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 24

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814

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 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Benbow remained with his parents on the farm until he attained his ma- jority, three years prior to which time, at his father's death, he had taken charge of the farm. The educational advantages furnished our subject were of a good character, and he received his training princi- pally at a boarding-school near Lafayette, In- diana. In 1869, in company with a friend, he came to Greenleaf, Meeker county, Minnesota, where he purchased a stock of drugs and en- gaged in the drug business during the winter. In the spring they removed their stock to Willmar, where they operated until fall.

They then sold out and our subject went to Mankato, where he remained during the win- ter. In the spring Mr. Benbow came to Cot- tonwood county, and settled in Amo town- ship, which he helped to organize, and which he gave its name. He settled on 160 acres of government land, improved the same and resided in the township until his election to his present office in 1886. On being elected to his office in 1886 he moved into the village of Windom and purchased a dwelling, where he now lives. Our subject has held various other official positions of minor importance, and has always proved himself an efficient and conscientious public servant. He assisted in the organization of the township of Amo and was appointed chairman of the board of supervisors. He was also clerk for some seven years, and was a member of the first county convention held in the county. In 1888, having become quite prominent in the republican ranks, to which party he belongs, lie was made a delegate to the district con- vention. He is secretary of the Agricultural Society of Cottonwood county, and is a lead- ing and influential member of the Masonic and Ancient Order of United Workmen socie- ties, being recorder of the latter society. In all his relations Mr. Benbow has proven him- self a reliable and trustworthy citizen, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

Mr. Benbow was married in 1879 to Miss Diana Day, of Cottonwood county. She was the daughter of Zadock Day, one of Cotton- wood county's prominent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Benbow have been blessed with four children-William R., Dora M., Wilber D. and a babe as yet unnamed.

AVID THORNDIKE is a reliable and prosperous farmer of Slayton township, Murray county, Minnesota, and resides on section 28. He is of English birth, and was born on the 9th day of December, 1862. The parents of the subject of our sketch were

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William and Sarah L. (Dyball) Thorndike, both of whom were natives of England. The father was a sea captain, and came to America in 1866 and located in La Salle, Illinois, where he still lives. He is now en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. The mother died December 16, 1881. In the father's family there were four children, our subject being the oldest.

Until fourteen years of age David Thorn- dike lived with his parents and attended the public schools. At the age just mentioned he found employment on a news route, and continued in that occupation for eight years, when he turned his business over to his . brother. In the spring of 1885 he came to Murray county and purchased the place where he now lives. He has a fine farm of 200 acres, under good cultivation, and pro- vided with excellent farm buildings. Since coming to the township he has taken an act- ive part in public matters, and has held vari- ous official positions. He has been road over- seer for three years, clerk of the school dis- trict, poundmaster, etc. He is a man of excel- lent qualifications, genial and warm-hearted, and is highly respected.

Mr. Thorndike was married March 7, 1889, to Emma M. Sharp, a native of England. This lady is possessed of a fine education, and is one of the leading ladies in the town- ship.

ZALBERT HEMENOVER, one of the leading and influential business men of Pipestone city, Minnesota, carries a large line ofdrugs and stationery. He located in the city in the spring of 1882, and at once com- menced business operations. In 1886 he built his present fine business building of the famous jasper granite. This building is 24x60 feet, contains elegant store rooms, and cost some- what over five thousand dollars. It is fitted with all the modern improvements, and is

one of the handsomest buildings in the city. In Mr. Hemenover's stock is found an excel- lent assortment of patent medicines, station- ery, wall-paper, and a full line of drugs. Be- sides his drug business, he has also interested himself in several other financial enterprises in the city. In company with Thomas F. Robinson and Silas E. Wharton he organ- ized a company to do business under the name of the " Merchants' Co-operative Chem- ical and Spice Company," with a capital of forty thousand dollars, our subject holding the office of treasurer of the company. This institution has built up one of the principal business enterprises of Pipestone city, and is engaged in manufacturing baking powders, flavoring extracts, essences, chemicals, drugs, spices, etc.

