History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 83

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

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 83

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Theodore M. Pesch, D. D. S., of Elgin, a rising young member of his pro- fession, is a native son of Wabasha County, having been born in Wabasha Vil- lage January 29, 1893, son of Henry H. and Annie S. (Loechler) Pesch. The father, a sturdy blacksmith in Wabasha, after following his trade there for a number of years, later moved with his family to Lake City, and in 1901 to Ma- zeppa, continuing his active career until 1917, since which time he and his wife have lived retired. Theodore M. Pesch acquired his literary education in the public schools of Mazeppa, and the Creighton High, at the College of Arts under private tutorship, together with his freshman year. He began the study of his profession in the Creighton Dental College at Omaha, Nebr., where he remained one year. He then entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in the class of 1916, and in the same year he

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opened his office in Elgin, where he has since been engaged in dental surgery and laboratory work in all its branches, according to the most modern and scientific methods. A close student of his profession, he has attained a high degree of proficiency and built up a considerable practice. He is a member of the Minnesota National Dental Association, the Southeastern Dental Society, and the National Dental Association. As a man with a permanent stake in the community, he takes an active part in all enterprises tending to its benefit and advancement, and has established a reputation as a good, reliable and useful citizen. Dr. Pesch was married September 29, 1915, in Chicago, Ill., to Matilda Majerus, daughter of John N. Majerus, who resides at Mazeppa. She was born in Wabasha County, town of Chester. He and his wife have one child, Delores L., who was born December 10, 1916.

Louis A. Phillips, editor and proprietor of the Mazeppa Journal, was born in Mazeppa, Minn., December 14, 1881, son of S. Phillips and his wife, Minna. The parents came to Minnesota in 1873 and to Mazeppa in 1876. The father, who was for many years a prominent merchant here, died in 1907. The mother, who was born in Germany in 1842, came to the United States in 1860, and was married to S. Phillips in Illinois in 1865. Their children were: Samuel A., born in 1866; Rachael, 1867; Herman H., 1870; David, 1872; Joseph, 1873, and Louis A., 1881. Samuel died in 1916 and Joseph in 1897. Rachael is now Mrs. G. H. Squire. Louis A. Phillips attended the Mazeppa public and high schools, graduating in 1898. After several years' residence in Minneapolis and the east, and some experience in editing a daily paper at Faribault, he bought the Ma- zeppa Journal in October, 1905, and united it with the Mazeppa Tribune in June, 1908, under the name of the Mazeppa Journal. In 1912 he erected the building at present used by this publication. Mr. Phillips was married August 12, 1915, at Iron Mountain, Mich., to Winnifred M. Corning, daughter of George T. and Ida M. (Adams) Corning. Mrs. Phillips is a direct descendant on the maternal side of Henry Adams, who came to New England in 1640, settling in Braintree, Mass. Several of her ancestors took part in the Revolutionary War. John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States (1825-1829) was also a descendant of one branch of the Adams family.

John Peter Nepper, a pioneer of Minnieska Township, was born in Bel- gium, and came to this country in the middle fifties. After his marriage in 1858 he settled on his present place in section 32. While the first settlers had arrived several years before, the country was still wild. Steamboats were prac- tically the only source of supplies, and practically the only means of com- munication with the outside world. Indians roamed the country at will, for aithough they had signed the treaties relinquishing their land, they were still reluctant to be confined to their reservation on the Minnesota. They were still uncivilized, living by hunting and fishing, wearing practically no clothing in summer, and huddling into their skin tepees in the winter. They were per- sistent beggars, but were outwardly friendly, and aside from the fact that their appearance once in a while frightened women and children, they did no harm. The Nepper family lived in true pioneer fashion. Mr. Nepper's first home was a log cabin, the primitive structure having a roof of shakes and a dirt floor. The barn was of straw. The first crops were planted among the stumps. With the passing of the years, better conditions came. By hard work, Mr. Nepper made for himself a place in the community, and built up a good farm with suit- able buildings and equipment. He was esteemed by his fellow men, and after holding various local positions was elected county commissioner in 1892. In his latter years he retired from active work. He died in 1905. Mr. Nepper was married in 1858 to Annie Agnes. She was born in Luxemburg, and came to America in 1856. Making her way directly to Minnieska Township, she took up her home with her brother, Michael Agnes, who with Louis Krutely was the first settler in the township. She, like the other members of her family, had ail the experiences of pioneer life, one of her winters before her marriage being

D. E. EARSLEY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

spent in cooking for her brother and his gang of woodchoppers, who were cutting fire wood for steamers along this part of the Mississippi. Mr. and Mrs. Nepper had six children, four of whom are living and two dead.

