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 18
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Mr. Freeman was married in Milo, Maine, in 1873, to Miss Fannie Staples, adopted daughter of Hosea and Rachel Staples, natives of the State just named, and in which State, at Bradford, Miss Staples was born in 1855. June 12, 1888, Mrs. Freeman died in Milo, Maine, leaving the following named children-Elroy A. and Callie S. Elroy is living with his father and Callie is with our subject's mother in Milo.
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F. MYERS is the proprietor of the Wells Bank, of Wells, Minne-
sota. He came to the village in 1883, and prior to this time was in the banking busi- ness in New York City, and also in Syracuse, New York. On coming to the village of Wells he purchased an interest in the Bank of Wells, and for some time this institution was operated under the firm name of Watson & Myers. In 1887 our subject became sole owner of this bank.
Mr. Myers is a native of New York City, where he was born in the year 1853. His parents were Jamies and Mary (Wright) Myers, natives of the State of New York.
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His father was engaged in the wholesale dry goods business in New York City for a period of fifty years, and is now a resident of Newburg, New York, where he is living a retired life. James Myers was the son of Peter Myers, a native of New York State, Mary Wright s father was Benjamin Wright, an extensive farmer in New York.
The subject of our sketch received his education in the Brooklyn Polytechnic. After graduating therefrom, he engaged as a clerk in a bank in New York City for some four years. During that time he made a thor- ough study of the details of the banking busi- ness, and in 1873 he was appointed paying teller for the State Bank of Syracuse. He held this position for four years, and then returned to New York City and remained until coming to Wells in 1883. He is perhaps one of the largest landed pro- prietors in the county, and owns a num- ber of farms through Southern Minne- sota. He built his present bank building in 1886 on the corner of First and C streets. It is brick, forty by seventy-four feet and and two stories high. In 1883 he built a beautiful residence and provided it with all modern improvements. He is largely interested in various other financial projects ; is the treasurer of the Wells Creamery Com- pany, which operates three creameries, at Wells, Easton and Alden. He is vice presi- dent of the board of trade of the village, a director in the Farmer's Co-operative Asso- ciation, and has taken an active interest in all matters of a public nature. He is largely interested in the hay pressing business, hav- ing started the first plant of that kind in the village. He is independent in politics, and affiliates with no particular party, be- lieving that the best ends of government are served by supporting the men best fitted for the various positions. Mr. Myers is a man of the highest business integrity, and is one
of the prominent and substantial men of the county and State.
Mr. Myers was married in 1876 to Miss Mary Hovey, of Syracuse, New York. She was a daughter of Alfred and Frances Hovey. Her father was engaged in the banking business at Syracuse, New York, for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been blessed with five children-Ruth, Paul N., Margaret, Rawdon and Donald.
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HARLES WINZER is a leading far- mer of Weimer township. Jackson county, Minnesota. He resides on section 26, having homesteaded his present place of 160 acres in 1869. He was the first man to take a claim and remain in the township. He assisted largely and was instrumental in the organization of the township in 1872, the first meeting being held on section 22. Our subject was elected the first chairman of the township board of supervisors, holding the office one year, and from that time taking an active part in the public affairs of the town- ship.
Mr. Winzer was born in Saxe-Weimar, Germany, June 14, 1845. He received his early training in his native land, and at sev- enteen years of age came to the United States. Soon after coming to this country he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-third New York Infantry. He participated in numer- ous battles, and was wounded in the engage- ment at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863. He was in the hospital some nine months, and was then, on account of his wound, trans- ferred to the Invalid Corps, and, being of good musical ability, was transferred to the band of the famous Twenty-second V. R. C., and so served out the balance of his time. After the war had closed he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio. After his discharge he removed to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and was there married and stayed some six months.
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He then went to Chicago, and remained in that city until 1869, engaged in the grocery business. In that year he came to his pres- ent place in Jackson county, Minnesota, where he has since lived.
Mr. Winzer was married in the year 1866, to Miss Ida M. Peter, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with five chil- dren-Charles, Earnest, Minnie, Dasie and Lena.
