History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 84

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 84

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tilda C. Olson, of Illinois, in 1878. They have one child, Anna T.

Henry Hickman was born in Tennessee, May 10th, 1829. He was in the Mexican war, having enlisted in Company G, Fifth Tennessee, in 1847, and served until honorably discharged in the fall of 1848. He also enlisted in 1863, in Company K, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and served against the Indians until May, 1866, when he received his discharge at Fort Snelling. About the year 1853 he came to Washington county, Minnesota, giving his attention to lumbering for a few years, then bought a farm at Vasa, where he has since made his home. In 1862 he married Sarah Peterson. They have a family of six children.

George P. Hinds is a native of Massachusetts, born at Boston, August 24th, 1845. When about ten years of age, he left his home and moved to Oxford county, Maine, remaining six years. In 1861 he came to Washington county, Minnesota, and enlisted in Company C, Eighth Minnesota, and served under General Sibley in the Indian campaign two years. His command was then ordered south and was under General Sherman in his famous "march to the sea." In 1865 he was honorably discharged at St. Paul, and returned to his home in this county, where he has since resided. For eleven years he was interested in lumbering, and finally settled on his farm in Ma- rine township. In 1866 he married Miss C. Wil- cox, a native of New York. They have five children.

George Holt was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, 1822. At the age of fourteen, he moved with his parents to Madison county, Illi- nois, and after a brief stay went to Galena, thence to Praire du Chien, Wisconsin. He engaged in rafting lumber on the Missouri, Mississippi and Chippewa rivers for different parties a few years, then returned to his home in Illinois, remaining until 1845. He then was employed by Mr. A. Judd of the Marine Mill Company, with whom he remained until 1850. In company with his brother, he went to Stillwater, Minnesota, where they gave their attention to hotel and livery busi- ness. Mr. Holt carried the first leather mail bag on the route from Stillwater to Taylor's Falls via Marine in 1851. The same year he was married to Melinda Ward, and two years later removed to Marine, where they have since lived. They have

a family of five children. In 1864, he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Minnesota, and served nine months, being honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky.

John Holt, deceased, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, 1818. He removed with his parents to Madison county, Illinois, and in 1845, came to Minnesota, locating at Marine. In 1852, he married Mary Jane Ward, a native of Ireland, at Galena, Illinois. They came to Stillwater, Minnesota, and kept the Minnesota house one year, then removed to Marine and built the first house outside of what was owned by the mill company. Mr. Holt was engaged in lumbering, and in 1857 met with a loss of nearly thirty thousand dollars worth of logs. From over exer- tion, he lost his eye sight the same year, which he regained in 1865. He died January 12, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Holt have had four children, two of whom are living.

John Holm, is a native of Sweden, born in 1814. He came to America in 1865, and immediately came to Marine, where he has since resided. He was married in 1835, to Sarah Swenson, who has borne him eight children, seven or whom are liv- ing. Peter, the eldest son, came to Marine, in 1864, and purchased the farm on which his family now reside. Gustav is married, and is a farmer in Marine township. Andrew J. is at present teach- ing school ; three of the daughters are mar- ried, one is single.

Jonathan Huntley was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, 1837. Here he lived until about sixteen years of age, then came to Wash- ington county, Minnesota, with his parents, his father having purchased a farm of one hundred and ninety acres, in Marine township. Mr. Hunt- ley enlisted in Company "K," Second Minnesota Cavalry, in 1863, and was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling in 1866. His wife was Charlotte IIill, whom he married in 1858; she is a native of Vermont, and came to Washington county, with her parents, in 1854. They have three children, Satira L., Lydia P. and Edna M.

Abram Johnson, is a native of Sweden, born in 1834. At the age of twenty-four years he came to America, locating at Stillwater, Minnesota, where he kept the Depot hotel for four years. He then moved to Marine and bought a faim of four hundred and forty acres, having also an interest

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in the wood trade. In 1869, he began lumber- ing, and now does an extensive business, owning fourteen hundred acres of pine lands. He took a contract in 1878, of carrying the United States mail from Stillwater, via Marine, to St. Croix Falls, and still holds the contract. Mr. Johnson, carries on an immense business, all of which is under bis personal supervision. His marriage with Caroline Parsons occurred in 1863. They have four children living.

