History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 89

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

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

most active part of which he was capable in helping to win the war. He was reared a Scotch Presbyterian, but he and his family are members of the Con- gregational church at Lake City. Mr. Howatt was married September 6, 1905, to Laura, daughter of Rhodes and Josephine (Webster) Merrill, of Central Point, Goodhue County. She was born November 28, 1880. They are the parents of three children : Dorothy Evelyn, born December 5, 1906; Lester Alexander, August 18, 1909, and Isabelle Josephine, February 4, 1912.

Lawrence Wagner, the present proprietor of the old Feddem farm on Sand Prairie, Greenfield Township, was born in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, October 1, 1875, son of Gottleib and Mary (Graff) Wagner. His parents are now residents of Kellogg village. He was educated in the district school, and his early youth was spent on the home farm, where he resided until 1890. After that he worked for a while at the stone mason's trade, and subsequently for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, in whose employ he was for three years. He then went to Barron, Wis., in the vicinity of which place he worked at farm labor and at logging for three years. After that he spent three years in Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, and three in Highland Township. At the end of that time he began farming on his own account, renting his father's farm in Glasgow Township for four years. His next move was to purchase a farm of 236 acres in sections 30 and 31, Greenfield Township, on which he erected buildings and made improvements; and from there he came to his present farm on Sand Prairie, which he is operating with profitable results. While a resident of Oakwood Township Mr. Wagner served one year as justice of the peace. He was married August 29, 1898 to Mary Shearts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Shearts, who came to America, and to Wabasha County. Minn., in the forties, settling in Glasgow Township, where they still reside. Their children were Frank, Mary, Elizabeth, Katherine, John and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wagner have been the parents of seven children, who were born as follows: Anna, January 5, 1900; Martha, February 22, 1902; Edward, December 31, 1903; Clara, January 6, 1906; Ida, November 22, 1907; Marian, January 14, 1911; and Joseph, May 4, 1914. The last mentioned died in infancy, on June 18, 1916. Anna is now the wife of Carl Hilbert, of La Crosse, Wis. Mr. Wagner and his family are members of the Catholic church.

Henry Husser was born in Canton Argau, Switzerland, in 1861. After com- pleting his school years he learned the printing trade and stood with that pro- fession until 1884. A printers' strike caused him to lose a well paying job. According to the custom of those days, the single fellows of the striking unions had to leave and look for work elsewhere, but only for schedule wages. His travels brought him to Bremen, where he desired to leave for America. Not having any money for transportation, he worked as coal pusher on a boat. In - this country he earned his first money on an oyster schooner on Chesapeake Bay by Baltimore. After that he worked on a German newspaper in Chicago, but found a dictatorship and collections run the same way as in the old country. He decided to work further on in the country under more free conditions. In 1886 he sent for the rest of the family-his mother, one brother and two sisters. The father had died before that. The brother is now in California, one sister married in South Dakota; the other sister and mother died here. In 1891 he bought a small place in the town of Mt. Vernon and grubbed a home out of it. In 1895 he married Mrs. Mary Farnsworth of Baraboo, Wis., born in 1861. She was the daughter of William Farnsworth and Mary Sherf. Her father was an old pioneer from Pennsylvania; her mother was from Saxony, Germany. In 1901 Mr. Husser bought his present place of occupation, near Minneiska, from Mr. Val Jacob, an old pioneer from the fifties and a veteran of the Civil War. The place had been rented before for many years, since Mr. Jacob was old. It was all run down and very unprofitable, but was close to school, to church and to the railroad. With the help of his wife and growing-up son, John Husser (born in May, 1896), he improved the place, making it highly productive. The

HENRY HUSSER AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

swamp land was improved. The hilly land, formerly all washed out, was planted to orchard fruit of many kinds and turned out profitable. His experiments show that the Wabasha County climate and soil are very favorable for a high class orchard fruit raising. Many kinds of berries are also raised. A herd of nice and productive Guernsey cows roam in pasture in summer and are well housed for winter. The family belongs to the Catholic church, and both father and son belong to the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Husser thinks this country is all right for everybody that is willing to work and not inclined to squander.

