USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
John Frederick Zeidler, an early settler of Middleville town- ship, was born in Prussia, Germany, January 28, 1828, and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young man he married Rosine Brandt, who was born October 4, 1831. Eleven children, Charles, Carrie, August, Minnie, Albert, Otto and John were born. Two died in infancy and Henrietta, aged twenty, died in Germany. After reaching the United States, Otto died, and another son, Richard, was born. In 1872 the family set out for the United States and reached Howard Lake, in this county, August 16, 1872. For a year they rented land and then bought a traet of 107 acres in Middleville township. They moved into a log cabin that stood on the place. John F. Zeidler started to clear the land with the assistance of a yoke of oxen. In time he erected a modern dwelling, barn and other buildings, and brought the farm to a good stage of cultivation. He was espe-
474
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
cially active as a church member. When the first German Lutheran church in this locality was erected he helped haul the first timbers and assisted in construeting the building. Later he helped to organize the German Methodist church. He was one of the trustees, and in the absence of the regular preaeher, helped to conduct the serviees. Ile died in 1909. His wife died October 7, 1883.
Lewis Reinmuth, now deceased, was one of the most respected citizens of Middleville, highly esteemed and honored, and his untimely death has not yet ceased to be mourned. He was born in Baden, Germany, January 20, 1852, son of George and Bar- bara (Banchbaeh) Reinmuth. George Reinmuth was born in Baden, Germany, in 1815. Ile married Barbara Banehbach, and in 1853, started with her and the children for the United States. The voyage aeross the ocean aboard the old sailing vessel consumed three months. For a time they livd at Pitts- burgh, where George Reinmuth worked on a steamboat. In 1857 he set out with his family for Minnesota, going down the Ohio, and coming up the Mississippi by boat. At St. Paul he hired an ox team to take him and his family to Middleville township in Wright county. Here he located a homestead of 160 acres on the north banks of Howard lake, where he built his first log cabin, and started to clear the land. Fortunately he owned a yoke of oxen, but the roads were so bad that it was difficult to use them away from home, and he often brought flour from St. Paul on his shoulder. Money was searee and he dug ginseng to get the money with which to pay the govern- ment price of $1.25 for his land. After a few years, a second log cabin replaced the first, and in time a frame house in which members of the family still live, was erected. Mr. Reimmuth was a prominent man in his community and served several years as a member of the school board. Ile died at the age of eighty- two. His wife had died in 1868 at the age of forty-four. Lewis Reinmuth was brought to America by his parents in 1853, lived with them in Pittsburgh, and in 1857 was brought by them to Wright county. IIe assisted his father in elearing the land and early in life became widely noted as an expert wood-ehopper. Even as a small boy he was regarded as a wonder with an axe, and the feats of strength and skill which he performed in this line were little short of marvelous. Ile grew to manhood on the home place, and always remained there. After he came into possession of it he made many improvements, and made it a modern farm in every particular. He was a very hard worker, took great pride in keeping the best of stock, and delighted in having everything in splendid order about the place. He did not mingle in public life, but was a faithful member of the Ger- man Lutheran church of Iloward Lake. IIe was killed May 29,
475
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
1913. While he was unloading milk at the Howard Lake Cream- ery, his team of horses took fright and ran away. He was caught in the wheel and turned over and over, receiving injuries from which he died soon afterward in the office of Dr. E. Y. Chilton. Lewis Reinmuth was married in 1881, to Bertha Uecker, a native of Pomerania, Germany, born September 29, 1861, daughter of Otto and Caroline Ueeker, who came from Germany in 1867 and located in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Rein- muth had eight children: Allen, Hilda, now Mrs. Frank West- phal, of Howard Lake; Mattie, wife of Claude Nissen, of South Shore, South Dakota; George, Otto (deceased), Helen, Marie and Lewis. Allen Reinmuth, the oldest son, was reared on the home farm, attended the distriet schools, and in 1913 was grad- uated from the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. He is a thorough believer in modern methods in farming and in co-operation among the farmers. He organized the North Howard Farmers' Club, and is its secretary. He is a member of the Farmers' Stoek-Shipping Association. The farm consists of 128 aeres condueted along the most scientific lines.
