USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 40
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George J. Parker, a substantial farmer of Corinna township, was born in Dora, Ind., March 2, 1857, son of Jonah Parker, the carpenter, and Rachael (Rakestraw) Parker. George J. Parker started his career at the age of seven, when he received ten cents a day as helper to a gardener. When he was eight years old he was earning $8 a month driving a team. He also earned money during his boyhood by trapping ground hogs and other small animals. As a youth he worked five years with a ditching crew. It was in 1879 that he left Indiana and located in Olmsted county, this state, where he remained about a year. At the end of this period he married and went back to Indiana. Since 1881 he has lived in this state permanently. In that year he again came to Minnesota. For four years he rented farms in Olmsted county. and then he lived three years in the city of Rochester in the same
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county. The next eight years of his life were spent on a rented stoek farm near Taopi, in Mower county, this state. In 1896 he bought 160 aeres in section 9, Clayton township, in the same county. Six years later, in 1902, he sold out and came to Wright county, where he purchased 160 aeres in section 9, Corinna town- ship. On this place he still resides. He successfully earries on general farming, and makes a specialty of Blue Stem wheat, Chester White swine and dairy cattle. He is grading his stock into Shorthorns, and is much pleased with the results. Although he is comparatively a new comer, he is a well-known man, and has served as school treasurer and as town supervisor. He was likewise a member of the school board of his distriet in Mower county. Ile and his wife attend the Disciple church. Mr. Parker was married September 2, 1880, to Lueinda Campbell, daughter of Stirling and Roukamma (Badgley) Campbell, the former of whom was a veteran of the Sioux uprising, having served in Co. D, Braekett's Battalion, Independent Cavalry, eighteen months, from December, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have had two ehil dren : Harry, born August 14, 1882, and Ethel L., born September 8, 1896. Harry was married December 21, 1904, to Bertha Schu- man, daughter of William and Minnie Sehuman, and they have three children, Howard M., Ruth L. and George M.
Henry Ransom, an enterprising and successful resident of Corinna township, was born in seetion 20, in the township where he still lives, October 21, 1868, son of Martin and Minnie (Teatz) Ransom, the pioneers. He received his early education in the public schools, and in 1889 graduated from the German Meth- odist Episcopal College at St. Paul Park, Minn. Thus prepared, he taught country school for two years, 1890 and 1891. In 1892 and 1893, in order to still further perfect his training, he attended the St. Cloud State Normal School. In the fall of 1893 he taught country school. Ile gained wide experience with the country in 1894 and 1895 by traveling extensively in Montana, Oregon, Wash- ington and California. This journey completed, he returned to Minnesota, and taught school and worked on his father's farm from 1895 to 1898. It was in 1899 that he bought his present place of 148 aeres in section 17, Corinna township. Ile has one of the best farms in this part of the township. His wide educa- tion makes him a valuable citizen, he is a profound student of farm conditions, and conducts his farm operations along the latest approved lines. Ilis well-tilled fields, his neat fenees, bis sleek well-kept live stock, his excellent equipment, and his sightly build- ings all bespeak the thrift, hard work and intelligent care of the owner. Since 1907, Mr. Ransom has been town elerk, and for one year he served on the town board. Henry Ransom was married in 1899 to Mary Lyrenmann, born in Monticello, this county, December 9, 1869, daughter of Felix and Rosina (Hunig)
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Lyrenmann, who came from Switzerland in 1869, and located on a farm near Monticello. Mrs. Ransom is a lady of many aecom- plishments, and before her marriage taught school for several years in Wright county and in South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Ransom have four children: Esther E., born in 1900; Marjorie, born in 1901; Lyman, born in 1905; and Robert, born in 1910. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John A. Ferguson, an influential citizen of Corinna township, was born in section 36, Silver Creek township, January 10, 1862, son of Henry and Letitia (Campbell) Ferguson, the pioneers. Henry Ferguson was born January 14, 1826, in London township, Province of Ontario, Canada. May 7, 1855, he arrived at Big Bend, in Sherburne county, Minnesota. At the time of his arrival there some seven hundred Chippewa Indians were gathered at the trading post of Asa White, whose wife was herself of Chip- pewa blood. From White's, Mr. Ferguson followed an Indian trail to what is now section 32, in Silver Creek. Here he "squatted" and staked out a claim of 160 acres. On this claim, on December 23, 1855, was born Richard T. Ferguson, the first white male child born in the town of Silver Creek. Henry Fer- guson was one who suffered in the Indian raid of Angust, 1862, the details of which are related elsewhere. These Indians stole horses from the Ferguson claim, and were pursued by a detach- ment of soldiers under Captain John S. Cady, of the Eighth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry. This is the Captain Cady who, on June 11, 1863, was shot and killed near Lake Elizabeth, in Kandi- yohi county, by three Indians, whose real identity is unknown, but who are sometimes said by old settlers to have been Little Crow, his son, the Appearing One, and his son-in-law, Hinkpa. During the Indian pursuit in 1862, Captain Cady stopped at the Ferguson cabin, and became well acquainted with the members of the family. During the pioneer days, the Fergusons suffered many privations. They had severe losses from Indians and grass- hoppers, and frontier life was beset with many difficulties. But in time they prospered and became leading members of the com- munity. Mr. Ferguson died November 3, 1912. Mrs. Ferguson was born November 3, 1830, in Middlesex township, Ontario, and died July 26, 1895.
