USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 48
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Thomas O'Loughlin, a respected citizen of French Lake town- ship,was born in County Claire, Ireland, in 1834, son of Michael and Hannah (Maroney) O'Loughlin. The family came to America in 1847 and located in Vermont, where Michael O'Loughlin died in 1849. Mrs. Hannah (Maroney) O'Loughlin lived to be over ninety and died in Wright county, Minnesota, in July, 1914. Though a boy of tender years when the family arrived in Ver- mont, Thomas O'Loughlin secured work on the railroad. In 1850 he went to Hanover, Ohio, where he engaged in similar work. In 1857 he went to Davenport, Iowa, and remained a year. It was in 1858, the year the state was admitted, that he came to Wright county and located in French Lake township, where he secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 10. He ereeted a log house with a shake roof and a board floor, manufactured his own furniture, and started to develop a farm. He did not even have a stove, nor did he get one for five years, a erude fireplace of stones and a camp baker being his only cooking and heating device. In time he managed to get a pair of oxen, and thus the work of elearing the land was made easier. For several years he lived alone in his eabin. Only five families lived in this viein- ity at that time. During the Indian seare he fled to Monticello for protection. Gradually, as the result of his hard work, the land was developed and improved, buildings were erected, and the neighborhood was settled up. Mr. O'Loughlin is now a pros- perous, successful man. The position he occupies in the esteem of his fellow men is shown by the fact that he has served as town supervisor for seven years. For four years the French Lake postoffice was kept at his home. Mr. O'Loughlin was married April 16, 1863, to Susan Mooney, daughter of Thomas and Cath- erine (Powers) Mooney. Mr. and Mrs. O'Loughlin have had six children : John M. was born April 6, 1864. He owns land adjoin- ing his father in section 9 and has held different town offices for a number of years. He was census enumerator for French Lake township in 1900 and 1910. Mary was born February 18, 1866, married Joseph Cavanaugh, and lives at Outlook, Mont. They have three children, John, Edward and Charles. Bridget was born October 25, 1868, married Louis Topping, of Fargo, N. D., had three children, Alice, Charles and Lillian (who died in in- faney), and died in 1909. Cornelius was born in 1870, and died at the age of five years. Thomas was born March 11, 1873, and is now a leading farmer of French Lake township. Ignatius was born August 17, 1880, and is now at home.
Thomas P. O'Loughlin, a wideawake farmer of French Lake township, was born on the homestead in the township where he still resides, March 11, 1873, son of Thomas and Susan (Mooney) O'Loughlin, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools and has devoted the greater part
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of his life, thus far, to agricultural pursuits. From 1903 to 1907 he rented a farm near his father's. From 1907 to 1910 he was employed in the railroads yards at Fargo, N. D. It was in Jannary, 1910, that he purchased his present farm of 140 aeres in section 10. He moved onto the place in October of that year. Mr. O'Longhlin earries on general farming and has been most successful in his operations. Mr. O'Longhlin was married Octo- ber 7, 1903, to Anna Cavanaugh, daughter of James and Anna (Russell) Cavanaugh, pioneers of Corinna township in this county. Mr. Cavanaugh died on October 11, 1908. Mrs. Cav- anangh makes her home with Mr. O'Loughlin. Mr. and Mrs. O'Loughlin have three children: Gerald, born January 16, 1907; Mary, born May 8, 1910, and Catherine, born January 7, 1914.
