USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources > Part 79
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A. B. W. NORTON, known in Plainview and country around as Squire Norton, from his protracted service as justice of the peace, was born October 30, 1818, in the town of Guilford, Chenango county, of Connecticut parents, being descended from grandparents of old revolutionary fame. He enjoyed the privileges of a common school education, and started in business at the age of fourteen years. At Richford, Tioga county, New York, in the county clerk's office, lie commenced assisting his former teacher in transcribing the records. Following this he experienced a series of changes for ten years, and then went to Brooklyn, New York, as clerk in the employ of Free-
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man & Co., and from there, after a short term, to Sussex county, New Jersey, at the solicitation of his uncle, to spend Christmas. In 1846 he was for a time in Pleasant Valley, in the same state, and then through the instrumentality of his friend Fisher, a New York bookkeeper, when clerking in that city. In 1847 he, with his brother, settled in Woodstock, McHenry county, Illinois, and continued here in business for ten years. On July 4, 1857, he came, in company with Wm. Kimberly, to Plainview, Wabasha county, Minnesota, and settled on a quarter-section (160 acres) of land, in what is known as section 6. His two children, daughters by his wife whom he lost in Woodstock, followed him about a year after, and one is now keeping house for her father, and the other, married to E. A. Pomeroy, resides opposite on property presented to her by the judge. In 1860 Mr. Norton was elected as town clerk against William Stone, and he immediately set about straightening the records. In 1859 he built the first substantial building in the village, that now occupied as a hardware store by C. C. Corner & Son. who purchased from one Hunt on the corner of Broadway and Washington street. In 1868, by appointment of the board of supervisors, he again served as town clerk and as justice of the peace, was elected next year, which office lie lias hield with credit to the present time. During Lincoln's administration, by Postmaster-General Blair, he was appointed postmaster of Plainview, Minnesota, April 18, 1864, and continued to hold the position until 1868. Prior to this he was for some time deputy-postmaster. The squire is a man much liked for his impartial administration of justice and general square dealing.
THOMAS A. THOMPSON, well known as a public speaker and instructor in grange work, was one of the first settlers of Plainview, Wabash county, Minnesota. In company with J. Y. Blackwell, David Ackley, A. P. Foster and others he commenced the settle- ment, and in November, 1856, built for a residence the house now oc- cupied by De Witt Clarke. His father, at the age of twenty-one years, after learning the blacksmithing, though reared a farmer in Con- necticut, started on foot in the winter of 1802 and so proceeded across the State of New York, a tramp without means. He at length reached Buffalo, then only a hamlet, and thence to a place, since called Vernon, in Trumbull county, Ohio, where he staked out a claim in the wilderness and at once began the execution of his life-task. In addition to farming, the exercise of his skill as an artificer was the ready passport to favor with the Indians who had
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gunlocks to repair, knives to mend, and other ironwork which the blacksmith could perform, in exchange for which he received turkeys, venison, bear meat and skins, which he disposed of with advantage to neighboring whites. At the end of a year the young man mar- ried Miss Sally King Bates, who with her parents had recently arrived strangers from the Connecticut valley, and as a product of this union there were two daughters and six sons, the youngest being the one above referred to. Young Thompson's schooling did not advance him beyond the rudiments, so he began in early life a system of self-instruction, aided by a few months' preparation in an academy of a neighboring town, to which he made daily pilgrimages several miles on foot. For several years subsequent his time was divided between teaching, study and farmwork; at the end of which time he was commissioned a magistrate by the governor of the state. About this time Mr. Thompson married Miss Eliza P. Eddy, who by the kindest sympathy gave culture and breadth to the refinement that made home and its surroundings bright with the sun- shine of contentment and the serene atmosphere of domestic peace. At length, his wife's health failing, he sold the homestead and moved in 1856. To the table-land west of the Mississippi, where the beautiful village of Plainview has since sprung into existence, he wended his way. The year following, 1857, Mr. Thompson was elected to the territorial legislature, for Minnesota had not yet become a state. Afterward he accepted the office of superintendent of schools for Wabasha county, in which he served three successive terms, resigning at last to enter upon new duties as lecturer of the national grange, having previously served as master of the Minne- sota state grange and performing the duties without salary. In this new capacity he visited all the states east of the Rocky Mountains, except a few in the south and New England. Twenty-seven years ago his cabin stood upon the treeless prairie, with not a house in sight and no village near; his present residence, a plain, homelike structure, stands in the town of Plainview not many yards from the railway station and terminus of the line. About Park Home, as it is called, there is a semblance of the forest trees in pleasing variety and luxuriant growth. They were planted by Mr. Thompson, at whose hands they have received tender care. Here he contem- plates rest from the wearisome toil of years with calm enjoyment of the fruits of his labors.