The place of the nativity of the sub- ject of our sketch is in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, where he was born March 6, 1852. His parents were Andrew R. and Eliza (Collins) Hemenover, the former a native of the State of New Jersey, and the latter a native of Ohio. The father was engaged in farming in Illinois, and also was largely interested in raising Norman and Percheron horses. He was a man of large means and wielded a wide influence in the place in which he lived. When he first came to Illinois he settled in McDonough county, and in 1867 removed his family to Bloom- ington, Illinois, being in this place engaged in the same business that we have described above. In 1883 the father removed to Hast- ings, Nebraska, in which city he is now liv- ing a retired life. In the father's family there were three sons-Albert, Andrew, now engaged in general mercantile business at Doniphan, Nebraska, and Edward, a general merchant of Hanson, Nebraska.

The early days of the subject of our sketch were spent by him on the home farm, where he assisted his father in the farm work and received a good common school education.

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He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he was married, and afterward engaged in farming in the eastern part of McLean county, Illinois. Five years were spent by him in the locality just mentioned, and at the end of that time he purchased a farm in Normal township, where he engaged in farm- ing and stock raising. Remaining there but one year, he then removed to Cherokee, Iowa, where another year was spent in farm- ing and stock raising. Selling out his inter ests in Iowa, he next came to Pipestone, Minnesota, and engaged in his present busi- ness. When he commenced in this line he had but very little knowledge of its details. He at once commenced studying, how- ever, and took a thorough course of home study in the National Institute of Pharmacy; continuing diligently in this way for four years he finally was granted a diploma as a pharmacist in June, 1887. Mr. Hemenover was married to Miss G. M. Willson, of Bloom- ington, Illinois. One child has blessed this union-Gertrude. Mrs Hemenover was a daughter of Rev. George Willson, who re- ceived his early training and education in the East. He was a graduate of the Athens College, Ohio, and after his graduation was professor of mathematics in that institution for a number of years. He entered the Presbyterian ministry, and accepted the charge of a church at Richland, Ohio, in 1841. Remaining in that city until 1844, he then severed his connections with that church because of a change in his views on baptismn. His withdrawal from the Presby- terian church was the cause of much sorrow and regret on the part of his ministerial brethren. His withdrawal, however, was accomplished in the most harmonious man- ner and with the best brotherly feeling. From his old synod he received a certificate of regular ordination as a minister of the gospel in good standing, and left that organ-

ization with the good-will and hearty "God- speed " of all. Having changed his views in regard to the method of baptism he finally found a church home with the Bap- tist society, preaching for a time at Newville, Ohio. He continued his ministerial labors in active work until 1885, in which year he retired from active duty and now resides at Bloomington, Illinois. He was a man of high education, extensive general knowledge. and was a thorough and persistent student. Besides being an able preacher, he was an author of considerable prominence, having published a work entitled “Baptismal Con- troversy," in 1855, and another, "The King- dom of God," in 1887. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and was reared a farmer's boy, receiving his early training and education in the district schools. He graduated from college when twenty-one years of age. Rev. Mr. Willson married Margaret J. Taggart, a native of Belmont county, Ohio. They had a family of seven children -- Sarah E., Mary J., now Mrs. Davis ; William T., Mrs. Hemenover, Amelia, now Mrs. Mills ; Maria I. and Georgiana. Mrs. Hemenover was educated at the State University at Normal, Illinois, and is a lady of rare social and intellectual qualities.

The subject of our sketch in politics affili- ates with the republican party. Himself, wife and child attend the Baptist church, in which society Mrs. Hemenover is one of the leading workers, being the present Sunday- school superintendent. In all business mat- ters pertaining to the financial welfare of the village, Mr. Hemenover has taken a prominent and active place. He has aided willingly, both by word and deed, in the upbuilding and development of all projects tending to the advancement of Pipestone's financial interests. He is a thorough-going, capable business man, and has built up for himself a large and enviable trade. Being a man of means and business push he has

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become one of the prominent business men of the city.