Charles J. Mabus, a prosperous farmers of French Lake town- ship, was born in Monticello, this county, January 6, 1877, son of August and Josephine Mary (Chamberlain) Mabus. Angust Mabus was born in Berlin, Germany, and was there reared. It was in 1858 that he eame to America and found employment in the lumber regions about Menominee, Wis. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the famous Second Wisconsin Cavalry. In after years he stated that of the 250 men who went to the Civil War at about that same time, from the Menominee saw mills, only he and one other ever came back, the rest having been killed or having died in the service. August Mabus proved a most valiant soldier. He took part in thirty-two battles, in addition to many raids and skirmishes, and was present at the surrender of Lee. He was never wounded in battle, though exposed to shot, shell and sabre so many times. After his return from the war he again worked in the Inmber regions. Later he eame to Minnesota. Ile died in the Soldiers' Home at St. Paul, at the age of about seventy years. Ile was a member of the G. A. R. His wife died in northern Minnesota in 1879. Charles J. Mabus was adopted at the age of two years by Mr. and Mrs. Michael O'Donohue. Michael C. O'Donohue was born in Ireland and there married Bridget O'Loughlin. In 1858 they came to Wright county, and secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 10, French Lake township, which was at that time covered with timber. They made a clearing, erected a log eabin and started farming in the wilderness. Gradually they cleared the land and developed a good farm. At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. O'Donohue enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served until the elose of the conflict. While in the South he eontraeted a fever from which he never fully recovered. In 1884 the cabin was burned and a frame house was ereeted in its plaee. As time passed suitable barns and sheds were also con- structed. Mr. and Mrs. O'Donohue were among the most prom- inent and respected people in the community. They gave their
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adopted son a good home and parental affection and their name will ever be revered. For several years Mr. O'Donohue was county commissioner. For twenty years he was township clerk, and served as justice of the peace about the same period. He also served for a time on the township board. He died August 11, 1896, at the age of sixty-two. Mrs. O'Donohue now lives at Maple Lake at the age of seventy-eight. Charles J. Mabus has always remained on the farm of his foster parents. He was edneated in the district schools and was reared to farm pursuits. In 1896 he came into possession of the home place. His farm consists of 120 acres of good land in section 10, where he sue- cessfully carries on general farming. He makes a specialty of raising Durham cattle, Percheron horses and Chester White swine. Mr. Mabus was married October 20, 1903, to Helen Cassidy, who was born in Clearwater township, April 16, 1884, daughter of John and Catherine (Connolly) Cassidy, of Clear- water township. Mr. and Mrs. Mabus have six children : Irene, born July 24, 1904; Catherine, born October 16, 1905; Mildred, born June 17, 1907; Theresa, born March 26, 1909; Lila, born February 19, 1911; Ruth, born November 5, 1912.
Nels A. Hillman, the prosperous general merchant of French Lake village, was born in Sweden, February 24, 1866, son of Andrew and Anna (Olson) Hillman. Andrew Hillman was born in Sweden, there married, and there spent his early manhood. In 1881 he brought his wife and four children, Anna, Elizabeth, Mary and Nels A., to America and located on forty acres in seetion 16, French Lake township. This tract was covered with timber. They made a clearing, erected a house 16 by 24 of hewed logs with a shingled roof and a board floor, and started to develop a farm. Gradually the place was improved, frame buildings were erected and the ground was cleared. Andrew Hillman died at Shell Lake, Wis., September 6, 1906, at the age of seventy years. His wife, who was seventy-eight on January 15, 1914, lives with her son, Nels A. Nels A. Hillman remained at home until he was seventeen years of age. Then he was employed by varions farmers until 1889, when he bought a grocery store at 1551 East Franklin avenue, Minneapolis, and later sold it to P. M. Burg, who moved the goods to Shell Lake, Wis. Mr. Hillman then worked in the west some three years. Later he entered the employ of II. C. Peterson, grocer, at 116 Bridge square, Minneapolis. He then bought a grocery at 824 Hennepin avenue, in the same city. His next venture was when he took a homestead at Clam Lake, Wis., where he operated a farm, store and sawmill. Subsequently he sold out there and bought a general store at Winton, in this state. He opened July 3, 1901, and was burned out July 23 of the same year, losing practically everything. He at onee rebuilt and again opened
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his store. Later he sold out there and entered the employ of a planing mill at Winton. At the same time he bought an interest in the Shell Lake Boat Co., Shell Lake, Wis. After a year he sold out. In 1908 he opened his present store in French Lake village. This store has grown in size and popularity. Mr. IFill- man is known far and wide for the exeellenee of his goods, the courtesy of his treatment. He has built a large trade and well deserves his unusual sneeess. In addition to his mercantile interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of French Lake. While in Burnett county, Wis., he was chairman of the town board of La Follett township, and treasurer of the sehool distriet and of the township. At Winton, Minn., he was jnstiee of the peace five years. He has passed through the chairs of the I. O. O. F. at Shell Lake, Wis., and of the M. W. A. at Clam Lake, Wis. Mr. Hillman was married September 13, 1895, to Selma Carlson, daughter of Erland and Anna ( Anderson) Carlson, who still live in Frederick, Polk county, Wis., the father being seventy-three years of age and the mother sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Hillman have three children: Violet Elizabeth, born July 13, 1896; Anna Harriet, born September 29, 1898, and Philip Nels, born July 9, 1906. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Anthony Guintire, Jr., an energetic farmer of French Lake township, was born on the home farm in seetion 15, March 2, 1876, son of Anthony Guintire, Sr., and Elizabeth '(Nelson) Guintire. The father was a Belgian by birth, who came to Wright county, and here met the young lady who afterward became his wife. Her parents were also a pioneer family. It is interesting to note that during the courtship Anthony Guin- tire, Sr., was unable to speak or understand the Swedish language, the young lady whom he was courting was unable to speak any- thing but Swedish, and the friendship progressed with some difficulty. After they were married, Mrs. Gnintire, Sr., went to school and learned English. Anthony Guintire, Jr., the subjeet of this mention, grew up on the home place, attended the district schools, and was reared to farm pursuits. When he was about thirty he started working in the lumbering regions in the win- ter, still, however, laboring on the home farm in summer. In 1900 he purchased his present farm of forty aeres in seetion 4, French Lake township. He remodeled the house and in 1907 erected a new barn. The structure is 22 by 32 feet and is pro- vided for the shelter of eleven cattle, two horses and fifteen tons of hay. Mr. Guintire earries on general farming and stock rais- ing. Anthony Guintire, Jr., was married October 26, 1904, to Lena Mattson, danghter of Lars and Christine (Mattson) Matt- son, of French Lake township. Mr. and Mrs. Guintire have three children: Helen Christine Elizabeth was born August 30, 1908.
