USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 82
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Valentine Geim, a retired farmer residing in Elgin Township, where he is well known and respected, was born December 15, 1847, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, son of John and Lucinda (Brundberg) Geim. He was quite young when he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minn., and was educated in District School No. 56, Elgin Township. After working for his father until 1870, he bought the farm of 80 acres in section 4, Elgin Township, built a new barn and outbuildings, and was actively engaged in agriculture here until his retirement in 1909. A good practical farmer, he labored industriously to im- prove his place, and had a successful career. He was married, December 23, 1875, to Mellisa Dull, by whom he has had ten children, Mary, Esther, Lydia,
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James, Oscar, Rosa, Orpha, Jessie, Elmer and Lottie. Oscar and Rosa are now deceased. Esther is the wife of Joe L. Wurst, now of Rochester; Mary, the wife of George Hanson, of Evan, Minn .; Orpha is now Mrs. W. B. Yunker of Rochester, and Lottie is the wife of Roland Briggs of Rochester, Minn.
August F. Villwock, proprietor of a farm of 280 acres in Oakwood Town- ship, was born on this farm July 31, 1873, son of August and Amelia (Shaw) Villwock. The parents were natives of Germany who bought this land, 200 acres in section 29, at an early day, and developed it into a farm. Here the mother died in 1894, and the father in 1919. August F. Villwock was educated in the district school and received his agricultural training on the home farm, which he bought in 1904. He has improved the property quite extensively, hav- ing remodeled the house and built a full basement barn, 30 by 100 feet in di- mensions. When he took possession of the farm it contained 200 acres, the other 80 acres having been his own purchase. His cattle of the Red Durham breed, the herd having a full-blooded sire. He also raises Duroc-Jersey hogs and Shropshire sheep, of the latter having a flock of 340, and French draft horses, shipping his own stock, for which he receives good prices. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is one of the reputable and esteemed cit- izens of Oakwood Township, energetic and enterprising, and interested in the general welfare of the community in which he resides.
Benedict Lager, in former years a well known farmer and highly respected citizen of Pepin Township, but now deceased, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 21, 1841, son of Bernard and Mary Ann Lager. He came to America with his parents, the family residing two or three years in East Dubuque. In 1859 they came to Wabasha County, Minn., settling on a farm in section 28, Pepin Township, about seven miles west of Wabasha. The land was wild, there were no roads, and Indians were numerous. Bernard Lager and his wife were hard workers and in time developed their land into one of the best farms in Pepin Township. Here they spent the rest of their lives respected . and es- teemed as good nighbors, and both died on the farm. They are buried in St. Felix Cemetery at Wabasha. Benedict Lager's education was begun in Ger- many, in the common schools, and he also attended school for awhile after com- ing to this country. He resided at home until his marriage in April, 1870, to Caroline, daughter of Bernard and Helen Welp of Pepin Township. She was born in Hanover, Germany, November 16, 1850, and came to America with her parents then ten years old, the family settling on Pepin Hill, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lager immediately after their marriage took up their residence on the farm in sections 21 and 28, Pepin Township, which he operated successfully until his death in March, 1904. He then owned 280 acres and had improved the property, having built a fine brick house. He carried on extensive agricultural operations, raising both grain and stock. One of the leading citizens of his township, he served it as supervisor and assessor for a number of years, and was a member of the school board of District No. 3. Politically he was a Democrat. At his death he had accumulated a competence, leaving his fam- ily in good circumstances, and was a good husband, father and citizen. He and his family were members of St. Felix parish of the Catholic church, and he belonged also to St. Joseph's Society. He was faithful in all the obliga- tions of life and a liberal supporter of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Lager were the parents of nine children, born as follows: Sophia M., February 12, 1871; Benedict, August 26, 1872; Edward, April 1, 1873; Mary, March 23, 1875; Frank, September 23, 1877; Joseph, October 22, 1879; Henry, April 7, 1882; Annie, September 2, 1884, and George, October 3, 1887. Sophia M., who married Anton Kennebec of Wabasha, died on Wabasha Hill in the spring of 1910, leaving ten children, Isabelle, Lizzetta, Agnes, Clara, Frank, Josepha, Edward. Marcella, Bernice and Ruth. Benedict, now a carpenter in Wabasha, married Anna Graden and has one child, Ervin J. Edward, who is a carpenter living in the State of Washington, married Catherine Dooley. Mary is now
MR. AND MRS. BENEDICT LAGER
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Mrs. Edward Wise, Jr., of Lake City, and has three children, Edward, Ralph and Benedict. Frank, who is a railroad bridge carpenter residing in Minneapolis, married Ida Whaley and has two children, Benedict and John. Joseph, who is now a renter on the home farm, married Myrtle Elvira Berlin of Red Wing, January 9, 1907, and has three children, Florence, Dorothy and Frances. Henry is residing on Pepin Hill. Annie is the wife of William Mars, a farmer on Pepin Hill, and has two children, Elvira and Lavina. George, who also re- sides on Pepin Hill, married Mary Lager, who died December 26, 1915, leaving one child, Loraine.
