History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 99

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

zeppa he organized and commanded DeVillo C. Ford Post of the G. A. R., and later became a member of Major Doughty Post of Lake City, with which he was associated until it went out of existence owing to the death of nearly all its members. He is a member of Carnelion Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Lake City, and in politics has always been a Democrat. Mr. Kinney has had an in- teresting personal career. In his younger days he helped to make the history of this country in one of the most bitterly contested wars of modern times, and he has probably practiced law longer in this county than any other mem- ber of the bar now living with the exception of Judge Putnam of Minneiska. At all times he has proved himself a useful citizen and a good American, reflecting credit on the stock from which he sprung. Mr. Kinney was mar- ried, August 13, 1865, to Acsie A. Ford, daughter of Joseph and Olive Ford of Mazeppa. She was born at Lebanon, Madison County, N. Y., in 1846, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have been the parents of three children : Maud A., Alvin Claude and Kenneth Ford. Maud A. is residing at home, and for a number of years has been clerk in the Lake City post office. Alvin Claude, who was graduated from Minnesota University, and was entering upon a promising career, died in 1900 at the age of 27 years. Kenneth Ford graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathy, and is now practicing his profession at Detroit, Michigan.

G. Merrill Dwelle, Civil War veteran, Indian fighter and merchant, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., March 13, 1835, son of Abner and Electa C. (Lawrence) Dwelle, who brought him to Kalamazoo County, Mich., in 1837 and with whom he came to Lake City, this county, in 1854. He devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted December 17, 1861, in the 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters, attached to the 1st Minn. Vol. Inf. as Co. L. He went south with his company, and served through the Peninsula Campaign under General Geo. B. McClellan. At the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, he was wounded and taken prisoner, was later parclled, and sent to a hospital. February 4, 1863, while still in the hospital he was commissioned second lieutenant, and assigned to the 3rd Battery, Minn. Light Artillery, then stationed at Ft. Snelling, Minn. The surgeon, however, would not at that time allow him to make the trip, so it was not until March 15, 1863, that he reached his new command. For a time he was detailed with a detachment of infantry to act as guard on the steamers carry- ing supplies to Camp Pope, on the upper Minnesota. In June, 1863, his bat- tery was ordered to Camp Pope, and from there joined the expedition of Gen- eral H. H. Sibley against the hostile Indians, pursuing across the Minnesota and Dakota prairies. In October of that year Lieutenant Dwelle was detailed to accompany Gov. Alexander Ramsey as commissioner to negotiate with the Chippewas for the cession of certain lands in Northern Minnesota. In the summer of 1864 he joined Gen. Alfred Sully's expedition against the hostile Indians, pursuing them across the Missouri River into the "Bad Lands" of Montana. In 1865 he engaged in Devil's Lake expedition under Col. Minor T. Thomas. He spent the winter of 1865-66 at Fort Wadsworth, and in February, 1865, was mustered out, having been in the service four years and three months. During the Indian campaigns he had traveled over 3,000 miles, and in addition to the actual engagements with the savages has experienced many hardships with cold weather, blizzards, dampness and scanty supplies. Upon his return to Lake City, Lieut. Dwelle clerked for a while in the general store of Mr. Williamson, and for a while in the hardware and lumber establishment of W. A. Doe. Then he formed a partnership with George C. Stout, in the clothing firm of Stout & Dwelle. In the late eighties, his brother Henry Dwelle bought out Mr. Stout, and the firm became Dwelle Brothers. Henry Dwelle died in 1903, but the business continued under the same name until 1905, when the subject of this sketch closed out the establishment, and became interested with his son, Glenn M., in the telephone business. It is interesting to note that

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despite Mr. Dwelle's distinguished war service, he did not receive a pension until he was about 75 years old. He was then granted one, with $475 back pay, with which he and his wife enjoyed a vacation in California. Intensely interested in public affairs, Mr. Dwelle took an active part in the Republican party, and for one term served the county efficiently as register of deeds. He also did other civic service, and was highly regarded by all who knew him. After a long and useful life, he died at Melbourne Beach, Florida, April 9, 1915. Mr. Dwelle was married October 24, 1872, to Julia Patton, of Lake City, and this union has been blessed with three children, Glenn M., Florence E. and M. Grace. Glenn M. is a leading business man of Lake City. Florence E. of Lake City and M. Grace of Lake City.

