History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 81

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

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Andrew Best, a former resident of Elgin Township, where for a number of years he was engaged in agriculture, but who is now living retired in Rochester, was born in Honey Creek Township, Sauk County, Wis., March 24, 1856, son of Sebastian and Margaret (Martz) Best. In his boyhood he attended school in Sauk City, where he was later employed in a sash and door factory, also for a while following the same occupation in Eau Claire, Wis. In 1876 he came to Wabasha County, Minn., and entered the employ of William Cook, a farmer of Elgin Township, whose son-in-law he subsequently became, being married to Esther M. Cook (daughter of William and Anna B. Cook), September 3, 1879. She was born on her father's farm in section 31, Elgin Township, March 9, 1861. After his marriage Mr. Best, accompanied by his wife, went back to Sauk City, Wis., where he remained about a year. In 1880 he returned to Elgin Town- ship, Wabasha County, Minn., and rented his father-in-law's farm, on which

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he carried on general farming until 1894. He then bought 80 acres of Mr. Ccok, which he farmed until his retirement and removal to Rochester in 1908. Mr. Best had a successful career as an agriculturist and acquired a competency. In Elgin Township and the vicinity he was widely known and popular. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Best have been the parents of five children : Eva M., born July 24, 1880, lived less than a year, dying March 18, 1881. The others, who survive, are: Bertha E., born January 13, 1884, now Mrs. John Westover of Grantsburg, Wis .; William A., born February 27, 1886, who is a general contractor in Rochester, Minn .; Addie E., born September 14, 1889, now a dressmaker in Rochester; and Edwin L., born March 8, 1894, who, like his brother William, is a contractor in Rochester.

William Cook, a pioneer of Elgin Township, now deceased, was born in Hull, England, November 9, 1820. He was educated in his native land, where he remained until arriving at the age of 21 years. Then in 1844 he emigrated to the United States, traveling westward until he reached Milwaukee, Wis. There he paused to look around, and soon took 40 acres of land in Washington County, Wis., which he proved up, and on it erected buildings. After remaining on that farm until 1856, he came to Wabasha County, Minn., pre-empting a claim of 160 acres in section 31, Elgin Township. On this land also he erected the necessary buildings, and also set out an apple orchard which soon became one of the best in the state. There for a quarter of a century he followed gen- eral farming successfully until his retirement in 1881. His subsequent years were spent in Rochester, Minn., where he passed away May 15, 1891, after hav- ing enjoyed nearly ten years of well earned leisure. He was a member of the Congregational church and belonged fraternally to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Cook was twice married, first on November 16, 1844, to Anna Wood. The children of that union were: Sophia, born July 27, 1845, who died December 13, 1914; Joseph H., born October 2, 1847, who died March 1, 1915; Elizabeth, born September 21, 1849, who died in the fall of 1918; Ann E., born October 28, 1851, who married Fred Eastman, who is now deceased. She sub- sequently married Mr. Hambrook of Santa Cruz, Calif. On November 17, 1852, Mr. Cook married, secondly, Mrs. Anna B. Studley, by whom he had four children, namely: Mary J., born October 8, 1859, who died March 20, 1897; Esther M., born March 9, 1861, now Mrs. Andrew Best of Rochester; Alice C., born January 20, 1863, who is the wife of Henry Neal, of Rochester, Minn .; and Iona, born July 15, 1867, now Mrs. Charles Sheal, of Mora, Minn.

Charles W. Colling, who is numbered in the ranks of the active business citizens of Mazeppa, and has served a number of years as a public official, was born in New York State December 3, 1862, son of Theodore and Mary (Niles) Colling. The parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States about 1858, the father being a cabinet-maker by trade. In 1867 the family came to Minnesota, settling at Hastings, where Theodore Colling followed his trade for eight years. At the end of that time they came to Mazeppa, and here the father continued in the cabinet-making and furniture business until his death. He was survived by his wife, who passed away June 4, 1919, at the venerable age of 93 years. They had a family of five children, those now living being: Peter, a resident of Jamestown, N. D .; Charles W., of Mazeppa; and Frank, of Red Wing, Minn. The two who died were Mary and Joseph. Mary was the wife of Charles Whipple, of Zumbrota, Goodhue County. Joseph died in North Da- kota in 1917. Charles W. Colling was about five years old when his parents settled in Hastings, Minn., and there he subsequently attended the public schools. He accompanied the family to Mazeppa, and a few years later engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, being thus occupied for 16 years. He then sold the furniture department of his business to George Squires, retain- ing the undertaking department, which he carried on for eight years longer,

