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 87

Author: H.H. Hill and Company. 4n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill & Co.
Number of Pages: 1176

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 87

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DANIEL METZGAR, farmer, Cook's Valley, is a great-grandson of George Metzgar, who emigrated from Holland to Pennsylvania before the revolution. George, son of the latter, was reared and died in the same locality. His son, Jonas, served in the war of 1812; married Mary Merwine, and dwelt on a farm in Hamilton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Here was born the person whose name begins this paragraph, November 8, 1822. He was reared on a farm in Cayuga and Tompkins counties, New York. Besides attending the excellent common schools of that region, he spent two terms in Groton Academy. He engaged in teaching two years, and afterward spent two years in a Florida sawmill. Return- ing to New York he engaged in farming. February 19, 1852, lie was married to Mary J. Albertson, who was born in Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John and Mary (Cregg) Albert- son, natives of New Jersey. In 1857 he took up his present resi- dence, on section 30, Greenfield, and became a fixture of the town, and a worthy citizen. He became postmaster at Cook's Valley when that office was established in 1859, and held the office three years, thus demonstrating democratic appreciation of republican talent and integrity. Mr. Metzgar's first ballot was for abolition of slavery, and he has ever since adhered to the principles espoused by

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republicans. He was three times elected chairman of the town board of supervisors, and served a term as assessor. He is a believer in the final holiness and happiness of all mankind. On October 28, 1862, death took away the faithful sharer of his cares and delights. Mrs. Metzgar was a consistent member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and her place has never been filled. Five children survive her, all residents of this town. Their names in order of birth are: William A., Mary A. (wife of J. G. Rose), Sarah A. (William J. Rose), Ida May and Fannie Jane.

CHARLES FORREST (deceased) was among those who came to Wabasha in an early day. He was born at Peter Head, a city in the north of Scotland, April 24, 1835. In early life he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of boot and shoe maker, serving the nsual time. In 1856 he left the land of his birth and the home of his childhood, with all the ties of kindred and friends, and the dearest of all, the one who was to be his bosom friend and compan- ion through life, and after a few uneventful weeks on the ocean, and a year spent at his trade in Montreal, Canada, he landed from a river steamer at Wabasha, Minnesota, late in the summer of 1857. There he decided to stay and make a strike for a home, entering at once upon the business of his trade, which he prosecuted with vigor nearly four years, when, notwithstanding the financial embarrassment fol- lowing the crisis of 1857, and the prevailing diseases incident to those who were then living on the Mississippi bottoms, in both of which Mr. Forrest suffered severely, he had secured the means not only to send for the one above referred to, but also to provide for her on her arrival, a rude, though happy home. She reached Wabasha on the evening of April 22, 1861, and the next day Charles Forrest and Margaret Tough were united in marriage. She is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and was born May 31, 1834. They at once repaired to a farm he had previously bought in West Albany town- ship, and built a small frame house, the first erected in that settle- ment. Mrs. Forrest now declares that the succeeding years were the happiest of her life. The pioneers had but little, and, being all on an equality, shared cheerfully with each other, even to a cup of salt. Some years later Mr. Forrest came to Lake City, and, after selling his farm, built a store and embarked in merchandising in the boot and shoe line, conducting the business till the time of his death, May 21, 1879. Though he left no fortune to his family, he left them with a home and the heritage of an unsullied name. He was

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a deacon in the Baptist church, and consistent, pious Christian gen- tleman. His widow and one son are also members of the Baptist church. His children, who are all residing with their mother in Lake City, are James, Charles G., Jennette H., Maggie J., Jennie E., William W. and Katie E., and enjoy the estecm and respect of their fellow citizens.

