather within the inner space to keep from freezing.

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However, in time they had better accommodations and developed the farm on which their son George H. now resides. Gurley Russell died in 1894, and his wife in 1904, in Chester Township. George H. Russell when a boy attended dis- trict school, but his hours of work soon became longer than those of study or play, and he did his part in helping to develop the parental farm, remaining at home up to the age of 23 years. On September 10, 1874, he married Savilla, daughter of William and Emeline (Heabner) Bundy, who were early settlers on section 32, Mt. Pleasant Township. Soon after his marriage he and his wife went to South Dakota, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land one and a quar- ter miles from the present site of Millbank. When the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway was projected through that section, Mr. Russell was one of the men who made up a purse of $3,000 to induce the railroad company to locate a station at Millbank rather than at a point located a few miles west, and the station was built there accordingly. Mr. Russell remained in that locality for 18 years, but finally lost everything owing to drouths. He was of an adven- turous disposition, and at the age of 24 had spent one season in the Black Hills, prospecting for gold, but without success. In 1898 he made a still greater ven- ure of the same kind, this time going to Alaska, where many other adventurers were then seeking their fortunes, some of whom met with success, but the great majority with disappointment, and not a few losing their lives. He was there for a year and a half, located successively at Dawson City and at Winder, and though he suffered hard times and much privation, he gained nothing but ex- perience. After his long residence in South Dakota, he and his wife returned to Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, mainly on account of the sickness of his wife's parents, and since then he has been engaged in operating the home farm. His experience has been very thorough, as in early life he was accustomed to pioneer methods, driving oxen, splitting rails, and hauling wood and rails from Mazeppa and beyond. But he has kept pace with modern prog- ress, and today his farm is well supplied with all necessary machinery for scientific farming, all branches of which he follows, raising both grain and stock. He keeps both Holstein and Shorthorn cattle, and Hampshire swine, and is doing a prosperous business. His farm contains 160 acres of productive land. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been the parents of four children: William M., born September 26, 1875, who is now a resident of Tacoma, Wash .; Frank, born May 10, 1877, who is a conductor on the Northern Pacific Railroad and lives in Bellingham, Wash .; Bessie, born August 3, 1880, who is residing at home; and Goldie May, born March 20, 1882, who married Ernest Hostetter of Lake City and died March 16, 1918. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while politically Mr. Russell is a Republican.

William M. Bundy, an early settler in Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in New York State in the second decade of the nineteenth century. He was mar- ried in Clearfield County, Pa., to Emeline Heabner, and with his family came west in 1864, to Wabasha County, Minn., locating on land in section 32, Mt. Pleasant Township. There were four children, all born in Pennsylvania, namely, Wesley, Savilla, Julia and Francis. During the Civil War period Mr. Bundy was drafted but sent a substitute. His land, when he first took it, was unbroken prairie, and his first dwelling, which he himself erected, a small board shack. He was poor, but had oxen, which were of great assistance to him in developing the farm. About 1896, owing to poor health, he retired and moved to Lake City, where he finally died at the age of 83 years, his wife dying at that of 74. Their children were all given a common school education. Mr. Bundy was a successful man and a highly respected citizen, industrious and temperate. He and his wife were faithful members of the M. E. church at Lake City.

John Tomforde, a respected resident of Lake City whose successful career as a farmer in Mt. Pleasant Township has placed him beyond the need of fur- ther toil, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 28, 1862, son of Lawrence and Anna (Popp) Tomforde. He had some schooling in his native land, and

