History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 78

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

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

active and useful citizen, mindful of its interest. He owns a good home here and he and his family enjoy social popularity. Mr. Bricher was married July 19, 1904, to Mary J. Kinsella, who was born in Oakwood Township, May 27, 1862, daughter of Matthew and Catherine (Finley) Kinsella, now of Theilman. He owns a good home in the village. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. For three years he was treasurer of the school board, and for several years was a member of the board of directors of the Lydon, Bricher Manufac- turing Company of Minneapolis, of which he is a stockholder. He is always ready to support any practical project for the welfare and advancement of the community in which he resides.

Dennis Kinsella, one of the early settlers in Oakwood Township, now re- tired and living in Plainview village, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, August 10, 1848, son of Daniel and Catherine (Delany) Kinsella. In 1855, at the age of about seven years, he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family landing at New Orleans, where they remained for a year. They then came up the river to Alton, Illinois, which place they made their home until 1862, when they came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, settling on land in Oakwood Township. Dennis Kinsella was then about 14 years old, and he soon began to make himself useful on the farm, working for his father until he reached the age of twenty-two. He then farmed a 40-acre tract in Highland township, and after selling it, he bought a farm of 160 acres in Oakwood town- ship, on which he made extensive and valuable improvements, erecting a new set of buildings, including a house, barn and outbuildings, also fencing the entire farm. There he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1911, except for a period of ten years, during which he worked at the carpenter's trade in St. Paul. As a general farmer and stock raiser he was successful and became widely known. He served as supervisor on the Highland town board, and was clerk of the school board in Oakwood township for a number of years, and belongs to the Old Settlers' Association of Greenwood Prairie. He took up his residence in Plainview in 1911, and where he and his wife now live with their adopted daughter, Mrs. George Neinow. In 1918 he sold his farm. Mr. Kinsella was married July 24, 1870, to Catherine Feehan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Feehan. They were natives of Tipperary, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1867, settling in Oakwood township, Wabasha county, on a farm which they homesteaded, and here spent the rest of their lives, she passing away August 18, 1888, and he on January 11, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsella, and their adopted daughter, Mrs. Neinow, are members of the Catholic church.

Cyrus G. Helgerson, a member of the well known mercantile firm of Squire & Helgerson, of Mazeppa, was born in Freeport, Iowa, August 4, 1879, son of Hans and Rose (Olson) Helgerson. The parents were natives of Christiania, Norway, the mother coming to the United States in 1866 with her parents. At about the same time her future husband, Hans Helgerson, settled on a home- stead with his parents on Greenwood Prairie, near Plainview, Wabasha County, Minn. He was a Clergyman and subsequently went from this county to Iowa, to take charge of a Methodist church there. It proved to be his last charge, as he died at Freeport, that state, in 1882, leaving two children: Anna, now the wife of A. F. Polson, of Minneapolis; and Cyrus G., of Mazeppa. After Hans Helgerson's death his widow married J. A. Olin, of Belvidere, Goodhue County, Minn., and in 1886 moved with her husband to Millville, in which vicinity she now resides on a farm. By her marriage with Mr. Olin she has two children, Phoebe and Edna. Phoebe is the wife of C. A. Polson, and Edna resides in Minneapolis. Cyrus G. Helgerson was reared chiefly at Millville, residing on the Olin farm with his mother and step-father. He attended the district school and subsequently took a course in a commercial college at Lake City. He remained on the farm engaged in agriculture until arriving at the age of 21, and then became clerk in the store of E. N. York at Hammond. In 1902 he came to Mazeppa and became clerk with Phillips & Co., remaining with that.

AMES BROTHERS

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

concern until Mr. Phillips sold out his business. The next three years Mr. Helgerson spent in Canada, and then returning to Mazeppa, entered the employ of Herman & Squire, for whom he worked as clerk until 1917. He then pur- chased a half interest in the store, which has since been conducted under the style of Squire & Helgerson. The firm carries a full line of dry goods, shoes, men's furnishings, ladies' "ready-to-wear," and groceries, and enjoys a good patronage. Mr. Helgerson was married at Zumbrota, Minn., in June, 1913, to Elizabeth Stecher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Stecher. Her parents, who were early settlers in the town of Womamingo, Goodhue County, are now living in Virginia .. They had six daughters, Elizabeth, Emma, Edna, Alma, Laura and Esther, all of whom are now living.

