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 93

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 93

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HENRY SCHMIDT, merchant, was born in Mecklenburg, December 19, 1844, and came with his parents to West Albany township, this county, in 1864. He was one of six children born to Henry and Mary (Henning) Schmidt, deceased. The first few years of his residence here were spent at various employments, and in 1871 he moved to Lake City. His first business venture was the establish- ment of a bakery, in partnership with C. Kuhn. One year later Mr. Schmidt secured entire control, and continued the business until 1877, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Kemp, and opened a line of general merchandise, on the corner of Washington and Center streets. From this stand they were driven by the fire of 1882, but soon afterward established themselves in their present quarters on Center street. He was married April 21, 1874, to Mary Burfiend, of Hanover. Two children followed this union, one of whom, Albert, is now living. Mrs. Schmidt died February 5, 1879. May 30, 1881, he was married to Clara Phillips (Tabor), a native of New York. In 1883 they opened a neat and commodious eating- house for day-boarders, and in connection with this a choice stock

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of cigars and confectionery. Mr. Smith is a member of Lake City Lodge, No. 22, I.O.O.F., also of Mount Zion Encampment, No. 7, and of Shiller Lodge, No. 7, Sons of Herman. In politics he is a republican.

JAMES H. EMERY, practical horseshoer, Lake City, was born in Plymouth, Windsor county, Vermont, in 1822. He is the son of Dr. John W. Emery, who is now a resident of Michigan, and eighty- four years old. Mr. Emery learned his trade in Boston, and took special veterinary lessons on shoeing from Dr. Varey, a veterinary surgeon of Boston, Massachusetts, and came west to Chicago many years ago. He there conducted a prosperous business till the out- break of the late war, when he enlisted in the 18th Ill. Cav., com- manded by Col. Farnsworth. The three and a half years following was spent in active warfare in behalf of his country, in the army of the Potomac. In 1865 he came to Lake City, opened up a horse- shoeing and blacksmith-shop, and still continues the business. His wife, whose society he has enjoyed for the last thirty years, was Charlotte Gould, a daughter of David Gould, of Vermont, and is the mother of his two children, Laura, the wife of J. R. Clark, of Cheago, and Winslow D.

JACOB HAESSIG is a well-to-do farmer of Plainview township. He was born in Alsace, Europe, January 6, 1838, on a farm twelve miles west of Worth. John Haessig, his father, was a farmer and shepherd. Our subject received the customary education provided by the German common school system. In 1859 Alsace was French territory, and Napoleon III called upon her for her quota of soldiers for the Austrian war. A draft was ordered, but Mr. Haessig was lucky enough to escape it, and two years later he came to America, where he first found employment in the American House, at Cleve- land, Ohio. He remained here but a few months, and then went to Elkhart, Indiana, where he did farmwork until the autumn of 1863, when he came to Minnesota, and bought a farm of eighty acres in Whitewater township, Winona county, from Judge Mitchell. In 1865 he bought John W. Studebaker's place in Plainview town- ship, Wabasha county, and took up his residence thereon. He has since disposed of his Winona county farm, and now owns two hun- dred and forty acres of rich farming land, all in the township of Plain- view. He was married March 26, 1869. to the widow of Franklyn Sylvester, a pioneer of 1856, by whom he has had three children : Helen E., Ida W. and Lafayette H. Mrs. Haessig had three chil-

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dren by her first husband, as follows : Jennie (Mrs. Skidmore), of Spink county, Dakota; Emma B. (Mrs. Cornelins Badger), of Wa- seca, Minnesota, and Arthur C. Sylvester, fireman on the Winona & St. Peter railroad. The Elgin cyclone of 1883 did some damage to Mr. Haessig's farm buildings. Politically and socially Mr. Haes- sig has been quite popular, being a worthy member of Plainview Lodge, I.O.O.F., and was elected by the democratic party county commissioner in 1878, and served three years.

ROBERT R. GRAY, gardner, Lake City, is a native of Butler county, and was born November 8, 1821. In about 1828, his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Richey) Gray, removed to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, and settled near Crawfordsville, where the living members of the family still reside. Early in life our subject learned the trade of harness and saddle maker, and followed the business many years in the city of Crawfordsville. In 1865 he emigrated to Minnesota, making the entire trip with two teams and wagons in twenty-one days. On arriving in the borders of Lake City, he camped out a few days till he could secure a house into which to move his family. This done, he turned his attention to carrying out his plans - the purchase of a small piece of land- which he did, and began the business of market gardening. He was married in 1848, to Miss Charlotte Lupton, of Lafayette, Indi- ana, by whom he has reared a family of ten children, whose names are : Helen A. (now Mrs. R. Foss) ; Elizabeth A. (wife of P. A. Bartlett) ; Adda G. (married James G. Hammel) ; R. Verginia, Joseph W., Robert A., Charles C., Thomas G., Margarett I., Cecile and Vance I. Mr. Gray is a charter member of the I.O.O.F. of this city, and a quiet, unassuming citizen. His home is south of the railroad, on Lyon avenue, where he owns a neat little garden- farm, and has resided several years.