John A. Ferguson was born in a log cabin, and as he grew to manhood saw the country gradually develop. He attended the distriet schools and was reared to farm pursuits. Until he was twenty-three he remained with his parents and then he started out for himself. For many years he was employed on farms, in the woods and on the rivers. In 1891 he determined to settle down to farming. Accordingly he purchased eighty aeres of land in section 19, Silver Creek township, and there lived until 1907. In the meantime he had increased his holdings to 160
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acres. After selling this traet he bought seventeen acres in sec- tion 19, Corinna township, where he now lives. Aside from his farm property, he has several business holdings, including stock in the Citizens State Bank of Annandale, of which he is vice president. From 1900 to 1907 he was president of the Silver Creek Dairy Association. As a raiser of high class stock he has been especially active. All his stoek is well bred, and his horses inchide a registered Pereheron colt. In 1902 he shipped the first lot of Wright county Poland China swine to the State Fair at Hamline, and in 1906 his swine won the first premium in the six- months class. From 1900 to 1904, Mr. Ferguson was a member of the County Board of Commissioners. From 1891 to 1907 he was clerk of school district 16. Ile is Worshipful Master of Fair Haven Lodge, No. 182, A. F. and A. M., of Annandale. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. John A. Ferguson was married, January 5, 1892, to Katharine G. McKen- zie, daughter of Donald and Katharine (Quig) Mckenzie, natives of Canada, of Scotch descent, who came to Silver Creek in 1855, and located on section 18. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson conduct a popular summer resort on the farm on the shores of Pleasant Lake. In 1911 they started their resort by building four eot- tages. The following year they built four more. They also have two good tents. The cottages accommodate four people and are equipped with provisions for light housekeeping. The resort is well located, is well patronized, and the number of applications for accommodations is constantly growing.
Patrick B. Geary, a respected farmer of Corinna township, was born in Ireland, January 17, 1839, son of Michael and Mary (Hogan) Geary, who in 1849 came to America, and located in Port Hope, Province of Ontario, Canada, sixty miles east of Toronto. Patrick B. was brought to this country when he was ten years of age, and grew to manhood on his parents' farm in Canada. It was about 1869 when he came to Minnesota and bought eighty acres of school land in section 36, Corinna town- ship. This land was absolutely wild and was covered with elm, oak and basswood trees and a thick undergrowth of brush. He had $55 in cash, and this he paid as an advance installment on his land. He erected a log house, cleared off the land, made the furniture on the place, and aside from an ax and a hoe got along as best he could without tools. For seven years he did not have a team of any sort. When he wanted help he worked two days in return for the services of a team and driver one day. He worked a whole day for a bushel of wheat with which to make bread. At one time he chopped off three acres of trees in order to obtain a heifer two and a half years old. When he finally owned a yoke of oxen they were ones that he had raised himself. He cut grain with a cradle and paid ten cents a bushel to have
MR. AND MRS. P. B. GEARY
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it threshed. With this beginning Mr. Geary has achieved suc- cess. He developed the farm, erected good buildings, took an active part in the affairs of the community, and reared a splendid family of children. In 1910 Mr. Geary retired from hard labor, but still continues to live on the farm, which is in the corporate limits of Maple Lake. He has been assessor of Maple Lake vil- lage two years and treasurer one year. He has been clerk of the school board for twelve years. Mr. Geary was married Novem- ber 7, 1872, to Margaret Gorman, a native of Canada. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Edmond, of Bruel, Wis .; John, of Bellingham, Wash .; William and Thomas, of Newport, Wash. : Matthew S. and Frederick B. on the home farm : Aloysius, of DuQuene, Penn. : Mary J. and Annie, both deceased ; Johanna, now Mrs. C. W. Nelson, of Calgary, and Loretta, now Mrs. J. J. Ackerman, of Roxton, Sask. Marie and Mary Geary, twin daughters of J. V. Geary, have made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Patrick B. Geary sinee early childhood.