Peter Nepper, chairman of the town board of Minnieska, and descended from two families prominent in the annals of the county, is farming 240 acres in section 32, and is not only makng a success of his chosen vocation but is also doing active work in public affairs which is tending toward the progress and upbuilding of the community in which he his making his home. He was born on the place where he now lives, February 23, 1865, the son of John Peter and Annie (Agnes) Nepper, the pioneers and great-nephew of Michael Agnes, the first settler. He was reared on the home farm, received excellent training, and early took an interest in public life. After attaining the years of manhood, he rented the home farm for a while and finally came into its possession. He has occupied many local offices, has been a member of the town board for twenty- one years and chairman since 1901. His fraternal relations are with the Cath- olic Foresters. Mr. Nepper was married in 1860 to Mary Heaser, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Davidshofer) Heaser, who were early settlers of Trout Valley, Winona County. He was a Civil War veteran, and this union has been blessed with six children: Veronica, Margaret, Katherine, Minnie, died during the winter of 1919 with influenza, Frederick and Mary. Veronica, now de- ceased, married Harry Thompson, and left two small daughters, Mary and Mar- garet. Margaret married Alfred Johnson, of Watopa Township, this county, and has three children, Roy, Veronica and Lovetta.

Allen E. Laufenburger, cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Minneiska, was born in Winona, Minn., December 5, 1892, son of William B. and Sophia Laufenburger. The family ancestry is both French and German, and the grandfather of Allen E. was an early settler in Winona County, where his son, William B., Allen's father, was born. The latter is now living in Winona, re- tired. His wife Sophia was born in Iowa. Allen E. Laufenburger was reared on his parents' farm. His primary education was obtained in the district schools, and he subsequently attended the Winona Business College. After completing the course there he went into the Merchants Bank of Winona as messenger, and was successively promoted to the positions of bookkeeper, draft clerk and assistant teller. Then going to Lewiston, he became assistant cashier in the Security State Bank, remaining there two years. After that he spent a year in banking work in North Dakota. In the fall of 1917 he came to Minn- eiska and opened the Farmers State Bank as cashier, a position in which he has proved his capacity and acquired popularity with the patrons of the insti- tution. On November 27, 1919, Mr. Laufenburger was married in Winona to Florence Schwebel, daughter of Peter and Julia Schwebel of Winona. Though a young man of 27 years, Mr. Laufenburger has acquired a good knowledge of financial affairs and has risen to a responsible position, the practical manage- ment of the bank being largely in his hands. He has made a good start on an honorable and profitable career and his friends predict for him a bright future.

Delbert E. Earsley, proprietor of the D. E. Earsley elevator, at Elgin, was born in Utica Township, Olmsted County, Minn., March 22, 1869, son of Cyrus H. and Rhoda (Raymond) Earsley. The father and mother, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New York State, came west to Minnesota about 1861, and purchased 160 acres of land in Utica Township, which was wild and heavily timbered. By long and untiring effort, interrupted only by a period of service in the Civil War, Cyrus H. Earsley cut and grubbed out the timber and developed the land, also erecting a residence and outbuildings. There he followed general agriculture until 1890, when he retired to the Village of Utica, where he and his wife are still living, he being occupied in driving one of the rural mail routes out of that village. They were the parents of six children : Wallace, now deceased; Delbert E., of Elgin; Flora, residing at home with her parents; Frank, a farmer of Fremont, Minn .; Anna, deceased; Ed-

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ward, now living in Winona; and James, residing in North Dakota. Delbert E. Earsley was educated in the public schools of Utica, after which he started in the elevator business there, as an employe of the Seefield Elevator Co. Later he was connected with the Marfield Elevator Co., of Winona, and still later with the Western Elevator Co. In 1912 Mr. Earsley came to Elgin and purchased the elevator of the Western Elevator Co., engaging in business for himself. He has gained an extensive patronage and is now numbered among the leading business men of the village. Handles, buys and sells all kinds of grain, coal, feed, salt and farm machinery, and aside from his own immediate concerns, is interested in all projects that are for the betterment of the community in which he had made his home. He has done good service as a member of the village council. His fraternal affiliations are with Elgin Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., the Modern Woodmen of America, both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Earsley was married March 26, 1896, to Ethie Ellsworth, of Utica, and of this union two children have been born: Etta M., November 27, 1898, and Harold E., March 26, 1908. Etta M. was graduated from the state School of Faribault for the Deaf, in the class of 1916, and is now a student at the Calludet College at Washington, D. C. Harold E. is attending public school in Elgin. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are prominent in the higher social circles of Elgin.