Thomas S. Miller, formerly a well known and respected resident of the Village of Kellogg, where he lived for 40 years, was born in Kenton, Hardin County, O., March 24, 1852, son of Henry and Susana Miller. His parents were lifelong residents of that state, where they died many years ago. At an early age he came to Wisconsin, where he attended a district school. In 1872, at the age of 20, he came to Wabasha County, Minn., and settled in the Village of Kellogg, where he made his home until his death, April 27, 1912. Mr. Miller combined the occupations of carpenter and farmer, owning a small farm within the village limits. That he had the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he served for some time as president of the village council and was treasurer of the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was also a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his untimely death at the age of 60 years was sincerely mourned. Mr. Miller was married May 30, 1872, to Sarah De Lorimier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George De Lorimier. Her father,who came from Canada, was of French extraction, while her mother was born in Missouri. They came to Wabasha Vil- lage from Dubuque, Ia., and farmed for some time in this vicinity until the death of Mrs. De Lorimier, March 31, 1868. After that event Mr. De Lorimier went to Kansas, and subsequently from that state to Bellingham, Wash., where he died in May, 1918, at the remarkable age of 100 years. He and his wife were Cath- olics in religion. They had in all 13 children, of whom six are now living: Adelaide, Philip, Katherine, Julia, Bert and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Miller have been the parents of eleven children: George H., born April 6, 1873, who was killed on the railroad, February 7, 1913; Frances, born September 30, 1874, now the widow of John Kennedy, and residing at La Cross; Margaret A., born October 30, 1876, who is the wife of Andrew Espey of Sharon, Pa .; Ethel P. born August 15, 1878, now Mrs. Charles Erpelding of Gladbrook, Ia .; Ethel M., born October 10, 1881, now a resident of Minneapolis; Neva M., born Feb- ruary 22, 1883, wife of Hans Jensen of St. Charles, Minn .; Cora E., born March 15, 1887, wife of Peter Eichen of Saskatchewan, Canada; Steven T., born De- cember 27, 1889, who died January 1, 1890; Thomas S., born in Kellogg January 20, 1892; Cecil L., born May 24, 1894, and Vivian M., born December 30, 1897, who was educated in the Kellogg high school, the Wabasha Normal, and the agricultural department of the State University, and is now a school teacher residing at home. Cecil L., who enlisted May 27, 1918, in Company A., 46th Regiment of Engineers, was one of the numerous victims of influenza, dying at Camp Benjamin Harrison, near Indianapolis, October 10, 1918. Ernest M. enlisted in May, 1917, being assigned to the 86th Division, 3d Prov. Eng., under General Kennon.
Charles Wise, an early settler, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1796, and there married Magdalena Lehman, who was born in that vicinity in 1800. In 1847 he came to America with his son, Anton, and the two worked at the trade of stone cutting. Two years later they were joined by two more sons, Ferdi- nand and Mathias, who worked at the same trade. In 1851 they sent for the rest of the family, consisting of the mother, and three children, Rosaline, Charles and Edward. The family lived for a while in Bradford County, Penn., and then in Tioga County, New York. In 1856 they came west, landing at Reed's Landing, this county, April 26. The family at that time consisted of
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
the father and mother, five brothers and one married sister. After looking about for a short time, they secured a tract of wild land in West Albany Town- ship, this county. Here they built a small log house, and began to cope with the hardships of the wilderness. By strenuous work they managed to get two acres spaded in time for the planting season, and this tract they put in po- tatoes for winter use. Starting with but little money, and far away from rail- road communication, the family for a time endured all the hardships of pioneer life. Fortunately, however, deer were plentiful, the potatoes had turned out well, salt and corn was to be obtained at Reed's Landing, and so with venison, potatoes and corn bread, the family subsisted until conditions were better. Not long after their arrival they secured a team of horses, the first in their imme- diate vicinity. After improved farming machinery began to reach the North- west, they purchased and operated the first threshing outfit in the neighbor- hood. By hard work and frugality, assisted by the faithful labor of their fam- ily, the parents in time acquired a farm of nearly 600 acres. In 1867 they moved to Lake Township, and there also acquired considerable land. After a long and useful life, Mr. Wise died in 1877. His wife had passed away in 1869 and was the second to be buried in the Catholic cemetery in Lake City.
