USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 36
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Odd Fellows and the United Workmen, namely, Buffalo Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F., and Buffalo Lodge, No. 184, A. O. U. W. Mr. Lamson is the compiler of the Lamson Geneology, covering the period from 1635 to 1908. In preparing this work, Mr. Lamson visited many historic points in New England, including the place of his birth in Connecticut. Mr. Lamson was married, January 1, 1890, to Anna S. Nordine, born in the Province of Wermland, Sweden, April 24, 1867, daughter of Andrew and Agnes (Lind) Nordine, who brought her to America as an infant, and located first at Carver, in Carver county, Minnesota, and later in Dassel, in Meeker County, Minnesota, where her mother still resides, her father having passed away some years ago. Mrs. Lamson is an artist of more than usual ability. Mr. and Mrs. Lamson have three children : Frank Vernon, born June 28, 1899; Ruth Marion, born Mareh 24, 1906; and Edmond Herbert, born November 21, 1908.
Henry Varner, pioneer, a retired farmer now residing in Buf- falo, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 16, 1831, a son of John and Mary (Bitts) Varner, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent the span of their years as farmers. The Varner family in Pennsylvania dates back to the Revolutionary war, and the direet ancestors at one time carried on farming operations on the present site of Oil City. John and Mary Varner had twelve children: Solomon, Levi, Jacob, Daniel, William, Henry, John, Jr., David, Susan, Polly, Katie and Lafayette. Of these, Solomon, Jacob, Henry, John, Jr., and Lafayette came to Wright county. The first to come were Henry and Jacob. They arrived in 1856. From St. Paul they walked to Monticello, where they ereeted a house and resided a year. In 1858 they each seeured a homestead of 160 aeres in Buffalo town- ship. The land was wild, and no roads led past their claims. They erected a shaek of poles, and started to prepare the land for farming. As time passed they purchased a yoke of oxen from traders passing on the old Red River trail. This is said to have been the first pair of oxen in the township. The two brothers lived alone until 1860, when Henry, on one of his frequent trips to Pennsylvania, married, and thus seeured a mistress for his home. Henry Varner did not leave his claim during the Indian scare, but remained to defend his place. No Indians appeared. During the early years of their married life Henry Varner and his wife spent part of their time farming in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, alternating their work there with visits to the elaim in Buffalo. In 1866 they located permanently on their claim and there resided forty-five years. He erected good buildings, made a success of farming, and did considerable dealing in real estate. For thirty years he operated a threshing machine. The respect in which he was held by his fellow citizens is shown by the
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faet that he served a number of years as chairman of the town board. In the late nineties he retired and moved to the village of Buffalo. Henry Varner, when a young man, owned and operated two coal mines in Pennsylvania. He sold one before coming to Minnesota and disposed of the other afterwards. He was married October 3, 1860, to Anna Korb, born in Venango county, Penn- sylvania, February 20, 1841, daughter of Adam and Mary Korb, natives of Germany. Adam Korb was a tailor and farmer. By his first wife, Mary, he had five children, and by her sister, his second wife, he had thirteen children. Henry Varner and his wife had eleven children, all of whom are married. Mary is now Mrs. Bruce Mills, of Buffalo, and has five children. Amanda is now Mrs. Levi Elletson, and has nine children. Harriet is now Mrs. William Korb, and has five children. John married Reka Wetzig. Henry married Minnie Moss. They have five children. Ruben married Jennie Keefe. Adam married Emma Beetel. They have five children. George married Christine Beetel. They have six children. Milbrey married Lena Moss. They have four chil- dren. Archibald married Lulu Retzlaf. Nettie is now Mrs. Walter Schwietering and has two children. This makes forty grandchildren-and there are thirteen living great grandchildren. Henry Elletson, grandson of Ilenry Varner and son of Amanda Elletson, became the father of triplets and twins. The triplets all died, but the twins are living. In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Varner celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. The health of the Varner family is worthy of note. Mr. Varner is a man of the most robust constitution, and has never found it necessary to consult a physician. Several of his children, also, have never been attended by a physician. The grandchildren also inherit the same robust constitution. Mrs. Varner died May 16, 1914.