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at the age of eleven years lost his mother. In 1883, having attained his ma- jority, his father being yet living, though now deceased, he came to the United States, locating at Red Wing, Minn., where he found work as a common la- borer. On December 25, 1884, he married Mattie Henn who was born in Han- over, Germany, August 12, 1858, and who had come in 1881 to this country, where she had brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Tomforde began domestic life in Red Wing, but soon removed to Hay Creek Township, Goodhue County, where they resided two years, later being residents of Burnside Township for. twelve years. During a part of this time Mr. Tomforde worked two years for a Mr. Meyer in the milk business, and eight years in a tannery at Red Wing. In the fall of 1896 he began his independent career as a farmer, buying 280 acres in section 24 and 25, Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, moving to the farm in the spring of 1897, and he and his family taking up their residence in a frame house which stood on it, which owing to improvements made by himself, is now a comfortable two-story dwelling of nine rooms. His other improvements included the erec- tion of a frame barn, 38 by 60 by 18; a granary, 20 by 30 by 12, with a lean-to on both sides for tools; and a steel windmill. Favored with a productive soil, Mr. Tomforde followed general farming very successfully until 1912, getting 240 acres of his land under the plow, when, finding himself in possession of a competence, he transferred the operation of the farm to his son Louis and took up his residence in Lake City, where he and his wife are living in a home of their own, at No. 417 North Prairie avenue, enjoying a period of well-earned leisure. Mr. Tomforde has always been a Republican and served his township as supervisor for four terms, also serving on the school board for many years, his ability as a farmer being matched by his usefulness as a citizen. All that he has was gained through his own efforts, with the assistance of his wife and children, and his record is one to command respect. To Mr. and Mrs. Tomforde six children have been born: Anna, now Mrs. Joseph Fick, of Hyde Park Town- ship; Louis, operating the home farm in Mt. Pleasant Township; Minnie, who is the wife of William Wiebush of Belvidere Township, Goodhue County; John, of Lake Township; Mary, now Mrs. Bernard Carlson of Lake City, and Ella, re- siding at home with her parents.

Louis W. Tomforde, operator of a fine farm of 280 acres in sections 24 and 25, Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in Burnside Township, Goodhue County, October 16, 1888, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Tomforde. He was educated in the common school, which he attended up to the age of 14 years, after which he was associated with his father in the operation of the home farm, on which he now resides. Since his father's retirement in 1912 he has been the sole man- ager and is conducting a good business in general farming and stock raising, keeping Shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, besides sheep. Industrious and enterprising, he is managing the large farm of 280 acres to the best ad- vantage and with profitable results. He has a good set of buildings and modern operating equipment, also owning a good auto car. Politically he is a member of the Non-Partisan League. Mr. Tomforde was married September 25, 1912, to Christina, daughter of L. H. Roschen of Mt. Pleasant Township, and who was born in Florence Township, Goodhue County, Minn., May 31, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Tomforde are the parents of two children: Luvonna Mattie Anna, born November 9, 1915; and Henrietta Johanna Anna, born September 9, 1917. Mr. Tomforde and family are members of St. John's congregation of Lake City, and are people held in high esteem in the northern part of Wabasha County.

James Titterington (Sr.), a Minnesota pioneer who passed away a few years ago, was born in County Down, Ireland, March 12, 1842. He came to the United States in 1859, a young man of seventeen, and first located in New York State, where he remained two years. In 1861 he came west to Minnesota, but soon went to Eau Claire, Wis., where he found employment in the lumber camps for some time also working as a raftsman on the river. In 1866 he turned his at- tention to farming, buying a tract of 40 acres of land, to which he added subse-

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quently until he owned 240 acres lying partly in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, and Viola Township, Olmsted County, also eight lots in Elgin Village. He was a member of the Masonic order and belonged also to the Old Settlers" Association of Elgin. His marriage to Mary Bunyon took place November 26, 1868. It resulted in five children, the first born of whom, Howard, is deceased. Those living are Frank, Ralph, Minnie and James, Jr. Minnie is now the wife of Erwin Cowles. James Titterington (Sr.) died February 18, 1915, and his wife, who survived him, is now living with her son, James A.