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Florence Ethel Elenore was born July 25, 1912. Another died in infancy. Lena Mattson, now Mrs. Anthony Guintire, Jr., was born June 18, 1883, the second of a family of seven boys and six girls. Her father, Lars Mattson, was born in Sweden, and at the age of nine years came to America. He is now a prosperous farmer, owning 60 acres of good land in section 21, French Lake township.
Anthony Guintire, an honored and respeeted early settler of French Lake township, now deceased, was born in Belgium, December 17, 1833, and died in Wright county, January 24, 1892. The years between these dates spanned a useful life of honorable hard work and earnest toil. He helped to develop the county and developing a good farm, and he reared a large family to revere his memory. His parents, Anthony and Mary Josephine Guintire, died in the old country. He was reared on a farm in Belgium, attended school, and there grew to manhood. April 14, 1865, the sad day when Abraham Lincoln was assas- sinated, he arrived in America. He found his way to French Lake township, this county, and in 1868 bought eighty acres in section 15. He hired the land cleared, built a log house 16 by 20 feet, of unhewed logs, shake roof and plank floor, and this started his career as a farm owner. The furniture was home made and he owned a yoke of oxen. Fortunately the family larder was always full, but there were still many rigors to be endured and much hard work before the farm was developed and improved. On this place he reared his family, on this place he continued to carry on his farming operations and on this place he died. Anthony Guintire was married October 13, 1870, to Elizabeth Nelson, born February 20, 1854, the youngest of the family of two sons and two daughters born to Nels and Eliza- beth (Matson) Nelson. Nels Nelson came to Ameriea in 1869 and on June 24 of that year settled in French Lake township. He died in March, 1897, and his wife died July 1, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Guintire were blessed with eight children: Paul, Peter, Anthony, Emily, Albert, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. Paul was born April 17, 1872, and died in January, 1886. Peter was born February 23, 1874, and has always remained on the home farm. Anthony was born March 3, 1876, and is now a successful farmer of French Lake. Emily was born July 12, 1878, and died July 10, 1901. Albert was born September 11, 1880, and died July 4, 1900. Elizabeth was born January 23, 1882. and was married November 27, 1908, to August Matson, of Minneapolis. Mary was born July 9, 1885, and died May 12, 1914. She was married July 7, 1908, to John Beckhind. Anna was born March 6, 1891, and was married June 23, 1913, to Joseph De Cheney, of South Haven, this county. They have one son, Donald William, born March 21, 1914. Mrs. Elizabeth (Nelson) Guintire, widow of
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Anthony Guintire, was married December 11, 1894, to Eli Joseph, and by that marriage had two children: Emma, born June 26, 1896, and William, born November 27, 1898, who are living at home.
Nicholas Burges, a pioneer of Frankfort township, was born in Germany and was there reared. He married Mary Lambert, also a native of that country, and reared a family. He came to America, bringing his family with him. First they settled in Michigan and then in Wisconsin. It was in the late fifties when they came to Frankfort township and located in seetion 28, in the deep woods. He erected a log cabin and provided for the needs of his family as best he could. His first erops were planted between the stumps with a grub hoe. It was several years before he could get horses or oxen. In the early days he would often give three days of his own time in exchange for a yoke of oxen for one day. Sometimes he brought flour and other provisions on his baek from Minneapolis. During the Indian scare he refused to be frightened, but stuek to his little cabin. The Indians did not come and no evil befell him. After a while he built a second log cabin. In this he was helped by Mathias Barthel, who married his daughter, Barbara. Mr. and Mrs. Burges reared a large family. One of the sons, William, served in the Civil War, and was killed at the Battle of Tennessee. Nicholas Burges and his wife are both now dead, and are laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at St. Michaels.