William Lee Brumfield, a leading farmer of Middleville town- ship, was born on his father's homestead in seetion 10, Novem- ber 11, 1875, son of William Henry and Naney (Jordon) Brum- field. William Henry Brumfield was born in Carver county, Kentucky, March 3, 1821, and as a boy received but meagre opportunities. He married Nancy Jordon (born July 1, 1828), and located on a farm in his native state, where the children, Green, Hattie, Allie, James, George and Nan, were born. There were also three more children in the family, Mary, born in St. Paul, and Noah and William Lee born in Wright county. In 1871 the family set out for Minnesota. They reached St. Paul by steamboat, and came to Middleville township, where by trad- ing a good pair of horses they obtained the homestead-rights to eighty aeres of land. An old shack and a straw barn stood on the place, and about an aere had been broken. With the aid of an ox team the family eleared the land, and in time ereted suitable buildings. Mr. Brumfield was a member of the Christian church and helped to build the church at Sylvan, in Middleville township. He died December 28, 1888. His wife died October 29, 1899, aged about seventy-one. William Lee Brunfield was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. After the death of his father, he and his brother, James, took over the home place. Later William Lee bought his brother's interest. A few years later he sold out, and bought the place of his father-in-law, W. HI. Hutchinson. This tract consisted of eighty acres. Four years afterward he bought the old Levi VanNorden place of 160 acres. This was in 1905.
476
HISTORY OF WRIGIIT COUNTY
The place was but partly improved, and the only residence on it was the homestead log cabin. Mr. Brumfield has developed the farm, and has erected a new nine-room house, a new silo, and several roomy sheds. He carries on general farming and raises good stock, marketing his cattle through the Stock Shippers' As- sociation of which he is a member. At the present time he is supervisor of the township and clerk of the school board. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America and to the Odd Fellows. Mr. Brumfield was married March 27, 1901, to Effie M. Hutchinson, daughter of W. H. Ilutchinsou and Helen A. (Dean) Hutchinson. Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield have three chil- dren: Russell, born March 24, 1904; Dorris, born September 8, 1908; and Evelyn, born September 22, 1911. W. H. ITutehin- son eame from Canada to the United States and then to Middle- ville township.
Levi R. Bowman, a well known resident of Middleville town- ship, was born in Greensborough, Indiana, March 7, 1841, son of William W. and Elvira (Hunt) Bowman. William W. Bowman was of Scotch-Irish aneestry, and was of the Quaker faith. He was one of a family of six boys and two girls. About 1800 he moved from North Carolina to Indiana, and there spent the re- mainder of his life. He was a Whig, an Abolitionist and a Re- publican, and was a prominent man in his township. He died in 1868. By his first wife he had three children, Milton, Ed- mund and Martha. By his second marriage he had eight chil- dren, Calvin W., William, Jabez HI. (a veteran of Company D, 36th Indiana Infantry), Levi R., Thomas E., Sarah, Emeline, and Beulah. Levi R. Bowman was born in Indiana as noted, was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools. In 1861 he enlistd in Company F, 10th Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and was assigned to the Fourteenth Army Corps. He served in all three years, and was in many important skirmishes, battles, engagements, campaigns, marches and sieges. Among the battles may be mentioned those of Mills Spring, Corinth, Perrysville, Tellahoma, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, At- lanta, Racaca, Big Shanty, Kennesaw and Peach Tree Creek. Ile received his honorable discharge at Indianapolis, September 19, 1864. Then he took up carpenter work, an occupation in which he engaged until 1870, when ill health caused him to seek a home in another climate. In 1871 he located in Middle- ville, Wright county, and purchased Fred Peasley's homestead right to eighty acres in section 4. An unfinished log house stood on the place and into this house he moved with his wife and son, Elmer C. One acre of the tract had been cleared. IIe cleared up the eighty acres and bought forty acres on the east line of the farm which he also cleared. He has replaced the log structure with a substantial home, good barns has been erected,
M. E. FELLOWS AND FAMILY
477
HISTORY OF WRIGHIT COUNTY
and everything about the place bespeaks thrift and prosperity. Mr. Bowman carries on general farming and aside from this follows his trade as a builder, operating throughout the North- west. Ile was married in Indiana to Clementine Nugent, born in that state in February, 1851, a daughter of Levi Nugent, a hotel man of Hamilton county, Indiana. She died in 1874, leav- ing him four children: Elmer C., William, Bert and Alvira. Elmer C. is assistant state wheat weigher, with headquarters in Minneapolis. Bert operates the home place. William and Alvira died in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Bowman mar- ried Kate Plomteaux, a native of Blue Earth county, this state. She died at the age of fifty. Her two children, Elizabeth and Mary died in infancy.
