USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 50
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
of Connecticut, and nine children were born: Samuel, Virginia, Catherine, George, James, William, Stephen, Sarah Ann and Joseph. Three of these sons were veterans of the Civil War. Joseph and Sarah Ann were twins.
Peter Schroder, of Marysville township, inventor, blacksmith, farmer, was born in the southern part of Sweden, December 2, 1844, son of Ole and Ingeborg Schroder. In the family there was one other son, Olaf, who died in the old country. As a youth Peter learned the blacksmith trade, following that line of indns- try in the winter and the lumber business in the summer. In 1873 he married Anna Nord, born in the northern part of Sweden, February 2, 1844, and four children were born: Anna, Elizabeth and Olaf (living) and Peter (deceased). May 22, 1888, they arrived in Buffalo, in this county. A few days later they located on section 1, Marysville township. There Mr. Schroder erected a blacksmith shop, and carried on this business in connection with farming. As the result of many years of observation and experience he has perfected a little carrier for use in barns, and for several years past this device has enjoyed a wide sale. Mr. Schroder is an estimable citizen, well liked by all who know him. His success has been well deserved. The three children are all substantial residents of the communities in which they live. Anna married Oscar Anderson. They live in Marysville town- ship and have three children: Alfred, Carl and Ellen. Eliza- beth is the wife of Peter Peterson. They live in Buffalo town- ship and have three children: Ruby, Benner and Bertell. Olaf married Louisa Hanson and they have two children, William and Gladys. They live on the home place with the subject of this sketch.
Charles Jewett, now deceased, led a useful life, and his good deeds will long be remembered. He was born in Northfield, Vt., November 2, 1838, son of Aquila and Fanine ( Houghton) Jewett, natives of Vermont, but of English descent. The founder of the Ilonghton family in America came over in the Mayflower. Aquila Jewett brought his family to Minnesota, in 1861, and in 1863 came to Wright county, and located in Marysville town- ship. He and his two sons, Charles and Aaron, each secured eighty acres of wild land in section 8. In this enterprise Charles Jewett took the lead. Ile arrived on his claim with a yoke of oxen and a wagon, July 4, 1863, and started at onee to creet two neighboring log cabins, one being on his father's claim and one on his own. Ile cleared up his eighty acres and added land from time to time until he owned 240 acres, including sixty acres of maple grove, which is regarded as the finest in the county. With each year that passed his prosperity increased, and he became a substantial and well-to-do citizen. He did not care to mingle in politics, and often refused to run for office, his
PETER SCHRODER
CHARLES JEWETT AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
greatest delight being in his home life and in his farm. Ile died August 24, 1912, greatly beloved by all who knew him. Sinee his death his widow has looked after the interests of the farm. Mr. Jewett was married July 4, 1878, to Sarah Adelaide Washburn, daughter of William W. Washburn. Their children are: Charles S., born May 28, 1879; William E., July 5, 1880; Forrest A., September 17, 1881; Henry A., born December 25, 1883; Emerist E., November 9, 1885; Bertha D., February 7, 1888; Daisy D., March 22, 1890; Joseph C., July 26, 1897 ; Fannie E., August 5, 1899; Russell E., April 19, 1903.
William W. Washburn, a veteran of the Civil War, and an early settler of Wright county, was born in Plainville, N. Y., February 7, 1841, and was there reared. In 1860 he eame to Wright county and located in Buffalo. November 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Brackett's Battalion, and participated in the Battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson and Corinth. He was transferred to the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and was wounded in the second battle of Ft. Donaldson. After his discharge he re-enlisted and came north. He accompanied the Sully expedi- tion to the Northwest, and was actively engaged against the Indians in the Black Hill's. After four and a half years of active serviee he was mustered out at Ft. Snelling May 26, 1866. In the meantime he had lost his claim in Rockford township, but in 1863, while home for a time, he secured a elaim in Chatham township, where he returned after the war, and where he built up a splendid farm. Mr. Washburn has served as justice of the peace and as chairman of the town board. He was married December 23, 1859, to Emogene Matteson, who was born in New York state, March 18, 1844, and died June 17, 1909. Their chil- dren were: Sarah A., born May 2, 1861; William S., February 20, 1867 ; Myron A., February 11, 1869; Wallace E., November 3, 1873; Lorena, May 19, 1877; Emogene, April 8, 1879; Minnie A., February 6, 1881; Roseoe C., December 30, 1882; Norah E., August 30, 1885; Walter W., May 30, 1891. Roscoe died February 11, 1883; Walter W. died September 8, 1891, and John died October 27, 1898.