OHN HENRY SHERIN is the senior member of the firm of Sherin & Foss, publishers of the Press-News of Winnebago City, Minnesota. This newspaper was established in 1880 and has been quite suc- cessful in building up a large subscription list and lucrative patronage.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Canada, where he was born in the year 1850. He is the son of Robert Sherin, of whom a sketch is given in another department of this work. When our subject was ten years of age the family removed to Wisconsin, where he was given a good common school edu- cation. At an early age he commenced working at the newspaper business, being employed in the Gazette office at Fox Lake for some three years. He then followed the business of a journeyman printer, visiting Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Rochester, Buf- falo, Denver, Omaha, St. Louis, Dubuque and St. Paul He published the News at Lakfield, Canada, in 1875, operating it for two years, then sold out, and in 1879 located in Winnebago City, Minnesota, purchasing an interest in the Press. One year later he sold out and established the News, and after conducting the same until 1884, consolidated it with the Press and named the paper the Press-News. This paper is independent in politics and is devoted to the interests of the locality. Mr. Sherin is an able newspaper man.

LARK W. SMITH, a leading and influ- ential farmer and stock raiser, is located on section 12, Fountain Prairie town- ship, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He is also a carpenter by trade, and in connection with his farming operations he gives consid-

erable attention to contracting and building. Mr. Smith was born in the city of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1833.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Joseph and Lucy (Reynolds) Smith, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was by occupation a carpenter, following that line of business throughout the most of his life until his death, which occurred in 1884. The mother passed to the spirit world in 1888, being at the time of her decease about seventy-nine years of age. She was an exemplary Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the father's family there were nine children, eight of whom grew to manhood and woman- hood-Elizabeth, Owen, Clark, Breton, Cook, Charles E., Mary, George and Taylor.

The subject of our sketch remained with his parents in the city of Philadelphia until he reached the age of twenty-two years. Up to this time he had been given a good com- mon school education, and had also learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. On reaching the age of twenty- two he went to Wisconsin, and located in Vernon county, where he followed the busi- ness of his trade, and, in connection there- with, engaged somewhat in the saw-mill busi- ness and in flat-boating on the Mississippi river. Vernon county remained his home until he came to his present location in 1878.

Mr. Smith was married October 13, 1867. His wife was formerly Miss Phoebe Car- penter. She was first married September 23, 1860, to David C. Martin, who died September 13, 1863, of typhoid fever ; and in 1867 she was married to Mr. Smith as stated. She had taught school for three years pre- vious to her first marriage, and also followed this vocation for three years after the death of Mr. Martin. This lady is a native of Steuben county, New York, where she was reared and educated. Remaining in her native county until she was twenty-five years

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of age, she then came to Wisconsin and set- tled in Vernon county, where she lived at the time of her marriage to Mr. Smith. She was the daughter of Timothy and Nancy (Shaw) Carpenter. The father followed the busi- ness of farming throughout the most of his life, and died in 1883, at the age of eighty- three years. The mother is still living, being eighty-four years of age. In her father's family there were ten children-Mary Ann, Hiram, Alva, Susan, John, Jane, Phœbe, Uriah, Caroline, Fidelia. One child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed with three children-Mary E., born October 21, 1868; Alva C., born February 6, 1872, and Lucy J., born January 25, 1879. Mary E. was married August 3, 1885, to Hamilton De Hart.

To illustrate to the mind of the reader what the hardships of the pioneer settler are, it may be well to give a short account of the trip of our subject from his home in Wisconsin to the place where he now resides. This journey was full of difficulties, but these are the rule, rather than the exception, in the experience of the early settlers of any locality. Mr. Smith started from his home in Vernon county, Wisconsin, May 10, 1878. He started with an ox team and wag- on, and the journey occupied three long, weary, toilsome weeks. When he arrived in Pipestone county, he had but twenty dol- lars to commence operations with, but he was of sturdy make-up, not easily discomfited. and he at once commenced pushing his farm- ing operations. He broke five acres of land, built a shanty, mostly out of sod, and settled down to the enjoyment of pioneer farm life. Coming from a thickly settled country it was a long time before Mr. Smith's family could become accustomed to the wildness and lonesomeness of the bleak, uninhabited prairie on which they had settled, but after a time settlers came to adjoining lands, and here and there the shanties of the pioneers

