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 90
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IRA J. HUMPHREY was born in Steuben county, New York, October 25, 1826, his parents being William and Hannah (Harris) Humphrey, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Virginia. He received a common-school education. July 15, 1849,
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he espoused Mary A. Randall, a native of Orange county, New York, then in her twentieth year. Her parents, William and Anna (Davenport) Randall, were both born in the same state. Mr. Humphrey continued to reside at the old home until 1854, when he removed to Illinois ; from here he went to Vernon county, Wisconsin, and again to Tunnel City, Wisconsin, where he kept hotel, and Mrs. Humphrey opened a millinery store. In 1861 they came to Highland, and took up the eighty acres on section 20, where they still reside. Mr. Humphrey served eighteen months in the 1st Minn. bat., which was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. Mr. Humphrey is an excellent farmer, an indifferent politician and a genial man. Mrs. Humphrey has established a local reputation as a prophetess. This worthy couple have been blessed with three sons, James, Milo and Charles, now residents of Brown county, Dakota.
CHARLES O. LANDON. Jesse Landon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the son of a Herkimer county, New York, farmer, and himself a farmer. He married Harriet Fish, and was residing on a farm in Chautauqua county, in the same state, on August 23, 1826, when Charles, the third child of their large family.of thirteen children, was born. He remained on the farm with his parents until the day he reached his majority. His educational advantages were very inferior, and the excellent practical education which he possessed was due to his own keen and penetrating powers of observation, unaided by even the district schoolmaster, as both summer and winter young Landon's services on the farm were thought to be indispensable. With but one suit of clothes and almost penniless, on the day that he was twenty-one, he departed from the parental home to seek his fortune. For four years he labored as a farm-hand among New York State farmers, and saved up his meagre earnings until they amounted to several hundred dollars. Finding himself able to do a little farming on his own hook, in 1851 he took to himself a wife. and rented a place. During the next three years he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits and the buying and selling of stock. In 1854 he made his first trip to the west, bringing to the Illinois market several fine horses. Being much pleased with the new country, he went back east fully resolved to return with his family as soon as he could settle up his business affairs there ; and the following year found him the owner of a farm in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. He resided here but one year, then spent five
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years in Dunn county in the same state, where he pre-empted a claim near Eau Claire. Finding the western fever still firing his veins, and being dissatisfied with Wisconsin, he sold out in 1861 and came to Wabasha county, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of school- land on section 16 in Plainview township the ensuing year, after a few weeks' experience as a grocer in Plainview village. Four years later he sold this farm, and in 1867 bought the village residence which he still owns and occupies, and opened a real-estate and loan office in Plainview. In 1874 he became the senior partner in the firm of C. O. Landon & Co., successors to A. Y. Felton, drugs and groceries. Being prospered in both branches of his business, Mr. Landon, in the spring of 1883, relieved himself of a portion of his business burden by transferring his interest in the store to his son, George C. Landon. Mr. Landon has been twice married ; his first wife was Sarah Curtiss, whom he espoused in Warren county, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and who died November 7, 1860, leaving two children, Jay Landon, a hardware merchant of Winona, Minne- sota, and George C. Landon. The present Mrs. Landon was Miss Martha J. Kenney, of Dansville, New York, to whom he was married September 9, 1861. Grace Landon is the only child of this union surviving, a son (Charles) having departed this life in his fifteenth year, on January 11, 1883. Mr. Landon is a member of Plainview lodge of A.F.A.M., and of the Congregational church. In politics is a republican ; has been for several years a justice of the peace, and officiated as chairman of the township board of super- visors.
WILLIAM JANTI, farmer, Chester, was born August 15, 1837, near Arlow, Belgium, and was reared there on a farm, attending school till fourteen years old. In 1853 he came to Sheldon, Wyoming county, New York, where he engaged in farm labor. In 1861 he became a resident of this town, purchasing eighty acres on section 6. In 1883 he sold this and purchased the southwest quarter of the same section, where he lives and has a beautiful farm. He was a poor man when he came to Minnesota. Both himself and wife have worked hard to make themselves a home. In the fall of 1883 the latter followed a plow day after day, because help was scarce and dear. Their wedding occurred June 17, 1866, the bride's name being Anna Megers. She was born in Luxembourg, and is a sister of John N. Megers, elsewhere mentioned. Their children were born and christened thus : Sarah A., May 26, 1867 ; John, October 4,
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1871; Eva M., June 20, 1874; Mary, September 17, 1879 ; Chris- tina, September 26, 1881. All the members of the family are Catholics.
