History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 42

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 42

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Simon Hunt, a native of Camden, Maine, was born in 1826. In the spring of 1851 he came to Hudson, and for seventeen years was in the shoe trade. Then for twelve years he was in the nur- sery business. In the fall of 1880, he resumed his old trade. Mr. Hunt has, for the past fifteen years, taken charge of and conducted funerals in this city. He was married in 1854 to Miss Jane C. Arey, of Maine. They have had four chil- dren, Mary P. and Leonard B.

James R. Ismon, born July 24th, 1821, is a native of Essex, Essex county, New York. In 1854, he came to this city, remained one month, went to Waukesha, and, in 1855, returned to Hudson. During the summer, engaged in real estate, hut returned to Waukesha in the winter, and, in 1856, brought his family to Hammond, where he erected the first saw-mill built in that town. In 1860, he sold the mill to Davis and Clapp, removed to IIudson, and has since resided here, engaged in real estate and live-stock busi- ness. Besides this he is extensively interested in milling enterprises in the St. Croix Valley. He married Miss Sarah H. Hammond in 1844. They have had five children, Kate K., Susie E., Harry I., Rensselaer II. and Allie L.

Phillip B. Jewell was born at Hopkinton, Mer- rimac county, New Hampshire, October 25th, 1816.

Lived there until 1847, then came to the St. Croix Valley, and located in St. Croix Falls, where he remained until 1851. He then moved to Hudson, and has since made it his home. He has always been an active lumberman, and is a veteran pilot of the St. Croix river. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in the Twelfth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. In 1874 he was appointed inspector of logs and lumber of the fourth district, and has since held that office. He married Hannah J. Fuller, October 21st, 1841. She died in October, 1875, leaving five children. Mary J., Hannah J., George S., Mary D and Ada M. Married Ellen C. Restiaux in October, 1878. They have one daughter, Bessie C.

S. C. Johnson, a native of Kingston, Georgia, was horn in 1842. He resided at his birth-place until 1865, then came to Hudson in September, and has since made the city his home.

George W. Keech, engineer and machinist, was born at Syracuse, New York, April 30th, 1828. When twelve years of age he began the ma- chinists' trade, subsequently beginning as an en- gineer. In 1844, he went to sea, and for five years followed the life of a sailor; then returned, and in 1851 again embarked. His voyages were mostly for whaling and trading, and, on his re- tirement from sea life, he had circumnavigated the world twice. In 1863, he went on an expedi- tion up the Yellow river, and run the first steamer up that river. In 1858 he came to the St. Croix Valley, where he has since made his home at Hudson. Much of his time has been spent as an engineer on the western lakes and rivers. He enlisted in Company D, Thirtieth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, serving three years. His marriage with Miss Ellen M. IIayes took place in 1859. Clara R., Elijah B., Laura W. and Elsie are their children.

Josephi Kelly, a resident of Hudson, is a native of Canada, born in 1835. His youth was passed in his native country, and in 1854 he came to the United States, locating at Hudson. He engaged in the quiet pursuit of agriculture until 1880, when he was chosen sheriff, and now holds that po- sition.

Thomas A. Kelly, priest of St. Patrick's church. is a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, born April 17, 1851. At the age of fifteen he began classical studies at Waterford, Ireland, and after pursu-

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ing his studies six years came to America. In 1871 he entered the St John's Seminary, at Nor- folk, Virginia, spending three years in theologi- cal studies. Coming to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1874, he finished his studies at that city, in the St. Francis Seminary, where, in March, 1875, he was ordained by Bishop Heiss. After passing three months at Prairie du Chien, he assumed charge of the St. Patrick's church and congrega- tion at Hudson, where he has since presided.

Charles F. King was born at Buffalo, New York, September 14, 1844. While yet a babe he came west to Milwaukee, removing the next year to Waukesha county, where he resided until enlisting in the Third Regiment Wisconsin Cavalry. He served till the regiment was mus- tered ont at Madison, November, 1865. He then went to the Kansas frontier, remaining three years. He commenced the study of medicine at the Rush Medical College, from which he gradu- ated in 1873. Since that time he has been in ac- tive practice as a physician at Hudson. His wife was Miss Ella F., daughter of Dr. Otis Hoyt; married May 18, 1875. Lincoln, Otis and Eliza are their children.

