USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 88
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129
Judson T. Wentworth, a well known farmer of Plainview Township, who is also one of the town officials, was born in Farrington Township, Olmsted
532
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
County, Minn., January 31, 1872, son of Clinton and Jane Wentworth. He acquired his literary education in the rural and public schools of Wabasha County, and subsequently took a course at Darling's Business College, Roches- ter. For one year subsequently he remained at home, and for three years after that was in the store with his brother, E. L. Wentworth, at Minneiska. On the death of his father in 1896 he returned home and until 1904 was engaged in operating the home farm for his mother. Since that time he has operated it on his own account. The farm contains 160 acres and is located in sections 12 and 13, Plainview Township. Mr. Wentworth has made a number of improve- ments on the property, having rebuilt some of the buildings, and is following diversified farming on a profitable basis. As a stock raiser he gives his chief attention to Red Poll cattle, which he breeds both for beef and dairy purposes, his milch cows numbering about 14 head. His swine are of the Chester-White breed. Mr. Wentworth for a number of years had been a prominent citizen of his township. For the past ten years he has served as town treasurer, which office he is still holding, and he formerly served an equal length of time as town clerk. He is also school clerk of his district, in which capacity he has served 15 years. He is a member of the local Shipping Association, of which he has been secretary and treasurer since its organization, and for the last 10 years he has been treasurer of the Plainview Co-operative Creamery. A mem- ber of the Old Settlers' Association, he has been its treasurer for many years. His fraternal affiliations are with the Odd Fellows and Foresters. The long period during which Mr. Wentworth has performed official functions for va- rious organizations gives evidence of his active interest in everything that makes for the social or material progress of the community, and shows that he embraces every opportunity to make himself useful. For these and other reasons he has gained the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and is a man of mark and influence, an important wheel in the business and social ma- chinery of Plainview Township. Mr. Wentworth was married November 15, 1904, to Mary Har, who was born in Plainview Township, August 11, 1873, daughter of Felix and Katie (Marnach) Har, her parents being well known pioneers of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth have one child, Hazel, who was born January 30, 1909.
Louis C. Lunde, a prosperous merchant of Lake City, proprietor of a well stocked clothing store and merchants tailoring establishment, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, July 26, 1854, son of Christian and Mary Lunde, the parents being farmers. He was one of a family of five children, of whom two brothers, Ole and John, and a sister, are now deceased, another brother, Aaman, still residing on the home farm in Norway. In his native country he attended the common and high school, and subsequently worked at the tailor's trade. In 1876 he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which place he proceeded to Toronto, where he worked for a time at his trade. Then entering the States, he followed his trade in Chicago until 1880, and for three years sub- sequently in La Crosse, Wis. Coming to Lake City, Wabasha County, Minn., in 1883, he set up a tailor's shop here and prospered so that in time he was able to own his own business building. Later he added a stock of clothing and men's furnishing goods, continuing in his original store until 1915, when he sold out and retired. He had become so wedded to his work, however, that life without it seemed tame and monotonous, and he became so restless that in 1917 he re-entered into business, opening a place on Main street in a rented building, where he is now engaged in merchant tailoring, and keeps a stock of clothing and men's furnishings, enjoying a prosperous business. In 1911 he paid a visit to his old home in Norway, being gone three months or more. In August, 1886, Mr. Lunde was married to Julia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Olson, of Pepin County, Wis. He and his wife are the parents of four children : Lillian, born June 9, 1887; Milton, December 1, 1888; Blanche, April 15, 1890; and Lawrence, March 2, 1892. Lillian married Marvin Anderson, a
533
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
traveling salesman for Latsch & Son, of Winona, in which city she and her husband reside. She has one son, John Richard. Milton, who was for some time in the store with his father, enlisted for service in the recent war and was honorably discharged. He married Josephine Wood, of Lake City, and they have one child, Elizabeth. He and his family are now residing in Wyoming. Blanche is the wife of George Mitchell, of Fargo, N. D., who has land interests and is engaged in the automobile business. She has one child, Margaret H. Lawrence was graduated from the Lake City high school, later from Hamline College, and in 1919 from the St. Paul Law College. While studying law he served as assistant postmaster in the State House. He was drafted for service in the war with Germany, but enlisted and trained at the Great Lakes Naval Station. He was honorably discharged February 27, 1919, and subsequently resumed law work in St. Paul. Mr. Lunde has always been a Republican, but in local politics votes for the man rather than for the party. In the Masonic order he has advanced as far as the Commandery. He also is an Odd Fellow and for years belonged to the Encampment, and he belongs to the Lake City lodges of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of
America and the Red Men. He was reared in the faith of the Norwegian Lutheran church, but as that denomination is not represented in Lake City, he and his family are affiliated with the Swedish Congregational church, of which he is a liberal supporter. His children are all graduates of the Lake City high school, and Blanche, in addition, of the Winona Normal School. All have done credit to their upbringing and are useful and respected members of the com- munities in which they reside.
