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 82
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ROBERT M. DOANE was born near Adams Village, Jefferson county, New York, November 8, 1823. His parents were farmers, and Robert's early life was spent on a farm. At the age of sixteen he found himself possessed of a fair education, obtained in the com- mon schools, and the school at Watertown, New York, which he at- tended one year. When sixteen years old he was employed by Mr. S. P. Johnson, a wealthy drover of Clayton, New York, as a stock-buyer. Two years later he entered the employment of E. G. Merrick, another prominent business man of Clayton, and continued in his service most of the time as a sailor on the lakes until the year 1853. May 8, 1849, he married Jennette Marshall, who was born in Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, New York, May 8, 1823. In 1856 they came to Minnesota, and settled on section 33 in Highland township. Mr. and Mrs. Doane have three children, viz: Mrs. Ettie Moore, of Castleton, Dakota ; Daniel W. and Frederick H., residing at home. Mr. Doane is a member of the Congregational church, a republican in politics, and has held various positions of public trust, being one of the first board of supervisors in Highland township.
LAWRENCE TRACY, farmer, is a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, where he was born January 6, 1822. He was second of six children born to James and Elizabeth Byrne Tracy, who died in their native land. Previous to his coming to this country (1846) the subject of our sketch spent five years as engineer, and for four years followed that business in Pennsylvania. January 13, 1849, he wedded Ann Foley,
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of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. This marriage has been blessed with nine children, six of whom are living : Mrs. Veronica McGinn, of Minneapolis ; James A .; Mrs. Ann McGinn, of Minne- apolis ; Ellen, a teacher of this county ; Mrs. Elizabeth Fox ; Mary F. From Pennsylvania Mr. Tracy went, in 1850, to the copper mines of northern Michigan, where he mined until 1856, when he settled in the town of Pell (now Oakwood), Wabasha county, being one of the early pioneers of that part of the county. In the fall of 1858 he moved to West Albany, where he has since lived. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is independent, supporting the men and principles of which his judg- ment approves. He has been often called to the public service, being a member of the first county board of supervisors ; later was township treasurer four years, and for sixteen years has held the office of assessor. He is a man of intelligence, has at times contrib- uted to the local papers, and is one of the leading citizens of the community.
CAPT. JOHN W. BURNHAM was born in the year 1829, in the State of New Hampshire, and grew up with the usual experiences of a farmer's son in moderate circumstances of that time. His grand- father, of same name, was an officer during the entire revolutionary war and a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. Capt. Burn- ham is by birthright entitled to membership of this society, but has never claimed the right. After some years of adult life spent as a farmer, teacher and lumberman, he came to Minnesota in April, 1856, and located by buying for two hundred dollars a settler's claim to the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 3, T. 108 N., R. 11 W., land now owned by E. L. Burton and S. H. Gaylord. At the election following in October, 1856, he was elected justice of the peace, and as such held the first court, married the first couple, and approved the bonds of the first postmaster upon Greenwood prairie. For a short time he was engaged in the mercantile business at Greenville, the first town laid out on the prairie; but the uncertain title of land upon the Sioux half-breed reservation, destroyed the town and sent the occupants to their claims. After much trouble, expense and anxiety, Capt. Burnham secured a title to eighty acres of land, which he had improved by paying four dollars and fifty cents per acre for it. In 1862 he made proof by pre-emption npon one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, which cost ninety dollars, money paid for a soldier's land warrant. In 1858 he was elected a member of the state legis-