One of the latest business enterprises of the wideawake town of Plainview is the creamery at the west end of the business center. A. Y. FELTON, manager and sole owner, started this venture with four teams and two inside factory hands in the spring of 1881, for the making of creamery butter ; and in the fall of the same year added his additional interest as dealer in dairy butter and eggs. By careful management and liberal dealings in trade he has been able to increase his number of teams to six, which are employed in the daily hanling of cream from the neighboring farmers. From five to six hundred inches is the average daily collection, and even as high as seven hundred was the return of one single day. For the greater part of the butter liere made a ready market is found at reasonably good prices in St. Paul, Minneapolis and the Northwest, the eastern markets receiving the balance. Mr. Felton originally came from Vermont, in 1861, and immediately on his arrival in Plainview clerked for Ozias Willcox, and continued in his employ until 1866. He subsequently succeeded Crowley & Co. in the drug business, which he retained until 1874. IIe was elected in the fall of 1867 county treasurer, in which capacity he faithfully served his fellow- men until 1871. To the school board he was elected and returned a member until 1878, and among other posts of honor and business schemes he officiated as president of the telegraph company then operating a line between Plainview and Minneiska. The creamery success has been marked and acknowledged, not alone in this his native clime, but on the other side of the great deep. At the state fair, held at Rochester, besides other premiums, Mr. F. was awarded England's silver cup, contributed by Higgins & Co., of Liverpool, for the best creamery butter salted with their salt. In addition to the four acres of land which he purchased from S. W. Danforth in 1875, and on which he subsequently erected his homestead, and still later his factory in close proximity to his house, farms at Highland, Minnesota, Redwood county and Kingsbury county, Dakota, are his. For fifteen years in succession he served as trustee of the Congrega- tional church, and now stands, as he is reputed to have always stood in the community, with the best ; a man esteemed for industry, honor and respectability.
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WILLIAM A. JOHNSON (deceased) was one who was useful to Greenfield township. He was a native of Warren county, New Jersey, born in 1815. At an early age he entered a store as clerk, and eventually began mercantile business for himself at Sodom, and afterward at Popeville, in his native county. For ten years he was employed as a clerk in the United States treasury department. He became a resident of Greenfield in 1861, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. He had been a successful business man, and now wished to retire from active life in the invigorating climate for which Minnesota is so famous. His farm was rented, and he oc- cupied his mind by conducting a store and hotel. He secured a postoffice here in 1862, and took charge of it. The name applied to this office was Pauselim, and Mr. Johnson platted a village under the same cognomen, on section 27, in 1863. He served some time . as justice of the peace, and was chairman of the town board in the years 1862-3-4-5. He adhered to the democracy in political mat- ters, and his religious faith was represented by the Baptist church. He passed away in January, 1870, leaving a widow and one son. The latter, named Isaac L., resides in Washington, District of Co- lumbia. Mrs. Johnson died here in 1882. Her maiden name was Sarah La Rue, and she was a native of New Jersey.
GEORGE HOWE, Kellogg, is a native of Prussia, having been born in the Rhine Province, in February, 1844. His people were farmers, and removed to America when he was in his fourteenth year, settling in Iowa. The parents, John and Susan Howe, died there. Our subject attended an English school about three months, and, with the rudiments of our language thus acquired, was enabled to perfect himself in the requirements of an American citizen. He has served as town and village justice four years, three years as chairman of the Greenfield board of supervisors, and one year as re- corder of Kellogg village. His political affiliations are with the democratic party. He was reared in the Catholic church, and still adheres to its faith. Is a member of Read's Landing Lodge, I.O.O.F. In 1860 Mr. Howe settled on a farm in Glasgow township, this county, where he dwelt until 1874. At this time he built the only brick building in Kellogg, and opened a saloon therein. He still owns the building, which he rents, and has abandoned the saloon business. He was the prime mover toward the incorporation of the village, and secured this end in a few weeks. In 1868 Mr. Howe took a "rib " from the family of Michael Schouweiler, one of the
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pioneers of Highland, in the person of his daughter, Catharine, born in Teepcs, Ohio. Their eldest daughter, now only thirteen years old, is an ardent student of history, and can name all the American presidents, in order, without hesitation. The youngest, an infant boy, is not christened at this writing. The others, in order of age, are named Michael, Catharine, John, George, Dora and Edward.