Ernest Raymond and Archie Glenn Ames, proprietors of a 320-acre stock farm in section 30, Minneiska Township, are well known throughout south- eastern Minnesota as successful swine and cattle breeders. They were born at Gilmanton, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Ernest R. on January 30, 1880, and Archie G. on June 10, 1882. The parents were Alonzo G. and Emma (Hyatt) Ames. The father, born in the state of Maine in 1836, was of English ancestry, and when young came with his parents to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where about 1848 they settled on a farm. There Alonzo G. was brought up and re- mained until reaching the age of 21. His marriage to Emma Hyatt occurred September 25, 1859, and soon after that event he went with his wife to Missouri. A year and a half later the Civil War broke out, but Alonzo G. Ames saw the trend of events, and before Fort Sumter was fired on, he escaped in the night, accompanied by his wife, in order to avoid forcible enlistment in the Home Guard. After reaching Wisconsin he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served with that regiment until the close of the war. It was at- tached to the Army of the Tennessee and Mr. Ames served under Generals Meade, Buell and Rosekranz, taking part in the principal battles participated in by that army, including that of Chattanooga. Near Hingham, Sheboygan County, Wis., he bought a farm of 90 acres, on which he resided nine years. At the end of that time he removed with his family to Buffalo County, in the same state, and for about nine years operated a farm of 300 acres in Gilman Valley, near Alma. He then sold out, intending to go to Nebraska, but, having changed his mind, took a farm of 201 acres in Dover Township, Buffalo County, which property still remains in the family. Alonzo G. Ames died very suddenly on January 9, 1906. He and his wife were the parents of six children: Minerva E., born in Missouri, November 11, 1860, and now Mrs. L. J. Patterson, of St. Charles, Minn .; Eulah Ethel, born August 11, 1866, who married Warren Alt, of Mondovi Township, Buffalo County, Wis., and is now residing in Los Angeles, Calif .; Mary L., born August 13, 1869, who is also a resident of Los Angeles; Charlotte E., born November 12, 1872, who is the wife of Christian A. Berg, residing in Hollywood, a suburb of Los Angeles; and Ernest Raymond and Archie Glenn, the dates of whose nativity have been already given. The sub- jects of this sketch both attended school in Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wis., Ernest Raymond also taking three terms in the agricultural college at Madison, and Archie Glenn one term in the Winona Business College. Under their father's instructions and direction, they acquired a good practical knowledge of agriculture and stock raising, and after his death remained for one year on the farm in Dover Township, Buffalo County. They then came to Minnesota, Ernest R., or Ray, as he is usually called in the family, becoming clerk in the hardware store of C. A. Berg, his brother-in-law, at Winona. Within a year or two Mr. Berg sold out and went to California, and the two brothers, in 1909, formed a partnership and took their present farm, which they have since operated, making a specialty of stock breeding. In this line of industry they have made a wide reputation, and their sales are attended by farmers from many miles around and all parts of the United States. At one of these sales, in September, 1919, they sold 55 head of swine, realizing an aggregate

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sum of $15,210. This is said to have been one of the largest sales ever held in the state. On January 27, 1920, 37 head of hogs were sold for $22,470, an average price of $607 per head, the highest average attained in the state to that time, one sow selling for $2,525. On March 2, 1920, 42 head sold for $25,100, including Leader of Fashion, the boar which sold to the Underwood Farm, of Lake City, for $10,000 and other consideration valued at $2,500. This is the world's record price for under one year old boar; it was sired by Premier Sensation. During the winter of 1919-20 the Ames Brothers purchased at lead- ing sales in different states about $30,000 worth of breeding sows, paying for one $4,000, which is the highest price sow in the state. They figure on about four sales a year, all sales being held on the home farm. They keep on an average about 400 Duroc-Jersey hogs, and about 100 head of cattle of the Guernsey breed; the hogs being registered, high-priced stock, and the cattle part registered and part grade stock. Before engaging in the breeding of reg- istered stock, the Ames brothers were engaged in the silo business, erecting many silos in Wabasha County and southern Minnesota. When they first came to their present farm, it had been rented out for 20 years previously, and was in a poor and dilapidated condition, the land being overgrown with wild oats, mustard, and other weeds, and for some time it was uphill work to get the place into good shape. This task, however, they have accomplished, and now have a splendid piece of property, with excellent buildings of modern type. Archie G. is secretary of the local creamery at Weaver, and of the State Duroc Association, and both brothers belong to the Modern Woodmen and to the Odd Fellows. Ernest Raymond Ames was married, in May, 1907, to Clara Kahl, of Winona, daughter of H. G. Kahl, and has three children: Ronald, aged 12 years; Charlotte, aged 8, and Roberta, aged 3. Archie Glenn Ames was mar- ried, at Mondovi, Wis., October 25, 1911, to Emma A. LaDuke, and has three children : Eleanor Ailee, born November 6, 1913; Glenna Jean, born May 24, 1915; and Audrey Emma, born May 7, 1917. Mrs. Emma Ames, the widowed mother of the Ames brothers, resides with them on the farm during summers and the winters in California with her daughters.