Paul Liederbach, Buffalo, extensive automobile dealer, was born on the old homestead in Rockford township, this county, February 26, 1875, son of Henry Liederbach, Sr., the pioneer. He was educated in the distriet schools of his neighborhood and in the graded schools of Minneapolis, after which he learned the earpenter's trade. He also beeame an expert operator of gas, gasoline and steam engines. Combining the two occupations of engineer and carpenter, he received extensive experience in North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois. After this he was employed as a machinist and general repair man in Minneapolis. In 1913 he opened his present large place in Buffalo. Seleeting a desirable location on the lake front, he ereeted a splendid garage, 36 by 70 feet, with a eement floor, and modern equip- ment. Aside from doing a large repair, storage and rental busi- ness, he has the agency for the Reo passenger ears and trueks and the Metz passenger car. Mr. Liederbach still keeps his 120- acre farm in Roekford township, which he rents. He was married
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August 26, 1902, to Josie MeCardell, daughter of William Me- Cardell, and they have one son, Menzo Marvin, born September 21, 1903. The family attend the Christian ehnreh.
William McCardell, for over thirty years a resident of Wright county, now deceased, was born in what is now Pleasants county, West Virginia, January 11, 1846. When the people of western Virginia failed to follow that state into the Confederaey, and a new state, called West Virginia, was organized, Mr. MeCardell joined the home guards and was commissioned seeond lieutenant in one of the companies of the Ninth Regiment, Second Brigade, First Division, West Virginia militia. In 1881, being then a young man of thirty-five, he brought his family to Wright county. Ile took up his residenee in Montrose Village, and there lived until 1904, when he moved to Dickinson, Minn., and engaged in the general merchandise business until 1913, when he returned to Montrose. His life was an active and useful one, and his death, April 1, 1914, was sincerely mourned. Mr. MeCardell was a sin- eere Christian, a whole-souled, honorable man who gave out brightness and good fellowship and brightened all the lives with which he came in contact. He was a noble husband, a kind father and a good neighbor. Mr. MeCardell was married in 1874, at Shiloh, W. Va., to Emma J. Core. This union was blessed with three children, Cynthia, Effie and Josie. Cynthia is the wife of Robert Pryor, of Redwood Falls, Minn. Josie is the wife of Paul Liederbach, of Buffalo, Minn. Effie is dead.
George C. Carpenter is one of Wright county's most dis- tinguished eitizens. Widely known throughout the state, liis ability, worth and genial temperament have won him extended recognition and a large cirele of friends. As sheriff, business man, state senator and lumberman he has had his share in the progress of the state, and his loyalty and effieieney have demon- strated that he is more than worthy of the many honors which have been showered upon him. A self-made man, who as a boy encountered difficulties and diseouragements, he is ever ready to lend a helping hand to all those who are in need of advice, assist- anee or eheer, and his opinions upon all subjects are aeeorded respeet and consideration. George C. Carpenter was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, Mareh 22, 1855, son of Amsa and Ophelonia (Bushnell) Carpenter. Amsa was a man of some prominence in his community and served in a Wiseonsin regi- ment during the Civil war. He was born in Wisconsin. His father, John Carpenter, eame from near Syraense, N. Y. Amsa Carpenter and his good wife had four children, Edward, George C., Charles and Lasira. George C. was next to the oldest ehild. At the age of eight years he lost his mother, and he was bound out by his father to the family of Hiram W. Roblier. In 1864, when twenty years of age, Mr. Carpenter eame to Minnesota,
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worked on farms and taught school in Dodge county. Subse- quently he attended Wayland College at Beaver Dam, Wis., two years. Then he was in the mail service four years. It was in 1886 that he located in Buffalo. With George W. Burrows as a partner, he engaged in the lumber business until late in 1892, when he was elected sheriff of Wright county. Ile served until the close of 1896. Sheriff Carpenter was a good offieer, and under his capable direction law and order were admirably main- tained. When he retired from office he opened a drygoods and elothing store, which he still successfully conducts. In the fall of 1906 he was elected to the state senate, the position in which he served until January 1, 1915. He had been an influential member of that body and has attracted much favorable attention to the county. He has been a member of the Republican eounty and congressional committees, and of both of these he has been chairman. He served on the village board for several years and was village president for one term. Throughout his active service in Buffalo he has been a prominent Republican, has served on various committees, and has been a delegate to many conventions. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Work- men at Buffalo, and of the Elks at St. Cloud. Combining as he does true dignity and worth with a genial, affable disposition and a whimsical sense of humor, he is a welcome addition to any group of people, and his social connections are far extended. Robust and hearty of health, Senator Carpenter has made a hobby of outdoor life. He is fond of hunting and fishing and has done much toward the preservation of fish and game in Minne- sota. Mr. Carpenter married Mayme Jones, of Wisconsin, who has been an able helpmate in all his undertakings. She is well known in social circles and is a member of the Rebekahs and the Chautauqua Club and prominent in church work. They have four children : Alice, Keith, Zella and Clara.
