USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862 > Part 104
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organization. So concerned was he in regard to the allowance of this petition and the es- tablishment of the school district that he went before the board of commissioners per- sonally to see that his petition was allowed. Besides having been interested in township matters, he has also taken an active part in county matters, and has assisted materially in the development of its general inte- rests.
Mr. Herrick was born in Lower Canada, fifty miles east of Montreal, September 17, 1850. He was the son of Lemuel D. and Edna (Preston) Herrick, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father was reared and educated in that State, and in early life removed to Canada. The parents were both members of the Free-Will Baptist church, and exerted a wide influence for good in the community in which they lived. The subject of our sketch was one of eight children, five of whom grew to manhood-George W., Hiram A., Nelson A., Luther L. and Dorson J. The parents remained in Canada but a few years, and then removed to Marquette county, Wisconsin, where they lived from 1851 until 1864. In the latter year they re- moved to Black Hawk county, Iowa, remain- ing there, engaged in farming, until 1879. Removing thence they located in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota, where the father died June 2, 1880, at the age of sixty- seven years. The mother is still living in that county.
The subject of our sketch followed his parents in their migrations to various places throughout the northwestern country, and was given the advantages of a good common- school education. He assisted his father on the farm, and remained at home until twenty-eight years of age. His education was principally received in Waterloo, Iowa, and when not in school he worked on his father's farm. Prior to this age, in 1873, he was married, and continued his residence
with his parents until 1878, when he removed to Lincoln county.
Mr. Herrick was married February 17, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Hoyt, a native of Columbia county, Wisconsin, where she was born in the year 1850. This lady was the daughter of Gilman H. Hoyt, a prominent farmer of Wisconsin, and a native of Vir- ginia. He died in 1885. Mrs. Herrick was thoroughly educated in the town of her nativity, and made that her home principally until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have been blessed with five children-Bertha Edna, Cloe Elizabeth (deceased), Rosetta Mable, Luella and George Arnold.
The subject of this sketch is a prominent republican in politics, and takes an active part in the interests of the local organiza- tion. He is a man of systematic habits, care- ful and frugal in all his business affairs, and has accumulated considerable property. He has a pleasant and hospitable family, and is surrounded with the evidences of prosperity and success. Mr. Herrick is a loyal citizen, and to all matters which have had a tendency to elevate and bring prosperity to the public generally, he has given his hearty support. He is a man of excellent character and is respected by all who knew him.
XEL R. LAGERWALL is another of the well-to-do farmers of Scandia township, Murray county, Minnesota, and is the son of Ranghaldt and Ingakarin (Falk) Samuelson, natives of Sweden. He was also a native of that country, where he was born October 21, 1841, in Aster Galten Lan- hapinglan.
The first fourteen years of our subject's life were spent with his parents in his native land, after which he left home to earn his own living, and worked for farmers until the year 1869, at which time he came to the United States, coming directly to Minnesota.
