USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 100
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Richard Fitzgerald was born in Maine, Janu- ary 11th, 1852. At the age of five years, re- moved with his parents to Stillwater, where he received a good practical education. He worked .as a day laborer until 1879 then opened his present sample room in business for himself. September 8th, 1879, he married Miss Louise Foley. Louise is their only child.
James G. Foley, a native of Washington county, Maine, was born March 15th, 1843. He accom- panied his parents to Stillwater in 1854, and here acquired his education; then engaged in lumber- ing until war was declared. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and participated in many of the leading battles. After the battle of Vicksburg he was prostrated by a sunstroke and conveyed to the hospital, and honorably discharged in 1865. Returning to Stillwater, he again embarked in the lumber trade, continuing until 1875, when he entered the office of the county auditor and clerked. Was elected auditor in 1880, which office he now fills. His wife was Miss Elizabeth A. Colsen, whom he married in 1877. They have one daughter and one son.
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CITY OF STILLWATER-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Colonel Edwin A. Folsom was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, June 30th, 1833 .. At the age of seven, the family removed to Bangor, Maine, where he was educated at the graded schools. He afterward engaged as clerk in a store in that city. During the spring of 1856 he came to Still- water and was book-keeper for Hersey, Staples and Company six years. In 1862 he raised a company and enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteers as captain of Company C, serving two years against the Indians; then to the south. He was promoted to major, lieutenant-colonel and brevet colonel. After returning to civil life he was elected treasurer of Washington county, serving six years. Then engaged in mercantile business in company with David Bronson. His marriage with Miss Frances E. Staples occurred October 12th, 1862. They have two children living.
James Fowler, Jr., was born at Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1859, and at the age of sixteen commenced the study of med- icine at Saginaw, Michigan. At the end of three years he gave up the study on account of the failure of his eyesight. He, however, continued the study of chemistry and drugs until 1880. One year previous he located at Stillwater, and at the time mentioned became successor to the oldest furniture dealer in the city, Mr. S. Will- ard. His building has a frontage of thirty feet, ~ three stories and two basements, and contains everything in the furniture line. In March, 1878, he married Miss Eliza L. Lord. They have one son, James.
Thomas Francis is a native of Fuma, Austria, born November 25th, 1840. When thirteen years old he went to sea, visiting nearly every port of importance, and made the entire voyage around the world. In 1856 he landed at New Orleans, and soon after joined the Morgan steam- ship line between New Orleans and Mobile, serv- ing until 1860, then returned to sea life. He voyaged until 1864 then, for some time, sailed on lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie. Two years subsequently his sea-faring life ended and he began business at Chicago. In 1870 he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, thence to Stillwater, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of confectionery.
Christian Frederickson, born in Denmark, No-
vember 2Sd, 1848. He attended school until fifteen years old, then served five years appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the trade, after which he worked at Copenhagen. In 1871 he began the life of a sailor, visiting many ports on the east- ern continent, then crossing the Atlantic, landed at Baltimore. After visiting the West Indies he returned and forsook the sea in 1873. Pro- ceeding to Chicago,- he remained only a brief time, and the next year became a resident of stillwater, where he has since followed his trade. June 29th, 1870, he married Miss Mary Lawson, a native of Denmark. One daughter has been born to them, Annie.
Edwin P. Frost, A. M., was born at Charles- town, New Hampshire, May 4th, 1839, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. He attended the school and worked on his father's farm until the age of eighteen then went to the New London Literary and Scientific Institute, graduating in 1861. During his attendance he taught school winters. The next fall he entered Amherst College, from which he graduated in 1865, then took charge of the central district of Virginia freed- men's schools, maintaining this one year, also one year in charge of the academy at Winchester, New Hampshire. The Auburndale boy's select boarding school was established by A. B. Darling of New York city, of which he was principal. Coming west to Peoria, Illinois, he was for six years principal of the high school, but on account of the failing health of his wife, came farther north to Glencoe, Minnesota, residing on a farm until the fall of 1880. He came to Stillwater at that time as principal of the high school. In September, 1865, he married Kate Whipple, a graduate from Kimble Union Academy at Meri- den, New Hampshire. Alice M., Bertha, Mabel B., and Edwin C. are their children.
