USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 50
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Judge Ole Larson is a native of Norway, born in 1841. He received a liberal education at the graded schools at Ourdahl, and learned the trade of painting and graining. In 1868, he crossed the seas to America and worked at liis trade at differ- ent places in the southern portion of Wisconsin.
He came to Osceola Mills in 1872, and five years later was elected judge of Polk county, taking his seat in January, 1878. IIe marrred Ingeborg Johnson, a native of Norway in 1870. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are still living.
Dr. C. B. Marshall was born in Westchester county, New York, in 1838. Moved with the family to Chemung county, when five years of age, thence six years to Tompkins county. Here he remained five years, then came west, tarrying one year in Illinois, thence to Hastings, Minne- sota. His education was obtained at the State Medical University at Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1866, he settled at Osceola Mills, and since resided here, practicing his profession, March 9th, 1866, he married Miss Addie Brigham.
George Davis McDill, of Osceola Mills, was" born in Wayne, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 28th, 1838. Received an academic educa- tion; is by profession a lawyer. Came to Wis- consin in 1841 and settled at Beloit, removing later to Vernon county, and to Polk county in 1872. He has been district attorney of Polk county for two terms, beginning January 1st, 1874; was chairman of the county board for five consecutive years. Mr. McDill enlisted in the spring of 1861 in Company I, Sixth Volunteer In- fantry, and served therein till March 24th, 1864, when he was promoted to the position of captain of Company K, of the Thirty-seventh regiment; was discharged on account of wounds, November 3d, 1864. Participated in the battles of Gaines- ville, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburgh and the siege of Petersburgh. He was elected to the assembly of 1881, receiving 2,848 votes, against 1,551 votes for Charles B. Marshall.
Charles E. Mears, one of the early settlers of the St. Croix valley. He is the. eldest son of Daniel and Emeline Mears, and was born in East Boston, Massachusetts, January 9th, 1844. His mother died when he was only six years of age, and until 1857 he made his home with his grand- parents. When thirteen years old he came to Osceola Mills, which place has since been his home. His educational advantages were wholly confined to the district schools; further than this, he is self-educated. After coming to this state he engaged in rafting on the St. Croix and Mis-
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
sissipi; also, as clerk on a steamboat. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Second Regiment, Wisconsin Cavalry, as corporal. He served one year, when, on account of sickness, was honor- ably discharged, having been promoted twice dur- ing the time. On recovering, he entered the printing office of the Polk County Press, at Os- ceola Mills, as "devil," and worked the first year for seventy-five dollars and board. At the age of twenty he engaged in the mercantile business at New Richmond, and the year following began teaching district school, in which vocation he continued at intervals for five years. In 1866, he became a half owner in the Dunn County News, at Menominee. In 1869, he was elected county superintendent of schools of Polk county, serving six years. He was town clerk of Osceola three years, and during his leisure studied law. IIe is at present editor and publisher of the Polk County Press, which he purchased in the spring of 1872. He has held the position of agent to protect the state lands in district No. 1, for six years, and is still occupying that position. His marriage with Henrietta A. Brown, of Grinnell, Iowa, took place in 1879.
Daniel Mears is a native of Lynn, Massachu- setts; born in 1819. He acquired a practical education at the district schools, and when thir- teen years old began clerking in a store at Essex, where he remained three years. In 1839, ac- cepted a position as clerk in a wholesale bont, shoe and leather store of J. Farbush and Com- pany, Boston, and was in their employ two and one-half years. He entered the employ of Dex- ter, Harrington and Company, dealers in leather and West India goods, as superintendent of the leather department. He came west and located at Stillwater in 1848, and soon after was given charge of the Willow River mill at Hudson, Wisconsin. Entering the firm of Nelson, Carlton and Company as partner in 1853, he remained until they dissolved. Two years later he re- moved with his family to Osceola Mills, which has since been his home. After assisting in rais- ing several companies for the service of the coun- try, he was elected second lieutenant of Company D, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, in the fall of 1861. In May of the following year he resigned, since which time he has been engaged in farming near Osceola Mills. In 1857, he was elected to the
state senate, serving two years, and has held po- sitions of trust in both the counties of St. Croix and Polk. Mr. Mears has been twice married- first in 1843 to Emeline E. Mendon, who died in 1848, leaving a son, Charles E. He was married in 1852 to Susan F. Thompson, and has one daughter, who is the wife of W. H. H. Wheeler, of Stillwater.
