USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 52
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David C. Kriedler, an enterprising farmer of Marysville town- ship, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1846, son of Daniel and Mary M. (MeColough) Kriedler. He lost his mother when a very small boy. In 1859 he was brought to Wright county by his father and stepmother, and helped in elear- ing up and developing the homestead. Ile received his early education in Stillwater, Minn. As a youth he enlisted in Com- pany A, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was under arms at Ft. Snelling. While he and the others were away from home there were still many Indians, but they were at that time friendly to those who had been left behind. After a service of three months and ten days, David C. Kriedler was discharged on aeeount of illness. He then returned to the home farm, and there remained until his marriage in 1866. In 1867 he seenred his present place of eighty aeres in section 24. The traet was entirely covered with woods, and no buildings had been ereeted thereon. He erected a log cabin, 16 by 22 feet, and started with no farm equipment to establish for himself a home in the wilderness. His first fenees were of rails. Often he had to walk to St. Paul for
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supplies. For some time he was compelled to do his breaking with oxen that he hired by paying $4 a day and board. Later he bought a yoke of oxen. He had no wagon, but used a Yankee Jumper sled the first summer. lle still tells with delight of the times that he swam the oxen and sled across Crow river to get to Rockford. But in time circumstances improved, and he is now a successful man, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences of life. He has erected a modern home and com- modious barns, and has an excellent equipment of farm imple- ments. For many years he carried on general farming and made a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. Now he has practically retired from active life. He delights to tell of the old days, and is a most interesting talker. One of his stories is of the trip he took to rescue the surviving members of the Dustin family after the famous massacre. David C. Kriedler was married November 1, 1866, to Rachel Bland, who was born in West Virginia November 9, 1845, and came to Wright county with her parents in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Kriedler adopted a bright boy, Fred Hurley, now deceased. Their religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George W. Kriedler, a prosperous farmer of Marysville town- ship, was born in Butler, Pa., February 6, 1843, son of Daniel and Mary M. (McColough) Kriedler. He lost his mother when a very small boy. In 1859 he was brought to Wright county by his father and stepmother, and helped in clearing up and developing the homestead. His education was meagre, but this he has sup- plemented with wide reading and close observation. August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged at Charlotte, N. C., July 11, 1865. After his return from the war he located on eighty acres in section 30, Franklin township. This was all wild land. He cleared the land, erected a log cabin and established for himself a home in the wilderness. In time he bought land until he owned 1781% acres. Hle erected a brick veneered home and roomy barns, and equipped his farm with the best tools and imple- ments. Mr. Kriedler is a prominent man in the community. For some years he has been a member of the school board. He is a charter member of Montrose Lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F., and also a member of the G. A. R. On October 29, 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Kriedler retired and moved to Montrose, where they now reside. George W. Kriedler was married, November 1, 1866, to Mar- garetha Stoltz, born in Bavaria, Germany, February 10, 1847, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Stephanie) Kriedler. Mr. and Mrs. Kriedler have had five children: Wilhelmina, born Septem- ber 13, 1867; Lettie May, born March 12, 1870 (died January S, 1879) ; Arthur Stoltz, born January 20, 1872; Gertrude Agatha, born June 19, 1874 (died March 24, 1901) ; and Lydia, born June
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13, 1877. Joseph Stoltz was born in Bavaria, Germany, and there married Catherine Stephanie. In 1852 he brought his family to America and settled in Cineinnati, Ohio. In 1855 they came to St. Paul, and in 1861 settled on eighty aeres of woodland on the shores of Fountain lake, in Franklin township, this county. Mrs. Stoltz died June 23, 1857, and is buried in Calvary cemetery, St. Paul. In the Stoltz family there were nine children: Martin was born October 24, 1841, and died in April, 1843; Frank was born in 1844; Margaretha was born February 10, 1847; Valentine was born August 9, 1848; Agatha was born November 26, 1849; Caroline was born September 7, 1851, and died on the Atlantic ocean en route for the United States in July, 1852; Adam was born January 6, 1853 and died Angust 4 of the same year; Veronica was born April 7, 1854, and died July 9 the same year; Philip was born May 28, 1857, and died July 6 of the same year. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Stoltz married Mary Stumpf, a widow, and to this union there was born one child, Eloisa, born August 18, 1858, and died July 23, 1860. Joseph Stoltz died April 30, 1885, and is buried at Watertown, Minn.