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ARTHUR J. HODGE AND FAMILY

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when he sold it to Nicholas Hilger. After that he engaged in farming, also dealing in western lands. He now owns a farm of 60 acres in Mazeppa Town- ship, which he rents out. In April, 1919, he opened a pool hall in Mazeppa, in partnership with C. McKibbin, and in addition to the pool business they handle candy, cigars and tobacco, soft drinks and lunches. Mr. Colling has served several terms on the village board, and for one term was president. He was married in May, 1887, to Susan Schroeder, daughter of Peter and Anna Schroe- der. Her father was born in Germany and was married in New York, where he first located on coming to this country. He and his wife came to Minnesota at an early day, taking a farm in Chester Township. They had seven children : Edward, May, Margaret, Mary, Susan, Victor, and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Colling have been the parents of five children, one of whom, William, died at the age of 12 years. Those living are: Maud, wife of George Redding, of Mazeppa; Verona and Cecil, who are teachers; and Lucille, who is residing at home.

Arthur J. Hodge, cashier of the Peoples State Bank of Mazeppa, and one of the leading business men in this part of the county, was born in Lake City, Wabasha County, Minn., in February, 1857, being the first male white child born there. His parents were William W. and Mary M. (Teller) Hodge, who came to the Northwest from New York. The early settlment of the family in this country dates back to colonial times, the first ancestors here coming from England. William W. Hodge arrived at Lake City, Minn., in the early fifties, when this part of the country was a wilderness, and the white settlements were few and far between. He started the first nursery at Lake City, and also followed building and contracting until 1861, when he moved with his family to a farm in Olmsted County. There he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Arthur J., who was their only child, was reared on the farm, and in his youth acquired a knowledge of agriculture. His elementary education was acquired in the district school, and he subsequently attended the high school at Rochester. Farming occupied his attention until 1908, in which year he came to Mazeppa. Prior to that, however, he was a director of the Hammond State Bank, and his subsequent career has been along financial lines. He was the organizer of the Farmers State Bank of Hammond in 1915, becoming a stock- holder in the institution, and serving for a while as vice president. He organ- ized and became cashier of the Peoples State Bank of Mazeppa in 1909, and he is interested in numerous banks in North Dakota. He also deals in farm lands, and still owns the old homestead of his parents. Mr. Hodge was married in 1882 at Rochester, Minn., to Mary M. Herrick, daughter of George and Satina Herrick, natives of New York State, and a descendant of General Herrick, who served on the American side in the Revolutionary War. Her parents were early settlers in Minnesota and farmers by occupation. Both are now deceased. Of their seven children, five are now living: Frank, of Hammond; Minnie, a resident of Chatfield; Martha, widow of Mr. Banneman, residing at Faribault, Minn .; Georgie, wife of Thomas Robinson, of Rochester; Lena, wife of Will McDermott, of Luverne; and Mary M., who married A. J. Hodge, of Mazeppa. Mrs. Mary M. Hodge died very suddenly of pneumonia, December 12, 1919. To Mr. and Mrs. Hodge five children have been born, four of whom are living, namely: Josie, wife of Bert Mitchell, of Gardner, N. D .; Frank A., cashier in the Hammond State Bank; Gertrude, wife of Grover Mitchell, residing on a farm in Hammond; and Arthur, assistant cashier of the Peoples State Bank of Mazeppa. The one deceased was William, who died in 1909. He married Maud Rolph, of Hammond, and they had four children, Merna, Wilda, William and Neva, all of whom are now living with their mother at Jarrets, Wabasha County. Although Mr. Hodge spent so many years of his life in farming, he has shown a business and financial ability that has placed him on a level with many bankers of long experience and made him a power in the community, for the good of which his talents and influence have been exercised. Though en- terprising, he builds on a safe and sure foundation, and is sufficiently con- .

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servative to take no unwise risks. Since coming to Mazeppa he has proved an asset to the business interests of the place, and has a high reputation as a man and citizen.