THOMAS HEATH MEGROTH, Lake City, was born at Hallowell, on the Kennebec river, in the State of Maine, in 1808. His father, John Megroth, was a native of Needham, Massachusetts, and died of camp fever in the war of 1812. His mother, Elizabeth (Heath) Megroth, was a native of Southampton, England, who came to America in early life and died at a good old age in West Manches- ter, Massachusetts. The first fifteen years of our subject's early life was spent on a farm, after which he began an apprenticeship to the hatter's trade. This, however, was not congenial to his health, and after two years' trial was abandoned and his attention turned to the carpenter's trade. This he found suited to his taste and made it his life business. In 1849 a trip to California was decided upon, and in April of that year he, with a party of twenty-five, left Boston for the " golden gate." They went via the river route from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Independence, Missouri, where they fitted out with teams and wagons. On reaching Salt Lake City they tarried fifteen days for the purpose of recuperation, as well as preparing for the remaining nine hundred miles' trip before them. This was done by selling their wagons and packing their outfit, provisions, etc., on the backs of mules. In this way the journey was resumed and its end finally reached. The most part of seven years was spent by Mr. Megroth engaged in mining and working at his trade on the Pacific slope, though severe sickness compelled him to make a trip to the Sand- wich Islands, and to this alone he now owes his life. In 1856 he returned, via the isthmus, to the bosom of his family, in Maine, with a large supply of experience and a good portion of the precious metal. The following April, 1857, he emigrated with his family to Minnesota and settled permanently in Lake City, and has since then devoted himself to his trade. He was married in 1835, to Miss Elizabeth N. Freeman, who is also a native of the State of Maine. She has shared his joys and sorrows for almost half a century, at this writing, February 26, 1884, and is now his constant though feeble companion down the shadowy side of life. To them were born two sons, Edward J., now enjoying a good property and

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unblemished reputation in this city, and Thomas Wesley, who died very suddenly at Chicago, Illinois, while there attending college. Mr. and Mrs. Megroth have for many years been exemplary mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN O'BRIEN, farmer and stock-raiser, Lake City. Mr. O'Brien s but another illustration of what industry, pluck and perseverance will accomplish. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1837, and is a son of John and Jane O'Brien, both natives of Ireland, and, although of the same name, no relation. They were married in St. Lawrence county, New York, and there settled down on a farm and became the parents of nine children, eight of whom are still living, six near the old home and two in this county. The father died in 1880, and the mother still resides on the old farm. Mr. O'Brien received a common school education as well as a thorough training in the prin- ciples of economy and thrift during his early youth on the farm. In the spring of 1857 he came to Lake City and at once went to work at his trade (that of mason), following it three years. He then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, in the township of Lake, was married the same year to Miss Hannah Mahony, and engaged in farming. After a ten years' residence on this farm he purchased a smaller one in Lake City and removed to town, where his wife died in February, 1871. His second mar- riage was in July, 1874, to Mrs. Sarah Failing, formerly Miss Sarah Munger, a native of Syracuse, New York. He has six children living, whose names in the order of their birth are : Mary J., wife of John Steel, of La Crosse, Wisconsin ; J. Sylvester, M. Frank and James R., on the farm in Mount Pleasant, and Catharine B. by his former wife, and George A. by his present. Mr. O'Brien now owns, besides a small farm within the city limits, a fine farm of six hundred and twenty acres in Lake and Mount Pleasant town- ships. In religion they are of the Catholic faith. Politically he is independent, supporting the man rather than the party.

ALEXANDER SELOVER, carpenter, Lake City, was born near thie city of Brunswick, New Jersey, March 27, 1833. John Selover, his grandfather, entered the colonial army in the revolutionary war, was made a prisoner and confined six years on the prison ship Jersey, in New York bay. The family is descended from the early German settlers of New Jersey, and Lewis and Prudence (Obert) Selover, parents of this subject, were born in that state. His life was spent on a farm till he was eighteen years old, when he went to his trade.

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In the fall of 1856 he went to Illinois, where he spent the ensuing winter. Early in the next spring he set ont for Minnesota, and landed at Read's April 17. He walked over the bluffs to this point and soon made a claim near Lone Mound, in Mount Pleasant town- ship, as now known. This land lie retained till 1867, renting it a portion of the time. He then took up his permanent residence in Lake City, where he has a half-block and comfortable residence. His domain also includes eighty acres of land near the city in Wis- consin. Many of the best buildings in the country adjacent to the city are Mr. Selover's handiwork. In 1864 he enlisted as a recruit in Co. A, 1st Heavy Art., which was stationed most of the time till the close of the war at Chattanooga. More fortunate than many, Mr. Selover's mess were able to purchase food during a forty days' stress, caused by a cuting off of supplies, when most of the garrison was placed on quarter-rations. In 1862 Mr. Selover espoused Miss Ellen, daughter of Dr. Veeder, one of the pioneers of Mount Pleasant, all of New York birth. Three children have been added to the family. Louisa, the eldest, is now in her graduate year at the Winona Normal School ; Mary Dora and Frank Marshall are at home. Mr. Selover is a member of the Baptist church and a con- sistent temperance worker.