Jacob Krapfel, deceased, was born in Ba- varia 1837, and left his native country, with his parents, for the United States in 1846. His father died on the voyage across the Atlantic, but his mother proceeded direct with him to Dubnque, Iowa. Here he was reared and edu- cated, and acquired a knowledge of saddlery and harness-making. Soon after, he established him- self in the harness trade at Hudson, and until his death was very prominent in the young city. In consequence of failing health he passed two win- ters in the south, which seemed, however, to do little good, for on March 11th, 1880, at his broth- er's home in Pennsylvania, he quietly passed to his final rest. His widow, Helena Krapfel, nee Trieb, was born at Buffalo, New York, and came to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1858; where she grew to maturity and completed her education. She and the late Jacob Krapfel were married at Du- buque in 1865, and came direct to Hudson. She has had four children. Nellie, who is being edu- cated at St. Joseph's Academy, at St. Paul; Albert, at the College of the Sacred Heart at Prairie du Chien; Helena is attending school at home; one child died in infancy.

Louis Massey. The subject of this sketch is the oldest living settler in the valley of the St. Croix. He was born August 6th, 1793. There are doubts of the truth of this date, as it is doubted if he can give the date of his birth. He has called himself eighty, so the old settlers say, for the past twenty-five years. He was raised on a farm in Canada with his parents until seven- teen years of age, at which date he left home, not returning until about twenty-seven years ago when he made a short visit at the old home near Montreal. His first trip from home was to Mich- igan, where he was employed at different trading- posts for two years. He suffered great priva- tions, owing to the fact that his employer was arrested by the American authorities and taken to Detroit. He, however, obtained his freedom, but was again captured by the Indians with all his outfit. In the fall of 1812 Mr. Massey was employed by Colonel Dickson, of- the British gov- ernment, as one of a crew to bring to Prairie du Chien five Mackinaw boats loaded with supplies. The boats started from Mackinaw, came to Green Bay, then up Fox river to Lake Winnebago; then up the river to where Portage City now stands. Then the boats with their contents were hauled overland to the Wisconsin river; then to Prairie du Chien, which took them three days and three nights to perform-from Portage to Prairie du Chien. They were almost starved when they reached that point, but were supplied there. The goods were presented by Colonel Dickson to the Indians as from the British gov- ernment. He wore a British uniform. He next engaged to a man by the name of Sanshong who had a trading-post a short distance from St. Louis on the Illinois river.

In the winter of 1813 he engaged to parties on the great river, freighting with small keel-boats, loaded with furs and lead, from St. Louis to New Orleans. On their first trip they arrived at New Orleans and spent Christmas. On their return trip they were loaded with sugar, coffee, etc. They found it hard work to row, poling and warping the keel-boats against the current of the river.

In 1818 he engaged to the American Fur Com- pany at Fond du Lac and up on Lake Superior near Duluth. He was engaged with them for ten years. During that time he was married to Peter

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Bouchea's sister. Mr. Massey is one of the few men living that before the time of steamboats navigated the Mississippi river from Sandy lake to New Orleans, except at St. Anthony's falls, where he had to make a portage. He has navi- gated the St. Peters river from Lac qui Parle to its mouth. From Montreal he came to the upper lakes in a birch-bark canoe.

In 1828 Mr. Massey came to Fort Snelling and remained some years. He cultivated a small piece of land near the fort. He, by his gentle- manly manners, gained the confidence and esteem of the commander of that post,, who rendered him assistance in removing his goods to his new home on the St. Croix in 1838. His brother-in- law, Peter Bouchea, joined him at that time. Mr. W. Steets and Joseph Sauperson, called Joe Lagrew, came in about fifteen days. The four were the first settlers at this point. To build their houses, they rafted the flooring and boards down the river from Marine. The old gentleman is quite active yet, and at the old set- tlers' meeting, held February 24th, 1881. he made a good deal of sport for the people by dan- cing a French jig.

J. S. Moffat, attorney at law, was born in 1814, in Tompkins county, New York. He was ad- mitted to the bar in that county in 1844, then gave his attention to the mercantile trade until 1854. Removing to Hudson he was in the land office until 1857, then for twelve years held the position of police justice. He afterward held the office of county judge eight years and since 1878 has been in the practice of law.

Thomas F. Moss, Jr., photographer, is a native of Marquette county, Wisconsin, born 1855. When about eighteen years of age he went to Portage, making it his home until 1865, then went to Menomonee where he learned photography. Coming then to Hudson in 1877, he in company with C. II. Beard, opened a photograph gallery, and in 1879 he became sole proprietor of the establishment. He has all the modern facili- ties and does all classes of work. Married at Co- lumbia, Wisconsin, in 1879. Edith F. is his only child.

