USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 42
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W. H. LEE AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WRIGHIT COUNTY
Sioux uprising he and his wife spent their nights for two weeks in an open boat. He was very deaf and to his wife was relegated the task of arousing him whenever she heard any suspicious sounds. As the years passed they prospered and became leading people in the neighborhood. Mr. Knickerbocker was married September 27, 1856, to Jennie L. IIntehinson, and this union was blessed with eight children: Fannie, now Mrs. Gust Johnson, St. Paul; Charlotte B., who lives with her brother, William C .; Oliver 11., who lives in Stearns county; Nettie, now wife of E. A. Getehell, of Grand Forks, N. D .; Emma, now Mrs. Harry Scherfenberg, of St. Cloud; Etta, of Cherokee, N. C .; David H., of St. Cloud, Minn .; William C., on the home farm.
William H. Lee, farmer, Clearwater township, was born on the place in section 22, where he still resides, March 21, 1869, son of James and Rebecca (Burcham) Lee, the former of whom was a native of Delaware and the latter of Ohio. They came to Wright county in 1855 with the early pioneers. Here the father died June 3, 1899. The mother now lives in Los Angeles, Cal. In the family there were six children: James F., of South Side township; Sarah, widow of George Furber, of Los Angeles; Arthur B., of Spokane, Wash .; William H .; Mabel, a missionary in Japan, and Grace, wife of L. L. Fish, of Minneapolis. William H. Lee was reared to agricultural pursuits, and received his education in the district schools. He has spent his life, thus far, on the home farm, and carries on general farming. He has greatly improved the farm in every way and is one of the lead- ing men of his township. Mr. Lee was married November 24, 1897, to Anna Kothmann, born in Clearwater township, August 19, 1868, daughter of Francis and Katherine (Unger) Kothmann, natives of Germany. Her parents eame to America as young people, found their way to Wright county and were married in Clearwater township. Mr. Kothmann was a skilled blacksmith and followed his trade at Clearwater for a time, but owing to poor health he turned to agriculture and purchased 120 aeres in Clearwater township, where he farmed until his death in 1877. By his first marriage he had three children: John and Frank (deceased) and Mary. By his second wife, Katherine Unger, he had seven children: Katherine, Delia, William, Anna, John, Henry and Frank, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been blessed with five children: Katherine, born November 25, 1898; Walter, born August 11, 1900; James, born August 30, 1902, died October 30, 1903; John, born September 7, 1904, and Arthur, born April 25, 1906. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Curtis D. Shattuck, farmer, Clearwater township, was born in Franklin county, New York, December 4, 1824, son of John and Marneda (Rawson) Shattuck, natives respectively of Massa-
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
chusetts and Vermont, the father having been a soldier in the War of 1812. In the family there were four children: Curtis D., Chauncey (deceased), Laura (deceased) and Lepha (deceased). Curtis D. Shattuck was reared to farm pursuits, and at the age of fifteen began to assume the responsibility of the home farm. His father, who had been wounded in battle, was unable to work. At the time of the father's death Curtis D. came into possession of the home place, paid up all the debts, and acquired success. He made all the shingles for the house, barns, sheds and the like, even cutting the logs himself. In July, 1868, he came west and took up his home in Clearwater village. In 1870 he purchased 110 acres in section 12, Clearwater township, where he has since contimed to live. He has purchased ten acres more and has a well-improved place on which he conducts general farming. A Republican in politics, Mr. Shattuck has taken considerable interest in public affairs. He was deputy sheriff in New York state for ten years. He has been town treasurer of Clearwater township for some eight years and has served in minor township offiees. Mr. Shattuck was married June 3, 1849, to Amanda Day, a native of Vermont, who was born October 20, 1826, and died June 18, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck have four children : Herbert R., born April 6, 1850, now living at home; Ida, born November 28, 1852, now wife of Nathan Dally, of Laporte, Minn .; Edson W., born May 8, 1855, a merchant of Minneapolis, and Sherman W., born July 20, 1865, a mail clerk of Clearwater.