In politics the subject of our sketch has affiliated with the Republican party, and has taken an active interest in all matters per- taining to the public welfare since coming to the township. He has held various official positions, among them being that of chair- man of the board of supervisors; supervisor, which position he held for six years; town clerk, two years; justice, four years, etc. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is senior commander of the local post. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and United Workmen. Our subject resides in a beautiful home on the shores of Heron lake, and has one of the most delightful places in the county. It is becoming quite popular as a summer resort, many hunters and tourists finding a brief lodgment there during the hunting season. On his register are found the names of sporting men from all over the world. Mr. Winzer is a genial, warm-hearted gentleman, and is highly thought of by all who know him.
UDGE GEORGE W. WILSON, one of the most prominent members of the bar of Southwestern Minnesota, and one of the leading attorneys of Worthington, No- bles county, Minnesota, was born at New- port, Adams county, Ohio, October 2, 1844. His parents, Robert M. and Margaret A. (Plummer) Wilson, were natives of Ohio, and farmers by occupation.
The subject of our sketch was reared on
the farm in Ohio, and resided with his par- ents until he was nineteen years of age. He then commenced teaching school, having up to this time obtained a good education in the public institutions of learning. He taught school some two years, and in the meantime engaged in the study of law. He was mar- ried in 1865, and then engaged in the mer- cantile business in Hamersville, Ohio, until 1870, and during this time he continued his law studies. In 1870 he sold his business . and was admitted to the bar in Georgetown. He immediately removed to Olathe City, Kansas, where he opened a law office, and also, in company with his brother, engaged in the mercantile business, the brother being the manager of the same, and our subject fur- nishing one-half of the money for its opera- tion. In the fall of 1871 he sold his interest in the store to his brother, but still continued in the practice of his profession, making his home in Olathe until the spring of 1880. At this time he came to Minnesota to find a new location for the benefit of his wife's health. He settled in Worthington, and has made that place his home ever since.
Wherever Mr. Wilson has resided he has taken an active part in public matters, and has with credit and efficiency held various official positions. He held the office of municipal judge for three terms while in Olathe, Kansas; he was postmaster of Ham- ersville, Ohio, during Andrew Johnson's presidency, and resigned the office on his removal to Kansas. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Wilson was elected county attorney of No- bles county, and held the position for two terms. In politics he affiliates with the re- publican party. Since coming to Minnesota, our subject's business has steadily increased, and he now enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and is recognized as one of the most capable and successful practitioners in this part of the State.
Mr. Wilson was married in Hamersville,
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Ohio, September 21, 1865, to Miss Eliza D. Powell, a daughter of Adam Powell. She was born in Brown county, Ohio, and died in Olathe, Kansas, leaving one child, George W. E. C., nine months old. Mr. Wilson was married again in Olathe, April 25, 1875, to Miss Lillie J. Washington, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1855. She was the daughter of Samuel E. and Sarah Washington, natives of Virginia, and lineal descendants of General Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children-Irma Vista and Blanch.
APTAIN W. W. MURPHY is per- haps one of the best known and most prominent farmers of Madelia township, Watonwan county, Minnesota. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1837.
Captain Murphy's parents were Joseph and Matilda (McIsaac) Murphy, natives, re- spectively, of Pennsylvania and Scotland. The father was a large farmer and was en- gaged extensively in general farming. In early days he affiliated with the democratic party, but at the organization of the republican party joined hands with the principles promul- gated by the latter organization. The father died in 1878; the mother is still living in Pennsylvania. In the father's family there were eight children-Captain W. W., H. M., Captain George H., Robert who was killed at the second battle of Bull Run while a member of the Eleventh Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry ; Maria (deceased), Samuel D., Mary and Paul. Five of the brothers were in the Union army at the same time. Their grandfather served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War.