Emil T. Schmidt, druggist, proprietor of the Sehmidt Phar- macy, is one of the most prominent business men of Buffalo. He is of the type that is known as a "booster" and he favors every move that has for its object the forward progress of Buffalo or Wright county. A native of this eounty, he was born on his father's homestead in Buffalo township, September 9, 1878, son of Trangott Schmidt, who is appropriately mentioned elsewhere in this work. Emil T. was reared on the farm, and like other boys of his neighborhood attended the ungraded district schools. Then he entered the Buffalo high school, where he made most commendable progress as a scholar. Thus prepared, he entered the College of Pharmacy of the University of Minnesota, from which he graduated in 1900. A short time later he entered the employ of the Schimmin Drug Company, of Buffalo. In 1904 he bought the establishment and gave it his own name. IIe carried
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a complete line of drugs, medicines, chemicals, stationery and novelties. He has a splendid ice cream fountain and enjoys a large trade. As a compounder of prescriptions he has few equals in the county. Aside from operating his store, Mr. Schmidt has taken the agency for the Ford automobile for this vicinity, and handles a full line of machines and accessories. Mr. Schmidt's abilities have commended themselves to his fellow citizens, and since 1908 he has served on the city council. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Eastern Star of the Masonic order, and his wife is also a member of the Eastern Star. He has taken a particular interest in the Buffalo Commercial Club. Mr. Schmidt was married September 12, 1906, to Alice Wheeler, of Mankato, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Wheeler.
William Vorse, the pioneer, was born in Chenango county, New York, October 14, 1808, son of Henry Vorse, who served as a private in the Revolutionary war under Colonel Burgess. Will- iam Vorse was reared in his native state, and as a young man found his way westward to Ohio, where he married Lois M. Hart, a daughter of Randall Wentfield Hart, who had come into the western country from Massachusetts. It was in 1855 that the Vorse family left MeHenry county, Illinois, and started for Min- nesota. They made the trip overland to Galena, there took a steamer for St. Paul, and then came as far as the Boyanton stage house across the Mississippi river from Clearwater, by stage. From that point they were ferried across the river by the Winnebago Indians, and joined the family of A. M. Dow, who had previously located there. They at once erected a log cabin on a squatter claim in Clearwater township, and started to establish their home in the wilderness. In 1862 they moved to the village of Clearwater, where William Vorse died in November, 1883, at the age of seventy-five and his wife in the spring of 1869 at the age of fifty-six. Mr. Vorse was a member of the Masonie lodge at Clearwater.
Charles H. Vorse, one of the best known men in the county, was born in Garden Valley, McHenry county, Illinois, March 22, 1846, son of William and bois (Hart) Vorse, the pioneers, who in 1855 brought him to Clearwater township in this county. As a young boy Mr. Vorse attended what was, perhaps, the first school taught in Wright county. This school was held in the summer of 1856 on the Big Bend of the Mississippi river, some three miles below the village of Clearwater. The schoolhouse consisted of a sloping roof of brush and leaves, held up by a pole placed across two erotehed stieks. When a hard rain fell, this roof was but little protection. The books used were such as the children hap- pened to have at home. The teacher, Mrs. Ellen Kent, was paid by a subscription taken among the parents. Among the pupils were Charles H. Vorse; Anna, Zell and Mannville Markham,
JOHN N. OLSON
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Cyrus and Fred Thrall, George Oakes and Maria Boyanton. At the age of sixteen, in 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Edward Hartley. He served on the frontier against the Sioux Indians, under Gen- eral Sulley, and afterward went south and saw serviee with the Army of the Ohio in the Twenty-third Army Corps. He took part in the Battle of the Cedars and the Battle of British Cross- roads, as well as in many minor engagements and skirmishes. After three years of service he was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C., July, 1865. Then he returned to his home and attended sehool for three months, for although a seasoned war veteran he was not as yet twenty years of age. His schooling completed, he learned the trade of wheelwright from his father and followed this occupation for several years. About 1883 he became pro- prietor of the Morrison House, at Clearwater, then one of the best hotels northwest of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In 1884 he went to Delano. After conducting the Danforth and Brown hotels there he was in 1889 appointed postmaster under President Benjamin Harrison and served until 1895. Then in 1897 he was appointed elerk of court of the Fourth Judicial District for Wright county. He succeeded himself by election, and served until the elose of 1903. Since retiring from office he has retained his home in Buffalo and has devoted his attention to the fire insurance business. Having the progress of the village at heart, he has done good service as a member of the village council. He is now a justiee of the peace and the court commissioner. Mr. Vorse became a Mason at Clearwater in 1867 and is now a mem- ber of the Nelson lodge of Buffalo. At one time he was an Odd Fellow. He is an active member of John Coehrain Post, G. A. R., of Buffalo. Mr. Vorse was married December 24, 1872, to Mary Ella Bogenrief, of Clearwater, and they have had three children, Lois, Nellie and Vivian. Lois married J. W. McDonald, of Min- neapolis, and they have one son, Russell. Nellie married Charles Carmen, of North Dakota, and they have a son, Ralph. Vivian is a teacher at Glenwood, Minn. She is a graduate of the St. Cloud State Normal.