Levi Eckelberry, for many years a prominent and respected farmer of Marysville township, now deceased, was born in Wetzel county, in what is now West Virginia, March 5, 1842, son of George B. and Sarah (Wise) Eekelberry, who spent the span of their years in what is now West Virginia. The children in the family were: Richard, who served five years in the Civil War; Valentine, who died under arms in the Civil War ; Levi, who served a short time in the Civil War; Abraham, Margaret, Elizabeth and Delilah. Levi was the third in the family. He was reared on the home farm. March 13, 1865, he enrolled as a private under Capt. John C. Felton, in Company F, Seventh West Vir-
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
ginia Veterans, for one year or during the war. He was dis- charged from service July 1, 1865, at Munson's Hill, Virginia. In 1868 he came to Minnesota and bought sehool land in section 36, Marysville township. This traet covered eighty aeres and was all wild woods. Mr. Eckelberry ereeted a eabin of unhewed logs and kept house for himself until 1872, when he went South and was married. Together the two started life in the wilderness. Mr. Eekelberry eleared the land and in time had a good aereage of tilled land. In time he was enabled to purchase a pair of oxen, and this helped him greatly with his farming. In time he added ninety aeres more. This also was wild and had to be cleared. A sightly residence took the place of the log cabin and commodious barns were also reared. Fenees were built, tools and implements purchased and many improvements made. Mr. Eckelberry served for many years as a member of the school board. Although a man of austere life, he did not belong to any church, though his sympathies were with the Christian church. He died September 28, 1890. Mr. Eekelberry was married Mareh 4, 1872, to Sarah J. Wyatt, and they had eight children : Melissa A., born February 26, 1873; William N., September 10, 1874; Thornton R., December 20, 1878; Rachael M., October 7, 1880; Ineinda E., September 29, 1882; Goldie J., September 16, 1884; Addie F., September 24, 1886, and Levi C., July 20, 1888. Of these Addie F. died December 1, 1887, and Thornton R. died May 19, 1899. Sarah J. Wyatt was born in what is now Wetzel county, West Virginia, December 14, 1849, daughter of Augustus and Lueinda (Hostuttler) Wyatt, and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hostuttler and of Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Wyatt. Augustus Wyatt was the son of Zachariah and Rachael (Willey) Wyatt, who spent the span of their years in what is now West Virginia. Augustus Wyatt was of Irish descent. Ile was mar- ried in Virginia to Lueinda Hostuttler, a native of Pennsylvania, danghter of Samuel Hostuttler, a veteran of the Civil War. They lave eleven children : Sarah J., William Jackson, Rachael Ann, Waitman P., Jasper N., Adaline, Phoebe K., Louisa B., Melissa II., Alphens and Plesa Virginia.
Willis S. Pettis, an influential farmer of Marysville township, was born not far from Kasota, in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, May 18, 1879, son of Stephen W. and Fannie (French) Pettis. HIe attended school in the historic old stone schoolhouse at Kasota, and completed his early education in the Kasota High School, where he received a second-grade teacher's certificate. At the age of twenty he eame to Wright county, and spent the autumn. In the spring he returned to Le Sneur county, but a few months later he came again to Wright county, and located on eighty acres in section 3, Marysville township. An old log building stood on the place, and a small amount of elearing had been done.
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Mr. Pettis set about developing the place, and there carried on general farming until 1908, when he sold ont and purchased an adjoining farm of 106 acres. He does general farming, but makes a specialty of raising good blooded Shorthorn cattle and Poland China swine. IIe has been unfortunate in losing many cattle by disease and accident, but is slowly forging ahead, and, un- daunted by disaster, is making himself one of the successful men of the county. On his farm he has made many improvements, including a fine flowing well, 200 feet deep. Mr. Pettis is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Encampment. In 1898 he enlisted in service for the Spanish-American war, but was rejected on account of the loss of an eye. In civil life he has served as chairman of his school board. Mr. Pettis was married at the age of twenty-two to Viola Hayes, daughter of A. J. Hayes. She died at the age of twenty-two, leaving two children: Edna, born April 10, 1902, and Esther, born September 15, 1904. An- other child, Margaret, died as an infant. At the age of twenty- seven, Mr. Pettis married Viola Preble, daughter of Andrew and Emma Preble, and widow of Benjamin Oliva, by whom she had two children, Mabel, born August 18, 1901, and Sylvester, born April 8, 1903. To Mr. Pettis she has borne three children : Francis, born December 20, 1908; Lillian, born March 27, 1912; and Frankie, who died at the age of two months and three days.