Until sixteen years of age the subject of our sketch remained with his parents. He then went to California during the gold ex- citement and remained seven years. He was
moderately successful in his mining opera- tions. On the breaking out of the war he returned to the East and in August, 1862, en- listed in Company G, Fourteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. He was soon promoted to . the rank of first lieutenant and later became captain of Company D, Fourteenth Regiment. He served for three years and three months and was one of the most gallant soldiers in the Union army. He was taken prisoner at Mimm's Flat and was held in captivity by the rebels for three and a half months, a portion of this time being spent in Libby prison. Pre- vious to his capture he had been in prison a few days, but had made his escape. He was wounded at the battle of Piedmont, Virginia, under General David Hunter. He received a severe sabre cut across the head and left wrist. He was also shot in the left elbow while on the Salem raid in Virginia, under General W. W. Averill. Our subject partic- ipated in seven severe battles and seventeen lighter engagements, besides numerous raids and skirmishes. He served the Union cause bravely and faithfully, and received the com- mendations of his superior officers. After being discharged at Leavenworth, Kansas, he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in 1866 canie west, traveling through Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and finally coming to Watonwan county, Minnesota, where he selected a tract of land which he soon purchased. He has since purchased ad- ditional land, and now has a splendid farm. His place adjoins the village of Madelia, and is in a high state of cultivation. He has a beautiful grove of trees, and is engaged extensively in raising cattle and horses and general farming.
A sketch of Captain Murphy would be incomplete without a brief recital of his actions during the excitement attendant on the raid of the Younger brothers through Southern Minnesota. Captain Murphy took seven men from Madelia and captured
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James, Robert and Cole Younger and Charles Pitts. The Younger boys had fled into a dense thicket of underbrush six miles west of Madelia, and had fortified themselves against attack. Captain Murphy discovered their hiding place and advanced with his men, and continued firing persistently until the bandits were shot almost to pieces and called out to cease firing. Captain Mur- phy ordered the men to advance. Bob Younger was the only one of the number captured who could walk. He was relieved of his belt and arms by Captain Murphy, and was assured of protection from further injury. Pitts was killed, and Cole and Jim Younger survived their wounds through the care and attention of their captors. The captives were taken to the Flanders House in Madelia, and Captain Murphy and his brave men stood guard to keep off would-be lynchers. During the firing in the brush Captain Murphy was hit by a shot in the right side, the ball striking a briar pipe in his vest pocket and lodging in his pistol belt. The capture of these Northfield robbers was due to the generalship and bravery of Cap- tain Murphy.
Mr. Murphy was married in 1866 to Miss Inez Atkin, a native of Ripon, Wisconsin. They have had a family of seven children- Ralph E., Georgie E., Marion L., Charles F., Florence M., Richard H. O. and Roscoe.
No man in the county takes a more active part in public matters than does Captain Murphy. He is a man of high character, liberal and public spirited, and is esteemed both as a man and citizen throughout the en- tire county. He has held various official po- sitions, among them being that of justice of the peace, which position he has held for the last sixteen years. In the fall of 1871 he was elected to the lower house of the legisla- ture, and while in that capacity served his constituents with rare fidelity and ability. In politics he affiliates with the republican
party. He is a member of the Masonic and Grand Army of the Republic fraternities. He organized Mitchell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Madelia, and was its first commander, and is now assistant inspector and assistant deputy commander on the de- partment staff. He has been statistical cor- respondent of the Agricultural Department at Washington for the last twenty-two years, and local correspondent of the Smithsonian Institution for the last twenty years. He well deserves to be classed among the most prominent and influential citizens of South- western Minnesota.
RANCIS STONE LIVERMORE is a resident of Fairmont, Martin county, Minnesota, where he deals in farm machin- ery of all kinds, wagons, buggies, sewing machines, etc. His parents were Rufus Livermore and wife, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The mother died when our subject was about two years of age, in 1836, and the father married Lucinda Kenyon, and resided on a farm in the State of New York until 1853, when they removed to Columbia county, Wisconsin. They pur- chased a farm near Fountain Prairie, and still reside in that place.
Francis S. Livermore was born in Tioga county, New York, March 17, 1834. He received his early training and education in his native county, and resided with his father on the farm in that State until 1853, when he came with them to Columbia county, Wisconsin. Four years after this our sub- ject was married and rented a farm, on which he resided until October 1, 1861. He then enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, serving until February, 1864, at the expiration of his enlistment. In Feb- ruary of that year he again enlisted, and served until the close of the war, being mus- tered out of the service September 29, 1865.
