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 30
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EWIS S. NELSON, a thorough-going, public-spirited citizen of Adrian, No- bies county, Minnesota, is engaged in the practice of law and is also operating an ex- tensive real estate, farm loan and insurance business. He is one of the influential citizens of the western part of Nobles county, and is known as a man of broad ideas and of large public spirit.
The parents of the subject of our sketch were Seward and Jennie (Hill) Nelson, natives of Norway. They came to the United States in 1842 and settled in Grundy county, Illinois, where our subject was born November 2, 1850. The parents lived on a farm and Lewis S. made his home with them until he was thirteen years old, when both the father and mother died. Then for two years he worked out for farmers and was almost wholly deprived of educational advantages until he was fifteen years old. At that age he determined to apply himself to obtaining an education, and worked on farms during summers to obtain sufficient means to sup- port him, and attending school during the winters until he was eighteen years old. He then entered the Fowler Institute at Newark,
Illinois, and pursued a course of study until graduating from that institution in 1870. He then attended the Norwegian college at Decorah, Iowa, and studied the languages for about a year. One year was then spent in traveling over different parts of the West, during which time he visited all the ter- ritories and traveled over a vast scope of country on horseback. Returning to Illinois he taught school during one winter and engaged in farming the following sum- iner, after which he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and took up a course of studies in the law department of the State University. Leaving that institution he went to Storey county, Iowa, and engaged in teaching for three terms in the high schools in Cambridge and Colo. In the spring of 1876 he was admitted to the bar in Nevada, Iowa, by Judge Bradley, who was then presiding over a term of the district court. Mr. Nelson then engaged in the practice of law in Colo and Des Moines, Iowa, continuing there until the fall of 1877, when he came to Nobles county, Minnesota, and, after stop- ping for a brief period, returned to Storey county, where he spent one year in the prac- tice of his profession. The following year, in 1878, he came to Adrian, Minnesota, took a contract to sell lands for the railroad com- pany, and made a permanent location in the county. He has sold a great amount of land, and has built up an extensive practice in law. In working up the sale of his exten- sive list of lands Mr. Nelson has adopted an admirable plan for giving the public an adequate idea of his prices, terms of sale, and the conditions of the various farms. He publishes and sends to all. free of charge, a neat pamphlet containing an exhaustive description and analysis of the soil, surface, crops, etc., of western Nobles county. He also gives a brief description of the village of Adrian, sets forth in truthful language the merits of his region, and gives answers to all
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queries likely to arise in the minds of land seekers.
Mr. Nelson is a republican in politics and has always interested himself in the general affairs of the county. He has taken an active part in political affairs and has worked hard and conscientiously to further the prin- ciples of the organization to which he belongs. In 1882 he was appointed county superintendent of Nobles county, and the following year was elected judge of probate. He has held various other local offices. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Mason Lodge, No. 175, of Adrian, of which body he is master. He is also a member of the Living Arch Chapter, No. 28, of Worthington. He is a man of much push and energy and is esteemed for his many excellent business and social qualities.
Mr. Nelson was married in Cambridge, Iowa, June 13, 1887, to Miss Clemma Chand- ler, daughter of Sereno and Laura (Tellot- son) Chandler, natives, respectively, of Maine and Canada. Mrs. Nelson was born in Storey county, Iowa, March 17, 1856. The marriage just recorded has been blessed with the following-named children - Winnie, Pearl, Archie Lee, and Harry Chandler.
OHN W. ORTON is a reliable and influ- ential citizen of Diamond Lake town- ship, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He is now located on section 8, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He first homesteaded land on section 14, in Royal township of this county, in 1878. He was about the fifth settler in the township and assisted in its organization in 1879. He took a prominent part in the official affairs of the town and was the first supervisor elected in the town. He commenced operations by breaking fifteen acres of land and building a small shanty 14x18 feet and a straw barn 12x16 feet. He left Royal township and
settled in Diamond Lake township in 1882. Since locating in Diamond Lake township he has taken an active part in public matters and has held several official positions, being one of the leading citizens of the township. He was assessor for two years and is at present treasurer of school district No.16, which po- sition lie has held for six years. He is en- gaged largely in general farming and gives special attention to raising blooded horses of the noted Black Hawk breed.