John Harvey, now a wealthy resident of Rochester, Minn., where he is liv- ing retired, but who during his long and active career was identified with the agricultural interests of Wabasha and Olmsted Counties, was born in Demore, County Down, Ireland, August 10, 1866, son of Alexander and Jane (Tittering- ton) Harvey. In 1882, a youth of 16, he came to the United States, taking up his residence with his uncle, James Titterington, in Elgin Village, Wabasha County, Minn., and for a while attended school in the village. Subsequently until 1890 he did farm labor in the vicinity, after which he started in for him- self, renting a farm in Elgin Township. In 1896 he removed to a farm of 160 acres which he had purchased in section 31, and on which he made improve- ments in the shape of additions to the house and barn. During that period he also bought 40 acres in section 29, Elgin Township, and 100 acres in Farming- ton Township, Olmsted County, which increased his possessions to 300 acres. Of this land he sold a quarter section, but bought 240 acres in section 32, 40 acres in section 32 and 40 acres in section 29, Elgin Townhip. In 1907 he moved to the farm in section 29, and continued agricultural pursuits there until his retirement in 1919, when he took up his residence in Rochester. On the farm last mentioned in 1915 he built a basement barn 40 by 80 feet, also a chicken house, and erected a windmill. His landed possessions in Elgin and Farmington Townships include 540 acres, the result of nearly thirty years' hard and successful. work as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Harvey served three years as a member of the Elgin creamery board, and is a member of the Old Settlers' Association of Greenwood Prairie. He is affiliated fra- ternally with the Masonic order, including the Eastern Star chapter, of which Mrs. Harvey is also a member, and religiously with the Methodist Episcopal church. On April 21, 1892, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage with Hattie Bigelow, daughter of Frank M. and May (Hopson) Bigelow. To him and his wife nine children have been born, as follows: Clyde F., June 29, 1894; Ethel M., January 30, 1896; Cora L., March 16, 1901; Alex W., March 22, 1903; Alice R., February 1, 1906; Howard J., January 28, 1908; Ruby I., November 5, 1910; Helen, January 30, 1913; and Grace E., May 7, 1915. Clyde F. is now living on the home farm in section 29, Elgin Township. Ethel M. is the wife of John Spreck, and Cora L. the wife of Wayne Cunningham. The other members of the family are residing at home, the children of suitable age attending school.

Edward A. Woodruff, in former years a well known farmer and popular citizen of Elgin Township, now deceased, was born in Wisconsin, March 24, 1860, son of Henry C. and Polly (Whiting) Woodruff. Having come to Wa- basha County when quite young, he was educated in the district schools of Elgin Township and in the Plainview high school. Subsequently until 1882 he worked in an elevator in Plainview Village. He then rented his father's farm in Elgin Township and operated it under rental until 1889. In that year in com- pany with his father he purchased a fine farm of 160 acres in Elgin Township, and was engaged in its operation until his death on December 28, 1904. Mr. Woodruff was a thoroughly practical farmer in all branches of the industry, and was especially successful as a breeder of Guernsey and Shorthorn cattle, keeping full-blooded sires. As a citizen he was public spirited, having at heart the general interests of the community, while in his home he was a good hus- band and kind father. He was fraternally affiliated with the Modern Wood- men of America, and religiously with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Woodruff was married, January 18, 1882, to Carrie H. Roberts, daughter of Dr. Francis H. and Helen M. (Perrine) Roberts, of Plainview, Wabasha County. Of this union two children were born: Nina H., February 9, 1885, and Hughes C., October 8, 1893. Nina H. is now the wife of Richard Cone, of Douglas, Minn., and Hughes C. is a resident of Rochester, Minn.

FRANCIS H. ROBERTS

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Francis Hughes Roberts, M. D., for nearly forty years a resident of Plain- view, of which village he was one of the most highly esteemed citizens, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, June 23, 1831. He spent the years of child- hood, youth and early manhood in Indiana and Ohio, where he also taught school for nine years. On October 5, 1858, he was married at Moores Hill, Dearborn County, Ind., to Helen Mars Perrine, and at about the same time he took up the study of medicine, being graduated from the Cleveland (Ohio) Med- ical College, February 28, 1861. In May, 1868, he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, settling in Plainview, where he continued in the practice of his pro- fession until a short time before his death on March 6, 1908. He passed away at the home of his daughter near Rochester, being advanced in his seventy-eighth year. His funeral services and interment took place in Plainview, the Rev. G. H. Gamble, pastor of the Baptist church at Rochester, conducting the services in the church, while those at the grave were conducted by the Odd Fellows' lodge, of which Dr. Roberts had for some years been a prominent member. Such a brief biographical outline as the above, however, does scant justice to the life and work of this beloved physician, a significent testimony to which was seen in the large concourse of people who assembled to pay the last tribute of re- spect to his memory. To many of these he had been not merely a physician but a friend and benefactor. It was owing to his generous nature and kindly sympathy for his patients that he failed to accumulate property, for it was his frequent custom to donate a whole or part of his bill when he knew or sus- pected that the payment would prove a hardship. But he left as a legacy to his children and friends the memory of a true Christian life spent in minister- ing to others. For 52 years he had been a faithful member of the Baptist church, and in all his relations as husband, father, friend, man and citizen, he attained an ideal standard, based on those christian principles which he not only professed but practiced. For exactly 25 years and 18 hours before his death Dr. Roberts had been a widower, his beloved wife Helen having passed away March 6, 1883. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom sur- vived their father, and were present at his funeral, namely: Mrs. Carrie H. Woodruff, Mrs. S. T. Bigelow and Mrs. F. Domke, of Rochester; Mrs. A. Searles, of Elgin; A. C. Roberts, of Hammond, and Edward H. Roberts, of Newburg, N. D. Dr. Roberts also left three brothers: Dr. Samuel Roberts, of Lafayette, Ind., Ambrose Roberts, of Chicago, and William Roberts, of Andersonville, Ind.