John R. Anderson, a leading citizen of Middleville township, was born in Sweden, August 29, 1857, son of Andrew and Beata (Larson) Anderson, both of whom died in the old country. John R. was reared and educated in Sweden, and there lived until over twenty-two years of age. In 1880 he eame to Amer- iea, landing at Quebee, Canada, and finding his way to Minne- sota. For the first summer he worked on a farm in Meeker eounty. In the fall he came to Wright county, and worked in the woods near Waverly. The following summer he did farm work in Kandiyohi county. In the winter he again chopped wood near Waverly. The next spring, 1882, he went to Canada, and worked about a year for the Canadian Pacific. Since then he has been engaged in farming in Wright county. He owns a good place in section 13, Middleville, and successfully carries on gen- eral farming and stockraising. He is the assessor of the town- ship, and has been on the school board for six years. He helped to organize the Co-operative Store at Waverly, and is a director in that as well as in the Waverly Farmers' Elevator. In the Swedish Lutheran church he is especially prominent. He has been janitor for fourteen years, Sunday school teacher for seven years, and trustee for a considerable period. Mr. Anderson was married June 7, 1885, to Augusta Person, who was born in Sweden in 1860. They have ten children: Oscar, of St. Paul ; Charles, of Waverly ; Olga, wife of John Cochran, of Woodland township; August, at home; Ellen, now Mrs. Erick Erickson, of St. Paul; William, Henry and Esther, at home; and Arthur and Ruben, who died in infancy.
Martin E. Fellows, for many years an honored farmer of Mon- ticello township, was born in Huron county, Ohio, May 2, 1852, son of William Stewart and Phoebe E. (Gifford) Fellows, the former a native of New York state, and the latter of Ohio, and both of Scottish descent. The mother died in Michigan. The father lived in Minnesota several years, and later moved to Kansas, where he died. In the family there were three children :
.
478
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Martin E., Elnora, wife of Charles Harris, of Frazee, Minn .; and Levi L., of Olmsted county, Minnesota. Martin F. Fellows came to Rochester, Minn., from La Grange county, Indiana, in Sep- tember, 1873. In Deeember, 1902, he brought his family to Wright county and located on Sugar lake, in Corinna township, where he purchased 175 acres of land. Six years later he traded this traet and secured 120 aeres on section 4, Monticello town- ship, where he carried on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Fellows was a substantial man, and was an influential mem- ber of the school board at High Forest for nineteen years. His death was widely mourned, and his memory will long remain in the hearts of all those with whom he came in contaet. He belonged to Monticello Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., the Eastern Star, the M. W. A., and the Knights of Pythias. He was made a Mason in High Forest Lodge, No. 85, in 1886, and was made master of Fair Haven Lodge, No. 182. His wife was a charter member of the Eastern Star, and was made worthy matron of Vesta Chapter, No. 99, O. E. S., in 1897. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fellows was mar- ried, December 23, 1875, to Almeda E. Stillwell, a native of Wis- consin, daughter of Obediah and Mary E. (Faucett) Stillwell, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Indiana. The Stillwells eame to Minnesota in 1857 and located in Mabel, Fillmore county, Minnesota. In the family there were four children : Amerieus V., who died November 10, 1912; Almeda, wife of Martin E. Fellows; Leslie H., of Stewartville, Minn .; and Eldevilla, wife of George Langton, of Browerville, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows had five children: Mary Elizabeth, wife of Charles Meyers, of Bradley, S. D .; Blanche A., wife of Hiram Miller, of Park county, Mont .; Ethel O., wife of Richard Stryker, of Park county, Mont .; Elmer Leslie, of International Falls, Minn .; and Leonard A., at home. Martin E. Fellows died Feb- ruary 9, 1915, and Mrs. Fellows died February 26, 1915.
David F. Reid, business man, Monticello, was born in Fill- more county, Minnesota, May 27, 1865, son of David and Annie (Hoag) Reid, natives respectively of Ireland and Vermont, who came to Minnesota in 1857 and spent the remainder of their lives in Fillmore county, the father dying on April 25, 1881, and the mother in 1871. In the family there are three children living and six dead : Jane, wife of J. D. IIenry, of Portland, Ore .; David F., and Annie M., wife of HI. W. Sims, of Grand Forks, N. D., living; and James A., William E., Arthur, Judson, Lillie and one unnamed, deceased. David F. Reid received his education in the district sehools, and devoted his early life to farming. In October, 1908, he came to Wright county and engaged in the farming and nursery business in Monticello township until 1913. In that year he started his present business. He is local agent
479
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
for the Standard Oil Company, does heavy draying, and deals in wood, coal, cement, brick and lime. Mr. Reid is a Republican in polities, and served for a time as town clerk. He belongs to the M. W. A. Mr. Reid was married, June 20, 1885, to Ella E. Rich, and they have six children: Floyd Albert, who is his father's partner ; Grace, the wife of Albert Engel, of Todd county, Minnesota ; Florence, the wife of Louis Engel, of Monticello; Nellie and Mildred, at home; and an unamed boy who died in infancy.
