History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 95

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 95

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).

574

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

In addition to carrying on his farm, he also operated a portable sawmill. But his strenuous work impaired his health, and he was on the verge of a com- plete breakdown. He was advised by physicians to seek another climate for the benefit of his health. But feeling that his ailment was simply a case of his being tired out, he decided that a comparative rest would do him as much good as a change of climate. Accordingly in 1903, he purchased forty acres on the outskirts of Wabasha. Gradually his health improved, and as he in- creased in strength, he increased his farming operations, and added to the tract until he had 240 acres. This he farmed until January, 1916, when he sold 160 acres to his son-in-law, Louis Nipp, leaving himself eighty acres, to this he has added by additional purchases until he has 107 acres. In 1918 he rebuilt the house, so that he now has a modern nine-room dwelling, finished in stucco, and well arranged. He now carries on general farming, raising the usual crops, and breeding good graded cattle, swine and poultry. He and his good wife stand well in the community. They have worked hard, have done their share in life, and reaped industry's just reward. Mr. Funke was married April 23, 1890, to Theresa Graden, daughter of Nicholas and Mar- garet Graden, of Pepin Township, this county. She was born November 3, 1869. This union has been blessed with three children, Veronica, Rose and Elizabeth. Veronica was born January 1, 1891, graduated from the St. Felix high school at Wabasha and the Winona State Normal School, taught eighth grade studies for eight years, and is now the wife of Louis Nipp, a Wabasha farmer, and has one son John H. Rose was born May 25, 1892, graduated from the St. Felix high school at Wabasha, and the Stout Institute, Menomo- nie, Wis., taught domestic science for four years, married Fred Horihan, of Houston County, this state, and has one child, Bernice E. Elizabeth was born July 4, 1893, and graduated from the St. Felix high school at Wabasha, and St. Catherine's College at St. Paul, Minn., and is now a student of Pratt In- stitute of Brooklyn, N. Y. The family faith is that of St. Felix Catholic Church, Wabasha.

Sylvester Loechler, who was for many years one of the leading merchants of Wabasha City, engaged in the clothing and men's furnishing business, was born in Baden, Germany, December 31, 1857, and came to this country with his parents when a small boy, the family settling in Wabasha County, Minn. Here the parents died some years ago. Sylvester Loechler attended the com- mon schools and subsequently learned the tailor's trade with Lawrence Gin- ther of Wabasha. Ambitious to become his own master, in course of time he established a store of his own, in connection with the tailoring business, put- ting in a line of clothing and men's furnishings. To perfect himself in his trade he went to New York, where he took a course in a cutting school, com- pleting it January 22, 1890. Then returning to Wabasha, he established a business by himself. Later he became connected in business with Frank Miller, forming the firm of Loechler & Miller, located on Pembroke street, Mr. Loechler owning the two-story brick building. There he continued busily employed until his death on April 6, 1908. His career was marked by industry and enterprise and was crowned with success. He accumulated a fair com- petency, and owned a comfortable home on the corner of Second and Bailey streets, which is now occupied by his widow. As a man of sterling worth and a citizen who understood and fulfilled his obligations to the community, he was highly esteemed. In politics he was a Democrat, but at no time an office holder. Mr. Loechler was married November 7, 1894, to Mary, daugh- ter of Cornelius and Mary (Ryan) Mahoney of Watopa Township, Wabasha County. She was born on a farm in Greenfield Township, this county, Feb- ruary 21, 1868. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Loechler had no children of their own, but reared two children of a sister of Mr. Loechler, William and Clara. William is now living in Seattle, Wash., and his sister Clara in Winnebago City, Minn. After her husband's death Mrs. Loechler

575

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

continued the business with Mr. Miller until January 1, 1916, when she sold her interests, and the firm is now Miller & O'Flaherty, located on Pembroke street, opposite the former store. She still owns the Loechler Bldg., which she rents. She is a member of the Catholic church and the Wabasha Woman's Club, and enjoys a wide social popularity.