MARCUS MORTON INGRAHAM, carpenter, Lake City, was born in Savoy, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, June 24. 1828. His parents, Obediah and Abigail (Smitlı) Ingraham, were also natives of Massa- chusetts. The father operated saw and grist mills, and Marcus was his assistant till he was twenty-three years old. His education was furnished by the village school, and was but rudimentary. On his removal to Ashippun, Dodge county, Wisconsin (in 1851), he taught school two terms in the winter intervals of his farming operations. He became a resident of Minnesota in 1857, and built a home at Center Point. Two years later he moved the building to Lake City, and has made this place his home ever since. Many buildings in and near the city are monuments of his skill. On January 19, 1862, Mr. Ingraham's name was enrolled as a defender of his country. He was made second lieutenant of Co. H, 5th Minn. Vols. in Gov. Hubbard's regiment. Our subject served in the western army, com- manding his company part of the time. He participated in the bat- tles at Farmington, first and second Corinth, and the campaigns in Mississippi and Tennessee. He was obliged to resign on account of the jealousy of his captain, and was enrolled in the 1st Heavy Art. with the same rank. This regiment was stationed at Chatta- nooga during Mr. Ingraham's connection with it. It is almost need- less to say he is a republican. During his residence at Center Point he served as town clerk, assessor and justice of the peace. October 18, 1848, dates the marriage of M. M. Ingraham to Miss Lucinda L. Fuller, both born and reared in the same town. Mrs. Ingraham's parents, Ira Fuller and Keziah Leonard, were also born in Massa- chusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. Ingrahamn seven children have been given, resident as below noted : John M. keeps hotel at Menomo- nee, Wisconsin ; Abby H. (Mrs. Luther M. Follett), Appleton, Wisconsin; Julia A. (wife of P. A. Rockwell), St. Paul; Francis L., with elder brother; Gellette R., with eldest sister; Charles H. and Bessie P., at home.
FRANK A. BURDETT, Lake City, grain dealer, is among the early residents of Wabasha county. His grandfather, Ebeneezer Burditt
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(born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, 1761), was a revolutionary soldier and served on a colonial privateer. Abel, son of the latter, was born in Gilsum, New Hampshire, January 20, 1790. Bethsheba Gibson, daughter of another revolutionary hero, born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1785, married Abel Burdett, died April 6, 1866, in Lake City. Her husband died in Zumbro, this county, April 18, 1858. This couple dwelt many years in Grafton, Vermont, where was ushered into the world, July 18, 1821, the person whose name heads this paragraph. During the early years of the latter, he spent some time at the common school, and subsequently managed the farm while his father dealt in stock. The farm was exchanged for hotel property, and Frank was his father's assistant in conducting the house for fourteen years. April 24, 1846, he was united in wedlock with Miss Jeannette Mack, whose parentage is elsewhere given with that of her brother, J. R. Mack. Windham, Vermont, is Mrs. Burdett's native place. Mr. Burdett spent over two years in California, at mining and other occupations, with moderate success. Returning to Vermont in 1855, he took up a permanent residence in the west next year, arriving in Columbia county, Wisconsin, in July. In the fall of 1857 he came to Zumbro and engaged in farming there four years. Removed to Lake City in the fall of 1861, and began to deal in produce. At one time he had four warehouses in opera- tion, one being at Stockholm, across the lake, and has been signally successful. He served the town of Zumbro two years as assessor, and Lake City one year; was also justice of the peace in Zumbro. He adheres to democratic principles of government, and is orthodox in religious faith. Mr. and Mrs. Burdett have one son, now thirty- seven years of age, named Frank D. When eighteen he entered the Union army, and served about a year. When he went from home he weighed one hundred and sixty pounds, and on his dis- charge weighed, with soldier overcoat, just half as much. His home is now in La Crosse. The two daughters, Sarah A., resides at home, and Flora C. (wife of J. M. Ford), at Wahpeton, Dakota. Abel Burdett was the father of three children. Elvira (Lawrence) died in Danville, Illinois, and Sarah (Ranney) at Linden, Wisconsin.