Bert D. Fuller, a resident of Stillwater, was born at Lawrenceburg, Ripley county, Indiana, April 3d, 1854. When six years old his parents removed to Kankakee, Illinois, where he acquired a common school education, and grew to man- hood. Emigrated to western Iowa in 1875, and for three years engaged in farming, then removed to Stillwater; was employed in the store of Isaac Staples two years. In 1880 he engaged with his present firm, Bronson and Folsom.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
BIOGRAPHICAL, G, H, I, J, K, L, M.
Marcel Gagnon, proprietor of the "Sod Hill" green house, was born in Lower Canada, August 17th, 1825. His youth was passed at his native place; on reaching man's estate came to the United States and entered the employ of the American Fur Company, going up the Missouri river to what was called Blackfoot fort. Then came to the St. Croix valley, and for several years gave his time and attention to lumbering on the St. Croix. In 1863 he enlisted in Minnesota Vol- unteer Independent Battalion, serving three years, chiefly on the Red River of the North; was mustered out at Fort Snelling in 1866. Return- ing to his former occupation, he continued until 1877, then established his present business. Mr. Gagnon is one of the earliest settlers of this county.
William Gallagher, lumberman for Hersey, Bean and Brown, was born in Frederickton, New Brunswick, August 26th, 1843. When twelve years old he accompanied his parents to Still- water, where he grew to manhood and received his education. When sixteen years old he en- tered the employ of the St. Croix Boom Company, and continued until 1860. Enlisting in Company C, Eighth Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infan- try, in 1862, he served until his discharge at Fort Snelling after three years of service. Returning home, he engaged in his former pursuits, and for several years past has been connected with the different lumber firms of the city; is now in the employ of Hersey, Bean and Brown. September 7th, 1874, his marriage with Miss Mary Sullivan took place. Willie and Katie are their children.
Charles J. Gardner, a native of Canada, was born in 1846. He accompanied his mother to Buffalo, New York, when only a child, and re- mained until fifteen years old, then began the machinists's trade. He worked at Buffalo one year, then to Cleveland, Ohio, in the machine shops; in the great Vulcan iron works three years. After working at his trade in different portions of the country he, in 1870, came to St. Paul and entered the St. Paul iron works; the next year purchased a farm on the St. Paul and Pacific rail-
road and located his family, then returned to the St. Paul iron works. In May, 1880, he engaged with Seymour, Sabin and Company as foreman in their engine department. Under his direction has been completed three traction engines, twelve horse-power, and Elward's patent straw burner, with credit to himself and to the firm. Mr. Gardner married Miss Fanny Kelsey, of Buffalo, New York, in 1863. She departed this life in 1876, leaving four children: Edward C., Willie A., Bertie L. and George H.
John C. Gardner, prison-guard, was born Jan- uary 5th, 1822, in Washington county, Maine. He grew to manhood at his birthplace, and in 1850 came to Stillwater, giving his attention chiefly to agriculture and lumbering until 1873, when he was appointed prison-guard; for eight years he has held this position with credit. Being one of the early settlers, he has been instrumental in the improvement of the city. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres joining the city limits. While living on his farm he held the offices of township clerk, assessor and justice of the peace; was also member of the city council in 1875. His wife was Miss Mary R. Jackman, married in 1845. Their living children are: Frederick A. and Albert L.
David C. Gaslin was born February 20th, 1838, at the village of Dead River, Franklin county, Maine. When ten years old, he went to Farm- ington IIill; attending school at that place one year, then going with the family to Augusta, where he engaged as clerk in a cotton factory, after another year spent in acquiring an educa- tion. The following year, he removed to Wind- sor to reside with an uncle, with whom he lived three years. In 1852, he went to Illinois, re- mained two years with his widowed mother, then started for himself, having in the meantime gained a good practical education. Coming to Minnesota in 1854, he tarried a brief time at St. Paul, thence to Anoka county, where he was interested in agriculture until 1863. He then came to Stillwater, and has since been engaged in lumbering. Mr. Gaslin has been twice mar- ried; his present wife was Miss Phoebe Castle, married in 1873. She has borne him three chil- dren, of whom only the youngest, Ida, is living.
