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 19
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DWARD ROBINSON, a prosperous farmer of Lincoln county, Minnesota, lives in section thirty-four, in Verdi township. He was born in the State of New York, Oc- tober 18, 1826. His parents were John and Betsey Robinson, natives of Ohio. The father was a wagon-maker by trade, and was an influential citizen.
The subject of our sketch left the parental roof at the age of ten years, and employed his time in working on a farm for two years. He then found employment at various kinds of labor for some years, and then became a pilot on the Delaware river. He followed
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this occupation for some twenty years. In July, 1862, Mr. Robinson enlisted in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Ninth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully and bravely until the close of the rebellion, in 1865. He partici- pated in a great many hard-fought battles, among them being the battle of the Wilder- ness, all the battles of the campaign against Petersburgh, North Iron River, Cold Harbor Spottsylvania Court House, Velo House, and many other battles and skirmishes of minor importance. He was twice wounded, once by a musket-ball and again by a piece of shell. As the result of these wounds he was in the City Point hospital for some six weeks. After the war was over he came westward to the State of Iowa, and for four years resided, in the vicinity of Davenport. From that city he removed to Black River Falls, Wis- consin, where he made his home some four or five years, going thence to Trem- pealeau, in the same State, where he en- gaged in farming until in August, 1878. At this last date he came to Lincoln county, Minnesota, and settled on the homestead where he now lives. He commenced active operations and during the first few months of his residence there, broke forty acres of land and made other improvements. For a short tinie during the summer he returned to Wisconsin, returning to his farm to gather his harvest. In the fall he came to his home- stead and made a permanent location.
The subject of our sketch was married October 12, 1851, to Miss Eunice Burrows. This union has been blessed with nine chil- dren, seven of whom are now living-Am- brose, Charles, Harriet, Edward, Frank, Fred and Lucy.
Although pressed on all sides with strait- ened circumstances in his youthful days, the subject of our sketch has been able to acquire a fair common-school education, which has been considerably augmented by careful
study and close observation throughout his life. He is a man of large intelligence, of careful business habits, and is one of the prominent and influential citizens of the township. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and is an active participant in all matters pertaining to the welfare of that organization. In local governmental matters he takes an active part and ably assists in the management of various official affairs.
ILLIAM ALBERT FUNK, one of the ablest attorneys of Jackson county, Minnesota, resides in Lakefield. He is the son of Abraham and Margaret (Hutch- inson) Funk, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter born in Ohio. William is a . native of La Salle county, Illinois, where he was born February 25, 1854. His parents were farmers by occupation, and were influen- tial citizens of Illinois for a number of years, residing at present at Odell, Illinois.
The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer's boy, but was given good educational advantages. At eleven years of age his par- ents moved to Odell, Livingston county, Ill- inois, where he attended the high school until he was fifteen years of age. He then commenced work, in the summer months, on the farms in that county, and attended school during the winters in Odell and Piper City. When he was nineteen years of age he commenced teaching school and studying law, following this plan until he was twenty- one years old. He was then admitted to the bar before the supreme court of Ottawa, Ill- inois, in September, 1875. Soon after he formed a partnership with his brother, J. H. Funk, in the village of Odell. His brother was the county attorney, and our subject continued with him, doing an excellent busi- ness, until November, 1877. He then went to Marseilles, Illinois, and engaged in practice
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for six months, after which he removed to Streator, and made that his location until March, 1887. At this time he started for Minnesota, and located in Lakefield, ad- joining which he owns a splendid farm, where he has been engaged in practice ever since.
A man of progressive ideas, studious and painstaking in all his legal work, the subject of our sketch has built up a large and lucra- tive practice, and has established himself firmly in the good-will and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a man of excellent qualities, and in former places has held vari- ous official positions with the greatest suc- cess. While in Streator, Illinois, he held the position of alderman from the Fourth Ward of that city, and, being elected in the spring of 1883, held the office for two years; was made chairman of the city republican com- mittee in 1884, and continued in that posi- tion until he left the city. Since coming to Jackson county he has taken an active part in the affairs of the republican party, and in the fall of 1888 was nominated for county attorney by the republican convention. He made an excellent run, and was beaten by but one hundred votes, his opponent being an old, tried, and very prominent attorney, T. J. Knox. Mr. Funk was president of the first council of Wakefield, which office he resigned early in 1888, and was then ap- pointed corporation counsel. Our subject being a young man of good character and sterling abilities, and a prominent political worker, will soon rank among the foremost citizens of the county, and will, no doubt, ere long, be called upon to officiate in important positions in the county government.
