History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 96

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

William Jacobs, a former resident of Chester Township, Wabasha County, where he was engaged in farming, was a native of Luxemburg, where he grew to manhood and was employed by a ship building company in getting out ship timber. He was married in Beford, Luxemburg, in 1844, to Mary Pline, and for 24 years thereafter continued to reside in his native land. Then in 1868 he came with his wife and family to the United States, proceeding west to Wabasha County, Minn., where he arrived in October. He was well provided with funds, having in his possession about $2,000 in gold. That fall he located on rented land in Pepin Township, about two miles from Reed's Landing, and engaged in farming. After remaining in that location for four years, in 1872 he bought 160 acres in Watonwan County, Minn., between St. James and Me- delia and moved there, but left his family here the first season. His prospects in Watonwan County were, however, blasted by the grasshopper scourge and he lost all he had invested there. Returning to Wabasha County, he bought an improved tract of 80 acres in Chester Township and set to work to recoup his fortunes. The family lived on this farm for 18 years, or until Mr. Jacobs' death. He was survived by his wife, who, however, finally passed away. They were the parents of six children: Mary, now the widow of John Beaver of Wabasha; Margaret, the widow of Peter Frisch of Minneapolis; Anna, now Mrs. John Carrels of Wabasha; Catherine, who is the widow of Nicholas Bar- tholomew and resides at Bellchester in Chester Township, Wabasha County; Katy, who is the wife of Nicholas Trienem of Morris, Minn., and William T., of Wabasha.

William T. Jacobs, proprietor of a livery, garage and auto bus line in Wa- basha city, was born in Luxemburg, February 2, 1861, son of William and Mary (Pline) Jacobs. He was about seven years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States, and could already read and write, having attended school in his native land. His education was continued up to the age of 18 in the Wabasha public school, and afterwards for a year in St. Francis Academy at Milwaukee, Wis. He then returned to his parents' farm in Chester Town- ship, Wabasha County, and remained there until 1888, in the fall of that year coming to Wabasha city. Here in 1895 he engaged in the livery business, to which in 1915 he added a garage and auto department and has since operated an auto bus line. These enterprises he has conducted with good judgment and they have developed to profitable proportions. Mr. Jacobs owns a comfortable home in Wabasha and is numbered among the prosperous business men of the city. Politically a Democrat, he formerly served one term as clerk of Chester Township. On February 5, 1894, he was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of Adolph and Margaret Funke, who was born in Luxemburg, No- vember 5, 1865, and came to this country along about 1888. Shortly after his marriage he sent for his wife's parents to come to this country, and the father subsequently died in Wabasha County, and the mother in Harvey, N. D. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born six children, as follow: Margaret, No- vember 5, 1894; John P., October 5, 1896; Cecelia, January 27, 1900; William, August 9, 1903; Helen, August 9, 1906; and George, March 2, 1907. Margaret, who was graduated from the Wabasha High School and the Winona Normal School, is now teaching in Wabasha County. John P., who is employed by his father in the latter's garage, enlisted in the spring of 1918 in the U. S. navy, trained at the Great Lakes naval station, and was discharged January 10, 1919, without having seen service abroad. Cecelia was graduated from the Wabasha schools and the Winona Business College, and is now engaged in stenography and typewriting. William, Helen and George are still pursuing their studies. Mr. Jacobs and his family are members of St. Felix parish of the Catholic church in Wabasha, and he also belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

Knute Johnson .- The story of Knute Johnson is that of a successful life. Born in Roros, Norway, December 26, 1830, he came to America in 1853, a young man full of vigor; he worked a short time at railroading in Chicago, went