Andrew P. Johnson was born in Sweden, March 12th, 1825. He came across to America in 1854, and located at Marine, being obliged to walk from Stillwater. He worked at his trade in the village, until he took a claim of one hun- dred and twenty acres in 1856. He first built a small house 10x14 feet, his wife assisting him in carrying the logs, they having no team. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been prospered, and now own a farm of four hundred and forty-seven acres. They were married in 1851, she being Miss Mar- tha Johnson. They are the parents of two sons and three daughters.

August W. Johnson a resident of Marine, was born in Sweden, 1842. He learned the tanner's trade in his native country, and in 1864 came to America. Proceeding to Minnesota, he located in Marine township, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. He married Johanna M. Hokinson in 1870, who has borne him five child- ren, four of whom are living. Since their mar- riage Mr. and Mr. Johnson have resided on their farm.

F. G. Johnson, who has been a resident of Ma- rine township since the close of the war, was born in Sweden in 1834. His childhood days were passed in the land of his nativity and in 1853 he came to America. He engaged in lumbering until 1865, when he purchased a farm in Marine township. During October of the following year he married Eva Parsons. Emil, Amanda A., Alice C., Jennie T., Mary, Julius E. and Oscar W. are their children.

J. A. Johnson was born in Sweden in 1842. He came to America with his parents, who landed at Quebec, and from there came to Stillwater, Minnesota. After a brief visit they located at Marine. He, being at this time about thirteen years of age, and wishing an education, removed to Stillwater where he attended school summers

and in winter did various kinds of work. He went to Texas in 1860 and engaged in stock rais- ing until compelled to abandon his efforts on ac- count of the war. He was then a locomotive en- gineer on the Ohio and Missouri railroad, where he continued until 1866. Mr. Johnson was en- gaged in different occupations for a number of years, finally opened a machine trade at Fargo, Dakota territory, he being the senior member of the firm of Johnson and Company. His wife was Miss A. A. Coler, a native of Switzerland, whom he married in 1865. Alice E .; John C., Clarence F., Laura A., Lawrence E., are their children.

J.N.Johnson was born in Sweden,1828. He came to Chicago in 1853, and in the spring of the year following located at Stillwater, Minnesota, where he worked in Nelson's saw-mill during the sum- mer months, and in the pineries during the winter for three years. After a two years' experience in farming in Wisconsin, he came to Marine and pur- chased a farm of eighty acres. Owing to his econo- my and industry, he now has a fine farm of six hun- dred and twenty acres. Enlisted in Company D, Second Minnesota and served until his discharge in 1865. His wife was Christine Benson, a na- tive of Sweden, whom he married in 1858. They have ten children all of whom are living.

A. N. Johnson. a native of Sweden, was born March 12th, 1846. On reaching his majority, he started for the new world, landing in 1868. He came immediately to Minnesota, locating at Marine, June 12th of same year. He bought a farm of forty-six acres in 1871, and since then has engaged in farming. He was united in mar- riage with Margaret Larson in 1871.

George J. Judd, deceased, was born at Farm- ington, Connecticut, October 19th, 1799. He re- moved to Boston with his grand-parents when a small child, and at their death went to New York to live with his uncle. In 1832, he removed to Illinois, where he engaged in trade and farming with his brother. He formed a parternship with Mr. Hammond at St. Louis in 1844, where they disposed of lumber manufactured at Marine, Minnesota. He was in lumbering business until 1862, when he came to Marine, continuing his trade until his death in 1872. His family con- sisted of his wife and four children.

George F. Judd, son of the late George B. Judd, one of the pioneers, and senior member of

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Marine Mill Company, was born at St. Louis, Missouri, December 9th, 1856. He came to Ma- rine with his parents when only five years of age. In 1877, he succeeded to the proprietorship of Marine grist mill. His marriage with Clara E. Kimbert took place December 8th, 1880.

Samuel Judd was born at Marine, Madison county, Illinois, in 1840. He received a common school education, which he completed at McKen- dree College, Lebanon, Illinois. After finishing his studies he immediately located at Marine, en- gaging as clerk with Judd, Walker and Company. In 1862 he entered into partnership with Orange Walker, since which time he has been financial agent and general manager for the firm. In 1869 he was appointed postmaster, which position he still holds. He married in 1874, Amelia D. Flath- erty of St. Louis, Missouri, who has borne him two children Orange W. and Lucille M.