Daniel Kriedler, a pioneer, was born in Hanover, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1803, and was there reared. In 1825 he married Mary Magdalene MeColough, who died May 2, 1850. Their children were: John, born May 2, 1826; Elizabeth, born June 15, 1828; James A., born in August, 1830; William Henry, born April 31, 1832; Maria, born October 15, 1833 ; Samuel G., born February 27, 1836; Mary Ann, born January 27, 1839; Daniel Webster, born December 25, 1841; George W., born Feb- ruary 6, 1843; David Conrad, born March 10, 1846; Joseph D., born September 25, 1849. For his second wife, Daniel Kriedler was married, May 1, 1851, to Elizabeth Row, born July 2, 1821. They had one daughter, Harriet, born October 20, 1856. In the family there was also an adopted daughter, Jennette Moon, born July 12, 1862. Daniel Kriedler brought his family to Wright county in 1859, and located on 160 acres in Marysville township. He erected a log house, and got in his first crops without the aid of horses or oxen. Later he secured a yoke of oxen. Gradually he prospered and became a successful farmer. He died August 15, 1871, well beloved and deeply mourned. He was a devont Methodist in faith, and the first services in this vicinity were held under a maple tree in his yard.
William E. Redman, buttermaker of the Montrose Co-operative Creamery, is one of the rising young men of the county. Thor- oughly competent in his own line of business, he is pleasant and affable, and has made himself a general favorite among those who do business at his creamery. Ile was born April 1, 1889, at Albee, S. D., son of Michael Redman. He was educated in the district schools, graduated from the grammar grades, and at once started
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to learn the art of buttermaking. May 14, 1904, he became assist- ant buttermaker at the Albee Creamery, and was in that position two years. Then he went to Revello, S. D., for one and a half years as buttermaker at the co-operative ereamery there. From January to May, 1907, he was at Mylo, S. D. In April, 1907, he went to Wist, S. D. It was in the spring of 1910 that he eame to Montrose to become buttermaker for the Montrose Creamery. In this eapaeity he has more than made good. Fraternally he belongs to the Montrose Lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F. His wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Redman has won high honors and several diplomas during his charge of buttermaking. At the contest held in St. Paul by the Food and Dairy Depart- ment in July, 1913, he received the highest score of 96. At the May contest held by the Food and Dairy Department he seored 96 also. At the Northwestern Fair, held at Crookston, Minn., he secured first prize and sweepstakes, seoring 951/2. This fair was held July 16, 17 and 18, 1914. Mr. Redman was married October 6, 1910, to Kate Schneider, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Schneider, of South Dakota. They have two children : Raymond, born May 12, 1912, and Olive, born November 8, 1913.
Joel Newton Haven, one of the founders of Montrose, was born at Ellisburg, Jefferson county, New York, December 16, 1837, third youngest child of Cyrus and Irene (Otis) Haven. The family came to Illinois in 1844, and here Joel N. grew to manhood. December 31, 1862, he married Eunice L. Hinsdell, and in 1870, they came to Iowa. In 1872 they located in what is now Montrose in Wright county. With his brother, J. Otis Haven, he engaged in the sawmill business. The partnership terminated when the brother went to Charles City, Iowa, and Joel N. then continued the business until his declining years when he sold out. When he came here there was no station at Montrose. The railroad had been built, but it had not then been determined whether there should be a station at Quinn's Corners or at Haven's Sawmill. The presence of the sawmill decided the question in favor of the latter location, and Mr. Haven was one of those who contributed for the location. He acquired forty acres at the edge of the corporate limits, and there his widow now lives in a sightly residence well in keep- ing with her honored standing in the community. Mr. Haven was a prominent and generous man. His private benefaetions were many, and he never failed to assist in any move that had for its object the progress aud betterment of the community. He was elerk of his sehool distriet for eighteen years, and super- visor of Marysville township for several terms. At one time he ran for a seat in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, and was defeated by a narrow margin. Though not a communi- cant of any ehureh body, he was a sineere Christian, and labored
MR. AND MRS. JOEL N. HAVEN
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earnestly for the advance of the churches in this community. He died February 24, 1911, after a useful life filled with worthy endeavor. Mr. Ilaven was a veteran of the Civil War. Ile en- listed in Company I, 52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the Battle of Shiloh he was shot through the mouth, and being thus incapacitated for service was honorably discharged. As the re- sult of this service he joined the G. A. R., first in Illinois, and later in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Haven had four children : Frank, Nora, Stella and Kittie. Frank was born May 12, 1865, and died March 12, 1891. He took up literary pursuits, was editor of the Litchfield Saturday Review for about five years, and then moved to Sauk Centre, where he planned to publish the Sauk Centre Herald. Just as the first issues were out, he died suddenly March 12, 1891. Nora was born November 7, 1867, and married William G. Michael, station agent at Mont- rose, by whom she has four children : Esther, Milton, Gerald and George. Stella was born August 26, 1869, and was married July 27, 1892, to II. J. Crooks, editor and publisher of the Swift County Review, at Benson, Minnesota. They have a daughter, Ethel. Kittie was born September 9, 1871, and now teaches school at Minneapolis. Eunice L. Ilinsdell was born in Dun- dee, Kane county, Illinois, June 15, 1840, daughter of Jonathan and Levyne (Hamilton) Hinsdell. Jonathan Hinsdell was born in Saratoga county, New York, March 13, 1791. He married Levyna Hamilton, born August 30, 1807, daughter of David and Jerusha Hamilton, the former of whom was a veteran of the War of 1812.