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He first stopped in Austin, arriving in that place on the 7th day of June. The first three weeks he was unable to find work, the next three being spent in railroad work. Four months were then spent in farm labor. The winter of 1879-80 was spent by our subject in the city of Austin at various kinds of employment, such as cutting ice, chopping wood, etc. When spring came he kept a boarding shanty on the railroad between Brownsdale and Lanesboro. This occupation was continued until the following October, when he came to Mankato, and found work until spring. He then moved to the village of St. James and kept boarders who were working for him, he having contracted to do one mile of grading. In the fall of 1871 our subject first came to Scandia township, where he settled on a homestead on section 30, remaining until the following spring. He then took a contract for building one mile of railroad between Sleepy Eye and Springfield. After finishing this he built one mile above Tracy, and then worked by the day with team for five weeks. He then returned to his claim, where his family had been living in his absence. The greater part of his time since has been spent on his farm, though he has done some railroad work. Mr. Lagerwall owns a fine farm of 160 acres, with eighty-five acres under cultivation. He has a good frame house; owns five horses and considerable stock. Our subject was one of the early settlers, and together with the other pioneers saw very hard times. During his first winter he started for Win- dom, eighty-five miles distant, to get provis- ions. He was stormed in for one day near Currie, and then succeeded in reaching Lew Mason's, where he was snow bound for three · days and two nights. He then gave up try- ing to reachı Windom at that time and started for home. When he reached the house of August Bosch, five miles from his own home, his team gave out and another
stop had to be made. The snow was so deep and so badly drifted, that he could not get with his team to within half a mile of his house. He was living in a cellar at that time, and when he reached the place he found his wife snowed in, and all he could see was about six inches of stovepipe. His wife had been unable to get out of the house for five days when her husband opportunely came to her rescue. He found her nearly dead. About the second year of our sub- ject's residence in the county the grasshop- pers began their raids. But little was left by these insects of the first crop and none of the second. The third year a little grain was left, and the fourth a little more. The fifth year our subject thought that he would get the better of them, so he made a roller, and after they hatched out rolled this over the ground, thus killing most of them, so that lie had very little trouble with them after that. These were terrible times, but their bitterness is largely relieved by the good times which have followed. Our sub- ject is now in very comfortable circum- stances, having done very well in his farming operations since the grasshoppers left. Mr. Lagerwall is a public-spirited citizen and takes an active interest in political matters. He has held the office of school treasurer for twelve years, and has also been a constable, township supervisor, an auctioneer, etc. Our subject's parents have lived with him during the most of the time since he came to Minnesota, though some of their time is spent with his brothers.
In the village of Currie occurred the mar- riage of our subject to Miss Gustava John- son, a native of Sweden, she being born April 3, 1841, in the same place in which her husband's birth took place. Mr. and Mrs. Lagerwall have been blessed with the follow- ing named children-Axel, Alma Olivia (deceased), Ida Matilda, Hannalı Sophia, Earnest (deceased) and Carl Earnest.
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AMES MCCREADY is one of the reliable and prosperous farmers of Limestone township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He is the son of David and Isabel (Fields) Mc- Cready, natives of the northern part of Ire- land. The parents were well-to-do farmers, and were of Scotch descent.
The subject of our sketch was born in County Monaghan, in the northern part of Ireland, March 23, 1829. When he was about three years old his grandfather Fields took him and kept him in his family until he was nine years of age. Then his parents brought him to the United States, locating in St. Lawrence county, New York, where they arrived in August, 1839. The father purchased a farm in the woods, and our sub- ject remained with his parents until he was sixteen years of age. He then commenced working out, but made his home principally with his parents until he was twenty years of age. He received a good common-school education, and after reaching twenty years of age left home, but for four years all the money he earned, with the exception of enough to clothe himself, was given to his parents. In 1853 he was married, and rented a farm, which he operated until 1869. In that year he moved to Minnesota, and arrived in Rushford, Fillmore county, April 22, where, after remaining two days, he met his brother, who came with a team and took him to his farm at Saratoga, Winona county. He re- mained in that locality until the month of November, at which time he removed to El- mira, Olmsted county, where he purchased a farm, on which he lived until the spring of 1880. He then sold out and came to Lincoln county, settling on a pre-emption of 160 acres upon which he had filed a year previous. Ile at once commenced his farming operations, did some breaking and put up what was known in early days as a "shak," into which his family moved when they came. He took a tree claim, filing on a quarter section for
his son, and then returned to Olmsted county for his family. While he was gone his pre- emption was "jumped," so he had to obtain a relinquishment of the tree claim of his son, and made his settlement on that. He made his home here for about five years, and then changed his entry on his land from a tree claim to a homestead. He has continued his residence here ever since, and has been quite successful in all his operations.
Mr. McCready was married in the city of Ogdensburgh, October 6, 1853, to Miss Anna M. Harper, Rev. M. Miller, pastor of the Presbyterian church of that place, officiating at the ceremony. Miss Harper was a daugh- ter of Robert and Margaret Harper, natives of Ireland. She was born in County Cavan, Ireland, April 25, 1825. The fruits of this union are-David, who married Miss Sarah Benson, a native of Ireland ; Mary E., now Mrs. Charles F. Thibbetts, a resident of Lyon county, Minnesota ; and Alma J., married to William G. Hunter, a wheat buyer at Mar- shall, Minnesota.