G. S. Munson was born at Burlington, Ver- mont, 1844, and when a lad of ten years came to Hudson. In 1862 he was employed as clerk for the American Express Company, serving until he

enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, in 1864. Returning to Hudson he pursued agriculture two years then re-entered the employ of the Ameri- can Express Company as clerk ; subsequently taking as partner Z. Platt, being dealers in farm machinery and insurance and express agents. His partner died in 1880, since which time Mr. Munson has continued alone. His wife was Amelia A. Wilcox, married 1871. Francis and Richmond are their children.

Oliver H. P. Olds was born at Springfield, Ohio, in 1824. His father, Marcus Olds, was the first white child born west of the Genessee river, New York. Oliver lived with his father until twenty-three years of age. At the age of eleven he learned the trade of broom making, and en- gaged in it in his native state, Canada and Indi- ana. In 1853 he entered a tract of land in Troy township in the St. Croix Valley, on which he settled two years later. After twelve years on the farm, he removed to Hudson, erected a fac- tory, and has since carried on an extensive busi- ness in broom-making, completing the first brooms made in this county. He makes about twelve hundred dozen brooms per year. Married, in 1856, Miss Elizabeth S. Moore, a na- tive of England. They have had ten children, only four of whom are living.

A. H. Otis was born in New Hampshire in 1828. On attaining majority he removed to Be- loit, Wisconsin, and engaged in manufacturing the Beloit reapers until 1869, then came to Hud- son, and is now manufacturing wagons, buggies, etc. He has been twice married, his first wife · dying in 1865, leaving one child, Jennie L. His present wife was Miss Mary T. Bell. Their chil- dren are, Frank E. and Ada E.

George W. Page is a native of Hudson, born May 27th, 1848. ITis sister Abagail was the first white child born here. George has been a life- long resident of Hudson, and since boyhood has been in the lumbering business until 1876, when he opened a billiard hall and saloon.

Horace A. Taylor, son of Rev. Adolphus Tay- lor, was born at Norfolk, St. Lawrence county, New York, May 24th, 1838. When five years old his father died, leaving him at Madrid, with his brother-in-law, where he remained five years. When a lad of ten years, he came to Illinois and passed three years on a farm. In 1851, he re-

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moved to Pierce county, Wisconsin, on the pres- ent site of River Falls. He then returned east and spent four years in farming. Soon after he established the first stage line between Hudson and Prescott. In 1855 he, in company with a brother, established the River Falls Journal, and five years later, sold his interest and pur- chased the Hudson Chronicle and changed the name to the Hudson Times. Four years later he consolidated it with the North Star, giving the new paper the name of the Star and Times, which name it still retains. He has also been connected with other papers, but still retains his interest in the Star and Times, having sold one- half interest to B. J. Price, in 1879. Mr. Taylor was appointed state agent of the railroad lands, and has been largely interested in real estate a number of years, owning several thousand acres in northern Wisconsin. In 1860 he married Miss Lizzie Madden, of Chicago. They have had three children.

Dwight Silliman was born at Salisbury, New York, in 1839. Graduated from the University of New York, in 1866, and there practiced his profession one year, thence to Saratoga Springs and practiced one year. After remaining one year in Minneapolis, he came to Hudson in 1879, where he has since made his home.

S. C. Simonds was born at Hooksitt, New Hampshire in 1831. When eleven years old, he accompanied his parents to Norwich, Vermont, and prepared himself by attending the Academy, for the Norwich University, from which he grad- uated at the age of twenty-one years. In 1853, he removed west and located at Hudson; here he engaged in teaching school, and in 1854, was ap- pointed deputy clerk of the circuit court of St. Croix county. During the fall of 1855, he was appointed deputy register of deeds, which office he held one year, in the meantime reading law with Messrs. Gray and Humphrey; was admitted to the bar in 1856. He was elected to the office of clerk of circuit court in 1869 for two years, and re-elected in 1872. During the spring of 1877, was chosen county judge. His wife was Miss M. C. Bloomer, married in 1860. Irvine C., William B. and Martin H. are their children.

John C. Spooner was born at Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, in 1843. His profession is that of a lawyer. Coming to Wisconsin in 1870, he located

at Hudson. In 1872, was made general solicitor for the West Wisconsin Railroad Company, and in 1878, general solicitor for the Chicago, St. Paul and Milwaukee Railway; in 1880, general solicitor for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company.

