History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 105

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 105

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married; his present wife was Miss Emma Rob- erts, of Minneapolis, married October 8th, 1879. He is the parent of three children by his first wife, Edith D., William H. and Cora E.

James H. Spencer, one of the early pioneers of St. Croix valley, is a native of Missouri, born at Columbia, February 19th, 1829. When sixteen years of age he came to the valley and first set- tled at Marine Mills, making his home there un- til 1854, then located at Stillwater. The first four years were passed in the pineries, in the em- ploy of Elam Greeley, was also in the employ of the Marine Lumber Company till 1849. He then began lumbering in his own interest continuing with success until 1860. Two years later he com- menced exploring pine lands for Hersey, Staples and Hall, which he continued two years. After three years in Missouri, passed in the pursuit of agriculture, he returned to Stillwater and to his explorations. In 1874 he erected a shingle mill at South Stillwater, and after three or four years experience, disposed of it and resumed the ex- ploring of pine lands and has since given his en- tire attention to it. Mr. Spencer has been twice married, in 1869 to Miss Rose Winters, of Wi- nona. They have one son, James H., Jr.

Elzey J. Spindle, of the firm of Spindle and Stephens, contractors and builders in brick and stone, was born at Kaskaskia, Randolph county, Illinois, October 6th, 1851. Here his father died in 1866, then his mother and her family came to Stillwater, which has since been their home. Mr. Spindle served an apprenticeship of five years at the brick-layer and plasterer's trade, after which in 1877, he entered into full partnership with bis instructor, Mr. Stephens. This firm has done much in this city and vicinity in their line. His wife was Miss Hattie J. Stephens, married in 1872. Their only child is William E.

Edward Staples was born in Saco, Maine, De- cember 10th, 1833. In boyhood his opportunities for an education were limited. In 1856 he came to Stillwater and learned the blacksmith's trade. After working for Hersey, Bean and Brown four years, commenced business alone; in 1874 formed a partnership with Andrew W. Kearney, and since that date has been senior member of the firm of Staples and Kearney.

Isaac Staples. This gentleman, so well known as an extensive business man, lumber manufac-

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turer and merchant, was born in Topsham, Maine, September 25th, 1816. . His father, Rev. Wins- low Staples, shortly afterwards removed to Bruns- wick, where the boyhood days of Isaac were spent till the age of sixteen. At eighteen years of age he bought bis time of his father till he should become twenty-one, for $360, and went to work in the lumber woods of the Penobscot river, driving in the spring, and working on the booms of General Samuel Veazie at Old Town, which he continued for two years. At the age of twenty he engaged in general merchandising at Old Town, which he continued one year. He then went into the lumbering business, handling logs and dealing quite extensively atOld Town with Samuel F. Hersey. who was afterwards one of his part- ners in this city. In 1849 Mr. Staples was ap- pointed by Governor John W. Dana, of Maine, as Indian agent for the Penobscot tribe of Indians. In October, 1853, he came to Minnesota for the purpose of locating pine lands, and during the following winter located ten thousand acres. De- ciding to locate at Stillwater, he returned east, organized a lumber company, as mentioned else- where in this work, and the following spring, 1854, he moved his family to this city, then in its infancy. On his arrival here he purchased for a residence the house known as the "Stillwater house." Mr. Staples then engaged, with his asso- ciates, in the lumber business which they prose- cuted to a great extent until 1869, when Mr. Staples disposed of his partnership and has since conducted the lumber business alone. He has also a flouring-mill and store and is largely inter- ested in other enterprises. Mr. Staples has laid out several additions to Stillwater, and built a number of fine business blocks. He was elected president of the Lumbermen's National bank of this city on its organization in 1871, and still holds that office. He has been twice married, first, in 1839, to Miss Caroline B. Rogers, of Old Town, Maine, by whom he had one child. Mrs. Staples died in 1840. He was again married January 31st, 1841, to Miss Olivia J. Pettengill, also of Old Town, by whom he has had eight children. Mr. Staples has been remarkably suc- cessful in business, having begun with nothing, and earned his first money by working out for seven dollars a month. We see him as the ener- getic, enterprising boy, purchasing his time of his

father at the age of eighteen. He is next the active lumberman and merchant, though he bas scarcely attained his majority. Next he is organ- izing business to take advantage of the opportu- nities for larger enterprise in a new country. He grows up with the new city of Stillwater, taking and holding a prominent place in its build- ings, manufactures and merchandise. As a busi- ness man he is far-sighted, systematic, energetic and persistent. These qualities combined have made him one of the most successful business men of Minnesota.

