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 98
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REV. JOHN W. RAY. The subject of this sketch was born in Chester, now Anburn, New Hampshire. His father was Stark Rav, of Manchester, New Hampshire, and his mother was Hannah C. Wason, of Candia, New Hampshire. His grandfather Ray was from England, and was a soldier in the revolutionary war, under the renowned Gen. Stark, whose wife's sister he married. His mother was of Scotch-Irish descent. Her father was also in the revolutionary war. He spent his early life on a farm, enjoying the
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educational advantages of a common school, and of an academy. He fitted for college at Pinkerton Academy, in Derry, New Hamp- shire, and entered Dartmouth College in 1839, graduating in 1843. After graduation, he engaged in teaching, following this profession for about thirteen years. He spent one year at Atkinson, New Hampshire, in the academy in that town. He was then invited to the principal school in Manchester, New Hampshire. At the end of one year this was constituted the high school of the city. From Manchester he went to Eastport, in Maine, as principal of the high school. Sickness compelled him to resign before the end of one year. He returned to New Hampshire, and on recovery became associate principal with Prof. William Russell, in charge of the Mer- rimac Normal Institute of New Hampshire. On leaving this posi- tion, he was elected principal of Pembroke Academy, and soon after was elected principal of Pinkerton Academy, in Derry, New Hamp- shire, where he continued until he resigned to enter the ministry. Although finding the profession of teaching an agreeable work, he could not feel satisfied to relinquish the purpose he had in securing an education, and after taking a private course of theological study, he was licensed to preach in the autumn of 1856. While teaching he was active in temperance work, going through the long and laborious struggle for a prohibitory temperance law in his native state. This was finally secured in 1855. He was also somewhat active in political life, holding several offices, and representing the town of Derry in the state legislature. But on entering the minis- try, he felt called upon to retire from active political life, and devote his energies to the one work on which he had ertered. In April, 1857, he was called to the Congregational church in Goffstown, New Hampshire, and remained there till he came to Minnesota, in May, 1867. During this period he kept alive his interest in education by superintending schools, and in teaching in the institutes of the state. In 1867 he was called to the Presbyterian church in Hastings, Min- nesota, and labored there till 1872, when he accepted a call to the Congregational church of Lake City, Minnesota, having felt obliged to decline a previous call to the same church in 1867. While at Hastings, he kept alive his interest in education by superintending the schools of the city, and in some other forms of educational work. But on coming to Lake City, he felt that he ought to give up such work, and so held himself aloof from it. At Lake City he con- tinnedin the pastorate of the church, till December, 1866, when he
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resigned, and was dismissed by council in the spring of 1867. At the time of the resignation, he had a severe affection of the eyes, so that his physician assured him that he must abstain from all mental labor, or lose his sight. He yielded to this advice. About this time a foreign tour was decided upon, and he with his wife visited Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land. They were accom- panied as far as Geneva by their daughter and her husband, E. P. Gates, Esq. This trip had the desired effect of restoring his eyes to about their former condition. On his return he sup- plied the Congregational church at Wabasha, continuing his residence in Lake City. He pursued this course until thre last sab- bath in 1882, and then accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit of the Presbyterian church of Lake City, in which work he is still engaged. He grew up from childhood in the Presbyterian church, of which he became a member when about seventeen years of age. He was married in July, 1844, to Miss Lucy Lee Sargent, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Sargent, of Chester, New Hampshire. She died July 17, 1845. He was married again on December 28, 1848, to Miss Georgeanna Babb, daughter of Dr. James Babb, of Manches- ter, New Hampshire. His children were James Stark, Lucy Helen and George Wason. Both boys died in childhood. Lucy Helen was married December 28, 1875, to E. P. Gates, Esq., of Lake City, formerly of Warsaw, New York. Mr. Ray is a faithful laborer in the cause he has espoused, and is content with the prospect that faith will reward, not only in this world, but more abundantly in that which is to come.