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES K. JOHNSON

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

to Iowa in the fall of 1853, and in 1855 became a pioneer of Wabasha County, Minn. At Reed's Landing he found employment in the Marshall sawmill, his wages being $20 a month, and showed such intelligence and industry that he was made foreman, the assistant foreman being Lucas Kuehn, who afterward founded the Kuehn Mercantile Co. at Wabasha. Finally leaving the sawmill, Mr. Johnson went to Trout Creek Valley, Glasgow Township, and bought 400 acres of wild land on which he began farming. To this already large tract he added 160 acres. He remained there until 1877, and then, selling the farm, he bought 600 acres of wild land on Pepin Hill, in section 20, overlooking Lake Pepin, and once again began the work of improvement, in which his sons, when old enough, assisted, and together they cleared 250 acres, built a comfortable two-story frame house, a large barn with full stone basement, and other sub- stantial tructures. The work on these buildings Mr. Johnson did chiefly him- self, as his original trade was that of carpenter. For 21 years he remained on that farm, engaged in general agriculture, having a first class equipment, and keeping good stock. Then in 1898 he moved to Wabasha that his younger children might enjoy better opportunities for education, leaving the farm in the hands of his sons, John and Charles. He was first married in 1854 to Johanna Christine Schanka, who died in 1873. In 1875 he married Laura Sten- erson, who died October 11, 1898. After her death he returned to the farm and remained there until 1914. Then he again took up his residence in Wabasha, where he died October 10, 1915. Mr. Johnson was of a quiet, retiring nature and benevolent disposition. His innate force of character made him widely known and he was universally respected. He served the township at various - times in public office, in politics being a republican. For many years he was a stockholder in and director of the First National Bank of Wabasha. Industry and thrift brought him success, and at his death he had acquired upwards of 1,400 acres of land in Wabasha County. By his two successive wives he had eleven children, all of whom are living, namely: Jennie, a resident of Wabasha; James, who is a blacksmith at Crookston, Minn .; Emma. now Mrs. H. C. Stah- mann of Winona; Tena, who is the wife of W. C. Brunner of Delano, Calif .; Mabel, now Mrs. Fred Bade of Glasgow Township; Eva Louise, wife of Henry Zeirtz of Delano, Calif .; Della, now Mrs. F. Higgins of Columbia Falls, Mont .; William, a farmer of Glasgow Township, this county; Lloyd K., a farmer at Weaver, this county; and John, born in Iowa, December 13, 1854; and Charles K., born in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, July 9, 1864, who together own and operate the Pepin Hill farm, following general agriculture, including the raising of grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. John, who is unmarried, was always associated with his father on the farm until the elder Mr. Johnson's retirement, and since then he has remained on it. Charles for 20 years followed well digging, but the farm was his home and for a number of years he has continuously resided on it. On November 21, 1906, he married Emma Rother, who was born October 29, 1883, daughter of Charles and Caro- line (Cushman) Rother of Theilman, Wabasha County, and they have had three children: Leona, born February 17, 1908; Alvin J. P., born January 20, 1910; and Victor, born in 1914, who died in infancy. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Amherst Millis was born in Denver, Mich., July 3, 1862, and as a young man came to Wabasha County, where he engaged in railroad work. He was a hard-working man, industrious and frugal. He married, establishing his home on the west side, and in time erected a comfortable house in which, with his wife and two small sons, he looked forward to a happy and prosperous future. But these plans were brought to a sudden end November 18, 1893, when he was killed in a railroad accident. It was then that his brave hearted wife proved her sterling worth. Born in Eagle Harbor, Mich., April 5, 1866, brought to Wabasha County as a child, and married October 1, 1887, she was still in her late twenties when left with the task of rearing and educating two fatherless

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

boys. Hiding her grief in her heart she took up the burden of life with un- flinching courage. Two years after her husband's death she opened a small store in a building adjoining her home. She was a good business woman, she was respected and liked throughout the community, and the business grew. So successful indeed did her careful management prove, that she was enabled not only to pay off the indebtedness on her own home, but also to purchase a house and lot adjoining, in addition to rearing and educating two boys. She con- ducted the store until her death July 19, 1918. She was a deeply religious woman, and a member of the St. Felix Catholic church. Mrs. Millis, whose maiden name was Veronica Theisen, was one of a family of seven children, the others being Martin, John, Nicholas, Peter, Mary and Anna. Martin is a grain buyer in Grafton, Iowa. John is a lumberman in La Grande, Ore. Nicholas is a lumberman in Sacramento, Calif. Peter is dead. Mary married Robert Brown of Greenfield Township, this county, and is also dead. Anna keeps house for her nephews, Roy E. and Walter, and assists them in their store at Wabasha.