Josiah Staples is a native of Maine, born at Brunswick, Cumberland county, June 20th, 1826, and is a son of Samuel and Binca Staples, who were natives of the old "Pine Tree" state. When Josiah was thirteen years old the family removed to Penobscot county and later to New Brunswick, and lived in Frederickton three years. About the year 1840 they returned to Maine, where the parents remained until 1856, then came to Still- water. Previously, in 1848, Josiah came to Still- water and decided to locate; his first work here was to assist in enclosing a saw-mill at Arcola, which had been running some time in an open frame. He also sawed in the first saw-mill at Stillwater a portion of the lumber used in the erection of the American hotel, by Anson Northrup, at St. Paul. Mr. Staples was one of guests at the old American house "warming" and danced with the St. Paul pioneers. Since his first arrival here he has been chiefly engaged in lum- bering; in 1856 he entered into partnership with J. S. Anderson in the rafting business, which continued several years with marked success. For several years he transacted an individual business in the same line. During the summer of 1871, he run on the steamer "Swallow" as cap- tain, and in which he held one-half interest. He has since had in charge the business of other com- panies and lately that of Elam Greeley. During these thirty years of his life as a lumberman, he has never lost a half dozen days of working time. His marriage with Miss Lydia Mclaughlin oc- curred in 1853. Albert R., Edward F., Llewellyn M., Harry J., Joe, Blanche E. and Granville M. S., are their living children, three having died.

Frederick Steinacker is a native of Bavaria kingdom, Germany, born March 22d, 1829. On attaining majority he entered the Germany army,

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and in July, 1852, started for America, arriving after a voyage of fifty-two days. Two years were passed in New York, then went to Virginia, sub- sequently to Ohio in the brick-making business. After spending some time at St. Louis, New Or- leans, Mobile and Memphis, he engaged with the Little Rock railroad. In 1856 he came to Still- water and three years later opened a brick yard, which he operated until he enlisted in company B, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving until his discharge at Brooklyn, New York, in 1863. Returning to his home at Stillwater, he was married in 1865, to Miss Magdalene Stoltz. Joseph, August, Theresa, Albert, Martin and Frederick, are their children.

Edward Stewart was born in New Brunswick, February 25th, 1836. When about fifteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Milltown, Maine, and in 1856 Edward came to the St. Croix valley, locating at Stillwater, and has since given his entire attention to lumbering. In 1864 he entered into partnership with J. McDermott, which firm did a successful business for about four years, then dissolved and Mathers and Stew- art were in partnership three or four years. Since 1875 he and E. Hospes have carried on a business together in connection with Schulen- burg, Boeckeler and Company's lumbering works. Mr. Stewart married Miss Elizabeth Bergen, of Stillwater, in 1868.

P. J. Stenstrom was born in. Sweden, June 30th, 1849. He learned the trade of shoemaker in his native country, and in 1868 crossed the ocean, coming to Stillwater via New York. He worked at his trade as journeyman until begin- ning for himself in 1872. Two years later he added a stock of ready-made goods; also in the same building in a separate sale-room, a stock of tobacco, cigars, etc. Married in March, 1876, to Miss Ellen Larson. Carl O. and Hilda M. are their children.

Daniel S. Stombs is a native of Salem county, New Jersey, born November 13th, 1828. When about eight years old he accompanied his parents to Ohio, settiing near Batavia, and after the death of his father went to Cincinnati and in 1842. began coppersmithing and sheet-iron work, con- tinuing one year, then went to California and engaged in gold mining one year with consider- able success. Returning to Cincinnati, he en-

gaged in plumbing and gas fitting and built several petroleum oil factories; also invented one of the first apparatus for separating and refining petroleum. In 1859 he came to St. Paul, Minne- sota, and there opened a shop for steamboat re- pairing, which he run till 1874 with marked suc- cess, then sold and came to Stillwater and established the St. Croix iron works. Mr. Stombs married Miss Nancy Noland in 1847. She has horne him three children; Sarah A. and Samuel B. are the living.

D. J. Sullivan was born April 22d, 1855, at Norwich, Connecticut, and removed to Rockford, Illinois, in 1872, where he learned his trade with the firm of Hall and Bartlett. He came to Min- nesota August 28th, 1878, locating at Stillwater, which city is still his place of residence.