Edward Wise, retired farmer and business man, has seen the county grow from a wild, thinly settled frontier to one of the leading agriculture regions in the state, and in this development he has taken his due share and part. He was born in Baden, Germany, March 24, 1840, son of Charles and Magdalena (Leh- man) Wise, and came to America in 1851 with his mother and sister, Rosaline, and brother, Charles, the father and three brothers having preceded them. The family lived in Pennsylvania and in New York, and in 1856 came to Wabasha County. An incident of the trip occurred at White Pigeon, Mich., when young Edward stepped from the train and lingered so long that even an exciting sprint did not enable him to again board it. He took a later train, however, and joined his family at Chicago. The first winter after their arrival in Wabasha County he secured work in a planing mill. Then for many years he worked on his father's farm, first in West Albany Township, and then in Lake Township. In 1887 he purchased 106 acres in Lake Township, four miles from Lake City. On this place he erected a good home, barn and other buildings. Soon, however, he had the misfortune to lose the barn by fire, the buildings and contents, horses, harnesses, hay and grain being totally destroyed. But with undaunted courage. he rebuilt the barn, and was soon again on the road to prosperity. In 1879, he bought an interest in a brewery in Lake City, and moved to that city. This brewery had been purchased from John Minges by Charles, Edward and Ferdi- nand Wise, in 1870, and in 1876 passed into the sole possession of Charles, who operated it alone until he sold an interest to the subject of this sketch. A few years later they sold out. In 1883 Edward went to California, but after a few months came back to Lake City, and purchased 640 acres of partly improved land in Mt. Pleasant Township. Later he added 280 acres more. This large tract he operated through employees from his home in the city. Later, how- ever, he divided the 920 acres into three farms and equipped each with a good set of buildings. These farms he now rents. In the meantime, in 1884, he and his brother, Charles, engaged in the farm implement business at Lake City. For the purpose of carrying on this business, they erected a two story brick veneered store and salesroom with iron front, on Center street, between Main and High streets. A little later they added a line of hardware to their busi- ness. In time Edward sold out his interest to his brother Charles, who thus became sole owner. Since then, he has lived practically a retired life, keeping in close touch, however, with his various interests. He has one of the finest homes in the city. His winters he spends in California or Florida, as he feels inclined. In addition to his real estate holdings he is interested in various projects in the city and county, including several banks. At one time he had considerable land in Traverse County, this state, but has now disposed of it.
EDWARD WISE: FOUR GENERATIONS
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He is a substantial citizen, has made a success of life, and is highly regarded by all who know him. Mr. Wise was married August 6, 1865, to Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kraus, of Kellogg, this county, and this union has been blessed with nine children:Mary Agnes, Magdalena, Annie, Edward Henry, William, Anna Sophia, Agnes Anna, Frederick Mathias and "Al" F. Mary Agnes was born April 8, 1867, and married Albert Reding, of Lake City, now deceased. Magdalena was born December 29, 1868, and is the wife of B. C. Fick, of Lake City. . Annie was born December 26, 1870, and is now dead. Ed- ward Henry was born December 17, 1872, and is now engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Lake City. He married Mary Lager, of Pepin Township, this county, and they have three children, Edward B., Ralph and Anthony, commonly known as Dick. William Charles was born November 14, 1876, and is engaged in the hardware business in Lake City. He married Tressa Koch, of Wells Creek, this county, and they have one child, Florence. Anna Sophia was born November 5, 1878, and is now deceased. Agnes Anna was born November 1, 1880, and is now at home with her father. She married C. J. Matsch, who is engaged in the commission business in Lake City. Fred- erick Mathias was born October 25, 1863, and is engaged in the general mercan- tile business in Lake City. He married Theresa Kunz, of Minneapolis, and they have four children, Dorothy, Marjorie, Mary Elizabeth and Helen. "Al" F. Wise, born January 10, 1887, is in the hardware business in Lake City. He mar- ried Josephine Steichen of Winona and has three children, Robert, Marguerite and John. On Wednesday evening, March 24, 1920, the eightieth birthday of Edward Wise was celebrated at his home by a family gathering, all members of the family except one grandchild being present. Four generations were represented and have been perpetuated in a photograph of four Edwards in direct line, the youngest being a babe in arms.