OSTROM STEPHEN LONT, M.D., Mazeppa, is a native of New York,
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born in Lebanon, Madison county, in 1821. He dwelt here with his parents till eighteen years of age, and received in the common schools the rudiments of an education. He early became imbued with the idea that the practice of medicine opened to a man wide opportunities for benevolence, and possessing a natural aptitude and love for the profession, he entered the office of Dr. V. H. Van Vleck, at Hamilton, in his native county, to perfect himself by combined study and practice for his chosen profession. Having no means he was compelled to pay his way while studying by waiting upon his preceptor, working in the harvest field, and performing any odd service that came to his hand. Though to many his lot seemed hard, the young student was happy in the consciousness of doing his best, and in the preparation for a noble profession and useful life. No doubt his happiest days were those spent in this manner. So closely did he apply himself that he was licensed to practice at the end of two years' study, with Dr. Van Vleck. His license was issued by the Botanical Medical Society of New York, and when the Physio- Medical College of Cincinnati was founded by this society he received his diploma. He had at this time been practicing medicine four years, having begun when about twenty-three years old, at West Burlington, Otsego county. Here he continued to practice till 1856, when he removed to Mazeppa. For two or three years during the war he dwelt on a farm in Chester, and with this exception his home has been in this village since his arrival here. He has a pleasant home on First street, facing the river, where himself and faithful helpmeet dwell in contentment, and the love and respect of their neighbors. Their marriage occurred on Christmas day, 1850. Mrs. Lont was christened Melissa A., and is a sister of W. D. Angell, whose parentage is elsewhere shown in this work. To his worthy wife Dr. Lont owes and ascribes much of his success in life. The trials and triumphs of their journey have been equally shared, and all important moves, financial or otherwise, have been made after mutual consultation. They adopted and reared to maturity an orphan boy, Willis A., born Rogers, now Lont, who is at present employed in a mill at Prague, this state. This worthy couple is now furnishing a home to Harry E. Jamieson, who will probably remain with his foster-parents to be the stay of their old age. Dr. Lont is a man of decided character, and has made some enemies by his firm stand in defense and advocacy of principles he deems right. Nothing which does not seem to him likely to promote the welfare
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of his fellow-men can receive his sanction or support. Nothing could conduce more to his enjoyment than to see the rest of the world happy. He is a staunch temperance advocate, having imbibed a hatred of the curse of intemperance at his mother's knee. In theology he is a modern Spiritualist, believing and teaching that all men will occupy in the next world the state for which their education and occupations in this have fitted them. In early life he denied and vehemently combated the idea that slavery was a divinely- appointed institution. He helped to organize the liberty party in New York State, and continued there to labor for freedom until the republican party succeeded it. For twenty years he has enjoyed the realization of his political hopes and desires in the triumph of the latter. He has been active in promoting the welfare of his own neighborhood, and has been many times honored by his fellow- citizens in filling positions of responsibility. From 1861 to 1864 he served as supervisor in Chester, and was instrumental in relieving that town of a draft. He has been two years chairman of the Mazeppa town board, four years village justice, and served six years in the latter capacity in Chester and Mazeppa townships. In his practice he enjoys the most amicable relations with neighboring physicians, whom he often meets in council. He has been twice elected president of the Wabasha County Medical Society. While his library is not a very extensive one, it contains standard works of all schools. Anything new of undoubted authority is at once secured by him, and he is thus able to keep up with the times.
