History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 102

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota from 1858 to 1881
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis : North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 662

USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 102

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Theodore Leonard, a native of Lincolnton, Lin- coln county, North Carolina, was born November 24th, 1834. At the age of ten years, having lost his parents, he went to South Deerfield, Massa- chusetts. Here he learned the carpenter trade and worked at it until he came west to Stillwater in 1854, in company with Socrates Nelson, whom he had met while visiting at South Deerfield. Mr. Leonard has since resided in this city, work- ing at his trade. Has worked on many of the most prominent public and private buildings of the city. Married in 1857, Miss Eleanor McCar- thy, who died in December, 1875, leaving two children, Nancy B. and Carlos. Again married

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June 17th, 1878, to Miss Rebecca Simmons, who has borne him one son, George.

John C. Lillis, born July 5th, 1840, in Kil- rish, Ireland. When five years of age the father brought the family to America. His father was the owner of a large slate quarry in the old country and did an extensive business in all parts of Ireland. After living a time in Michigan the family came to this city in 1854, and have since made it their home. In the fall of 1860 John be- gan business for himself, logging, employing four- teen men and five yoke of oxen. In 1862 he en_ listed in the United States service and remained until 1865. Then returned home and until 1877 was engaged in cutting logs, winters, and contract- ing and building summers. In 1875 he went to the Pacific coast and spent two years, then was three years in Texas. In the spring of 1880 he returned to this city and has since been foreman of the Seymour, Sabin and Company's building depart- ment. Mr. Lillis was married June 16th, 1870, to Miss Mary Carley, who was born in this city, October 29th, 1853. James E. and John S. are their children.

August V. Linden was born in Germany, in 1837. Came to America in 1858 and settled in New Jersey. Enlisted April 27th, 1861, in Com- pany F, Third New Jersey, in three months ser- vice was honorably discharged and re-enlisted August 14th, in Company C, Fourteenth Regi- ment, and served until honorably discharged in 1865. He then went to New York city, and in 1869 came to Stillwater, which has since been his home. Mr. Linden was married September 27th, 1871, to Miss Etta Beale, who has borne him one son, Charles.

Axel T. Lindholm is a native of Sweden, born in Guttenberg, May 9th, 1835. After graduating from Guttenberg College and Latin school, and also from a commercial college, in the same city, he came to America August 5th, 1854, and was engaged in keeping books for a firm in Galva, Ill- inois, until 1856. Came to Minnesota in the fall of that year and was employed as book-keeper and cashier in the First National Bank of Mankato until December, 1871. Next went to St. Paul and in company with Colonel Hans Mattson, then secretary of state, opened a private bank under the firm name of HI. Mattson and Company. In 1874 removed to Goodhue county and engaged in

mercantile pursuits until the spring of 1878, then came to Stillwater and in 1880 engaged with J. S. Anderson and Company. Mr. Lindholm was married in Mankato, in June, 1860, to Miss Anna Olson. Their children are Jenny A., Anna L. and Josephine Elizabeth.

Harry C. Lindsay was born at Springfield, Maine, June 14th, 1849. In 1850 his father died and in 1852 Harry's mother removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, remained one year and in 1854 came to Minneapolis and until 1856 kept a board- ing house on the east side. At the age of four- teen he was deprived of his mother, and began to work in lumber mills. After working in various parts of the state he came to this city in 1880, and has since been foreman and chief filer in Hersey, Bean and Brown's lower mill. Married in 1873, in St. Paul, Miss Alice J. Hanley. They have two children, Grace M. and Myrtie L.

Davis Long of the firm of Larson and Long, barbers, is a native of Washington county, Min- nesota, born at White Bear Lake in 1860. His parents were early settlers in the state; the father died in 1864 at the lake. His mother still lives at the early home. Mr. Long entered into part- nership with Mr. Larson in 1880.

David Burt Loomis was born at Willington, Tolland county, Connecticut, April 17th, 1817. In 1830, his father moved to Upper Alton, Illi- nois, where David received a common school ed- ucation. From 1834, until he came to Minnesota, was clerk for different firms in Illinois. He was employed by Godfrey Gilman and Company in 1837. One night a mob attacked their ware- house for the purpose of destroying a press in it belonging to E. P. Lovejoy. The press was de- stroyed and Mr. Lovejoy killed. Mr. Loomis as- sisted in their fight and watched all night with the corpse. Came to Minnesota in 1843, and has since been engaged in the St. Croix valley as clerk in mercantile houses and as a lumberman. Was a member of the first territorial legislature in 1849. Enlisted in July, 1861, in Company F, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry as first lieutenant, was promoted to captain and served until 1864, when he resigned on account of disa- bility. Mr. Loomis has been elected both to the territorial and state legislatures, besides holding numerous local offices.