Alexander Scott, for 40 years a prominent business man of Elgin Village, where he died May 6, 1919, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, November 10, 1850. . He was educated in his native land and at the age of 16 years came to America, locating first in Boston, Mass., where he resided for about two years. From that city he went to Woburn, Mass., where he worked on a farm. Then removing to Cambridge, Mass., he took up the trade of carriage maker, at which he worked until 1871. The next two years of his life were spent in Amesbury, Mass. Then in 1873 he came west, locating at Windom, in Cotton- wood County, Minn., from which place he moved to Elgin, Wabasha County, where he arrived on July 12, 1873. In the fall of the same year Mr. Scott be- came a partner with H. G. Hale in the wagon making business, and they were associated together until 1875, in which year he purchased Mr. Hale's inter- ests, and for 40 years thereafter successfully carried on the business, his shop being known to all the farmers for many miles around, and his reputation as a mechanic and business man being of the best. As a citizen he was active in the affairs of the village, serving efficiently on the school board for a number of years, and for ten years being secretary of the village council. He was a mem- ber of the Masonic order, including the Eastern Star, also of the Old Settlers Association of Elgin, and attended the M. E. church. Mr. Scott was married December 25, 1878, to Ida A. Rollins, daughter of Irvin W. and Ellen (Keith) Rollins, of Elgin Township, and their home was blessed by the birth of five children: Jettie I., born October 16, 1879, who died April 30, 1888; Winnifred E., born May 26, 1882, who died March 9, 1883; Irwin E., born April 6, 1886, who is living in the old home just east of the Village of Elgin; Ethel M., born March 5, 1893, now employed in the art department of the Thompson Lumber Company at Minneapolis ; and Florence E., born January 26, 1895, who is teach- ing school at Worthington, Minn. For a number of years Mrs. Scott was an active member of the Eastern Star chapter of Elgin.

Irvin Washington Rollins, Minnesota pioneer, and for nearly 40 years a resident of Elgin, who passed from this life on February 13, 1895, was a man universally honored for his sterling character. He was born in East Orange, Orange County, Vt., January 18, 1829, son of Laban and Nancy Rollins. The family name was originally written Rowlings. The immediate ancestors of the subject of this sketch, one of whom was the well known Deacon Colby, were worthy and sturdy citizens of Orange County. Laban Rollins, the father, was a shoemaker in East Orange, but in 1837, when Irvin was eight years old, he moved to Topsham, Vt., where the family resided on a farm. Irvin attended

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school in both East Orange and Topsham, and also for a while the academy at Corinth. He was never a strong child, and when a young man he was pros- trated with typhoid fever, the effects of which lingered with him during his whole life. He was of a lovable disposition, quiet and fond of solitude. Still he was no recluse, but could on suitable occasions indulge in fun and frolic. His sense of justice and right were very exact, and these qualities, with his manly conduct, won for him at school the name of "Judge." He applied him- self with marked and untiring dilligence to his studies, and prepared himself for the work of teaching. He continued this professional work through eight or ten winters; the summers he spent on the farm. About this time he went to Manchester, N. H., where he worked in the mills. In the autumn of 1855 Irvin Rollins and his brother Orvis came to Minnesota, taking claims east of Plain- view, Wabasha County, where they built a cabin in which, with Ezra and Enoch Dickerman, they spent the winter. In the spring of 1856, finding that they had located upon the Sioux reservation, and doubting the legality of their title, they removed to Elgin. The Whitewater flowed smoothly past their new cabin. The first summer brought them plenty of garden vegetables, and also some famous water melons. The summer of 1857 was spent in erecting a part of the farm house now standing, and Laban and Nancy Rollins, with their family, came to occupy the new home. Early in 1859 Irvin Rollins returned to Ver- mont, and was married April 4, to Ellen Keith, whom he brought at once to Elgin. Though not strong in body, by care and prudence Mr. Rollins made farming pay. His farm was always in order. He was a pioneer in fruit cul- ture, and for many years kept a good nursery. He made a careful and thorough study of bees and every season produced a large quantity of honey. Though never an office seeker, he was closely connected with public affairs. He was the first justice of the peace in Elgin, and deeds and mortgages were in the early days executed by his hand. For many years he was clerk of the Town of Elgin, the supervisors often meeting at his house. A man of strong re- ligious convictions, he served as trustee of the Methodist church, and was for years superintendent of the Sunday school. At any early period he identified himself with the prohibition party. One of his leading characteristics was his sense of order and system. For 46 years he kept a diary, in which he jotted down every item of interest or value. He was a thoroughly furnished man, a careful reader with correct judgment and patience. Mr. Rollins was a lover of home. It was his kingdom and he its ruler. In his wife, Ellen Keith, he found a worthy helpmeet, a noble woman with queenly gifts and christian grace, whose good deeds have kept her memory fresh. They carefully guarded their home and their lives gave it the sacredness of a sanctuary. Their fam- ily consisted of four children, Ida, Flora, Frank and Mary, all of whom still live, except Mary, who died December 28, 1908. Mrs. Rollins, after 32 years of consecrated service to her home, her husband and her family, passed tri- umphantly from earth to heaven, on April 4, 1891, the same day of the month on which she was married. Her death brought into Mr. Rollins' life a solitude from which he never recovered. Mr. Rollins never forgot the home of his childhood, to which he made several visits, on the first occasion taking all his children with him, the last being made in the autumn before his death. He often talked of the old friends and old places, the old orchard and the old spring at the foot of the hill. He was a man of industrious habits and prudent economy ; in disposition retiring and humble, with a heart full of sympathy and tenderness. His soul was full of music and he was for years a member of the church choir. His last sickness continued about three weeks, and on Sunday, February 13, 1895, he passed peacefully away on the anniversary of his mother's birth. "A hoary head is a crown of glory when it is found in the way of righteousness."