ORA N. SMITH (deceased), son of Jacob and Lovina Smith, was born in Leinster, New Hampshire, February 13, 1828. His paternal progenitors were English and the maternal were Scotch. He assisted his father during early life in the tillage of a farm and at carpenter work, so that when he began business on his own account he was master of a trade, and this occupied his time and yielded his livelihood always. In 1853 he was married in Vermont to Miss A. L. Felton, and removed two years later to Illinois. In 1866 he went to Michigan, and came thence to Lake City in Octo- ber, 1870. Here he built a house, made a pleasant home for him- self and family, and was prepared to enjoy life, but was taken away by the fell destroyer September 9, 1882. The cause of his death at the early age of fifty-four was Bright's disease, and he was disabled for nearly a year before his demise. Two children, besides
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his widow, survive him. The eldest is mentioned below. Flora C., born in Winnebago, Illinois, April 14, 1860, remains with the mother as a help and stay. A daughter died here in November, 1877, aged nearly fourteen years. Mr. Smith's death was, no doubt, the result of exposure in the United States service. In 1863 he joined an independent company of mechanics' fusileers, then form- ing for service in the war of the rebellion. After lying in Camp Douglas at Chicago for six months the company was disbanded without being called into service. While here Mr. Smith contracted inflammatory rheumatism, by which he was entirely disabled for some time, and from which he never fully recovered.
HERBERT L., eldest child of Ora N. Smith, was born in Orange county, Vermont, June 30, 1854. He attended school until fourteen years old, and then began to learn the printer's trade in Michigan. After his parents came here he was employed in this city and in Minneapolis. He founded the Lake City "Graphic" in 1882, being called upon to chroniole the death of his father in its first issue, September 12, 1882. At this time he had a partner named Russell, but the paper was shortly sold to a stock company and Mr. Smith placed in charge of the business. October 8, 1883, the business passed into the hands of Smith & Messmer, Mr. Smith having asso- ciated with himself for its purchase Mr. W. S. Messmer, much of whose work is found in this volume. While the latter looks after the editorial department, Mr. Smith is the active and efficient mana- ger of a prosperous and rapidly-growing business. He is an active member in the Masonic and Odd-Fellows' lodges, having taken the highest degrees in both orders. January 1, 1878, H. L. Smith and Mary A. Jones, of Lake City, were united in marriage. One daughter has been given this couple and christened Florence May.
S. J. JOHNSON was born in Sweden in 1850. After receiving an education at Bersbo, and also at Janskaping high schools, he came to America in 1868, his father coming in 1870. Our subject came direct to Chicago, but still being restless, came to Minneiska. Ever since he has been in the employ of W. H. Hopkins as head clerk. He is married, and both are members of the Lutheran church. His wife's name was Anna Johnson, and they were married in 1865.
WILLIAM HENRY HOPKINS, merchant at Weaver, was born at Villenovia, New York, in 1840. Mr. Hopkins is one of our self- made inen, having attended school but very little. In 1861 he
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visited Minneiska, and opened up a store, and the old maxim, For- tune favors the brave, held good in his case, for ever since he has prospered. At present he owns a fine brick block, 44 × 65 in Weaver, and deals in general merchandise and machinery. In politics he is independent, voting for good men without respect to party. He married Rachel E. Montgomery, of Lake City, and they have three children : Joseph William, now at Casselton, Dakota Territory ; Mary E. and Susie, both attending school at Winona.
FRED LANGER, farmer, was born in Portage, Wisconsin. He is the youngest son of Franz and Rosa Langer, natives of Austria. When abont twenty-eight years of age the elder Langer came to Wiscon- sin, and about ten years later bought their present farm of over five hundred acres, together about three hundred acres under cultiva- tion, and well improved. The elder Langer was drafted for service, but on arriving at St. Paul the war was closed. Fred is a member of the A.F. A. M. order. They both, especially the younger, vote for the man, in politics, regardless of party. They are among our re- liable farmers. The elder Langer was married 1823, to Rosa Miller, of Austria. He has four children ; three in Dakota.
M. A. ODINK, druggist, bookseller, stationer and dealer in paints, oils, etc., Pembroke street, two doors south of Main, premises owned by Joseph Odink, father of the M. A. Odink. The drug house fronts twenty-five feet on Pembroke street, and extends fifty-eight feet to the rear. Business was established in 1878 as Legge & Odink, became Toussaint & Odink, and M. A. Odink in March, 1882. The prescription department is under charge of B. A. Slade, a graduate of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical department of the Illinois State University at Champaign. Business is good, and shows an increase of fifteen per cent over corresponding period of 1882. Mr. M. A. Odink is a native of Jackson county, Iowa; came to this county when six years of age, his parents settling at Read's Landing. Young Odink attended school at home, and then at high school in Winona, taking a final course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Chicago, from which he graduated in 1870. He is unmarried, and resides with his parents on Fourth street.
