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 36
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Mr. Randall is a native of Sandusky county, Ohio, where he was born October 26, 1846. He is a son of Luke and Elouisa (McFarland) Randall, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter a native of Ohio. The father was of English origin, and the mother of
Irish and English descent. The father was a farmer by occupation, and is now residing on a farm in Shoakatan, Lincoln county. In the father's family there were four children -- Sarah Jane, our subject, Oliver P. and Olive Louise.
When the subject of our sketch was about two years of age, the family moved to Coles county, Illinois, and two years later settled in Hardin county, Iowa. Eight years later, in 1861, they moved to Kansas, and, after one year's residence there, settled in Madison county, Iowa, and one year later removed to Cass county, Iowa, where they also spent one year. At the expiration of that time they removed to Douglas county, Nebraska. While his father was living there, our sub- ject, Francis M., for five summers crossed and re-crossed the plains in the capacity of a teamster, and during one summer he worked on the Union Pacific Railroad, near Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. While in that country he suffered many hardships and ran considerable risk of being killed and scalped by the Indians as they very were troublesome at that time; and it was necessary to constantly keep a "sixteen shooter" within reach. After remaining for some years in Nebraska the family came to Lincoln county, Minnesota, and made a permanent settlement.
The subject of our sketch was married March 31, 1873 to Miss Mary Jane Cooley. She was born near Bangor, Somerset county, Maine, December 23, 1854, and was a daugh- ter of James and Sarah Cooley, who were of English and German descent. When Miss Cooley was nine years old the family came West and located in Adams county, Illinois, and one year later removed to Dodge county, Minnesota. She came to Lincoln county in 1872. Her father is now one of the leading merchants of Pipestone, Minnesota. Miss Cooley was one of five children - Sarah Jane, George E., Nelson, Nellie, and Frederick.
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Mr. and Mrs. Randall have had six chil- dren, three boys and three girls, five of whom are now living-Estella Musetta, Francis Justen, Bertha Mabel (died when fifteen months old), Cora Alice, Clarence Arthur and an infant not named.
In politics the subject of our sketch affiili- ates with the republican party and is a repre- sentative man of Lake Benton township. Since making his location here he has inter- ested himself in the public affairs and has held numerous official positions. He assisted in the organization of the township in 1873, and has been a member of the board of super- visors since 1885. He was clerk of school district No. 2 for some time, and has in every official act proven himself capable and efficient. He is a man of strong, decided opinions, is possessed of the highest character, and is respected by all who know him.
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APTAIN.CHARLES B. LOVELESS is the gentlemanly and popular pro- prietor of the Lake View House at Worth- ington, Minnesota. He is the son of Sol- omon and Mary Loveless, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter born in Nova Scotia.
The subject of our sketch has had an inter- esting and varied career. He was born in a log house in the State of Maine, December 8, 1823. His father was a ship builder, and our subject being thrown somewhat among ships and seamen, imbibed a liking for a sea- faring life. At ten years of age our subject became possessed of the idea of adopting the life of a sailor. So, one Saturday night about twelve o'clock, he ran away from home and shipped as a cabin boy on a coasting vessel, and continued in that employment for two years. About this time his father died, and on his death-bed made the urgent request of his son Charles to leave a sailor's life. So our subject, in response to this dy-
ing request, went to learn general black- smithing, and served an apprenticeship of four years in Schenectady at nine cents a day. Here he was among strangers, and before he found his place to learn the trade, he had spent three or four days in New York City looking for some friends. He had but twenty-four cents in his pocket, and be- came almost discouraged, yet he was of sturdy make-up, and not easily discouraged. He finally met a Methodist, who was cap- tain of a ship, and he advised our sub- ject to learn a trade. Acting upon this advice Mr. Loveless went to Schenectady, and entered upon his apprenticeship of four years at the blacksmith trade. When that was completed he went to sea again on the old ship North Carolina and served for eight months. He then returned to Schenec- tady and went into a machine shop where they forged machinery, and while there our subject became very skillful in mounting and finishing molds, etc., being sought after by many parties from far and near who were desirous of obtaining an expert workman. He took a large contract in finishing and putting together stoves, etc., and was thus engaged for five or six years. At the end of this period he went to Boston and engaged in the same business for two years, finishing grates and fancy iron work for local use. He was then in Syracuse for nearly thirty years with the exception of two years spent in Boston and one year spent on a farm. Mr. Loveless' genius has always taken an inventive turn and he has invented several stoves, portable gas works, grates, etc. He commenced inventing in 1854 and has been more or less engaged at it ever since, having produced a number of very useful articles.