Mr. Funk was married in Ransom, Illinois, October 29, 1879, to Miss Nellie Douglass, daughter of A. N. and Janet (Lathrop) Doug- lass, natives of New York. Miss Douglass was born in Genesee county in that State, May 7, 1861. This union has been blessed
with the following-named children-William Douglass, Nettie Margaret and Leslie Albert. - AJOR D. E. RUNALS, is one of the foremost citizens and influen- tial ex-soldiers of Osborn township, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota. At present he resides on a fine farm on section 34. He first came to Pipestone county, October 20, 1876, and made entry on a tree claim in the southeast quarter of section 22, June 18, 1877, also homesteaded land in Battle Plain township, in Rock county, and later purchased a farm in Murray county, this State. He lived on the homestead in Rock county until 1879, when he rented his place there and moved to Pipestone county. Prior to this time our subject had heen en- gaged for a few years in locating government and railroad lands in Rock and Pipestone counties. In this business Mr. Runals was associated with Messrs. Hadley and Kniss. Locating in the section now a part of Battle Plain township, Rock county, he became the originator of the petition for the organiza- tion of this township, and was instrumental in giving it the name it now bears. The township was named Battle Plain because of the fact that some years before an Indian battle had taken place on section 16. The first settler of that township was Charles B. Rolph, who located on a timber claim and pre-emption in the north half of section 28, May 21, 1874. John Boyes, another early settler, located in the northwest quar- ter of section 12, in 1875. David Hender- shott located in section 4, in the same year, and his son Daniel located a farm on the same section. David Hender- shott is now dead and the son, Daniel, is living in Nebraska. Mr. Runals took a prominent position among the early settlers of Battle Plain township, and was elected its first town clerk. He held the office of
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town clerk for some two and a half terms. He was a man of much push and energy, and was one of the very best qualified men for official position that could be found in the township. In 1879 Major Runals re- moved to the village of Edgerton, Pipestone county, and assisted in platting that village and in making the first improvements. The first dwelling-house in Osborn township was built by Alonzo D. Kingsbury, who was the first actual resident, the village of Edgerton being located on a part of his land on section 28. The first child born in the village was Kittie Finnigan, and Frank Kingsbury was the first white child born in Osborn town- ship. During the first days of the existence of Edgerton, James Headrick put up the first store building, which was used by Mr. Cran- dall for mercantile purposes. Thomas E. Fitzgerald was another merchant who soon after built a store building and opened in business, and also built a residence in the village. The third building erected in the village was erected by Major Runals, and used for a postoffice and boarding-house. The next building was a hotel constructed by S. McLain, the size of the house being 12x16 feet. Later, William Lockwood built a small store 12x16 feet. Besides the gen- tlemen already named, the other business men were J. B. Barlow, Jr., hardware mer- chant; George W. Knee, who erected a store building on the east side of Main street, which was occupied by Charles W. Ask for mercantile purposes. Mr. Runals was one of the leaders in all public movements in Osborn township, and originated the peti- tion for the location of the postoffice, and the appointment of the postmaster in the township, April 16, 1879, A. D. Kingsbury being the first postmaster, with his office located on section 28, our subject being the deputy. Mails were not very heavy in those early days, and it is curious to note that from April 17th until October 30th, 1879,
twenty-five letters and twelve postal cards had found their way into the postoffice, this being the extent of the business done during the first six months of the existence of the office. Mr. Runals was the second notary public in the entire county, and was the first notary in the township.