Glenn M. Dwelle, well known in Minnesota and Wisconsin as a telephone man, president and manager of the Dwelle Telephone Co., and the Lake Pepin Telephone Co., was born in Lake City, this county, March 3, 1875, son of G. Merrill and Julia (Patton) Dwelle. He received a good education in the Lake City public schools, and as a young man was employed in a clerical capacity in the general mercantile business. In 1897 he inaugurated public local telephone service in this county by establishing central exchanges at Lake City and Wabasha, with home and business telephones in the homes and busi- ness houses of these two cities and the surrounding rural districts. In 1905 his father became a partner, and in 1906 the company was incorporated as the Dwelle Telephone Co. and the lines extended. Later he became interested in the Lake Pepin Telephone Co., operating in Pierce and Pepin Counties, Wis- consin, with central exchange at Pepin, Maiden Rock and Plum City. In 1917, the Dwelle Telephone Co. erected a fine modern exchange at Lake City. This building, constructed of pressed brick, is well equipped in every respect and will be adequate for its increasing business for years to come. Mr. Dwelle is an active citizen, and has taken his share in the development of the Lake Pepin region. Mr. Dwelle was married September 7, 1899, to Mary Satori, daughter of Joseph and Bertha Satori, early settlers of this county. This union has been blessed with four children: Joseph Merrill, born March 29, 1901, a graduate of the Lake City High School; Florence Lucille, born June 15, 1903; Bertha Mary, born July 12, 1906; and Margaret Julia, born September 28, 1909. The family residence is a neat structure at 422 South Oak Street.

Cord Brinkman, now living retired in Lake City, after acquiring a com- petence through agricultural effort, was born August 10, 1864, in Hanover, Germany, son of Claus and Margaret (Hoefle) Brinkman. The parents owned a small farm, but the father worked as a laborer. Young Cord was educated in the common schools, which he left at the age of 14, then worked as a farm hand until he was 20, and after that spent three years in the German army. On May 23, 1887, he married Anna Meyers, who was born in Hanover, June 15, 1863, daughter of Claus and Elizabeth Meyers. Three days later he and his bride started for America, and after landing in New York, came direct to Wabasha County, Minnesota, arriving here with $300 capital. Locating in Gilford Town- ship, Mr. Brinkman found work as a farm hand, and was thus occupied for five years. In the fall of 1892 he rented the farm of John Brinkman, his second cousin, located in the same township, which he operated for three years. After that until the fall of 1901 he worked the Claus Meyers farm, also in Gilford. He then bought 40 acres of improved land in the same township, which he operated until the fall of 1914, when he sold it, buying a 320-acre farm on sections 14 and 23, Lake Township, three and a half miles southeast of Lake City. Of this farm 145 acres' were under the plow, the balance being in timber and pasture, and there was a two-story frame house, a frame barn and other buildings. There he devoted himself to general farming, keeping a good grade of stock, and having a good operating equipment, until 1917. By that time, his wife being in poor health, he made up his mind to retire, which he could well afford to do, having met with financial success, and accordingly bought a nice

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residence at Central Point, Lake City, where he and his wife have since made their home. At the same time he leased the farm to a son-in-law, Herman Kreutz, who is now operating it. Mr. Brinkman became a citizen in 1893, and has since voted the Republican ticket. He and Mrs. Brinkman are members of St. John's Lutheran congregation at Lake City. They have six children, namely: Margaret, born November 14, 1888, who maried John Barttles of Zumbro Falls, and has two children, Laura and Margaret; Anna E., born April 27, 1890, who is residing at home; Martha C., born September 17, 1891, now Mrs. Harry Viete of Zumbro Falls; Bertha M., born April 1, 1893, now Mrs. Herman Buesler, of Lake City; Dora M., born February 19, 1895, now the wife of Herman Kreutz, and the mother of one child, Dorothy; and Albert H., born March 6, 1903, who lives at home and is a student in the Lake City high school.