Andrew Thompson, a venerable pioneer, now deceased, was born in Ireland, August 31, 1825, attended school, grew to man- hood, and became a millwright and engineer. Hannah Riley was born in Ireland, January 21, 1831. They both came to America about 1850, and located in Pennsylvania, where they were mar- ried, May 5, 1852. From Pennsylvania they moved to Vir- ginia, where Mr. Thompson operated a sawmill. In 1854 they came to what is now Minneapolis, and here he worked in the government mills. It was in February, 1855, that they moved onto a homestead in Hennepin county, just across the line from Wright county. The land was all wild and wooded with heavy timber. He cleared the land, erected a home and outbuildings, and underwent all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. As the years passed he became one of the most prosperous and influential citizens in the community. August 9, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was sent against the Indians, and on September 2, 1862, was wounded in the arm at the Battle of Birch Coulie. After that he was in the hospital for a time, and was then sent home for a furlough of five weeks. Later he went with his regiment to the South. In September, 1864, he was promoted to corporal, and on August 19, 1865, he received his honorable discharge. The remainder of his life was spent in developing and cultivating his farm in Hennepin county. He worked for the betterment of the community, and the world was the better for his having lived in it. He died November 4, 1903. His wife died August 24, 1908. The nine children of this venerable and honored couple were: Elizabeth, William James, Robert, Daniel R., Andrew, Samuel, John W., Julius A., and one, unnamed, that died in infancy. Elizabeth was born July 4, 1854, and died July 13 of the same year. William James, a business man of Monticello, was born October 31, 1855, was married March 25, 1879, to Etta Stimson, and has four children, Lethe, Celia, Raymond S. and Lydia. Robert was born December 2, 1857, and died August 29, 1864. Daniel R. was born May 26, 1860, and after being in business for some years, in Rockford, is now a wholesale dealer in under- takers' supplies in Minneapolis. He was married, December 16, 1884, to Kittie B. Beach, and they have three children: John B.,
480
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
Vernon A. and Gladys L. Andrew was born August 10, 1862, and died January 5, 1868. Samuel, a merchant of Rockford, was born June 28, 1866, and was married November 26, 1890, to Nellie M. Ewing. They have three children : Heetor N., Gertrude and William E. John W. was born August 31, 1868, and now owns and eonduets the home place of 160 aeres. He is also in partnership with his brother in the store at Roekford. Julius A. was born October 25, 1870, and is now a prominent farmer of Buford, N. D. He was married, June 16, 1897, to Lettie M. Forsythe, and they have two children: Ruth W. and Kenneth.
William J. Thompson, Monticello, machinist and metal- worker, was born in Minneapolis, Minn., October 31, 1855, son of Andrew and Hannah (Ridley) Thompson, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1850 and located in Pennsylvania. Andrew Thompson was a millwright and engineer. From Penn- sylvania he moved to Virginia, where he operated a sawmill. In 1854 he came to what is now Minneapolis to operate the gov- ernment mill. In 1855 he moved onto a homestead in Hennepin county, and there he and his good wife spent the remainder of their days. He was a veteran of the Indian campaign, having been wounded at Bireh Coulie, where he was serving as sergeant in Company B, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In the Thompson family there were nine children: An infant daughter (deceased), William J., Daniel R., of Minneapolis; John R. (deceased), Andrew (deceased), Samuel, of Rockford, this county ; John, on the old home farm in Greenwood township, Hennepin county ; Julius, of North Dakota, and an infant son (deceased). William J. Thompson remained with his father until nineteen years of age, working summers and attending school winters. He came to Monticello in 1875, worked for seven and a half years as a blacksmith, then opened a shop of his own, sub- sequently went to Minneapolis and worked in a blacksmith shop for about a year, then went on his father-in-law's farm in Mon- tieello township and remained three years, and then came to Monticello again. After operating a shop about a year, he formed a partnership with Christian Neuman, and bought out the black- smith shop of L. L. Chaffin. Three years later Mr. Thompson purchased his partner's interest and subsequently operated the shop alone until 1908, when he took his son, Raymond S., as full partner, under the firm name of W. J. Thompson & Son. The company does wagon repairing, automobile repairing and operates a general machine and blacksmith shop. Mr. Thompson is a publie-spirited man, and has done his part toward the devel- opment of the community. Many of the trees which add so mueh to the value of the streets were set out by him many years ago. lle was village recorder for some twenty years. Fraternally he associates with the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A.,
481
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
the C. of H. and the I. O. F. He is a Republican in politics. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Thompson was married, March 25, 1879, to Etta Stimson, a native of Monticello, this county, and they have four children: Lettie, wife of Bert V. Davis, of Monticello; Celia, bookkeeper and stenographer for her father and brother ; Raymond S., his father's partner; and Lydia, at home, a bookkeeper for S. J. Mealey & Company.