Dwight L. Gilbert was born at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in 1852. Here he was reared under
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CITY OF STILLWATER-BIOGRAPHICAL.
the guidance of his parents and received his ed- ucation. When a young man he became inter- ested in engineering, and first took charge of the stationary engine for H. D. Bannister and Com- pany in the Fond du Lac stone works, the wagon factory of E. R. Ferris and Company, and the city flouring-mills. In 1872 he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, making that city his home three years, employed by the Carver Pump Company as agent. During the fall of 1875, he removed to La Crosse, and was there employed as engineer in the saw- mill of C. L. Colman, where he remained until locating at Stillwater in 1878. He entered the employ of Seymour, Sabin and Company, having been for the first eight months engineer at the state prison, and since then been setting up the steam-thresher engines. His wife was Mary Reilly whom he married in 1875. Phoebe M. is their only child.
A. L. Gillespie was born at Shiloh, Randolph county, Illinois, in 1836. His education was ac- quired at the Chester, Illinois, high school. During the fall of 1855 he came to Stillwater; after a residence of four years he removed to Colorado, and engaged in mining one year; then returned to the St. Croix valley, being interested in lumbering. Enlisting in Company D, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, in 1863, he served until mus- tered out at Austin, Texas, in 1865. Returning to his former home, Stillwater, he began in the commission and rafting business, in which he has since continued, taking as partner, in 1880, Aaron A. Harper. In 1877 he was elected alder- man of this city, and re-elected in 1880, which fact proves his worth. His marriage with Adelia F. Wilson took place in 1860. Alma I., James E. and Hattie A. are their children.
Henry Goeck is a native of Germany, born September 21st, 1849, and at the age of twenty years came to America, residing two years at Free- port, Illinois. After spending one year in travel, he became foreman of the Sterling brewery at Ster- ling, Illinois. In 1876 he removed to Stillwater, and for one year was connected with the liquor business, after which he removed to the St. Louis hotel, now known as the Farmer's Home. He married at Sterling, Illinois, June 4th, 1876, and has two children, Frank and Ellen.
John Goelz, a native of Germany, was born July 29th, 1829. His father, John, was a school-
master in that country for a period of sixty years. Mr. Goelz lived with his parents until seventeen years of age. Then attended the Catholic semi- nary at Bensheim, an institution devoted to the preparation of students for teaching. After a course of two years, he passed the examination and obtained a diploma. Two years later he passed his final examination at the city of Darm- stadt, qualifying him as a permanent teacher. IIe remained in the land of his nativity in the pursuit of his profession until coming to Amer- ica in 1873. Proceeding westward from New York, he visited St. Louis and late in the fall secured a position in the Catholic school in con- nection with the St. Augustine church of St. Clair county, Illinois; was also organist at church. He taught in different portions of Illinois until 1878, then came to Minnesota, and two years later lo- cated at Stillwater, being now master in the German Catholic school of the "Immaculate Con- ception" of this city. He married Miss Mary Seipelin 1862, who died in 1866. Their three children died in infancy.
Phillip Goodman is a native of Canada, born in 1832. When a young man of eighteen years he went to Vermont and the following year went to Pennsylvania. About 1854 he came to the St. Croix valley, having since been a resident of Still- water. He has given his entire time and atten- tion to lumbering on the St. Croix river and tribu- taries. In 1860 he married Miss Catherine Curtis of Stillwater, who is a native of Ireland. They are the parents of eleven children, five of whom are living: James, Abbie, John, Michael and Catharine Laura.
John Goodrich was born in Somerset county, Maine, 1828. Here he grew to manhood and ac- quired his education, occupying his time chiefly with farming, also lumbering. In 1854 he came to the St. Croix valley, living since that time in Stillwater. Lumbering occupied his time until he enlisted in company C, Eighth Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, in 1862; was discharged at Fort Snelling in 1865, serving two years against the Indians in the meantime. Returning to Still- water, he has for sixteen years been deputy sur- veyor of logs and lumber. His long experience and practical knowledge ranks him among the first in the profession. His marriage with Miss Mary E. McKusick of Stillwater, took place in