Edward Wehrenberg, a prominent farmer and citizen of Greenfield Town- ship, was born in this township, May 18, 1874. His parents, John H. and Anna (Frye) Wehrenberg, were natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States in 1855, locating first at St. Louis, where they remained for a year. In 1856 they came to Minnesota and settled in Greenfield Township, Wabasha County, John H. Wehrenberg taking a claim of 320 acres in sections 20 and 29. In time he cleared most of the land and erected a fine set of build- ings, converting his place into a model farm. There he resided, engaged in general farming, until his death, September 25, 1905. His widow is now resid- ing with her son, Edward. Edward Wehrenberg was brought up on the paren- tal farm and educated in the district school. Until 1905 he worked for his father, and then he and his brother Charles bought the home property, pur- chasing the interests of the other heirs. Here he and his brother are engaged in general farming, feeding a large number of cattle and hogs, the latter of the Duroc breed, with a full blooded sire at the head of the herd. Edward Wehren- berg was married November 21, 1911, to Elizabeth Asher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Asher of Mondovia, Wis., who were farmers in that locality. Both parents are now deceased, Mrs. Asher dying April 31, 1906, and Mr. Asher June 9, 1917. They were members of the Catholic church. Their children were George, Jr., John, May and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wehrenberg have one child, Charles W., born November 5, 1917. Their religious affiliations are with the German Lutheran church, and Mr. Wehrenberg belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America, being head Council of his camp, and to the Mod- ern Samaritans.

Ernest A. Goetz, a popular shoe merchant doing business in Plainview, of which village he is one of the enterprising and prosperous citizens, was born here, January 5, 1891, son of August and Rose (Wandry) Goetz. The parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States when young and were married in Plainview, this county. They settled on a farm in the township and in time became prosperous and highly respected, residing there until 1913, when they retired to the village. Mrs. August Goetz died January 1, 1918, but Mr. Goetz is still living in Plainview. Ernest A. Goetz acquired his education in the public schools of this township and village, including the high school. He began industrial life as clerk for Koenig Bros. & Co., for whom he worked four years. In 1913 he purchased his present business, and has a fine retail boot and shoe trade, carrying a good and complete stock of everything in his line, orderly arranged in a good sized and attractive store. Honesty, courtesy and close attention to business have already advanced him far on the road to prosperity, and as a member of the Business Men's Association of the village he takes an active part in promoting its commercial interests. Mr. Goetz was one of the patriotic young men who volunteered to serve in the military forces of the United States in the recent World War. He enlisted June 24, 1918, in the infantry, was made supply sergeant of the 40th Company, and was at Camp Grant until his honorable discharge January 2, 1919. He is now a member of the American Legion, and secretary of the Plainview Post. Mr. Goetz was united in marriage March 12, 1919, with Hazel M. Lloyd, who was born in Eyota, Minn., July 6, 1897. They have a pleasant home in the village and are popular members of the younger social set, with whom they exchange mutual hospitalities.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Gust Olson, in former years a well known and respected citizen of Mt. Pleasant Township, where he was successfully engaged in agriculture, was born near Urbru, Sweden, November 3, 1843. He attended school in his native land, where he spent the first 25 years of his life. He then resolved to seek his fortune in the United States, and left Sweden May 26, 1869, arriving in New York June 26. From that city he made his way west, partly by boat, to Grand Haven, Mich., from there to Milwaukee, then by train to Galena, Ill., and up the Mississippi by steamer to Lake City, Minn. The journey was a tedious one, as he had little money and could not pay for the best accommodations. On arriving here, or soon after, he found work in a lumber yard, where he was employed for four years. Before the end of that period he made the acquaint- ance of Mary Anderson, daughter of Andrew and Christina Anderson, and was married to her at Lake City, December 27, 1872. After his marriage Mr. Olson continued working for others until the spring of 1877, when he started out on his career as a farmer, moving on to the Peter Beck farm in section 22, Mt. Pleasant Township, where he remained two years. After that he operated the Collins farm in section 25 for two years. He then made another step in ad- vance, buying 80 acres in section 26, Mt. Pleasant Township, adjoining Hazlett farm on the north, and about the same time he rented and moved on to the Hazlett farm in section 36, containing 320 acres, which he operated up to the time of his death. Long before the termination of his career, however, he bought an improved farm of 160 acres in section 32, Lake Township, five and a half miles south of Lake City. This was a productive farm, with good build- ings, and formed a valuable part of his estate. In the meanwhile a family of sons and daughters was growing up around him, whose names, with birth dates, are as follows: Ida M., born November 30, 1879; Alma M., November 16, 1881; John W., August 14, 1883; Albin G., February 25, 1886; David L., March 5, 1889; and Alice M., April 14, 1895. Mr. Olson died June 5, 1912, leaving the record of an industrious and capable farmer and good citizen. His widow and children, none of whom are married, have since continued to operate the two farms, buying the Hazlett place in 1913. On this farm is a fair set of build- ings, the house having been improved by the family, who have also erected a large machine shed, and made other improvements. The total area of the two farms is 560 acres, nearly all of which are under the plow, and the farms are well stocked with Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, all of high grade. The 400-acre farm in Mt. Pleasant Township is operated by Albin and David, while the Lake Township farm is operated by John, with the aid of his sister, Alma. The other daughters remain on the home farm with their mother. All are industrious and respected members of the community and are members of St. John's Lutheran congregation at Lake City. The family has just erected a new modern barn of 90 by 50 feet, with full basement and equipped with Loude stanchions and running water.