Frederick Fick, a former resident of West Albany Township, now deceased, was a typical pioneer of this region. He was born in Germany, where he mar- ried Mary Danckwardt. In 1855 he brought his family to the United States, settling first in Illinois, where he arrived with eighty cents in cash. There he remained for two years. Of the members of the family his brother-in-law, John Danckwardt, was the first to come to Wabasha County, Minnesota. This relative took a claim of 160 acres in section 10, West Albany Township, the locality being then or later known as the "Scotch Settlement," from the number of Scotch immigrants who settled there. In 1857 Frederick Fick came also with his family, making the journey overland with a "block" wagon of his own con- struction, drawn by oxen. He and his brother-in-law divided the 160 acres .between them. But having little or no money, he first had to seek employment, which he found for the winter cutting cordwood on the Wisconsin shore, op- posite Read's Landing. During the harvest season he worked for others at cradling, receiving his pay in grain, one bushel of rye or one bushel of wheat daily on alternate days, which he sold for 40 to 50 cents a bushel, that amount representing a day's wages. On his own tract of 80 acres he erected a pole house with a straw-thatched roof, which was occupied by him and his family as a residence until he later built a hewn log house, after which the earlier struc- ture was used as a smokehouse. From this modest beginning, with the help of his wife and children, he gradually developed a good farm, the area of which he increased by an additional purchase to 240 acres. All necessary buildings were also erected. All this took time and plenty of hard work, but Mr. Fick was .a good worker, and his wife and children also did their part. To each of the latter-four sons and one daughter-he finally gave a farm for a home or its equivalent in money. After a long and successful career, he died in Lake City, June 4, 1903. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away on the old home farm December 29, 1918. Mr. Fick was a man who "built better than he knew." In carving out his own fortune he laid the foundation for others, and today his heirs and descendants collectively own 4,233 acres of land in Wabasha county, their possessions being like a sturdy oak that has grown up from the little acorn planted by him 63 years ago. Mr. Fick was a handy man with tools, and the first chair he owned he made himself out of black walnut with a drawshave and axe. This chair is still in an excellent state of preserva- tion and is owned and used today by his son, B. C. Fick, for a desk chair, being highly cherished by him.

Bernhard C. Fick, a well-to-do resident of Lake City, who has achieved marked success in several lines of industry, is a native of Wabasha County, having been born in West Albany Township, March 22, 1865, son of Frederick and Mary (Danckwardt) Fick. The scene of his birth was the famous "Scotch Settlement," in which his parents were pioneers. There he attended school to the age of sixteen, subsequently spending two winters in the St. Paul Business College, at St. Paul, Minn. After completing his studies there he was associated with his father on the home farm till 1884. In that year he came to Lake City and obtained a position as clerk with the grocery firm of Moore & Dobner, with

MRS. EDWARD WISE

B. C. FICK AND FAMILY

FREDERICK FICK

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whom he remained until March, 1885. From their employ he entered that of R. Hannish, proprietor of a general store, for whom he worked until the fall of 1890. His next employers were Seely & Buck, dry goods and clothing mer- chants of Lake City, whom he left in the spring of 1891 to become clerk for Grondahl Bros., conducting a dry goods business in Red Wing. In July, 1891, having by that time gained considerable mercantile experience, he returned to Lake City and engaged in business for himself in partnership with Anthony Krall, erecting and occupying a brick block on Center street. The firm of Fick & Krall, general merchants, was continued for one year, at the end of which time Mr. Krall sold his interests to Edward Wise, the style of the firm becoming Fick & Wise. Five years later Mr. Fick bought Mr. Wise's interests, becoming sole proprietor of the business, and buying two stores across the street. As sole proprietor he conducted the business for fourteen and a half years, or until 1906, when he exchanged it, together with the store property, for 1,600 acres of raw land in Billings County, North Dakota. Previous to this he had bought 320 acres in section 1, West Albany Township, and to, this property he now moved, establishing the "Mountain Ash Stock Farm," where he engaged in the breeding of full blood Percheron horses, being the first breeder of them in this section. After continuing in that industry there until 1910, Mr. Fick sold out to John Danckwardt, and once more took up his residence in Lake City, where he has a fine home at No. 423 S. Oak street. He is still breeding some full blood horses, but is also giving his attention to the real estate and loan business. He was an alderman of Lake City for two years, in politics being a Republican. Mr. Fick was married May 22, 1892, to Magdalena Wise, daughter of Edward and Anna (Kraus) Wise, of Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. Fick have had three children, the first of which, born June 3, 1894, died on the day of its birth. Of the other two, Clara Adeline, born August 10, 1898, is a student at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn .; Lela Emily, born September 11, 1901, died April 19, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Fick are people of wide acquaintance and are socially popular. Both as merchant and horse breeder Mr. Fick made a fine record, and his activities have been a factor in the advancement and develop- ment of the county.