Frederick W. Lammers, a native of Germany, was born 1829. He came to America in 1843 and located at St. Louis, Missouri, making that place his home two years. He then removed to Wash- ington county, Minnesota, and for several years worked on the river. In 1852 he took a claim in Chisago county, and remained until 1865, when he disposed of his farm and located at Marine. Mr. Lammers was appointed the first justice of the peace in Chisago county; he has also been honored with nearly all the town offices where he now resides. In 1852 he married Helen C. Nelson. They have had fifteen children, thirteen of whom are living.

John Lindgren is a native of Sweden, born August 10th, 1817. He came to America ill 1854, and three years later purchased a farm which he owned five years, then sold and moved to Chisago lake. Here he resided five years then moved to Marine and bought a farm of two hun- dred and three acres, where he has since resided. He has been twice married. His present wife was Miss Ann Mattson, a native of Sweden, to whom he was married in 1857. Their children are : Charles, Mary C., John E., Frank and Albert.

Erick Magnuson, a resident of Marine, was born in Sweden, in 1824. He came to America in 1854, and settled in Chisago county, Minne- sota, where he remained until May, 1865, when he purchased sixty acres in Marine township.

Since that time he has from time to time added to it, and now possesses a beautiful and fruitful farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He has been twice married, his second wife being Jo- hanna Jonason, a native of Sweden, to whom he was married in 1857. Frank L., Mary J., Charles W., Joseph I., Esther C., Emil O., and Exel L., are their children.

Swen Magnuson was born in Sweden in 1848. He accompaniud his parents to America, in 1853, and settled in Chisago county, Minnesota, where he lived about fifteen years. He then came to Marine and commenced lumbering. In the sum- mer of 1880 he formed a partnership with William Schmidt and John G. Rose, in the busi- ness of general merchandise. He was married in 1875 to Carrie Shiller, who bore him one child: Lydia J.

Morgan May was born in England, in 1818. He entered the service of the East India Com- pany as midshipman, at sixteen years of age. After its demise he joined the naval forces and served in the war with China, in 1840, as naval officer. On leaving the sea, he learned the trade of miller, and at the death of his father he suc- ceeded to his mills, which were located about thirty-five miles from London. In 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to America, and located at New Orleans. Two years later, he purchased his farm near Marine, and in 1858 came here with his family to reside. He has enlarged his farm from four hundred acres to two thousand, and is a very prosperous and prominent farmer. Mr. May has been twice married, his present wife having been Catherine, daughter of K. McKen- zie, member of parliament of Manitoba. They have four sons and one daughter.

James McGuire, a native of Michigan, was born in Livingston county in 1846. When eight years of age he accompanied his parents to Still- water, Minnesota, his father taking a claim in that township in 1854. In 1874 he purchased the farm he now owns in Marine township. His wife was Miss Julia Bennett, to whom he was married in 1874. Their children are Lee L., Roland C., Grace E. and Clinton E.

J. K. Meredith was born in White county, Illinois, August 22d, 1812. Here he passed his childhood, and at the age of eighteen removed to Galena, where he passed five years in mining.

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From there he went to Burlington, Iowa, finally locating in Minnesota at Marine. He was em- ployed by the Mill Company seven years, and in 1860 began farming at his present location. In 1837 he married Eleanor Freeman, who bore him seven children, four of whom are living.

Charles Mermond, a resident of Marine, came from Switzerland, where he was born in 1829. He passed his early manhood in the "country of the Alps," until 1856, when he came to America. After tarrying in Chisago county, Minnesota, a few months he located at Marine, Washington county. He was in the employ of the mill com- pany three years; then started a saloon, to which he gave his attention summers, and leaving it to the care of his wife winters, he worked in the lumber camps as cook. He married Rosaline Velleiaux in 1857, who has borne him three chil- dren.

John E. Mower, deceased, was a native of Maine, born in 1815. In early life he received a good business education, and after living a short time in St. Louis, Missouri, and Keokuk, Iowa, he settled near St. Croix Falls in 1845. He made his home there two years; then moved to Arcola, about seven miles north of Stillwater. He was chiefly engaged in lumbering till the time of his death, which occurred in 1879. Mr. Mower rep- resented that district in the legislature three terms, and held the office of county commissioner nine years. In 1840 he married Miss G. A. Remick. The living children are Helen, Emily and Mary. James and Martha died.