Gust D. Labisky, chairman of the Plainview Township board, and a well to do general farmer and stock raiser, was born in the province of Schleswig, Germany, December 11, 1859, son of Dave and Rosa (Quark) Labisky. The parents, natives of the same province, came to the United States in 1868, locat- ing in Sheboygan County, Wis. Two years later they removed to Manitowoc County, in the same state, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1888 and the mother in 1898. Gust D. Labisky was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin, and for one winter in North Dakota. After liv- ing with his parents until 18 years of age, he worked out two years, and then, in 1878, came to Minnesota, locating in Winona County, where for about two seasons he was engaged in farm work. After that he spent two seasons in North Dakota, at the end of that time taking a homestead in Edmunds County, South Dakota, where he farmed for seven years. Then returning to Minnesota, he operated rented farms in Wabasha County for two years, afterwards for six years in Winona County, and still later for eight years in Wabasha. County

MR. AND MRS. DENNISON S. MELENDY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

again. At the end of that time he bought his present farm of 160 acres in sec- tion 27, Plainview Township, on which he has since made valuable improve- ments, having rebuilt the house and nearly all the barns and erected other out- buildings. He is profitably breeding Shorthorn cattle for dairy and beef pur- poses, and also raises Poland China hogs. In 1919 he bought a farm of 160 acres in section 26, which he has deeded to his two sons, Charles and Albert. A man of forceful character, keeping in close touch with public affairs, Mr. Labisky has naturally been called upon to serve in public offices. He has been a member of the school board for many years, and is now chairman of the township board, of which he has been a member nine years. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Mr. Labisky was married March 14, 1888, to Bertha Nienow, who was born in Germany, May 2, 1865, and came to America in 1867. He and his wife are the parents of five children: Charles J., born February 7, 1889; Leona C., December 25, 1890; Albert H., October 18, 1894; Clara M., February 11, 1898; and Verna, born December 10, 1899. Charles J. is now a farmer in Plainview Township. Leona C. is the wife of Albert Claussen, and has three children, Vera, Alvin and Chester. Albert H. is farm- ing the home place, Charles is farming the land in section 26, while Clara M. is residing at home with her parents, and Verna is keeping house for Charles. Mr. Labisky is an excellent type of the self-made man who has attained pros- perity through his own efforts, and he is well known and respected throughout this part of the county.