Mr. Orton is a native of Canada, where he was born December 15, 1845. His father, George Orton, was a farmer by occupation and is still living, a resident of Drammen township, Lincoln county. The father was also a native of Canada and in early life was engaged for a number of years as a cloth dresser, later engaged in farming. He is now about sixty-seven years of age. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lucy Leroy, a native of Ver- mont. She died in 1858 and was buried in North Bangor, Franklin county, New York, She was an exemplary Christian lady and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the father's family there were six children-John W., Lucy M., Joel A., George G., Rowland L. and Rowley L., twins.
The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent in Franklin county, New York, to which place his parents moved in an early day. Here he received his early training and education, and soon after the breaking out of the war, August 21, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-sec- ond Regiment New York Volunteer Infan- try, being detailed as a musician for eleven months. He served until the close of the war and was mustered out at Raleigh, North Carolina, while acting on detailed service. Our subject was a brave and faithful soldier and participated in the following battles : Drury's Bluff, Chapman's Farm, Battle of the Wilderness, Fort Fisher, Petersburglı, and
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many other smaller battles and skirmishes. Our subject saw severe service at the front and received a slight wound in the shoulder at Chapman's Farm. At the close of his military career he returned to New York and for some time assisted his father on the farm. He then spent some time in the lumber woods, from whence he went to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he spent two years in learning the boiler-making trade, em- ployed by the firm of Miller & Jameson. After this time had expired he returned to New York State and engaged for a brief period in the milling business. In 1868 he was married, and afterwards engaged in rail- roading, finding employment as engineer on the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Rail- road for eight months. His health failed him, however, and he had to give up his prof- itable engagement with the company. He was advised by his physicians to find a loca- tion somewhere in the West. So, coming to the State of Wisconsin, he engaged in farm- ing for seven years in Walworth county. His next move was to Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he has since lived.
July 4, 1868, Mr. Orton was married to Miss Maria L. Crinklaw, a native of Franklin county, New York, and daughter of Andrew Crinklaw, who was a mason by trade. Her father was killed by a falling tree some years ago. Miss Crinklaw was one of seven chil- dren-Emily, Maria L., Robert, Horace, Henry, James and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Orton have been blessed with six children-George, Bertie, Clarence, Mary, Martha and Emily, all still residing at home.
Throughout his life our subject has taken an active interest in the political affairs of the various localities in which he has lived. He has affiliated with the republican party and has taken an active part in the Grand Army of the Republic. While engaged in the railroad business he was a member of the firemen's union and always took an active
part in all matters which tended to improve the condition of the laboring man. He is a man of excellent business ability, and has quite a wide reputation as a musician. While in Walworth county, Wisconsin, our subject was a leading spirit in the organization of a brass band, with which he played for five years. Being one of the early settlers of Lincoln county Mr. Orton has passed through many rough experiences, and relates many interesting reminiscences of pioneer days. One of these worthy of mention is the ac- count of the hardships attending a jour- ney on snowshoes one winter. Our subject started from his home on the prairie to Lake Benton, a distance of twenty miles. He purchased one hundred pounds of flour, and nailing a box to his snowshoes, walked over the snow and drew this hastily formed sled over the snow-covered prairies to his home. This was one of the most severe experiences of our subject during those early days, and so exposed was he to the cold that he was confined to his bed for three days after his return home. Mr. Or- ton's early life in this county has been visited with many like experiences, and he could enumerate many such hardships worthy of mention in a work on pioneer history. He has, however, passed through these stages of trial and hardship, and has succeeded in lay- ing the foundations for a competency in old age. He has accumulated considerable means, and has a pleasant and commodious home. He is a man of the highest character and good business traits, and is respected by all who know him.