Arthur W. Slawson, a prominent citizen of Greenfield Township, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, was born in Janesville, Wis., April 7, 1859, son of Dwelling and Lucinda (Dudley) Slawson. The father was a native of New York state and the mother of Adams, Mass. They came west to Wisconsin in 1857, and from there to Minnesota in 1860, settling in Greenfield Township, Wabasha County. Here they made their home for the rest of their lives, Mr. Slawson dying in 1890 and Mrs. Slawson in 1908. They were consistent members of the M. E. church and were esteemed as industrious peo- ple and good neighbors. They had nine children : Arthur, Curtis, Olive, Scott, Willis, Ely, Cora, Susan and Charles. Dwelling Slawson was considered one of the best deer hunters in Minnesota, having killed as high as 14 deer in one week. Arthur W. Slawson was given a district school education. At an early age he became busy on the home farm and subsequently worked for his father until 1882. He then went to Janesville, Wis., the place of his birth, and resided there for a year. At the end of that time he returned to Greenfield Township, Wabasha County, and rented and for four years operated the L. O. Cooke farm. He then purchased his present farm of 296 acres, 96 acres of which lie in Greenfield Township and the rest in Glasgow. He has cleared most of the land, erected an entire set of buildings, and put up all the fences, transforming the place into an excellent farm. He is raising the usual farm products, including stock, with profitable results and has gained rank among the substantial citi- zens of his township. He has served a number of years as a member of the school board of his district, and is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternal order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Old Settlers' Association of Plainview. He and his family are religiously affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Slawson was married March 28, 1889, to Louisa Graner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Graner. Her parents, who were born in Germany, came to this country in the early fifties, settling in St. Louis, Mo. In 1852 they came to Minnesota, being among the earliest settlers in Cook's Valley, Wabasha County, where they spent the rest of their lives in farming. Mr. Graner died in 1916, and his wife in 1908. Mrs. Arthur W. Slawson died on May 4, 1919, and Mr. Slawson now makes his home with his son, Willis, who was born February 2, 1890. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Slawson-all
534
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
younger-were: Lila A., born August 24, 1892, now Mrs. James R. Fairchild; Raymond A., born October 12, 1894; and Gladys F., born January 15, 1899. Raymond A., on August 7, 1918, was drafted into the United States service, and on September 23, the same year, sailed for France, where he was stationed six months, being a member of the 101st Ammunition Train, Company A. He was not in action and was discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, May 6, 1919. Mr. Slawson is one of the old and well known residents of Wabasha County, his recollections going back almost to pioneer days. In the coolie in which his farm is situated cattle and horse thieves at one time had a corral where they concealed their booty, and another evidence of early lawlessness was an old still which he found in the woods. He has witnessed many changes for the better, and has himself achieved prosperity, in addition to his farm owning a summer cottage at West Newton.