When Fort Sumter was fired upon by the Rebels our subject was in Portland, Maine, and at once, fired by patriotic emotions, sold out his patent gas works and commenced
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recruiting a regiment of cavalry. This was done entirely with his own means and in recruiting the company he used his own con- veyance. He succeeded in raising parts of two regiments and commanded Company B, Third Regiment New York Cavalry, being mustered in as captain and commis- sioned in July, 1861. He served in the most gallant manner for two years, and then re- turned home and assisted in furthering the work of gathering in recruits for the service. On first starting out with his company, in 1861, he went to the bank in Washington City and withdrew his own money, and with it purchased pots, pans and other camp uten- sils for the use of his company. After leav- ing the service he went to New York City and turned his attention to inventing. Among his productions is a gasoline stove, invented in 1864. He organized a company and opened a large establishment and commenced the manufacture of these stoves. His sales in a very short time amounted to $50,000, and during these times, while in Syracuse, New York, his expenses were about $8,000 per year. Perhaps no man in Nobles county has traveled as widely over the United States and Territories as has Mr. Loveless, and his travels have not been confined to this coun- try alone, but he has visited various portions of the British provinces. Very few men have made as many useful and important inventions as he has, and out of these he has at times gathered considerable means. He has been a lover of a good horse during his career, and has kept many fast horses, and spent money lavishly in seeing life and in building up the localities in which he has lived.
In June, 1872, Mr. Loveless came to Worth- ington, Nobles county, Minnesota, built the Lake View House, and opened a blacksmith shop. For a time he also manufactured car- riages and wagons, and his goods were sold all over Southwestern Minnesota. After the
hotel was completed he commenced keeping the same and has been in that business ever since with the exception of two years. He has also run a livery in connection with his hotel and operated his blacksmith shop until 1883. In 1885 he visited Philadelphia and organized a stock company for the manufac- ture of his ventilators and also organized three other companies for the manufacture of his inventions, these companies being made up of prominent business men of the East. Our subject still retains an interest in the company in New York City, where the business reaches large dimensions. Al- thongh our subject has been somewhat inter- ested and taken with the grand farming country to be found in the West, he has not invested in any farming lands to speak of. This is explained by the fact that when a young lad he lived with an uncle for two years who made him rise every morning before daylight and had him work hard until dark. This so sickened him of farming that he has never invested to any considerable ex- tent and least of all attempted to operate a farm.
The subject of our sketch was married in New York City, July 5, 1847, to Mary C. Page, a nativeof Ocean county, New Jersey, where she was born in February, 1822. She was a daughter of Joseph and Annie Page, and died February 9, 1889. This lady was possessed of a gentle, sweet disposition and was loved by all with whom she came in contact. During her life in Worthington she made many warm friends who will remember her for her be- nevolence toward the poor, for her charity in overlooking the faults of others, and for her generous and kind assistance of all who came to her in time of trouble. She was a lady of high Christian character and always aided liberally in the management of church and religious matters. Mr. and Mrs. Love- less had the following-named children-
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Alida, who died in New Jersey; Ella (deceased), Charles, who met his death by drowning in Syracuse; Joseph and William. Joseph married Miss Mary Brayden, of Worthington, and William wedded Miss Belle Allen.