Hugh Lawrence Lothrop, a member of the well known law firm of Mur- doch & Lothrop, of Wabasha City, was born on a farm near Zumbrota, Good- hue County, Minn., October 19, 1888, son of Josiah and Sarah (Libby) Lothrop. The paternal grandparents were natives of the state of Massachusets, who moved to Eaton, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, where for some years they were engaged in farming. There their son, Josiah, was born, and spent his early years. When he was nine years old they sold the farm and returned to Maine, later moved from there to Burns, La Crosse County, Wis., where they settled on a farm, the father (grandfather of Hugh Lawrence) also preaching in the Free Will Baptist church. From Burns, Wis., it was but a brief jour- ney to Goodhue County, Minn., to which locality the grandfather came in 1856, pre-empting 160 acres of land near Zumbrota, the family moving on to the place in 1860. There they developed a good farm on which the grandparents died in 1880 and 1883. Its improvement was continued by Josiah Lothrop until 1908, in which year he retired and took up his residence in Zumbrota Village, where he is now living. They have been the parents of six children : Mary E., wife of James Farrahar, an attorney of Bakersfield, Calif .; Josiah Howard, residing on the old home farm in Goodhue County; Charles E. and Seth W., deceased; Sadie E., who married Orville Freeman of Minneapolis, and is also now deceased; and Hugh Lawrence, of Wabasha. Hugh Lawrence Lothrop acquired his elementary education in the district school, and was aft- erwards graduated from the graded school and the high school in Zumbrota. In January, 1910, he entered the law department of Minnesota State Univer- sity, where he was a student for two and one-half years, subsequently read- ing law in the office of Senator A. J. Rockne of Zumbrota. Admitted to the bar in May, 1913, in the following month he opened an office in Mazeppa, where he practiced his profession until May, 1916, when he entered into part- nership with John W. Murdoch of Wabasha. The firm of Murdoch & Lothrop is now well and favorably known, and handles a considerable amount of law business, with satisfaction to its clients. Mr. Lothrop is a close student of his profession, to which he is well adapted by natural bent. He was mar- ried August 21, 1917, to Harriet F. Croxford, daughter of William and Ellen Croxford of Zumbrota, where her father is engaged in the lumber business, although she was born in St. Paul, May 21, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Lothrop have one child, Elizabeth Ellen, born August 27, 1918. Mr. Lothrop is a staunch Republican politically. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church.

William H. Anderson, proprietor of the Anderson House, at Wabasha, and one of the city's leading citizens, is doing his share toward the general pros- perity of the community by conducting an excellent hotel, which by its hos- pitality and service creates in the minds of strangers a most excellent impres- sion of the whole community. He was born in Rome Township, Oneida County, N. Y., March 12, 1846, son of Levi and Harriett (Carpenter) Anderson. His father dying when he was 12 years, leaving a large family, young William H. went to work when he was 14 and contributed his earnings toward the family support. In 1866 he came west and reached Rochester by rail. From there he set out on foot for Wabasha County, and for several years worked as a farm hand in Zumbro Township. In 1867 he purchased 80 acres of wild land, four miles southeast of Zumbro Falls. He built a small board house, and set to work with a will to clear and develop a good farm. To his original tract he added a 160-acre tract and a 40-acre one, making in all a place of 280 acres. In addition to his farming operations, Mr. Anderson made a