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lature. This body did not convene, and in 1859 he was re-elected. The following session continued for four months. The finances of the state and the people was at a low ebb. The pay of a member would not procure him board at a first-class hotel in St. Paul. In 1861 Capt. Burnham was joined with I. O. Seeley, of Mazeppa, and Lawrence Tracey, of West Albany, into a board of appraisers of the school lands in the county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the army, after the call of three hundred thousand men by President Lin- coln, and was made a sergeant in Co. C, 10th Inf., commanded by Capt. C. W. Hackett. He with the company were mounted and in service on the Minnesota frontier till February, 1863, when they went into winter quarters at LeSueur till May following. From May to October, 1863, the subject of this sketch was with his company in Sibley's expedition in Dakota, which marched thirteen hundred miles, fought four battles with Indians, and suffered much from hunger, thirst and fatigue. This expedition went north to Devil's lake, and west to the site of Bismarck, present capital of Dakota. In October, 1863, the regiment was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, on duty in the city. In May, 1864, it was sent into Kentucky and thence to Tennessee and Mississippi. Here, for the first time, Mr. Burnham was unable to do soldier's duty from ill health. July 25, 1864, he was commissioned lieutenant in Co. D, 121st U. S. Colored Inf. and was sent on recruiting service into Kentucky and there kept till June, 1865, when this regiment was consolidated with others into 13th regt. U. S. Heavy Art. (colored), Lieut. Burnham being assigned to Co. I. His health being very poor he obtained leave of absence and visited home. While away he was assigned tem- porarily for duty in 125th U. S. Colored Inf., then on duty at the mili- tary prison at Louisville, Kentucky. He was immediately recom- mended for commission in that regiment, and on the day his appointment came-the 13th U. S. Heavy Art. (colored) was being mustered out of service at Louisville-Lieut. Burnham was put in command of a company (H), and in six weeks was promoted. Not long after, Co. H was sent to Jackson, Michigan, for a time, but about New Year's, 1866, the whole regiment was rendezvoused at Cairo, Illinois, where it remained till spring, when it was ordered to Fort Union, New Mexico, by steamboat to Leavenworth, Kansas, and from thence marched. From Fort Union, Cos. H and G marched five hundred miles more to Fort Bliss, Texas, where they remained a year, marching back in September and October, 1867,
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over nearly the same route, to Ellsworth, Kansas, the nearest railroad station. From here they traveled by rail to Jefferson Bar- racks, where they intended to await the rest of the regiment ; but the cholera broke out among them, and several died. The rest were mustered out at once, and the remainder of the regiment December 31, 1867, the last volunteer regiment enlisted for the war. Capt. Burnham returned to Plainview, where he still -owned his farm, bought more land and settled in the town of Highland, where he lived eight years. He was three years chairman of the town board of supervisors, and once the unsuccessful republican candi- date for state senator. In 1877 he sold his farm in Highland and moved to Plainview, where he lived till October, 1878, when he moved to Wheatland, Cass county, Dakota, where he has since resided. Capt. Burnham was married in 1866, to Ada J. Law- rence, daughter of Benjamin Lawrence, an older settler of Green- wood prairie than himself, and has four children, -one born at Fort Bliss, Texas, two in Highland and one in Plainview. After his marriage his wife accompanied him, and had a share in military life upon the frontier. Capt. Burnham draws no pension, although probably entitled to one, for the exposure and hardships of five years and three months' military service are enough to break down the strongest man.
GEORGE H. BURNHAM, a native of New Hampshire, was born May 20, 1837, in the town of Derry, Rockingham county. His parents were George and Eliza (McNeil) Burnham, both natives of the Old Granite State. In 1869 Robert H. Burnham, of Long Meadow, Massachusetts, compiled and published the genealogy of the Burn- ham family in the United States. The work contains five hundred and forty-six pages, and shows the family to be a very large one. Maj. John Burnham, of the revolutionary army, was a grandfather of the subject of this sketch. George H. Burnham's early life was passed on a farm. In 1856 his brothers, John and William, came to Minnesota, and the following year George joined them in their pioneer life. He pre-empted that year one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, where he built the customary log cabin, and continued to reside for seven years. In 1864 he sold his pre-emption, and two years later purchased from Mr. Woodward a quarter-section on sec- tion 33, where he now has his home. March 3, 1862, he was mar- ried to Mary E. Gaylord, a native of Gainesville, New York. Her parents, Elijah and IIuldah (Alvord) Gaylord, were also natives of
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
New York State. The following are the names of their children now living, viz: George M., born August 17, 1864 ; Frank A. (sur- viving twin), May 24, 1868 ; William H., July 19, 1871 ; Mary E., July 4, 1874 ; Maggie, April 4, 1876 ; John S., November 25, 1878; Charles A. G., November 1, 1880 ; Elsie I., December 8, 1882. Mr. Burnham has a fair education; attended the Derry Academy, New Hampshire, five terms ; is a member of the Plainview Congre- gational church, and a republican sprung from the old whig stock.