Throughout his life Captain Loveless has been active and public spirited. He has al- ways interested himself in all public affairs, and has with credit held various official positions. His executive abilities, combined with his military spirit, always made him a man to be sought after in the management of affairs in which the presence of a master spirit was needed. Since coming to the vil- lage he has been a member of the village council for two terms, and has interested himself in educational matters by assisting in the organization and selection of the school site of the Worthington public schools. While in New York he was foreman of the fire companies of Syracuse for seven years. No man in Southern Minnesota is more de- cidedly a temperance man than Mr. Loveless, and, believing in total prohibition, he stops at nothing short of a third party movement in bringing this about. In religious matters he has always taken a deep interest, and has assisted liberally in the building up and supporting of the various churches in the city.
ETH W. THOMPSON is the vice- president and manager of the First National Bank, of Luverne, Rock county, Minnesota. The subject of our sketch came to the city in September, 1887, and accepted the position which he now occupies.
Mr. Thompson is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, where he was born in the year 1836. His parents were John and Pennelia (Bush) Thompson, the former a native of Maine, and the latter born in New York. The parents were farmers by occu-
pation, and engaged in that line throughout the most of their lives.
The subject of our sketch spent his younger days on the home farm, and at- tended the district schools when not busy with farm work. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and during eight winters prior to leaving the farm engaged in teaching school. At the age of twenty-five he opened a hardware business in the village of Cattaraugus, New York, and engaged in that line for twelve years. He then removed to Randolph, New York, where he engaged in the hardware business four years, then went to East Ran- dolph, and for two years following he oper- ated a tannery business, and for some years after that time he was connected with a pri- vate bank in that county, the firm name be- ing Dow & Thompson. Quitting the banking business, he opened a general mercantile trade and continued in that line for seven years. Then he removed to Luverne, Rock county, Minnesota, where he has since re- sided. Prior to coming to the county he liad invested in considerable land some six miles south of the city. Since making his location he has invested largely in farming lands and in city property, owning at present nearly one thousand acres. Besides general farming he is engaged to some extent in raising blooded horses and cattle. In 1888 he built one of the finest houses in the village, and provided it with all modern improvements. In politics Mr. Thompson affiliates with the republican party, and is an influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of good character, and is one of the wealthy and respected citizens of Luverne and Rock county.
The wedding day of S. W. Thompson oc- curred in 1859, in which year he was mar- ried to Miss Emma Pratt, of New York. Three children have blessed this union-
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John F., Charles C. and Carrie E. John F. is assistant cashier of the Seaboard National Bank, in New York City. Charles C. is cashier of the First National Bank of Luverne. Carrie E. married Henry J. Brennan, an offi- cer in the First National Bank of Port Alle- ghany, Pennsylvania, and a resident of Smethport.
RASTUS P. LE SUER, a prominent business man of the village of Jasper, Pipestone county, Minnesota, is engaged in the drug trade. He is a native of James- town, Chautauqua county, New York, where he was born November 2, 1832.
The parents of the subject of our sketch were Asa and Louisa (Gray) Le Suer, both natives of the State of New York. The father followed the occupation of farming in his native State, and, in 1856, moved with his family to Rochester, Olmsted county, Minnesota. He was the second settler of the city, and engaged for a time in the hotel business. He was also engaged in farming to some extent on 160 acres of land about two miles west of the city. He continued his residence in Rochester until his death, which occurred in 1868. The mother died in 1864. In the father's family there were two children-Helen P., now Mrs. A. C. Covell, of California, and Erastus P. The younger days of our subject were spent with his parents on the home farm, where he re- mained until sixteen years of age. He was given the educational advantages furnished by the district schools. At sixteen he ap- prenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, which line of occupation he followed until going to Michigan in the year 1850. Arriv- ing in that State he attended the medical college at Ann Arbor, and graduated in medicine in 1855. He has never practiced his profession, however, but has given his time
principally to the drug business. In July,1856, he went to Rochester, Minnesota, and remained there, engaged in the hotel business, until the destruction of his house by fire on May 9, 1872. In this fire our subject lost about nine thousand dollars. After this stroke of misfortune he removed to Kasson, Minne- sota, where he built a hotel and also engaged in operating a drug store and auction store. Remaining in Kasson until 1878, he then sold out his property interests and removed to Canby, Yellow Medicine county, Minne- sota, where he built the now popular hotel called the Le Suer House. He continued in this business until in 1884, when he rented his property and engaged exclusively in the drug business. Later he sold out his hotel and store buildings and removed with his stock of goods to the village of Jasper, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota, where he has since been engaged in business.