Raymond S. Thompson, mechanical engineer, Monticello, was born in Monticello, May 11, 1885, son of William J. and Etta (Stimson) Thompson. He passed through the public schools of Monticello, and was graduated from the Monticello high school in 1904. With the exception of a short interval during which he was a salesman, he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota from the fall of 1904 until early in 1907. In February, 1907, he went to Spokane, Wash., as engineer for the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway. In June, 1908, he returned to Monticello and entered into partnership with his father in the general machine and repairing business under the firm name of W. J. Thompson & Son. Mr. Thompson has been unusually active in fraternal circles. He is a Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine Mason, and has been secretary of Monticello Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M. for two years. He has passed through the chairs of Garfield Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., and has been its secretary for several years. He is also serving his second year as secretary of the Monticello Commereial Club. He is likewise secretary of the Monticello band. In politics Mr. Thompson is a Republican. Mr. Thompson was married, Sep- tember 7, 1910, to Julia Lee, born in Howard county, Iowa, daughter of Gulick and Marie Lee, natives of Norway, the former of whom died October 24, 1913, and the latter of whom now lives in Cresco, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child, Charles Leigh, born January 30, 1912. In the Lee family there were twelve children: Nellie, of Chicago; Bessie, wife of Dr. Ahern, of Ravinia, S. D .; Andrew, of Glasgow, Mont .; Julia, wife of Raymond S. Thompson; Gustave, of Cresco, Iowa; Mary, wife of Charles Gray, of Roscoe, Minn .; Olaf, of Alaska ; Theodore, of Cresco, Iowa ; and Ella, Anna, Emma and Arthur, at home.
David A. Gehrenbeck, business man, Monticello, was born in the city where he lives, August 12, 1880, son of Ellis' and Mary J. (Mueller) Gehrenbeck, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He remained with his father until about twenty years of age. After clerking in a general store for two years he entered the employ of J. W. Lindgren in a similar capacity. In 1910 he formed a partnership with John A. Roman. The firm has a hardware store and tinshop, installs heating systems, and does a general plumbing business. Mr. Gehrenbeck is a Repub-
482
HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY
liean in politics. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A., the Degree of Rebekah and the Court of Honor. Mr. Gehrenbeck was married, June 3, 1903, to Julia May Bertram, and they have two children : Gilbert B., born March 16, 1906, and Gladys, born August 29, 1907.
Ellis Gehrenbeck, carpenter, Monticello, was born in Indiana, January 7, 1857, son of Gottlieb and Matilda (Koeh) Gehrenbeck, natives of Saxony, Germany, who came to America in 1853, lived in Indiana twelve years, returned to Germany in 1865, and in 1870 came again to America, and took up their home on a farm in Wright county, Monticello township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in April, 1900, and the mother in November, 1892. In the family there were eleven chil- dren : Matilda, wife of Herman Blume, of Monticello; Azalia (deceased), Paulina, wife of Conrad Sehamberg, of Montieello; -, who died at Tacoma, Wash .; Gottlieb, who lives at St. Cloud, Minn. : Hermine, who died at Waterville, Minn .; Ada, wife of M. Mitchell, of Montieello; Ellis, of Monticello; Betty, married, of Monticello; Fred (deeeased), and Amanda, wife of William Bailey, of Monticello. Mr. Gehrenbeck followed the fortunes of his family, and for many years operated the same home place with his brother. In 1901 he moved to the village of Monticello, where he has since devoted his time to his trade as a carpenter. He votes the Republican tieket and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A. The family faith is that of the Congregational church. Mr. Gehrenbeek was married, December 23, 1879, to Mary J. Mueller, daughter of Christian David and Caroline (Smith) Mueller, natives of Germany, who came to Ameriea and located in Ohio, later moving to Indiana. The father died at sea while en route to Germany for a visit, and the mother died at Cineinnati. In the family there were two children : William (deceased), and Mary J. Mr. and Mrs. Gehren- back have two children: David and Caroline.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.