History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 97

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

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marriage and permanent residence here. She died several years before her husband, on August 11, 1904. They had five children: Nicholas and Peter (twins), born February 17, 1861; Thedore, now a merchant at Theilman, Minn .; Bertha Catherine, born January 13, 1866, who died unmarried August 9, 1888; and Mary, born March 13, 1872, now Mrs. John Bouquet of Caledonia, Minn. Nicholas, who was for 27 years in partnership with his brother Theodore in the mercantile business at Theilman, is now a prominent busi- ness man of Rock Rapids, Ia. Peter is living retired in Denver, Colo.

Theodore Hampe, head of the prosperous mercantile firm of Hampe Bros., of Theilman, also president of the Theilman State Bank, and postmaster, was born in Cook's Valley, Wabasha County, Minn., April 4, 1864, son of Henry and Mary (Fisch) Hampe. He was educated in the district school and at La Crosse Business College, and was employed on his parents' farm until No- vember 26, 1889, when he came to Theilman and entered into mercantile busi- ness with his brother, Nicholas, and for 27 years they were associated in the business together. Nicholas is now engaged in the real estate and banking business at Rock Rapids, Iowa. The mercantile business at Theilman, how- ever, is still conducted under the firm name of Hampe Bros., and it is in a flourishing condition, an extensive trade being carried on. Theodore Hampe was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Theilman State Bank, of which, as above mentioned, he is now president, while his duties as postmaster are carried on in connection with his store. He has served on the school board for a number of years, and has been an active factor in many things making for the advancement and prosperity of the village. In religion he is. a Catholic, being a member of St. Joseph's parish at Theilman, and a liberal supporter of the church. For the past ten years he has been a member of the Knights of Columbus lodge. Mr. Hampe was married June 6, 1899 to Louise Riester, who was born in West Albany Township, Wabasha County, May 12, 1867, daughter of Christian and Dinah (Krull) Riester. He and his wife have three children : William G., born May 6, 1900; Albert E., born November 6, 1901; and Walter N., born December 29, 1902. Wm. G. was educated in the common schools, at St. Mary's high school, Winona, St. Mary's College, and at a Winona business college, and is now associated with his father in the store. Albert E., after leaving the common school also attended the Catholic educational institutions above mentioned, as also did Walter N. Thus Mr. Hampe has given his sons a good education which has well fitted them to take a worthy and useful part in life. Mr. Hampe owns a beautiful modern residence in Theilman, where the family enjoys an ideal home life.

J. Jacobs, a well to do farmer of Plainview Township, who is making good progress along agricultural lines, was born in Mecklenburg Schwerin, Ger- many, January 11, 1864. He was educated in his native land and came to America in 1889 as a youth of 25 years, locating at once in Wabasha County, Minn. For two years he worked out on farms, saving his money with the view of utimate independence. At the end of that time he rented a farm, which he operated two years, and then bought his present farm, at that time consisting of 117 acres, the area of which he has since increased by additional purchases to 362 acres. Sixty-two acres of it lie within the limits of Plainview village, the rest being in the township. The buildings have been remodeled or rebuilt by him, and include a barn 36 by 66 feet in size, also a good granary and machine sheds. He has a full complement of modern farm machinery, and has made the farm a paying investment. His principal stock consists of Durham cattle, with a full blooded sire, and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery and a member of the Stock Shipping Association, and is the owner of two complete farms, one of 185 acres and the home farm of 177 acres. Mr. Jacobs was married December 7, 1890, to Minnie Schwartz, who was born in Germany December 22, 1864, the same year as himself, and also came to America in the same year that he did, 1889. They are the parents of

J. JACOBS AND FAMILY

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five children, all residing at home, namely: Ernest, born March 13, 1892; Rudolph, December 31, 1893; Albert, July 31, 1896; Edwin, November 22, 1901; Alvin, October 24, 1907. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