George Duncan, whose recent death deprived the town of Mazeppa of one of its old and respected pioneer citizens, was born in Kergill parish, Perth- shire, Scotland, November 22, 1830. He was reared to farm labor, and not long after attaining his majority, in March, 1852, he set out for the United States. Here he spent three years in farm labor in Monroe County, New York, and in Pennsylvania pineries. In 1855 he joined the stream of emigration to Minne- sota, on June 8 that year locating land in the township of Mazeppa, Wabasha County. Four years later he sold out and settled on section 28, Chester Town- ship, where he remained until 1876, when he moved to section 27 in the same township. There he established a farm of 120 acres, also becoming the owner of a similar tract in section 26. In 1872, though not desirous of public office, he was persuaded to serve as town supervisor, on account of receiving a unani- mous vote. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. Duncan butchered and sold the first beef so handled in Mazeppa, in the fall of 1855. He arrived in this state with a very limited amount of capital, but through industry and sagacity finally became prosperous and well to do, being able to retire with a compe- tence. His death occurred July 29, 1919. Mr. Duncan was married in June, 1858, to Martha A., daughter of Lewis Blunt, one of the pioneers of Mazeppa. Mrs. Duncan died March 16, 1875. She had born her husband ten children: Minnie, Cynthia A., George J., Ulysses Grant, Samuel, William L., Verona, Stella May, Libbie, and one that died in infancy. Minnie, who married Wil- liam Lincecum, of Fort Worth, Texas, is now deceased. Cynthia became the wife of H. H. Judd, of Chester, this county, whom she survives, being now a resident of Mazeppa. She has had four children, Earl, Bradford, William, and Cassie, the last mentioned being the wife of Fred Frederickson of Zumbrota. In addition to Minnie, Libbie, Ulysses G. and Samuel are deceased.
William L. Duncan, a land proprietor and prosperous citizen of Mazeppa, was born in Chester Township, Wabasha County, March 4, 1866, son of George and Martha (Blunt) Duncan, who were pioneer farmers in that township. He was educated in the district school and reared to agricultural pursuits, working
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on his parents' farm until he was 28 years old. He then began operations on his own account, working a farm formerly owned by his grandfather in Bear Valley, and was thus engaged until 1912. He then sold the home place, which had meanwhile come into his possession, and bought 120 acres in Chester Town- ship, which he still owns. For two years he has been engaged as foreman on the state road. Mr. Duncan was married December 24, 1895, to Georgie A. Davis, daughter of Robert and Maria (Corser) Davis, and :a grand-daughter, on the maternal side, of Benjamin Corser, who served in the War of 1812-15 with Great Britain. Her early ancestors in this country came from Scotland. Robert Davis, her father, was born in Nova Scotia, and came to Minnesota in 1856, taking a farm in Chester Township, Wabasha County, which he operated until his death in 1901. He served two years in the Civil War, enlisting from Minnesota, and also took part in suppressing the Indian outbreak. His wife is still living, and is now 92 years old. She resides with her daughter in Ma- zeppa. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had two sons and four daughters: Fred, Frank, Sadie, Mary, Gladys and Georgie, all of whom are now living, except Fred, who died in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are the parents of four daughters : Estella, assistant cashier in the Bank of Mazeppa; Frances, wife of C. R. Brown, of Kansas City, and Jessie and Jean, who are attending school.