Iver Michaelson, a native of Norway, was born 1845. Having acquired a knowledge of the tialor's trade, he started for America in 1866. He settled first in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and subsequently at Black Brook, Polk county, where he followed the quiet life of agriculture, until elected register of deeds of that county in 1875 ; he served in that capaicity two years, then was elected county clerk, which office he still holds. In addition he has a complete set of ab- stracts of the county. His wife was Miss Chris- tina Olson, who died in 1873, leaving two child- ren. His present wife was Martha Olson, whom he married in 1875. Their two children have died.
T. F. Monty was born in Lower Canada in 1847. When a lad of ten years he removed with parents to Kankakee county, Illinois. Here he was a farmer until 1862, when he enlisted in the government employ in the first division army of the frontier and served two years. In 1866 came to Polk county, Wisconsin, and settled on a farm at Sterling, remaining until elected sheriff of the county in 1879. His marriage with Miss Ellen Rowe took place in 1866. They have four child- ren.
M. M. Nason was born in Washington county, Maine, 1833. He learned the blacksmith's trade,at which he worked until leaving his home in 1855. Coming westward he settled in Minneapolis, Min- nesota, and the next year went to Taylor's Falls. In 1861 he came to Osceola Mills and opened a blacksmith shop, in which he still continues. He has been a member of the town board two terms and is a public spirited and respected citizen. 1Ie married in 1876, Mrs. Achsah Kent.
C. II. Oakey, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, was born June 13th, 1857. He attended the pub- lic schools of that city in early life, graduating from the high school in 1875. He afterward studied law with Judge Phillip L. Spooner of Madison, Wisconsin, and entered the law depart-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
ment of the university in 1878, graduating the succeeding year. During the spring of 1880 he began practicing law at Osceola Mills with J. Post. Mr. Oakey is unmarried.
J. Post was born in Greene county, New York, in October, 1851. He accompanied his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, near Madison, when three years of age. His early life was passed on a farm, and during the time attended district school. In 1868 he entered the State University at Madison, and graduated with the law class of 1879. During the spring of 1880, he began prac- ticing law in company with C. H. Oakey, at Osceola Mills. His marriage with Miss L. S. Clayton took place March 3d, 1880.
Stephen Rowcliff is a native of Devonshire, England, and was born in 1828. In 1842 he went to the Island of Jersey, and was there appren ticed for a term of six years in the lath rending and carpenter's trade. He afterwards worked at his trade in London seven years, then came to America, landing at New Orleans. After spend ing some time in travel, he took [a steamer at St. Louis, for Osceola Mills. On arriving he began working in a saw-mill, where he continued three years; he was then deputy county treasurer and clerk of the board five years. In 1871 he built a store, and has since given his attention to mercantile pursuits. In 1863 he was appointed deputy revenue collector of Polk and Burnett counties, which office he held eight years; has also held the office of county commissioner and town clerk, and is now postmaster at Osceola Mills, having received the appointment in 1873. Mr. Rowcliff has been twice married. His first wife was Catharine Turner, who died in 1866, leaving six children. His present wife was Mrs. A. Davis, who has borne him one child.
Dr. H. Runge is a native of Schleiswig, Ger- many, and was born April 12th, 1817. Here he remained until eight years of age, then moved to Russia, making his home there ten years, attend- ing school. He then entered the Medical Uni- versity at Berlin, graduating after a six years' course. In 1846, removing to Copenhagen, he studied veterinary two years, then entered the army in the Schleiswig-Holstein war, in which he served three years. Returning to Russia, he practiced medicine at Moscow two years, and in 1863 came to America via. Soutlı America, locat-
ing at Monticello, Iowa .. In 1867, he came to Stillwater and began the practice of medicine, also in the drug business about eight years, then engaged in the same business at Minneapolis; re- turned to Stillwater, and in 1880, came to Osceola Mills, where he is now practicing medicine.
Frank W. Smith is a native of New York, born in 1840. Here he learned the lath and plaster trade, and in 1856, came to Chicago, re- maining a short time; thence to St. Paul, and finally to St. Croix Falls. Here he engaged in lumbering and farming for fifteen years, since which time he been farming near Osceola Mills. He enlisted in Company D, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, under C. C. Washburn and served one year. In 1874, he married Miss A. E. Mitchell, who is a native of the North Star state. They are the parents of one daughter, Edna.
