USA > Minnesota > Wright County > History of Wright County, Minnesota > Part 57
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Henry N. James, farmer, Monticello, was born in St. Paul, Minn., August 28, 1871, son of Edward and JJane (Kinch) James, who brought him to Howard Lake, this county, as an infant, and to Monticello township as a small boy. Ile remained on the
HENRY JAMES AND FAMILY
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home farm as a young man and thoroughly mastered the arts of agriculture. In 1901 he purchased 160 acres in sections 32 and 33, Montieello township, and to this he has added until he now owns and cultivates 360 acres, lying in Monticello township. He has one of the best farms in the community, equipped with excellent improvements and conducted in a modern way. On this place he successfully carries on general farming and stock raising. In politics Mr. James is an independent voter, and he has been too busy with his farm work to mingle to any extent in public affairs. Mr. James was married, September 29, 1896, to Eva Schultz, who was born in Wright county, Angust 11, 1879, and to this union six children have been born: Enfred Robert, born March 5, 1898; Amy Jane, born December 8, 1899; Edward Nathaniel, born Jannary 29, 1903; Archie Ray, born July 14, 1904; Ada May, born May 31, 1908; Mark Henry, born August 24, 1914.
George E. Desmond, stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in Maine, Deeember 12, 1852, son of Timothy and Mary (Finn) Desmond, who are elsewhere appropriately mentioned in this work. George E. Desmond was brought to Wright eounty by his parents in 1856 and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1889 he went to Bayfield county, Wisconsin, and secured a timber claim of 160 acres, which he developed until 1904, when he returned to his home place. This place of 160 acres, in section 30, Monticello township, was deeded to him upon the death of his parents, and here he is engaged in stock raising on an exten- sive scale. He has added to the original tract until he owns 480 acres of well improved land, his farm being one of the best in the township. Mr. Desmond has been too busy to seck publie offices. He votes the Democratic ticket. Ile has made a decided success of life, and stands very high in the community as a man of ability and worth. He belongs to the Catholic church.
Matt Dechane, farmer, Monticello township, was born near St. John, Canada, November 24, 1867, son of Severe and Bridget (Maurier) Dechane, natives of Canada, who came to Otsego township, Wright county, in 1872, and here devoted their years to farming. The father died in August, 1908, and the mother still makes her home in Otsego township. In the family there were sixteen children: Alice, wife of Joseph Cowett, of Dayton; George, of Rush City, Minn .; Matt, of Monticello; Alfred (de- ceased) ; Lyda, wife of George Menard, of Albertville, Minn .; Joseph, of Anoka, Minn .; Louis (deceased) ; Mary, wife of George DeMars, of Otsego township; an infant daughter (deceased) ; Lucy, wife of Frank Zahler, of St. Michaels, Wright county ; Oetave, of Otsego ; Emile (deceased) ; Edmund, Albert and Louis, of Otsego township; and Flora, the wife of Alphonse Chroinard. Matt Dechane remained with his father until he was twenty-eight
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years of age. Then he married and in 1895 purchased forty acres in section 33, Monticello township. He has made some excellent improvements and carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The family faith is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Deehane married Queenie Mary Montreuil, a native of Wright county, daughter of Frank and Mary (Fyle) Montreuil, natives of Canada, who eame to Monticello about 1874. Mr. Montreuil now lives in Olivia, Minn. He was assessor of Monticello township for three years. His wife died August 10, 1908. In the family there were five children: Mary Louise (deeeased), Queenie Mary, Elmer Francis, Francis Xavier and Haydee Catherine, wife of Edward Lindquist, of Olivia, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Dechane have two daughters: Hazel Mary, born June 9, 1908; and Blanche Florence, born October 5, 1910.