William Hudson Wright, postmaster of Montrose, was born on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, in Hennepin county, this state, September 8, 1857, son of George M. Wright. He was reared on the home farm, and attended school in an old log building, that stood on a part of his father's homestead, section 35, Marysville township, now a part of the village of Montrose. where the family located in 1858. As a young man he went to Lake Minnetonka for a while, and remained there until 1884, when he returned to Montrose, purchased the store and was appointed postmaster. He has since continued to be postmaster, with the exception of eight years. While he was out of the office he conducted a hotel and barber shop. He still owns the hotel building and still conduets the barber shop. Ile is a popu- lar man in the community, and his administration of postal af- fairs has met with general satisfaction. While at Lake Minne- tonka, Mr. Wright was a member of the Grange. He now be- longs to the lodge, the Encampment and the Rebekah degree of the Odd Fellows. George M. Wright was married, May 27, 1855, to Sophia M. Hainor, who was born February 2, 1834. Their children were: Herbert, born March 13, 1856; William
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Hudson, born September 8, 1857; Ernest, January 1860; Henry Lester, September 26, 1861; James Clarence, December 27, 1863; Charles Edward, September 16, 1866; George Dwight, August 29, 1868; Abbott Grant, April 27, 1870; Annie L., December 7, 1872; and John Wesley, Mareh 30, 1876.
George M. Wright, a pioneer, was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1835, and as a youth became a ship's carpenter. Ile was married, May 27, 1855, to Sophia M. Hainor, who was born February 2, 1834. Shortly afterward he brought her to Minnesota, and settled on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, in Hennepin county. In 1858 he brought his family to Wright county, and located on eighty acres in section 35, in what is now Marysville township. A part of this tract later became the vil- lage of Montrose. He built a cabin of square hewed logs, the best to be found in the county at that time. There were no roads leading to the place, but nearby was a trail to Minneapolis. He began farming with the assistance of a pair of oxen. First he used a sled for a vehicle, later he got a two-wheeled wagon. He owned one cow. They saw many hard times, and there were many days when the only food they had was corn bread, made from corn ground in the coffee mill. During the Indian troubles he put his wife and children in the two-wheeled cart and took them to the stoekade at Rockford, but he himself returned to look after the stock. A little later he enlisted in the Third Battery. At his cabin, the first postoffice was established, and it was he who gave it the name of Montrose, after a town in his home county in Pennsylvania. After holding the office for some years he resigned in favor of W. P. Holbrook, who held the office until the appointment of William II. Wright, son of George M. Wright, the first postmaster. Mr. Wright was mar- ried in September, 1877, to Ida May Cowan, of Lake Minnetonka, daughter of W. S. and Mary (Frear) Cowan. This union has been blessed with three children: William Linn, who assists his father ; Lois Clare, wife of Roy Gibb, of Cottonwood, Minn. ; and Bernice, a schoolteacher. The Cowan family came from Penn- sylvania in the early days, and settled on the east shore of Lake Minnetonka. Mr. Cowan was master of the State Grange, twelve years county commissioner of Hennepin county, one of the building committee at the time of the erection of the HIenne- pin County Court House, and a member of the state legislature.