Jay W. Pettis, a leading farmer of Marysville township, was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, May 31, 1870, son of Stephen W. and Fannie (French) Pettis. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young man he engaged for a while in railroad work. In De- cember, 1890, he became a government teamster at Ft. Beauford, North Dakota, and served for about a year. In 1891 he came to Wright county and located on a farm of eighty acres in sec- tion 26. No buildings had been erected on the place, and only sixteen aeres had been cleared. Mr. Pettis erected suitable build- ings, cleared the remainder of the land, developed the place in many ways, and sneeessfully conducted general farming. In 1911 he sold out, and located on the Robasse homestead of eighty acres in seetion 10, where he now resides. Mr. Pettis is a member of Buffalo Lodge, No. 144, I. O. O. F. He married Mary Hayes, daughter of Ellis Hayes, and they have six children: Gladys, Glen, Fairy, Floella, Ardis and Floyd.
Stephen Pettis, the pioneer, was born in Ohio, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pettis, both of whom are believed to have also been natives of Ohio. After Stephen was born the family moved to Ilinois, and there were born eight children: John, Charles, Henry, Catherine, Olive, Melissa, Emily and Eliza. In 1853 the family came from Illinois to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, and
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
seeured a homestead on the shores of Lake Emily. On this farm, Charles Pettis opened a store, bringing his goods with oxen from St. Paul. On this farm he continued to live until his death at the age of forty-eight. Stephen W. was nineteen years of age when the family came to Le Sueur county. He took a homestead a mile southeast of Kasota, a tract of timbered land lying on the edge of the prairie. With an ox team he eleared up the land, living in the meantime in a cabin which he had erected at the side near the prairie. He married Fannie French, a native of New York state. She died in September, 1888, at the age of fifty-one. Their children were: Elmira (deceased), Harlow, Maritta, Helena, Carrie, Judd and Jay W. (twins), and Wells S. For his second wife, Mr. Pettis married Harriett Handley, of Indiana. There were born to them two children, Dora and Ceeil. Stephen Pettis continued to live on his elaim, gradually developing and improv- ing it, until his death in April, 1910. He was born August 26, 1833.
George Lammers, a prominent farmer of Marysville township, was born on his father's homestead in seetion 19, this township, February 22, 1870, son of Ilenry and Anna (Dimer) Lammers. He was reared on the home farm, received his early education in the distriet schools, and later attended St. John's University, at Collegeville, this state. For some three years he and his father operated the home place in partnership. Then he con- dueted the place alone for some five years. At the end of this period he bought eighty acres of the homestead. He erected a modern home and snitable barns, and has brought the farm to a high stage of cultivation. He earries on general farming and breeds thoroughbred Poland China swine and good grade cattle. He was a director in the Waverly Co-Operative Creamery when it first started, and after an interval when he did not serve he was again eleeted in 1912. Fraternally he associates with the Modern Brotherhood of America of Waverly. Mr. Lammers was married March 2, 1892, to Elizabeth Borngesser, born in Rock- ford township, August 30, 1870, daughter of Andrew and Anna (Ruppelius) Borngesser. They have had six children: Anna Christina, born Mareh 16, 1893; George E. H., born December 1, 1897 ; Roy Patrick, born March 17, 1900; Elmer Lonis, born De- eember 30, 1904; Walter, who died at the age of one year and eight months ; and Raymond, who died at the age of eight weeks.
Henry Lammers, an early settler, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, January 4, 1827, son of Henry Lammers, Sr. For many generations the first-born son of the family has been named Henry. Henry Lammers, Sr., was a builder and contractor. He brought his wife and several of the children to America, and set- tled in Mankato. Some of the older sons were already in this country. Henry Lammers, the subject of this sketeh, eame to
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
America in 1852. He remained in Chicago a year, following his trade as a carpenter. Two years later he went to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and followed the same trade. In August, 1854, he came to Minnesota and located in St. Paul. In 1859 he came to Wright county and took a claim in section 6, Franklin township. He sold this claim in 1861, and went to Waverly, where he opened the second store in the village. In 1864 he dis- posed of his establishment and enlisted in Co. A, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, serving until the elose of the war. Upon re- turning from the army, he purchased a farm in section 19, Marys- ville, which he improved until at one time it was considered one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Lammers took an active part in public affairs. He served a term as county commissioner of Wright county, and was on the school board of his district some three decades. He was an active member of the G. A. R. A devout Catholic, he was one of the principal factors in the building of the church and school of that denomination in Wa- verly. His death, September 14, 1911, was sincerely mourned. Mr. Lammers was married in Chicago, May 17, 1854, to Anna Gardner, who died in November, 1865, leaving four children, two of whom -- Henry L. and Dora L .- lived to adult years. In De- cember, 1865, he married Mrs. Anna (Dimer) Klein and to this union were born four children, of whom two, Matilda and George, lived to adult years. Anna Dimer was born in December, 1830, and came to this country with two girl companions. She mar- ried John Klein, and by him had two children, John and Michael. After his death she married Henry Lammers. She died in June, 1902.