Mr. Le Suer was married in June, 1880, to Miss Julia Oleson, a native of Minnesota, by whom he has had one child, Josie M. By a former marriage Mr. Le Suer has three chil- dren-Frank, Asa and Earl.
Since coming to the village Mr. Le Suer has occupied a prominent position in busi- ness circles and has built up a fine trade. Among his financial interests he is a large stockholder in the Jasper Produce Com- pany. Throughout his career Mr. Le Suer has taken an active interest in all matters which tended to the development of the locality in which he lived. While a resident of Yellow Medicine county he held the posi- tion of deputy sheriff for six years, was jus- tice of the peace, village marshal, and also president of the school board. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and is a leading and influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Mr. Le Suer is a careful, systematic business man, and is one of Jasper's promi- nent citizens.
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OHN B. JOHNSON, a prosperous farm- er of Scandia township, Murray county, Minnesota, was born in Skone, Sweden, June 24, 1852, his parents being John and Hannah (Larson) Johnson, natives of Sweden.
Our subject's early life was spent in the home of his parents, where he assisted in farm work and attended the district schools until he reached the age of fifteen years. From that time until 1878 he worked out for farmers in his native land, and in the year just mentioned came to the United States, coming directly to Murray county, Minne- sota, and stopping with Hans Pearson in Scandia township for two months. He then went onto a farm owned by Nels Anderson, where he remained during the winter, and in the following spring rented a farm which he operated for eighteen months. He then pur- chased forty acres of land, built a house, and has made that his permanent residence ever since. He has since added other lands to his farm, and now owns 360 acres, with about 260 acres under cultivation. On this place are a good frame dwelling-house and large granary and a groveof about 10,500 trees. When our subject came to America he was very poor, so poor that he had not a dollar in his pocket, and all that he now owns is the result of hard labor and good management. Besides his land and farm buildings he owns six horses, one colt and seventeen head of cattle. He is a man of earnest, energetic qualities, and is respected for his upright character and good habits. He is a member of the Swedish I utheran church.
Mr. John B. Johnson was married, while still a resident of Sweden, September 10, 1873, to Miss Boel Pearson, daughter of Peter and Anna (Martinson) Hanson. This lady is a native of Sweden, where she was born Octo- ber 7, 1851. Three children were born to this union in Sweden-Hannah, Nels and Anna. Since coming to America four more children have been added to the family- Ida, Agnes, Emily and Hulda.
QUIRE B. STEDMAN is the present popular and efficient postmaster of Windom, Minnesota. He was born in Lor- ain county, Ohio, in the year 1830. Ilis parents were Almeron and Wealthy (Abbott) Stedman, natives, respectively, of Connecti- cut and Massachusetts. The father was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, and came to Ohio in 1826, where he engaged in farming until his death. He had a family of thirteen children-seven sons and six daughters-all of whom except one grew to man and womanhood.