PETER SELOVER, carpenter, dates his birth November 10, 1830, at the same place as his brother, above. His early life was passed on his father's farm, and at seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to a carpenter and builder, whom he served three years. In 1857 he went to Flatbush, Long Island, and participated in the construc- tion of many buildings there. In 1859 he was united in wedlock to Euphemia Vincent, who died in 1866. Of her five children two are living, Mary L., employed in Appleton's bookbindery at Williams- burg, New York, and Lewis Henry, at Clifton, Minnesota. Mr. Selover is connected with the Temple of Honor, the Congre- gational church, and the republican party. In October, 1868, he married Jennie Howard Duryea, who is the mother of six children, christened as follows, all at home: George H., Arthur W., Jennie II., Martha E., Kate L. and Lanra. In 1878 the family removed to Lake City, where the head has since been actively employed in building operations. A younger brother,

HENRY SELOVER, superintendent of the Lake City flouring-mill, was born January 19, 1839, and came to Lake City in 1858. He began here as a clerk for H. F. Williamson, then conducting a large

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

business here. In 1862 he enlisted in the 8th Minn. Vol. Inf .; was with his regiment till the close of the war. After his return from the army he engaged in the grain warehouse of Bessey, Kellog & Co. till 1872, when he took an interest in the Lake City mill. He was married in 1874 to Miss Emma Doughty, daughter of J. J. Doughty, and has three children, Edgar D., Nelson R. and John A. Mr. Selover is a mason and a member of the A.O.U. W.

Lake City has an early religious history, the minister having preceded the city surveyor. REV. SILAS HAZLETT, from Oxford, Ohio, an ordained clergyman of the Presbyterian church, having landed on the ground from the steamer Galena, on its way to St. Paul, on April 18, 1856, remained over Sabbath, which was on the 20th, and preached to a congregation of some twelve persons, taking in about the entire population of the place at that time. The subject of the sermon was, "Christ offers salvation to all men on the ground of appropriating faith," John v, 40. Rev. Silas Hazlett was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 1824. He was the son of William and Ann Hazlett, who had eleven children. He was of Irish descent on the father's and Scotch on the mother's side, the grandparents on both sides emigrating, the one from the north of Ireland, the other, or the Wilsons, from Scotland. Both families settled in the Kishacoquiblaz valley, near the Juniata river, in Mifflin county, then a dense forest, where they devoted their lives to farming. The parents on the mother's side had educated two of their sons for the work of the gospel ministry, one of whom is still living here, Samuel Wilson, D.D., and it was the desire of the mother of S. Hazlett to continue the line of the covenant in her own branch of the family, and so gave two of her sons to the same work. John, the eldest of four sons, and Silas, the youngest, were sent to Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and the Presbyterian Theo- logical Seminary at Pittsburgh, from which institutions they were both graduated. Silas was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Oxford and synod of Cincinnati in the year 1850, in the month of October, and was joined in marriage to Eliza Jane Patton by Rev. N. L. Rice, D.D., at Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 14, 1851, she being a member of said Rice's church. Shortly after his marriage Silas was called to supply the churches of Harmony and College Corner upon the resig- nation of John Scot, D. D., called to the presidency of the female college at Oxford. Over these churches he continued to preside until March 1, 1856. He had one child, who was born in Cincinnati,

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and is now the wife of J. B. McLean, of Lake City, son of Gen. McLean, of Frontenac. Mrs. Hazlett was a faithful helper to her husband, engaging heartily in all the work of the church ; but her health was long feeble, and on March 3, 1865, she was called from a peaceful deathbed to join the home of the redeemed. Silas Hazlett also taught the first school in Lake City, in the winter of 1856, in a frame building now standing on Main street, between Marrian and Center streets, at present occupied as a private dwelling. The school was held in the second story of the building, entered from the out- side, the first floor being used as a carpeuter-shop, the noise of the hammer often interfering sadly with the recitations above. This same room was also used for church service on the sabbath during the winter of 1856, the preaching alternating between Rev. Mr. Sterry of the Congregational church and the above. The first couple joined in marriage was Gustave W. Hathaway to Miss Abbie J. Langley, November 14, 1857, by the Rev. Silas Hazlett, of Lake City. Silas Hazlett was again joined in marriage to Mrs. Sarah Jane Greer on May 4, 1869. Mrs. Greer was the widow of James Greer. Mrs. Greer had three children, Allen J., now of the law firm of Martin & Greer, of this city ; Charles W., bookkeeper, of the firm of Knapp, Stout & Co., residing at and in charge of the company's books at Cedar Falls, Wisconsin ; and Mollie C., at home and teacher in the public school of Lake City.