Frank E. Loomis, a native of Geneva, New

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York, was born September 1st, 1851. Was edu- cated in the common schools and at Hobart Col- lege, then learned photography, and for a time traveled through the union. In 1877, commenced business in Chicago, but after a short time was burned out. Came to this city in June, 1877, and commenced with Stratborg, whom he soon bought out. He has since enlarged and now has the finest facilities of any similar establishment in the valley. Mr. Loomis married Miss Alice J. Sinsabaugh, of Mattoon, Illinois, in 1876. She died January 4th, 1880, leaving two children: Ray E. and Bert.

George Low was born in Clinton, Maine, March 24th, 1852. Here he acquired a common school education, and at the age of fifteen years com- menced his business career by constructing a large dam at Holyoke, Massachusetts. From that time he was variously engaged in different states un- til 1875, then came to this city and has since been engaged in manufacturing and building, em- ploying, during the summer, from fifteen to twenty men. Married at Minneapolis in 1875, to Miss Ossina Pollard, of Milo, Maine; they have had two children one of whom Harry Everett is now living.

Albert Lowell was born at Concord, Somerset county, Maine, July 10th, 1819. His early days were spent in the vicinity of his birthplace, en- gaged in farming on the banks of the Kennebec. In 1854 he came to this place and in the fall of the same year brought his wife and two children to their new home. Soon after his arrival, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the suburbs of the city, near Lily Lake, a por- tion of which is now used as the fair grounds. He paid for the same $1,800, and in 1857 sold it to a speculating company for $16,000. He then engaged in lumbering, and soon afterward lost all his money. Then engaged in farming until 1866, when he went into the hotel business with his brother John, and has ever since been proprietor of the Sawyer house, which he bought in 1871. He married, January 6th, 1850, Miss Abby B. Reed of Madison, Maine. They have had four children, of whom Elmore, Charles A. and Ernest survive.

William Lowell, deceased, a native of Maine, was born in Concord, on the Kennebec river, April 26th, 1807. Emigrated to Stillwater in

1853, and until his death was successfully en- gaged in logging in the St. Croix valley. For a few years he resided in Marine where he kept a public house. While residing at that place he was elected twice to the legislature. In all the avenues of life, public and private, Mr. Lowell made and retained many friends and admirers. He died on the 15th of July, 1873.

John Lund, a native of Sweden, was born De- cember 9th, 1843. He received a good common school education in his native country, and came to America in 1865, reaching Stillwater on the 8th of August. Was engaged in lumbering until 1870, when he opened a general store in Marine and ran it until 1874. From that year until 1880 he was town clerk and village constable of Marine. Then removed to this city, was appointed deputy sheriff of Washington county and has since held that position. He was married in St. Paul. De- cember 13th, 1871, to Miss Mary Holm. Carl G. A., Ruth A., Mattie H. and John L. are their children.

Charles Lustig was born in Stillwater May 11th, 1860. Here he grew to manhood, and received his education in the graded schools. Then he learned the miller's trade, but ill health com- pelled him to engage in other business, and he entered the employ of B. Thelan, where he is now located.

John Lyons, a native of New Brunswick, born January 14th, 1830. Lived in the province until twenty-six years of age, during the latter years being engaged in lumbering. In 1856 came to Still- water and began lumbering. Enlisted, in 1864, in Company B, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteers, and served until honorably discharged at St. Paul, in 1865. Since his discharge he has lived in Stillwater. In May, 1875, he was appointed chief of police, and held the position three years. Mr. Lyons married on the 6th of December, 1865, Miss Mary Sullivan, who died March 6th, 1877, leaving one child. March 27th, 1878, married Mary Quinlan, who has borne him two children.