Edward L. Hustleby, who after a long experience in the river transporta- tion of industry, is now conducting a profitable mercantile business at Read's

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Landing, was born in Vienna Township, Dane County, Wis., June 24, 1861, son of John C. and Sarah A. (Beedle) Hustleby. The father was for many years a pilot on the Mississippi river, which occupation he left for a time to engage in farming in Dane County, Wis. After a while he resumed work on the river, and died at the wheel at Quincy, Ill., in 1896. He and his wife had six chil- dren: Clara, now deceased; Hiram C., who is customs officer at Niagara Falls, N. Y .; Edward L., subject of this sketch; William A., residing in Tacoma, Wash., and Lucian and Eugene, of Rochester, N. Y. Edward L. Hustleby re- ceived a common school education, and at the age of 18 began working on river boats as roustabout, fireman and in general work, being thus occupied for two years. In the meanwhile he took every opportunity to acquire a knowledge of marine engines 'and in 1892 was granted engineer's papers. For 31 years he was employed on "raft boats," but from 1913 to 1917 was engineer on the steamer Frontenac, once belonging to Laird & Norton of Winona, but in later years sold to St. Charles people and by them operated as an excursion boat. While Mr. Hustleby was still running on it, the Frontenac collided with the Burlington railroad bridge at Winona and sunk, and this ended Mr. Hustleby's career on the river, as no other suitable job was then available. In June, 1918, Mr. Hustleby entered the mercantile field, opening a general store at Read's Landing, which he is now successfully operating, keeping a well assorted stock of general merchandise, and also holding the position of postmaster. A man of steady and reliable character, he has made many friends and is respected in the community, and well known for many miles around. He has been president of the school board for several years, and politically is a Republican. On March 4, 1890, Mr. Hustleby was united in marriage with Missouri Smith, who was born at Read's Landing, August 4, 1871, daughter of Russell M. and Laura E. (Allen) Smith, and they began domestic life here, where they have since re- sided. They have three children, William E., Garnet E. and Gladys S. William E., born September 12, 1892, is now living in St. Paul, in the employ of the State Railway Commission. He married Isabel Zurbus, of Melrose, Minn., and has one child, Jean C., who has graduated from the Wabasha high school and the Minneapolis Business College. Garnet E., born November 16, 1895, graduated from the high school, and subsequently spent three years at Hamline College. He is now his father's assistant postmaster and clerk. Gladys S., born Septem- ber 22, 1897, graduated from the Wabasha high school, had one year of normal school training, and is clerk in the Great Northern office at St. Paul.