E. D. Taylor was born at Euclid, Ohio, in 1842. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in company A, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was made up of students of Hiram college. This- was the first company made up for President Garfield's regiment. He served until 1864, then went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and for a time attended school. In 1867 he became editor of the Temperance Patriot of Utica, New York, and in 1868 was city editor of the Utica Daily Herald. In 1875 he accepted the position of editor of the Rome Sentinel. In 1878 purchased an interest in the Lumberman printing office of this city. Mr. Taylor was married in the spring of 1868 to Miss Etta Roney, of Utica, New York. They have two children.

Captain W. H. H. Taylor, a native of North Bend, Ohio, was born on the 21st day of March, 1837. His mother was the youngest daughter of General W. H. Harrison, the ninth president of the United States. He attended the village school one year, then for five years his father em- ployed private teachers. In 1856-'7 he attended Herron's seminary at Cincinnati, then was ap- pointed deputy in the clerk's office of Hamilton county. In 1861 the military company of which he was a member was the first from Cincinnati to respond to the call for 75,000 volunteers. They went to Washington, where he was appointed first lieutenant. August 11th, 1862, was pro- moted to captain. After resigning from the army he returned to Cincinnati and was appointed clerk in the post-office, his father being postmaster. In

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1867 he moved with his father upon a farm eight miles above Minneapolis. In 1876 he was ap- pointed special on the Centennial police guard. Since April 3d, 1879, Captain Taylor has been on the prison force.

Mrs. Susannah Tepass nee Burkhard, was born in Germany, August 10th, 1824. Came to Ameri- ca with her parents in 1847, settling in Freeport, Illinois. Here she was married to N. Kimmick, and in 1849 came to Stillwater. Her husband died in 1857. In 1860 she married Mr. Frank Aiple, who died November 10th, 1868. Decem- ber 9th, 1869, she married her present husband, Mr. Herman Tepass. Mrs. Tepass is one of the earliest settlers in the St. Croix valley, and after suffering extreme hardships is now in easy cir- cumstances. Her children are Mary T. Aiple, Herman Aiple and Frank Aiple.

Benjamin Thelen, a native of Germany, was born in October, 1832. Came to America in 1853, and was employed as laborer until 1856. That year he engaged in business for himself. His en- tire block 75x150 feet, was burned December 24th, 1856, and the following year he rebuilt it and now occupies a part of it for his saloon and billiard hall, and residence. Was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah Plaine of this city. Their children are Eveline, Sylvester, Bernhardt F. W. and Louis B.

Levi E. Thompson, a native of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, New York, born May, 5th, 1829. When twelve years of age he entered the Troy Wesleyan Seminary. At the the age of fourteen he commenced the study of law with his brother, and was admitted to practice by the su- preme court in 1849. After practicing two years in partnership with his brother he came to Still- water in 1852 and formed a partnership with Theodore E. Parker. In 1855 Allen Dawson of Hudson was admitted to the firm, in 1858 Mr. Thompson withdrew and one year later formed a partnership with John Vandenburg. Mr. Thomp- son married Miss Martha G. Harris, daughter of Albert Harris of this city, October, 1856. They have three children all of whom are living.

Martin A. Thon, a native of Norway, was born May 3d, 1851. When eighteen years of age lie immigrated to America, locating at Madison, Wisconsin. After a short residence there, he re- moved to Blue Mound, thence to Oconto, where

he was employed by Farnsworth and Company. In May, 1862, he came to this city and began working at shoemaking. At the end of two years his attention was turned to tailoring, which he has since followed. Married Annie M. J. Han- son, of Stillwater, in April, 1880.

William E. Thorne, born March 16th, 1817, is a native of Poughkeepsie, New York. Entered a store as clerk in 1835, in New York city. In 1849, he left New York, and embarked in the hardware and house furnishing business at St. Louis. At the end of four years he sold his in- terest to his partner and started for Stillwater, arriving here in September, 1854. After examin- ing the resources of the town, he determined to settle, and in May, 1855, opened with a small stock of dry goods, in Nelson's block on lower Main street, and has since been in business here. Married Miss Olive A. Anderson, of Belleville, New York, September 11th, 1862. They have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.