Since the above article was written news has been received of the death of Ernest Raymond Ames, who passed away at the Winona General Hospital, on Wednesday, June 30, 1920, after an operation for appendicitis, performed on the previous Sunday at midnight. The funeral was held Friday afternoon, July 2, from the home, and burial was at Hillside Cemetery, Minneiska. Hosts of relatives and friends from the immediate neighbors and surrounding states attended. The Rev. Jesse Kenderdine, of Winona, and Rev. Stanley Kender- dine, of Minneiska, conducted the services. At the cemetery the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Plainview performed the ceremonies according to the ritual of the Order.

William B. Heagerty, Jr., M. D., who for the last ten years has been suc- cessfully engaged in medical practice in Mazeppa, was born in Cork, Ireland, June 25, 1876, son of William and Elizabeth (McBride) Heagerty. The parents came to the United States with their family in 1900, settling in Minneapolis. In 1910 they went to Long Beach, California, where they have since resided. They had six children-four sons and two daughters. Those now living are: George, residing in Tacoma, Wash .; Harry, of Oakland, Calif .; Maud, wife of Franklin Miller, of Pasadena, Calif .; William B., of Mazeppa; and Marian, residing with her parents at Long Beach, Calif. A son, Kingston, died in 1905. William B. Heagerty was 23 years old when he came to Minneapolis with his parents. He was equipped with a good education, the foundation for which had been laid in the common schools of his native land, and supplemented by a course at Queen's College, at Cork, Ireland. He had been subsequently gradu- ated M. D. from Edinburgh University, Scotland, and after coming to Minnesota he took a post-graduate course in the University of Minnesota. In the year 1900 he commenced the practice of his profession at Lander, Wyoming, where

MR. AND MRS. ALONZO G. AMES

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

he remained one year. Then returning to Minneapolis, he practiced there six years, coming to Mazeppa in 1910. Here he has demonstrated his ability as a competent physician and surgeon, built up a good practice, and won a wide personal popularity. On June 6, 1917, Dr. Heagerty enlisted in the American service, as first lieutenant in the medical service; was promoted to captain November 7, 1917, and to major, March 6, 1918. Assigned to the 89th Division, he was first stationed at Camp Funston, went abroad with his division in June, 1918, was at the front in France, in command of Field Hospital No. 355, and returned home in 1919, being honorably discharged on June 18. He then re- sumed medical practice in Mazeppa. He is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has advanced as far as the Commandery. Since coming to. Mazeppa he has identified himself closely with public affairs, and proved himself a man of force and useful activity. He was four years president of the village coun- cil, during which period the municipal electric light and power system was in- stalled, with 24 hour service. This was in 1916, and in March, 1920, Dr. Heag- erty was again elected president of the village over M. J. Hart. In 1920 also he was a delegate to the Wabasha County Convention, and to the Minnesota State Republican Convention at St. Paul. On June 16, 1919, Dr. Heagerty was united in marriage with Dora E. Schwitz, of Wabasha, daughter of George and Elisa Schwitz, who were early settlers in this county. She is one of a family of six children, those now living, in addition to herself, being Ann, Elise, Mar- garet and John, the last mentioned being a student at Carleton College. There was another son who died in infancy. The father, George Schwitz, died in 1914, but his wife is still living, and is a resident of Wabasha.