The subject of our sketch remained with his parents on the home farm and received a good common-school education. He contin- ued with his parents until twenty-one years of age, after which he worked out on various farms in the vicinity of his home for one year. The next season was spent with his father on the home farm, and he then pur- chased a threshing machine and did consid- erable work in that line. Soon after he sold out and went to Wisconsin, where he rented a farm for two years. During the first win- ter of his stay in Wisconsin he worked in the pineries, and at the end of two years returned to Ohio. In the winter of 1855-56 he was married to Miss Thomas. In 1860 he located in Little Canon, Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and resided nine years. He attained considerable success, and in the spring of 1869 came to Cottonwood county, where he took a pre-emption of 160 acres, on a por- tion of which is now located the village of Windom. He saw many hardships during the first few years in the county, and for some time had all his grain and garden stuffs destroyed by the grasshoppers. He continued farming until 1880. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of the county. Our sub- ject has always taken an active interest in political matters and has held various official positions, among them being that of chair- man of the board of county commissioners
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and postmaster, being appointed to that position in October, 1885. He has a fine residence in the village, and has sur- rounded himself with the evidences of pros- perity and success. He is a man of excel- lent character, broad-minded and public spirited and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party.
On the 20th of January, 1856, Mr. Sted- inan was married to Miss Angeline H. Thomas, a native of Vermont. This union has been blessed with eight children, six of whom are now living - Frank, Arthur, George. Eli, Eveanlette and Edgar.
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OCTOR J. P. HUMES is a leading physician and surgeon of Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota. Dr. Humes is in every sense of the word a self- made man. one of those strong characters which make many friends. He has built up a large and lucrative practice in Faribault county.
Dr. Humes was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1837, and was the son of John C. and Mary E (Griffeth) Humes, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and was engaged extensively in farming, continuing his residence in his native State until his death. In politics he was of the dem- ocratic faith, and was a leading spirit in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a deacon for many years. His family were of Scotch descent. There were seven chil- dren in the father's family four of whom are now living-William W., a farmer on the old homestead; James B., a dentist at Cambridge, Pennsylvania; Julia A., now Mrs. Miller, and Dr. J. P.
The subject of our sketch was reared on the home farm, and was. given an academic education in his native State. After com-
pleting his course in school he became a pedagogue for some two years in Pennsyl- vania, and later came to Fulton county, Illinois, arriving in 1856, where he continued one year. In 1857 he settled on a farm of 160 acres a few miles north of Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota. He resided on this land until in May, 1861, and while there experienced all the hardships which usually come to pioneer life. He lived for a time in a board shanty, 12x14 feet, and in 1859 built a frame house, further improving his farm by breaking about eighty acres of land and fencing the entire tract. In May, 1861, he left the farm and returned to Pennsylvania, where he entered a part- nership with his brother, James B., in the manufacture of oil barrels. During this time he was engaged in the study of medicine, in which direction he had been reading for some years. He remained in Pennsylvania and carried on his various business enterprises until in August, 1864. He then returned to Winnebago City, and commenced thestudy of medicine with Dr. Alvin Lockwood. He com- menced practice in May, 1866, and in 1867 completed a course at Rush Medical College in Chicago, from which institution he gradu- ated in the spring of that year. Ever since that time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Winnebago City and vicinity. In 1873, not being satisfied with his medical attainments, he attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and also at the University of Medicine in New York City. Returning home he continued his former business. He has built up a large and lucrative practice, and has been very successful in his medical and surgical work. He carries on his farm by proxy, owning at present some 507 acres in Faribault county, and also two thousand acres of land in Carlton county, Minnesota. He has built a beautiful residence in Winne- bago City, and has a half block in his grounds.
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He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare and has as- sisted materially in the building up of the financial interests of Winnebago City. He is also interested in religious matters, and is a trustee of the Baptist college, having ren- dered valuable aid in building that institution. He has been liberally inclined toward other church enterprises, and has assisted in a finan- cial way in the building of all the church edifices in the city. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. He is also a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and is a prominent member of the Minnesota State Medical Society. He is the second oldest resident physician in the county, and is not only one of the oldest M. D.'s, but is one of the most prominent citizens of the county.
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