ALONZO T. GUERNSEY, druggist and bookseller, Lake City, es- tablished business here in August, 1857. He was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1829, and is the son of Joseph W. and Ann (Brewster) Guernsey, natives of Chenango county, New York. His father served in the war of 1812, in the capacity of captain's clerk, though then only twelve years of age. His mother is a direct descendant of the Brewsters who came over on the May- flower. Mr. Guernsey was reared on the farm, dividing his time between labor and school ; he finished his education with an aca- demic course at Wellsborough, while his father was serving Tioga county as sheriff. At the age of twenty years Mr. Guernsey began for himself as a clerk, and four years later became the partner of his employer. They carried on a general merchandise business till 1857, when he sold out and came to Lake City, arriving here July 25. At that time Lake City was but a mere hamlet, and needed but small enterprises ; so Mr. Guernsey began a drug business in a small way, and has kept pace with the city's growth till the present

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

time. In 1867 he associated with himself Mr. E. J. Megroth, and the company did a prosperous business till 1880. In that year Mr. Guernsey again became the sole owner of the store, and continued to prosper till the great fire of 1882 swept away his entire property. He immediately opened up again on an adjoining lot, and is now enjoying a good trade. He was married in 1858, on November 1, to Miss M. Rowena Stevens, a native of Michigan, though reared in Massachusetts. To them were born two sons. The eldest, Porter B., was drowned while skating on Lake Pepin December 13, 1878, in the sixteenth year of his age. His remaining son, Alonzo J., was born May 2, 1872. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Guernsey is a member of the I.O.O.F., the American Legion of Honor, and the A.O.U. W.

C. F. YOUNG & BROTHER, clothiers, Lake City. The success of this firm is an example of the results of energy and perseverance. In 1865 C. F. Young opened a general store here, and afterward began to deal exclusively in clothing. In 1873 he built a large store on the site of the firm's present building-corner of Center and Main streets. In September, 1877, his brother, Henry H., bought a share in business, and in the spring of 1884, Charles Koch became a partner. In the great fire of April, 1882, the building and stock were completely consumed, inflicting a loss of $45,000, of which $20,000 was made good by insurance. In the summer of 1883 their present handsome structure was erected, at a cost of about $8,000. It is 48×85 feet in dimension, two stories high, with base- ment under all, walls of solid masonry and fire-proof roof. It is the finest store in the city, and in it is displayed the largest and most varied stock of goods in their line to be found here. A wing, 22× 20, is used exclusively as a tailor-shop. A large stock of ready-made goods is carried, with a profusion of both gents' and ladies' furnish- ings, Butterick's patterns, etc. Including tailors, from sixteen to eighteen people are employed by Messrs. Young to assist them in their business. Charles F. Young, the founder of this establishment, came to this country from Germany when a mere youth. With an elder brother he arrived in Chicago in 1855, and was left there while the former sought a location in the west. Becoming tired of waiting for tidings of his brother, young Charles shipped on board a Lake Michigan sailing vessel. A very stormy voyage ensued, and the vessel narrowly escaped wreck after beating about four days. The young voyager, becoming very ill, was put off at White River,

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Michigan, then an unsettled country, and remained there eighteen months before hearing from his brother. The latter had settled at Read's Landing, and found the whereabouts of his charge through friends in Chicago. Coming to Read's, our subject was employed as clerk by a merchant there. After a year spent there and another in St. Louis in this manner, he attended a term of school at Wabasha, and this constituted his educational advantages in this country, save those furnished by his every-day business. In 1862 he volunteered in a company raised to go to the reliet of settlers on the western border, and spent the winter on the frontier. In 1863 he began business for himself by opening a general store at Read's, and in 1865 opened a branch here, to which he removed the whole stock a year later. Henry H. Young came from Wurtemberg to Read's Landing in February, 1864, and spent a year as general chore-boy in a hotel there. During the winter of 1864-5 he attended a private school for three months, and thus prepared a foundation for his knowledge of English. In the spring he entered his brother's store at Read's, and assumed charge of that establishment on the removal of the proprietor to Lake City. He remained in his brother's employ until he became a partner as above noted. The winter of 1869-70 was spent by him in Bryant & Stratton's business college at Harris- burg, Pennsylvania. On account of too close application to business he was compelled to take a rest in 1876, and returned from a trip to California with renewed vigor. Mr. Young was married in 1872, to Miss Anna L. Schauble, a native of his own province. Three children have been given to this union, of whom two are now living, viz: Henry G. and Albert Frederick. Mr. Young served four years as treasurer of Lake City, and refused to serve longer on account of business demands. In national and state affairs he affiliates with the republican party. He has taken all the degrees of Freemasonry to K. T., passed all the chairs of Odd-Fellowship, and is a useful member in the Sons of Herman and Knights of Honor.