576

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

specialty for many years of buying and shipping cattle. In 1896 he retired from farm work and bought the old hotel at Mazeppa, in this county. In 1900 he moved the old building, and on the site erected the present commodi- ous brick-veneered building. In 1913 he sold out, and purchased the old Hurd House, in Wabasha, a pioneer hostelry which had been erected in 1855 by B. F. Hurd, and enlarged and remodelled some years ago by Mr. Hurd's son-in- law, Ziba Goss. This hotel, Mr. Anderson has since conducted, ably assisted by his wife and daughters. He changed the name to the Anderson House, and wrought many improvements and alterations. He is a genial, competent man, of wide acquaintance, and is highly regarded by the traveling public of the Northwest, as well as by the citizens of his own city. In 1915, desir- ing to establish for his family a home life which even the excellent hotel conditions could not entirely furnish, he erected across from the hotel, one of the most beautiful residences in the city. It is delightfully situated in picturesque grounds on the banks of the Mississippi, and is of much archi- tectural beauty wrought in tile and stucco. The furnishings are tasteful and restful throughout. Here he and his family find peace and contentment away from the strenuous duties of hotel management, and here, in future years, he and his wife plan to spend their declining days. Mr. Anderson was mar- ried in 1885 to Ida Hoffman, of Zumbro Township, and this union has been blessed with four children: Ora, Verna, Belle and Effie. Ora died in child- hood. Verna married Joseph McCaffery, and has two children, Jean Eliza- beth and Ann. Mr. McCaffery for the past 14 years has been in the railroad mail service on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, between St. Paul and Chi- cago. He and his wife live two blocks from the hotel. The daughters of Mr. Anderson have been given unusual educational advantages, not only in the Wabasha County schools, but also in the College of St. Theresa in Winona. Mr. Anderson has been unusually fortunate in his family life. His wife has been a true helpmeet in all his endeavors, and now takes entire charge of the hotel kitchen. The daughters are competent business managers thoroughly versed in all departments of hotel management, in kitchen, dining room, guest rooms and office. All are interested in church work. Mrs. Anderson and the Misses Belle and Effie are members of the Episcopal church, while Mr. and Mrs. McCaffery are members of the Catholic church. Levi and Harriett (Car- penter) Anderson, parents of William H. Anderson, were natives of this country, of Scotch descent. They were married in Oneida County, N. Y. There Levi Anderson died in 1858. His widow later came west and died in Wabasha County. In the family were seven children, four sons and three daughters: William H., Abram J., Fairfax and Welcome, Minica, Betsy and Phoebe. Abram J. lives in Wabasha County; Fairfax in Carrington, N. D .; and Welcome in Edgerly, N. D., all being prosperous farmers. Minica died in young womanhood. Betsy lives in Sacred Heart, Minn., and is the wife of D. H. Day. Phoebe is the wife of H. W. McGeorge of Washington, D. C. The Anderson House, in Wabasha, owned and managed by William H. An- derson and his family, is a hotel widely known for its excellence. It is well situated and provides most excellent accommodations in every department. Aside from the office, reception rooms, parlors and dining rooms, it has 45 sleeping rooms, is well equipped in the way of baths and the like, and every- thing possible is done for the comfort of the guests.

John Q. Richardson, pioneer, for nearly 34 years a prominent farmer of Elgin Township, and afterwards until his death a resident of Elgin Village, was born in Topsham, Orange County, Vt., May 11, 1828. Up to 20 years of age his life was spent on the home farm, his education being acquired in the common school and the East Orange high school. He also taught one term of school there, and for several winters taught school in Westport, Mass., and attended school at Corinth and Bradford, Vt., during the summers. In 1853 he began teaching in Newark, N. J., where he was principal of a gram-

RALPH W. RICHARDSON AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. JOHN Q. RICHARDSON

577

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

mar school for nine years. On October 2, 1853, he married Cordelia C. Colby, who also taught in the Newark schools until they moved to Minnesota in April, 1862, settling on the farm in section 34, Elgin Township. The log cabin on this farm was the first built in the township and was owned by his father, J. Q. Richardson. This place continued to be his home until De- cember 1, 1895, when he and his family moved to Elgin Village, where Mr. Richardson had built a residence that summer. Mr. Richardson passed away on Monday, February 21, 1916, at the home of his son, R. W. Richardson, just south of the village. He was a man who always took an active interest in school, church and public affairs, both of the township and village, until in- capacitated by illness. He was depended upon as one of the substantial men of the community, while his judgment and counsel on public questions was al- ways good. He had built up one of the finest farm homes in this vicinity. Some 50 years ago he set out a large maple grove on the hillside to the south of his farm buildings, and after the trees were well grown he started a maple sugar camp, which he conducted for a number of years. He made sugar on a larger scale than anyone else in this vicinity, and hundreds visited his camp at sugaring time. He was also greatly interested in horticulture, and for many years had one of the finest orchards in this section. His political affili- ation had always been with the Republican party. He was one of the early members of the Congregational church in Elgin, and retained his membership therein, though for many years he was organist of the M. E. church and re- tained his interest in music to the end of his life. Many young people in Elgin became interested in singing by attending a free singing school con- ducted for several years by him in the Elgin schoolhouse. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, in which he held the office of secretary, taking a demit from the lodge a number of years ago. He served his town several years as assessor. Mr. Richardson was survived by his wife, Mrs. Cordelia C. Rich- ardson, and one son, Ralph W. A brother, Charles, also remains to mourn his loss.