John C. Disney, a pioneer of Gillford Township, was born in New York City, March 17, 1803, son of John and Catharine Disney. The parents were natives of Ireland who had emigrated to this country in about the closing years of the eighteenth century. Mrs. Catharine Disney died in New York City in March, 1805, at the age of 44 years, and her husband then returned to his na- tive land, where he died in December, 1815, at the age of fifty-nine. Their son John remained with a sister at Richmond, Va., till twelve years old, when he ran away and joined the American army as a drummer, taking part in the War of 1812-15 with Great Britain. He subsequently traveled about the country, re- siding for a while in various places, but regarding New York as his home. On June 9, 1823, he married Lois Clark, and they made their home in Utica, N. Y., till about 1850, when Mr. Disney with his family moved to Virginia, where for several years he found employment on a plantation. They then returned to New York, which state continued to be their home until 1857. A considerable emigration from the East to Minnesota and other parts of the Northwest had set in a year or two previously, and Mr. Disney resolved to seek his fortune in the promising territory, which was soon to become a state. In 1858, therefore, he arrived with his family in Gillford Township, Wabasha County. There he took land and developed a farm, on which he resided until the fall of 1878. He then retired and bought a residence in Lake City, where he subsequently made his home until his death, October 27, 1880. His wife, Lois Clark Disney, died March 15, 1848, leaving four children, Robert T., John C., William J. and

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Mary L., who became the wife of Edwin Bowen, of Joliet, Ill. All are now de- ceased except William J. On June 23, 1849, John C. Disney married for his second wife, Mary Sweetman, nee Wall, by whom he had four children: Kate, who married Albert Field, of Zumbro Falls; Lois, who married Byron Miller, and went to reside in Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y .; Charles, who became an attorney at Hudson, Wis .; and Alice, who married Charles Colby, of Lake City. By her first husband, Samuel Sweetman, Mrs. Mary Disney, had a daughter, Henrietta, who married Daniel Edwards, of Lake City. John C. Disney was a member of the Methodist church, and politically a Republican. The first school opened in the town of Gillford, was held in the kitchen of his house. All his sons by his first wife, served in the Civil and Indian Wars. He was a sturdy and patriotic American citizen who did his full share in the development and civilization of this region.