ENRY C. GRASS, ESQ., is one of the leading attorneys of Murray coun- ty, Minnesota. He, in fact, is the oldest resident lawyer in the county, making his location here in the village of Currie in July, 1878. He was born in Michigan City, Indi-
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ana, July 27, 1855, and was the son of Will- iam H. Grass, a native of the State of New York. The father emigrated to the State of Indiana in the year 1853, where he engaged in blacksmithing. He also operated a large wagon and carriage factory and became one of the prominent citizens of that State. In the fall of 1869 the father removed to Win- ona, Minnesota, and from thence went to St. Charles where he now lives. The father and mother are engaged in the operation' of a millinery and fancy goods store. In the father's family there were two children- Henry C. and Charles E. The latter is a telegraph operator in Kansas City.
The early life of the subject of our sketch, Henry C. Grass, was spent with his parents in Indiana, and later in Winona, Minnesota, and still later at St. Charles. In these latter places he received a good English education and studied law in the office of Hon. Edwin Hill. He was admitted to the bar before the district court at Windom, July, 13, 1878. He then located in Currie, where he has been engaged in the active practice of his profes- sion ever since.
Henry C. Grass. was married October 30, 1880, to Miss Lettie A. Moore, a na- tive of Vermont. At six years of age she removed with her parents to Chi- cago, from whence, after two years, she came to Minnesota, settling in Rochester, where she received her training and educa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Grass have one child living, a boy named. Charles G. Two died when quite young - Walter and Robert. Mrs. Grass died October 28, 1887, at Wood- stock, Pipestone county, Minnesota. She was twenty-seven years of age, and an esti- mable Christian lady.
Mr. Grass was again married July 24, 1889, to Miss Alice Montana Cooper, at De Soto, Wisconsin. She was born at Raders- burgh, Montana, April 15, 1869. When she was but a few weeks old her parents moved
to Winona, Minnesota, and in a few months to Preston, Minnesota. When she was six years old they moved to De Soto, Wis- consin. She attended the schools of De Soto until fifteen years old, and then went to the high school at Viroqua, Wisconsin, for one year, after which she attended the First Normal School at Winona, Minnesota, for two years, and graduated at the age of eighteen years. For two years she taught the primary department of the Currie schools.
In politics Mr. Grass affiliates with the republican party, and for four years served as county attorney of Murray county, being elected the first time in 1879. He is at pres- ent a member of the school board of the village, having held that position for three years. Our subject is one of the most prom- inent and able attorneys of the county, and is one of Currie's representative citizens. He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and heartily supports any project tending toward devel- opment and improvement of his locality.
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AURITZ MARTIN LANGE is the pres- ent efficient county attorney of Nobles county, Minnesota, and is one of the leading lawyers of Worthington, the county seat. His parents, Matthias and Julia (Brandt) Lange, were natives of Norway. Our sub- ject was born in Drontheim, Norway, Febru- ary 12, 1844. His father was an important citizen of his native land and was a man of prominence in military affairs. He was first lieutenant of artillery and was afterwards inspector of prisons.