Orville G. Nichols, proprietor of a well equipped and flourishing general store in Mazeppa, was born in Lake City, this county, in April, 1868, son of Isaac and Anette (Ford) Nichols, who were natives of New York state, but were mar- ried in Minnesota. The first ancestors of the Nichols family in this country came here from Scotland, and it must have been at a very early date, as there is a tradition in the family that one of them in direct line assisted in taking 'New York from the Dutch-an event that occurred in 1664. Isaac Nichols, the father of Orville G., came to Minnesota with the Ford family in the fall of 1855. From Reed's Landing, where he first set foot on Minnesota soil, he came to Mazeppa, where he subsequently resided for twenty years. Here he started and operated a saw-mill. Later he went from here to Lake City, where he was engaged in lumbering and conducting a meat market. In 1876 he moved with his family , to Chicago, where he entered into the patent medicine business, residing there until his death in 1893. His son, Orville G. Nichols, who had accompanied the family to Chicago, at the age of 10 years returned to Mazeppa, taking up his residence with the Ford family. He attended school here and was employed in the Ford general store until he was 21 years old. He then returned to Chicago and for five years was engaged in the supply business there. He then returned again to Mazeppa and bought an interest in the Ford store, which, there being other partners then associated, was conducted under the style of Rucker, Robinson & Nichols. Edwin L. Ford had an interest until his death in 1908. In 1912 Mr. Nichols purchased the interest of the other partners and has since been sole proprietor of the store, conducting the business under the style of Nichols & Co., and handling all classes of goods in ordinary demand except drugs and hardware. His store is the largest of its kind in the village and enjoys a large patronage. For twenty years he has served as a member of the school board, and has also been a member of the council and clerk of the village. He is fraternally asso- ciated with the Blue Lodge of Masons, the Elks and the United Workmen. Mr. Nichols was married at Goodhue, Minn., to Harriet Rucker, daughter of Jacob and Lena Rucker, of Lake City. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of Switzerland. The former, a harness-maker by trade, died in 1870. The mother, who was twice married, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Rucker had two sons and two daughters, and there were two sons born of Mrs. Rucker's other marriage, Mrs. Nichols thus having one sister and two brothers, and two half brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are the parents of four children: Cor- rinne, Josephine, Earl and Francis. Corrinne, who attended the Stout Insti- tute in Wisconsin, is now a teacher in North Dakota; Josephine and Earl are
DR. THEODORE M. PESCH AND FAMILY .
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now students at the University of Minnesota, the former studying pharmacy and the latter forestry. Francis is residing at home and attending high school.
William Thomas Adams, M. D., for more than 40 years a highly esteemed citizen of Elgin, where he was successfully engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, was born at Utica, N. Y., August 7, 1849, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Adams. His elementary education was obtained in a common school in his native city, and he subsequently attended an academy there. In 1864 he came with his parents to Plainview, Minn., and became a student at Carleton College. Later he entered upon the study of medicine and was graduated :rom Rush Medical College, Chicago; in 1875. The rest of his life was spent in the prac- tice of his profession in Elgin, where he became one of the most honored and best beloved residents, winning a place in the hearts of all who knew him. His life was long service to his fellow men. Able as a physician, he was also closely identified with the growth and development of the village, on all urgent occa- sions manifesting a fine public spirit. On August 29, 1875, Dr. Adams was married to Miss Nellie Gibbs of Plainview, and in the following year took up their abode in Elgin. Mrs. Adams proved a worthy helpmate to her husband and was a popular member of Elgin society. The issue of their marriage was one daughter, Grace, who died when a small child, and two sons, Carl of St. Charles, Minn., and Frank, of Lima Springs, Iowa. Dr. Adams' useful and active career came to end on Wednesday, April 25, 1917, when he passed away at his home after over a year's suffering from heart trouble. His trouble had been of long standing, but until the death of Mrs. Adams, which occurred December 28, 1915, he had been able to attend to his practice regularly. Soon after her death he had a breakdown and for two weeks was very ill, recov- ering partially, however, and being able to attend to his practice for short periods. In December, 1916, he became worse and was confined to his house during the winter months, gradually failing until the end came. Besides his two sons he left three brothers: John, of Vancouver, Wash .; Abner, of Morris- town, and Charles, of Fribley; and two sisters, Mrs. Minta Roedler and Mrs. Jennie Carr, of Minneapolis.
Carleton C. Adams, once a resident of this county, was born in Elgin Vil- lage, June 3, 1883, son of Dr. William T. and Nellie (Gibbs) Adams. In his boyhood he attended the Elgin school and was graduated from the high school in 1902. He then became a student at Minnesota University, taking a course in pharmacy and graduating in 1905. On his return from college he took a posi- tion in the Charles Burchardt drug store in Plainview, where he remained until 1907. In that year he went to Dodge Center, Minn., where he worked until 1910. The next two years he spent at Foley, Minn., and in 1912 went to St. Charles, Minn., where he is now residing, being employed by the drug concern of Frisch & Co. Mr. Adams is a member of the Masonic order, including the Eastern Star. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational church. He was married October 16, 1906, to Bernice Richardson, and he and his wife are the parents of three children : Michael C., born January 18, 1908; Gene M., born August 7, 1910, and Barbara E., born September 5, 1912.
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