ADAM V. SIGLER, capitalist, Lake City, is the ninth child of Adam and Jemima (Van Horn) Sigler. The latter were born in New Jersey, of Dutch descent, and settled in Decatur, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Here was born the subject of this sketch, Angust 20, 1814, and four children were given to his parents after that. Adam V. Sigler received a limited education in the common schools of Decatur, and began mercantile life at eighteen in a store at Lewistown, in his native county. In 1836 he went into business in partnership with George Patton (elsewhere sketched in this work), at Allenville, same county. After the retirement of his partner, Mr. Sigler continued the business eight years there, and two at Lewistown. Early in the spring of 1856 he became a resident of Lake City, and invested his capital in lots and buildings, which have yielded him a handsome income. His retirement from active life dates at this time, and he is now passing a hale and peaceful old age in the midst of long-time friends and associates. He is a member of the Presby- terian church, and was connected with the Sons of Temperance while a lodge existed here. Politically, began with the whig party and is now republican. In December, 1860, Mr. Sigler took a life- partner in the person of Miss Matilda E. Guyer, born in Peoria, Illinois. Of six children born to this couple, only one is now alive, born ten years ago, and christened William Wilberforce. Two died of scarlet fever, within a space of ten days.
ALBERT K. GAYLORD, Lake City marshal, was reared on a farm in New York, and received a common-school education, supple- mented by several terms at Falley Seminary, in Fulton, same state. His parents, Miner and Elizabeth (Burr) Gaylord, were born, reared and married in Connecticut, and removed to New York. While resident in the town of Butternuts, Otsego county, 1831, a son was born to them, and christened Albert K. When twenty years old the latter left home, and went to Brooklyn, Jackson county, Michigan, where he was employed in a foundry and
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machine-shop. In the fall of 1856 he came to Lake City, and next spring brought his family. He built the building known for many years as "Gaylord's Hall," which was consumed in 1882, and opened the first furniture store here. He also sold various kinds of agricultural implements, manufactured by his former em- ployers. For some years he was employed at carpenter work, and in the foundry here. For three years he owned and operated the mill in the "Cooley," south of the city, in partnership with D. M. Smith. He served as marshal in the years 1874-5-6, and was ap- pointed to fill a vacancy in that office in October, 1881, holding the position ever since. He was a charter member and first past dieta- tor of the Lake City Knights of Honor, and was also connected with the Good Templars lodge while it existed ; has taken all the degrees in Odd-Fellowship, and is connected with the Masonic lodge and chapter. Mary A. Bancroft, first wife of A. K. Gaylord, was born in New York, and died here in September, 1868, leaving two chil- dren, of whom one survives, born March, 1868, and christened Mary E. The maternal grandparents of the latter were of New England birth. In October, 1877, Mr. Gaylord was united in marriage to Solura I., widow of Elias Sweet, and she still shares his joys and sorrows.
JOSEPH HAMMONS, retired farmer, Zumbro, located in this town- ship in the fall of 1856, making claim to one-fourth of section 33. Here he took great pains in trying to raise fruit, but with little suc- cess. He has disposed of his original claim, and now has one hundred and twenty acres in the river valley, including all that part of the village of Hammond south of the river, which was platted by Mr. Hammons. For twelve years he kept a grocery here, during six months of which time he was compelled to use crutches on account of sciatic rheumatism. He has given some attention to medicine, and never employed a physician. He makes a cough remedy which is sought from far and near on account of its admi- rable power. Mr. Hammons was born in Osby, New Hampshire, March 28, 1816. The name is probably of French origin. Moses, father of this subject, was born in Maine, and served as a captain in the war of 1812. He married Dorothy Longee, of the same state. When Joseph was but four years old his parents returned to Maine, and his early life was passed in farming and lumbering, earning his own livelihood from a very early age. At nineteen he paid his father two hundred dollars for his time, and went to New York and
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found employment in a flourmill. After this time he got some education by private study and in night-schools. At the age of thirty he married Sabra Ridlon, who was born in Saco, Maine, April 15, 1826. Her parents were Nathanial and Mercy (Smith) Ridlon, born in the same state. But one child has been given to this union, a daughter, born January 29, 1849, and christened Victoria. March 19, 1870, she married Eugene Adams, and resides in this township. Mr. Hammons served twelve years as justice of the peace in this township. His political tenets are represented by the old whig party and its successor, the republican. His religious views are most nearly represented by the Universalists.