dotted the landscape. Before long it was but a few miles, or perhaps but a mile to the nearest neighbor. And then the lonesome- ness of prairie life began to wear off. The second year Mr. Smith broke ten acres of land, and reaped no harvest because of the destruction of his crops by hail. However, he reaped what he had sown in like quantity as well as quality-he put in nine bushels of grain and harvested nine bushels. The fol- lowing year he broke up ten acres more and was successful in raising a good crop. Since that time crops have been good and our sub- ject has increased in prosperity steadily throughout all the succeeding years up to the present time. Mr. Smith has an excellent farm of 160 acres in a good location, beauti- fied with a fine grove of trees of about nine acres. He has about eighty acres under cul- tivation and about forty acres in pasture. Having passed through the experiences of pioneer life our subject understands the 'needs of his locality, and throughout his residence has been active in all things which pertain to the public welfare. He attended the first meeting held for the purpose of organizing the civil township, which meet- ing was held at the house of Charles Sizer. In politics Mr. Smith affiliates with no par- ticular party, believing that it is proper and best to elect to office the man, not the party. In political matters he is, therefore, an inde- pendent. He is an influential member of the Masonic fraternity.

REDERICK WILLIAM FEHRING, one of the thrifty and reliable farmers of Scandia township, Murray county, Minne- sota, is the son of Frederick and Gissel (Suhr) Fehring, natives of Germany, where also our subject was born December 30, 1835, in Bulkau. Our subject remained with his parents, who were farmers in the old country, assisting them in the farm work

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and attending the common schools until reaching the age of fifteen and one-half years. He then learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he continued in his native land until twenty-eight years of age. Then, in 1864, he came to the United States, stop- ping first in New York city, where he worked at his trade for eight years, during which time he visited his native land three times. At the end of that time he left New York city and went to Cambridge Court House, Virginia, on a visit, and later, in 1873, came to Minnesota, where he took a homestead on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 26, Scandia township, Murray county. The same year the grasshopper raids began, and for two years no crops were raised. The third year our subject succeeded in harvesting 130 bushels of wheat, but was obliged to expend forty-two cents per bushel for threshing, without counting his exchange work. The first year of his residence on the farm Mr. Fehring boarded with a friend, but after that put up a cheap house, and, being a single man, has lived a bachelor's life on his farm ever since. He owns 160 acres of excellent land, with about seventy- five acres under cultivation. Among other property owned by our subject may be named fifteen head of cattle, besides mules and other stock. In politics Mr. Fehring has been honored by his fellow-citizens with the offices of assessor, supervisor, township treasurer, besides having been school director, school treasurer, etc. He is a man of exem- plary character, and is a thrifty and indus- trious farmer.

AMES G. HAMLIN is the able editor and publisher of the Post, of Blue Earth City, Faribault county, Minnesota. He is a native of Oneida county, New York, where he was born in the year 1847. His parents were Austin and Jane (Van Valken-

burg) Hamlin, natives, respectively, of Con- necticut and New York. The father fol- lowed blacksmithing throughout most of his life, and died at seventy-six years of age. The mother died in 1888. Their children were Oscar E., James G., Erwin P., Maria A., now Mrs. E. W. Porter; Mrs. Laura L. Ilickey and Mrs. Dr. E. M. Somers.

The early life of our subject was spent on the farm, and his education was received in an academy in Oneida county, New York. He enlisted in Company C, Eleventh New York Cavalry, and continued in the service for three years. He was in a great many battles, and was slightly wounded in an en- gagement in Louisiana. He was one of the youngest soldiers from Oneida county, and belonged to what are known as "Scott's Nine Hundred." Leaving the service, he returned home and engaged at the printers' trade in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1870 he established to Hancock Autograph in Con- cord, Iowa, and continued its publication until fall, when he removed his press to Ma- son City, Iowa. Here he conducted a paper known as the Express, for one year, and then established the Albert Lea Enterprise, of Freeborn county, Minnesota. After two and a half years he located in Blue Earth City, and, in partnership with C. A. Ingalls, pur- chased the Post. Mr. Ingalls' interest was sold, after four years, to F. W. Drake, who, two years later, sold out to C. W. Dillman, the firm now being Hamlin & Dillman. Our subject has been editor of the paper during all this time, and has been highly suc- cessful in increasing its popularity. On tak- ing charge of it there were but three hun- dred subscribers, while now the paper has fifteen hundred on its list. The Post is con- ducted in the interests of the republican party, and is a stanch supporter of every- thing which tends to the upbuilding of local affairs. Our subject has been quite promi- nent in public matters, and has held various

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village offices. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Grand Army of the Republic, and is one of the leading citizens of the town and county.