Willard D. Rice, farmer and stockraiser, Clearwater town- ship, was born in Winnebago county, Wis., February 23, 1857, son of Clark and Emily (Draper) Rice, natives of Vermont, who came to Wright county in 1879 and located in Clearwater town- ship, where the father died September 5, 1913, and the mother in 1893. In the famliy there were seven children: Willard D .. Philo, Harland, of Clearwater; Minnie, wife of F. Trafton, of Clearwater: Clark, of California, and Levi and Ell, both deceased. Born in a log cabin in Wisconsin, Willard D. Rice started ont for himself at the age of sixteen by securing farm employment at $18 a month. For several years he worked as a farm hand and in the lumber woods. In 1879 he came to Wright connty and started working for his father, taking care of the stock, and doing general work around the farm. In 1891 he bought a farm joining the old home farm. It consists of 163 acres on section 12. He has made many improvements, includ- ing the erection of a new modern barn. Ilis snecess as a farmer and stock raiser has been marked. Mr. Rice is a Republican in polities and has served on the school board for several years. Hle belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Rice is a splendid type of American citizen. He knew the rigors of pioneer endeavor, and with no resources save his own strength, and
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C. D. SHATTUCK AND FAMILY
WILLARD D. RICE AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
ability and the heritage of sturdy manhood and integrity left by his rugged ancestors he has earved for himself an honored position in the community, and is often held up to the younger generation as a model of what hard work and industry may accomplish. Mrs. Riee is a fine representative of the women of eastern birth whose graciousness and housewifely thrift have helped make Minnesota what it is today. She has encouraged her husband in all his undertakings, has been a sympathetic wife and an understanding mother. She is the friend and the inspiration of many of the young people in the community, and the Rice home is known for its hospitality and eheer. Mr. Riee was married May 17, 1893, to Elmira Brandow, who was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, September 20, 1862, daughter of James and Catherine (Shadiek) Brandow, natives of New York state who in 1849 eame west to Winnebago county and engaged in farming. There the father died in 1902 and the mother is now living at Neenah in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, at the good old age of eighty-three years. In the Brandow family there are ten children, as follows: Henry A., Alfred, George M., Harland, Walter, Elmira, Emmie, Hiram E., Helen May and James B. Mr. and Mrs. Riee have one son Leroy, born August 8, 1894, who is engaged in farming with his father.
Herman Stuhr, for many years a respected eitizen of Chatham township, was born in Germany, May 8, 1832, received his eduea- tion in that country, learned the trade of carpenter, and became a small contractor. Hle eame to America in 1873, and located at Stillwater, in this state, where he worked at his trade. One thing he did there was to work on the large Catholic church. In 1874 he eame to Wright county and bought eighty aeres in section 32. Chatham township, where he erected a set of farm buildings and developed a splendid farm. In time he bought another 160 acres and later added still eighty acres. He reaped his first wheat crop in 1875. He put in the seed by digging holes among the stumps with a hoe and work it in with a hand rake. In time, however, he became very successful, and his farm was operated with all the latest machinery. For a long period during the early days he did contraeting and building as well as farm- ing, and some of the best homes and barns in this vicinity are monuments to the honesty and fidelity with which he worked. For several seasons he walked five miles a day to and from his farm to the places where he was doing carpenter work. He was one of those men who assisted materially in building up the county, and was regarded as a useful citizen in every way. For many years he served on the school board. Mrs. Stuhr was born in Germany, June 2, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Stuhr were the parents of thirteen children: Henry, of Maple Lake, this eounty ; Her- man, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Emil, of Chatham, this county ;
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Otto, of Maple Lake ; Emma, now Mrs. Alfred Robasse, of Marys- ville, this county ; Ida, now Mrs. Louis Bremmer, of Marysville; Charles, of Maple Lake; Rudolph and George, of Chatham; Frank, of North Dakota; Minnie, who died at eleven years and eleven months; Albert, of Chatham township, and Annie, of Minneapolis.
Albert Stuhr, an active farmer of Chatham township, was born on the homestead in section 32, where he still resides, December 27, 1881, son of Herman and Wilhelmina Stuhr. He attended the district schools, was reared on the home place, and learned farming from his father. For several years he rented the farm, in 1912 took possession of it and has since successfully conducted it. He has 160 acres of land and carries on general farming, making a specialty of stoek raising. He buys and feeds, keeps about eighty head and devotes his attention to the beef rather than the dairy aspects of the industry.
Edward Daniel Elsenpeter, agriculturist and educator, one of the influential and progressive citizens of Chatham township, was born in the township where he still resides, October 12, 1879, son of Chris. and Clara Elsenpeter. In the family there were eight children: Anna (deceased), Lizzie, Mary (deceased), Rose, William, Henry, Edward D. and Frank. Edward D. attended the district schools in Albion township, and the High schools at Buffalo and Maple Lake, after which, being duly qualified, he received a teacher's certificate. He chose, however, to use his education as a seientifie farmer rather than as an instructor. He formed a partnership with his brothers William, Henry and Frank for four years. Henry taught in the distriet schools of Wright county, William taught in the government Indian school at White Earth, Minn., Frank taught in the government Indian school at Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and Edward D. conducted the home farm. At the close of this period Edward D. and Frank formed a partnership and bought out the other heirs. They farmed for two years and then Frank sold out to Edward D. Edward D. now operates 120 aeres of good land in sections 19 and 30, eighty acres in section 30, and forty aeres in section 19. IIe carries on general farming, raises good grade stoek, and is a stockholder in the Maple Lake Co-operative Creamery. Ile also makes a specialty of feeding and fatting cattle for the market. Mr. Elsenpeter was married September 29, 1909, to Jane Eng- houser, daughter of Joseph Enghouser, of Buffalo, and they have one child, Edna, born September 12, 1913.