EDWARD P. C. FOWLER, farmer, is one of the oldest settlers left in the township. He was born November 5, 1818, in New London county, Connecticut, and is of remote English ancestry. His parents were Amos and Lydia Backus-Fowler, both natives of Connecticut. Edward was raised on the farm, and on attaining his majority learned the carpenter's trade, following it there until 1856, when he located in Mount Pleasant, on the farm he now occupies. He was married September 9, 1842, in New London county, Connecticut, to Betsy Thomas of that county. To this union has been born six children, viz: John C., Nelson L. (deceased), William T. (deceased), Mrs. Lydia E. Robinson, of Lyon county, Charles S. and Edward P. C. During his residence here Mr. Fowler has divided his time between his land and his trade, and has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mrs. Fowler departed this life May 30, 1883. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is Mr. Fowler, and he belonged to the Grange and the Good Templar lodge, when those societies were in existence in the township. He is a repub- lican, and was the first clerk of the township. He since has been called to the public service at different times, having filled the offices of justice of the peace, treasurer, assessor, etc.
ROLAND FRAZIER MAXWELL, retired farmer, is descended from Scotch ancestors. His grandfather, Benjamin Maxwell, was at the battle of Lexington, and served the colonies throughout the revolu- tionary war. Winslow, son of Benjamin, was born in Massachusetts, and married Joannah Fairman, a native of Vermont. For many years he tilled a farm in Heath, Franklin county, in the Bay State, where the subject of this sketch was born, June 11, 1829. When he was twelve years old, his father removed to Sunderland, and operated a foundry. Frazier Maxwell attended the common schools
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till eighteen years old, when he took np painting, and followed that occupation till he came west in 1856. At this time he took up a claim one mile southwest of Mazeppa, and tilled it nine years. He then sold this and bought one hundred and twenty acres lying on sections 19 and 30, Mazeppa, which he now owns. In 1878 he built the fine residence which he occupies, on Cherry street, Mazep- pa, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and has ocenpied it ever since. He is now president of the village council, and was several years a member of the town board-part of the time chair- man. To his enterprise and public spirit is largely due the present thriving condition of our village and surroundings. Mr. Maxwell is orthodox on religions questions, and is so regarded by the repub- licans politically. His marriage took place at Oronoco, May 2, 1868, the bride and subsequent faithful helpmeet being Miss Lottie A. Gould, who was born in Atkinson, Maine. Her parents, Otis K. and Charlotte (Brown) Gould, were natives of the same state. The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, christened Gertrude, is still with them. Two sons, Frederick and Charles, died-the former at six and latter at two years of age.
CHAPTER XCIII.
EARLY SETTLERS.
JOHN BRADLEY MILLER, merchant, is one of the pioneers of Mazeppa, where he continues to reside. On his arrival here he selected a claim, and after securing the same, took np his resi- dence in the village, working as a mason and carpenter. For the past twelve years he has kept a furniture store on First street and is doing a prosperous business. His religious faith is represented by Universalism, and his political principles by republicanism. Mr. Miller's paternal grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. His father and mother, Wright and Abigail Miller, were natives of New York, and settled in Monticello, Otsego county, where the subject of this sketch was born, January 8, 1831. Wright Miller was a gunsmith, and at ten years of age Bradley, as Mr. Miller is called, was set to work in his shop when out of school. On reaching m-a
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turity he set ont to earn his livelihood and was employed for several years as a sawyer and turner. In 1851 he married Miss Mary, a sister of W. D. Angell, whose parentage is elsewhere given. Mrs. Miller is a native of Edmiston, New York. They have one child, Alice, born April 13, 1859, now the wife of George D. Sandford.
GEORGE B. FRANKLIN, carpenter, is a native of New York, as were his parents, B. B. and Maria (Glynn) Franklin. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Georgetown, Madison county, Jan- uary 22, 1832. When seven years old he was taken with the family to Vermont, where he attended the common schools till fourteen, after which he cared for himself. When sixteen he began carpenter- work and followed it till thirty-three. In 1857 he located at Ma- zeppa and built most of the early buildings in that village. Twelve years after settling in this county he purchased the farm on which he now resides. For some years he dealt largely in horses and also bought and sold some real estate. His domain now includes one hundred acres lying on section 31, Chester, and is graced with handsome and well-planned buildings. Mr. Franklin is a member of the Masonic order, his lodge being located at Mazeppa. He is a thorough republican partisan and never voted for a democrat for any office. In 1876 he married Miss Allie, daughter of Elam Black, of Mazeppa. Their children were born and christened as below : July 31, 1877, Berenice ; November 22, 1878, Lottie ; September 28, 1880, Lottie ; August 22, 1882, Jessie.