Mathias Barthel, for many years a farmer of section 28, Frankfort township, was born in Germany, one of the family of five boys and two girls born to Bernard and Elizabeth Barthel, who spent the span of their years in the old country. Mathias came to this country on a sailing vessel, the trip taking 68 days. He and his brother Jacob came to Ft. Snelling at about the time of the close of the Civil War. Mathias was at that time twenty- four years of age. For a while he drove a government team in various parts of the country. Then he came to Wright county and located on the farm of Nicholas Burges, whose daughter Barbara he married. He helped Mr. Burges ereet his second log cabin, and also erected a part of the present briek residence. He became a prominent man and served as town supervisor. Among other good work he assisted in erecting the three suc- cessive churches that have been built in St. Michael's. Mr. and Mrs. Barthel had eleven children: Nicholas, Mary, Christina, Margaret, Barbara, Mathias, Kate, Anna, Joseph, Alouise and Clara.
Nicholas Barthel, an enterprising farmer of Frankfort town- ship, was born on his grandfather's homestead in section 28, where he still resides. Ile is the son of Mathias and Barbara (Burges) Barthel, and grandson of Nicholas and Mary (Lam-
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
bert) Burges. He was reared on the old homestead, attended the public schools and has devoted his mature years to agricul- tural pursuits. Ile has a splendid farm, with substantial build- ings and ample equipment. Ile carries on general farming and stock raising, and sells eream to the St. Michael's Co-Operative Creamery, in which he is a stockholder. In 1899 Mr. Bartel purchased the old homestead and has made extensive improve- ments. Erected a fine modern brick residence, a large sanitary barn 40 by 76 and a number of other buildings. He is a pro- gressive member of St. Joseph's Society and of the Catholic church. Mr. Barthel married Mary Dehn, born in Otsego, this county, daughter of Peter and Theresa Dehn, pioneers. Their children are: Agnes, Amelia, Rosa, Mathias, Leo, Veronica, Alvina, Norbert, Harold and Veronica (deceased).
George Meyer, an influential farmer and pioneer of Frankfort township, now living in retirement after so many years of hard work and earnest toil, was born on the old homestead in sec- tion 22, December 18, 1861, son of Conrad and Anna (Hoch- leiter) Meyer, who came to the United States in 1848. On their long voyage of sixty days their one child, Cresence, died, and was buried at sea. Upon landing they located at Allegheny, Penn., where Conrad Meyer worked on the railroad for ninety cents a day. There they remained about eight years, and there one child, Mary, was born. It was in 1856 that they came to Minnesota and located in section 22, Frankfort, this county. The traet was covered with woods, no roads had been built to it and all the country was wild. His first house was built of rails and was located where the woodshed now stands. First he cut down the heavy timber and then with a yoke of oxen and a jumping plow he broke the land. From his original tract he sold forty aeres, but he later bought enough to make a traet of 182 acres. Pioneer life was beset with many diffeulties, and he often had to haul flour and provisions from St. Paul. Gradu- ally the place was developed and became a good farm. Conrad Meyer died at the age of 76. Ilis wife had passed away at the age of 48. George Meyer was reared on the home farm, attended the public schools, learned farming from his father, and with the exception of a period of time he spent in the west he has always remained on the place until a few months ago. He erected a new house, and a round barn sixty-four feet in diameter and sixty feet high, said to be the most completely equipped and handsomest barn of its kind in the whole county. Other important improvements were also made. In the summer of 1914 the farm was sold for $18,000. The place was originally seeured for almost nothing, and the phenomenal rise in price represents the result of the hard work done on the place by Mr. Meyer and his family. Mr. Meyer is a stockholder in the cream-
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE MEYER
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HISTORY OF WRIGIIT COUNTY
ery at St. Michael's and a member of the St. Michael's Ship- ping Association. Mr. Meyer was married September 4, 1888, to Margaret Irman, born in Minneapolis, January 22, 1868, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Gales) Irman, and this union has been blessed with fourteen children: Margaret, Nieh- olas, Peter, Mary, Josephine, Louisa, Lena, Rosa and Clara (twins) (deceased), Anklin, George, Laura (deceased), Rose and Lorena.