REV. ROBERT CLIFFORD (deceased) delivered the first sermon in Lake City in the fall of 1850. Born at Spoondon, Derbyshire, England, in 1801. He was early apprenticed to a dyer in the city of Derby. He soon became imbned with religious zeal, and began to preach the doctrine of the Disciples. He came to America in 1838, and settled at Philadelphia. For sixteen years he continued to preach in that neighborhood and in New York, and came to the site of this city in 1855. After coming to this country he joined the Wesleyan Methodist church: He died here in 1862, and his widow, née Rebecka Wayne, passed away two years later. Of five children, but three are now alive. The eldest, a son, died in Philadelphia. The second, Robert, resides in Lake City, and also the youngest, Mrs. Jane W. Helt, a widow. The third, Mrs. John A. Jackson, dwells in Mount Pleasant. Mrs. John R. Graham died here.
ROBERT CLIFFORD, engineer, Lake City, son of above, was born
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in Winster, England, September 16, 1823, and came with his parents to the United States when fifteen years of age. He received but little schooling, and was apprenticed when seventeen to a black- smith. On reaching his majority he came west and settled in the town of Porter, Rock county, Wisconsin. Here he built a smithy, and therein worked for ten years. He came to Minnesota in 1864, and bought a farm in Mount Pleasant, this county. His winters were spent in the wagon and carriage works, where he is now em- ployed, and in 1867 he sold the farm and bought a home in the city, and has dwelt here steadily since. For the last five years he has had charge of the engine. Mr. Clifford is a full degree inember of the I.O.O.F. He is a thorough republican, and in religious faith is found with the Methodists. In February, 1845, he was married at Philadelphia, the bride being Miss Margaret Helt, who died in July, 1875, leaving seven children. The eldest, Robert Wayne, served three years in the Union army before he was twenty years old, and is now in business in St. Paul. The others are resident as follows : Joseph D., Detroit, Michigan ; Nettie (Mrs. Frank Devor), Minneapolis ; Mary A. (married James Cliff, now deceased), Mazeppa ; Maggie (Hiram Johnson), Minneapolis; Fannie (Jeffer- son Rosle), Mazeppa ; Naomi T. (Frank Young), Sparta, Wisconsin. Mr. Clifford was married the second time, to Miss Susan Mills, a native of Virginia, to whom a son was born six years ago.
CARL CHRISTIAN STAUFF, M.D., Lake City, one of the first set- tlers in the county, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1815; graduated at Rostock Allopathic Medical School in 1836; began practice at Wismar, and in 1840 married Wilhomina Hochman; in 1853 he crossed the Atlantic in the bark Humboldt, and after pros- pecting for a year he made his home in Cook's Valley, Minnesota, for twelve years, farming ; disposing of his property, he moved to Wabasha and engaged in the drug business, which he continned several years. In October, 1875, he removed his business to Lake City, taking his youngest son as partner, where a good business and office practice is continued. Three sons and two danghters were given him, all of whom are married. The eldest son, C. J. Stanff, is at present clerk of district court, which office he has held for the past twenty years. F. E. Stauff, second son, resides at Wharpaton, Richland county, Dakota Territory, being county auditor of said county. Was county auditor of Wabasha county two years, also Cass county, Minnesota, six years, after which time he engaged in
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mercantile business four years at St. Panl. In 1864 he enlisted in the defense of the Union in Co. C, 4th Minn. Vols. F. H. Stauff, junior partner, residing at Lake City, is credited as being the first white child born in the county. Was born August 31, 1855. After leaving school he chose medicine as a business, which he continued for some time ; he then was engaged in the wholesale drug house of Wm. H. Torbert, of Dubnque, Iowa. The opportunity thus afforded him to familiarize himself with the complicated knowledge of his business has fitted him for his now responsible occupation, being one of the proprietors of one of the finest drug establishments of any town of its size in the west. Was married September 5, 1883, to Miss Helen S. Brown, of. Minneiska. Eliza, eldest daughter, married to Wm. R. Hayes, resides at Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota. Clara, youngest, married Capt. Homer Durand, and . resides at Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Stauff and wife enjoy the best of health and are proud of their success in rearing a family that is a comfort to them in their declining years.