CLARENCE A. HUBBARD, cashier of Lake City Bank, Lake City, is a native of Ingham county, Michigan. He was born November 4, 1844, and is the son of John I. and Lucy L. (Smith) Hubbard, natives of the State of New York, and descendants of New England stock. His ancestors on his father's side figured prominently in the revolutionary war. Young Clarence removed to Winona, Minnesota, in June, 1853, with his parents, who were among the pioneer settlers of that now prosperous city. In 1858 he returned to his native state, and entered npon an academic course of study in the city of Lansing, which he vigorously pursued till 1860. He then entered the State

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Normal at Winona, from which he graduated into the army at the outbreak of the civil war, serving with his regiment, 8th Minn. Vol. Inf., on the frontier during the Sioux war, and later on the staffs of Gens. R. N. McLaren and H. H. Sibley. At the restora- tion of peace, and Mr. Hubbard had received an honorable dis- charge, he settled in Lake City, and embarked in the grain and com- mission business, from which he retired in 1869, and entered the banking house of C. W. Hackett & Co. (now the Lake City Bank), as cashier. This position he still holds, being also one of the board of directors. He is married and has one son, Will Adelbert, now sixteen years of age. Mr. Hubbard is a Mason and a Knight Tem- plar, and is also a prominent member of the Congregational church, an active and conscientious business man, who is much appreciated by his fellow citizens.

CHAUNCEY C. CORNWELL, senior member of the hardware firm of C. C. Cornwell & Son, Plainview, was born in Erie county, New York, April 13, 1812. His father, Elihn Cornwell, was a farmer. His youth was chiefly passed in Middletown, Connecticut, to which place his parents removed while he was but an infant. His educa- tion was received at the common school. He learned the trade of shoemaker, and soon after formed a copartnership with his brother, under the firm name of H. D. Cornwell & Co., and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. Two years later they dissolved this copartnership, and C. C. went to Willoughby, Ohio, and opened a similar factory there. Here he continued in the business until 1849, when, owing to ill health, which demanded a change of cli- mate, he disposed of his valuable property in Willoughby, and re- moved to Lovell township, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here his health improved, and he spent the next sixteen years of his life. He came to Plainview in 1865, and engaged in the hardware business witlı E. B. Eddy, after- ward with E. Dodge, and finally with his son, E. R. Cornwell. Mr. Cornwell is living with his second wife (née Elizabeth Welch, of Ohio). His first wife was a Mrs. Young, of Haddam, Connecti- cut, by whom he had four children, all living, as follows: Harvey, of Pine Island, Minnesota; Elizabeth (Mrs. Poole), of Winnebago; Alfred, in Castleton, and E. R., his present partner.

GEORGE H. GRANNIS, manufacturer of and dealer in lumber, Lake City, was born in Madison county, New York, March 10, 1827, and is the son of Sidney S. and Elizabeth (Strobridge) Grannis, natives

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

of Claremont, New Hampshire. Young Grannis was reared as a woolen manufacturer till the age of twenty-one, after which he turned his attention to producing improved machinery for wool manufactur- ing. He followed this business exclusively till 1857, when he became interested as a partner in a sawmill at Red Wing, Minnesota, the firm being Grannis, Daniels & Co. In 1865 he removed with his family to Minnesota, and permanently located at Lake City, where he is extensively engaged in the business of manufacturing lumber, lath and shingles. His yearly cut is on an average about one mill- ion feet, for which he finds a ready home market. December 28, 1848, Mr. Grannis was united in marriage with Lucetta S. Blanchard, also a native of Madison county, New York. They subsequently became the parents of two children, George W. and Arthur B The former was married April 3, 1883, to Miss Grace Edwards, an esti- mable young lady of Stratford, Connecticut. He is now a partner in his father's business, and is an active and energetic young man. The family are members of the Congregational church, except Mrs. George W., who is an Episcopalian, and are co-workers in all enter- prises which have in view the advancement of their adopted city.