Samuel D. Welch, a Wabasha County pioneer, residing in Zumbro Falls, was born in the Province of Quebec, Lower Canada, May 22, 1837, son of Samuel D., Sr., and Lizzie (Waite) Welch, the mother being a daughter of Enoch Waite. The paternal grandfather, Welch, was from Wales, while Enoch Waite, of the maternal line, was from Holland. The Welch family settled at an early date in Concord, N. H., where Samuel D. Welch, Sr., was born, and where he lived until he reached maturity. He then moved to Canada, locating close to the New York line. Though Samuel D. Welch, Jr., was born in Canada, he was reared in New York state on a farm. There his father died in 1845. The mother sur- vived her husband, dying in 1873 at the home of her son, Edward, in Iowa. They had a family of ten children, evenly divided as to the sexes. All of them are now deceased, except Samuel D. and his sister, Mrs. Catharine Fountain, who is living at Fremont, Ohio, with a daughter. Samuel D. Welch, Jr., re- mained on the farm in New York state until 22 years of age, attending school during the winters. In 1859 he came to Wabasha County, Minn., locating on a farm in the town of Hyde Park, on which he followed agriculture for 14 years. He then sold his farm and opened a hardware store and implement business at Millville, remaining there 10 years. At the end of that time, or about 1883, he came to Zumbro Falls, and bought a half interest in the general store of E. J. Stegner, of whom he later purchased the entire business. Subsequently he sold a half interest to his son-in-law, L. E. Scruby, and the business has since been carried on under the style of L. E. Scruby & Co. The concern occupies three buildings for store and warehouses, and deals in general merchandise, including wall paper and paints, with Mr. Scruby as the active manager. Sam- uel D. Welch, in addition to being one of the surviving pioneers of this county, is a Civil War veteran. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the Eighth Minnesota Infantry, and served two years and nine months. His early service was against the Sioux Indians, then in revolt, and his regiment being subsequently sent to the South, he took part in the battle of Murphreesboro. After being mustered out he returned to Minnesota and has since continued to reside in Wabasha County. For 26 years he has been a respected citizen of Zumbro Falls. He was first president of the village council, holding that office for two years, and for 16 years served as justice of the peace at Millville. While living on the farm he served efficiently in various town offices, including that of treasurer. Mr. Welch was married in 1865 in the town of Gillford to Elizabeth Oliver, daughter of O. L. and Martha Oliver, her parents being natives of New York state and early settlers in Wabasha County. They are both now deceased. Of this union a daughter, Mary, was born, who is now the wife of L. E. Scruby, of Zumbro Falls. Mrs. Elizabeth Welch died in 1908, since which time Mr. Welch has made his home with his daughter.

Levi E. Scruby, one of the leading business men of Zumbro Falls, manager of the general store of L. E. Scruby & Co., was born in Sparta, Wis., in 1863, son of Thomas and Caroline M. (Davis) Scruby. The father came from Cam- bridge, England, to the United States in 1832, settling in New York state, where he followed farming. At an early day he came to Wisconsin, but finding the country too rough to suit him, soon returned to New York, after farming for a while near Milwaukee. Later he came back to Wisconsin with his family, and this time took a farm near Sparta, where he remained, and where his death finally occurred. His wife died subsequently at Zumbro Falls, Minn. Levi E. Scruby was reared on his parents' farm, and attended school in Sparta. There also he began industrial life, and after a while became a conductor on a way freight. While thus employed he fell off the train when it was in motion and was badly injured. On his recovery he took up photography, and moving to Mazeppa, Minn., followed it there for 12 years. He was also for four years

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postmaster there. In 1897 he came to Zumbro Falls and engaged in mercantile business, which he is still following, being in partnership with Samuel D. Welch. The business is a large and prosperous one, built up largely by Mr. Scruby's industry and enterprise, combined with honest dealing. He has held all the local offices at intervals, from that of president of the village to side supervisor, and has been notary public since coming to the village. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic Order, and with Camp No. 3285, Modern Woodmen of America at Zumbro Falls. Mr. Scruby was married August 20, 1893, to Mary E., daughter of Samuel D. and Elizabeth (Oliver) Welch, then of Millville, but now of Zumbro Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Scruby have one child, Evlyn, wife of Arthur Schleicher, of Lake City, Minn., who is secretary-manager of the Rest Island Silver Black Fox Farm at Lake City. He was the organizer and promoter of the black fox industry in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Schleicher are the parents of two children: Char- lotte Evlyn and Lois Ellen.