The subject of this sketch attended a pri- vate school and also a military school in his native land until October, 1862, at which time he left home and came to the United States for the purpose of entering the Union
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army. He first stopped in New York City and remained five days. He then enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteers (Second Battalion, Duryea Zouaves). He served gal- lantly and faithfully in this company until September 1, 1865. He participated in the battles of Ponchitoula, Louisana, in 1863, Port Hudson, Sabine Pass, etc. In 1864 he participated in the following battles and ex- peditions : Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Kane River Crossing and Shenandoah campaign under General Sheridan. Our sub- ject ranked as second sergeant and was known throughout the regiment as an excellent and efficient soldier. He parti- cipated in the service until September/ 1, 1865, and then went to New York City, where he engaged in business for a short time. In July, 1866, he enlisted at Gov- ernor's Island in the regular service and shortly afterward was assigned to Company I, Thirteenth Regiment United States Infan- try, the company being stationed on the island above named for several months. They were then removed to Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas, where nine months were spent, and in April, 1867, they were ordered to Montana, where the company joined the regiment ; the company was stationed at Fort Shaw. This fortification was built by this regiment and was occupied by them until the fall of 1869, when our subject left the army and went to Chicago and engaged in clerking in an abstract office. Here he com- menced the study of law and after removing to Dixon, Illinois, continued his studies dur- ing the years 1872-73-74. He was admitted to the bar before the supreme court of Illinois, January 8, 1875, and returned to the city of Chicago. He commenced the practice of his profession and during his residence in Chicago he became prominent in military affairs. For three or four years he was cap- tain of the First Regiment Illinois National
Guards and made his home in Chicago until 1880. In that year he went to Caldwell, Kansas ; there he engaged in the practice of his profession until May 29, 1883. At that time he came to Worthington, Minnesota, resumed the practice of law, and has made his home in the village ever since. He has been prominent in political affairs and has held the office of county attorney since 1885, at present serving his third term. He has built up an extensive and lucra- tive practice and is acknowledged to be one of the best attorneys in Southwestern Minnesota. During his early life he was throughly educated and well equipped both by natural and acquired endowments for the arduous duties of the profession to which he belongs.
Attorney Lange was married in Call- andaigua, New York, October 3, 1873, to Miss Anna L. Comstock, daughter of Harlow L. and Jane (Ives) Comstock, na- tives, respectively, of Vermont and New York. Miss Comstock was born in War- saw, New York, January 18, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Lange have had no children of their own, but have one adopted child, Harlow C. Blair, a son of Mrs. Lange's sister, who died when he was three months old. Harlow was born June 3, 1884, his parents being David C. and Catherine (Comstock) Blair.
The subject of our sketch is prominent in Grand Army of the Republic affairs and was commander of the Upton post and judge ad- vocate of the department of Kansas for some time. He has also been commander of the Stoddard post of Worthington and judge ad- vocate of the department of Minnesota. He has also held various other minor positions in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is past master of the Ancient Order of United Workman lodge of Worthington, and is also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
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RED H. KURTH is a reliable farmer located on section 8, of Shaokatan township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He was born in the State of Illinois, August 27, 1852. He is the son of Henry and Catha- rine E. (Wehnes) Kurth. The father was born in Sebra, Germany, December 6, 1822. He was the son of Henry Kurth, a farmer by occupation.
Henry, the father of our subject, in his youth assisted in work on the farm. He married Catharine E. Wehnes December 6, 1848. He engaged in different kinds of em- ployment in his native country and came to America in 1851 .. He worked on a railroad, employed in and about New York City for two years and then located in Illinois. After nine years spent on a farm he came to Steele county, Minnesota, and settled on govern- ment land. His stay was brief, however. His friends prevailed on him to return to Illinois. He was one of the first settlers of Steele county and found many Indians scat- tered over the country. His next move was to Dakota county, Minnesota, where he pur- chased a farm and lived until 1878. He then came to Lincoln county, becoming one of the pioneer settlers, locating on a home- stead and remaining there until his death, which was the result of an accident on the 2d of April, 1889. The facts concerning his death were about as follows : Before breakfast he sent his hired man out to burn an old straw stack about sixty rods west of the house. There was but little wind and the sky was over- hung with clouds and it looked very much like rain-it was even sprinkling at the time. He desired to get the stack burned before the rain. About one o'clock the wind shifted to the west and there came up a terrific hurricane. The storm was so violent that one could see but a short distance. Particles of burning straw from the fired stack blew some fifty rods to a small piece