Joseph Enghouser eame to Minnesota October 1, 1875, was married to Matilda Heaton, January 17, 1877, and started farming in the township of Chatham. Ile bought forty aeres in seetion 33, farmed that for three years, sold out and bought eighty aeres in seetion 3, Albion; farmed there three years, sold out and
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
bought eighty aeres in section 3, Marysville; farmed there three years, sold out and moved to Quiney, Ill., where he worked four months as a team driver; then moved back to Wright county and bought eighty acres in section 35, Corinna township; farmed there eight years, rented the farm, moved to Chatham township, leased 120 aeres in section 33 from his brother-in-law, Frank Behrenbrinker; farmed there two years, moved baek onto his farm in Corinna township, lived there two years, rented his farm, was appointed by the County Commissioners as janitor of the Courthouse at Buffalo for eight years; at the end of four years purchased eighty more acres of land in section 34, Corinna town- ship, at the end of eight years moved back to the farm of 160 acres in Corinna township; farmed there twelve years, then gave his son, Frank Enghouser, forty acres in section 35; rented his remaining 120 aeres to his son-in-law, Frank MeAlpine; then moved to Buffalo as a retired farmer, and bought property there. Mr. and Mrs. Enghouser had five children: Frank William (de- ceased), Phoebe Ann, Edith Grace, America Jane and Minnie Mary. Matilda Heaton, now the wife of Joseph Enghouser, came to Minnesota in the fall of 1866, at the age of six years. Her parents moved to Marysville from Iowa, coming by rail to Mon- ticello, and driving with ox team a distance of fourteen miles to their new claim. As they journeyed across Monticello prairie they saw many instances where homesteaders had left their claims during the Indian outbreak. Many times, as a girl, Mrs. Eng- houser has been in the shacks of homesteaders and seen where the Indians had massaered the white settlers. She has also seen as many as forty wild deer in one grove, and often she eneoun- tered bears. At the age of seventeen she married Joseph Eng- hauser. After they were married, they were accustomed to going ten miles to church with the children, riding on a stone-boat drawn by a pair of oxen. Often in going down hill, the stone- boat would go too fast, and the family would find themselves riding between the oxen. Mr. Enghouser was a trainer of oxen, and during his younger days "broke" as many as thirty pair.
William Welton, one of the early pioneers who took his part in the upbuilding of Wright county, was born in Ireland, and was there reared. As a youth he found his way to London, and there he married Julia Ryan. From London they came to America and located in Indiana. From that state they came to St. Paul. It was in 1859 that they came to Wright county and selected a claim of 80 acres in Maple Lake township. At the time of the Indian outbreak they fled to the stockade at Monticello. During a part of the way the men went ahead to see that the way was clear and that there were no Indians about. They dropped crackers along the trail so that the women might know that all was safe, and follow on. After the trouble was over the family
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
returned and resumed their labor. They bought 160 acres more land nearer Maple Lake. They cleared the land, went through the untold hardships of pioneer life, and in time achieved pros- perity, being noted for their honesty and self-respect. He died October 12, 1901, and she June 17, of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Welton were the parents of ten children. Mary and John are dead. Ellen is dead. Her husband, Charles Mullen, and their children are living in Tacoma, Washington. He is a veteran of the Civil war. Bridget is the wife of Charles Hayes, of Maple Lake township, likewise a veteran of the Civil war. Patrick lives in Maple Lake township. He was the first white child born in this neighborhood. He married Lucy Elsenpeter. Katherine lives on the old homestead. Emma is dead. Marie is the wife of George E. Elsenpeter of Chatham township. Nettie is on the old homestead. William died in Maple Lake township, village, October 12, 1901.