Samuel Doughty, for many years president of the Lake City Bank, was born at Rockaway, Long Island, September 22, 1816, son of Samuel and Betsey (Nelson) Doughty, and grandson of Henry Nelson, a veteran of the Revolu- tionary War. The family on both sides was of English descent, and early set- tlers on Long Island. Although he was but 18 miles from New York City, there were no public schools in the neighborhood, and he was therefore edu- cated at home under the watchful supervision of a cultured and educated mother. As a youth he learned the blacksmithing trade, and before he was 20 years of age had set up a shop of his own. Even at that early age he took a deep interest in the welfare of his community, and it was mainly through his earnest and shrewdly directed efforts that a free school was established in his native hamlet. A little later he was elected a member of the school board, and served most efficiently. In 1852 he removed to Bloomington, Ill., where he established a shop, worked at his trade, and assisted in the upbuilding of that place. But he longed for a wider field of usefulness in a still newer com- munity, so in 1854 he came up the Mississippi river looking for a suitable loca- tion. He was favoraby impressed with the Lake Pepin region and decided to lo- cate here. The following year he brought his family to Wabasha County, and was thereafter an important factor in its progress. In 1856 in company with Abner Dwelle and Abner Tibbetts, he platted the city of Lake City, and there- after devoted his time and attention to the promotion of the growing hamlet. In 1875 he succeeded Joel Fletcher as the president of the Lake City Bank, and in this capacity he remained until a short time before his death. He died in Lake City October 9, 1893, and his death was sincerely mourned. Mr. Doughty was married at Bellport, Long Island, N. Y., July 22, 1838, to Hannah Rider, who was born March 4, 1820, and died in Lake City March 4, 1908. They were the parents of ten children: Phoebe, J. Edward, Henrietta F., Calvin Mott, John Coleman, Mary E., Asa B., Franklin A., Franklin Harper and Charles. Phoebe died in infancy. J. Edward was born July 2, 1841, became a leading Lake City attorney, and died July 14, 1884. He served through the Civil War as captain of the 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters (Co. L, 2nd Minn. Vol. Inf.) and was brevetted Major, a title which he afterward continued to bear. Henrietta F. died in infancy. Calvin Mott was born January 22, 1844, and is now living re- tired at Heron Lake, Minn. John Coleman was born July 4, 1846, and is now a leading citizen of Lake City. Mary E. died in childhood. Asa B. died in in- fancy. Franklin A. died in infancy. Franklin Harper was born August 17, 1854, and is now municipal judge of Lake City. Charles died in infancy.

John Coleman Doughty, one of the founders of the Jewell Nursery Co., and for many years actively identified with the commercial progress of Lake City, was born at Rockaway, Long Island, July 4, 1846, son of Samuel and Hannah (Rider) Doughty. He came to Bloomington, Ill., with his parents in 1852, and to Lake City, this county, in 1855. After due preparation in the

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public schools and at home, he entered Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, where he took a two years' course. In May, 1864, when not yet 20 years of age, he responded to the call for "100 Day Men" and enlisted in Co. K, 150th Ohio Vol. Inf., serving in the Defense Before Washington during the Early Raids, after which he was duly discharged. In 1866-67 he took an English course in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich. That fall he went to Minneapolis with the view to learning the hardware business, working a year with Nichols & Bean and a year with Hedderly & Vroman. In 1869 he returned to Lake City, and became a construction contractor, specializing in bridge and warehouse work. In 1875 he formed a partnership with F. Hackett under the firm name of Hackett & Doughty, which continued until 1879 when Mr. Doughty became the sole owner. W. H. Hobbs became a partner in 1882, and on February 4, 1884, the establishment was sold to Anson Pierce. At that time it was said to be the best business house in the city. In the meantime the agricultural interests of the county had been constantly increasing, and the commercial horticultural possibilities had been fully demonstrated. It was therefore felt that the time and location were both suitable for the growth of a large nursery. As early as 1868, Dr. P. A. Jewell had started a small nursery, which was largely under the care of his brother-in-law, Joseph M. Underwood, who at the time of Dr. Jewell's death in 1879 became the sole owner. A year later Sloan M. Emery be- came Mr. Underwood's partner, and the two conducted a fine stock farm in addition to the nursery. Conditions were thus ripe for a decided increase in the scope and plan, when in 1884 John Coleman Doughty, the subject of this sketch, associated himself with these two gentlemen, and with them on Feb- ruary 26 of that year incorporated the Jewell Nursery Co., each holding a third interest. For some years Mr. Doughty acted as secretary and treasurer of the company. Of recent years he and his wife have led a retired life, making their home in the family residence on High street. The public service of Mr. Doughty has been considerable. For six years he aided the cause of education as presi- dent of the Lake City school board. For two terms he did satisfactory work as city recorder. For five years he had most responsible duties as president of the public board of Water and Light Commissioners. Fraternally he is a member of Carnelian Lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M., Hope Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., and Lake City Commandery, No. 6, K. T., all of Lake City. He has been active in all three, and in the Chapter has passed through the chairs. Mr. Doughty was married March 24, 1869, to Mary C. Herron, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Herron, of Lake City. She died January 11, 1874, at Brazil, Ind., leaving two children : Mary Emma, who was born December 18, 1869, and is now the wife of Leo Henschel, of Kansas City, Mo .; and Kate D., who was born March 26, 1872, and is now the wife of Henry Stoes, of Las Cruces, N. M. Mr. Doughty was married September 23, 1877, to Mary F. Brill, of Lake City, who died October 27, 1880, at Lake City, leaving one son, Jesse Edward, born July 13, 1879, secretary of the Gillette, Eaton & Squire Foundry & Machine Co., Lake City. Mr. Doughty was married November 20, 1890, to Mrs. Lucy C. Hill, of Lake City.