Matthew P. Geary was born on the homestead where he still lives, in section 36, Corinna township, August 8, 1878, son of Patrick B. and Margaret (Gorman) Geary. Hle attended the neighborhood schools and learned farming from his father. In 1898 he went to Kennan, Wis., and worked at earpenter work for two years. In 1900 he came home and operated the home farm for his father until 1910, when he purchased it. lle is a successful man, and carries on general farming and stock raising along the latest approved lines.
Frederick B. Geary was born on the old homestead in section 36, Corinna township, son of Patrick B. and Margaret (Gorman) Geary. He was reared on the home farm and attended the dis- triet schools. At the age of nineteen he went to Bruel, Wis., where he clerked in a store for his brother Edmond. He has also engaged in steamboating on the Rainey river and in Iumber- ing near International Falls. In 1913 he returned home and is assisting on the farm. Mr. Geary is a member of the Fraternal Orders of Eagles at Bayfield, Wis.
Albert W. Klemz, one of the energetic young men of Corinna township, was born on the old homestead in section 12, November 14, 1889. He attended the district schools, was reared to agri- eultural pursuits, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. In the fall of 1910 he started out for himself and purchased forty acres in section 12, near his father's place. He successfully carries on general farming, and pays particular attention to the raising of IIolstein cattle, Poland-China swine and Rhode Island Red fowls. Mr. Klemz was married in 1910 and this union has been blessed with three children: Laura, born January 25, 1911 ; Irene, born July 18, 1912; Irma, June 10, 1914. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.
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Peter J. Dircks, an active farmer of Corinna township, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, November 23, 1879, son of Peter and Theresa (Worm) Direks, Hollanders. Peter Direks located in Carver county, in this state, in 1860. There he went through the usual hardships and rigors of pioneer life. Supplies were searee and there was little money. He had to bring flour from St. Paul to Chaska, on his back, the distance being thirty- five miles. After developing a good place in Carver county he came to Wright county in 1893, and bought eighty aeres of land in section 13, Corinna township. There he successfully carried on general farming until 1912. Peter J. Direks was reared on the home farm, and received his education in the schools of Wright and Carver counties. He left home in 1905 and located on the W. E. Reno farm in section 26, Corinna township. Ilere he still lives. He successfully carries on general farming, does considerable dairying, and makes a specialty of raising Poland- China swine. A well-educated, well-read man, he has taken an active interest in educational matters, and is now serving his third term as sehool director. Ile is a popular member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen at Maple Lake. Mr. Direks was married May 22, 1906, to Hattie Reno, daughter of William E. and Laura (Dillard) Reno, early settlers of Minneapolis, who settled on 120 acres in Corinna township in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Direks have two children: Ellsworth and Melvin, both at home.
Anton Doering, a scientific farmer of Corinna township, was born in Germany, October 31, 1853, son of Anton and Elizabeth (Feider) Doering. He was reared in his native country, and devoted his early years to farming there. In April, 1889, he started for America, and after a voyage of fourteen days landed in New York. He then came to Clearwater, this county, and in 1890 purchased sixty aeres in section 36, Clearwater township. All this land he cleared and developed, living in the meantime in a rented house nearby. In 1896 he bought 100 aeres in seetion 3, Corinna township, where he now lives. Ile cleared all of this land, erected buildings, and was on the high road to prosperity when the cyclone of 1897 destroyed all his buildings, wrecked all of his machinery, and killed much of his live stock. Undaunted by this disaster he started again, ereeted new buildings, pur- chased new machinery and equipment, bought live stoek, and prepared to farm on a larger seale than before. He now carries on diversified agricultural operations and makes a specialty of raising Holstein cattle. One of the especially attractive features of his place is the new barn. It is 50 by 48 feet, with a cement basement. It was ereeted at a cost of $2,000 and is fitted with all the latest appliances, including thirty patent stanchions and a litter carrier. The capacity is forty head of cattle, nine horses and seventy tons of hay. It is interesting to note that four tons
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of cement, 25,000 feet of boards and 34,000 shingles were used in its construction. Mr. Doering was married February 19, 1883, to Rosa Lemke, daughter of John and Anna Lemke. Mr. and Mrs. Doering have had twelve children: August, Anthony, Paul, Albert, Theresa, Carl, Cecelia, Lucille, Emma, Hubert and two who died in infaney. August, Anthony and Paul were born in Germany. August and Paul are now in North Dakota. Theresa is in Minneapolis. The rest are at home. Cecelia graduated from the Annandale High school in the class of 1911. The family attends the Catholic church at Annandale.