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He served faithfully and gallantly in the Union army, and participated in the following named battles-Bayou Cache, Arkansas Post, Grand Caton, Waufield, Kane River, Chicka- saw Bayou, Lane's Prairie, Milliken's Bend, Gibson, Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion Hills, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Blakely, Mobile, and a great number of skirmishes and smaller battles. He was en- gaged with his company in the siege of Vicksburg from May 19 to July 4, and in consequence of wounds received was in the hospital for four weeks at Mound City, Illinois, being with his regiment during the entire service, with the exception of this short time spent on the sick roll. After his honor- able discharge he returned to Fountain Prairie, Wisconsin, and one month later went to Osage, Iowa, where he remained during the winter of 1865-66. The following spring he removed to Martin county, Minnesota, and settled on a homestead which is now inside the limits of the village of Fairmont. He has owned this farm ever since and has resided thereon, engaged somewhat in farming, and also for the last ten years being engaged in other business in the village, leaving the man- agement of his farm to his sons. Throughout his history in this county he has taken an active part in all public matters, and has held some of the most important offices within the gift of his fellow citizens. For six successive years he held the office of judge of probate; in 1879 was appointed by the governor to fill an unexpired term in the county treas- urer's office. In 1886 he was elected county attorney, and held that position for two years. He has held all the township offices, all the school offices, and was village attorney from 1886 to 1888. In 1888 he engaged in the machinery business and has been success- ful in building up a large trade.
On the 2d day of June, 1857, Mr. Livermore was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Meulich. Miss Meulich was born in Over-
witchdidt, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Liver- more have been blessed with the following- named children-Carrie L., George S., Charles H., Francis S., William R. and Eddie Jay.
ESSE A. MAXWELL is the editor and proprietor of the Murray County Pio- neer at Currie, Minnesota. He has been at the head of this newspaper enterprise since July 1, 1880, and has met contin- ually with merited success in his chosen field of journalism. This newspaper is the oldest in the county, its first publication being issued January 24, 1878, and is the most popular newspaper in the county. Mr. Maxwell, throughout his history in this county, has been perhaps one of the most active and public spirited of its citizens. He has held various official positions, among them being that of justice of the peace, which position he holds at present, and in which he has officiated since 1880. He has also been secretary of the Murray County Agricultural Society for eight years, and has been secre- tary of the Old Settlers' Association since its organization. He is at present secretary of the Minnesota Northern Railway Company. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of which he has been warden, and is at pres- ent a steward. He is also an active worker in the temperance cause, and is a member of the Good Templars' society, having been associated with this organization since 1866. He has passed through all the ranks and degrees of this association, and has held the various offices from chief templar to outside guard. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been since 1866.
The subject of our sketch was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, July 17, 1848. His pa- rents were Harrison and Nancy (Ellis) Max- well. both of whom were natives of Illinois.
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The father was a tailor by trade, and after a brief stay in Iowa about the time of the birth of our subject, went to Cuba, Illinois, and there engaged in general merchandising. He is now engaged in farming in Mason county of that State. The father was an exemplary citizen, and with his family was a member of the Protestant Methodist church. The mother died in 1859. In the father's family there were seven children that grew to man and womanhood-V. H., Armilda, Hen- ry C., J. A., J. N., R. F. and Cinderilla.
The early training and education of the sub- ject of our sketch was received in Illinois, principally in Mason county. He first came to Murray county in 1868, where his home has been ever since, but there being no schools he spent several winters attending the public schools in Steele county, and at Owatonna high school in 1876. Our subject's life has not been devoid of its evidences of patriot- ism, for on the breaking out of the war, although not old enough to join the army, his bosom was fired with patriotic feelings. Toward the close of the war, as soon as he could possibly pass muster, in 1865, he en- listed in answer to the president's last call for volunteers in Company K, Eleventh Illi- nois Cavalry. While in the service he was stricken with the small pox at Memphis, Ten- nessee, and on this account was discharged. After his discharge he returned to Illinois, re- maining there until coming to Murray county. In politics Mr. Maxwell believes in the princi- ples of the republican party, and ably con- ducts his paper in defense of that organization. He has taken an interest in public matters, and his aid has been oftentimes enlisted in various public enterprises, which tended to the improvement and development of his locality. Being one of the early settlers of Murray county he has watched its growth with feelings of pride caused from the fact that he was an important factor in the county's development, and its better history.