Russell M. Smith, in former years a well known pilot on the upper Mississ- ippi river, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., November 17, 1833, and grew to manhood in that locality, acquiring his education in the common school. When a young man he found occupation on the Lakes and in time became a captain, being thus employed for some years. In 1859 he came to Read's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., and for a number of years thereafter was engaged as a "floating pilot," bringing lumber cribs down the Chippewa river to the Mississippi. For some years he operated the steamer Alvira, which was the first boat to take a raft from La Crosse and the second to take a boat from Read's Landing. He was also pilot of the steamer Union when it took the first raft from Read's Landing. Captain Smith was engaged in river work up to the time of his death, which occurred at his home at Read's Landing, April 7, 1890. He was a man of good reputation as pilot, neighbor and citizen, and in his home a model hus- band and father. Politically he was a Democrat. At the time of his death he owned a nice residence and other property at Read's Landing. Capt. R. M. Smith was married at Nauvoo, Ill., May 14, 1861, by Joseph Smith, then justice of the peace and later head of the Church of Latter Day Saints, to Laura E. Allen. Mrs. Smith survived her husband nearly 18 years, passing away at her home at Read's Landing, January 18, 1918. They were the parents of seven children : Maria Minnesota, born September 19, 1862, who is now Mrs. G. G. Tuttle of Tacoma, Wash .; Allan Rufus, born November 16, 1865, who died Sep-

MR. AND MRS. CURTIS BRYANT

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tember 19, 1875; Russell Ninevah, born February 12, 1869, now residing at Alma, Wis .; Missouri M., born August 4, 1871, who was married March 4, 1890, to E. L. Hustleby of Read's Landing; Harry Hendricks, born November 13, 1876, who was married July 18, 1906, to Margaret Tarnutzer, and resides at Read's Landing; Laura Elizabeth, born October 30, 1879, who was married De- cember 25, 1897, to Homer Thompson of Minneapolis, Minn., and Jessie Lucinda, born February 9, 1885, who was married to John Westling of Minneapolis.

Curtis Bryant, a pioneer of Wabasha County who may be termed the founder of the Village of Elgin, was born in the Town of Middlesex, Washing- ton County, Vermont, September 6, 1833. His early years were spent on his parents' farm, on which he worked, attending school during the winter. He also attended the academy at Barre, Vt., and taught school one term. In the spring of 1855 he started west, and on April 7, in company with George Bryant, Henry H. Atherton and George Farrar, after a tramp across the prairies from Winona, halted for the night on the banks of the Whitewater and made their camp on the village site of Elgin. They thought it a wonderful country and decided to go no further. Fifteen days later Mr. Bryant filed his claim on the northeast quarter of section 28, the farm later owned by C. H. Siem, which was the Bryant home for many years. He went to work immediately to build up the place, and in time developed it into a fine farm. He also acquired large tracts of land in South Dakota. Prior to the building of the railroad through Elgin in 1878, Mr. Bryant engaged in the general mercantile business as a member of the firm of Bryant Bros. & Johnson, and they built the first elevator in the vil- lage, marketing the grain with teams at Eyota. . After the railroad was built, the elevator was placed on the siding, and is the one now owned by D. E. Earsley, who is doing a large business. Mr. Bryant had a successful business career, which, however, was not without its drawbacks. In October, 1873, he had the misfortune to be on a stock train which was wrecked on the North Western line near Chicago, owing to a broken rail. The cars went down a 15-foot embankment and Mr. Bryant sustained an injury to his spine which con- fined him to his bed for more than a year. In the cyclone of 1883 he sustained a loss of over five thousand dollars. Mr. Bryant survived these misfortunes, however, and lived to the age of nearly 83 years, passing away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Gillooly, on Friday, August 25, 1916. For a year or two previously he had been in poor health. He was an honored resident of this locality and a man who took a great interest in the progress of events. For a number of years he was president of the Old Settlers' Association of Elgin. He was also a charter member of Elgin Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., in which he retained his active interest. His faithful and loving wife, Mrs. Mary Colby (Bryant), whom he married August 1, 1861, had passed away some years previously, on March 9, 1907, at the age of nearly 65 years. She was born in East Orange, Vt., May 2, 1842, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Colby, and came to Minnesota in August, 1859. Before coming here she taught one term of school in Wisconsin, and afterward one term in Elgin. Her marriage to Mr. Bryant took place August 1, 1861, and they were the parents of three children: Nellie M., now Mrs. M. Frank Gillooly of Elgin; Charles L., deceased, married Ida McHugh of Viola, Minn., and left two children, Bernard, deceased, and Beulah, now the wife of George Pries of Viola, Minn .; and Lute E., of Clarkston, Wash., who married Mabel Richardson of Viola Township, Olmsted County, Minn. Mrs. Bryant's life was that of an earnest Christian woman, and as she lived, so she died, and it will be long e'er her memory will fade.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 83

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