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
1856. Mattie H., Mary E. and John B. are their children.
Elam Greeley, one of the early pioneers of the St. Croix valley, was born at Salisbury, Merrimac county, New Hampshire, August 13th, 1818. When about eight years of age he accompanied his par- ents to Maine, remaining until attaining majority. In 1839 he turned his steps westward, making the journey to Rockford, Illinois, by wagon, thence by wagon to Prairie du Chien, to Reed's Landing by steamboat, and on to Chippewa Falls on foot, a distance of ninety miles. The fall of the same year, in company with John McKusick, he made a trip to Prairie du Chien in a canoe, commonly called a "dug-out," a distance of three hundred miles. Subsequently returning north to St. Croix Falls, he in company with J. McKusick and others organized a company and built a saw-mill in 1843, where now Mr. McKusick's stable stands. After one year's experience Mr. Greely sold his interest to his faithful partner and till the present time has given his entire attention to logging, rafting and shipping. His average amount of lumber in logs per year has been from two to six million feet. He was the first postmaster in Stillwater ; was elected to the second territorial legislature in 1851, and was a member of the legislature in 1856. Angust 25th, 1850, his marriage with Han- nah P. Hinman took place; she has borne him five children: Phœbe, Judson H., Kate, Douglas and John E.
John Green, a native of Ireland, was born March 1st, 1818. He came to Charlottetown, Edward's Valley, an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in 1836. The following year he went to Boston, there learning the trade of mechanic. Ilis first work at his trade was that of building a log cabin on the Boston commons. In 1810, he went to New York, remaining three years, thence to Cleveland, Ohio. At the time was war declared, his home was in Alabana, but on account of his loyalty was forced to return north. During the war was in the employ of the government, and in 1866, became a resident of Stillwater, where he has been engaged as contractor and builder, hay- ing erected a number of the fine buildings in the city. In 1838, he married Miss M. J. Pinkerton, making the voyage to his native land for that purpose. Eight children have been born to them, four of whom are living.
James J. Griffin was born at St. Joseph; Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania, 1848, and is of Irish descent. He worked in the lumber region of that state three years, then in 1870, came to Minnesota. He kept a trading post among the Indians on the Kettle river two years, and abont 1873, removed to Brainard where he was in the hotel business more than a year. He took charge of the lumber yard at Pine City for the Pine City Lumber Company till 1876, then came Stillwater where he has since remained in the employ of Seymour, Sabin and Company having in charge fifty men and fifteen teams. . His wife was Miss Mary McAboy, married in 1871: Kate M., Mary E. and Anna J. are their children.
Samnel H. Hadley is a native of Alabama, born September 4, 1848, and since nine years old has been doing for himself. In 1861 he went to Chi- cago, Illinois, and learned the barber's trade, re- maining till the fall of 1865, then to Omaha, Ne- braska, and on to Salt Lake, White Pine mining camp. Tarrying a short time, he went to Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, Iowa, and LaCrosse, Wis- consin, thence to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade until 1869. He then came to Stillwater and has since resided here and carried on his barber shop. In February 1881, Mr. Had- ley went to Alabama and married Miss Olivia Lanier, who is a native of that state; returned with his bride March 31, to Stillwater.
Abe. Hall, deputy warden of the Minnesota state prison, was born in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, February 8th, 1835. He attended school in Bradford county until the age of fourteen; be- ing of a fun-loving disposition, he did not enjoy the confinement of the school room. His father, taking him from school, tanght him the trade of clothier. Mr. Hall remained in that business five years, then went to Wilkesbarre, Pennsyl- vania, making it his home over two years. Com- ing to Wisconsin in 1858, he was engaged the following year at the Wisconsin state prison at Waupun, as yard master. While connected with the prison in 1861, he married Miss Letta Ames, who has borne him two danghters, Cora and Eva. In 1864 he left the prison and began in the hotel business, continuing until coming to Minnesota. Since 1867 he has been connected with the Min- nesota state prison, and was commissioned deputy warden in 1876.
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CITY OF STILLWATER-BIOGRAPHICAL.
David S. Hall is a native of Roxburyshire, Scotland, born March 23d, 1843. When ten years old he came with his father and family to America and settled in New York. Four years later he began the veterinary study with Dr. Mc- Clure, of Albany, New York, continuing thus employed until attaining his majority. He then returned to Edinburgh, Scotland, and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College. During the spring of 1863, he came again to the United States and shortly after enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth New York Zouaves, fifth army corps, under General Warren, serving until the close of hostilities, being mustered out July 26th, 1865. His rank was that of orderly ser- geant. Coming to Michigan he was veterinary surgeon of the iron mining districts until 1874, then went to the copper districts, where he was surgeon for four years longer. In 1878 he located at Stillwater, where he has had a large practice in his line.