Hugh McGowan, who for a number of years was a well known and pros- perous farmer in West Albany Township, where he died November 16, 1915, was born in New Brunswick April 22, 1848, son of Hugh and Margaret (Hare) McGowan. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. When a boy of seven years he accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minn., disembarking from a steamer at Read's Landing. It was in 1855 when the county was very thinly settled by whites, but numbers were coming in, and the accommodations at the little landing place of Read's were so limited that the McGowan family had to take temporary shelter in a tent. They remained there but a short time, how- ever, as Hugh McGowan, Sr., soon took a claim in Trout Brook Valley, Glasgow Township, where Hugh, Jr., attended district school, and where a half brother of the latter, Maurice McGovern, resides to this day. The mother, Mrs. Margaret

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McGowan, died within a year, and the father marrying again, the subject of this sketch was reared by his step-mother. He remained on the Glasgow farm until about 1873, acquiring by practical experience a good knowledge of agri- culture, and then started in for himself, buying of his elder brother, James, now in Alta, Canada, a farm of 160 acres in Lake Township, Wabasha County. On that place, known as the Pruter farm, he remained but two or three years, when he sold it and bought the William Huddleston farm, of the same size, in section 29, West Albany Township. On the latter he conducted agricultural operations for six years, when he again sold, buying an unimproved 80-acre farm in section 29, in West Albany Valley. There he built a small house, which proved his final residence. In 1915, the year before his death, he built a gambrel-roof barn, with full basement, measuring 36 by 80 by 16 feet, and provided with modern equipment. His landed property then amounted to 280 acres, and he had 130 acres of his land under the plow. He was a successful general farmer, keeping good grade stock, and for some 20 years, from about 1880 to 1900, bought grain at Lakey for the American market, shipping it to H. J. O'Neil of Winona, Minn. A man of strong constitution, he enjoyed good health until seized by paralysis in 1914, and during his active career was a hard worker. His integrity was unquestioned and he enjoyed an excellent reputation among his fellow townsmen. He was an organizer of the Millville State Bank and one of its stockholders. As a citizen he was alive to his re- sponsibilities and served several terms as a member of the town board. Polit- ically he was a Democrat and in religion a Catholic, he and his family belonging to St. Patrick's parish in West Albany, which he served as trustee. His fra- ternal affiliations were with the Knights of Columbus and Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. McGowan was married in West Albany Township, February 24, 1880, to Margaret McGinn, daughter of Henry and Jane (McCray) McGinn, of that township. She was born on a farm near Dubuque, Iowa, January 3, 1857, subsequently moving with her parents to Wabasha County. Both the latter died a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McGowan were the parents of seven children: Harry, born January 25, 1881; Margaret Ellen, August 29, 1882; Hugh, April 23, 1885; William Arthur, December 4, 1886; Mary Jane, September 26, 1889; Thomas Edward, July 2, 1892, and John Fran- cis, October 20, 1897. The first born child, Harry, died at the age of 13 years, on May 8, 1894. Margaret Ellen is now Mrs. James Sexton of Hyde Park Town- ship. William Arthur, who is residing on an adjoining farm, served 17 months in the recent war as a member of the 176th Infantry, stationed at Camp Dodge. He was discharged January 9, 1919, not having seen foreign service. Mary Jane is the wife of W. G. Leonard of West Albany Township. Thomas Ed- ward, who resides at Millville, and John Francis is operating the home farm.