ANSON PIERCE, county commissioner, Lake City, is a son of Chauncey and Mahala (Conger) Pierce, of Connecticut and Vermont. The paternal progenitors of Mr. Pierce emigrated to this country from England in the seventeenth century. The town of Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vermont, is the place of Anson Pierce's birth, and May 6, 1828, the time. His early life was spent on the farm of his father, and he received a limited common school training. Nature had done much for him, and by proper care and culture of

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his talents he became fitted for the trusts imposed upon him by his fellow citizens. When sixteen years old he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which he followed many years. On becoming of age, he went to Chicago, where he was employed several years in building. In 1857 he became a resident of Lake City, and con- tinued here at his trade for fifteen years. For six years he kept a hardware store, and was burned out in the great fire of April 22, 1882. He was several years supervisor under the township organi- zation, and alderman under the city government; has served two terms as county commissioner, which responsible position he now fills. In the fall of 1873 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1875, holding the trust for four consecutive years. His allegiance has always been given to republican principles. In religious ideas he is a Freethinker. Lovina E. Lyon, to whom Mr. Pierce was wedded in 1852, is of Scotch descent, born in Vermont, as were her parents, Asa Lyon and Katie Benson. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are now in the midst of pleasant and useful lives, and enjoy the esteem of the whole community. Of their offspring four are now living, all at present in Lake City. Alice H., the eldest, mar- ried Samuel P. Fox, who died in Pennsylvania. Frank resides in the city, and celebrated his wooden wedding January 18, 1884. Charles and Grace reside with their parents. February 4, 1884, Mr. Pierce and two sons bought the extensive hardware business of J. Cole Doughty & Co., and are now continuing the same under the firm name of Anson Pierce & Co.

W. H. CAMPBELL is a native of Mississippi, and resided there until he was eight years of age, when he came north with his father's family. He first came to Wabasha in 1857, and before the war broke out had returned to the south to visit his mother's people. He was there impressed into the rebel service, and was in the army of the confederates nearly a year, when he succeeded in effecting his escape to the north, and returned to Wabasha in 1863. He subsequently went into trade here, and has conducted business as a general merchant four years. In 1872 he was elected auditor of the county, and held that office until 1881, having been four times elected and once appointed to fill a vacancy. He is a member of the firm of Z. C. Goss & Co., but takes no active part in the management of business. In connection with J. J. Stone, M.D., he is farming on a tract of sixteen hundred acres, on the line of the Northern Pacific railway, forty miles above Crookston. They have

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now eight hundred acres under cultivation- seven hundred in wheat, and one hundred in oats. Last year's wheat crop of three hundred and fifty acres averaged a yield of twenty bushels to acre. Mr. Campbell has also a valuable tract of sixty acres on what is known as West Wabasha. Mr. Campbell was married October 12, 1869, to Miss Alma A. Downer, of this city. They have but one child living, Susie D., born September, 1870. Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. J. H. Mullen were the daughters and only children of John B. Downer, for many years a prominent business man of this city. Mr. Downer was born in Stowe, Vermont, July 8, 1811, and was married April 8, 1834, to Miss Caroline H. Tinker, who was born at Morristown, Vermont, April 7, 1815. The daughters were both born at Jay, New York, Marion B., January 29, 1849, and Alma A., March 11, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Downer were very happy in their married life of forty-eight years and a half, and in their deaths they were not divided, Mr. Downer dying October 19, 1882, her husband surviving her only a few hours.

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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 87

Author: H.H. Hill and Company. 4n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill & Co. Number of Pages: 1176

Author: H.H. Hill and Company. 4n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill & Co.
Number of Pages: 1176