James A. Titterington, (Jr.), who is engaged in mixed farming and stock breeding in Elgin Township, of which he is a well known and popular citizen, was born in this township, April 18, 1883, son of James and Mary (Bunyon) Titterington. His education was acquired in the Elgin village school, and for several years thereafter he was employed at manual labor in that vicinity. One year was spent in the employ of the telephone company, and he subsequently worked for his father, receiving one half the crop for his pay. When his father died he came into possession of 80 acres of the estate in section 35, which he is now operating, together with 80 more which he rents from his brother Ralph. He keeps high grade stock, with a full-blooded sire at the head of his cattle herd, and also breeds Duroc swine, with good financial results. Mr. Tittering- ton was married, January 4, 1911, to Cora B. Tyler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Tyler, and he and his wife have three children: Mary B., born October 13, 1911; Irene A., November 14, 1914; and Arthur P., September 13, 1916. The family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Fritz O. Trank, a well-to-do farmer of Oakwood Township, was born in Sweden, May 19, 1873, son of Ola and Anna (Pearson) Trank. The parents were born in Sweden, the father during his active career being foreman on the large sugar factory farms. He and his wife are still living there, though he is now retired. Fritz O. Trank was educated in the public schools of Sweden, and was 19 years old when he came to the United States in 1893, locating in South Dakota. There he was engaged in farm work until 1894. Then coming to Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, Minn., he went to work on his present. farm, and was employed on it ten years by its owner, Lars Pearson. At the end of that time Mr. Trank rented it, and has since operated it on his own account, raising grade Shorthorn cattle and grade Chester-White swine, in addition to crops. The farm lies in sections 16 and 17 and contains 160 acres. Mr. Trank also owns a farm of 160 acres in Burle County, S. D., which he rents out, and from the two farms he derives a good income. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and also of the Modern Woodmen of America.

James R. O'Brien, proprietor of one of the largest and best farms in Mt .. Pleasant Township, which he has himself developed to a large extent, was born in Lake Township, Wabasha County, February 19, 1866, son of John and Hannah (Mahony) O'Brien. The parents were of Irish descent but were both born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. When a boy James R. accompanied them to . Lake City, this county, where he attended school. In 1893 he started in for him- self as a renter on the Farrell farm owned by his father, which he operated until 1899. He then bought 400 acres in sections 21 and 28, Mt. Pleasant Town -. ship, on which were a frame house and tool shed. To improve the place he. erected a good set of buildings, including a barn and granaries, and conducted agricultural operations successfully and without any bad luck until July 5, 1909, when the farm buildings, except the house, were swept by fire. In the. same fall Mr. O'Brien rebuilt the barn, making it a good modern structure 42 by 114 by 18 feet in dimensions, with a full 9-foot basement for horses and cattle; also a granary, 24 by 34 by 20 feet, with elevator; a double corn crib, 18 by 24, with an 8-foot driveway; a poultry house, hog house, steel windmill, and a garage for his two autos-a Ford and a Studebaker. The farm is in a high state of cultivation and is very productive, 460 acres being under the plow .. It is well stocked with high grade Shorthorn cattle, the herd numbering from

JAMES R. O'BRIEN AND FAMILY.

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80 to 100 head, also a herd of 75 to 100 Duroc-Jersey hogs, both herds having full-blooded sires. He has also a very complete operating equipment, includ- ing an R. B. plow tractor with three plows, having a 12 by 25 drawback power, and a Titan threshing machine. On the farm is a fine orchard bearing winter varieties of fruit. In 1919 Mr. O'Brien bought the William Johns farm of 80 acres, adjoining his own, for his eldest son; and on his own farm he built in 1917 a fine tile silo of 150 tons' capacity. It will thus be seen that he is a man who knows how to do things on a large scale, and his success is the result of good managerial ability, coupled with persistent work and driving power. These qualities he also showed during the recent war as chairman of the Lib- erty Loan drives in his township, carrying the first four "over the top" and making a good record in the fifth. In 1894 he was elected town clerk and by successive elections held office until 1918, when he resigned. His friends urged him to run again but Mr. O'Brien considered 24 years in the office long enough. Mr. O'Brien was married November 3, 1892, to Minnie M. Miller, daughter of Frederick W. and Mary H. Miller of Lake Township. Six children are the issue of this union: Richard Harold, born October 15, 1894; Frederick John, December 18, 1897; Mary Genevieve, December 28, 1899; George Sylves- ter, January 16, 1902; James Arthur, April 19, 1905, and Francis Ralph, April 13, 1908. Richard Harold, who, as already mentioned, is operating a farm ad- joining that of his father, was married October 26, 1918, to Emma Sprick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sprick of Mt. Pleasant Township. The other children are residing on the home farm except Mary Genevieve, who graduated from the Lake City high school and is now engaged in teaching. Mr. O'Brien and his family are members of the Catholic church, attending St. Mary's at Lake City.