Peter Buol, one of the leading representatives of the agricultural industry in Greenfield Township, was born June 3, 1858, in Switzerland, his parents being Christ and Katherine (Loitscher) Buol, natives of that country. Both father and mother are now deceased, the father dying in 1908 and the mother in 1877. They were members of the Reformed church. They had seven chil- dren; Peter, Bartley, John, Andrew, Barbara, Valentine and Dora. Andrew is now deceased. Bartley and John reside in California, Valentine in South Da- kota, and Barbara and Dora are still in Switzerland. Peter Buol was educated in his native land and was there engaged in farm labor for a number of years. In 1880 he came to America, and to Minnesota, locating in the village of Wa- basha, where he remained until 1882. For a year after that he worked in the pineries in the northern part of this state. Then, in 1883, he went to Pierre, S. D., where he remained ten years, being employed in a brickyard there for four years and farming the rest of the time. In 1893 Mr. Buol returned to Wabasha County, locating in the town of Greenfield, where he rented the Salz- man farm of 185 acres, where he operated until 1898. He then bought 160 acres in section 16, Greenfield, on which farm he erected most of the buildings, be- sides doing general repairing. He there followed mixed farming and dairying, keeping Brown Swiss cattle, with a full-blooded sire at the head of his herd, and made good financial progress. In 1919 he sold that farm and bought one of 67 acres in section 15, Greenfield Township, where he is now engaged in truck farming and dairying, still keeping his Brown Swiss cattle. On his present place he has made valuable improvements, having built a modern 8-room brown stucco residence, a basement barn 36 by 66 feet, with the James equipment, and several outbuildings. As a farmer Mr. Buol has been highly successful, and is reaping the reward of his industry and intelligent management. He has be- come a prominent citizen of his township, and also of Wabasha County, having rendered four years' service as county commissioner, in addition to which he was for three years a member of the school board of District No. 30, Green- field. He is fraternally affiliated with the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Equitable Fraternal Union, Red Men and Modern Samaritans, and religiously with the Reformed church. Thirty-six years ago Mr. Buol assumed the responsibilities of domestic life, being united in marriage, December 10, 1883, to Louisa Birckley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Birckley. Her parents, born in Baden, Germany, came to America in 1856, locating first in St. Louis, Mo., where they remained for one year, after which, in 1857, they came to Wabasha County, Minn., and engaged in farming and stock raising in Greenfield Township. Mr. Birckley died, however, in 1859, and his widow sub- sequently married John Saltzman. By each husband she had three children, those of her first marriage being Sophia, Louisa and Bertha, and those of her second, Barbara, Mary and John, the last mentioned being now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Buol are the parents of seven children: Rosa K., born January 27, 1885; Louisa H., April 7, 1887; Christ P., August 15, 1889; John A., March 2, 1892; Lawrence P., November 23, 1894; Dorothy E., September 22, 1897; and
PETER BUOL AND FAMILY
MATHIAS LEISEN AND FAMILY
-
535
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
Bartley B., July 8, 1900. Rosa K. is now Mrs. E. G. Ballard; the other children are residing on the home farm. Lawrence B. Buol was drafted for service in the late war, June 24, 1918, and became a member of Battery C, 331st Field Artillery. He sailed for France September 17, 1918, and was there six months, though without having an opportunity to get into action. On his return home he was discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, February 18, 1919.
John Ahrens, a retired farmer and respected citizen of Greenfield Town- ship, was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg, April 12, 1845. He remained in his native land until after attaining his majority, and then, in 1867, came to Minnesota, settling in Wabasha County. Here for ten years he was engaged in farm labor, working for others, but practicing economy and saving his money with the view of future independence. In 1877, having accumulated sufficient funds to make a start, he bought 160 acres in section 8, Greenfield Township, and began the development of a farm. His labors on this place cov- ered a period of 33 years, during which period he grubbed, broke and culti- vated his land and erected buildings and fences, carrying on general farming and stock raising. In 1910 he retired from active work, and turned over the farm in good condition to his son, Michael, who is now operating it. Mr. Ahrens was united in marriage with Emma Weber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anselem Weber, her parents being natives of Germany. Of this. union five children have been born: Emil, January 29, 1876; Michael, March 4, 1878; Barbara, May 7, 1880; Margaret, January 9, 1884; and Matt, December 29, '1892. The Ahrens family are members of the Catholic church and hold a recog- nized position among the industrious, prosperous and respected residents of Greenfield Township.