Charles W. Staples was born at Bunker Hill, Illinois, October 8th, 1852. He came to Osceola Mills with his parents in 1855, and during early life acquired his education at the public schools, and when eighteen years of age began teaching. After having four years experience in that voca- tion, he kept books for Knapp, Stout and Com- pany, of Menomonee two years; then returned to his home, clerking for his father, and in the fall of 1880, purchased the store, and is at present en- gaged in the drug trade. His marriage with May Foster took place in 1878.
C. H. Staples is a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, born 1824. Here he remained until twenty-four years of age, and was engaged dur- ing the latter years, in the manufactory of con- fectionery, then came to Bunker Hill, Illinois, and for seven years gave his time and attention to milling. In 1856, located at Osceola Mills, and the next year was elected to the office of clerk of the board of supervisors, which he held seven years, then opened a store, engaged in the merchandise trade seven years longer. From this time until 1880, he carried on a drug trade. His wife was Miss Hannah Garland, whom he mar- ried in 1850. They are the parents of six chil- dren, four of whom are living.
George Wilson was born at Auburn, Susque- hanna county, Pennsylvania, 1836, where he re- mained until 1853, then engaged in farming two summers, teaching during the winters. Coming to Osceola Mills in 1857, he worked in the mills,
19
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
also taught school for some time. He has since made this liis home, engaged in milling and hotel business, being now proprietor of the Wilson House. He married Emma R. Fisk in 1859, who has borne him five children.
TOWN OF OSCEOLA.
Judge J. W. Hale, the subject of this sketch, was born in Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, March, 1802. His early life was spent on a farm. In 1822 he engaged in the lum- ber business on the Susquehanna river. In 1824 he became a pilot on the river in the lumbering trade until 1836, when he moved to Cattaraugus county, New York, still engaged as pilot on the Ohio and Allegheny rivers. In 1851 he, with his family, via the rivers, came to Wisconsin and located on section 26, in Osceola township. The judge was married in 1826 to Miss Nancy Mc- Keene from Orange county, New York. Seven children were the fruits of the union-John, Esther, Isaac, Melvina, Achsah E., Silas F., Reu- ben W. Mr. Hale was elected first county judge of Polk county, which office he held for eight years; also county superintendent of schools for two years. He was quite a sportsman in his younger days, and enjoyed the chase after deer. Many interesting incidents the judge relates of his adventures with the timber wolves that used to infest the country in those early days. During the past year the much-loved and faithful wife was taken by the hand of death, and the effects of the blow are much felt by the judge in his de- clining years.
Isaac Hale was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. His youth was passed on a farm, attending school, and later in lumbering. In 1850 came to Minnesota with his parents and located on section 33, town of Osceola. En- gaged in lumbering and exploring pine lands until 1863, when he enlisted in Company D, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, as sergeant, and was detailed for scouting. In 1865, settled on his present farm of eighty acres on section 30. Married Miss A. E. Clarey, of Massachusetts, in 1851.
Hans Johnson was born in Sweden in 1843. In his youth he was engaged on a farm with his parents, and with them came to the United States in 1857, and located at Taylor's Falls, where he remained one year, when he settled on his pres-
ent farm. He has spent a large share of his win- ters and springs in lumbering. He was married in 1870 to Miss Anna W. Johnson. They have four children: George E., seven; Andrew D., six; Olof, four; and Edna May, two years. Mr. John- son has held the office of town supervisor for one year; school director fourteen years. He has a farm of two hundred acres well under cultiva- tion.
Gustof Nelson was born in the southern part of Sweden, in 1831. Came to America in 1853, and located in Polk county. Engaged in various kinds of work until 1855, when he settled on his present farm. Was married the same year, to Miss Caroline Carlson, who was born in Sweden in 1838. Six children have been born to them, Oscar F., Elmina, Matilda, Charles, Harry and Jennie. Mr. Nelson has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres well improved.
Olof Olson, a native of Sweden, was born in 1823. Was reared to manhood on a farm and in 1869 came to the United States and settled on the farm he now occupies. Was married in 1855 to Anna Loyd, of Sweden. They have five children, Olof, Jr., Peter, Jonas, Bertha and Louis. Mr. Olson has a fine farm of one hundred and two acres, located on sections twenty-five and thirty- six, town of Osceola.