The subject of our sketch is a systematic farmer, and has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. He has put up good buildings, and has surrounded himself with the evidences of prosperity. In public mat- ters he has taken an active interest, and has been chairman of the board of supervisors for five years. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church.
ANS NELSON HAMMERO. This
gentleman is one of the leading farm- ers of his nationality in Cottonwood county, and is located on section 14 of West Brook township. He is of Norwegian birth, and is the son of News and Mary (Christianson) Hanson, who have always lived in their native country, Norway. The father was a
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farmer by occupation and was a well-to-do citizen of Norway.
Our subject assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-five years of age and then worked as a fisherman, which business he followed for some time. In 1880 he emi- grated to the United States, locating at Highwater, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, for a short time, and then going to Lyon county. In thirty days he returned to Cotton- wood county, and resided in Highwater for some six months. At that time he came to his present location, taking 118 acres as a home- stead. He has been one of the most success- ful farmers of the township and has accum- ulated considerable means. He is energetic and industrious, and has labored hard to make his farm a profitable investment. He has made good improvements on his land, and has just finished a fine new house which cost somewhat over two thousand dollars. He gives considerable attention to the rais- ing of Short-horn cattle and Norman horses, and has met with considerable success in this line. He has always been one of the prominent citizens of the township and has taken a leading part in all matters of a pub- lic nature. Being a man of strong temper- ance sentiments, he affiliates with the prohi- bition party, and is working for the prohibi- tion of the liquor traffic. He is a man of excellent qualities, genial, warm-hearted, sociable, and is highly esteemed by all who knew him. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Hammero was married in the year 1875 to Miss Nekkoline Nelson, a native of Norway.
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HARLES HEATHFIELD is a leading resident of Fountain Prairie township, Pipestone county, Minnesota, and resides on a fine farm on section 34, where he is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising.
He was born in East Kent, England, Janu- ary 5, 1828. His parents were John H. and Amy (Burbridge) Heathfield, both of whom were natives of England. The father was a farmer by occupation, and came to America in 1853. He died in Wisconsin in 1877, the mother having passed away in Oneida county, New York, in 1858. In the father's family there were two children-James and our subject.
Charles Heathfield passed the early days of his life under parental authority in his English home, remaining in his native coun- try until he had attained his majority. He had received an education of a high order, his school life closing when he was about fifteen. At that time he commenced serving a seven-years' apprenticeship to learn the mason's trade. At twenty-one years of age he came with his parents to America, locat- ing in the State of New York. He followed his trade until his enlistment in the Union army, in July, 1861. He joined the Third New York Volunteer Infantry. After pass- ing through this period of service he was dis- charged at Washington. He then removed to Sauk county, Wisconsin, where, in 1865, he re-enlisted in the Forty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry, being discharged September 9, 1865, at Benton Barracks, Missouri. He was engaged in many hard-fought battles, and saw much service at the front. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Bull Run, South Mountain, Gettys- burg, and Chicamauga, besides numerous skirmishes and battles of minor importance. After his discharge he returned to Wiscon- sin, where he engaged principally in hop- raising until 1879, in which year he came to his present place.
Mr. Heathfield was married November 18, 1851, to Miss Jane Giles, who was also a na- tive of East Kent, England. This union has been blessed with nine living children- Julia, Libbie, Laura, William, Charles, Nel-
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son, Lelia, Elmer and Mary Emma, the first three of the children being now married, and the rest single; Lelia is a school teacher by profession.