Moses Perra, for many years a highly respected resident of Marysville township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, April 28, 1804, son of Coussent S. and Margaret Perra, both natives of Canada. In the family there were three boys and three girls: Thomas, Moses, Edmund, Margaret, Lena and Eliza. Moses Perra was reared on a Canadian farm, and was there mar- ried to Harriet St. Mary, born in the Province of Quebec, in August, 1809, daughter of Peter and Susan St. Mary, of Canada. The Perra and St. Mary families were of French origin. The founders of the American families settled in Maine, but during the French and Indian wars were driven out of that region, and took up their residence in Canada, where many of the family may still be found. The children born to Moses and Harriet Perra were Moses, Jr., Luger, Tonored, Medrick, Adrian, Benefield, Sophrina, Elmira, Alfonsene, Sitevear and Oclavia. The family came to the United States in 1877. After remaining there two years they came to Wright county and located on eighty acres in section S, Marysville township, where he remained until his death in 1901. Ilis wife died in 1895.
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Adrian Perra, a leading farmer of Marysville township, was born in the Province of Quebee, Canada, October 31, 1857, son of Moses and Harriet (St. Mary) Perra. He came to Wright county with his parents about 1879, and soon thereafter struek out for himself. A short time afterward he married Rose Ger- rard, who was born in New York state, and eame to Wright county with her parents, Louis and Rose Gerrard, loeating per- manently in Marysville township. Mrs. Rose Perra died at the age of twenty-eight, leaving five children: Octavia, Adolph, Ellen, Henry and Amelia (deceased). Soon after his marriage Mr. Perra purchased forty aeres in seetion 4 from Lonis Gerrard, and here he has sinee resided, having in the interim made many improvements and added twenty more acres. For his second wife Mr. Perra married Lillie Clairmont, who upon her death left three children : Adaline, Albert and Harriet. On June 17, 1902, Mr. Perra married Martha Lebo, born at Genoa, Wallaee county, Illinois, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (LaPlante) Lebo, and widow of Moses Payne. Joseph Lebo was born in Quebec. His wife was born in New York. In 1882 they eame to Minnesota, and located in Maple Lake township, in this county. William Payne was born in Quebee and became a farmer in Maple Lake township, this county. He died in 1901 at the age of fifty-eight, leaving besides his wife one daughter, Eleanor. Adrian Perra has taken a prominent part in publie affairs. For eight years he has been a director in the Montrose Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery, and he is also a stoekholder in the Farmers' Elevator at that place. He has been sehool elerk for twelve years, and twice he has been called upon to serve as super- visor. He attends the Catholic church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen.