JOSEPH DIETERICH, shoemaker, Water street, business established in this city in 1857. Mr. Dieterich was born in Bavaria, learned his trade there, came to America in 1854, settling first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he remained until his removal to this county in 1857. He married, prior to his emigration to America, Marga- retta Schell, in 1851, who died at Read's Landing, March 6, 1880. Their children are : Maggie (wife of Peter Gibson, of Read's Land- ing), born in April, 1852; John, born in June, 1856 ; Emma, born January, 1865. On April 13, 1882, Mr. Dieterich married Eliza- beth Koller.
THOMAS MATEER was an old-line whig, and has been a republi- can ever since the organization of the party. He was born in Ireland, February 15, 1823. He came in company with his brother to America, landed in New York, January 15, 1848. They went from New York to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Thomas en- gaged in the Eagle Hotel, and had charge of Eagle Ice Company at
S. L. CAMPBELL.
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the same time in partnership with his cousin, John McMasters. IIe then was overseer of a lumber yard for two years, and then went to California in 1854, on board the vessel George Law, which was after- ward refitted and was then named the Central America, which foun- dered in the ocean on the very trip Mr. Mateer expected to start for home, but he was detained accidentally and thus missed the boat. After staying in California for three years he then, on April 27, 1857, landed in Read's Landing, this county, and came to Glasgow town- ship, June 15, 1857, to where he now lives. Mr. Mateer was married to Sarah Jane MeMasters, a native of Ireland, on April 15, 1857. They have had seven children, five of them still living: Ellen Jane (married Henry Higgins, and lives in Reynolds, Dakota ; Charles G., Walter H., Elizabeth (is the wife of William Neal, and now lives in Lyon county, this state); William Stewart is the name of the youngest. Mr. Mateer was the first supervisor of this town- ship, and has been a member of the Presbyterian church for thirty- five years.
CHARLES G. DAWLEY, a leading citizen and farmer, was one of the pioneers of Highland. He was the only son of Daniel and Hanna (Whitford) Dawley, both natives of Rhode Island, where the subject of this sketch was born June 16, 1814. Mr. Dawley, Sr., was a blacksmith, and worked in the old Gen. Green Anchor Forge Works. In 1825 Charles removed with his parents to western New York State. Nine years later he again followed his parents to Crawford county, Pennsylvania. In 1840, March 14, he mar- ried Charlotte Webster, a native of the Keystone State, then in her twentieth year. Three years later he came to McHenry county, Illi- nois, and settled on a farm. Catching the gold fever, he and four companions crossed the plains with an ox-team in 1853. He worked in mines in Sacramento county until his health gave out. and in 1856 he returned after first distributing his dust to defray the expenses of his sickness, and the following spring disposed of his property in Illinois, and brought his family to Wabasha county, settling on the farm where he still resides, one hundred and sixty acres on section 26. Mr. Dawley has always been a prominent man in the political affairs of the township ; was a member of the first board of supervisors, and one of the first justices of the peace, and has continued to hold the latter office, with the exception of four years, ever since. In 1863 he was elected judge of probate for Wabashia county, and served one term, and in 1861 was also a
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
county commissioner ; five years he was chairman of the board of supervisors, and has also been township superintendent of schools. His politics are republican. Mr. Dawley has taught school thirty- one terms, fourteen in Wabasha county. His eldest son, Charles G., was killed at the last battle at Nashville, Tennessee. He was a member of the 10th Minn., and a sergeant in Co. C. He was born September 2, 1841, in Pennsylvania. The second child, Allen W., is a farmer in Highland ; Mary (Mrs. R. H. Anderson, of Rochester) was the third child, and Daniel, the youngest, is attending the State Normal School at Winona. Mr. Dawley has for many years been postmaster of the Smithfield office.
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