John F. Morris, now living retired in Lake City, is one of the few surviv- ing pioneers of Wabasha County, in which he has spent the last 63 years of his life. He was born in' Somersetshire, England, June 25, 1841, son of Simon and Charlotte (Day) Morris. The father, who was a butcher by trade, came to the United States alone in 1849 or 1850, and proceeded as far west as Chicago, but soon returned east to Oswego, N. Y., where he engaged in busi- ness, his family joining him there. His career was cut short by death in 1854, and his widow went with her daughter, Mrs. Gabel Chalmers, to Canada, where she died in 1858. After his father's death, John F. Morris lived with hi's brother-in-law, Charles G. Thompson, who had married his sister Martha. At 15 he left school and engaged in teaming in Oswego County. Not long afterwards Mr. Thompson came west to Wabasha County, Minn., and in July, 1857, young Morris came here with his sister, who joined her husband. The first summer Mr. Morris was employed at good wages in operating a mill for Gillett Thompson Starr and Gaylord. The times became so hard that he worked the first winter for the above gentlemen in a sash and blind factory, for '$20 a month wages. His board cost him $15 a month, but as times were

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hard, he was glad to get any kind of employment. In the spring of 1858, with others, Mr. Morris staked out what was afterwards the Charles Wise farm in section 33, Lake Township, a farm which sold in 1919 for $25,000; but as he was under age and had no parents living, he could not hold the claim and sold his right to a Mr. Kemp. His brother-in-law, Mr. Thompson, took land in West Albany Township, almost opposite to Mr. Morris' claim. Mr. Morris worked three years for his brother-in-law for $100 a year and his board, grubbing and breaking land with an ox team. The country was wild and the best houses to be seen were only poor shanties. On June 18, 1861, Mr. Morris married Sarah Hancock, daughter of George F. and Alvira Han- cock, who had settled in Lake Township directly opposite the farm of Mr. Thompson. She was born in New York State, February 12, 1846, and was 12 years old when she came to Wabasha County with her parents, the journey being made by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, then through Prairie du Chien and up the Mississippi river. She was descended from good New Eng- land stock and was reared a Methodist Episcopal. For a time after her mar- riage she resided at her parents' home, while her husband continued to work for Mr. Thompson. Finally they started housekeeping in a house belonging to Mr. Thompson in West Albany Township, their household furniture con- sisting only of a bed and a small cook stove with no chairs. In the winter of 1864-65 Mr. Morris enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company D, First Battalion of Minnesota troops, and was sent to Petersburg, Va., where he was located at the time of Lee's surrender. Soon afterwards he was mus- tered out at Jeffersonville, Ind., and returned home. Procuring some horses, he then engaged in teaming until the winter. In the spring of 1866 he moved onto a tract of 160 acres which he had taken on section 8, West Albany Town- ship, eight miles south of Lake City. The land was all wild and he had to erect buildings, which included a board house of one and a half stories, measuring 14 by 22 feet, and some log sheds covered with straw for stables. In addition to a team he had one cow. For years he and his family resided in this same house, during which time he broke and developed 75 acres of the land. This farm is still in the family, being now owned by his son, Edwin D. Morris. In 1883 Mrs. Morris' mother being ill, Mr. Morris and his wife left the West Albany farm to care for her, and remained at their home in Lake Township till 1910. Mrs. Hancock died November 22, 1886, her hus- band passing away some five months later. Mr. Morris acquired the Hancock homestead, on which he built a good two-story frame house, and a modern frame barn, 36 by 72 by 16 feet, with full basement and cement floors; also a granary, 30 by 30 by 14, and other needed structures. In addition to that farm, containing 160 acres, he bought an adjoining tract of 160 acres, which, with his West Albany farm, makes 480 acres in all that he still owns. He was a successful breeder of Red Poll cattle and Poland-China swine, and also raised good crops of grain and other farm produce. All the land in his possession is under cultvation except a few acres of timber and pasture. In 1910 he retired and took up his residence in Lake City, leaving his son Edwin D. in charge of the farms. He owns a good city residence and is now enjoy- ing the fruits of his former hard labors and trying experiences. He has always been a Republican in politics, though not a strong party man, and re- ligiously was reared an Episcopalian. His wife died in Lake City, December 26, 1914, and was buried in Lakewood Cemetery. Both her parents died some years ago. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morris: Hattie A., November 21, 1862; Mary, July 20, 1866, and Edwin D., September 21, 1874. Hattie A. married Louis Smith of Burlington, Wash. She has two daughters, Mamie and Nettie, both of whom are married. Mary is the wife of James Gray, a farmer of Lake Township. Edwin D., as already mentioned, is now caring for his father's property, and is proving a successful farmer. Mr. Morris, at various times, served in township office, and always showed him-

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 97

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