J. C. BARTLETT, register of deeds. Mr. Bartlett's official term began January 1, 1880. He was re-elected in the fall of 1881, and will complete his second term December 31 of this year, 1883. Mr. Bartlett is a native of New York, came to Wisconsin with his father's family in 1843, settling in Walworth county. His first purchase of
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land was made in this county in 1858, but he was not a permanent resident of the county until 1861, at which date he came to Wabasha, and the following year removed to his farm, which was his residence until he engaged in grain trade in Lake City in 1869, when he re- moved to that city, which was his home until he assumed charge of the register's office in 1880, since which date he has resided in this city. Was elected county commissioner for the Mazeppa district, and served three years prior to removing to Lake City, and was after- ward elected to the same office from Lake City district for two terms. Mr. Bartlett married Miss A. T. Bliss, of Walworth county, Wis- consin. They have four children, all attending the public schools of this city.
GEORGE S. LA RUE, the druggist, bookseller and grocer of Plainview, Minnesota, came and, with his parents, settled about two miles west of the present village in the year 1861. He is a native of Canada, where he was born in the year 1851, and whence, while young, he was by removal of his parents taken to Wisconsin. Here in Dodge county, near Wanpun, he attended public school, and at the age of ten years moved westward to his present place of business. His business life was commenced as apprentice in drugs to T. G. Bolton, the pioneer druggist of Plainview, with whom he continued for a year and a-half, until, associating with himself some leading members of the community, he was enabled to buy out his boss, in common parlance, and assume the responsibility of the business of the new house under the firm name of G. S. La Rue & Co. This he continued successfully, and sold out his interest in 1878 to Goddard & Co., to enter as partner with Amerland in the banking business under the firm of Amerland & La Rue, bankers. At the end of eighteen months he disposed of this interest to Judge Wording, for the purpose of re-entering in 1880 his former line of drugs, which he did by purchasing stock and fixtures of Goddard & Co., which he now conducts with energy and ability, rendering to every customer a proper equivalent for all monetary exchanges. Mr. La Rue enjoys the full rights of the order of A. F. A.M., and a growing reputation for excellence in goods and square dealing in trade. He was married in Elgin, Minnesota, to Mary D. Woodruff, of that place, and has one daughter, born April 15, 1881.
GEORGE STRATTON was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, March 2, 1827. John Stratton, the father of the present subject, was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts, and was descended from Samuel Stratton
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who came to this country from England in 1652, and located near Watertown, Massachusetts, on what is now the site of the Mount Auburn cemetery. John Stratton's wife was Lydia Hyde, a descen- dant of the Hydes who came to America in 1830, and were among the first settlers at what is now Newton, Massachusetts. Mr. John Stratton was a merchant and did business in Leominster, and was also the possessor of a fine farm. George was his eldest child, and was afforded a good education, obtained chiefly at the Lunenburg Aca- demy. Not being of a trafficking turn of mind, young Stratton did not take kindly to his father's calling,and at the age of twenty-one, having picked up some knowledge of the house-painter's art, formed a copartnership with Xenophon Adams, of Leominster, and opened up a shop. Being a clever manipulator of the brush, he succeeded, and continued to follow the business for several years. He also had charge of the machinery of a button factory, envelope factory, and other machinery in turn for several years prior to his coming to Min- nesota. In 1861 he came to visit a brother at Plainview, and, being pleased with the county, and finding plenty of work at good wages, decided to remain here. Although Mr. Stratton has never taken to himself a wife, he has made himself a nice home in the village of Plainview. During his life he has found time to use the brush of the artist, as well as that of the painter, and has several finely exe- cuted works of art as a result.
SAMUEL HALL was born in Ireland in 1826. At an early age he came to this country and settled in New York, where he resided several years. In 1861 he removed with his family to Hyde Park township. where he has since resided. As the country was new, and since there were no means of transportation west from Read's Land- ing, Mr. and Mrs. Hall were obliged to walk from that place and carry the necessities for such a journey. By industry and thoughtful management they overcame the hardships of early times and are now living in ease and plenty. To them have been born nine chil- dren, eight of whom are still living.