The subject of our sketch was born in (East) Burlington, Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, May 1, 1843. He was the son of Abner and Cassandra (Thomas) Runals, the second marriage of both parents, the father a native of Concord, New Hampshire, and the mother being born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The father was a miller and millwright by occupation, and continued in these lines of business throughout his life, his death occurring in April, 1860. The mother died at Granville, Pennsylvania, when our subject was about nine years of age. In the father's family (second mar- riage) there were two children-our subject and Mary Ann, who died in infancy.
The subject of our sketch remained with his father in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, receiving his early training and education until he was about eleven years of age, when the father and son removed to Carimona, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where our subject set type on the first issue of the paper called the Fillmore County Pioneer, in the fall of 1855. Mr. Runals followed the printing business for about three months, and then commenced attend- ing school in Fillmore county, continuing his studies throughout the winter term. Later he engaged on two different papers as type- setter, one called the Transcript, and the other the Telegraph, working for a short time on these papers, or until they ceased to exist. He then found work on a farm for about six months, removing at the end of this period to Forestville, in the same county. He then removed to Decorah, Iowa, and found employment setting type
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on the Decorah Journal, continuing in the employ of that paper until it was discon- tinued. He then returned to Forestville, and took care of his father until the latter's death, which occurred in April, 1860. Shortly after the death of his father, he commenced working out by the month, and did chores during the winter, and attended school until the breaking out of the war, in 1861. In that year our subject enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, as a drummer. Shortly after he was transferred to the ranks, and made orderly for the commanding officer of the regiment. Later he was promoted to the office of regimental postmaster, this not occurring until after he was severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, which took place September 19, 1863, a minnie ball passing entirely through his left breast. Our subject saw much severe fighting during his military life, and was engaged in a num- ber of hard-fought battles, several of them being as follows: Battle of Perryville, Kentucky; siege of Corinth, Mississippi, he being the first Union soldier to enter the works and town when evacuated by the Confederates; Tallahoma, Chickamauga and battles of the Atlanta campaign; bat- tle of Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Jones- boro, Ayersboro and Bentonville, and sev- eral other engagements and skirmishes of lesser note. Mr. Runals was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in July, 1865. After his discharge he removed to Osage, Iowa, and for two terms attended the seminary in that city. Then, in company with R. B. Brown, he went to Pough- keepsie, New York, and entered Eastman's Business College, from which institution he graduated in 1866. After his gradu- ation he came to Minnesota and engaged as clerk and book-keeper in a general store at Forestville, in Fillmore county for a period of one year. He then married and removed
to Anson, Wisconsin, where he engaged as clerk in the store of Gilbert Bros. & Co. A few months later, upon the urgent solicita- tion of a friend, he canceled his engagement with this firm, who reluctantly consented to a change. He next turned his attention to patent rights, and, with his old schoolmate, R. B. Brown, took charge of the selling of territory for B. Taylor, the inventor of a garden hoe and cultivator, and grain reg- ister. Continuing in this line for a short time, he then turned his attention to teach- ing school in Forestville township, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he continued some two terms. He then concluded to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits and located on land in the same township, and oper- ated it for about a year. Then he again turned his attention to teaching and presided over a term of school in what is familiarly known as the Baldwin school-house. After this term was concluded, he started out on a prospecting tour through Nevada and Idaho, and while in these localities he engaged in various employments, part of the time being clerk in a mining store and also in a hotel. For a time he prospected in and about Win- nemucca, and later worked in the depot of the Central Pacific Railroad, same place. He next associated himself with George W. Garside, and found employment on a govern- ment survey through Highrock canon and Soldier Meadows. On his return from this expedition he went to Columbia, Esmeralda county, Nevada, and became book-keeper for R. Nadeau & Company, "freighters." The company selling out that summer, he found employment as clerk for P. L. Traver, with whom he continued in the same town for about two months, when urgent business caused him to return to Minnesota, and eventually to make a tour of the New Eng- land States. Returning to Illinois, he visited with his brother for a time, and afterward again started on a trip to the Rocky Moun-
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tains, returning to Minnesota at the close of this expedition, and finding employment at various occupations for a period of two years. At the end of this time he removed to Rock county, Minnesota, and became one of the early settlers, as was stated in the opening lines of this biography.