Reverend David Tice was born in Caistor, Lin- coln county, Canada, November 12th, 1829. The youngest of fourteen children, it was intended that David should remain on the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age, but being ambi- tious, he sought and gained his father's consent to seek his own fortunes, when but thirteen years of age. After leaving home, his time was spent alternately in working, and attending school. After reaching manhood, he was engaged in many business enterprises in the town of Caistor- ville, of which he was proprietor. Here he owned stores, a brick-yard, and was engaged in farming. In 1857, Mr. Tice gave up his business interests, and entered the ministry. He is at present pas- tor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Still- water.

J. H. Townshend is a native of Illyria, Ohio, born September 28th, 1846. Was educated at the Western Reserve College, of Ohio. On account of failing health, was unable to complete his course. For a time he was engaged in traveling in New Mexico. After leaving New Mexico, he visited W. F. Cahill, of Minneapolis, who is re- lated to him by marriage, and was persuaded by him to join in building a flouring mill at this place. He took charge from the beginning, in 1872, and has since operated it. Is also president of the Union Elevator company of Stillwater.

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Albert Tozer is a native of Canada East, born May 4th, 1846. Came to the St. Croix valley in August 1863, and settled at this city. For three years was in the employ of an older brother, David Tozer. In company with D. Gillis, he be- gan logging in 1866, and shortly after admitted a third partner, the firm name being Tozer, Gillis and Company. In 1867, he was in the employ of Torinus and Company, and from '68 to '70, was in partnership with his brother, the firm being known as D. and A. Tozer. From '77 to '81 Sauntry and Tozer had charge of cutting and D. and A. Tozer the rafting. This year their cut was seven millions. Mr. Tozer married Miss Rosanna Downes, of this city, in 1871. Their children are Albert W., Lydia, Adelia and Alice.

David Tozer, a resident of Stillwater, is a na- tive of New Brunswick, and came to Stillwater in 1856. Since his first arrival in the city he has been engaged in the lumbering business.

Sylvanus Trask was born in Otsego county, New York, November 16th, 1811. When nine- teen years of age he went to Genesee county and spent four years at the Middlebury Academy. After this he traveled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Canada, for several years, as a teacher, In 1848 he settled in Stillwater, and has since resided here. The first year he was deputy postmaster, and since, has been engaged in sur- veying logs for various lumber companies. March 10th, 1852, he married Miss Euphemia Turner, of St. Paul. Rev. E. D. Neill officiating. His two sons are named, Byron W. and George W.

Joseph A. Tenner, born in Switzerland in 1839. Came to America in 1860, and settled at this city. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, First Minne- sota Volunteers, was wounded at Gettysburg by a shell, this kept him in the hosptal nine months. Was honorably discharged in 1864, and returned to Stillwater and started a barber shop, which he has since conducted. In the spring of 1881, he started the Helvetia sample room on Main street nearly opposite the Grand Opera house. Mar- ried in 1867 to Miss Jennie Deragisch, who has borne five children, all of whom are living.

Thomas H. Turner, a native of England, was born in Sheffield, January 19th, 1839. When four years old his father brought him to America. In 1843 his father started the first saw factory in

Cincinnati. At the age of eighteen, Thomas be- gan learning the trade and worked at it until April 19th, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After serv- ing through the war, he returned to Cincinnati and worked at his trade until 1868. Spent two years at his trade in Chicago, and three at La- Crosse, and until 1878, was in different places. Then in 1878, he located at Hudson, resided there two years, then came to this city. July 2d, 1862, he married Miss Martha A. Walcot, of La- Crosse.

A. A. Ulen was born in Norway, February 15th, 1843. Immigrated to America, May 3d, 1867, 'and first stopped at Portland, Maine. The next two years he was farming at Dane county, Wisconsin. Came to Stillwater in 1869, and for two years was employed by lumber firms. In 1871, commenced tending bar, soon after took a half interest, and in 1876, purchased the entire establishment. He married Martha Wil- liams at Martell, Wisconsin, April 23d, 1876, they have two children: Andrew O. W. and Ida Amelia.

James VanBuskirk was born in Westmoreland county, New Brunswick, July 23d, 1845. Having learned painting, he left home in 1868, and trav- eled for a time through the eastern states. Came to Minneapolis in July, and during the summer he worked on a farm and in the winter taught school at Eden Prairie. In the spring of 1869, he commenced working at his trade, and in 1872 came to this city and began working for M. Web- ster. In 1875, he commenced business for him- self. In November, 1876, he married Miss Fan- nie Moss, of St. Paul; they have had two chil- dren of whom one is living.