Peter S. Svenson, better known as Peter Erriekson, is an influential farmer residing on forty aeres of good land in seetion 12, Marysville township. Ile was born July 27, 1844, in Sweden, son of Swan Errickson and Anna (Peterson) Erriekson, and grandson of Erriek Bengston and Stina (Kajsa Bnnstrum) Bengtson, and of Peter and Ama Anderson. In 1861, Swan Erriekson, with his wife and three of his children, Swan, Nels and Mary, came to America. Peter S. and Kajsa were left in the old country. The family eame to Towa, and the father seeured work for the summer. Here a child, Amuel, was born, August 1, 1861. They continued to engage in farming for two years in Iowa. In 1863 they eame to Wright county, and here another daughter, Augusta, was born March 11, 1864. Upon their arrival they located on eighty aeres of wood land in see- tion 12. They erected a log cabin, which is still standing, and started farming in the wilderness. His first crops were planted with a hoe. His first harvest of wheat he sold at $2 a bushel for
PETER SVENSON AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WRIGHIT COUNTY
seed. Assisted by his sons and a yoke of oxen, he cleared the land and in time became a prosperous man. Often when supplies were low he walked to St. Paul, bringing home salt and flour on his baek. Swan Erriekson died July 7, 1909, at the age of eighty-nine. His wife died in 1901 at the age of seventy-eight. They were of the Lutheran faith, and assisted in building two churches of that denomination in this locality. Peter S. Svenson came to the United States in 1866, and joined the rest of the family in Wright county, and filed on a tract of eighty acres in seetion 12. He here built a log cabin, and here, in 1872, he brought his bride. The first year he put in the potatoes among the stumps with a grub hoe. At times he had no salt to eat on the fish he caught in the ereek, and which were his only food for days at a time. In order to obtain oxen he purchased two ealves and waited until they grew. He worked hard, night and day, and in time reaped the reward of his labor. He is prosperous and respected, and his opinion on all rural subjects is highly valued. He has helped to build three churches, is a Sunday school teacher, and has been church sexton for six years. Peter S. Svenson was married, November 13, 1870, to Mary Utterberg, and they have had eleven children: Anna was born April 28, 1871; Charlotte was born February 13, 1873; E. Albert was born August 18, 1874, and died April 4, 1895; Ida E. was born Novem- ber 1, 1875, and died August 23, 1876; Caroline was born Decem- ber 15, 1876; Albertina was born November 3, 1878, and died March 21, 1887; Axel was born March 22, 1880; Gottfried was born October 6, 1881 ; Beda was born May 11, 1883; and Tillie and Elden (twins) were born May 30, 1885. Mary Utterberg was the daughter of Johan and Mary Peterson, Utterberg being the name officially conferred upon Johan when he joined the Swedish army. In 1867 they came to America, bringing their seven ehil- dren : Kajsa, Ole, Mary, Carrie, John, Nels and Charles. They first located on fifteen aeres in Rockford township, this county. They built a log house that is still standing, erected other build- ings, and in time added 160 aeres. Johan was the sexton of the Lutheran church for a number of years. He died in 1900 at the age of eighty. His wife died in June at the age of seventy-eight.
Beat Robasse, the pioneer, was born in Switzerland, and there grew to manhood. In the early fifties he left his native land, with his wife, Mary Bershal, and their two children, Edward and Rosina, and came to America. In Lewis county, New York, he found a farm, and there resided for thirteen years. Of the ehil- dren born on this farm, three, Rosalie, Alfred and Mary, grew to adult years. In the fall of 1865 the family came to Minnesota and located on forty acres of railroad land in section 3, Marys- ville. They had brought one horse from New York. After reach- ing here they secured a yoke of oxen. They erected a log cabin
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HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
and started elearing the land. The railroad not having then been built, the settlers found great difficulty in seeuring provisions. Consequently Mr. Robasse opened a small store on the shores of Bireh lake. After living some three years on his original place, he sold out, and took a homestead of eighty aeres in seetion 10, in the same township. This traet was entirely wild, and only a trail led to it. Mr. Robasse eleared the land, ereeted a hewed log house, and developed a good farm. As time passed, frame buildings replaced the original log house. The frame barn which was built was the first ereeted in this locality. Some years later Mr. Robasse purchased eighty aeres across the street. This traet is still in the family. One of his benefactions was the presenta- tion of an aere of land for the old Marysville Catholic Church, now out of existence. After a busy life, Beat Robasse died in 1902 at the age of eighty-seven. His wife died in 1900 at the age of seventy-six. In addition to the children whom they brought with them from New York state, two more, Lena and Charles, were born in this eounty.
Alfred Robasse, a substantial farmer of Marysville township, was born in Lewis eounty, New York, August 15, 1856, son of Beat and Mary (Bershal) Robasse, the pioneers. lIe was nine years old when his parents brought him to Marysville township, and here he was reared. He attended the neighborhood schools, and learned farming from his father. As a young man he started farming on his present place of eighty aeres in seetion 9, across the street from the old homestead. The traet was covered with woods, and he set at work to develop and clear it. Hle ereeted a modern house and barn, put up fences, and made many other improvements. He carries on general farming and raises good Shorthorn eattle. A friend of the co-operative movement, he is a director in the Waverly Co-operative Creamery and a stock- holder in the Waverly Co-operative Store. He has been super- visor of the township for sixteen years, and a member of the school board of his district for about the same time. Mr. Robasse was married in 1886, to Emma Stuhr, born in Germany, November 2, 1867, danghter of Herman Stuhr. Mr. and Mrs. Robasse had two children : Minnie, born June 30, 1893, and Louis, born April 31, 1899.
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