Charles Henry Lorenz, a well known young business man of Minneiska village, was born in Buffalo County, Wis., May 31, 1888, son of Ignatz and Elizabeth (Walter) Lorenz. The father of Charles Henry was born in Germany and the mother in Pennsylvania, the latter coming west to Wisconsin when a young girl. Married in Buffalo County, they resided there for some years sub- sequently, and then, in 1894, crossed the river and settled in Weaver, Wabasha County, Minn., where the mother is still living, the father having died in 1906. They had a family of eight children: Bertha, wife of John Becker, a farmer in section 34, Watopa Township, this county; Winnie, who married Albert Synder and resides in Idaho; Annie, wife of Ira Lowden; Louis, a resident of Weaver, who married a Miss Owen; Charles Henry, subject of this sketch; Addie, wife of Bird Gage of Minneiska; George, who married Caroline Beman and lives in Winona, Minn .; and Harry, who is now serving in the United States navy. Charles Henry Lorenz was about six years old when he accompanied his parents to Minnesota. His education was acquired in the local school and after entering the ranks of industry he followed the carpenter's trade for some four or five years. Later he became proprietor of a place of refreshment in Weaver, followed the same business for a short time in Kellogg, this county, and later for a longer period in Minneiska, to which village he came in February, 1915. He is at present engaged in the sale of non-intoxicating drinks, and cigars. His place of business was always conducted in an efficient way, and he has the reputation of a substantial and reliable citizen. Mr. Lorenz was married in 1909 to Louise Wolf, who was born March 22, 1884, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Brown) Wolf, of Minneiska. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Leo, who was born March 16, 1912. The family are members of the Catholic church.

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Joseph Gilcreast, an early settler in Highland Township, was a native of Belfast, Ireland. When a young man he emigrated to the United States and made his way to Dubuque, Iowa, where he married Anna Kearns, who was from the north of Ireland. In 1862 he and his family came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and took a homestead in Highland Township, on which they lived until the death of Mrs. Gilcreast in 1875. Mr. Gilcreast then went back to Iowa, where he resided until his death about 1904. He and his wife had nine chil- dren, a partial record including Joseph, now in South Dakota; Hugh, of Plain- view, Minn .; Mary, who lives in Spokane, Wash .; Thomas, residing near Plain- view; Lizzie, deceased; Anna, the wife of J. Slack, of Spokane, Wash .; Frances, a resident of Iowa, and John, now living in Kellogg.

John Gilcreast, a retired farmer residing in Kellogg, is a well known and respected citizen who has spent many years in Wabasha County. He was born at Dubuque, Iowa, July 24, 1859, son of Joseph and Anna (Kearns) Gilcreast, and accompanied his parents to Wabasha County, Minnesota, in 1862. When old enough he attended the district school, residing at home until he was 14 years old. About that time, or on the death of his mother in 1875, he went back to Iowa, where he lived with his maternal grandparents until 1884, being em- ployed, after beginning industrial life, in railroad construction work. He then returned to Wabasha County and engaged in farming, buying 160 acres in the town of Glasgow. There he resided; actively engaged in general farming, until the fall of 1915, when he retired and took up his residence in Kellogg. He was married May 31, 1892, to Catherine Peters, daughter of Adam and Johanna (Lehnertz) Peters. Her parents were natives of Prussia, Germany, and came to the United States in 1854, first locating in Michigan. Thence they removed to Iowa, and later to Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, where they home- steaded the farm now owned by their son John. They had a family of eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, those now living being Garrett, Katherine, Margaret, Eva, Peter J., Theodore and John. Mr. and Mrs. John Gilcreast have had four children; two of whom, Elmer and Edward, are now deceased. The living are Francis and Gertrude. Francis married Lillian Wagner, daughter of Gottleib Wagner, of Kellogg, and has two children, a son and daughter. He is manager of a garage in Kellogg. Mr. Gilcreast and his family are Catholics in religion. He belongs also to the Modern Woodmen and the Equitable Fraternal Union, and is a stockholder in the local Telephone Company.