John N. Olson, proprietor of a popular summer resort on Olson's Point, Buffalo lake, is familiarly known as "Johnny Olson" to all the leading outdoor sportsmen of the Northwest. He has achieved success in life and has done much to advertise Wright eounty as an ideal place in which to spend a vacation. He was born in Sweden, August 2, 1862, son of Olaf Nelson and Mary Storfall, who brought the family to Goodhue county, this state, in 1868, and in 1869 seenred a homestead in Renville town- ship, Renville county. They underwent many severe experiences as pioneers. During the hard winter of 1870-71, the cabin was completely covered with snow, so that they were unable to get
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out of the house for three days. Then they had egress only by tunneling through the snow. At the age of sixteen, John N. started in life for himself by securing employment herding cattle on the prairie for the neighbors. In the fall of ISSI he deter- mined to come to Wright county. He had a horse, but no harness or vehicle. But with the resourcefulness which has ever charac- terized his career, he set to work, and with ropes and odd straps, and with pieces of rock elm from his father's woodpile, he in five days and nights had completed his outfit. Then he drove to this county. He stayed all winter and in the spring returned home. But he was convinced that Wright county was the best place for him, so he came back to Buffalo and secured employment in a sawmill. After working for a whole season and spending his money freely he found that he did not have enough left to buy a postage stamp, which then cost three cents. This determined him to settle down in earnest and save his money. So well did he persist in this resolve that in five years, though he received but a dollar or a dollar and a quarter a day, he had taken in $1,011 and saved $735. With this money he started a boat house on Buffalo lake at the edge of the village. He continued in the business of boat renting for four years. Then he operated a paint and paper store for four years. After that for eight years he followed the blacksmith trade. The next four years were devoted to a vacation. In speaking of this period, Mr. Olson often de- clared that idleness was more wearing than the most severe manual labor. In time Mr. Olson came to see the possibilities of Buffalo as a summer resort. He accordingly purchased the land on Buffalo lake, opposite Buffalo village, which has since borne his name. Ile built a stone house, and let it be known that his place was open for the entertainment of guests. Fishing parties immediately flocked there, sometimes as many as eighteen men being in the house at once. Mr. Olson did the work himself. and his cooking and baking became widely famed. But as the patron- age increased he was compelled to seenre assistance and to erect new buildings. Ile now has a full corps of assistants, and is well provided to entertain all who may come. From a point eighty rods from his house seven good fishing lakes may be seen, and the duck hunting is also good. He has a large fleet of boats, and everything that goes to make up a successful summer resort. One of the especially attractive features is his spring of the purest water, constantly flowing. Mr. Olson is genial and cour- teous, is greatly liked, and well deserves the unusual suecess with which he has met. Mr. Olson was married March 12, 1888, to Angusta Swenson. The Buffalo "Journal" of January 25, 1907, says: "Mrs. John Olson died Sunday, January 20, 1907, of tuberculosis. She had been a helpless invalid for seventeen years from the effects of a scald from hot water. Last summer she
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contracted tubercular trouble and was released from suffering by death. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Sand- strom Wednesday afternoon at the Mission Church. During these long years of suffering by this woman her husband, "Johnny" Olson, as he is generally called, has done his duty and has been highly commended. A tireless worker, never considering his own health or convenience, he was never too busy to perform aets of kindness for his invalid wife. Ilis sunny disposition has been a wonder to the community, as he has never been known to com- plain of his difficulties and never found fault abont anything. Such rare cases of fidelity and fortitude ought to have a good influence on grumbling humanity and help everyone to bear the burdens which appear heavy, but are light compared to the real afflietions of life."