E. M. Murch was born at Plymouth, Maine, 1834. On reaching majority he removed to Min- neapolis, and for several years worked in the pineries of this state. He was in a saw-mill on the Rum river four seasons, and has worked at different mills at Anoka and Champlin. He came to Marine in 1868, and was employed by Walker, Judd and' Veazie as foreman. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Minnesota, and served against the Indians under General Sibley. He was honorably discharged in 1864, on account of disability. In 1866 he married Dora Harper, a native of New York state. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living.

John S. Nay is a native of Maine, born in Som- erset county, 1823. He engaged in milling and lumbering until 1855, when he removed to Wash-

ington county, Minnesota, locating at Stillwater. He wasa carpenter and mill-wright until the com- mencement of the war. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Minnesota Volunteers, and served against the Indians, under General Sibley two years, then went south, remaining until hon- orably discharged at Fort Schuyler, New York 1865. He ther returned home and removed to his present location at Marine. He married Miss S. Robinson in 1851. Children: Fred E., Edgar O., Wilmot H., Walter S., George A. and Car- rie E.

Andrew F. Nelson, a native of Sweden, was born April 25th, 1849. He came to America in 1867, and followed lumbering mostly, until pur- chasing his farm in Minnesota, at Marine, 1874. He now owns one hundred and eighty acres. He married Johannah Dahlquist in 1875. She is a native of Sweden, born July 6th, 1851.

Jonas Nelson was born in Sweden, September 8th, 1830. He passed his youth in his native country, and when twenty-six years of age, he came to America. He proceeded immediately to Minnesota and located in Marine township on a farm of forty acres, and having only a small log house, such as many of the pioneers were com- pelled to inhabit at first. Henow owns a fine farm one hundred and fifty acres. His wife was Car- rie Swenson, who was born in Sweden. Andrew, Peter N. and John are their children. Mr. Nel- son's father is living with him, his wife having died in 1867.

S. P. Newman is a native of Sweden, born No- vember 25th, 1836, where he learned the tailor's trade. He came to America in 1868, and settled at Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade. He bought fifteen acres of land in Marine township in 1874, but works at his trade in Minneapolis the greater part of his time. His wife was Hilda Hokinson, to whom he was mar- ried in 1872.

John P. Norlander, a farmer in Marine town- ship, was born in Sweden, February 8th, 1826. He came to America in 1861, and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Marine township, where he has since resided. He was married in his native country, to Anna B. Erick- son, in 1850. Ingia B., Anna, Andrew P., Matta K., Mary C. and Ida M., are their children.

Ole Olin was born in Sweden, October 11th,

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1829. He came to America in 1854, and soon after came to Minnesota, locating in Marine, on a farm of two hundred and forty acres, and has since made this his home. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, First Minnesota, and served until the close of the war. He was mar- ried to Juliann Christine Johnson, in 1852.

Pierce Organ, is of Irish hirth, born in 1835. He remained in his native place until 1850, then came to America, and made his home at Buffalo, New York, five years. He then came to Chicago, living there two years, thence to Stillwater until 1874, engaged in lumbering. He removed to his present location in Marine township at that time. In 1861 he married Bridget A. Chute, a native of Canada East, and who came to Stillwater with her brother in 1857. Their children are Mary E., Katie, Maggie, Elizabeth, Thomas, William, Patrick P. L. and Aurelia B.

Henry F. Otis, a native of the" North Star"state, was born in Marine township, 1844, son of the early pioneer, Benjamin T. Otis. He enlisted in 1862, in Company C, Seventh Minnesota Volun- teers, and served until severely wounded in 1864, when he was taken to the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee; he was honorably discharged on ac- count of disability. Since that time he has made his home in his native county. His marriage to Miss Virginia Van Tassel, occurred in 1868. They have a family of six children, William H., Susan A., Theo. E., Margaret L., Julia M. and Henry Fuller.

Asa S. Parker, a prominent citizen of Marine, was born in Windsor county, Vermont, July 11th, 1812. At the age of fifteen he removed to Greene county, New York, and engaged in brick-making. During the spring of 1839, he came to Marine, Minnesota, and immediately began with the orig- inal company of thirteen to build the Marine Mills, and was associated therewith until 1857. He withdrew his interest and has since been in- terested in farming, except two years spent in the mercantile trade. Mr. Parker has held the offices of county commissioner, also several other town offices. During the fall of 1859 he was wedded to Isabella Thompson, a native of Scot- land, who has borne him one child, Archie T.