Roy L. Irish, one of the progressive young farmers of Plainview Township, residing in section 11, was born in Winona County June 25, 1883, son of Charles and Ellen (Smith) Irish. Clark Irish, grandfather of Roy, was a native of New York State, and his grandmother Irish, whose maiden name was Stone, came from Ohio. They came to Winona County, Minnesota, in pioneer days and followed the occupation of farmers. In Winona County their son Charles was born and reared, and he subsequently came to Wabasha County, where he mar- ried Ellen Smith, and followed farming for 25 years. Their only child was Roy L., subject of this sketch. In 1887 Mrs. Irish died, and he subsequently married Adella Warner, of Wabasha County, by whom he has one son, Fred, a farmer in Winona County. Roy L. Irish was educated in the rural schools and the public schools at Plainview. Subsequently he took up agricultural work on his parents' farm, which he operated for two years. He then went to Alma Center, Jackson County, Wis., where he farmed for five years. At the end of that time he returned to the home farm of 80 acres in section 11, Plainviewv Township, Wabasha County, which he has since been engaged in operating with good success. He is a member of the local Shipping and Creamery associations, also of the Fair association, and is active in all matters relating to his business or to the interest of the township and county. While living in Wisconsin he served on the school board of his district, and also an unexpired term as town clerk. He is recognized by his fellow citizens as one of the rising young men of Plainview Township, and has made a big stride on the road to prosperity. Mr. Irish laid the foundations of a home on September 6, 1904, when he was united in marriage with Katherine Steffes, of Highland Township, Wabasha County, who was born June 16, 1883. He and his wife are the parents of nine children, the three youngest of whom, Iva G., Ila K. and Ina A., are triplets, born July 8, 1918. Their birth attracted much attention and interest through- out this locality. The other six children are: Alta E., January 17, 1906; Wesley C., October 28, 1907; Ella M., September 5, 1909; Alvin, April 20, 1911; Erwin L., September 25, 1913; and Charles L., September 3, 1915. All the children are living and healthy, and in the clean and wholesome environment of country life give bright promise of developing into useful men and women. Mr. Irish is fraternally affiliated with the Masons and Odd Fellows in Plain- view.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

William Phillips, who during the last few years has made good progress along agricultural lines as proprietor of a farm of 160 acres in section 29, Lake Township, was born in Scotland in January, 1857, son of George and Ellen Phillips. His youthful days were spent among the North Hills of Banffshire, where his father was a small farmer, and he received very little education. In 1874, at the age of 17, he accompanied his parents to America and in 1868, came with them to Lake City, the father renting land in the vicinity. There were five other children in the family besides the subject of this sketch: Mary, now the wife of John Smith, a farmer of Lyon County; George and Alexander, who are living now in Alta, Canada; Ellen, who married George Wilson, but is now deceased; John, resides in Millelacs County, Minn., engaged in the machine and implement business, and James, who is an attorney in. Lake City. William found employment as a farm hand with James Gray of West Albany, for whom he worked one year, and as farm laborer or renter he spent a number of years in that township. From 1906 until the fall of 1914 he was in the employ of the Jewell Nursery Co. Then in 1915 he bought the Stadey place of 160 acres in section 29, Lake Township, four and a half miles south of Lake City, which is his present property. The land is all tillable and there is a fair frame house, with a barn, granary, poultry house, and stave silo. Here Mr. Phillips does general farming, keeping grade Guernsey cattle, Duroc-Red swine, and Shrop- shire and Oxford sheep. His operating equipment is good and he is making progress, each year finding him farther advanced on the road of prosperity. Politically he is a Republican with liberal tendencies, sometimes voting for the man rather than for the party. He was reared a Presbyterian, but he and his family attend the Congregational church. Mr. Phillips was married in Decem- ber, 1885, to Agnes Miller of West Albany Township. He and his wife have five children: Ella May, now Mrs. Wesley Lamb of Lake Township; Charlotte Ann, who had had a high and normal school education and is now a teacher; Florence Jeanette, a nurse in the Lake City Hospital; Bessie Maud, wife of Charles McGarry, a lumber dealer of Bain, Minn .; and William M., who married Grace Elizabeth Walters, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Walters of Lake City, and is now in partnership with his father on the farm. He spent a year in the Minnesota Agricultural College. He and his wife have a son, Stanley, who was born February 19, 1919. All Mr. Phillips' children were carefully brought up and were given a good education, and are a credit to the name they bear.