George D. Hall, Jr., was born at Boston, Mass- achusetts, August 23d, 1856. Until twelve years of age he attended the public schools at Boston, then entered the Vermont Episcopal Institute at Burlington; one year later went to Winchester, New York, remaining three years. He then be- gan clerking for Nevins and Company, wholesale dry goods dealers, Boston. On reaching man's es- tate he came to Stillwater and entered the employ of Isaac Staples; after being in the store some time he became clerk in the iron works; in 1877 took charge of the shop as superintendent. His mar- riage with Miss Gertrude Lane occurred in 1879. One son, Arthur Dudley, has been born to them.
Paul Hanson, a native of Denmark, was born in April, 1856. Coming to America in 1874, he located at Stillwater the same year, and was a day laborer until being employed by S. S. Den- ton. The following year, he in company with John Rahr purchased the livery barn where they are now doing business. Married at Hudson, Wisconsin, December 16th, 1879, to Miss Lotta Kron, of that place, who died September 2, 1880.
W. H. H. Harrington was born at Brighton, Washington county, Iowa, July 28, 1840. His parents emigrated from Ohio in 1839, and located at Brighton on a farm where Mr. Harrington was born, his mother departing this life at his birth. In 1841, his father returned to Ohio, giving his 37
orphaned child into the hands of his grand par- ents. Here he resided until sixteen years of age, receiving in the meantime, only a common school education. At that time he came west and went to Hutchinson, McLeod county, Minnesota, to live with an uncle. After the "Indian outbreak" he gave his attention to teaching a few terms, then entered the "Hygiene Home," at St. An- thony, to study medicine. Spending one sum- mer there he then served one year in the civil war. Divines often came to preach in camp and there he was made to see the truth as it is; on re- turning to civil life, he entered the Canton Theo- logical School, in connection with the "St. Law- rence University," of New York, from which he graduated after three years of laborious study. In January, 1871, he began his labors at Morris, Otsego county, New York, being ordained to the ministry the following fall. After a stay of two years, he came westward to Belvidere, Illinois, thence to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1877, he was called to Anoka, Minnesota, where he la- bored pleasantly and profitably one and one-half years. Removing thence to Stillwater, he has since resided in this city in charge of his flock. In 1875, he married Miss Ella Adams of Otsego county, New York. Two children have been born to them.
C. M. Hathaway was born at Buckfield, Maine, October 27th, 1828. When a lad of seventeen years, he went to Augusta, and learned the trade of blacksmith, after which he did considerable traveling. In 1855 he located permanently at Stillwater, his family joining him the next year. In consequence of failing health he determined to make a visit to his native liome in 1864; while east he enlisted in the Fourth Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and served until honorably dis- charged at the close of hostilities. During the fall of that year he returned to his family at Still- water, resuming his former trade. In 1874 he purchased the ground and built his present shop and residence. Married June 23d, 1851, to Miss Susannah R. Coleman. Willis, Effie, Addie E., Harry L. and Annie S. are their children.
August Hawkenson, a native of Sweden, was born February 1st, 1849. He learned the trade of shoemakerin his native country, and in 1868 came to America, locating first at Red Wing, Minnesota. He worked at his trade also at Tay-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
lor's Falls, St. Paul and Minneapolis, and in 1875 located at Stillwater. Where Townshend and Company's office now stands he first began business in company with O. S. Johnson; in 1877 moved to their present location. Two years sub- sequently he purchased Mr. Johnson's interest, since conducting the business alone, employing four workmen. July 28th, 1880, his marriage with Miss Louise Peterson took place at Marine.
Margaretha Hebenstreit was born June 5th, 1838, and is a daughter of John May of Germany. She attended school, as was customary, from six to fourteen years of age, and in 1854 accompanied her parents to America; after a residence of about two years at Dunkirk, New York, located at Stillwater. In December, 1856, Margaretha May married Nicholas Hebenstreit, who was en- gaged in different speculations until 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, First Minnesota, serv- ing until discharged in 1864. Returning to Still- water, he embarked in the grocery trade, and continued till his death which happened Febru- ary 15th, 1872. His widow lived a retired life until 1878; then commenced in the grocery.bus- iness, opening a store on Seventh street. John P., Lizzie T., Rose and Eddie are her children.
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