Gustave Rettke, one of the old settlers of Franklin township, was born in Germany, in June, 1842, and was there reared. As a young man he married Wilhelmina Senkel, who was born in October, 1839. In 1870 they left Germany with their child, Henry, and started for America. Another child, Emil William, was born on board ship. After landing, the family came on to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where another child, Bertha, was born. In 1872 they came to Wright county and located in Franklin town- ship. For a time they rented land, but in October, 1876, they obtained a homestead on Fountain lake in that township, where for many years they made their home. At the time of the pur- chase there were no improvements on the place. They erected a log cabin, cleared the land with the aid of an ox team, and in time had an excellent farm, with modern buildings and equip- ment. In the meantime Mr. Rettke followed to a certain extent his trade as a stone mason. The work which he donated in this line was one of the features which made possible the building of the German Evangelical Church of Delano Village, a church in which he was trustee for many years. In May, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Rettke moved to Buffalo, where they now live. Their ehil- dren born in Wright county are: Ernest, Aurora, Minnie, Matilda, Paulina (died in infancy) and Herman.
Emil William Rettke, leading jeweler of Buffalo, is also one of its most progressive merchants. A man of genial temperament and a thorough master of his business, he enjoys a constantly increasing trade, and is highly regarded by all with whom he comes in contact. He has forged ahead by hard work and energy, and is well deserving of the full measure of success with which he has met. He was born on shipboard, on the Atlantic ocean, in May, 1870, son of Gustave and Wilhelmina (Senkel) Rettke, the early settlers. Ile was reared on the banks of Fountain lake in Franklin township, attended the district schools, farmed with his father, and learned the trades of carpenter and mason. From
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his youth, however, he had eherished a desire to be a merchant, and consequently, in November, 1895, he moved to Buffalo and opened a confectionery store. At times he sold jewelry, and in 1905 he determined to install a full line. Consequently he opened a jewelry and repair store, which he has since conducted with such marked success. In politics, Mr. Rettke is a Republican. He is very active in public affairs and is a prominent man in every respect. In 1903 he was elected as a member of the council and did good work in that capacity. For many years he has occupied a foremost place in the local lodge of Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is a prominent member. On June 28, 1905, Mr. Rettke married Nellie J. Johnson, daughter of Christian Johnson, and they have one child, Donald Herbert.
John Richards, a farmer living in Buffalo, was born in Toronto, Canada, January 3, 1864, son of Emmanuel and Eleanor J. (Wilson) Richards. Emmanuel Richards was born in England and there took up the meat business. As a young man he came to Canada, where he followed the same line at Toronto. He was married in Canada, and in 1867 came to Buffalo, bringing the following children: David, Susan C., John and Abraham L. (now deceased). One son, Emmanuel, Jr., was born in Minnesota. The family located on a tract of 197 acres in section 20, Buffalo township, which they purchased from the Gilbert estate. The place was at that time badly run down. But by industry, thrift and hard work they brought it to a high degree of cultivation, adding eighty acres and equipping it with everything necessary for the earrying on of successful farming. Emmanuel Richards died in the winter of 1891 at the age of sixty-four years and Mrs. Richards now resides at Santiago, Cal., with her daughter, Susan C. MeKee. John Richards was educated in Buffalo township, was reared on the home farm, and as his father's health failed, took general charge of the place. Later he bought out the other heirs and suceessfully followed general farming until 1913, when he moved to the village of Buffalo, where he now resides. He has sold the old homestead but still retains land in section 20, Buffalo township. Mr. Richards has been a respected, hard-working man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. On July 17, 1890, Mr. Richards married Kate MeGary, a native of this state, and they have three children, John Preston, of Belle Plain, Minn., and Edna and Elsie Helen, both at home.
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