Theodore Van Tassell was born in Brooklyn New York, May 26th, 1854. He was educated in the public high schools of that city. Came to Still- water in the spring of 1875 and entered the law office of McCluer and Marsh in November. After a thorough and diligent course of study, he was admitted to practice in February, 1878. In April he was elected associate judge of the municipal court, and in September, married Ida Bernice, daughter of William Lowell.

Abraham Van Vorhes, deceased, was born in . Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 2d, 1793. He was in the fullest sense a self-made

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man. Unaided by early culture and unsupported by the means and opportunities necessary for more than a mere shadow of common school edu- cation-not exceeding eighteen months-his thirst for knowledge in his early years led him to acquire books by such shifts as are known to enterprising country lads, and he became a better educated boy than many, more blessed with op- portunity. He soon manifested aspirations and purposes that were not to be deterred from the achievement of creditable distinction in the hon- orable pursuit of scientific knowledge. One of his school-books, " Workman's Element's of Geography," contained some simple philosophical problems. These he mastered fully, and upon them his whole life history rests. More philo- sophical and scientific books were purchased and thoroughly digested, so that he became a scholar, a philosopher and an inventor purely by bis own unaided efforts.

About 1828 he purchased a set of blacksmith's tools and soon made himself not only a skilled mechanic but an excellent machinist. In 1831 he moved to Athens county, Ohio, and settled at Hebbardsville, some six miles from the county seat, where he remained several years, studying intently as was ever his custom and familiarizing himself with various mechanical pursuits.

During these years of retiracy he was success- fully enriching his mind with stores of useful knowledge for subsequent use, and this silent process of "steeping" himself quietly in his studies at that time, has been productive of grand results in the later years of his life.

In 1837 he moved to Athens, the county seat, and became the editor and proprietor of the "Western Spectator" which was afterwards changed to the "Hocking Valley Gazette," which paper he edited with decided ability. In the conduct of this paper he was ably assisted by his two sons who became model printers and eventually succeeded their father in the publi- cation of the paper.

In 1840, he was elected to the lower house of the Ohio legislature, and was afterwards sent to the senate four terms. He also served as county surveyor six years and as county treasurer one year. In 1849, he was appointed, by President Taylor, register of the first land-office in Minne- sota, and came to Stillwater in October, of the

same year, to discharge its duties. In 1854, he was appointed by Governor Ramsey territorial auditor, and in 1855-6, he served one term in the Minnesota legislature. In 1860, Governor Ram- sey appointed him commissioner to locate the capital lands and the balance of the Minnesota State University land appropriated by congress. He located several thousand acres, in a manner entirely satisfactory to the state. In 1862, he was elected county surveyor of Washington county, and held the office by re-election for twelve continuous years. About 1864, he was appointed postmaster of Stillwater, which posi- tion he filled acceptably for several years, when he resigned in favor of his successor. He has de- cidedly a mathematical and inventive mind, hav- ing invented all the instruments he used in apply- ing mathematics to astronomy and other subjects. To detail the minuteness of his knowledge of me- chanics, and the laws and principles of motion, would require a volume. He kept a weather rec- ord and calculated all the eclipses for this region, the power and force of his mind enabling him to overcome the disadvantages of early life, and to become well informed on the current topics of the day. Mr. Van Vorhes was married in 1817 to Mary W. Vorhes, of Washington county, Maryland, whose family at that time resided in New Jersey. Eight children were born to them five of whom are still living. Mrs. Van Vorhes died in Stillwater, December 19th, 1861. His eldest son, Colonel Nelson H. Van Vorhes, is one of Ohio's brightest representative men. His sec- ond son, Andrew Jackson Van Vorhes, who died in January, 1873, established the Stillwater Mes- senger in 1856, and conducted it until 1868, ex- cepting two years that he spent in the army, when the editorial chair was occupied by A. B. Easton, the present editor of the Stillwater Ga- zette. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 30th, 1824. In 1844, he, in company with his brother Nelson, purchased of their father the Hocking Valley Gazette, which was subsequently changed to the Athens Messen- ger. He came to Stillwater in 1855, and was so well pleased with the young city that he returned in the following year and started the paper as above mentioned. He was a member of the Min- nesota legislature in 1859-60, and clerk of the supreme court one term. From the spring of

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