ANDREW MARSHALL, restauranteur. is a self-made man. His father, John Marshall, emigrated from England and settled in Bos- ton, Massachusetts. Here he married Mary Patton, a native of that city, and here was born to him the son whose name heads this sketch, on October 24, 1832. When Andrew was but ten years old, both his parents died, and from that time he cared for himself. He drifted to the south, and passed much time along the Mississippi river, earning his livelihood by any employment his hands could find. At one time he was tempted, by liberal wages, to work in a saloon, but he soon became disgusted with the company this forced him to keep, and he threw up his situation. Notwithstanding the snares that surround a life such as was his, Mr. Marshall contracted no bad habits, and suffers no regrets on that score. Since his arrival in Mazeppa his fortunes have somewhat advanced, and he is con- tented. On account of exposure while in the army, his eyesight was very materially injured, and entirely lost for over a year, but he con- trived to earn a livelihood and has always been independent. On account of the loss of educational opportunities he was unable to take up a profession, and when about twenty-one years of age took up the cooper's trade, which he followed nearly all the time till quite recently. For five successive summers he sailed on Lake Michigan,

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EARLY SETTLERS.

working at his trade during the intervening winters. In 1860 he was wrecked with a "hooker," which he owned, and intended to take through by way of the Fox, Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the 11th Wis. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to Co. K. This regiment served as skirmishers for the western army, most of the time in Missouri and Arkansas. In 1863 he was discharged on account of disability, and was laid up nearly a year at Neenah, Wisconsin, by blindness. When the inflammation of his eyes was partially relieved, his wife was accustomed to lead him to a cooper-shop, where he managed to earn enough to keep the wolf from their door. In 1865 he became a resident of Mazeppa, working at first tor Ambrose Ambler, propri. etor of the Mazeppa mill. For three years he worked at Forrest Mills, and entered the employ of the Mazeppa Mill Company on its accession to the mill property here. In 1883 he opened a restaurant on First street, and is doing a fair business. He has been the owner of a residence here nearly ever since his arrival. As a just reward for the sacrifices made in its service, the United States government has granted him a pension. Mr. Marshall is a member of the Mazeppa Masonic lodge. He is a thorough republican, and orthodox in reli- gion. He was married in February, 1857, to Emaretta Francisco, of Spanish and French parentage, born in Indiana. Their two children are at home, and were born as noted opposite their names : Warren, December 14, 1864 ; Mary, January 1, 1868. -

JAMES G. RICHARDSON, hardware dealer, Lake City, is a son of John and Selina Richardson, of Connecticut. The family dwelt for some generations in that commonwealth, and the subject of this paragraph was born in Berlin, in 1837. The family soon after removed to New Haven, where he was reared. At sixteen he began to learn carriage- , making, which he followed several years. In 1861 he went to Hil- ton Head, Sonth Carolina, and carried on a mercantile trade there three years. He returned to Connecticut, and was married there in 1864, to Miss Adeline Judd, a native of that state. This couple set out for Minnesota on a wedding trip. While visiting friends in Lake City, Mr. Richardson met a Mr. Perrigo, who made him an advan- tageons business proposition. The hardware and machinery firm of Perrigo & Richardson was then organized, and the wedding trip of the junior partner was prolonged to a period of five years. He was afterward associated with a brother in the same line of trade, which has been continued to the present. Mr. Richardson has been active

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

in fostering the schools of Lake City, and served some time on its school board ; was also mayor of the city three terms. He was baptized in the Episcopal church when six years old, but is now an unbeliever ; was many years treasurer of the Episcopal Sunday school here. In political contests was always a supporter of republi- can principles.

WILLIAM D. ANGELL, druggist, was born in Edmiston, Otsego county, New York, May 23, 1835. He is the youngest son of David and Huldah Angell, and grandson of Jonathan Angell, who was born in Exeter, New York. David Angell was born on his father's homestead in Exeter in 1798, and is still living in Burlington, same county. The mother of William D. Angell died when he was but three months old, and his father afterward married Abigail, daughter of Benedict Oatley, a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Angell helped his father to clear a farm in New York, and received a fair common- school education. He remained on the same farm till 1862, when he paid a visit to the west. After spending nine months in Mazeppa, he returned to New York. In the fall of 1866 he again came to Mazeppa, and the next year opened a boot and shoe store. Here he was married to Miss Alice, daughter of Benjamin Southwick, of New York. Mrs. Angell was born in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. Early in 1870, immediately after his marriage, he again took up his abode in New York, and remained six years. Since the spring of 1876 he has been a resident of Mazeppa, and engaged in the sale of drugs. In 1877 he built the store which he now occupies. From a small beginning, he has built up a successful business, and is a lead- ing citizen of the village. He is a republican and a Freethinker.