Fred Ekberg, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Sweden, June 12, 1854, son of John and Caroline Ekberg, both natives of Sweden. He came to America in 1887 and located in North Dakota. Later he went to Washington. There, in 1889, he was in a serious railroad wreek on the Northern Pacific Rail- road. In 1892 he bought forty acres in section 17, Monticello township, where he now carries on general farming. He has a well-improved place, and the condition of the buildings and fenees bespeaks the care and thrift of the owner. Mr. Ekberg was married in Sweden, in 1879, to Charlotte Olson, and to this union there have been born six children: Gustaf E., of Wiscon- sin ; Hilda, wife of Godfrey Hawkinson, of Minneapolis; Esther, of Minneapolis; and Fred, Helga and Herbert, who are at home. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Herman Blume, one of the most substantial and respected citizens of Monticello, was born in Westphalia, Germany, November 16, 1833. He there received a splendid training, passing through the lower and the high schools, mastering the trades of machinist and engineer, and serving three years in the First Horse Battery, Garde Corps, Berlin, of the Prussian army, It was in 1858 that he came to America, located in Cincinnati, and secured employment in his unele's factory across the river in Covington, Ky. In 1861 he enlisted from Cincinnati as sergeant in the Fourth Ohio Independent Battery, and by reenlistment at Woodville, Ala., in 1863, served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. His war career was an heroic and thrilling one. At the Battle of Lookout Mountain he had the misfortune to lose his left eye. At the Battle of Jonesboro, his horse, being shot dead beneath him, fell in such a manner as to infliet permanent injury to the gallant warrior's left knee, causing a life-long lameness. After the war the young lieutenant
HERMAN BLUME AND FAMILY
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went to St. Louis and became engineer in a candle factory. It was in 1868 that he came to Wright eounty and secured employ- ment as engineer in the sawmill of Fred Hitten, at Monticello. Two years later he moved onto a farm of eighty aeres in Maple Lake township which he had bought about a year earlier. This tract was at that time covered with heavy timber. Ile ereeted a frame house, broke, grubbed and cleared the land, developed a splendid place, and continued as a prosperous farmer until 1905, when he sold out and retired to Montieello, where he now lives, honored and esteemed for his nseful life and sterling char- acter. Mr. Blume was married at Indianapolis, Ind., March 1, 1865, to Matilda Gehrenbeek, born in Germany, January 5, 1842, daughter of sturdy German parents who brought her to America in 1852, and loeated with them in Indiana. A pretty romance surrounds the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blume. Mr. Blume had met and wooed the then Matilda Gehrenbeck before he enlisted in the army. Early in February, being then a brave young lieutenant in the midst of a hard military campaign, he received a letter telling him that owing to the unsettled conditions in Ameriea, the Gehrenbeek family was about to return to Germany. Lieutenant Blume at onee obtained a short leave of absenee, went to Indianapolis, married the lady of his ehoiee and saved her from a trip to Germany, then returning to his duties, a mar- ried and happy man. Mr. and Mrs. Blume have had ten children : Herman, Matilda (deceased), Minnie (deeeased), Charles, Gott- lieb, Nella, Theresa, Anthony, Frank (deceased) and Julia (deceased). Herman lives in Nevis, Minn. He married Eva Goeltz and they have seven children: Margaret, Matilda, Lulu, Walter, Arthur, Herman and John. Matilda married Robert Bredt, and had five children: Titus, George, Marie and Helen (twins), and Theresa (deceased). Minnie married John Lovell, and they had two children: Leona and Newell. Charles lives in Monticello township. He married Emma Lempe and they have two children : Irene and Clarence. Gottlieb lives in Cambridge, Minn. He married Lneinda King and they have two children : Oallah and Dora. Nella is the wife of Gustav Eggena, of Monti- cello village, and they have two children : Aliee and Karl. The- resa is the wife of James Gorman, of Maple Lake village, and they have three children: Viola, Beatrice and Paul. Anthony lives in MeGregor, N. D. Ile married Nettie Truax, and they have a daughter, Gertrude. An important event in the life of Mr. and Mrs. Blume was the celebration, on March 1, 1915, of their golden wedding anniversary. Six children, twenty-one grandehildren and a hundred and thirty guests were present. A banquet and danee were given, speeches were made, the wedding ceremony was reenaeted by Rev. Holland, and many gifts received, ineluding a purse of $60 in gold from the family. Mrs.
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Blume wore the same wreath and flowers that her mother had worn on a similar occasion twenty-five years before. The entire community united in its felicitations and congratulations.