James Christopher Nolan, a scientific farmer of Marysville township, was born on the old homestead where he still resides, April 25, 1869, son of James and Catherine (Cramsie) Nolan. He was reared on the home place, attended the district schools, and learned farming from his relatives. He now carries on gen- eral farming, and makes a specialty of raising good stock, prin- eipally hogs and cattle. He is town clerk of Marysville, and a
AUGUST ZEIDLER AND FAMILY
L
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stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery and the Co-operative Store, at Montrose. Ile is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
James Nolan, a pioneer cooper, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, eame to the United States and settled near Bingham- ton, New York. There he married Catherine Cramsie, and there the two oldest children, Mary and John, were born. In 1860, he brought his family West, first designing to work in Minne- apolis. Changing his mind, however, he continued on his way, and selected a elaim in seetion 34, Marysville township. lle took this place because it was covered with a heavy growth of white oak. From this white oak he split open staves, making pork barrels, butter firkins and butter ehurns, which he sold in various neighborhoods. The family still has in its possession a ehurn made by him. Ile ereeted a log cabin, and against one of its sides constructed a lean-to, in which he did his eooper work. The sight of Mr. Nolan, driving along his oxen, with a wagon filled with barrels, became a familiar sight throughout the neighborhood. During the Indian troubles he and his fam- ily fled to St. Paul. Upon his return he still continued at his trade, breaking only such land as he needed for the raising of supplies for his family. He died in 1878. He was a good man, and helped to build the early Catholic church in this vicinity. His wife, Catherine Cramsie, was born near Belfast, in the north of Ireland, and came to the United States about 1827. She died in .1897, aged about seventy-two. They had four children : Kate, who died at the age of about twelve years; William, Anna and James Christopher.
August Zeidler, a prominent farmer of Middleville township, was born in Prussia, Germany, August 24, 1858, son of John Frederick and Rosine (Brandt) Zeidler, who brought him to Wright eounty in 1872. Previous to his eoming here he had re- ceived a good education in the schools of his native land. The family settled in seetion 23, and here Angust Zeidler grew to manhood. He drove the old ox team, helped to clear the land, lived in the log cabin and experienced all the rigors of pioneer life. While still a boy he earned considerable money digging ginseng, sometimes receiving as much as thirty eents a pound for the green root. When he was twenty-six years of age, he bought a traet of 120 aeres in section 3, Middleville town- ship, where he has sinee continued to reside. The tract was covered with timber, and the roads were new and rough. Ile erected a log house, 16 by 24, and a log barn, a part of which is still standing. He began his farming operations with a pair of steers and two eows. It was the second year before he was able to get a pair of horses. He eut down trees, dug out the stumps, and as the years passed developed a splendid farm. He has ereeted a modern home, and a barn 34 by 72 feet, and to
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his original tract has added sixty acres in section 10. This barn with its scientific equipment is in decided contrast to the old log barn 20 by 26, which he first erected, and his automo- bile is in striking contrast to the yoke of oxen and old wagon with which he originally went to market. He has watched the county grow into a prosperous farming community, and has taken his part in its progress. Mr. Zeidler was married February 12, 1885, to Louise Bobrowske, born in Germany, October 17, 1866, daughter of Andrew and Josephine (Zeidler) Bobrowske, who brought her to Wright county in 1871, when she was five years of age, and located in section 2, Middleville township, where she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Zeidler have had seven children : Martha, Augusta, Minnie, Clara, Alvina, Ida and Leonard. Martha is now Mrs. William Krauel, of Woodland township. Augusta is Mrs. Arthur Schwartz, of Texas.
John M. Rhodin, farmer and contractor, of Middleville town- ship, was born on the homestead where he still resides, January 25, 1883, son of C. J. and Christena (Westeberg) Rhodin. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools, and had the advantages of a short course in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. He has a fertile farm of eighty acres, and raises the usual crops, making a spe- cialty of a good grade of stock, and of thoroughbred Plymouth Rock fowl. In addition to this he is a general contractor, doing cement work and building. He is a prominent man, and has been on the school board of his district for some years. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.
C. J. Rhodin, a worthy pioneer, was born in Sweden, in 1834, and came to America in 1869, located first in Carver county, and later coming to Wright county, and settling on the present homestead in Middleville township, in 1879. In 1881 he mar- ried Christena Westeberg. Together they underwent many trials and privations, worked hard, and in time achieved prosperity. For many years they lived in a small log house, and Mr. Rhodin used a yoke of oxen to help with the farm work. Mr. Rhodin died January 14, 1900. Mrs. Rhodin lives on the homestead with her son, John M. Rhodin.