Roy Ervin Millis, one of the leading business men of Wabasha, is conduct- ing a general mercantile store which enjoys a large patronage, and which is constantly increasing in scope and popularity. He is a native of the city where he now resides, born August 12, 1888, son of Amherst and Veronica (Theisen) Millis. He passed through the Wabasha schools and attended St. Felix High School until he was 18 years of age. Throughout his boyhood he assisted his mother in her store, and upon her death took over the well estab- lished business which she left. He is a good business man and is thoroughly alive to the needs of the community. He has done excellent work as vice presi- dent of the Wabasha Business Men's Club, looking always to the best interests of the city. He is prominent in the Knights of Columbus, and is a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union. His religious allegiance is given to the St. Felix Catholic church. Mr. Millis is assisted in his business by his only brother, Walter, and by his aunt, Anna Theisen.

Edward Charles Hall, a well known and respected citizen of Wabasha, engineer of the Buena Vista Sanitorium, and also proprietor of a truck farm, was born in Highland Township, Wabasha County, Minn., May 10, 1883, son of Thomas and Jane (Burns) Hall. The farm of his parents, where they settled . at an early day, lies four miles northwest of Plainview. At the time of their advent in this country they were very poor, but in time they developed the farm, erecting on it a fair set of buildings. The father died June 6, 1894, and the mother in 1911, in Wabasha. Their children were: Katherine, now deceased; James, of Lake City; Bridget, wife of Fred Wolfe of Sioux Falls, S. D .; Thomas, of Millville; Edward Charles, of Wabasha; Jane, wife of Fred Schmauss, of Lake City; Margaret, deceased; John, deceased; and John (second), of Sioux Falls, S. D. Edward Charles Hall had to take a man's place on the farm when only 10 years old. He resided at home until 1905, in which year he went to Pocatella, Idaho, where he found employment as railroad man on the "Oregon Short Line." In the fall of that year he was called home to Wabash County and resumed his old place on the home farm. On June 12, 1906, he was united in marriage with Nora, daughter of Edward and Mary McKeefery, of Wa- basha, and for the next two years he resided on the farm of his wife's parents, just on the edge of Wabasha city. For five years he was employed in the round- house and shops of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at Wabasha. He then bought the farm of his wife's parents, which contained 40 acres, of which he sold 14 acres for the site of the Buena Vista Sanitorium, of which institution he became engineer in 1917. Besides attending to his duties in that position, he carries on a small truck farm with profitable results. Mrs. Hall was born on her parents' farm May 6, 1878, her parents being early settlers in this region. Her father has passed away, but her mother is still living. Both the Hall and McKeefery families are Catholic in religion, and Mr. Hall

MR. AND MRS. PETER CARSTENS

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and his family are members of St. Felix parish, Wabasha. Mr. Hall has always been a Republican politically. He and his wife have had six children: . Don- old, now deceased; Margaret, Dorothy, Mildred, Ann, deceased, and Charles.

George Schwirtz, now deceased, who was for many years a prominent mer- chant of Wabasha city, was born in West Albany Township, this county, De- cember 11, 1861, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Schwirtz. The father was a native of Luxemburg and the mother of Baden, Germany. They were early settlers in West Albany Township, arriving there before the Civil War. Their son, George, was a small boy when the family left the farm, removing to Wabasha City, where John Schwirtz engaged in the hardware and agricultural imple- ment business. He and his wife subsequently died in Wabasha. After coming to town George Schwirtz attended the public schools and subsequently entered his father's store, where he learned the business. On his father's retirement in 1888, he, with a brother-in-law, August Marsh, became owner of the business, which he carried on subsequently for 24 years, or until his death, June 12, 1912. He made an honorable record as one of Wabasha's successful business men, and, moreover, took a lively and beneficial interest in all civic affairs, as a Democrat becoming prominent in local politics, and serving the city both as alderman and mayor. With him, however, party was always subordinate to his duty as a citizen, the interests of the general community being his first con- sideration. Though illness seized him five years before his death, and con- tinually strengthened its hold, he bore his misfortunes patiently and without complaint, continuing to perform his duties as long as he was able. He made good provision for his family and left them a comfortable home at the corner of Second and Lafayette streets. The family are active and useful members of of the Episcopal church in Wabasha, and Mr. Schwirtz was fraternally affiliated with the Odd Felows, Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. Schwirtz was married May 5, 1886, to Elise Schubert, who was born in Rochester, N. Y., September 21, 1865. As a babe she accom- panied her parents in 1866 to Milwaukee, Wis., where her father died. a few years later, in 1869. The mother in 1882 moved to Winona, Minn., where she was living with her daughter, Elise, at the time of the latter's marriage to Mr. Schwirtz. Mr. and Mrs. Schwirtz became the parents of seven children, who were born as follows: Dora, March 28, 1887; Clara, January 23, 1889; Ann, September 9, 1891; Elise, August 31, 1893; Marie, March 27, 1895 (deceased) ; Margaret, January 7, 1897; and John, April 26, 1899. Dora is now the wife of Dr. William B. Heagerty of Mazeppa, Minn. Clara, a graduate of the Wabasha High School and the Winona State Normal School, is now a teacher, as also is her sister, Ann, who was graduated from the same educational institutions. Margaret, after graduating from the Wabasha High School. spent one year at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., and in 1917 was graduated from the North- western Conservatory of Music at Minneapolis. John, who is a graduate of the Wabasha High School, and is a student at Carleton College, served during the recent war as second class pharmacist in the medical corps of the navy on board the U. S. S. Minnesota.