William Elsenpeter, a sturdy pioneer whose name will ever be remembered in Wright county as one of its most useful and respected citizens, was born in Germany, and as a young man eame to America seeking his fortune. Here he married Mary White, a native of Maine. . They came to Wright county in 1856, and settled on 160 acres in Maple Lake township. For a time they lived in a most primitive way. They erected a log eabin, cut down the heavy timber, cleared and "grubbed" the land, and, facing life with zeal and courage, underwent with patience many hardships and privations. But with the passing of the years came success and prosperity. A splendid residence replaced the log cabin, sightly barns took the place of the old shed, and the farm was increased to 280 aeres of well-tilled land. A progressive man in every way, a man who believed thoroughly in the dignity of the agricultural pursuits, it is not to be wondered at that he was the first man in his part of the county to own a threshing, reaping and binding outfit. He and his wife are both deeeased. He died February 17, 1890, and she died February 17, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Elsenpeter were the parents of nine children : Luey is now Mrs. Patrick Welton, of Maple Lake township; George E. is a leading farmer in Chatham township; John married Mary Cavanaugh and lives in Maple Lake township; Agnes married Albert Westrup, of Maple Lake; Ada married Daniel Flaherty, of Maple Lake; William is engaged in railroading; Charles mar- ried Mary Thien, and is engaged in farming in Rockland, Idaho; Alice is the wife of James Sixton, of Maple Lake; Grace is wife of Emery Moore, of Loretta, Minn.
George E. Elsenpeter, one of the best known and most influ- ential farmers of Wright county, was born in Maple Lake town- ship, this county, August 12, 1865, son of William and Mary (White) Elsenpeter. Ile received his edueation in the little log
GEORGE ELSENPETER AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
schoolhouse near his home, learned farming from his father, helped to elear the land and develop the home place, and re- mained with his parents until his father's death, taking entire charge of the farm during the latter part of this period. After his father died, he and his brother John conducted the farm together. At that time it consisted of 280 acres, 240 acres being in Maple Lake township and forty acres in Chatham township. Later the estate was divided, and George E. received 33 acres. By intelligently directed hard work and unremitting toil he has increased his holdings until he now has 322 acres which consti- tute one of the finest farms in the whole county. In 1913 he ereeted a brick residence, which is likewise one of the finest farm homes in the county. Mr. Elsenpeter has worked early and late, and has ever been honest and upright, just in all his dealings. He well deserves the success with which he has met. He is a student of his work, follows the latest improved methods, and believes in progress along all lines of endeavor. For fourteen years he was chairman of the town board of Chatham. For the past seven years he has held his present position as member of the school board of his district. Fraternally he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The temperance cause finds in him an ardent supporter. The family faith is that of the Cath- olie church. Mr. Elsenpeter was married February 24, 1892, to Marie Welton, who has proven a most capable helpmeet in all their walks in life. In the family there are seven children: William, born December 28, 1892; Francis, born June 3, 1894; Earle, born October 6, 1895; Margaret and Julia (twins), born March 6, 1898; Clarence, born June 29, 1900, and Clinton, born November 28, 1908.
Isaac Cowett, a pioneer, now deceased, was born in Quebee, Canada, June 29, 1836, son of Swasen and Julia (Richards) Cowett. Isaac Cowett came to Hennepin county, this state, in 1853, and worked for a number of years as a farm hand. After his marriage he bought forty acres of land, in the same county, near Dayton, and lived there until 1877. Then they sold that land, and purchased 160 acres in section 31, Chatham township, Wright county. The traet was covered with timber. Mr. Cowett set at work and built a log cabin, 18 by 28, with a board floor and a roof of oak "shakes." Gradually he eleared the land and prepared it for cultivation, until he had an excellent farm. He also erected suitable buildings from time to time, and beeame a prosperous man. He died November 4, 1901. Mr. Cowett was married January 10, 1860, to Susan Goodin, born March 8, 1845, daughter of Paul and Abilene (Micheau) Goodin, of Hennepin county, this state. The children in the family are: Staven; Octavia, now Mrs. John Young; Joseph ; Ellen, now Mrs. Charles Koshien ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Timothy Eldred; Ida, now Mrs.
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Peter Bolger; Matilda, now Mrs. Charles Liser; George; John, of Maple Lake; Emma, now Mrs. Emil Stuhr; William; Samuel : and Milady, now Mrs. Thomas Antil, of Buffalo. Nine are dead.