Mathias Leisen, now deceased, who aided in the development of Greenfield Township by the establishment of a good farm, was born in Germany, March 14, 1848, son of George and Elizabeth (Baker) Leisen. The parents, likewise natives of Germany, came to the United States with their family in 1862, and making their way to Wabasha County, Minn., settled on land in Glasgow Town- ship, where they spent the rest of their lives engaged in farming. They were members of the Catholic church and worthy and industrious people. Mathias Leisen acquired his preliminary education in his native land and afterward attended district school in Glasgow Township. For a number of years after laying aside his schoolbooks he worked for his father, but in 1880 began farm- ing for himself, buying 160 acres in section 34, Greenfield Township. He cleared most of the farm himself, besides erecting buildings and putting up fences. Later he bought 77 acres in section 26, Greenfield, increasing his farm to an area of 237 acres, which he cultivated as a general farmer and stock raiser until his death on March 26, 1916. He was a member of the Old Set- tlers' Association, also of St. Joseph's Society, in religion being a Catholic, like his parents. For several years he served as a member of the Kellogg school board. Mr. Leisen was married January 19, 1880, to Katherine Zeim- metz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Zeimmetz. Her parents, who were born in Germany, came to America in 1862, first locating in Illinois, and later in Wisconsin, where Mrs. Zeimmetz died in 1870. After her death Mr. Zeimmetz came to Wabasha County, Minn., where he died in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Leisen have been the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, born November 20, 1881, now the wife of Peter Geim; George, born September 27, 1883, who died May 3, 1919; John S., born June 7, 1886, who was drafted in the army August 29, 1918, and was in Camp Dodge three months, being discharged November 25, 1918; Katherine, born June 23, 1888, widow of Wm. G. Demming of Kellogg; Anna M., born February 12, 1891, who died August 6, 1891; Albert S., born November 8, 1893, who is now operating the home farm for his mother; Nich- olas, born November 8, 1894, who was drafted into the army September 18, 1917, became a member of Battery B, 18th Field Artillery, served 14 months in France, being in action at Meuse-Argonne, and was discharged August 14,
536
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
1919; and Joe J., born May 12, 1897. Nicholas is now assisting Albert in the operation of the home farm.
Lenhard C. Dose, an energetic young farmer of West Albany Township, was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, Minn., April 3, 1892. His parents were Fred and Margaret (Meincke) Dose, early settlers in that township, who became prosperous farmers there. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living, being a resident of Lake City. They had a family of seven children: Mary, now Mrs. D. Reincke, of Oak Center, Minn .; Anna, wife of J. D. Henn, of Pierce County, Wis .; Emma, wife of W. Heise, of Mt. Pleasant Township; Fred, who resides on the old home farm in Mt. Pleasant Township; Lenhard C., of West Albany Township; George, a farmer at Oak Center; and Margarine, now Mrs. Adolph Isense, of Goodhue County. Lenhard C. Dose was educated in the rural schools and remained on the home farm until attaining his majority. Then in 1913 he went to Goodhue County, where for three years he operated the old Charles Burfiend farm. In 1916 he bought 160 acres of improved land in section 16, West Albany Township, with buildings, on which farm he has since resided. He has rebuilt the house and improved the other buildings, and in the summer of 1920 let the contract for a barn 36 by 84 feet with 14-foot posts, with full 8-foot basement, equipped with modern appliances, and now has 148 acres of the land under the plow. The land is fertile and produces good crops, and Mr. Dose has it well stocked with grade Shorthorn cattle and Chester-White hogs, milking from 12 to 15 cows. His equipment is good and includes an auto car. A thoroughly capable farmer, he
is also a hard worker, and is making good financial progress. He has served as clerk of his school district for three years, and in politics is independent. Mr. Dose was married September 23, 1913, to Katherine Wiebusch, daughter of John and Anna Wiebusch, of Belvidere, Goodhue County, where she was born July 29, 1894. He and his wife have two children: Victor George, born Oc- tober 17, 1915, and Vivian E., born February 8, 1917. The family are members of St. John's Lutheran congregation of Lake City.