Denison S. Melendy, one of the most remarkable citizens of Wabasha County, now living on the beautiful farm in section 12, Plainview Township, which he purchased 40 years ago, though retired as a farm proprietor, is still able at the advanced age of 96 years to do a fair day's work, and enjoys being useful in preference to leading a life of idle leisure, which he could well afford to do. His remarkable achievements in this direction merit further attention and permanent record. Mr. Melendy was born at Orange, in Orange County, Vermont, October 8, 1824, only nine years after the battle of Waterloo and the close of our second war with Great Britain, and when steamships, railroads, and the electric telegraph were as yet unknown. His parents were Ebenezer and Sybil (Maisey) Melendy. His education was acquired at the Newbury Academy, Newbury, Vt., and after following the prescribed course he took up the work of a teacher, which he followed in the district schools for four win- ters. That he was a young man of recognized ability may be inferred from the fact that he served as superintendent of the schools in his native township, and was also elected to the offices of town clerk and town treasurer. On February 16, 1861, Mr. Melendy was united in marriage with Caroline Melendy, who was born at Grafton, N. H., October 10, 1841, daughter of Carlton and Betsy D. (Bean) Melendy. Directly after his marriage he purchased a farm of 140 acres in the Connecticut River Valley, in Orange County, Vt., and engaged in agri- culture, an occupation which he followed on the same farm for nearly forty years, or until 1880. He was now 56 years old, and most men of his age would have been content to remain on the spot where they had made their home for so long a period, but Mr. Melendy had all the ambition and energy of a much younger man, and though he was too late to be a pioneer, he resolved at least to be a settler in the distant and prosperous state of Minnesota, where there was still plenty of good land not yet worked out or depleted. Accordingly with his wife and three children he said good-bye to the old home and came to Plainview Township, Wabasha County, where he located on a farm which he had previously purchased on the beautiful Greenwood Prairie, section 12. This he soon built up into a model farm in every respect and became numbered among the leading and prosperous citizens of the township. In 1896 he suffered a great loss, amounting to about $4,000, when his outbuildings, with their con- tents, including six stacks of grain and 39 hogs, were completely destroyed by fire. But being a man of unlimited courage and perseverance, he reconstructed

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the buildings, erected a large barn, and remodeled the house, his prosperity being only temporarily interrupted. In 1899 Mr. Melendy relinquished the more arduous tasks of farm life, turning the farm over to younger hands, and it is now owned and operated by his son, Marcus D., with whom he and his wife are living and keeping house for themselves. But though he gave up the harder work, he is by no means idle. During the year 1919 he took full care of the lawns and a large garden of nearly an acre of ground, raising over 125 bushels of potatoes, which he hoed and cared for, and dug and carried them ail into the cellar, besides splitting 20 cords of wood to keep the home fires burning, a remarkable performance for a man in his 95th year, and which prob- ably has never been equaled by any man of his age in this county, and rarely anywhere. For several years he served as a member of the school board, hav- ing always kept up his early interest in education. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Melendy are: Nettie, now Mrs. V. W. Johnson, of Plain- view village; Marcus D., proprietor of the old home farm in Plainview Town- ship; and Edgar E., who is also a resident of the township.

Marcus D. Melendy, proprietor of a fine farm called the Greenwood Prairie Home, in section 12, Plainview Township, which was established by his father 40 years ago, was born in Fairlee, Orange County, Vt., April 20, 1867, son of Denison S. and Caroline C. (Melendy) Melendy. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and in Wabasha, Minn. It was in 1880, at the age of 13, that he was brought by his parents to Wabasha County, Minn., the family locating on the farm on Greenwood Prairie, in section 12, Plain- view Township, that the subject of this sketch is now operating. Later he took up farming on the farm of 160 acres in section 12, belonging to his uncle, Carlton Melendy, and was thus occupied until 1905. He then purchased a farm of 90 acres, also located in section 12, on which he resided until 1908, when he sold it and moved to the village of Plainview, where he made his home for six years and a half. In 1915 he went to California, where he was engaged in driving an auto bus line, being located four months at Burlingame and later at San Mateo. On June 22, 1917, he left California in an automobile headed for Wabasha County, Minn., where he arrived July 29, to become manager and proprietor of his father's farm, which he has since continued to operate. The farm, which is his own property, contains 160 acres, and is well provided with substantial buildings and machinery. Mr. Melendy is one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the county, believing in modern methods of agri- culture, which he is using with profitable results. His cattle are of the Dur- ham breed, with full-blooded sires at the head of the herd. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. For several years he was a member of the board of supervisors of Plainview Township, a part of the time being chairman, and for many years he was a member of the school board of his district. While a resident of Plainview he also served one year as a mem- ber of the city council. In these positions he rendered efficient service and proved himself a good man of affairs. Mr. Melendy was married September 25, 1888, to Lucy G. Wentworth, who was born July 20, 1869, and who has proved a faithful helpmeet and loving wife and mother. They have four chil- dren: Lynn E., born August 30, 1889; Avalin F., July 27, 1894; Lloyd D., August 30, 1907; and Stacy M., December 22, 1910. Lynn E. Melendy, who at the age of 16 took up electrical work at Red Wing, where he remained two years, subsequently spent two years in Oregon in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Co. A severe illness from typhoid fever caused him in 1910 to seek renewed health in California. There in the following year he was married to Mary Ennes, of Hillsboro, Ore. Until three years ago he made his home in San Francisco, where he was an electrician in a steel mill. Then becoming interested in aviation, he attended the Christopherson Aviation School, became a licensed pilot and was made an instructor in the same school. In May, 1918, he enlisted as a Marine and was sent to Miami, Fla., where he received two