Robert Goggin, who came to Wabasha County 30 years ago, and who is now proprietor of a nice farm of 160 acres in section 25, Watopa Township, was born in the town of Hartland, McHenry County, Illinois, in 1858, son of Robert and Ellen (Callahan) Goggin. The parents were natives of Ireland, but were married in Illinois, where the father engaged in farming, and where also he spent the rest of his life. After his death the surviving members of the family migrated in a wagon to Steele County, Minnesota, where the mother died about 1889. Of the three children, one, Edward, died in Steele County; the only daughter, Julia, is now Mrs. James Griffin, of Wabasha, Minn., and the third is the subject of this sketch. After coming to Wabasha County Robert Goggin (Jr.) worked 14 years on the railroad as section hand. He then began farming, first at Glasgow, then near Lake City, later for two years in Gillford, then for four years in Greenfield Township, near Kellogg. In the spring of 1915 he came to his present farm, on which he has built a barn 40 by 18 feet, with a stable and cow barn attached, has installed a windmill, and improved the house. He is engaged in general farming. His land is somewhat rough, but the farm is beautifully situated on the table-land, commanding a fine view, and he is making steady progress. Mr. Goggin was first married in 1889 to Mary McKeefrey, who was born and died in Wabasha, Minn. She left three children; Edward, Robert and Nellie E., all of whom are now living. Mr. Goggin was married secondly on May 3, 1904, to Kate Conners, who was born at Read's Landing,

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Wabash County, Minn., daughter of James and Mary (Fitzgerald) Conners. Of this second marriage one child, John, was born March 23, 1905, who is re- siding with his parents and already has a practical acquaintance with most of the details of agricultural work. The family are members of the Catholic church and are numbered among those who are helping to build up the re- sources of Wabasha County, now celebrated for the enterprise and wealth of its farmers, and the beauty of the farms.

William S. Putnam, who for some years operated a farm of 170 acres lying partly in Watopa Township, was born in New York State, March 15, 1857, son of Nahum and Elizabeth (Ingersol) Putnam. When a boy he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, with his parents and was educated in the Plainview village school. After remaining at home until 1877, he began working out, doing farm labor in Wabasha County until 1881. He then went to North Dakota, where he worked for his brother for a while. Having taken a claim of 160 acres in Dickey County, that state, he proved it up in 1885, and later took a homestead of 160 acres in the same county, making a total of 320 acres. In 1885 Mr. Putnam moved his family to North Dakota and there resided until 1889, when he sold his farm and returned to Wabasha County, Minnesota. After that, until 1892, he was engaged in farm labor for others. He began agricultural operations for himself again by renting a small farm in Highland Township, afterwards rented the Geister farm for a while, and in 1898 bought 80 acres in section 25, Watopa Township. Later he added to his farm by purchasing 90 acres in Minneiska Township, making a total of 170 acres, on which he built a house, barn and outbuildings. He followed general farming and stock raising here until 1905, when he went to St. Louis, and subsequently from there to Baltimore, where he was killed May 30, 1906. Mr. Putnam was a member of the Old Settlers' Association of Wabasha County, and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously he was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married November 1, 1881, to Rose Stadler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Stadler of Watopa Township. Five children were the issue of this mar- riage, namely: Frank M., born July 27, 1882, who died in infancy; George E., born December 11, 1883, who now owns the home farm, his mother keeping house for him; Wallace C., born October 7, 1886, who resides near Beaver, Minn .; Myrtle M., born May 7, 1891, who married Walter Timm; and Violet M., born May 1, 1895, who is the wife of John Gage of Trout Valley. Mrs. Putnam owns 40 acres in section 34, which is operated by her son, George E. Putnam.

John M. Peterson, who owns and operates a farm of 440 acres in Watopa Township, was born in Sweden, December 10, 1849, son of Peter and Kate (Paulson) Peterson. He was educated in his native land and remained there until 1868, when, at the age of 19 years, he emigrated to the United States. First settling in Illinois, he resided there until 1878, being employed in the coal mines. Then coming to Wabasha County, Minnesota, he engaged for a short time in farm work here, subsequently returning to Illinois. Soon, however, he came back to Wabasha County, and in 1904 began farming for himself, buying 120 acres of land in section 27, Watopa Township. Later he purchased more and has since brought his farm up to an area of 440 acres, lying in sections 22, 27 and 34. His farm is supplied with adequate buildings, and he is suc- cessfully following general farming and stock raising, through industry, practical knowledge and perseverance, making good financial progress. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Peterson was married Decem- ber 30, 1882, to Elizabeth Amond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Amond, her parents being natives of Switzerland who came to this country in 1873, locating in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, where they engaged in agriculture. The father, George Amond, died July 28, 1915, and his widow is now residing in the city of Winona. They had fourteen children, of whom seven are now living, namely, Elizabeth, Anna, Jake, Bertha, Mary, Emma and Minnie. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson six children have been born: John E., November 17,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 99

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