IRA CRANE, Lake City, is one of the sixth generation of that name born in New Jersey, and first saw light at New Providence, in 1808, being a son of Joseph Crane. The family is of English origin, and dwelt for several generations at West Haven, Connecticut. The subject of this brief sketch was reared on a farm, and went to New York city to learn the tailor's trade when sixteen years old. Some- where about 1830 he went to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he pursued his occupation till his removal to Lake City in the spring of 1865. Here he kept a merchant tailor's shop eleven years, retiring from active life in 1876. His religion has always been the golden rule. Politically, has ever been a straightforward republican. At Crawfordsville he married Frances Matilda A. Wilhite, who was born in Kentucky, July 19, 1814, and died in 1861. There were

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eight children, of whom six are now living. The youngest son, Edward, is at Granite Falls, Minnesota, in jewelry business. Ann Elizabeth (Mrs. A. P. Watson) lives at Crawfordsville. Salena H. died here, aged thirty. Mary Isabel (Crawford), Crawfordsville. Sarah C. (Mrs. M. R. Merrill), home here. Julia (Mrs. F. H. Kellogg), San Francisco. The firstborn, a son, died in infancy.

CHARLES ELWOOD CRANE was born February 22, 1850, and was, therefore, but fifteen years old when he came to Lake City. At eighteen he was apprenticed to George K. Saylor, jeweler, and served three years. In the spring of 1873 he opened a jewelry establishment, and soon found business growing so fast that he could not attend to it alone. Before the close of the year he took in his elder brother as a partner, and the business has steadily increased on their hands. In the fire of 1882 their store was destroyed by fire, but most of the stock was saved. They immediately proceeded to build the store now occupied by them, on the west side of Center street. It is a handsome brick structure, and contains a capacious fire-proof vault. The store and stock represent a capital of about fifteen thousand dollars. Mr. Crane is a member of the Jewelers' League, of New York city. Politically, he agrees with his father. December 26, 1878, he married. Miss Cora, daughter of II. D. Wick- ham, one of the earliest business men of Lake City, and now a prominent resident.

JAMES C. HASSINGER, merchant, Lake City, is a grandson of Jacob Hassinger, who served in the United States army during the war of 1812. The latter was a native of Germany. W. H. and Catharine Hassinger, parents of James C., were natives of Penn- sylvania, and the latter was born to them in Mifflin county in March, 1841. His education was completed at a high school in Kishqui- quillis Valley and the academy at Locke's Mills. On August 16, 1861, he entered the Union army, enlisting in the 49th Penn. regt., which served in the army of the Potomac. Mr. Hassinger was an actor in many serious engagements, among the most important of which may be mentioned those of Second Bull Run, Yorktown, the seven days before Richmond, Antietam, Gettysburg, battles of the Wilderness and Winchester. In the seven days' fight in front of Richmond he was made prisoner, and lay in confinement at Libby prison and Belle Isle four months. He was then exchanged and resumed active service. In October, 1864, he was honorably discharged, having served a term of three years and earned a retire-

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

ment from the hardships of war. In the spring of 1865 he came to Minnesota and rented and tilled a farm near Lake City for a year. He then entered the store of Patton & Sons, whom he served eight years as clerk. In 1874 he went into the grocery trade, and con- tinued till May 1, 1883. On January 1, 1884, he became a partner with Stout & Dwelle, dealers in clothing, and the firm is now Stout, Dwelle & Hassinger. This house has an advantageous location on the corner of Center and Washington streets, and is doing a fine business. Mr. Hassinger was married October, 1867, to Mary E. Wills, daughter of W. R. Wills, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hassinger was born in Ohio. Of five children given to this couple but two are living, namely, Atillia and Florence, aged fourteen and two years, respectively. Mr. Hassinger is one of the present city coun- cillors, and a director of the First National Bank. He is a member of the Knights Templar, and attended the grand conclave in San Francisco in the summer of 1883 as a delegate. In politics he is a republican, and is a communicant in the Presbyterian church. He is prompt in action, and enjoys the respect due to men of cordial and sterling character.