Emil C. Arnold, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in the township where he still lives, June 4, 1876, son of John and Tena (Salden) Arnold, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Belgium. Both are still living. In the family there were eight children: two who died in infancy; Lena, wife of William Rose, of Vernal, Utah; Annie (deceased) ; Emil C .; Alice (deceased) ; Adelia, wife of Willis Knight, of Monticello; and Henry George, of Monticello. Emil C. Arnold farmed with his father until about thirty years of age. Then he and his brother, Henry George, took charge of the home place. To the original 120 acres in section 24 they have added until they now own about 179 acres, on which they conduct general farming and stockraising. Mr. Arnold is an independent voter. He was mar- ried, June 8, 1910, to Edna Harbel, daughter of Conrad and Charlotte (Haefer) Harbel, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. Mr. Harbel is dead. Mrs. Harbel still lives in Monticello township. In the Harbel family there were three children : Laura, wife of Don McCormick, of Monticello; a girl who died in infancy, and Edna, the wife of Emil C. Arnold. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have two children : Evelyn Charlotte, born July 19, 1911; and Vernon Emil, born June 12, 1913.
Henry George Arnold, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in the township where he still lives, May 16, 1885, son of John and Tena (Salden) Arnold. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools, and worked for his father until 1906, when he and his brother, Emil C. Arnold, took over the home place of 120 acres, to which they have since added until they now own about 179 acres, on which they conduct general farming and stock raising. Mr. Arnold is a Republican in politics. Mr. Arnold was married December 29, 1909, to Marie M. Bredt, and they have four children : Evan Henry, Helen Alice, Clyde Berton, Leona.
Charles L. Southerland, farmer and stock raiser of Monti- cello township, was born in Logansport, Cass county, Indiana, November 14, 1867, son of Edwin John and Margaret (Neville) Southerland, who brought him to Wright county in 1875. He attended the district schools, helped his father grub and clear the land, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. Aside from one season's farming in Washington and sixteen months' mining in Idaho, he has spent his life since his early arrival, on the home farm. Ile now owns the place, and in addition to this has pur- chased 96 acres from his father, so that now he has 214 acres of excellent land in sections 20 and 29. Ile has achieved success
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in life by hard labor, close application to duty and temperate habits, and is now one of the leading and representative farmers of the community. He carries on general farming and pays espe- cial attention to stock raising.
Edwin John Southerland, for many years one of Wright county's respected farmers, was born in Cass county, Indiana, there received his education, and there grew to manhood. As a young man he married Margaret Neville, a native of Edgar county, Illinois. In the fall of 1875 they came to Monticello township, this county, and purchased 160 acres in section 20, as well as 240 acres over the river in Sherburne county. The land in Monticello township, on which they settled, was all wild and heavily wooded. Mr. Southerland erected a log cabin, and began his preparations for establishing his home in the wilder- ness. He grubbed and cleared the land and became one of the leading citizens of his township. In time he developed a splen- did farm, erected a sightly frame house, and other buildings, and followed farming for many years. In his later years he moved to the village of Monticello. In 1911 Mrs. Southerland died, and soon afterward Mr. Southerland sold his village prop- erty and moved back to the farm, making his home with his son, Charles, until his deatlı, December 13, 1913. Mr. Southerland was a veteran of the Civil War, having served three years and three months in Company E, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, going in as a private and coming out as a sergeant. During this period he took part in all the important battles, and skirmishes of his regiment. His twin brother Edward, who was a first lieutenant, was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Southerland were the parents of seven children: Edward, now of Douglas county, Oregon; Charles L., of Monticello town- ship; Nettie, wife of M. E. Freeman, of Alberta, Canada; Eliza- beth, wife of Frank L. Hanson, of Monticello township; and Frank (deccased), Mattic (deceased), and Alice.
Charles Anderson, farmer and dairyman, Monticello, was born in Sweden, January 11, 1858, son of Andrew and Kate (Johnson) Anderson, who spent the span of their years in Sweden. In the family there were three children, Peter and Matilda, bothı deceased, and Charles. Charles Anderson started for himself at the age of ten years. In 1881 he came to America, and located in Marquette county, Michigan, for about four years. Then he lived in Minneapolis for about ten years. In 1894 he purchased eighty acres on seetion 19, Monticello town- ship, where he has made improvements, and where he carries on general farming and dairying. In politics, Mr. Anderson is independent. His family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson was married November 21, 1888 to Han- nah Carlson, who died December 21, 1897. There were two
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children, Clifford, who is at home, and Mabel Hannah, who is dead.
John Eastlick, farmer and stock raiser, Montieello, was born in Olmsted county, Minn., May 15, 1861, son of John and Lavina (Day) Eastlick, natives of Ohio, who came to Minnesota in 1860. The father and the other five sons, Merton, Frank, Giles, Fred and William, were killed at Lake Shattuck, during the Indian massaere. Later the mother married Soloman Petti- bone, and now lives in Monticello township. By this marriage there is one child, Laura, the wife of Angus McDonald, of Al- berta, Canada.