Frank T. Aydt, a retired resident of St. Michael village, a pioneer, and a member of the Minnesota Pioneer Association, was born near Baden, Germany, December 18, 1840, son of Theodore and Theresa (Vogel) Aydt, likewise pioneers. In the family there were four children, Angusta, Caroline, Frank T. and Theekla. The parents and these children came to the United States in 1851, and settled on what is now Como park between Minneapolis and St. Paul. They ereeted a log cabin and with a team of horses brought from St. Louis started to elear the land. In his latter years the father sold out and moved to St. Paul, where he ended his days. Frank T. Aydt was eleven years old when he came to this country. He was reared at what is now Como park, and learned farming pursuits from his father. In 1865 he eame to Wright eounty and settled in Frankfort town- ship, where Albertville is now loeated. Later he came to St. Michael and bought out the first store that had been started in the village. Henry Invie was the original proprietor. Soon after Mr. Aydt purchased the store a postoffice was established in it, and he became the first resident postmaster in the village. Ile operated the store until 1894, when he retired. He has a pretty and comfortable residence in the suburbs of the village and is spending his retiring years in rest and ease, enjoying the confidenee and respect of all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Aydt was married in 1861 to Mary Ann Igel. She died in 1891 at the age of fifty-one, leaving nine children: Theresa, Theadore, Emily, Lena, William, Edith, Theekle, Ernest and Ignatz. For his second wife he married Mary L. Robertson, daughter of Joshua Robertson, who came from Maryland in the early days and located on the west side of what is now Como park, in 1853. By this union Mr. Aydt has one child, Veronica. The family attend St. Mieliael's Roman Catholic church.
Louis R. Faue, capable and efficient butter maker of Sun- flower Creamery at St. Michael's for some sixteen years past, was born in Hennepin county, this state, February 19, 1879, son of Louis and Mary (Shultz) Faue, both natives of New York state, who eame west and located in Medieine township, Henne- pin county. Louis R. was the second of a family of six boys and four girls. He was reared in his native county and attended school in Burns township. As a youth he chose butter making
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as his trade, though he has most decided mechanical and con- structional abilities, and would doubtless have made a great success as a designer and builder. As an evidence of his talent in this line there may be seen in his home a dining table with an inlaid top, a beautiful and valuable piece of furniture, all of which he has made in his spare time. In 1897 he came to St. Michael, where, with the exception of a term spent in the agri- cultural department of the University of Minnesota, he has since remained, winning wide favor among the patrons and among the general public. He is one of the active "boosters" in the St. Michael Commercial club, and he has done good service on the village council, a position in which he is now serving. Mr. Faue married Lillie Hoehstine, a daughter of Adam Hoehstine, of Hennepin county. The grandparents were pioneers, having come from Germany to Hennepin county in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Faue have five children, Irene, Mildred, Wilford, Hattie and Lambert.
Emil Gutzwiller, a highly respected citizen now living in re- tirement in St. Michael's village, has undergone the experiences of pioneer life, has served in the Civil war, has developed a splen- did farm, and now, in the afternoon of life, is reaping the fruits of his many years of toil and sacrifice. He is a jovial, compan- ionable man, a general favorite, and is greatly liked and esteemed by all who know him. Emil Gutzwiller was born in Switzerland, March 1, 1841, son of Ignatius and Anna (Cumdora) Gutzwiller. In the family there were seven children, Barbara, Celia, Ignatius, Emil, Ferdinand and Cassimer, born in Switzerland, and Mary, born in Indiana. In 1845 the family came to America and located in Indiana. In 1856 they came to Wright county and took a claim of 160 acres of wild land in section 11, one half a mile north of the present village of St. Michael's. The land was covered with wild woods and no roads led to it. They built a log cabin, and started to clear the ground. Corn and potatoes were planted with a grub hoe between the stumps in the clearings. The father often walked to St. Anthony, which was then the most convenient postoffice. It was three years before they had any cattle. When they were finally enabled to obtain a yoke of oxen and a eow they felt as though they had acquired wealth. But their prosperity continued to increase, and before he died the father had built a frame house which is still standing. Igna- tius Gutzwiller was one of those who helped start the early Cath- olie church at St. Michael's. Ile died at the age of seventy-five. Ilis wife lived to be eighty-seven. Emil was reared on this pioneer farm, and learned what hunger and hard work meant. Twice he fled with the rest of the family when the news came that the savage Sioux were ravaging the neighborhood. The rumors proved false, but the panie was very real. In 1864, he enlisted in
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