John B. Passe, an early settler in Wabasha Township, who through indus- try and good managemnet achieved success in agriculture, and is now living retired and well to do in Wabasha City, was born in Germany, June 12, 1848, son of John S. and Mary A. Passe. The parents spent their lives in Germany, which was their native land, and where both died. It was there that John B. attended school and subsequently became a farmer. In 1874, at the age of about 26 years, he emigrated to Minnesota, settling in Wabasha Township, Wabasha County, where for two years he worked for others on farms. His ambition to become independent made him economical, and by the end of the two years he found himself in a position to make a start for himself, and he accordingly purchased 160 acres of land in section 6, Wabasha Township. About the same time, on February 8, 1876, he married Mary F. Stroot, who was born in Germany, March 8, 1853. He and his wife were made of good pioneer material and worked harmoniously together toward a common purpose, living plainly and enduring hardships patiently. They began life on their place in a small log house which Mr. Passe erected, but which afterwards gave place to a comfortable frame house and barns, and from time to time, as the necessity arose, he added to his outbuildings. He also on two occasions purchased more land, including 40 acres in section 7, Greenfield Township, and 40 acres in sec- tion 6, Wabasha Township, and later 80 acres in section 4, Wabasha Township, which gave him a farm of 320 acres. The 80 acres he later sold. All this land was wild when it first came into his possession, and he cleared it. This work took many years, but was finally accomplished with the assistance of his wife and, in later years, that of his children. Mr. and Mrs. Passe continued on the farm until the fall of 1915, when, having acquired a competence, they retired and moved to Wabasha City, where Mr. Passe bought a comfortable residence- a substantial brick residence on the corner of Second and Bridge streets. Here
MR. AND MRS. JOHN B. PASSE
537
HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY
on August 25, 1918, his wife passed away at the age of 65 years. She had nobly fulfilled her duties as wife, mother and neighbor, and her loss was deeply and sincerely mourned by her husband and children and all who knew her. In 1919 Mr. Passe sold his farm to his sons, John B. and Henry, who have managed it since the spring of 1916. During his residence in Wabasha Town- ship, he served five years as clerk of his school district. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and in religion he and his family are Catholics, and those in this locality members of St. Felix parish. Mr. and Mrs. Passe were the parents of nine children: Mary, now Mrs. Henry Freese, of West Albany Township; Edith, now Mrs. Charles A. Olson, of Chicago; Elizabeth, who is keeping house for her father; Emma, deputy county treasurer of Wabasha County ; Edward, deceased; John B., Jr., and Henry H., now on the old home farm; Tina, who is a nurse at St. Joseph's hospital at St. Paul; and Fred, who is deceased.
John B. and Henry Passe, two brothers who are engaged in operating the old Passe farm on Wabasha Hill, in section 6, Wabasha Township, are both natives of this township, where John B. was born December 9, 1887, and Henry, April 16, 1890, sons of John B., Sr., and Mary F. (Stroot) Passe. The farm was established by their parents in 1876, and has been constantly improved and developed, John and Henry as they grew up doing their share of the work. In 1916 the management of the place was turned over to them by their father, who had retired and moved to Wabasha, and in 1919 they purchased it from him. They are operating it successfully, raising grain and some stock and doing dairying and truck farming. Their equipment is modern and complete and they own two good auto cars. Catholics in religion, they belong to St. Felix parish, and politically may be described as liberal Democrats, placing personal qualifications before party affiliations. On November 28, 1917, John B. Passe married Margaret Lee, daughter of John and Elizabeth Lee, of St. Paul. She was born on a farm in Highland Township, Wabasha County, August 9, 1887, was subsequently graduated from the Wabasha High School and the Winona Normal School and taught in Wabasha County. The issue of this marriage is a daughter, Marion Margaret, who was born June 23, 1919. John Passe served for some years as school treasurer. Henry Passe is unmarried. Both brothers are practical farmers and are hard workers. They have taken up the work which their parents laid down and are aiming to carry it forward to a still higher plane of development.
William Ingraham Howatt, a well known and respected citizen of Mt. Pleasant Township, engaged in operating a good farm in section 25, Mt. Pleas- ant Township, was born in Banffshire, Scotland, May 3, 1875, son of William and Isabella (Lobban) Howatt. There he first attended school, his education being continued in Highland Township, Wabasha County, Minn., after his parents' final settlement here. They removed in 1895 to the farm on which he is now living, and where he has since remained. In 1902, he rented the farm and started in for himself, and the progress he has made proves him to be thoroughly conversant with all the various branches of agriculture and stock raising. In 1909 he purchased 80 acres in section 31, Lake Township, and in 1914, 80 acres in section 36, Mt. Pleasant Township, which adjoined the Lake Township tract on the west so as to make one farm of 160 acres, and this he leased to James Zeimetz, after having operated the 80 acres first purchased, in connection with the home farm, from 1909 to 1914. On the latter he is en- gaged in diversified farming, keeping Shorthorn cattle, of which he has from 40 to 50 head, with about an equal number of Poland-China swine. For both herds he has full-blooded sires, and is constantly improving his stock. His operations have been thoroughly and carefully conducted and he is now num- bered among the substantial men of his township. Politically a Republican, he is a member of the town board, and during the recent war served on all the Liberty Loan. drives, his thorough Americanism prompting him to take the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.