AGUSTUS W. STOWMAN, farmer, Glasgow, is a native of New Jersey. Beaumont Stowman and Anna Willett were born, reared and married in Philadelphia. They settled on a farm in Harmony, Warren county, New Jersey, where this subject was born to them in May, 1830. His education was supplied by the rate-schools of that day and locality, and when eighteen years of age he went to work in a flourmill. In 1855 he came to Minnesota and took up and made improvements on the land he now occupies, the northeast quarter of section 24. Leaving the land in care of relatives, he re- turned to Indiana, where his home had been for some time. Here he took a life-partner, March 20, 1860, in the person of Miss Eliza- betli, daughter of Squire and Susie Morrison, all of Kentucky birth. In 1861 Mr. Stowman took up his permanent residence here. For four years he was employed as a miller on West Indian creek, in Highland township. He now has a finely-cultivated farm, on which he has erected a comfortable brick dwelling, and is prepared to en- joy life. In February, 1865, he entered the 1st Minn. Heavy Art. as a recruit, and did garrison duty at Chattanooga, Tennessee. His religious faith is represented by the Methodist church, and his politi- cal ideas by the democracy. Four children have come to bless his home, and were christened Dora Belle, May, Charles P. and Minnesota.
ASA B. DOUGHTY, president of the Lake City Mill Company, was
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born on Long Island, New York, in 1826. His parents were also natives of the same state ; the former, Samuel Doughty, died soon after our subject's birth, and the latter, Elizabeth (Nelson) Doughty, with two of her sons, Edward and Asa B., and a daughter, Alice, and her husband, Henry Coleman, in 1837 emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Bloomington, McLean county. Here Mr. Coleman estab- lished himself in the manufacture of plows and other farm machin- ery, and with him our subject learned the trade. In 1855 Mr. Doughty made a prospecting tour to Lake City, and seeing the natural advantages of the place, bought property, and returned to Illinois to make arrangements for a final settlement here, which he did in July, 1857. The prevailing malarious influences of the climate in Illinois had so impaired his health, that he remained comparatively inactive for nearly four years after his arrival here. He then em- barked in the grain and commission business, and after a few years' experience in the fluctuations and uncertainties of commerce turned his attention to the business of his trade, and engaged in the manu- ture of wagons, plows and harrows, built up a large trade and con- ducted a prosperous business till 1880. In the fall of this year the Lake City Flourmill passed into his possession ; this he formed into a joint-stock company, and remodeled it throughout, put in the new roller process and entire new machinery, making it a complete merchant mill, with a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five bar- rels per day. The officers are : A. B. Doughty, president ; R. White, vice-president ; directors, G. F. Benson, A. Basey, G. M. Dwelle, J. Dobner, C. A. Hubbard, E. Hackett and L. H. Buck ; Mr. Henry Selover, superintendent and secretary. Mr. Doughty was married in 1849, to Miss Ellen McClung, a native of Virginia, who came to Illinois in a very early day. She died in 1862, leav- ing Mr. Doughty with two children : Lillie, now Mrs. Wm. C. Water, of Sioux Falls, Dakota, and Lulu, now Mrs. B. Y. McNairy, of Campbell, Minnesota. His second marriage was in 1864, with Miss Sue Johns, a native of Pennsylvania. By this marriage he has had no children, though their home is made pleasant by the presence of Miss Anna Seilheimer, who is a distant relative of his wife, and has found a home with them for several years.
RODMAN BURCHARD, the subject of this sketch, was born in Paris, Oneida county, New York, December 26, 1808. He removed from there to Wethersfield, Wyoming county, in the same state, in the year 1845, where he resided but a short time, going from there to
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Michigan with the intention of making it his home. He was soon taken sick with the fever, then so prevalent in some parts of that state, and, concluding that it was too sickly for him there, went back to Gainsville, New York, where he was married to Esther A. Davis, December 23, 1847. In the year 1854 he purchased a farm in Vir- ginia, intending to move his family there the following season. But having had a presentiment (as he thought) that all might not be well in the future in a slave state like Virginia, he sold the farm and decided to go west. He landed at Wabasha, in the fall of 1855. Having heard of Greenwood prairie, he hired a team to take his family and goods to the village of Greenville, which was then lo- cated two miles and a half east of this place, where he formed a part- nership with the Richards Bros. in the mercantile business, opening a general store in a log house, living upstairs and keeping hotel at the same time. Trade increased so rapidly that they were soon obliged to erect a larger building for the store, leaving the log house to be used for the dwelling. Here he lived for many years. His wife died June 10, 1866, leaving the husband one son and three daughters. After the death of his wife he moved to Plainview where he kept his family together and was married to Miss Maggie Crossen, April 13, 1871, who, with the four children mentioned, and her own little son, now about eight years old, survive him. Mr. Burchard died February 6, 1883, being seventy-four years, one month and twelve days old. He was a man of strong will, good judgment and great perseverance, and withal a kind neighbor. Be- ing well-known in this community he leaves many friends to mourn his death. [The above is an extract from the minutes of the Old Settlers' Association.]