John Eastlick has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. In 1901 he came to Wright county, and purchased 83 acres in section 16, Monticello township, where he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. In polities he is a Republi- can. Mr. Eastlick married Margaret McKee, a native of Min- nesota, and they have six children: John, Theodore, William, Ilarry II., Merton M., Luke (deceased), and Cora. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Amon H. Buckmaster, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello township, was born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., August 21, 1859. son of George and Mary Ann (Boyer) Buekmaster, the former of whom was a native of Germany, and the latter of Ohio, of Scottish descent. The father was a carpenter by trade, and died in Wisconsin. The mother died in Red Wing, Minn. In the family there were four children: Hayman (deceased) ; Amon H .; an unnamed boy (deceased) ; and Leander, of Oregon. Almon II. was brought to Dakota county, Minn., by his widowed mother at the age of ten years, and was with his grandfather in Sherburne county until seventeen years of age. Subsequently he devoted several years to lumbering in the pineries, to saw- mill work and to threshing. He located in Monticello in 1884. In 1905 he purchased sixty aeres in section 16, Monticello town- ship. He now owns 118 aeres and carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a substantial citizen and has served on the city council of Monticello. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Buckmaster married Beatrice Rand, of Elk River, Minn., and they have had seven children: Ina, wife of II. D. Hoblet, of Montana; Julian, George, Harry, Maria, Louis and Nettie May, at home.
William Kiebel, farmer, Monticello township, was born in Germany, May 10, 1853, son of Jacob and Louise Kiebel. who spent the span of their years in Germany. In the family there were six children. William Kiebel came to Ameriea at the age of nineteen, and located in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. In 1902 he came to Wright county and purchased 28 acres in see- tion 8, Monticello township. Ile has made some excellent im-
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provements, and devotes his attention to general farming and stockraising. Mr. Kiebel votes independently. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. Mr. Kiebel maried Frances Tuddy, a native of Germany, and this union has been blessed with nine children: Ida, wife of Ed Muske, of Monticello; Helen, wife of A. Swafford, of Monticello: Rose, wife of Ed M. Jordan, of Minneapolis ; Rolla, of Monticello; Adeline, wife of Fred Hunt, of St. Cloud, Minn .; Oscar, at home; Laura, at home; and two boys who died in infancy.
Joseph R. Wren, farmer and stock raiser, Monticello town- ship, was born in Buffalo, this county, March 17, 1869, son of Thomas and Virginia (Prime) Wren, natives respectively of Canada and New York state, who came to Wright county in the sixties and located near Buffalo. Thomas Wren was a private for three years in Company E, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry, and followed the fortunes of that regiment in its various campaigns, battles and skirmishes. He died February 23, 1904. His wife lives in Monticello. They had three children: Etta, wife of W. S. Barney, of Buffalo; Joseph R., and Fred, who was killed in a railroad wreck. Joseph R. stayed with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Then after working for a time as a thresher in North Dakota, he purchased 123 acres in section 14, Monticello township. Although he has been burned out once he has made a success of his undertakings, and his place is modern in every particular, from the new house to the well-tilled acres. Mr. Wren carries on general farming and stock raising. He belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the Eastern Star, the I. O. O. F., the Rebekah Degree, and the M. W. A. He is a Republican in politics, and the family faith is that of the Congregational church. Mr. Wren was married February 22, 1899, to Hattie Bryant, daughter of Alonzo and Clara (Mallette) Bryant, both now deceased, natives of Maine, who came to Wright county in the late fifties and located in Monticello town- ship. In their family there were nine children: Leroy, Louise (deceased) ; Hattie, wife of Joseph R. Wren; Frank, of Monti- eello: Maude, wife of Howard Cleveland ; George, of Monticello; Archie (deceased) ; Eva, wife of Oscar Swanson, of Monticello; and Chester, of Monticello. Mr. and Mrs. Wren have one daugh- ter, Mildred Esther, born December 10, 1900.
James Madigan, pioneer of Maple Lake, and for many years a conspicuous figure in the life of the community, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1833, and came to America as a boy. In 1857 he took up land in Maple Lake township, this county, and in 1860 moved thereon with his wife. He became a success- ful farmer, and attained a position of importance and influence among his neighbors. A devout Catholic, he took an interest in church affairs, and was one of the charter members of St.