Arie Naaktgeboren, a prosperous citizen of Corinna township, was born in Holland, November 18, 1865, son of Bastiaan and Margrietha (Romph) Naaktegeboren. Arie Naaktgeboren was reared in his native land and there grew to manhood. In 1892 he came to America and located near Firth, Neb., where he worked a year as a farm laborer. Then he rented eighty acres. The crops the first year lacked $50 of paying the rental, and the following year conditions were worse. So in the spring of 1896 he had a public sale. IIorses that would sell now for $100 went for $1 apiece. A valuable pony went for $2, a blooded colt for $6. In the meantime, in 1893, Mr. Naaktgeboren had been to school to learn the English language. Though nearly thirty years of age and wearing a heavy moustache, he went in classes with the little children, and in three months was able to listen to the English language with a fair degree of understanding. After his sale he worked three years on a farm near Sibley, Ia. Then he married. After his marriage he lived on a rented farm near Taintor, Ia., for a little less than three years. He paid $3 an aere cash rent. Farm produce did not bring a big price in the market. Corn was sold for twenty-three cents a bushel, pork for three and a half cents a pound, eggs for six cents a dozen. In 1901 he went to Otley, Ia., where for six years he rented a 200-acre farm. It was in 1907 that he came to Wright county and bought eighty aeres in section 12, Corinna township. The following year he bought 54 acres more, making in all a fine farm of 134 acres, on which he is still living. A small house and barn were standing on the place. In 1910 he put up a windmill, and in 1913 he remodeled the house. Ile has also ereeted a swine house and runs, and double corn cribs, 30 by 6 feet each, with a driveway in between. He has tilled all the low land and has met with success in his operations. Mr. Naaktgeboren was married April 6, 1898, at Pella, Ia., to Ella IIulleman, daughter of Ryk and Hendrika (Mol) Hulleman, retired farmers of Pella, Ia. To this union nine children have been born: Margaret, born Janu- ary 29, 1899; Hattie, born January 15, 1900; Dirkie, born June 15, 1901; Ryk, born December 13, 1902; Bastiaan, born October 27, 1901; Jennie, born March 14, 1907 (died March 26, 1910) ;
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Artie M., born August 29, 1908; Henry, born May 19, 1910; Arie, born June 4, 1912, and an unnamed infant born January 16, 1914, and died at the age of one day.