On coming to Pipestone county, Mr. Heathfield at once identified himself with the public interests of the locality. He was one of the leading spirits in the steps taken toward the organization of the civil division, attending the first township meeting, which was held in the spring of 1879 at the house of E. E. Rink, who still resides in the county. At that meeting there were nine votes cast. Mr. Heathfield and Moses Heath are perhaps the oldest settlers remaining in the town- ship. In politics our subject is a stanch re- publican, and has held the offices of school district treasurer for two years. He is also a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 96, and is associated with the order of Odd Fellows, to which he has belonged for many years. Since coming to the township he has been engaged in gen- eral farming to some extent and also in stock raising. He has greatly improved his farm property, and has put up good out- buildings and a comfortable dwelling-house, and has set out a fine grove of trees. Our subject is looked upon as being a representa- tive citizen and enjoys the respect and es- teem of a large circle of friends. He is a man of good judgment, of sound moral qual- ities, and is a safe guide in all matters per- taining to the individual or public welfare.
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OHN HANSON is one of the reliable and influential farmers of Ann township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and is located on a fine farm on section 36. The place of his nativity is found in Norway, where he was born January 1, 1833.
The subject of our sketch was the son of Hans and Mary (Johnson) Alfson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father
died in his native land at the age of fifty years. The mother was born in 1811 and emigrated to America in the spring of 1866. She located in Dunn county, Wisconsin, where she remained three years. She then located in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where she has since lived. She is at present residing in High water township. The parents were farmers by occupation and reared a family of eight children, three of whom are living-Andrew, Mary and Hans; all the children emigrated to America.
Until he was about eighteen years of age John Hanson assisted his father on the farm and attended the public schools. At eighteen he commenced learning the carpenter's trade and work at that business for some eight years. He was then married and emigrated to America, locating in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. After a two years' residence he went to Dunn county, same State, and engaged in work at his trade for five years. At the end of that time he concluded to change his occupation and engaged in farm- ing, following that business for some four years. He then sold out his interests in Wis- consin and came to Highwater township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he lived ten years. He then sold out and pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres of school land where he now lives in Ann town- ship. He has built a fine house, good barn, and has thoroughly improved his farm. He has a fine grove of two acres of trees and owns about ten acres of heavy timber. His farm is well adapted to stock raising as well as agricultural pursuits and living water is to be found on his place the "year round."
The subject of our sketch was married in February, 1875, to Catharina Olson, who came to America from Norway, her native land, with her parents and a brother and sister. They located in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where the parents both died. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have been blessed with
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six children -- Helen, Ole, Lewis, Ida, Clara and John. Lewis is now in Washington Ter- ritory, and the rest of the children are all at home.
The subject of our sketch is one of the leading citizens of his township and is a man of good moral character, being a consistent member of the Lutheran church. In politics he affiliates with the republican party and takes an active interest in all matters of a public nature. He assisted in the organiza- tion of the county, at which time there were sixty-five votes cast. He has held various township offices, such as township clerk, supervisor and school clerk of district num- ber three. He is one of the thrifty, ener- getic farmers of the township, and in spite of the losses through which he passed during the grasshopper raids, when there was nothing raised for some four years, he has succeeded in accumulating some means and is now in excellent circumstances. He has always taken care of his own property and during those hard days succeeded in provid- ing for his own sustenance, not having to apply to the government for aid in any year. In connection with his farming, Mr. Hanson also engaged in raising stock, and has some fine animals on hand. He has sold several cows for forty-five dollars apiece, this being but a sample of his herd. Mr. Hanson is one of the most liberal and progressive-minded citizens of the township.
ILLIAM WILLIAMS is located on the northeast quarter of section 20, Lake Stay township, Lincoln county, Min- nesota, where he located April 15, 1877. He is the son of Josiah and Catharine (Buzzard) Williams, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The parents were farmers in that State and occupied an influential posi- tion in the township in which they lived.