Peter Carstens, a well known and respected farmer of Oakwood Town- ship, was born in Holstein, Germany, May 17, 1852, son of Max and Chris- tina (Barnholt) Carstens. The father died in Germany when his son Peter was two years old, and the widowed mother subsequently married Jurgen Loshe. Peter was then adopted by his Uncle Claus Singelman, with whom he resided until he came to America in 1872, settling in Iowa. In that state he remained about 15 months, and then came to Wabasha County, Minn., and lived here for three years. He then returned to Iowa, spent nine months there, and subsequently came back to Wabasha County, worked out three years for Hans Behrns. Then in the spring of 1880 he bought the first part of his present farm, a tract of 70 acres in section 17, Oakwood Township, on which was a good house with some straw sheds. The purchase of additional

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

land has brought the area of his farm up to 160 acres. By way of improve- ments, he has remodeled the house, erected a barn, 40 by 60 feet, with full basement, and several outbuildings. He is following diversified farming suc- cessfully and has a high standing in the community as a useful and indus- trious citizen. On November 16, 1878, Mr. Carstens was united in marriage with Phoebe Schuchard, and this union has resulted in the birth of ten chil- dren: Rudolph, a resident of Renville County, who married Amelia Lehman, has two children, Alice and Edna. John of Oakwood Township, married Ma- tilda Carstens, and has five children, Elmer, Edna, Luella, Arnold and Harold. Edward, of Renville County, married Ida Kekker, and has one daughter. Herman, of Lake City, married Emily Winkle, and has two children, Lydia and Vera. Alfred, who married Martha Schroeder, and is now operating the home farm with his brother Carl; Carl, associated as above mentioned, with Alfred; Walter, also on the farm; Mary, wife of Oscar Nass of Plainview, one child, Evelyn; Emma, wife of Walter Senst of Zumbro Township, has one child, Evelyn; and Anna, now Mrs. Fred Wempner of Oakwood Township, has two children, Franklin and Kenneth. Mrs. Phoebe Carstens, the mother of these children, died February 6, 1919. Mr. Carstens is a member of the Lu- theran church.