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of timothy. Here the grass was ignited and the fire ran over the meadow to the barns and stables beyond. There was a straw stack just west of the barn and the fire caught in that and the wind whirled the burning straw all around and over the barn. There were three horses in the barn, and when the fire was about eight or ten rods distant the father thought that he could save the horse nearest the door without putting himself in any danger. He went into the barn, untied the horse but could not, either by force or persuasion get the animal out of the barn. He spent a minute or two using his utmost endeavors to lead the animal out without avail, and looking toward the door he saw that the barn was enveloped in flames and also that the fire had ignited a small hay stack, on one side of the door, and on the other was a load of straw which had- been hauled up at noon for bedding, and this too had caught fire. Through this arch of flame it was necessary for him to pass in order to reach safety. He hesitated a moment whether to perish in the burning barn or try to escape through the lane of fire which opened up before his eyes With des- pair and a prayer for help he made a dash for his life. He succeeded in get- ting through the flames and ran to the house, where he commenced looking for his wife as he thought that the house would catch fire every instant. The. wife could not be found as she had gone a short distance away to her son Fred's house for help. Not finding her he concluded to make the attempt to save what money he had, which was about sixty dollars and which was in a pocket-book in the house. This was pro- cured, and he ran out of the back door and around to the front door of the house, where he was met by his son Henry, who found his father with nearly all his clothes burned from him. But little was left of his clothing but a shirt and that was on fire.
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This was soon extinguished, but on examina- tion it was found that there was no space on the father's body that was not burned almost to a crisp. He lived some thirty-two hours afterward, suffering excruciating agony, when he finally died, his family having been summoned to his bedside. He was a man of deep piety, and, although suffering intense pain, died in the triumphs of Christian faith, his last words being " Savior come." He was a man of the highest integrity and his death was deeply mourned. He left a widow and five children, all of whom are living.
Fred H. Kurth, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, made his home with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. Until he attained his majority he attended school and also rendered assistance in work on the home farm. One year before leaving home he rented his father's farm in Dakota county and engaged in farming and then sold out all his personal property. Find- ing another location he again engaged in farming for two years, after which he came to Lincoln county, where he homesteaded the land where he now lives and where he was one of the first settlers. He is a man of good education and excellent business abilities, being held in high esteem as a participant in the public affairs of his township. He has held several official positions, among them being that of justice of the peace, in which position he served for two years. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. He has a fine farm of 240 acres with good buildings.
Fred H. Kurth was married March 14, 1877, to Miss Jennie Gruschus, a daughter of Henry Gruschus. This union has been blessed with four children-Albert H., Asa F., Elma E. and Janet M.
ILLIAM V. KING, the present capable auditor of Jackson county, Minnesota, is a resident of Jackson, the county seat, and is the son of John and
Hannah (Hilton) King, natives of England. Our subject is also of English birth, being born at Manchester, September 26, 1831.
Mr. King resided on a farm with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, up to which time the only schooling he received was what he obtained by private study. He had to labor hard and was con- fined nearly all the time at home on the farm. He seldom had a holiday, and remem- bers that during his early life he was thir- teen years of age before he ever went to a circus. At thirteen years of age he learned to make brooms, and every evening and during the days in the winter months he had to make them at home. When twenty- one years of age he commenced teaching school, having prepared himself for this occupation by careful private study. Dur- ing the winter months he followed this pro- fession and worked at home on the farm during the summer months until he was twenty-four years old. After teaching his first winter school he took what he had earned and paid for his tuition during the spring and fall terms in an academy in Janesville, Wisconsin. The family had removed from their native land to Walworth county, Wisconsin, when our subject was nine years of age. At twenty-two Mr. King was superintendent of the village schools of La Grange, having steadily advanced in his profession and acquired a good reputation for ability in that line. He continued teaching and working for his father on the farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he was married, and moving to a farm engaged in agricultural pursuits. This farm, which he had purchased some time before, adjoined that of his father's, and he made it his home until 1861, when he sold out and moved to Crawford county, purchased land and resided thereon until 1864. He then enlisted in September of that year in Company C, Forty-third Wis-
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