January 1, 1867, the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Eliza S. Baldwin, a native of Essex county, New York, where she was born, March 21, 1848. This mar- riage was dissolved by legal proceedings, April 5, 1879. September 16, 1882, Major Runals was married, in the house in which he now lives, to Miss Sarah J. Chapman, who was born March 28, 1846, in Salem, Kenosha county, Wisconsin. This lady re- ceived her early training and was given an excellent education in the county in which she was born. She attended the high school in Kenosha city, and graduated therefrom in 1867. She commenced her experience as a teacher before her graduation, however, and at the age of sixteen taught her first term of school; she taught twelve terms of school in Fillmore county, these terms hav- ing been taught in but two districts, teach- ing in all about thirty terms of school. Mrs. Runals homesteaded the place on which the family now live, on section 34, in 1880, and resided on the same until her marriage, before which she was engaged in teaching school in the vicinity of her home. Mrs. Runals is a daughter of Robert and Jane Chapman, farmers by occupation, and both of whom are now dead. Mr. Runals had one child by his first wife-Kenneth A., born September 4, 1868.
The subject of our sketch is one of the leading and most influential republicans in Pipestone county, and wields a strong influ- ence in the councils of that party. He is a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first senior vice-com- mander of U. S. Grant Post, No. 80, which
position he held for one term. He was also appointed assistant inspector of the State department Grand Army of the Republic, and continued as incumbent of that office for one term. His ability as an executive officer and as a business man have been recognized in many ways during his resi- dence in Rock and Pipestone counties, and in every instance he has proven his capa- bility, and has administered the duties of the various offices with credit and honor. He was justice of the peace of the township for one term and was afterward elected once and appointed twice to the position, but refused to qualify. While hold- ing that position he proved himself a man of excellent judgment and judicial knowledge.
It is well to notice here, before closing this sketch of Mr. Runals, the importance of his service during the war. He was placed in many difficult and trying circumstances, but was faithful to the Union cause in every duty, serving in different capacities with rare fidelity and patriotism. During the latter part of the war he was ordered to report for duty to General W. H. Slocum, commanding left wing Army of Georgia, where he remained from March 6, 1865, until June 10, same year, when the army was being disbanded, rendering excellent service. Major Runals is decidedly a man of; action, and in what- ever line of work he is called to render assistance his deportment is characterized by push and energy.
He has led a checkered active life, but through it all has commanded the esteem and confidence of all those with whom he has had to do. He has been quite success- ful in his business operations and has accu- mulated considerable means. He is a warm friend, a loyal citizen, a strong advocate of temperance and is respected by all with whom he has to do.
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EMAN A. CONE is the present effi- cient county treasurer of Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He is a native of Ver- mont, where he was born in the year 1839.
Mr. Cone is the son of Randall and Polly (Carpenter) Cone, natives of Vermont. The father was engaged to some extent in farm- ing, but by trade was a boot and shoe maker. He was a man of excellent qualifications, and was highly respected. He had a family of seven children, three of whom are now living-Seymour R., Cornelia S. and He- man A.
The subject of our sketch spent his early life beneath the parental roof. When he was twelve years of age his father died, and our subject was obliged to work to provide for himself means upon which to live. He found employment on a farm, and continued that line of work for some two years, after which two years were spent at the tannery trade. Again he returned to farming, spending two years thereat. He then en- gaged in raising and selling nursery stock. He continued this line of business for some three years, and then entered the Connecti- cut Literary Institution at Suffield, continu- ing his studies therein for one year. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, First Con- necticut Heavy Artillery. He served in the Union army four and one-half years, and held the office of corporal, for one year acting as ordnance sergeant. Among the battles in which our subject partici- pated were those of Hanover Court House, Fair Oaks, siege of Yorktown, Malvern Hill, Bermuda Hundred, under General But- ler, and the siege of Petersborough. These were the more important engagements in which our subject participated. He served his country gallantly and faithfully and was discharged in 1865. He soon returned to Connecticut and again engaged in the nur- sery business, going, after a year and a half, to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he worked at
fire insurance for two years. In 1870 he located in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, took a pre-emption in the township of Spring- field and a homestead in`Amo township. He proved up on the land and continued thereon some two years. In 1872 he was elected by the unanimous choice of the people as regis- ter of deeds. He held that position for six years, and was then appointed as postmaster of Windom, receiving his commission from President Grant. He held the position some seven years and was then appointed deputy county treasurer, being elected to that office in the fall of 1886. He was re-elected in 1888. Wherever he has been Mr. Cone has taken an active interest in matters of a pub- lic nature and has held various official posi- tions, among them being that of justice of the peace of the village of Windom, etc. He is a leading member of the republican party and is also connected with the Masonic, Grand Army of the Republic and Ancient Order of United Workmen fraternities. He has a valuable and comfortable home in the village and is one of the prominent and most substantial citizens of this part of the county.