Ralph W. Richardson, for a number of years until 1920, vice president of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Elgin, of which village he is one of the leading citizens, was born June 19, 1867, in Elgin Township, on the farm of his parents, John Q. and Cordelia (Colby) Richardson. He acquired his education in the public schools of Elgin and at Carleton College, North- field, Minn. After that he followed teaching winters and farming summers until 1895. Then in December, that year, he rented his father's farm of 237 acres in Elgin Township, and operated it continuously until November, 1919, when he retired and moved to Elgin Village. While living on the farm, his father gave him three acres of it, on which he erected a fine residence, in which he resided until his retirement. When the creamery association was organized he became secretary of the board, a position that he held for sev- eral years. He was vice president of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank from the time it was organized until 1920, when he was succeeded by Thomas Richardson. For a number of years he has been secretary of the Old Set- tlers' Association of Elgin. Always known as a patriotic citizen, and long recognized as an able business man, his services were naturally called into requisition during the recent world war, and he readily and cheerfully re- sponded, taking an active part in all local war work, including the War Sav- ing Stamps, the third, fourth and fifth Liberty Loan drives and Y. M. C. A. drives, and being township chairman of United War Work in 1918, including the Christmas Roll Call, the Red Cross drive in December 1918, and the Christ- mas Seal Sale in December, 1919, besides other patriotic activities.

Mr. Richardson was first married, September 6, 1891, to Mary E. Rollins, who was born on her parents' farm in Elgin Township, October 10, 1867, daughter of Irvin W. and Ellen (Keith) Rollins. She died after months of suffering patiently endured, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minn., on

578

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

December 28, 1908. Beneath a modest, quiet demeanor, Mrs. Mary E. Rich- ardson concealed a force of character, a richness of mental endowment, a capacity of doing thngs, and a steadiness and sanity of religious life that were little suspected except by her most intimate friends. The memory of her unselfish devotions, of the beauty and serenity of her faith, of her wifely and sisterly love, will ever be to them an incentive to Christian living, and an admonition to brave and high endeavor.

On April 17, 1911, Mr. Richardson married, secondly, Phebe Fisk, who was born in Kent, England, daughter of William M. and Rachel (Gower) Fisk. She came to America in 1907 and the first four years of her residence in this country were spent in California. It was in 1911, when she was visiting a cousin in Elgin, that she first met Mr. Richardson, and the attachment grew up which ended in their marriage. On February 4, 1913, a son, John Wil- liam, was born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are highly respected in the community. During the war period she was chairman of the Council of National Defense of Elgin Village and Township. While still residing in England Mrs. Phebe Richardson became a member of the Baptist church. On June 4, 1920, both she and her husband united by letter with the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Elgin, Mr. Richardson having formerly been a mem- ber of the Congregational church. Their son John also joined on the same day.

John W. Dill, a pioneer, was born in Germany, and was there reared. He came to America in 1843, and located on a farm near St. Louis, Mo., where on December 12, 1856, he married Margaret Wax, a native of Germany. In 1864 they came to Reads and settled at Read's Landing, where the father was employed at teaming and other work. He died May 2, 1882. The mother is making her home with her daughter, Setta, in Wabasha. Mr. and Mrs. Dill were the parents of five children: Louise (deceased), Victoria (deceased), John G., Setta, living in Wabash, Deana, wife of E. M. Schmidt, of Wabasha.

John G. Dill, secretary and treasurer of the R. E. Jones Co., owning and operating a line of grain elevators in Minnesota and Wisconsin, is a leading citizen of Wabasha, ever alive to its best interests, and an enthusiastic believer in its continued prosperity and future possibilities. He was born at Marine, Ill., November 30, 1862, son of John W. and Margaret Dill, who brought him to this country at the close of the Civil War, when he was two years old. He was reared in Read's Landing, this county, and has made his own way in the world since he was 13 years of age, working at such jobs as he could get during the summer months and attended school winters. At the age of 17 he entered the employ of Grub & Miller, general store, at Wabasha as clerk, and remained with their successors, Hirschy & Son. In 1887 he entered the employ of the R. E. Jones Co. and by successive promotions has attained his present position, having remained with the firm continuously except for a year and a half, when he traveled for the Wabasha Roller Mill Co. Since he became secretary and treasurer of the Jones Company in 1904, he has been an important factor in its growth and success. In addition to his business, he has found time for con- siderable public service, especially during the war. He has conscientiously avoided political office, but has nevertheless been twice elected an alderman, and in that capacity has done most excellent work. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Wabasha Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been secretary for some years. Mr. Dill was married November 6,. 1889, to Elinor Jones, daughter of John Ap. and Elinor Jones, of Cambria, Wis., and to this union have been born three children : Margaret M., John G., Jr., and E. Louise. Margaret M. was born May 30, 1894, attended the Wabasha graded schools, and graduated from the Wabasha High School, attended the University of Minnesota for two seasons, and took special courses in music at Minneapolis for three years, being now instructor of music in the public schools of Monona, Iowa. John G., Jr., was born April 30, 1896, and is a graduate of the Wabasha High School.