William J. Disney, a surviving pioneer of Wabasha County, residing in the village of Zumbro Falls, was born in Utica, N. Y., July 22, 1842, son of John C. and Lois (Clark) Disney. At the age of 15 he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minn., settling with them on a farm in Gillford Township, it being one of the first farms taken up there. There he spent 44 years of his life, carrying on the place after his father's retirement, and remaining on it until 1891, when he came to Zumbro Falls. Here he became interested in vari- ous business enterprises, buying stock, conducting a lumber yard, and also opening and carrying on a hardware store, in association with his three sons and his daughter. The business was carried on under the firm name of W. J. Disney & Sons until April, 1919, when it was sold out, and Mr. Disney retired from active business. He was one of the organizers of the Zumbro Falls State Bank, of which he is still à stockholder and director. In 1897 Mr. Disney was appointed postmaster of Zumbro Falls, and held the office subsequently for 17 years to the satisfaction of his fellow townspeople. He is a member of Ford Post 156, G. A. R. of Mazeppa, and stands high in Masonry being a Shriner and member of Lake City Commandery No. 6 of which his three sons also belong. His successful career was due to qualities of industry and self-reliance, cul- tivated from his earliest years, as when only eight years old he worked on a Virginia plantation for 25 cents a day, and subsequently accompanying his parents in their wanderings from one locality to another, in New York State and elsewhere, relieved them of much of the burden of his support. These early industrial habits precluded the opportunity of his acquiring a regular ed- ucation, but in his scanty hours of leisure, as he grew older, he supplied to a large extent this deficiency by private study, mastering the ordinary branches of knowledge. The first meeting of the town board of Gillford was held at his house on the farm he purchased in 1868, adjoining that of his parents which he carried on while he also was managing the home farm, and his aid and in- fluence have always been on the side of good government and the progressive development of the community in which he resided. He stands now among the few survivors of the "old guard" of pioneers who opened up and brought civili- zation to this region. Not only that, in his younger days he shouldered a musket and went forth to defend the Union from the attack of those who wished to destroy it, enlisting in 1864, in Company E. Eleventh Minnesota Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the Third Division, Fourth Brigade, of the Twen- tieth Army Corps, under the command of General Thomas, and under that able and stalwart leader he took part in the bloody battles of Franklin and Nash- ville, Tenn., besides a number of skirmishes, serving until the close of the war. He was one of the veterans who marched through cheering thousands in the streets of Washington in the grand review at the close of the great struggle, when President Lincoln and his cabinet, with most of the great northern gen- erals were present-an inspiring occasion never to be forgotten by those who witnessed or took part in it. The ranks of the veterans are now thinned, but their memory will forever survive and their deeds be written on their country's

MR. AND MRS. W. J. DISNEY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

roll of honor. It was some five years after the close of the war, on March 9, 1870, when Mr. Disney chose a bride in the person of Sarah M. Ward, daughter of Josiah and Roxana (Carrier) Ward, who were natives of Connecticut. The early ancestors of the Ward family in this country came from England and were among the first settlers in New England, being numbered among the Pilgrims who fled to America to escape religious persecution. An ancestor of Mrs. Disney, Joshua Ward, served in the Revolutionary War, entering the Amer- ican service in 1776; and several others of the name were prominent in that struggle which won for this country its independence. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Disney had four children: Nellie, who is now keeping house for her father and mother; Burton W., cashier of the Zumbro Falls Farmers and Merchants State Bank; Erwin C., and Leonard W. Amidst a large gathering of friends and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Disney celebrated their golden wedding on March 9, 1920.

Joe L. Wurst, a former resident of Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, now living retired in Rochester, Minn., is a man who has acquired a compe- tence through well directed industry in agricultural and other pursuits. He was born in Oakwood Township, this county, O tober 17, 1868, son of Vincent and Mary (Gregor) Wurst, and was educated in the district school, remaining at home until 25 years of age. In 1893 he rented his father's farm, which he operated subsequently until 1899. During this time he bought 160 acres in Oakwood Township from George Richmond, and erected on it a house, barn and out-buildings. This farm he sold in 1899, buying 160 acres in Renville County, where he was engaged in farming until 1904. Then selling that farm also, he worked for two years in the flour mills. Having acquired a good knowledge of the milling industry, he bought a flour mill in Lyon County, Minn., which he operated very successfully until 1911. At the end of that time Mr. Wurst resumed farming, buying 174 acres in sections 31 and 32, Brown County, where he made his home for four years, selling the farm in 1915. Then he purchased 180 acres in section 33, Olmsted County, Minn. which he farmed until 1917. Having by that time acquired sufficient wealth to provide him with a reasonable income, he sold his farm for the last time, and took up his residence in Rochester, where he owns and conducts an apart- ment house of eight apartments, reserving two for himself and family. Mr. Wurst was united in marriage November 16, 1893, with Esther Geim, daughter of Valentine and Mellisa (Dull) Geim, well known farming people of Elgin Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wurst have been the parents of nine children: Ervin V., born January 8, 1895; Ida M., August 14, 1896; Gladys M., March 11, 1898; Florence G., August 27, 1900; Hazel L., July 11, 1902; Willis V., March 21, 1903; June M., June 19, 1905; Alice M., November 22, 1907; and Virgil W., December 25, 1912. Ervin V., who was drafted into the army May 25, 1918, was in the service nine months, seven months of which he spent in France, taking part in the bloody fighting in the Argonne Forest, where he was gassed. He is now residing at home. Ida M. and her sister Hazel, after residing at El Paso, Tex., for eight months, are now at home with their parents. Gladys M., Florence G., June M., Alice M. and Virgil W. are residing at home in Rochester, the three youngest attending school. Willis V. died September 22, 1914.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 81

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