'Mr. Hamlin was married, in the year 1870, to Miss Minnie R. Sumner, of Waterford, Wisconsin, daughter of Ira M. Sumner. This union has been blessed with two children - Orpha L. and Ira H.

ILLIAM SCHROEDER resides on section 24, Germantown township, Cotton wood county, Minnesota. He was born in Germany, July 11, 1844, and was the son of Henry and Henrietta (Krause) Schroe- der, both natives of the fatherland. The mother died in July, 1854, and in 1856 the father came to the United States, locating in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he still lives.

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native country until about twelve years of age, and then with his father came to this country, locating in Winnebago county, Wisconsin. Up to August 3, 1862, le re- mained at home and received his education in the common schools of that county. He then enlisted as a private in Battery C, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, under Captain John R. Davis. He served until the close of the war, and was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, September 21, 1865. He partic- ipated in the following-named battles-Mis- sion Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and several other smaller battles and skirmishes. On being discharged, he returned to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and remained until 1869. In that year he removed to Outagamie county, where he resided some thirteen years, engaged in farming. While in that county he occupied a prominent place among his fellow-citizens and held various official posi- tions, among them being that of assessor, supervisor and township clerk. In 1882 he

came to Minnesota and located at Sanborn, Redwood county, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with O. D. Wells, under the firm name of Wells & Schroeder. He continued in this line for some five years, also giving his attention to lunibering. In June. 1889, he located on his present farm where he now owns two hundred and eighty acres of excellent land. He also owns eighty acres in Redwood county.

Mr. Schroeder was married in January, 1870, to Miss Augusta Voss, a native of Germany, and who came to this country when eighteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have six children-Wellington, Charles, Louisa, Bertha, Frank and Ida.

Mr. Schroeder is a man of much energy, and is one of the systematic and successful farmers of the county. Wherever he has been he has taken an active part in matters pertaining to the general welfare, and hav- ing held various official positions, has gained the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens. While a resident of Redwood county, he was one of its representative citizens, and did a great deal toward building up the public en- terprises. In every project tending to local development he is always willing to do his share, both in a financial sense and other- wise.

R. WILBER S. WEBB, one of the leading physicians of Worthington, Nobles county, Minnesota, is a native of East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he was born August 12, 1859. His parents were Albert L. and C. E. (Wilber) Webb, natives of New York. The parents were farmers by occupation and left New York in an early day, coming to Wisconsin, where they spent the most of their lives. The father died in Clinton, Iowa, in May, 1886; the mother is still living. In the

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father's family there are four sons and one daughter now living-Dr. Wilber S., Adelbert D., Myron, Charles and Mary (now Mrs. A. H. Scott).

Dr. Webb was reared on a farm and re- mained with his parents until he was twelve or thirteen years old. He then started out to do for himself, and although he met with many discouragements, he kept sturdily at work at anything he could find to do and succeeded in giving himself a good high school education. His plan was to work at different employments during the summer and attend school during the winter months. After completing the course in the high school he engaged in teaching for about two years and then pursued the study of medicine in Clinton, Iowa, with Drs. McCormick and Smith, continuing with them from 1880 until the fall of 1882, when he entered the Northwestern Medical University of Chicago. In February, 1884, he graduated from Rush Medical College, and after receiving his diploma located in Sibley, Iowa, and formed a partnership with Dr. Neil. This partnership was continued some two years, and then our subject removed to Ellsworth, Nobles county, Minnesota, and there engaged in the practice of his profession. June 1, 1889, he came to Worthington, where he is at present engaged in practice. He is thoroughly educated and well equipped for the duties of his pro- fession. He is a member of the board of pension examiners and has been surgeon for the Burlington Railroad for three or four years. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Adrian, and also of the Chapter of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Worthington.

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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 24

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814