J. W. Peake was born in Schoharie county, New York; spent the early part of his life on a farm. At the age of twenty-one he came to La Salle county, Illinois, settled on a farm three miles from LaSalle and opened a hotel in connec- tion. He was married the same year to Miss Jane A. Franklin, from New York. Two chil- dren were born to them, but both died; his wife also died August 9th, 1849. He was again mar- ried April 4th, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Treadwell. from Pennsylvania. Two children were the fruits of this union, Emily, now Mrs. E. Mears, and Allen B. October, 1854, he came to Wiscon- sin and settled in Osceola, and on his present farm in the fall of 1856. July 15th, 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Wisconsin Light Artillery, which had many severe engagements with the enemy. Mr. Peake has held a contract for the last three years for carrying the mail from Osce- ola to Clayton. He has also held the office of town supervisor for two years, and assessor two years.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
B. P. Pitman was born in Maine, 1822. In the the early part of his life he engaged in lumbering until 1849, when he made a trip to California and remained until 1851, when he returned to Maine. In 1854 came to Wisconsin and located in St. Croix Falls; in 1856 he settled on his present farm. In the spring of 1858 he made an explor- ing trip to Dakota ; in 1859 to Colorado, where he remained until 1861; when he returned and en- gaged in lumbering for a portion of his time. He was married in 1855 to Miss Amanda Clark, from Vermont. They have had six children: Ella S., Mark, Ira, Grace, Maud and Blanche. He has a fine farm of 120 acres with good improvements.
Nels O. Surrell, the son of Henry and Rena Surrell, was born in Sweden, and in youth was engaged on a farm, and at school improving every advantage offered him for an education, which were quite limited in those days. In 1868 he came with his parents to this county and settled on a farm near the village of Osceola; they came to their own farm in 1872, which consists of 160 acres located in section eleven. He was married in 1878 to Miss Christina Nelson from Sweden. They have one child, Anna, born April 30th, 1879. Nels, with his father spent six winters in lumbering.
W. H. Tilton was born in New York city, in 1822. Learned the shipwright's trade and fol- lowed it until 1853, when he moved to Carver county, Minnesota, and located on a farm. In 1869 he came to Polk county, Wisconsin, and has since resided here. Has assisted in constructing many of the boats built on the St. Croix. Mr. Tilton was first married in 1857, to Ellen Hillery ' of New York. She died at Taylor's Falls in 1868, leaving three children. In 1871 he married Mary Mitchell of Osceola, who has borne him two child- ren, George and Sarah. Mr. Tilton has held the office of chairman of the county board one year, town treasurer four years and school director six years.
E. C. Treadwell was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, March 29th, 1832. His early life was spent on the farm. At the age of two years he lost his mother. In 1845 with a team he moved to Lee county, Illinois, still en- gaging in farming. In 1846 he continued his pilgrimage with a team to Wisconsin, and located at St. Croix Falls, and engaged in the lumbering
business. In the summer of 1858 he became a pilot on the river, at which he engaged until 1863, when he enlisted in Company D, Second Wiscon- sin. Cavalry, which was connected with the west- ern division. He was wounded in a skirmish on the Yazoo river. He returned to Osceola in 1865. Was married in 1866 to Miss Esther Hale, daughter of Judge Hale. They have one son, Albert Fowler, born December 25th, 1872. Mr. Treadwell was the first sheriff elected in the county, which office he held one term; was town assessor two years; school director two years.
R. P. Treadwell was born in Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania, 1821; living with his parents until 1829, when he met with the loss of his mother, from which date he had to gain his living on a farm until he arrived at an age to learn a trade, when he commenced the carpenters trade. In 1845 he moved to Lee county, Illinois. In 1879 he came to Wisconsin and located on his present farın. Mr. Treadwell was married in 1847 to Miss Lydia Hale from Pennsylvania. They have had two children: Spencer, born June 13th, 1857; William, born May 19th, 1861, He has one hundred and sixty acres of land located in section 25.
R. A. Turnbull was born in Henningford, Lower Canada, in 1833; he was engaged on a farm with his parents until May, 1855, when he came to the state of Wisconsin, and settled at St. Croix Falls, locating his present farm in 1856. In 1863 he enlisted in the Seventh Wisconsin regiment, Company F, which was connected with the army of the Potomac. He was married in 1854, to Miss Dorah Nappier, from Canada. The union has been blessed with nine children, seven living : Thomas, aged 25; James, 22; George, 18; Nellie, 13; Charles, 3; Minnie, 8 ; Jessie, 6. He has three hundred and sixty acres of land on which, in 1879, a fine specimen of copper was found by his son, weighing three and one-half pounds, with strong indications of its existence on six different forties. In August, 1879, a company was organized for mining by parties from Milwaukee, and other points. Six different shafts were sunk, and good specimens found in each, which would yield a fair percen- tage of copper and silver. It is said the yield amounted to 25 per cent. of copper and silver, while some of the veins yielded as high as 37 per cent., which makes the land valuable for mining.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
FARMINGTON.