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Timothy's church. James Madigan originally owned the land where the present town of Maple Lake now stands. In Deeem- ber, 1886, when the town site of Maple Lake was platted, W. D. Washburn, president of the "Soo" railway at that time, became half owner in the original town site of Maple Lake. In Sep- tember, 1887, W. D. Wasburn sold his interest in the town site of Maple Lake, to the Paeifie Land Co., of Minneapolis. During the next two years the sale of lots was conducted under the management of the Paeifie Land Co. and James Madigan. In February, 1889, James Madigan bought the interests of the Pa- eific Land Co. at Maple Lake, and the business was conducted under the management of Mr. Madigan; more ground was płatted, and the town continued to grow until it beeame one of the most prosperous and best towns in Wright county.
Of the eireumstances of his deeply-mourned death, the Maple Lake Messenger said: "Saturday forenoon, July 31, 1909, the community was shocked to hear of the death of its oldest resi- dent. James Madigan left his house about 8 o'clock to look over a meadow across the railroad from the station, and while returning a few minutes later was struck by a freight train. Both legs were cut off. Medieal aid was summoned, but he died without regaining conseiousness at 8:45 in the evening. The exaet manner in which the accident oeeurred is not known. The train which caused his death had been standing on the side traek for some time and was just getting under headway at the time of the accident. The deceased was walking along the main traek, evidently forgetting the switch between the pass- ing track and the original side track." James Madigan was married at Stubenville, Ohio, April 12, 1857, to Mary O'Lough- Jin, who still lives on the old homestead. There are five chil- dren and twenty grandchildren. The children are: Thomas and James, of Maple Lake ; Mary, wife of J. W. Murray, of Rhame, North Dakota; Anna C., wife of R. M. Glynn, of Maple Lake; and Emma, wife of W. P. Strout, of Minneapolis.
Rev. Father F. C. O'Brien, pastor of St. Timothy's parish, Maple Lake, was born in Helena township, Seott county, Minne- sota, November 22, 1872, son of John and Elizabeth (Delaney) O'Brien, natives respectively of Counties Tipperary and Queens, Ireland. As a young boy the subject of this mention entered the distriet schools of his neighborhood. At the age of fourteen he was taken to Riee county, and there he likewise attended the distriet sehools, and also the Faribault high school. With this preparation he became a teacher in the rural schools of Riee county. In the meantime he had determined to devote his life to the service of the Mother Church. Accordingly he entered St. Thomas College, at St. Paul, took the academie course, and graduated in 1896. After completing his philosophieal studies
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at the Catholic University of America, at Washington, D. C., he entered St. Paul Seminary, and there took his theological studies. It was in 1902 that he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Ireland, being at onee appointed curate to Rev. James O'Riely, of St. Anthony Parish, Minneapolis, North East. Two years later he assumed his present work as rector of St. Timothy Church at Maple Lake and of the mission St. Charles in Chatham township. With enthusiasm and devotion he began his duties, and at once won his way to the hearts of the commu- nity. Ilis first work was to ereet a splendid parish house, which is all paid for. Extensive improvements on the church building have likewise been made and paid for. So much, indeed, has the parish prospered that a goodly amount toward the $40,000 required for a new church has already been subscribed. The parish of St. Timothy now has about 125 families; the mission at Chatham about fifty. Father O'Brien is a strong temperance advocate, and has done much to subdue the liquor business in this com- imunity. Ile is likewise a strong believer in county option. Hav- ing been a school teacher for many years, it is natural that he should take a deep interest in educational matters. His voice is ever raised in behalf of educating the children, and his views are thoroughly respected and heeded. In fact, in every move that has for its object the betterment of the community and the uplift of humanity, Father O'Brien takes his part. Ile is a man of noble character and wide activities, and the people of this eom- munity of all denominations declare that the world is better for his living in it.
In 1909, a new deanery was established in the Archdiocese of St. Paul, known as the Deanery of Maple Lake. It includes the parishes of Holy Name, Hamel, Loretto, Buffalo, Maple Lake, Annandale, Watkins, and Eden Valley. Over this Father O'Brien was appointed dean by Archbishop Ireland. He is now known by his friends as the "Dean of the 'Soo Line.' "
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