S. D. McVeety, a prosperons farmer of Middleville township, was born in North Augusta, province of Ontario, Canada, Jann- ary 1, 1871, son of David MeVeety. In 1877 he came with his parents to the United States and located with them on the farm where he has since continued to reside. He attended the dis- triet schools, learned farming from his father, and after his father's death took charge of the home farm. He has been very snecessful, has made many improvements, and is one of the leading farmers of the community. With him lives his honord mother. S. D. Me Veety was married February 15, 1893, to Clara
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King, a native of Middleville. They have seven children : Gladys Elizabeth was born February 10, 1894; Mary Lucinda was born August 14, 1895; Sarah Evelyn was born October 7, 1898; David E. was born January 16, 1900; Thomas and Edwin, twins, died in infancy ; Robert A. was born April 2, 1907.
David McVeety, an honored pioneer of Middleville township, now deceased, was born in Lanark county, Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1825, son of Thomas and Catharine (McLean) MeVeety. The parents were born, reared and married in the north of Ireland, came to Canada as young people, located in Ontario province, and devoted the remainder of their lives to farming. In their family there were three children: Thomas, James and David. David was the youngest. He was reared on the farm in Canada, and after his marriage in 1853 continued in the same occupation. In Canada their ten children were born. They were: Thomas W., born July 24, 1854; Alexander, born June 21, 1856; James Henry, born June 27, 1858; Sarah Jane, born June 30, 1860; John A., born November 3, 1862; Catherine Isabella, born September 16, 1864; Charles Edwin, born Novem- ber 17, 1866: Jane, born March 12, 1868; S. D., born January 1, 1871; Mary Elizabeth, born March 12, 1873. In 1875 the son, Alexander, came to the United States and bought eighty acres in section 9, Middleville township. A small frame house had been built, and eighteen or twenty acres had been cleared. To this place, in 1877, came David MeVeety, his wife and the other children. They purchased the land from Alexander, and there spent the remainder of their years. The farm is now occupied by the son, S. D., who has greatly developed the farm, and is considered one of the leading men in the township. Mr. MeVeety died Mareh 15, 1889. Mrs. MeVeety still resides on the old home farm.
David MeVeety was married, as noted, in 1853, to Elizabeth Frasier, born in Drummond, Lanark county, Province of Ontario, Canada, March 26, 1834, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Howell) Frasier. Alexander Frasier was a soldier in the English war. He was born in Scotland, married a native of Essex, Eng- land, and eame to Canada. Of their fourteen children, twelve grew to adult years.
John Albert Stenberg, an influential farmer of Middleville township, was born in Dahlgren township, Carver county, this state, son of Carl J. and Mary Stenburg, natives of Sweden. In 1851 the parents, with their three children, Fred, Augusta and Matilda, set out for the United States. After a long and tedions voyage aboard a sailing vessel, they reached New York City. Their funds were entirely exhausted, and for three years they remained in New York state. Then they started westward, and by boat, rail and horse team reached Carver county, in this state,
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where they secured 120 acres in the heart of the woods. They erected a log building in which to live, and started to clear the land. They had no means, and it was several years before they could get an ox team. A little money was earned by digging gin- seng root at five cents a pound. Supplies came up the river from St. Paul in boats. After a time a frame house was erected. Carl J. Stenburg was a devout Lutheran, and helped to build the early church of that faith in this locality. He died in 1878 at the age of seventy-two. His wife died twenty years later, at the age of eighty-five years. Three children were born in Carver county. They were John Albert, William and Anna. John Albert attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and remained on the home farm until his marriage in 1880, when he came to Middleville township and bought seventy acres of woodland in section 7. He erected a log building, which is still standing, and with an ox team began to clear the land. To the original tract he added another forty which he also cleared. He has brought the place to a high stage of development, has erected modern barns and a good residence and earries on general farming and raises high-grade stock. He has been a stockholder of the Farm- ers' Elevator at Howard Lake and the Co-operative Creamery in Middleville, has served as town assessor and supervisor, and as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Masonie order and to the Episcopal church. In 1880 Mr. Stenberg married Ella Errickson, born in Norway October 27, 1855, a daughter of Erick Errickson, of Middleville township. The children born to this union were: Alice, born September 15, 1880; Ida, born March 13, 1882; Mary, born August 19, 1883; Frank, born Feb- ruary 25, 1885; Edwin, born May 28, 1887. For his second wife he married Julia Errickson, a sister of his first wife, born July 17, 1864. The children born to this marriage are: George, born May 6, 1891 ; Effie, born October 17, 1894; Nettie, born February 17, 1896; Addie, born July 12, 1897; and John and Charles, twins, born May 12, 1902.
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