Dougald Kennedy was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, April 17th, 1828. At the age of seven- teen he engaged to the government, and was em- ployed in a furnishing store at its works on the Isle of Alderney, in the English channel, where he remained until July, 1851, when he emigrated to the United States and located in Maine, work- ing on the Montreal and Portland railroad until the fall, when he made a trip to New York and remained for a short time, when he returned to Maine. In the spring of 1852 he engaged to Isaac Staples to work at his mills on the Penob- scot river. The same year, he made a trip to New Brunswick and engaged at the same busi- ness. In 1854, he came to Stillwater, then to Marine, and engaged to the firm of Judd, Walker and Greeley to get out logs on the Snake river. He was married in 1857, to Miss Rosa M. K. Enk, from Switzerland. The union was blessed with ten children, all living. Mr. Kennedy located on his present farm in 1874. He has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of his town, hav- ing held the office of town clerk twelve years, as- sessor four years, and treasurer two years.
Andrew Kent was born in Scotland in 1819. Emigrated with parents to New Brunswick the same year and there remained until 1833, when they moved to Maine. He engaged in lumbering until 1850, then came to Wisconsin and settled at Osceola. In the spring of 1853, he went to California, returning in 1855, and settled on present farm the next year. Three years later, he made a trip to Pike's Peak and re- mained one year. He was married in 1836 to Eunice Dickerson, of Maine. She died in 1852, and he married Esther Hill, of Pennsylvania, in 1855. William, Robert and James are children by first wife, and Andrew, Eva, Irena, Frederick, Russell, Jessie, Marshall, Ilarry and Amy by sec- ond wife. Mr. Kent has held the offices of chair- man and member of board of supervisors, and was census enumerator in 1880.
Chapin Kimball was born in Springfield, Erie county, Pennsylvania, 1829. He remained with his parents on the farm and in school until 1852, when he came to Wisconsin. Settling in Osceola he engaged in the lumber business until 1859, when he made a trip to Pike's Peak and spent
two years. He was first married in 1857 to Miss Mary Kent, from Maine, and by the union were blessed with five children, Charles H., born 1858; Jane, 1860, Edward A., 1862; Lotta A., 1864; Flor- ence, 1866. His wife died in 1868. He was again married in 1870 to Miss Jennett Thompson, from Wheeling, Virginia. Mr. K. was the second sheriff elected in the county; he has also held the office of town supervisor one year and treasurer one year.
John Morrasey, the subject of this sketch, was born in New Brunswick in 1826. Soon after he. with his parents, moved to Washington county, Maine, where they engaged in farming. In 1850 he came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Farmington, working on different farms in the town and at lumbering during each season until 1861, when he settled on his present farm. He was married in 1859 to Miss Lucy Ann Nelson, from Machias, Maine. They have six children, Euchy, born October 20th, 1860; Lulu, February 27th, 1862; Albert E., May 18th, 1864; Clara I., September 27th, 1866; Jay G., May 31st, 1870; Alma, February 11th, 1876.
W. Ramsey, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland in 1814. In 1823 he, with his parents, emigrated to this country. While crossing the ocean the vessel was wrecked off Isle au Sable. This point being quite remote from the usual course of vessels, the prospect of escape was quite uncertain. The captain with his crew rigged out an open boat and sent to Halifax, two hundred and fifty miles, for assistance. Two small fishing crafts were sent for their relief, after remaining on the island four weeks. Ar- riving at the province of Nova Scotia where he remained until 1834, when he removed to Wash- ington county, Maine, where they remained until 1849, when he made a trip to California. Re- turning in the summer of 1851, he came the same year to Wisconsin and settled on his present farm. IIe was married in 1839 to Miss Sarah Stevens from Crawford, Maine. They have had ten children, of whom four are living: Rella H., now the wife of E. Mason, Clara J., Alice B. and Leslie J. Mr. Ramsey was chairman of the first board of supervisors of Polk county. He held the office of town treasurer three years, assessor one year, and on the school board since the or- ganization of the town.
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