He made his location in the county for the sake of his health, having become an invalid from diseases contracted in the service. For five years after making his location he did not enjoy good health, but of recent years he has been mending, and now enjoys much better health, but not as good as he had before entering the service. He has held various official positions in the county, hav- ing been deputy county treasurer two years, and deputy county auditor for some time. Mr. Maxwell is a pleasant gentleman, an able editor and a warm friend. He is highly respected by all who know him (who have not crossed "pens " with him).
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S QUIRE S. G. HODGE is one of the leading business men, being engaged in the drug trade at Delavan, Faribault county, Minnesota. He is a native of Perry county, Ohio, where he was born in the year 1836. His parents, Daniel F. and Eliza (Bugh) Hodge, were natives, respect- ively, of New Jersey and Ohio. The father was a clothier by occupation, and engaged in that line for several years in Ohio. In 1848 he removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1864 he canie to Faribault county, Minnesota, and settled in the township of Lura. He purchased a farm of. 160 acres and improved the same, making it his residence until 1877. He then came to the village of Delavan and remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1887. The mother is now residing in the village. The father was a member of the Disciples church, and in politics was a stanch republican. He had a family of eight chil- dren, six of whom are now living-John, Samuel, Mary, William, Jacob and Joseph.
The subject of our sketch was well edu- cated in the schools of Ohio and Wisconsin. At eighteen years of age he commenced teaching school, and occupied his time for
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several years in Wisconsin. For two years he was deputy postmaster of Watoma, in that State, and was town clerk and town treasurer until he left in 1864. For two years he engaged in the insurance business, and on coming to Minnesota engaged in farming for several years. He owned a farm of 160 acres in Lura township, and traded this for the same number of acres in the township of Minnesota Lake, and engaged in farming in that township until 1874. when he opened a drug store in Delavan, which business he has continued ever since. He has taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the village, and has held various official positions. In the spring of 1889 he was elected member of the village council. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, is an Odd Fellow, and is one of the prominent and substantial merchants of the village and county. He owns a fine farm in Goodhue, Centre township, Goodhue county, this State, besides owning property in the village in which he lives.
Mr. Hodge was married in the year 1870 to Miss Janet Bailey. She died, and our subject was married to Mrs. Kate G. Savage, widow of Albert Savage, deceased, and daughter of William and Margaret (Van Cleek) White, the former a native of Ire- land, and the latter born in New York. In 1848 her father removed to Wisconsin, where he resided until his death. The inother now resides in Delavan. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have three children-Mary, Katie and Daisy.
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NDREW G. T. BROUN, a well in- formed and able attorney of Sher- burne, Martin county, Minnesota, is the son of Archibald and Madeline (Miekle) Broun, natives of Scotland. Our subject was born in Edinburgh, of that country, December 18, 1866. His father was a prominent advocate
of Edinburgh. Our subject was reared in the city of his birth and attended school in the Edinburgh collegiate school, being given exceptional advantages in that institution. When seventeen years of age he came to America, and first located in the vicinity of Fairmont, Minnesota, finding employment for about eighteen months on a farm. At the end of that time he concluded that farni- ing was not the occupation he had dreamed it was, and so, taking his father's advice, he commenced the study of law, entering the office of H. W. Sinclair, Esq., of Fairmont, Minnesota. Continuing his studies assidu- ously until in June, 1888, he was admitted to the bar before a term of court at which Judge Severance presided. After this for three months he was assistant cashier in the Martin County Bank, in which institution he had been employed for three months prior to his admission to the bar. At the end of the time just referred to, our subject came to Sherburne and opened a law, collection and insurance office. He also engaged in the real estate business, and in that line has made a number of profitable investments, not only for himself but for his clients. He is village attorney of Sherburne and is one of its most esteemed citizens.
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