George Cowett, a substantial farmer of Chatham township, was born in Hennepin county, this state, February 5, 1875, son of Isaac Cowett and Susan (Goodin) Cowett. He was brought to section 31, Chatham township, as an infant, and was here reared. He attended the public schools and learned farming from his father. In 1912 he rented the place, and has since suc- cessfully conducted it. His mother lives with him. The place is splendidly improved in every way. The house contains eleven rooms and is modern throughout. The barn was destroyed by fire April 4, 1914, being a total loss, together with five horses, sixteen head of cattle, three sets of harnesses, eight swine, fifteen tons of hay, and a good supply of grain and feed. It was an unusually fine structure, having a capacity of thirty cattle, seven horses and sixty tons of hay. Undaunted by this disaster, Mr. Cowett has set to work to repair his losses. He carries on general farming and is looked upon as a successful man. Mr. Cowett was married January 14, 1913, to Elizabeth, the daughter of August Shelander, of Michigan. She had been married Novem- ber 2, 1896, to Peter Kalstrom, who died October 2, 1910, leaving two children: Roy Philip and Chester Raymond.
Arthur F. Munstenteiger, a prosperous farmer of Chatham township, was born in Buffalo township, this county, November 10, 1883, son of Herman and Lena Munstenteiger, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools and learned farming from his father. He now owns the home- stead of 160 aeres in Chatham, has erected some good barns, has a comfortable home, and is regarded as a successful farmer and good citizen in every respect. He carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising good stock. He married Anna Demares, and has one daughter, Mildred, born December 28, 1912. Anna Demares is the daughter of Napoleon and Melvina Demares, who in the early days settled in section 2, Chatham township, among the earliest pioneers. They experienced all the rigors of frontier life. When they arrived they erected a shelter of poles and leaves and lived in this manner until their eabin was com- pleted. It took them many years to clear their land, but in time they became prosperous and comfortable.
Hjalmar Frithiof Borgstrom, a leading farmer of Chatham township, was born in Delarne, Sweden, June 29, 1864, son of Samuel Gustave and Johanna (Jewett) Borgstrom. Samuel Gus- tave Borgstrom was a prominent miller, and followed that business from 1854 to 1861. The famine of 1860 cansed many of the peasants to move away, and he closed his mill and opened a gen- oral store, which he conducted from 1861 to 1867. Then for
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
several years he was foreman and cruiser for a large lumber company. In his latter years he aeted as communal spokesman and had charge of the expense records of the parish church. Ile was born in Westmanland, January 7, 1828, and died in December, 1901. His wife was born in Westmanland, March 24, 1824, and died in August, 1889. They were married in 1854 and had six children : Hilda Louise, Charlotta, Gustave Adolph, Anna Sophia, Emma Maria and IIjalmar F. Charlotta came to the United States in ISSI, and located in Marysville. She married Ole Peterson. Gustave still lives in Delarne, Sweden. Anna Sophia eame to Marysville in 1886 and located in seetion 7. She is the wife of Nels Peterson. Emma Maria still lives in Sweden. Iljalmar F. was reared in his native parish, and in 1888 came to America, arriving in Minneapolis May 25. For a time he worked as a harvest hand, later in the lumber woods. After his marriage he located on seetion 31, Chatham township, where he secured forty acres. A shack had been erected and about one and a half acres had been broken. For two or three years he worked with a yoke of steers. Gradually he eleared up the land, and in time erected a modern house and barns. Hle carries on general farming, and has made a specialty of breeding Holstein cattle. A thorough believer in the farmers' movement, he has taken shares in the Farmers' Co-operative Store, at Waverly, and has been well pleased with the venture. At the present time he is serving as town supervisor and school clerk. In times past he has held various offices in the Swedish Lutheran Church at Marysville. For thirteen years he has been local agent for the Seandinavian Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Borgstrom was mar- ried in the fall of 1889 to Betsy Eek, born in Sweden November 14, 1868, daughter of Olaf and Anna (Hanson) Eek, who spent the span of their years in Sweden. Of the eleven children in the Eek family there were three, John, Betsy and Ellen, who came to the United States. John is dead. Ellen is the wife of Andrew Johnson, of Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Borgstrom have had four children : Elmer was born April 12, 1890, and died in 1892. Henry was born July 15, 1892, and died at the age of twenty-nine days. Carl Arthur was born January 28, 1894. Elmer Samuel was born July 12, 1895. Elmer S. has been raised to agricultural pursuits and is to receive the home farm. Carl A. has been given an education. He graduated from the Buffalo high school in 1911, and took up the study of pharmacy. In January, 1914, he passed with high marks the examination of the State Board of Pharmacy, and is now a licensed druggist, and is manager of a drugstore at 1110 Payne avenue, St. Paul. The family history of the Borgstroms is most interesting. The father of Samuel Gustave Borgstrom was a blacksmith. The grandmother of Mrs. Samnel Gustave Borgstrom bore the name of Jewett. She reached
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