Charles A. Peterson, born in Sweden, 1840, and came to America with his parents in 1853, his father taking a claim in Marine township of

one hundred and sixty acres. On attaining his majority, Mr. Peterson began business for himself in lumbering and has always given much of his attention to that branch of industry since. He bought his present farm of one hundred and forty acres at Vasa, in 1868, where he has since resided. He represented this district in the legislature in 1878-'79. His family consists of his wife, who was Miss Martha Olson, and five children. His wife is a native of Sweden.

John G. Rose was born in Sweden, June 24th, 1849. He came to America in 1854 and soon after came to Minnesota, locating at Marine. He was first engaged in farming and afterward was a dealer in agricultural machinery; he finally asso- ciated himself with Messrs. Schmidt and Mag- nuson in a general merchandise trade. He was united in marriage with Christine Bloom. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living.

C. A. Rutherford, born in Steuben county, New York, 1842. He came to Washington county, Min- nesota, with his parents when eight years of age, and made his home in Grant township. He lived there until 1865, then enlisted in Company B, Brackett's Independent Cavalry and served against the Indians under Gen. Sully until he received an honorable discharge, February 22d, 1866. Three years later he bought his present farm in Marine township. January 30th, 1879, he married Emma Saunders of Wisconsin. They have one child.

George F. Sabin was born in Cheshire county, New Hamshire, 1844. He removed with his par- ents to Fitchburg, Massachusetts. When fifteen years of age he entered the Middletown Military and Collegiate institute at Middletown, New Jersey, from which institution he graduated after a three year's course. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-third Massachusetts, and served one year under Gen. Banks in Maryland. He re- enlisted in the Fifty-seventh Veteran Regiment of Massachusetts in the winter of 1863. He re- ceived a wound at the battle of Petersburg, Vir- ginia, and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1865. He was secretary of the Union Machine Company four years and in 1871 came to Still- water, Minnesota, and during the winter of the same year came to Marine. He engaged in mer- cantile pursuits three years and afterward took up the practice of law, which he has since continued.

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He married in 1872 Georgie M. Judd, daughter of the late George B. Judd. They have had two children, who are both living.

Hon. Wilhelm Schmidt, a native of Germany, born in 1831. At the age of twenty-two he came to America, making his home at Toledo, Ohio. While there he worked at blacksmithing and in 1856 came to Stillwater, where he remained thir- teen years in the employ of Schulenberg and Boeckeler Lumber Company, as blacksmith and saw-filer. In 1869 he located at Marine, engaged in mercantile pursuits in which he still continues. He was nominated for representative by the re- publicans in this district, in 1880. Notwithstand- ing the strong opposition of other parties he was elected and by his own popularity and straight- forwardness. Mr. Schmidt was married at To- ledo, Ohio, in 1853, to Caroline Dhol, a native of Germany. Their children are Louis, Mena and Louisa; the two former died in infancy.

W. J. Smith was born at Bath, Steuben county, New York, August 31st, 1847. His father is a native of Scotland and his mother of New York state. When nineteen years of age he moved with his parents to Washington county, Minne- sota, where he has since resided. He was a mem- ber of the state militia at Bath, New York. Mr. Smith is unmarried.

L. W. Stratton, the pioneer of Marine, was born in New Hampshire in 1816. In 1837, he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and while there, en- gaged with the St. Croix Lumber Company. Came up on the steamer Palmyra, arriving on the 16th of July, 1838. December 12th of that year, he made a claim where Marine mills is now located, and during the winter, put up twenty- five cords of wood for steamboats, the first wood cut for that purpose above Prairie du Chien. In 1852, he settled at St. Anthony, and the following year built the first bridge across the Rum river at Anoka. In 1854, he built the first sail-boat on Lake Minnetonka, and since 1871, has resided at Excelsior, Hennepin county, Minnesota.

Samuel Staples was born at Topsham, Maine, 1805. He removed to Brunswick, with his par- ents in 1820, where he received a common school education. In 1834, he went to Lee, Penobscot county, where he was engaged in farming and lum- bering five years, then moved to Nashwak mills, New Brunswick. He was employed as miller one

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