BENJAMIN F. LEININGER, jeweler, of Plainview, was born August 8, 1847, of farmer parents, in Green county, Ohio. He received a country school education. Most of his youth was spent near Elk- hart, Indiana. At the age of nineteen he entered the employ of Michael Trubi, an Elkhart jeweler, of whom he learned the trade.
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Two years later he went to Lincoln, Illinois, and worked at the trade two years. In the fall of 1870 he came to Minnesota and worked at his trade in Eyota and Plainview for a few months, and then bought the Plainview jewelry store of Mr. Brown, and has since continued business in this town, where he now owns a residence and business block. October 1, 1874, he was married to Helen Smith, daughter of Milton Smith, Esq., of Plainview. Three children have been born to them, namely, Darwin, Milton and Frederick.
J. B. FINCHI, grocer, east side Pembroke. This business was established here in 1877, in a small wooden building on the site of the present brick structure, which was erected this present season and occupied by the proprietor about September 1. It is a solid two-story brick, stone basement, and sills 20×50, the upper story fitted for dwelling, and stands on the lot adjoining the alley between Second and Pembroke streets. Mr. Finchi employs one clerk in his business. Mr. Finchi is a native of Canton Grisons, Switzerland, from which country he came to America in 1870, and the year fol- lowing to Wabasha. Was clerking in this city for Lucas Kuehn and John Duke (deceased) until 1877, when he started trade on his own account. He was married to Miss Barbara Meyer, of this city, in 1876. They have three children, one of them in attendance at the public schools of this city.
DR. M. E. TABER, dentist, Plainview, came here from Spring- dale, Iowa, April, 1871. Born in Vermont in 1852, he was taken in his young days, by the removal of his parents, to Cedar county, Iowa, where he passed through the high school and spent his vaca- tion with his uncle, Abner Smith, then residing in the town of the doctor's present business success. Not favored by being born, as it were, with a silver spoon in his mouth, young Taber was ready for any opportunity that would enable him to earn an honest livelihood. This he found for a beginning in the village hotel, where he hired ont for awhile to John Bigham, proprietor, as clerk. Ever on the lookout for chances of advancement, he invested in and ran on his own responsibility a barber-shop, which he undertook, not for the love of the business, but for its returns and leisure time for study and preparation for the great object of his ambition, the practice of dentistry. It was not long before he sold out to advantage and was thus enabled to devote his whole time to the dental art, under the supervision of Dr. S. S. Sherman, of Eau Claire. For three years he applied himself vigorously with all the energy his system would
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permit. Finally, after one full course in the Missouri Dental, and one in St. Louis Medical College, he graduated in 1882 D.D.S., from the former well-known institute, and immediately settled down in Plainview to his practice in dentistry, in the science and art of which he stands second to none. Full of ambition and a lover of music alike, to gratify the former and improve the latter in his leisure after-business hours, the doctor immediately took charge of the Methodist church choir, which landable position he continues to hold. He is an apt scholar and accomplished both in vocal and instrumental music, the brass band and singing-school of the village, numbering over a hundred, being under his superintendence and leadership. Not the least of Dr. Taber's qualifications is his marks- manship. No less than four gold medals bear evidence of his ability as an expert shot and champion in this progressive art. The medal for the championship of five counties was awarded him in 1881, which, by holding for two years against all comers, became his per- manent personal property. Of the others two in one day, July 4, 1878, were won by him at Wabasha. Any man that shoots eleven ont of twelve running deer, as his trophies prove, is deserving of no little commendation. He enjoys the respect and confidence of the community, and though at present in the full enjoyment of single blessedness, dame rumor has him full speedily a benedict. A veritable self-made man, to society he is eminently a useful member in more ways than one.
NICHOLAS LIFFRIGE, farmer, Chester, was born near Arlow, Belgium, September 20, 1848. He attended school till twelve years old, and then engaged in farm labor. He came here in 1871, and was employed as a farm laborer for some time. Ile soon bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, where he now lives. He has at present a fine farm of three hundred acres, on which he has placed good buildings, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. In 1883 he raised fourteen hundred and forty bushels of wheat, ten hundred of barley and six hundred and twenty-five of oats. He was married in 1878, to Annie Fleming, born of German parents at Shakopee, this state. Their children were born and christened as follows : Andrew, September 17, 1879 ; Susan, March 30, 1881 ; Peter, De- cember 21, 1882. All have been baptized in the Catholic church.