James Mackey, is a native of New Brunswick, born Deceinber 25th, 1833; he lived with his par- ents until eighteen years of age, when he came to Aroostook county, Maine, where he resided until 1852, then removed to the St. Croix valley, spend- ing a short time at Stillwater, then to St. Croix Falls, engaged in a saw-mill and at lumbering un-

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til 1862, when he embarked in business as one of the firm of Mackey Brothers, who carried on quite an extensive lumbering business until 1873. One of the brothers sold his interest to the remaining two, who continued until 1877, when James as- sumed the entire control, which he continued with success. In 1880, his drive was one and one- half millions; in 1881, one million one hundred thousand feet. He was married September 4th, 1862, to Miss Jane E. Sauntry, of New Brunswick. They have five children, William F., Mary J., Edward P. James H. and Alexander.

Rev. W. Mahowald, O. S. B., was born in Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, December 28th, 1846. He remained with his parents until nine- teen years of age, when he began his studies in Europe. He emigrated to this country in 1868. The two first years were spent in travel. In No -. vember, 1870, he commenced his studies at St. John's college, Stearns county, where he re- mained nearly four years; in 1874 he entered the noviciate of the order of St. Benedict at the Ab- bey of St. Vincent, Pennsylvania, remaining one year; he returned to St. John's and completed his studies; in 1877 he was ordained, and was placed in charge of a congregation at St. Wendels, where he remained until the last of 1878, when be re- turned to St. Paul and took charge of the Oak- dale mission of Washington county; many im- provements in the mission were accomplished during his ministry. In 1880 he was placed in charge of the Church of the Immaculate Concep- tion at Stillwater, where he still resides.

Robert Malloy was born near New Castle, province of New Brunswick, in 1832. In Octo- ber, 1853, he with the family, emigrated to Still- water. Since his arrival he has given his entire attention to the lumbering business. In 1861 he embarked in the business alone until 1866, when he took as partner his brother James, until 1871, when they separated; again in 1875 they united under the firm name of Malloy Brothers; in 1880 their drive was three million two hundred thou- sand feet; in 1881 two and one-half millions. IIe was married in 1870 to Miss Jane E. Brady, of Wisconsin. She was born in Massachusetts, 1851; died 1877. By her he had three children, Charles H., Jennie M., John F. deceased. He was mar- ried again April 16th, 1879, to Ellen S. Phalan, of Stillwater; by this union they have one child.

Alfred Marcell, proprietor of the New Ameri- can sample rooms, was born in Canada, April, 1846. In his younger days he received a common school education, while with his father on the farm. Removing to Stillwater in 1870, he en- gaged in the lumber business until 1873, when he opened the Montreal saloon. He was married November 26th, 1878. They have one son, Fred- die, born December 12th, 1879.

Adam Marty was born in Switzerland in 1839. His mother died and he was placed in charge of his grand parents. In 1846 they emigrated to this country and located in St. Louis, when he was placed in the arsenal, making cartridges for the Mexican war. In 1879 he came to Stillwater and engaged the first year in the family of John McKusick. He then went to live with his father who was located on a farm in this county, where he remained two years. In 1852 he went to live with an uncle on a farm, attending school at Still- water during the winter months for two winters. In 1856 he began learning the painter's trade, which has been his business since. April 29th, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, First Minnesota Regiment; he was severely wounded at Gettys- burg, and lay in the hospital eight months, when the regiment was ordered to Fort Snelling and mustered out May 5th, 1864. Mr. Marty has al- ways taken an active part in all public enterprises; he took an active part in organizing the first fire company in Stillwater; he was elected post com- mander of the G. A. R. society in this city; also department commander and president of the first regimental association. He was married in 1869 to Miss Othela Hoffman, daughter of Rev. W. H. Hoffman, of this city. She and their only daugh- ter died in 1871.

W.C. Masterman was born in Stillwater January 14th, 1858. Was educated at the public schools; at the age of eighteen years he entered the employ of the St. Croix Boom Company as deliverer of logs to owners. Afterwards spent several years in the employ of Isaac Staples as scaler and camp clerk, then to the mill oflice for six months, to the main office in 1878, as book-keeper, where he remained until August, 1880, when he engaged to J. H. Townshend and Company's flouring mill as cash- ier and book-keeper.