DAVID L. PHILLEY, farmer and real-estate dealer, is a grandson of Remembrance Philley, who served through the revolution under Washington, and son of Isaac and Eliza Philley, of New York birth. The family name is of Irish origin, but the mother of Re- membrance was Scotch. David Philley was born .September S, 1823, in MeDonough, Chenango county, New York. He was reared on a farm and received a meagre common-school education. At twenty-one he began to teach and educate himself. He taught eighteen winters in all. He engaged there, as here, buying and improving farms and then selling them. He was married March 5, 1849, to Clarissa L. Eaton, who was born in Willet, Cortland county ; her father, John Eaton, was born in Utica. In 1856 Mr. Philley visited Mazeppa on a prospecting tour, and bought two hundred and forty acres of land. Some years later he took up permanent residence in this county, living some years on a farm in Chester. In the fall of 1874 he moved to Lake City. During the next season he built his present fine residence in Mazeppa, and occupied it as soon as completed. He is now the possessor of twenty-one hundred acres, of which thirteen hundred are in Lac Qui Parle county. Mr. Philley is a member of Mazeppa lodge, I.O.G.T., and is a Free- thinker. His five children reside as follows : Melinda (Mrs. A. D.

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EARLY SETTLERS.

Stowell), Chester ; Isaac L., Lake Benton ; John E., Chester ; Mur- ray, near elder brother ; Viola (Mrs. Ed. Noonan), here.

ELAM BLACK is a grandson of John B. Black, who served in the colonial army during the revolution. John B., son of the latter, was a native of Bradford, Connecticut, as was his wife, Lydia. This couple settled on a farm in Smithfield, Madison county, New York, where the subject of this sketch was given to them on Decem- ber 15, 1814. In 1832 he went to Huron county, Ohio, and was there married, November 1, 1838, to Amanda Harrington, a native of New York. In 1856 he removed to Washington county, Wis- consin, and soon after settled on a farm near Warren, Illinois. In 1863 he enlisted in the United States service, in Co. K, 31st Wis. Vols., and was discharged on account of ill health before the close of that year. In the spring of 1865 he again entered the service, in the 23d Ill. regt., and was stationed at Richmond, Virginia. In the fall of 1865 he settled in Mazeppa, and since 1873 has been in the employ of the Mazeppa Mill Co. Mr. Black is a Baptist in religious preferences, and a republican in politics. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. here. George, his eldest son, resides at Warren. All the rest are in Minnesota; W. W., here; James E., Luverne; the others in Mazeppa. Helena (Mrs. Charles J. Arnold), R. W., Alice (Mrs. G. B. Franklin), Eva (Mrs. Charles Pelil).

WILLIAM WALLACE BLACK, son of the above, was born Novem- ber 29, 1841, at Monroeville, Huron county, Ohio. He received a good common-school education, meantime giving assistance to lis father's farming operations. At nineteen he took up harnessmak- ing, which was his occupation for many years. On August 2, 1861, he enlisted in an independent battalion then forming at Galena, and subsequently consolidated with the 3d Mo. Cav. This regiment was employed in scouting in Missouri and Arkansas. In the sum- mer of 1863 Mr. Black was discharged, and re-enlisted in the follow- ing December, in the 17th III. Cav., and was elected first lieutenant of Co. F. This regiment was commanded by the subsequent Gov. Beveredge, of Illinois, and saw hard service in Missouri. During most of the time the captain was absent. on detached service, and the company was under command of Mr. Black. The history of the company states that it traveled by rail, steamboat and in the saddle, over fifteen thousand miles. At one time twelve hundred miles were made during fifty-nine days spent in the saddle. This was during the famous pursuit of the rebel, Gen. Price, during which

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

this company led a charge of four miles, in which twenty-two thon- sand rebels were driven back. The principal engagements were those of Allen Station, Rocalope, Booneville, California, Sedalia, Syracuse, Lexington and Utonia. When the company was mustered ont, December 18, 1865, less than one-half of its original men were left. On April 19, 1866, Mr. Black became a resident of Mazeppa, and in the following fall bought an interest in a harness-shop. This he soon sold, and in the fall of 1867 established the first harness- shop in Zumbrota. After two years of business there, he sold out and returned to Mazeppa, where has ever since been his home. He again opened a shop here, and conducted the business some years. In August, 1880, he was appointed a postal clerk on the route be- tween St. Paul and Breckenridge; was soon transferred to the Midland railroad; then ran between St. Paul and La Crosse, and now between the former city and Chicago. Mr. Black has always been an active republican ; has served often on local committees ; was several years town clerk and supervisor here; has taken great interest in schools, and been most of the time an officer of the village district. He was four years master of the Masonic lodge here, and is also a member of the chapter at Zumbrota. On December 22, 1864, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Dora Dudley, a native of Galena, Illinois. Her father, John Dudley, came from England. George W., the eldest child of this couple, was killed by the cars here on October 23, 1881. The other children were born as follows: Dora B., May 3, 1868; Alice Eva, January 8, 1871 ; Roy W., April 10, 1873; William W., September 11, 1875; Edgar D., January 23, 1878; Georgiana M., November 4, 1882.

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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 93

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