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months' training. Then going overseas, he saw active flying service as a mem- ber of the Northern Bombing Squadron of the First Division. On his return home at Christmas time, following the signing of the armistice, he resumed his work as instructor in the Aviation school in San Francisco. While making a demonstration flight at Ft. Bragg on Sunday, June 13, 1920, his machine was struck in midair by another plane driven by an aviator named Eldridge and fell in flames to the ground, Mr. Melendy and the two men with him being killed. He was a young man with an enviable record and his untimely death was greatly mourned. Avalin F. Melendy, after graduating from the Plainview high school in the class of 1913, entered the Winona State Normal School, where she took the advanced elementary course and is now teaching at Evelith, Minn. The Melendy family are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Epis- copal church.

John H. Eggers, now living retired in the village of Plainview, was for some years one of the leading farmers in this township. He was born in Farmington Township, Olmsted County, December 24, 1874, son of Jurgen and Elsie (Eitzman) Eggers. His education, begun in a district school in Farm- ington Township, was continued in the Plainview village school, and after he became industrially active he worked for his father until 1896. He then started out for himself, buying 140 acres in sections 23 and 24, Plainview Town- ship, where he did general farming until 1911. In that year he effected a trade of property by which he acquired 240 acres in sections 14 and 15, Plainview Township, at which location he remained, engaged in general farming and stock raising until his retirement in 1919. He has bought a beautiful home in the village, which he now occupies. He served as clerk of Plainview township for 17 years, and was school director of Districts 59 and 62 for 12 years, and is now serving as recorder for the village of Plainview. On April 6, 1896, Mr. Eggers was united in marriage with Adeline Goetz, daughter of August and Rosa (Waundrie) Goetz, early settlers in Wabasha County. They have had two children : Alfred, born April 5, 1897, who is now living on the Louis Holtz farm in this township; and Raymond A., born May 2, 1909, who is attending school in the village. Mr. Eggers and his family are members of the German Lutheran church. They have a wide circle of friends throughout this part of the county and are personally popular.

Henry C. Marshman, proprietor of one of the best farms in Plainview Township, if not in the county, which he has developed within the last 16 or 17 years, was born in Washington County, Wis., June 11, 1860, son of Henry and Lottie (Crow) Marshman. The parents were natives of Germany who came to this country about 1845, and spent the rest of their lives farming in Wash- ington County, Wis., where they died. Their son, Henry C., attended school in his home locality, and remained with his parents until 18 years old. His ambition then prompted him to strike out on his own account, and he came to Winona County, Minn., where he worked three years, practicing economy and saving his money. At the end of that time he rented a farm in Elba Town- ship, Winona County, which he operated two years. About 1883 he came to Plainview Township, Wabasha County, and for 20 years thereafter was en- gaged in operating rented farms. During that period he made steady progress and his bank account gradually increased. By 1903 he was able to buy a good farm, and accordingly purchased the one on which he is now residing, or, rather, 240 acres of it, located in section 35. He has since increased its area to 320 acres. His improvements have added considerably to the value of the property, as he has remodeled the house and erected a fine barn and outbuild- ings. As a breeder of Durham cattle, Poland-China swine and Percheron horses, he has achieved good success, and in addition raises large quantities of grain and other farm products, for all of which, in the present state of the mar- ket, he receives good prices. He is a member of the Co-operative Creamery Association of Plainview, and is a school director of District No. 62. Politically

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 89

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