Frederick S. Mears, popular proprietor of the Cottage Grove Summer Resort, a high elass summering place at the north end of Cedar lake, was born in Martin county, Indiana, September 27, 1841, son of Benjamin F. and Charlotte (Shoalts) Mears. The father was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Indiana about the time he attained his majority. The mother was born in Indiana. Frederick S. Mears was reared on the home farm, and attended the distriet sehools. In August, 1861, not yet twenty years of age, he enlisted in the ranks of Company E, Twenty- seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out in August, 1864. Among the battles in which he participated were: Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Second Bull Run, Second Winchester, Savage Station, Gettysburg, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Resaeea, South Mountain, Buzzard Roost, Snake Creek Gap and others. After his return from the war he worked for his father some eighteen months. Then he married and started out for himself. Until 1881 he farmed in various places in Indiana. Then he came to Minnesota and for many years farmed in Riee and Steele counties. In 1888 he was in charge of the Steele county poor farm. It was in 1898 that he first located in Minneapolis. After a year there he went to Starbuek, Pope county, this state, and handled nursery stock for two years. Subsequently he returned to Minneapolis, and spent seven years there. It was in April, 1908, that he eame to Wright county and purchased his present place in section 15. Mr. Mears is a member of Buzzell Post, No. 24, G. A. R., and passed through all the chairs of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Faribault, as well as serving with distinetion as district deputy grand mas- ter. In 1914 he represented the G. A. R. at the state encampment. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Mears was married September 27, 1866, to America Spihnan, daughter of ITarvey and Mary (Mason) Spilman, who own a grocery store in Washington, Ind. In the family there have been three children. Charles B. is at home; Fred died in 1913, and Mary died in 1904. The Cottage Grove Summer Resort is one of the deservedly well-patronized summer places of the Northwest. It is situated on the north bank of the lake, where there are prevailing gentle winds, and where the view is especially inter- esting. The beach is unusually good for bathing, and the boat- ing and fishing facilities are of the best, all the gamier fish eom- mon to this climate abounding in the waters of the lake. The proprietor has ten cottages, with twenty-two rooms, accommodat- ing fifty people. The porches are screened, and the rooms are all well furnished. When the state hotel inspeetor examined
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the place he declared that the cottages were in the best of con- dition, and that the sanitation was the best in its line that he had seen. The place is only five miles from Annandale and seven miles from Maple Lake. Its table is of the best, most of the food served being raised on the place. In the summer season the place is thronged and Mr. Mears cannot accommodate many of the people who apply.
John B. Olson, stock-fancier and prosperous citizen of Corinna township, was born in Sweden, June 6, 1858, son of Peter and Ingre (Lawson) Olson, who spent the span of their years as farmers in Sweden. At the age of fifteen, John B. Olson started out for himself as a farmhand. It was in 1881 that he eame to America and located in Monroe Center, Ogle county, Illinois. In that vicinity he rented farms for twenty-six years. In 1905 he bought 240 acres in sections 18 and 19 in Corinna township, this county. Ile moved onto this land in 1907 and here he has since resided. He earries on general farming to a certain extent, but his great specialty is feeding cattle for the market. He buys in St. Paul and then ships to that point. ITis neighbors who have an opportunity for intimately observing his methods declare that his are the best animals that are sent to St. Paul. After long study he thoroughly favors a diet consisting of corn fodder in bundles, all the ensilage that the animals will eat, plenty of hay and considerable oil meal. He buys Herefords whenever he can get them, as he considers these the best feeders. As an example of what he accomplishes it may be remarked that while in Illinois he had a herd of Hereford eattle, which by judicious feeding were increased in weight from 1,207 pounds on October 7 to 1,660 pounds before February 15. Mr. Olson was married June 6, 1885, to Hannah Nelson, daughter of Nels Johnson and Inger Torkelson, of Skone, Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have had ten children: Emma, now wife of Louis Erickson, of section 34, South Side; Ernest, who lives two miles south of Annandale : Edwin, Frederick; Jennie, who died in 1906 at the age of thir- teen; Oscar, who died in 1892 at the age of five months, and George W., Ellen F., Albert and Roy. Mr. Olson is a splendid example of what a poor boy with grit and determination may accomplish in this country, even though without friends and with no influenee. He landed at New York poor, friendless, alone, without anyone to help him, and with but seven eents in his pocket. He spent this money in paper and a stamp and wrote a letter home. Then withont a eent he started out to seek his fortune. He now owns 393 aeres, he is an influential eitizen and is worth something like $40,000, a truly notable record of worthy accomplishment.
William Gordon was born June 30, 1866, son of S. A. Gordon, and came to Wright county with his parents in 1870. He
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received his education in the distriet schools, engaged in farming with his father, and in time took the management of the home farm, which he conducted until 1902, when he went to Big Forks, Itasca county, and took a homestead and where he now owns 320 acres of good land. He now lives, however, on the old farm in Corinna township, which is eondueted by his son Bruee. He has served as constable and belongs to the M. W. A. Mr. Gordon was married September 18, 1882, to May Parsons, who died July 14, 1894, leaving three children. Bruee was born August 22, 1887, and eonduets the old Gordon farm. He married Ella Rieger and they have one son, Russell, born May 6, 1914. Earl was born August 2, 1889, and eonduets a farm in Corinna town- ship. He married Alfreda Piesak and they have one son, Robert, born January 30, 1913. Marshall was born July 14, 1894, and died in February, 1895.
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