James Norton, a well-to-do resident of Wabasha City, where he is now living retired after a long and successful career in agriculture, was born in Highland Township, June 10, 1869, son of Patrick and Mary (Flynn) Norton. The parents were natives of Ireland who were married in Racine, Wis., to which place they came from Ireland in 1858. Soon after their marriage they came to Wabasha County, Minn., settling on land in section 10, Highland Township. Their financial resources were very limited to begin with, but they cleared the land and finally developed it into one of the best farms in the locality, erecting good substantial buildings. Both parents are now de- ceased, the father having died on the old home farm July 13, 1917, and the mother in the hospital at Wabasha, September 21, 1919. James Norton ac- quired his education in District School No. 37, Highland Township. As he grew older he became associated with his father in the work of the farm, and later operated it for ten years before the father's death. After that event it came into his possession and he continued its operation subsequently until his retirement in 1917, when he sold it and moved to Wabasha. It is located eight miles from Kellogg, seven miles from Theilman, and nine miles from Plainview, and during his residence there he followed diversified agriculture, keeping high grade cattle and hogs. Kellogg and Theilman were his prin- cipal grain markets. Mr. Norton operated the property to good advantage and acquired a competency. Of the 240 acres contained in the farm, he had 160 under the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture. On moving to Wabasha he purchased a fine modern home, equipped with steam heat, electric lights, bath, and all modern improvements that he finds necessary or desirable. It is favorably located on Third street, near the county court house. Mr. Norton and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he also has membership in the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat. On October 23, 1909, he was united in marriage with Mary Sullivan, who was born June 13, 1868, daughter of Michael and Anna (Maher) Sulli- van, of Oakwood Township. While living on the farm he and his were members of Conception parish, which he served as trustee, but since coming to Wabasha they have become members of St. Felix parish here. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have had no children of their own, but are rearing two girls, Retta and Cath- erine La Rocque, the children of William and Bridget La Rocque who died with influenza both on the same day, October 29, 1918. They are Mrs. Nor- ton's nieces, their mother having been her sister. Mr. Norton is the owner of a good auto car, and he and his wife are now able to enjoy a season of com- fortable leisure, the fruit of their former industry. They have made a num- ber of friends in Wabasha and are widely respected.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Louis O. Sundquist, the present custodian of the Wabasha County court house, who is now following that light occupation after a long and active ca- reer as a business man, was born near Gefle, Sweden, September 22, 1863, son of Olaf and Christine (Anderson) Sundquist. The father was for a number of years employed as a builder of water and turbine wheels by a company manufacturing the famous Swedish steel. Both he and his wife died in their native land. Their son, Louis O., was graduated from a high school in Sweden after attending for the last year of the course. He then entered the service of the company by whom his father was employed, beginning as a fireman and subsequently learning the trade of steam engineering. In 1880 he received his first papers as engineer, and for two years subsequently followed that occupation in Sweden. In 1882 he emigrated to Minnesota, lo- cating in Weaver, Wabasha County, where he took out his first naturalization papers, later becoming a full American citizen. For a while after arriving in Weaver he worked at odd jobs and also on the Mississippi river. He then obtained a position in the Montgomery Bros.' creamery, and remained there three years, except that during the fall of each year he worked as engineer with steam threshing outfits. At the end of that period Mr. Sundquist went to Hillsboro, N. D., where for three years he was in the employ of the J. L. Grandin Farm Line and Elevator Co., having charge of their District No. 8. He then returned to Weaver where he formed a partnership with J. W. Stah- man and engaged in the manufacture of wagons. In 1892 Mr. Sundquist sold his interests to his partner and went to Plainview, this county, where he en- gaged in the wagon making and general repair business, an occupation in which he continued there for 26 years. During his residence there he served the village one year as marshal. Finally selling out his business in Plain- view, he entered the employ of the Omaha Structural Steel & Bridge Co., and worked for one year on the construction of the Zumbro dam. He then re- turned to Plainview, where he remained until January 1, 1919, when he came to Wabasha to assume the duties of his present position as custodian of the court house. He owns a good residence property in Plainview and is com- fortably situated. Fraternally he is affiliated with Illustrious Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., of Plainview, which he served as junior warden; the Royal Arch Chapter at Lake City, and Plainview Camp, No. 2431, M. W. A. He is also a member of the Minnesota Corps. Religiously he is affiliated with the Lutheran church. Mr. Sundquist was married about 1890, to Caroline Olson, daughter of Andrew and Martha Olson, of Minneiska Township, Wabasha County. She was born in Weaver, August 20, 1866, and died after an opera- tion at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minn., September 7, 1918.

Henry Hampe, a pioneer of Wabasha County now deceased, who was for many years a farmer, and later a merchant at Theilman, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to the United States when a young man, locating first at Milwaukee, which was then a very small place. From there he went to the Lake Superior Copper region, where for some time he worked in the mines. It was in 1855 that he came to Wabasha County, taking 160 acres of wild land in Glasgow Township. After spending eleven years in its development, he traded it for a 200-acre farm on West Indian Creek in Highland Township, near Theilman. This land was partly improved, and Mr. Hampe continued the improvements, operating the farm until 1897. He also erected a flour mill on this farm which he operated in connection with farming. He then gave up agricultural work, and removing to Theilman village, opened a gen- eral mercantile business, conducting his store for three years, when he re- tired. He died in July, 1907, having had a successful career and won the re- spect of his neighbors by his sterling qualities as a man and citizen. He and his wife were Catholics in religion. Mr. Hampe was married in 1860 to Mary Fisch, a native of Luxemburg, who had come to Minnesota alone in that year to visit a sister, and her meeting with Mr. Hampe resulted in her

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 96

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