JACOB M. FRENCH, farmer, and prominent citizen of Wabasha county, came to Highland township from Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1871, soon after purchasing the farm on sections 20 and 21 on
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which he has since resided. He was born July 8, 1826, at Mount Holly, Rutland county, Vermont. His parents, David and Susa (Marsh) French, were natives of the same state, his father being born in Reading, March 15, 1779, and his mother at Halifax, No- vember 27, 1802. When Jacob was eleven years old, his parents removed from Vermont to Warren county, Pennsylvania. This re- moval was the result of business reverses, Mr. French, senior, being a manufacturer. The family not having retrieved its fortunes in Pennsylvania, we find the subject of this sketch in 1852 an inmate of a mining camp at Oroville, California. Four years later he re- turned to Pennsylvania, and engaged in agricultural pursuits there until his removal to Wabasha county. Miss Eveline G. Cook, a na- tive of Warren county, Pennsylvania, then in her twentieth year, became his wife. Her parents were Asa Cook, a native of Massa- chusetts, and Fannie (Elmer) Cook, a native of Vermont. Mrs. French received an education at the Fredonia, New York, Academy. Four children have blessed this union, viz: Fannie G., born in Pennsylvania, Angust 9, 1859, a graduate of the Minnesota State Normal School at Winona, and first assistant teacher in the Wa- basha graded schools ; D'Ette A. (Mrs. C. E. Robbins, of Fargo, Dakota, born October 18, 1861) ; Alden M., born July 12, 1867 ; Ernest A., born March 13, 1878. Mr. French is a republican in politics ; has been township clerk several terms, and county commis- sioner for three years. He is also a member of the Plainview Grange.
HEZEKIAH F. MESSER, farmer, of Plainview, is the son of Fred- erick and Martha (Whittier) Messer. He was born in Danbury, New Hampshire, on March 12, 1836 ; received a common-school education, and at the age of seventeen entered the employment of the Northern New Hampshire Railroad Company as a construction and track hand, and for the next eighteen years was engaged chiefly in the service of this company, most of the time as section-boss and conductor of a construction train, while that corporation had for its head the Hon. Onslow Stearns. He came to Minnesota with his brother David in 1856, but not being pleased with the country, then just emerging from the snows of a dreary winter, he returned without investing ; but David remained, and in 1871 induced his brother to purchase eighty acres of C. O. Landon, just east of Plain- view village. On this place he at once took up his residence, and has since made it his home, having added by purchase forty acres
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more to the farm. Mr. Messer spent three years in the gold dig- gings of California, in Shasta county and Scorch mountains, and in the Frazer River country. On December 13, 1864, he espoused Mrs. Nancy J. Brown (née Keniston), relict of E. G. Brown, Esq., of Andover, New Hampshire. This lady was born in Wilmot, New Hampshire. She had three children by her first husband, now living, viz : Ella J., Loren E., living in Plainview, and Addie (Mrs. Edwin May, of Wilson, Wisconsin). Mr. Messer is a democrat, and boasts of never having "scratched " a party ticket.
PHILEMON BRANDT, miller, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, September 18, 1850. He was tenth of twelve children, born to Eli and Mary Nofsinger-Brandt, natives of Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania. In 1854 the family settled in Dodge county, Minnesota, where they lived on a farm until 1871, when Eli purchased the farm in West Albany where they now live. Upon settlement here Mr. Brandt purchased the sawmill formerly owned by Hiram Fellows, and in 1877 the present gristmill was erected by Philemon, Rufus and Mason Brandt, brothers, who are now doing a flourishing busi- ness. Mason Brandt is married and living in Walsh county, Dakota, while the mill is run by Philemon and Rufus, who are young men of energy and promise.
BRUCE FLORER, cashier of the First National Bank of Wabasha, is a native of Newport, Indiana; came to Wabasha in 1872, at which time his brother, W. J. Florer, who died in this city August 18, 1881, was engaged in banking here in connection with A. D. South- worth. Mr. Bruce Florer spent the first year of his residence here attending school, was then one year in a grain and commission house, and clerking in the county offices until 1874, when he entered the banking office of A. D. Southworth & Co., and was their book- keeper for five years, when he was promoted to the post of cashier. He has retained that position during all the subsequent changes in the bank management, and is practically its business head. January 1, 1878, he married Miss Mary S. Robinson, of this city.