George B. Strong, deputy county surveyor, was born at Waltham, Addison county, Vermont, December 29th, 1819. He grew to manhood in his native place and acquired his education. In 1841 he came west to Illinois, and in 1846 en- listed, serving one year in the Mexican war. In 1843 came to Wisconsin, and has since made this state his home. At the beginning of the late civil war he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, C. C. Washburn in command, serving until his discharge in August, 1866, hav- ing the rank of second lieutenant. He has since made his home in Wisconsin, and for ten years he was county surveyor, and at present is deputy. In 1865 he was elected member of the Wisconsin assembly, and held that position one term. He is now living at Baldwin, St. Croix county.

Michael Sullivan was born in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, 1852. He moved to Lake Superior in 1872, working at the carpenter trade four years. Thence to De Pere and engaged in the manufacture of farm machinery un- til 1880. Coming to Hudson that year he, with H. Christofferson, patented the threshing machine known as the "Wisconsin Governor."

John Van Meter, a resident of Hudson, first lo- cated at this place in 1852; was on the river until 1861; then enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin, serving a term of five years. After his return to civil life, and to his home, began the carpenters' trade, and has since continued in that business. His wife was Mary Kennedy, of Hudson; mar- ried 1867. They are the parents of four children, the living are Warren W. and Laura N.

William Whewell was born in the parish of Glossop, county of Derbyshire, England, Febru- ary 5th, 1827; was first employed for several years in the Dinting Vale print works of Edmond Pot- ter and Company. June 29th, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss B. Hollingworth, and came to America in 1855. They located first in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and in 1860 re- moved to St. Croix county, opening a farm in what is now Baldwin. Here he resided as a

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tiller of the soil until December, 1878, removing at that time to Hudson. He was chosen county treasurer in 1879, and re elected in 1880.

J. H. Williams is a native of the Emerald Isle, but, when yet a child, in 1855, came to make his home in the United States, locating in Oneida county. New York. In 1863 he came westward to St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, remain- ing until 1875; then removed to Hudson. Start- ing in the manufacturing of carriages; he has continued until the present, his annual business increasing from one thousand to ten thousand dollars.

G. W. Willis was born at Hampton, Washing- ton county, New York, 1831. April 1st, 1875, he removed to Hudson, and April 4th was elected by the council, engineer of fire department, and was subsequently appointed chief of police, which position he has since held. In 1878, Mr. Willis laid three thousand feet of water pipe for the purpose of street sprinkling, the pipe being tapped every seventy-five feet. This is a private enterprise, and in every way a laudable one. In 1851, he married Miss Catherine Hills, who died in 1869, leaving four children. His present wife was Addie L. Loughery, married in 1875. They have one child.

L. Yoerg, a native of Germany, was born in 1845. At the age of thirteen, he came to Amer- ica, locating at St. Paul, Minnesota, which place was his home until his removal to Stillwa- ter in 1867. Three years later, he became a resident of Hudson where he has since made his home. During the civil war he served three years in the Fifth Minnesota Regiment. In 1867 his marriage with Paulina Lewerer took place. Their only child living is Joseph.

Theo. F. Young was born at Newark, New Jersey, in 1845. When a lad of eleven years, he came west to Lakeland, Washington county, Minnesota, and to Troy, Wisconsin, in 1860. In 1864, he enlisted in the Forty-fourth Wisconsin Regiment and served one year, then returned to Troy, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until January, 1881. He was elected register of deeds in the fall of 1880, and is now occupying that position.

TOWN OF HUDSON.

Samuel J. Coit was born in Norwich, Connec- ticut, December 8th, 1834. He grew to manhood

receiving a good common education. In 1853 he came to St. Croix Valley, where he took a claim of 160 acres in Hudson township, to which he added by purchase and now owns 400 acres of fine land. In 1864 he was married at Delphi, Indiana, to Miss Francis Olds. Francis R. and Clyde W. are their children.

John Kelley, a native of Tyrone county, Ire- land, was born in 1826. When he was three years of age his parents brought him to Quebec, settling in Cornwall, where he grew to manhood, receiv- ing a fair education. In 1850 he came to the St. Croix Valley and for a time stopped at Hud- son, where he worked for a time in the mills. In 1851 he helped build the residence of W. W. Scott, the first house built on Hudson prairie. In 1853 he pre empted 160 acres of land, where be now resides. Mr. Kelley was married February 29th, 1852, at Hudson, to Miss Jane McCutcheon, a native of Ireland. They have had seven child- ren, four of whom are living: Jameseanna, Edith E., Mary J. and Isabella H.