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HON. WILLIAM S. BAXTER came to this planet by the way of Sid- ney Plains, New York, on February 24, 1836. He was the second child of the numerous offspring of Charles A. and Maria (Bush) Baxter. Both branches of the family were natives of New York State. Ere William had reached adult years, death removed his parents, and he was taken into the family of his uncle, Jabin Bush, a wealthy farmer and merchant of Tioga, Pennsylvania. In 1856
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he came to Minnesota and spent a year in Dodge county. Soon after engaged in the livery business in Rochester, Olmsted county. When the war broke out in 1861 he promptly responded to Uncle Sam's call for volunteers and was enrolled as a private in the 2d Minnesota Infantry. In April, 1862, disability compelled him to resign his office as second lieutenant and return to more peaceful pursuits. Having disposed of his Rochester livery stable in the meantime, he took the proceeds and purchased a farm in the town- ship of Highland. A few years since he came to Plainview to reside. He has recently filled acceptably the office of deputy sheriff for the southern towns of the county, and in 1875 sat as a represen- tative in the state legislature hall at St. Paul. He is a republican and a Royal Arch Mason. He married Helen Austin, a native of Ohio, March 31, 1864. Mrs. Baxter died in 1879, leaving but one child, Susan M., surviving.
CHRISTIAN UMBREIT, one of Highland's prosperous farmers, was born in Germany, September 29, 1840. His parents were Henry Jacob and Henrietta (Beck) Umbreit. Christian's parents came to America with their family, consisting of eight children, when he was about the age of eleven. His father, being acquainted with agricultural pursuits, at once secured a small farm in Farmington township, Washington county, Wisconsin, and made it the family home. In the spring of 1862 Christian and Emil, his brother, bade farewell to the paternal home and came to Wabasha county, Minne- sota, where Christian located a homestead on section 4, in Highland township; here he continued to reside for twelve years, when he disposed of this place and bought one hundred and eighty of Mrs. Humblin, of section 25, on which he now resides. October 3, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 1st Minn. Heavy Art., and was discharged September 27, 1865. He is independent in political matters, and a member of the Dutch Reform church, of Highland. In the autumn of 1863 he was married to Miss Eve Rheingans, also a native of Germany, where she was born in 1844. They have a family of five children, viz: Anna, born October 23, 1866 ; Bertha, October 24, 1868 ; Laura, August 28, 1870 ; Henry, April 1, 1876, and Erbert, August 12, 1880.
WILLARD W. DEAN, farmer, Chester, was born at Lockport, New York, in August, 1829. His father, Harris Dean, was a native of Connecticut, and served in the United States army through the war of 1812. He married Sally Oliver, of Vermont, and settled
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on a farm at Lockport. Here the subject of these lines passed his yonth till eighteen years old. His father died when he was only two years old, but he was kept at school, part of the time at Wilson College. When eighteen he set out for the west, and dwelt about thirteen years in Wisconsin, most of the time at Berlin, where he was engaged in draying. He was married in 1853, to Eliza Eggle- ston, a native of Greenwich, Washington county, New York. In 1860 they came to Minnesota and dwelt two years on a farm near Rochester. Three years later Mr. Dean bought the farm where he lives, on section 32, and has ever since been a resident of Chester. All his family, save one, are members of the Free-Will Baptist church in Mazeppa. Mr. D. has always supported the principles of the republican party. His children were christened, and reside, as follows : Emma (Mrs. Myron Mack, now studying for the min- istry), at Hillsdale, Michigan ; Harris, Rochester ; Lester, Minnie and Lydia, at home.
RICHARD BULLOCK, farmer, purchased one hundred acres of land in Zumbro township, section 13, in 1862, and shortly after took up his home thereon. He is a native of England, having been born in Oxfordshire, July 18, 1820. His parents were William and Sarah Bullock, who settled in Erie county, New York, when our subject was sixteen years old. All his schooling had been received previous to this time, in the old country. He was reared on a farm, and after reaching his majority owned a farm in New York. He subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, and came from there here. Besides the home farm, he now has a quarter-section in Big- stone county, this state. His capital was small on arrival here, and his own industry and enterprise have made him independent. He has always been a republican, but now holds aloof from politics. Although not a member of any church, he is a believer in the Christian religion and an active supporter of the Wesleyan Metho- dist church here. He was married June 4, 1848, to Ruth Amelia Stocking, who was born in Erie county, New York, September 17, 1830. Their eldest child, Martha Cordelia, was born Jannary 10, 1851 (now Mrs. Dwight Lyman), and resides in Redwood county ; Sophia Jane, June 21, 1853, married Adelbert E. Randall, now sheriff of Bigstone county.
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