William Williams was born in Westmore-
land county, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1835. He resided with his parents on the home farm until he was nearly twenty-four years old. During his earlier days he had been given good educational advantages and acquired a good common-school education. He remained in Pennsylvania in the county in which he was born until about a year after his marriage, which occurred February 13, 1859. After a two years' residence in Armstrong county he then went to Venango county, same State, and engaged in teaming in the oil country for two years. He then removed to Jefferson county, where he worked in a saw-mill for about a year. The next move was to Reed's Landing, Wabasha county, Minnesota, where he found employ- ment at day work in various occupations on the river. He continued this for about twelve years and then removed to Buffalo county, Wisconsin. For about three years in that county our subject engaged in the wood business and at the end of that period came to Lincoln county, settling on the homestead where he now lives.
Mr. Williams was united in matrimony in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1859, to Miss Susan J. Shaw, daughter of John and Rachel (Husk) Shaw, both natives of New Jersey. Miss Shaw was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1841, being reared and receiving her edu- cation in the county of her birth. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been blessed with the following-named children-Normia Fulvia, Parthena Frenkalet, Philetus Leland, Shelby Bryer, Orlande Speaden, Ambrose Writner, Artemus Thumlo, Ralston Virgil, Ava Irene, Amy Delina and Earl Waldo, all of whom are living except the first two.
On coming to this county Mr. Williams had but little means and has seen hard times. He has, however, kept courageously at work, and by systematic and thorough attention to his farming duties has accumulated consider-
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able property, and is now in good circum- stances. On coming to the county he had nothing but a span of horses and a wagon, this being the extent of his property inter- ests. He now owns 160 acres of fine land with about 130 acres under cultivation, has nine horses, considerable stock, and all neces- sary farm machinery. He was among the very first settlers of the township and there- fore experienced all the usual hardships which have to be borne by the pioneer set- tlers. There were but two other families in the township when he located; the names of these families were Dean and Wells. Fortwo or three years after locating in the township these families had to experience many trying things. It was almost impossible to obtain fuel in the shape of coal or wood and they had to burn hay. Provisions also were very scarce, and in order to obtain them they had to go a long distance to market. Our sub- ject's family passed through all these trying circumstances, and because of these things prize more highly the good circumstances which surround them now. Our subject managed to obtain an ownership of over a one-half interest in a threshing machine, which he engaged in running during several years of his early stay in the township. In this way he provided for his family, and he has often said since that had it not been for this enterprise his family would have suffered much more than they did. One winter they could not obtain any flour for some months, and had to grind wheat in a coffee-mill. After the wheat was ground, it was then run through a sieve, and this sifted meal was used for baking purposes. This was about all the family had to live on, as their pota- toes had been destroyed by the severe frost. This was one of the hardest winters through which our subject and his family had to pass. Since coming to the county Mr. Wil- liams has been a hearty supporter of every- thing which tended to elevate the condition
of his fellow-citizens or develop the general interests of the townshin and county. He is a man of good business characteristics, and therefore has been put forward by his fellow-citizens to take hold of the duties of various official positions. He has been chair- man of the board of township supervisors for two years, was one of the school directors for eight years, was treasurer of the town. ship for seven or eight years, and was also road overseer for some time. He has been president of the cemetery association for four years. Mr. Williams is a loyal citizen, an exemplary Christian man, and is a mem- ber of the Congregationalist church.
OUIS HIRSCHY, a leading farmer and reliable citizen of Fountain Prairie township, came to Pipestone county, Minne- sota, in the year 1878, locating on his present land on section 18, on the 20th day of March. Mr. Hirschy has the honor of put- ting up the first "permanent shanty" which was erected for dwelling purposes. Into this he moved in the month of April and contin- ued his residence during the breaking sea- son. He broke about twenty acres of land and in the fall went to the big woods, where he remained during the winter. Returning the next spring he put the twenty acres into crops of wheat and oats, raising therefrom an excellent harvest. He has continued his residence there ever since. On coming to his land in the spring of 1879 he built a good frame house to take the place of the shanty which had been built the year before. This building is still used by him as a residence. Our subject is one of the very first settlers of the township, there being but one or two others who came in the spring of 1879, one of these being Michael Gilfillan, who put up a small shanty on section 8, and remained during the summer, going to the big woods in the fall, and again returning to his claim
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