Mr. Cone was married in 1867 to Miss Priscilla A. Jopson, a native of Massachu- setts. Mr. and Mrs. Cone have been blessed with three children-Frank S., Benjamin A. and Edna.
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ZRA P. BARKER, a leading hardware merchant of the village of Slayton, Murray county, Minnesota, was born in Chester, Middlesex county, Connecticut, Sep- tember 6, 1837. His parents were Elihu and Cynthia (Baldwin) Barker, natives of Con- necticut. The father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and when our subject was seven years of age his parents moved to Peru, Illinois, where his father died in 1848.
The early education of Ezra P. Barker was received in the State of Illinois. Soon
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after his father's death he went to Stone Church, Genesee county, New York. Here he resided with his grandmother until 1856, assisting an uncle in work on the old farm. Here he was given good educational advan- tages, and in 1856 went to La Salle, Illinois, where he learned the tinner's trade, remain- ing in that village until 1863. At this time he removed to Wenona, same State, and opened a hardware store and tin shop for himself. He continued in this business until 1880, when he sold out, went to Mendota, same State, and opened in the line in which he had been previously engaged. In 1885 he sold out his interests in Illinois, and came to Slayton, Minnesota, where he again en- gaged in the hardware business. His first visit to Slayton was in 1882, where he put up a store building in 1883, and soon after returned to Illinois. During three summers he spent a few months in Slayton, and in 1885 brought his family to the village, where he has since resided.
Mr. Barker was married in West Randolph, Vermont, March 25, 1864, to Miss Maria Mor- ton, who was born in Vermont, March 13, 1839. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Sanford) Morton, natives of Vermont. Mrs. Barker died May 25, 1880, leaving one child, Willis E., born November 2, 1865, who married Jennie Taylor, of Mendota. The subject of our sketch was again married, in Wenona, Illinois, June 21, 1881, to Miss Louisa Robbins, who was born in Springfield, Otsego county, New York, July 12, 1848. She was the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Bates) Robbins, natives, respectively, of Mas- sachusetts and England. This latter union has been blessed with one child, Emma Ber- telle, born in Mendota, Illinois, September 16, 1884.
The subject of our sketch has been an act- ive participant in all matters of a public na- ture, and has accomplished as much as any other citizen in the village toward building
up and bringing about the present excellent financial condition of local affairs. Heis a man of much public spirit, and is an upright and intelligent citizen, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Among the offices which he has held throughout his life may be named that of alderman in the village of Wenona, treasurer of the fair association, and village trustee in Slayton for two years, and various other local and minor offices, thus showing that our subject has taken an active part in political affairs. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. When our subject started out in life he had but $150. By careful use of this and by watching his opportunities and making conservative in- vestments, he had accumulated, in January, 1880, a large amount of property. He sold his business interests in January, 1880, for $10,000 in cash. Coming to Slayton, he en- gaged in the hardware business in partner- ship with Mr. Quaintance, with whom he continued until 1886, when Mr. Dawson pur- chased Mr. Quaintance's share of the busi- ness, and the business is now operated under the firm name of Barker & Dawson. In con- nection with their hardware business they also manufacture all kinds of tinware, and carry a large and costly supply of excellent goods.
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