John Horn, a well known and highly respected resident of Plainview, who was an early settler in Wabasha County, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, March 11, 1836, son of James and Eleanor (Davidson) Horn. The parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and farmers by occupation, came west at an early day to Viroqua, Monroe County, Wis., making the journey with an ox team and wagon, and accompanied by their six children. Their son John, then a boy of ten years, rode horseback, driving the stock. After the family had become settled at Viroqua he attended school there, and remained in Wisconsin until 1865, in which year, being then 29 years old, he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, locating on land three miles east of where Plainview village now stands. There he endured the hardships common to the pioneer settlers, condi- tions improving, however, with the lapse of time, and as he developed his farm. On that farm his father died in 1898, the mother having passed away thirty years previously, in 1866, a year after her son John had left the old Wisconsin home. John Horn continued actively engaged in farm work until 1903, when he retired and moved to Plainview, where he has since made his home. He was married at Viroqua, Wis., February 23, 1860, to Arvilla Powers, who accom- panied him to Minnesota. She died here in 1867, leaving a daughter, Hulda E. Mr. Horn subsequently married Nancy J. Hurd, daughter of James and Elenora Hurd, of Erie County, New York. Her parents were early settlers at Waterloo, Jefferson County, Wis., where they engaged in farming. By his second wife Mr. Horn had six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom one of the

MR. AND MRS. JOHN HORN

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

sons died in infancy, and a daughter, Addie, who on December 24, 1900, married George Christison, a farmer of Plainview Township, died in October, 1919, leaving three children: William, George and Everett. The survivors are: Melvina, who married Frank O. Wood, resides on a farm in Plainview Town- ship, and has two sons and two daughters; Jennie, who since the death of her mother in 1913, has kept house for her father in Plainview; Merritt J., a pros- perous farmer and stock raiser of Elgin Township, who married Emma B. Lyon, and has a son, Herbert A .; John, who resides in Pasadena, Cal. John first married Viola Cole, who died in 1906. He then married her sister, Addie Cole, who died April 14, 1920, leaving a son, Eliot, and a daughter, Winifred. For the last 17 years Mr. Horn has enjoyed a well earned leisure, surrounded by his children, friends and old acquaintances. He can take pride in the fact that he was one of the men who helped to build up this county and lay the founda- tion of its agricultural wealth. In former days he was an active member of the Grange, and also served efficiently in minor public offices. He is a member of the Old Settlers' Association of Greenwood Prairie, also of the Methodist church. His political principles are those of the Republican party.

Merritt J. Horn, proprietor of the "Woodland View" farm in sections 25 and 36, Elgin Township, where he is doing a large and profitable business in dairy- ing and stock and poultry raising, was born in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, January 16, 1873, son of John and Nancy J. (Hurd) Horn. His primary education was acquired in the common school, after which he attended the high school and the Winona State Normal School. Thus provided with a good mental equipment, he taught for a while in the eighth and ninth grades of the Plain- view school. In 1902 he went to Pine Island where, until 1906, he was engaged in the general mercantile business. At the end of that time, on account of poor health, he went to New England, Hettinger County, North Dakota, where he took a land claim which he proved up. Three years later he removed to Canon City, Colo., where he became superintendent for one of the large stores of the Rocky Mountain Fuel Company, a position which he held for three years. In 1912 Mr. Horn returned to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and rented the 160- acre farm of his father-in-law, William Lyon, in Elgin Township, which he carried on until 1917, the year in which he purchased his present place. Here he is successfully breeding registered Holstein-Frisian cattle, Poland-China swine, also registered, and a high grade of poultry. He is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery Company; also of the Greenwood Prairie Old Settlers' Association, of which for a number of years he has been toastmaster. He is also president of the Six Oaks Pleasant Valley Farmers' Club of Plain- view, and has done great work in the promotion of better farming and living. While living in Pine Island he served on the City Council and on the board of education, and at all times he has been ready to do his full duty as a loyal American citizen, actively interested in the welfare and advancement of the community in which he resides. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member, and for two years he was president of the Epworth League in the Winona District, being an active religious worker zealous for the promotion of God's kingdom on earth. Mr. Horn was married, August 2, 1898, to Emma B. Lyon, who was born May 9, 1873, in Elgin, daughter of William H. Lyon. Mr. and Mrs. Horn are the parents of one son, Herbert A., born August 14, 1900, who was educated in the common and high school of Plainview, and is now associated with his father in the work of the farm. He was in the S. A. T. C. service of U. S. during the World War.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 78

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