Oscar W. Nygren, a prominent citizen of Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in the township where he now resides, April 7, 1876, son of Charles J. and Maria Nygren. He was reared to farm pursuits by his father, attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and has taken two full winter courses in the Minnesota Agricultural College. He operates 120 acres on section 26, Mt. Pleasant Township, a part of the old home farm, and here, on an extensive scale, he carries on general farming and stock raising, aside from the usual crops. Since 1896 he has operated a threshing outfit, and his operations in this line are widely known. His farm is unusually well equipped with imple- ments, tools and machinery, including a gang plow of eight plows. In politics Mr. Nygren is a Democrat, although in local affairs he votes for men and im- mediate issues rather than for party. He has never sought elective political office, but under Gov. John A. Johnson's last administration he served two years as State Boiler Inspector of Wabasha County. He is popular with his fellow citizens, prosperous in his operations, and a useful member of his com- munity. Mr. Nygren was married April 4, 1914, to Christine Bolang, born De- cember 1, 1884, in Zumbrota, Goodhue County, daughter of Ole Bolang, of Cen- tral Point, Goodhue County, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Nygren have been born two children: Byron William, November 4, 1917, and died May 7, 1919; Philip Douglas, March 27, 1920. The family faith is that of the Swedish Luth- eran church at Lake City.

Carl V. Houghton, proprietor of Oakdale Stock Farm in section 26, Elgin Township, was born in the village of Elgin, Wabasha County, Minn., August 1, 1878, son of David E. and Helen R. (Cameron) Houghton. He acquired his education in the village school, and at the age of 15 did farm labor in the vicinity, continuing to work on farms until 1902. He then obtained a position as clerk in the general store operated by Mrs. H. E. Gates in the village of Elgin, and subsequently followed a mercantile career for 14 years, or until 1916. By that time he found that inside work did not agree with him, and for the sake of his health, which was failing, he concluded to take up some branch of farming. He accordingly bought the Oakdale Stock farm of 240 acres in

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section 26, where he is now engaged in breeding Shorthorn cattle, high grade hogs, and Percheron horses, with profitable results. Mr. Houghton was mar- ried February 12, 1908, to Flora S. Dunn, who was born and reared in her present residence. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton have four children: Herold D., born June 23, 1909; Philip C., May 23, 1911; Helen L., May 10, 1913, and Dunn W., April 13, 1917. The older children are attending school in the village. Mr. Houghton is a member of the Elgin Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star and worship at the Methodist Episcopal church.

David E. Houghton was born in Boston, Mass., in 1845. He was educated in the East, in which section of the country he remained until reaching the age of 20. Then coming West, he made his home for two years on a farm at Beaver Dam, Wis. At the end of that time he came to Elgin village, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1867, helping to build most of the business part of the village. At the end of that period he located on a farm of 80 acres in sections 34 and 35, Elgin Township, and for about five years was engaged in agriculture there. He then went back to his trade, which he followed for twenty years thereafter, or until 1902, when he retired and took up his resi- dence in Plainview village, where he died in December, 1910. David E. and Helen R. (Cameron) Houghton were the parents of three children : John R., now residing at Grass Lake, Mich .; Walter D., deceased; and Carl V., of Elgin Township.

Clyde F. Harvey, one of the younger farmers of Elgin Township who is making rapid progress on the road to prosperity, was born in this township, June 29, 1894, son of John and Hattie (Bigelow) Harvey. As a boy he attended district school in the township, and also the Elgin village school. Brought up on the home farm, he early acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture in its different branches, and was associated with his father, for whom he worked until 1919. In that year his parents retired, and Clyde F. rented the home farm, containing 280 acres in section 29, which he is now operating as a general farmer and stock raiser. The place is well improved, having substantial build- ings and a full equipment of modern machinery, and by Mr. Harvey is being worked with good financial results. Mr. Harvey has quite recently assumed the responsibilities of domestic life, having been united in marriage February 21, 1920, with Ava Cunningham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cunningham. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a Mason. He is a man who takes an intelligent and helpful interest in all matters concerning the good of the community. Though he has but lately started out on an independent career, he has the qualities that compel success, and that are bound also to make him a factor in the development and improve- ment of this county should he continue his residence here.