Lloyd Garrison Greene, was born in Cumber- land county, Ohio, January 23d, 1847. When he was four years of age his parents moved west, stopping at Hudson, Wisconsin, where he re- ceived his education and learned the trade of mil- ler. At the death of his father in 1873 he be- came sole proprietor of the Paradise mills. In 1867 Mr. Green was married to Miss Adelle Rogers of River Falls. They have two children, Minnie B. and Ada.

Caleb Greene, deceased, was born in 1795, at Providence, Rhode Island. At an early age emi- grated to the "Western Reserve," Ohio, where he was pastor of the Baptist church and carried on farming until 1851. Came to Hudson in 1854 aud with Mr. Cox erected the Paradise mill. IIere he lived until his death in 1873, and was prominent in the business affairs of the valley. ITis wife was Miss Sarah Westcott, who was born in Massachusetts in 1807 and died in 1858 at Hud- son.

George Martin, a native of Steuben county, New York, was born in 1838. When he was but six years of age his father removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, and in 1852 came to Hudson. Being an only child, George has had rare educa- tional advantages, and took a collegiate course. After completing his education, he was for a

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time engaged in business in Hudson, but soon concluded to turn his attention to farming. He has a fine farm of seven hundred acres. in Hudson township, and is an extensive stock-raiser. Dur- ing the year 1880, he spent ten thousand dollars in purchasing improved stock. He also owns the elevator at North Wisconsin Junction. He mar- ried Miss Anna Ansley, at Hudson, in 1861.

William Martin, father of George Martin, was born in Vermont, in 1800. In early life he set- tled in Steuben county, New York, where his son was born. In 1851 he came to St. Croix Valley, which has since been his home. He now lives, at an advanced age, with his son.

William Mccutcheon, a native of Ireland, was born March 23d, 1824. He was educated in his native country, and in 1846, came to America, landing at Montreal, Canada. In 1850, he came to Hudson, and until 1853 was employed in the mills at Hudson. He then commenced farming. In 1858, he sold out his interests here and sailed for Australia, embarking at New York. After spending two years there, he embarked at Sidney, for home. Upon arriving here he bought his present farm, and has since been occupied in agriculture. May 12th, 1868, he married Miss Mary A. Hodgin. They have two children : Anna S., and William Henry.

William H. McDurand, a native of New Bruns- wick, was born in 1830. In 1850, he immigrated to the St. Croix Valley. For a number of years he was engaged in lumbering at Hudson. In 1853, he pre-empted a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Hudson township. Since then he has added to the original claim by purchase, and now owns a finely improved farm of five hundred and ninety acres. In 1862 he enlisted in com- pany D, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until 1865. He married Miss Laura Rabold, in December, 1865. They have five children: Kate, Mary, Henry, Roy, and Donald.

ST. JOSEPH.

Julius Beer was born in Saxony in 1843. When he was eleven years of age his parents brought him to the United States, and settled in Cook county, near Chicago, Illinois. In 1869 he came to St. Croix county, and has since resided here, and now owns a fine farm of two hundred acres. He is a member of the firm of Lewis and Beers,

proprietors of the Willow River cheese factory. In October, 1867, Mr. Beers married Miss Ellen Thake, of Cook county, Illinois. Frank, Wil- liam, Albert and Edward are their children.

Christian Burkhardt was born near Baden-Ba- den, Germany; September 26th, 1834. Here he acquired an education, and learned the trade of mill-wright. In 1854 he came to this country, worked in various places, and in 1858 returned home, and in 1859 again came to America and was engaged in different parts of the north-west until 1868, when he removed his family to St. Croix county, and has since resided here. Mr. Burkhardt owns four hundred and eighty acres of land along the Willow river, including the famous falls where Bowron's mill was built. He was mar- ried in 1862, to Miss Ernestine Beer, of Chicago, Illinois. They have eight children, Louisa, Frank, Emma, Bertie, Augusta, Ida, Lina and Elfrida.

Wilhelm Dreschler, a native of Germany, was born November 29th, 1834. In 1854 he came to the United States, and for about four years was in the coal regions of Pennsylvania. In 1857 he came to Stillwater, and for twelve years was em- ployed in lumbering on the St. Croix river. For five years he run a ferry between Stillwater and St. Joseph, where, in 1878, he purchased forty-six acres of land and built Wilhelm Heights, a fine two-story house. In connection with his hotel, Mr. Dreschler also is interested in farming.

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