HENRY SIMONS, carriage and wagon manufacturer, Lake City, established himself in business here in 1872 as the partner of George Lemley. He soon after, however, bought ont his interest and built a shop on rented ground near the corner of High and Centre street. Four years later he purchased a lot on the opposite side of Centre street, on which he built a shop and put in machinery. On June 17, 1882, this building was destroyed by fire, but fortunately by the
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exertions of many kind neighbors most of his stock and machinery was saved. Mr. Simons immediately rebuilt, and is now in the market with a full line of carriages, buggies, wagons, sleighis and cutters. He was born in Holland, December 28, 1844, and the following July the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Wyoming county, New York, on a farm where the father (Stephen Simons) died in 1871. The mother Susan (Arrand) Simons still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Simons was united in marriage on June 22, 1873, to Miss Mary Tuck, a native of the State of New York, born of German parents. They have three children, whose names in the order of their birth are : William H., Julia M. and Jennie B. They are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Simons is a member of the Knights of Honor.
FREDERICK W. RUECKERT, hardware dealer, Lake City, was born in the German province of Bavaria, in 1843. His parents, Melchior and Eve (Stegmeier) Rueckert were also natives of the same province, the former by trade and occupation a regimental gunsmith. During his early youth Frederick mastered the trade and followed the same till 1870, when on June 22 he left his native home with a view of reap- ing a greater reward for his skill and labor. After a short stay in New York he came to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he remained till May, 1872, when he came to Lake City and engaged in his business. In November, 1879. his property was destroyed by fire, though fully covered by insurance. He next built a brick store on Washington street, which was burnt in 1882, and only partially insured. Soon after he bought his present brick store, a good and substantial building, corner of Washington and Marion streets, where he carries a full line of hardware and guns. He was mar- ried December 17, 1878, to Miss Mary Vogl, a native of New York, born of German parents. His two children are Clara and Fred. M.
MANASSES S. HOSTETTER, miller, Gillford, has been a resident of this county since 1872, at which time he built a mill at Wabasha. Five years later he exchanged for Cold Spring mill his present property, half a mile from Zumbro Falls. Here he is doing a fine business in custom milling. Besides the mill property, he has half a section of land near Grafton, Dakota, which indicates that his industry and sagacity have served him worthily. Mr. Hostetter's parents, Daniel and Elizabeth, were of German descent and Penn- sylvania birth. They settled near Zanesville, Ohio, and liere this
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subject was born in 1840. When he was six years old his parents removed to Indiana, subsequently to Wisconsin, and in 1854 to Pine Island, this state. Less than one month of his time has been spent in a schoolroom, but his own research has fitted him for good citizen- ship. At seventeen he began work at his trade, and worked at various points in the state. In 1859, with a partner, he built a mill at Pine Island, but it was.destroyed by fire before it was completed. In August, 1862, he entered the United States service, and served till the close of the civil war in Co. H, 8th Minn. regt. During the last year he was stationed at different points in the south, and the balance of his service was rendered on the western frontier in sub- duing the bloodthirsty Sioux. Many a weary march was made through the "bad lands," with the prospect of an ambush behind every pinnacle. In November, 1859, he espoused Lucinda Brandt, daughter of Eli and Mary, all of Pennsylvania. Two sons and a daughter have been given them. The latter was christened Cora, married John Cliff, resides with her father. The eldest and youngest, Eli Daniel and Murray Willis, reside at Grafton.
ELI B. GUPTIL, farmer and stockraiser, was born in 1845 in Ver- mont. He is the second son of Benjamin R. and Lucy Guptil, natives, the former of Maine and the latter of Vermont. His father and mother died when he was about fourteen, when they lived in Wisconsin. He then lived with a Mr. Maxwell until 1861, when he enlisted in the 16th Wis. Inf. He was in the battle of Shiloh, siege and second battle of Corinth ; then started for Vicksburg, but being cut off by Van Dorn returned to Memphis, then to Vicksburg siege for a time, then in Louisiana ; then after a furlough of thirty days at home, under Sherman through to the sea ; then to Beaufort, Columbia, Goldsboro, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, the great review ; then the 17th army corps were sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where they were mustered out in July, 1865. For over two years he never slept under a roof or ate at a table. After such a remark- ably long and varied service he returned to Wisconsin, remaining until 1872, when he spent a short time in Minnesota, but soon again returned to Minnesota, and bonght part of his present farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres, the principal feature of which is fine stock facilities, and which he intends to develop and make stock- raising a specialty. He has been chairman of the township super- visors for some time, and is director of school district No. 44 at present. He is independent in politics, and has voted with both
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