W. M. May was born in Monongolia county, West Virginia, June 13th, 1830. His parents re-

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moved to western Pennsylvania, in May 1835, and settled on the Alleghany river near Pitts- burgh. At the age of ten years he was left an orphan, from that time he lived with an uncle until May 11th, 1846, when he went to Pittsburgh and engaged with Aaron Floyd to learn the car- penter trade, agreeing to stay until he was twen- ty one years of age, which he fulfilled and then engaged one year as foreman. On the 20th of May, 1852, he went to Philadelphia, then to Cape Island city, New Jersey, and engaged with a company who were building the Mount Vernon hotel, remaining six weeks; returning to Phila- delphia he engaged to the gas company to take charge of the erection of their office buildings, until August 1st, 1852, when he removed to New York city and engaged at his trade on several im- portant jobs. November 5th, 1855, he came to Stillwater. He was married September 13th, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth J. McKusick, eldest daughter of Capt. J. E. McKusick. On the 29th of April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the First Minnesota regiment at Fort Snelling. Companies B and G, were ordered to Fort Ridgley; while there he was promoted as second sergeant; in June the regiment was ordered to Washington, going through Baltimore about the time of the great riot: the "Plug-uglies" not liking the looks of the six hundred six-footers did not venture to disturb them. From Washington they were or- dered to Fort Ellsworth, and took part in the first Bull Run battle; soon after he was promoted to orderly sergeant. September 21st,1862, he was pro- moted to second lieutenant; October 4th, 1863, pro- moted to first lieutenant; being wounded.at Get- tysburg he was discharged May 3, 1864. In June, 1864 he was employed as quartermaster with the expedition to build Fort Wadsworth; returning to Stillwater he worked at his old trade until April, 1880, when he was employed by the Standard Oil Company as superintendent of building at their farms in Polk county, Minnesota. His family consists of his wife and six children, all living.

William M. McCluer, born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, New York, September 6th, 1831. He graduated from the Temple Hill Aca- demy, Geneseo, New York, 1850. He studied law in Moscow, New York, graduated at the State and National law school at Poughkeepsie in 1854, practiced in Franklinville, New York, for

two years, removed to Stillwater in September, 1856 and opened an office in February the follow- ing year, and has since been actively engaged at his profession. He was married September 27th, 1858, to Helen A., daughter of C. H. Jencks, of Waterford, Saratoga county, New York; the union has been blessed with one child, Charles M. born August 5th, 1859.

James D. McComb was born February 13th, 1827, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. With his parents he removed to Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1841, where he attended school for a time, then on a farm for a while when he entered Chas. Brewster's store as clerk. In 1845, he spent a short time at Copperas Creek, Illinois, in 1846, he came to Stillwater, and here formed a part- nership with Robt. Simpson and James S. An- derson in building the large stone store on corner of Main and Myrtle streets, and then traded until 1858; in 1860, he became a clerk in the office of the surveyor general of logs and lumber of the first district. In 1867, Gov. Marshall appointed him surveyor general of logs and lumber, which office he filled for four years, when he accepted the position as clerk with his successor with one- half interest until 1877, since which time he has received a salary. Mr. McComb has always taken an interest in county affairs; in 1847, he was appointed deputy sheriff of St. Croix county, then Wisconsin territory; he served as city re- corder in 1859. He was married March 4th, 1854 to Miss Eliza J. McKusick; six children were the fruits of the union: Chas. E., Mamie A., Edgar J. and Carrie Belle are living.

Alexander J. McDougal was born in Cornwall, Upper Canada, February 15th, 1851, where he lived with his parents James and Julia Ann Mc- Dougal, employed on the farm until 1880, when he came to Stillwater, since that time he has been in the employ of Mr. Staples. Mr. Mc- Dougal was married in 1879 to Miss Anna Abra- hams of Canada. She was born in Hogansburg, New York, in 1857. They are the parents of a fine boy, James Edward McDougal.

John McDonald was born in London, Canada, March 2d, 1851; he removed with his parents to Watertown, Wisconsin, when quite young. At the age of fourteen, he left his home and be- came a sailor, he followed the lakes during the summer and working at his trade, that of carriage

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painter, during the winter months until 1862, when he removed to Port Huron, then to Canada, where he remained one year at his trade. Steam- boating on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers as mate for two seasons, then to Montana, Fort Benton, Yankton, Dakota territory and Kansas City. From there to Texas, where he followed railroading and herding. In March, 1880, he re- turned to Kansas City and remained till July, when he shipped as mate on the Belle of LaCrosse from St. Louis to St. Paul, then on the Mary Burns on the St. Croix river for one month, when he settled in Stillwater in company with Daniel Morrill at his trade of painting.