579

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and University of Minnesota. He served his country during the Great War in the Aviation Corps. E. Louise was born June 16, 1903, and is now attending the Downer Seminary at Milwaukee, Wis.

R. E. Jones, president of the R. E. Jones Co., incorporated, of Wabasha, one of the largest business concerns in southeastern Minnesota, was born at Cambria, Wis., January 14, 1855, son of John Ap and Elinor (Evans) Jones. The parents, who were natives of Wales, settled in Cambria in 1845, the year . in which they came to America, which was soon after their marriage, as their son, R. E., was their first born child. The children subsequently born to them are: John D., who is now deceased; Richard, a resident of Foster, Wis .; Mary, deceased; Susan, who is principal of the Jefferson School at Winona, Minn., and Elinor, wife of John G. Dill of Wabasha. The father, John Ap Jones, was engaged in the elevator and grain business in Cambria until his death. His wife, who survived him, died in Wabasha at the home of her son, the subject of this sketch. R. E. Jones, who acquired his education in the public schools of Cambria, Wis., became associated with his father in the grain business there, and was thus occupied until he was 18 years old. During the next three years he was bookkeeper for Wheeler & Winter, provision dealers of Negaunee, Mich. Then returning home, he went into the grain business with his father and brothers at Cambria, and was in partnership with them subsequently for about ten years. In 1886 he came to Wabasha, Minn., and here became man- ager of the Terminal elevator for Henry J. O'Niel of Winona. After being thus engaged for three years he entered into business for himself, in 1889, in Wa- basha, in association with J. G. Lawrence, under the firm name of R. E. Jones & Co., and in December of the same year the R. E. Jones Company was in- corporated, with J. G. Lawrence as president and R. E. Jones as secretary, treasurer and manager, and has since been actively engaged in business along various lines, dealing in grain, seeds, wool, flour and feed and general produce. The operations of the company have expanded in the course of years until they now have a string of 20 grain elevators in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. They also handle fire and life insurance, and furnish electric light and power to Wabasha city. Progressive and enterprising, Mr. Jones has gained high rank as a business man and has been a potent factor in the develop- ment of the community in which he has made his home, and of which he is now one of the leading citizens. For the last 25 years he had been a member of the Wabasha school board. In politics he is a Republican. Though reared in the Presbyterian faith, he is a member of no church, but attends and sup- ports the Congregational church in Wabasha. He has taken an active and patriotic part in war activities, having served as chairman of the Y. M. C. A., the Red Cross Society and of the United War Work drives. Mr. Jones was mar- ried in April, 1882, to Perrie Williams, daughter of Morris and Perrie Wil- liams, of Cambria, Wis. Of this union four children have been born: David M., Perrie, Elinor and Robert. David M., who was graduated from the Wa- basha High School, the Minnesota University and the Boston School of Tech- nology, is now living in Schenectady, N. Y., in the employ of the General Elec- tric Company. Perrie, who was graduated from the Wabasha High School, and from Smith College, Massachusetts, is employed in the New York City library in the department of technology, but during the war with Germany has served with the Y. M. C. A. in Paris, France. Elinor, a graduate of the Wabasha High School and Smith College, is now Mrs. H. G. Cant, of Minneapolis. Robert Ap., who was graduated from the Wabasha High School and from the Minnesota University as electrical engineer, is in the employ of the General Eectric Com- pany at Schenectady, N. Y. It will thus be seen that all Mr. Jones's children have received a superior education, fitting them for the higher walks of life, and are making good use of their opportunities for usefulness. Among Mr. Jones's social activities are those connected with his membership in Waupa- hassa Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of Wabasha, and White Oak Camp, No. 2077, M. W. A., also of this city.

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.

History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 95

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