HON. ALONZO P. FOSTER, son of a Vermont farmer of Scotch descent, was born in Orange, Orange county, Vermont, May 5, 1816. · Lemuel Foster, his father, died when the subject of the present sketch was but four years old, and the cares incident to the rearing of a family of ten children were devolved upon the mother, Cloe (Powers) Foster, a member of the Leland family of this country, which has extant a genealogical record. The mother was very much attached to the old Orange county farm and continued to reside thereon until her death, keeping her large family together as best she could. The education of young Foster would have been sadly neglected had he not been studiously inclined, and taken, un- directed, upon himself the task of mastering not only the common
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branches of study, but also those usually taught in high schools. He remained at home in charge of the old farm for several years, and until after the death of both mother and wife. He was married to Miss Harriet Thompson, of Orange county, in 1844, by whom he had one child, the present Mrs. T. G. Bolton, of Plainview. The death of his wife occurred in 1851, and his mother departed this life in 1854. He next became manager for one year of the Troy Conference Academy, of West Poultney, Vermont, over which his cousin, Rev. Jason F. Watkins, presided. The following spring he came to Minnesota, arriving on Greenwood prairie a few days after the Eddy party came. He located on the S.E. ¿ Sec. 11 in Plain- view. Despite vigorous efforts put forth to drive him from this claim, which was a portion of the Half-breed Tract, he continued to hold it until enabled to perfect his title. He disposed of this farm in 1864. In 1866 he gathered together a considerable fund and removed to Winona, investing in real estate, which afterward he platted as an addition to the city of Winona under the name of Foster's addition. He re-established his home in Plainview in 1878, and now owns a large farm on section 36, in Oakwood, besides the small place in Foster's addition to Plainview village. He makes a specialty of Jersey cattle and Norman-Percheron horses. Mr. Foster was a member of the state legislature in 1857.
RUSSELL W. CARPENTER, dealer in farming implements, Plain- view. and brother of George W. Carpenter, of Highland township, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1836. From 1847 till he came to Minnesota was with his father and brothers in MeHenry county, Illinois. In 1855 the family came to Greenwood prairie, where Russell was among the unfortunates who selected a claim on the Indian reservation, and which he abandoned, the same now being known as the Pat Mahon farm. From the fall of 1857 to 1874 he resided in Dubuque, Iowa; since which time he has continued to reside in Wabasha county, engaging in agricultural pursuits until 1881, where he became interested in the farming im- plement trade, and has continued to follow it since. He enlisted in the 21st Iowa Vols., but owing to physical unsoundness was re- jected by the surgeon. He is a member of Plainview Lodge, I.O.O.F. June 6, 1867, he espoused Susan, daughter of Jacob Brant, of Epworth, Iowa, by whom he has had two children, viz : Edward A. and Minnie E.
BENJAMIN PICKETT, Plainview, farmer, was born in Pultney,
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Steuben county, New York, August 11, 1828. His parents were Eli and Cuissan Ann Pickett. His father was a native of the same county. When eighteen he accompanied his brother, Eli C. Pickett, to Dodge county, Wisconsin. Here he continued to reside with his brother until the spring of 1855, when he came to Minnesota, and located on section 9, Plainview, eighty acres of which claim now con- stitute the farm, on which he has since continued to reside. He came in company with Mr. Washburn, Mr. Miner and Mr. Jack Williams. In 1858 he went back to Wisconsin, and spent the winter ; on his return in the spring he brought back a three-year-old colt, which is now a hale old horse of twenty-nine years. His next trip to Wis- consin was of a matrimonial character, and resulted in his espousing Susanna Allen, February 9, 1861. She was the daughter of Caleb Allen, a farmer and mason, of Lowell, Dodge county, Wisconsin, now of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and was born in Washington county, New York, November 17, 1842. The children of this marriage are : Frank B., employed in Wyant's photograph gallery, Plainview ; Benjamin E. and Anna.
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