Michael McHale was born in Ireland. At the age of fourteen he began learning the mason's trade with his father. In 1856 he emigrated to this country, and followed his trade in New Jersey, New York, and other states. Came to Quincy, Illinois, and spent the winter of 1839. In the summer of 1840 he reached Galena and spent two years at his trade and mining. In 1842 he came to Potosi, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1849 at the same occupation. In 1849 he came to Dahkotah, or whatis now Stillwater, and rented a small house of two rooms, for which he paid $8 per month rent. In 1851 he received the first contract for the mason work on the state prison. Mr. McHale is the oldest resident mason in the city. He was married in November, 1847, to Miss Rosanna McDermott of Wisconsin. She died in November, 1856. By her he had seven children, five of whom are living. He was married again in 1857, to Mary Murphy by whom he had five children; four are living.

E. Mckellar was born in Middlesex county, Ontario, December 25th, 1851, where he remained until seventeen years of age attending school. Then he began learning the carriage-making trade at Belmont, Ontario. In 1867 he came to Stillwater, and engaged with Seymour, Sabin and Company at his trade. He is now foreman in the wagon-shops. He was married September 25th, 1880, to Miss A. Smithson of Hoxboro.

D. W. McKusick, a native of St. Croix county, Maine, was born in 1838. Came to Stillwater with his parents in 1847, and has resided here since. While a young man he was engaged in rafting between this city and St. Louis, and caught a severe cold which resulted in inflam-

matory rheumatism. For twelve years he suf- fered from the disease, and when he finally suc- ceeded in getting rid of it, found himself crippled for life. Mr. MeKusick has filled many offices of honor and trust, mention of which is made elsewhere.

Ivory E. MeKusick, is a native of Maine, born in Cornish, York county, July 2d, 1827. In 1846 went to Massachusetts,near Boston, spent the sum- mer and in the fall returned home. In 1847 he came to the St. Croix valley, and has ever since been prominently identified with the interests of Still- water. The first two years were spent working in the old water-mill, the first mill built at Still- water; was engaged in lumber business until 1859. Then for a year retired from active busi- ness, and in 1862 was appointed guard at the prison, serving two years. In the spring of 1864 he was employed by the government to help build Fort Wadsworth, Dakota. In 1865 he returned to this city, and in 1867 was appointed surveyor- general of the first district of Minnesota, and held the office until 1875. In 1876 entered part- nership with C. J. Butler, in ware-house and ag- ricultural implement business. In 1877 they ad- ded lumber, and run it two years, since then Mr. McKusick has conducted the lumber business in- dividually. He was married, in the first church in the city to Miss Sophia A. Jewett, of Stillwater, February 9th, 1854. Their children are Herbert N., Myron I., and Hattie B.

Charles H. Meeds, captain and owner of the steamer, "Ida Fulton," was born at Standish, Cumberland county, Maine, July 29th, 1836. When reaching man's estate he came to St. An- thony, Minnesota, where he made his home and began navigating the upper Mississippi, his first trips being made on the noted old steamer, "Gov. Ramsey," which was built in.1850, and the first boat that ran above the St. Anthony Falls. Cap- tain Meeds run this boat for four years, his line extending from St. Anthony to St. Cloud. He then returned to his native state and remained until 1864, in the meantime serving nine months in the Twenty-seventh Regiment Maine Volun- teer Infantry. Returning to Minnesota he re- sumed river navigation, spending two years on the steamer line from St. Paul to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in 1876 purchased the "Ida Ful-

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ton," which he has since run. She is the largest towing steamer on the Lake St. Croix.

B. G. Merry, dentist, was born at Edgecomb, Maine, January 7th, 1834. While in infancy his parents removed to Bath, in that state, where he acquired a common school education, then studied medicine three years, but in consequence of de- clining health, was obliged to turn from it. En- tering the office of his brother he began the study of dentistry, but ere his profession was completed entered his country's service in the Twenty-first Maine Volunteer Infantry, being promoted to the office of first lieutenant, captain and major. At the expiration of his term of service, re-en- listed in 1863, in Company B, Second Maine Cav- alry Veteran Volunteers, and served until mus- tered out in 1865. Returning to his old home, he completed the profession as a dentist, and in 1868, came to Stillwater. Here he has since practiced his profession, and has won great popularity, being one of the oldest in that line. At Bath, Maine, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Francis C. Coburn. Charles W. is their only liv- ing child. Mr. Merry is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, of which he was grand chancellor of state two years.

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