William J. Keough, one of the active and prosperous farmers of Oakwood Township, was born on his present farm of 120 acres in section 17, November 18, 1884, son of John and Ellen (Hollihan) Keough. He was educated in the district school and the public school at Millville, this county, while his agri- cultural training was acquired on the home farm. From 1905 to 1909 he worked in the general store of F. J. Cornwell & Co. at Plainview. Then, on the death of his father, he returned home and bought out the other heirs to the estate, the home farm thus coming into his possession. He follows diversified farming, breeding Shorthorn cattle and Chester-White swine, with both of which kinds of stock he has had good success, and he has further identified himself with agricultural interests by joining the Millville Shipping Associa- tion. Aside from his personal business interests, he has devoted some of his time to public affairs, having served as town clerk and assessor, and being the present treasurer of School District No. 89. On November 10, 1914, Mr. Keough was united in marriage with Sarah McGuigan of Millville, who was born June 24, 1880. He and his wife have one child, Agnes Mary, who was born August 25, 1916. The family are members of the Catholic church.

ADOLPH MEINCKE AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. HENRY MEINCKE, SR. MR. AND MRS. HENRY J. TIEDEMANN

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Henry Meincke, who was for a number of years and up to the time of his death, a prominent and respected citizen and land owner of Mt. Pleasant Town- ship, was born in Hanover, Germany, where he grew to manhood and followed the occupation of a laborer. He was married in his native land to Anna Tom- forde, and after the birth of their first child, Margaret, they decided to try their fortunes in the United States, to which country they came in 1870. They settled first in Goodhue County, Minnesota, but after a while moved to Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, where Mr. Meincke engaged in farming, and, as he had some means to begin with, he found little difficulty in making progress, the more so as he was not a man to shun hard work. So well did he get along that in time he found himself the owner of 600 acres of land in the township, which in 1909 he divided among his sons. He was a man of strong and rugged physique, and as a citizen was useful and respected. He died July 15, 1919, having been a widower for somewhat over 14 years, as his wife passed away June 15, 1905. They had in all seven children. The first, Mar- garet, who, as already mentioned, was born in Germany, is now the widow of Fred Dose, and resides in Lake City. The other children, all born in this country, and all now living, are: Emma, now Mrs. John Brinkman of Zumbrota, Goodhue County, Minn .; Henry John, a prosperous farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township; Elizabeth, wife of John Vollmer, of Lake City; George, a farmer in Mt. Pleasant Township; Adolph, who is farming in the same township; and Freda, now Mrs. Herman Nibbe, of Gilford Township.

Henry Tiedemann, a respected resident of Lake City, who was formerly engaged in agriculture in Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, November 4, 1849, son of John and Katie (Offerman) Tiedemann. He remained in his native land until the spring of 1870, when he came to America, locating first in Chicago, where he resided until the fall of that year. He then came to Wabasha County, Minn., and for nine years subsequently worked around as a farm hand, saving what he could of his wages with the view of some day starting in for himself. At the end of that period he rented a farm for a year, and then acquired a farm of his own, buying 80 acres in Mt. Pleas- ant Township. Sixty acres of the land had been cleared, but there were no buildings, and Mr. Tiedemann accordingly built a house and some straw sheds. There he resided until 1903, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then retired and took up his residence in Lake City. He now owns 290 acres of land and is in no need of further toil, owning in addition a house in Lake City at the corner of Sixth and Central streets. Mr. Tiedemann was always a hard worker and remained strong and vigorous until about six years ago. He had only a common school education, but made the best of his opportunities and succeeded in life. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Tiedemann was mar- ried August 28, 1881, to Catherine, daughter of Jergen Fick, of Bear Valley, Chester Township, this county. He and his wife have two daughters: Mary C., born September 11, 1882, now the wife of Adolph Meincke, a farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township; and Clara, born May 28, 1888, who is the wife of George Jacobs, of Wabasha. Mr. Tiedemann is a member of the German Lutheran church.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 73

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