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 38

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 38

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).

The early training and education of our sub-

324

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

ject was received in Waukesha county, where he received the principal part of his education, attending the high school at Fond du Lac for one term. Before twenty years of age he commenced teaching school and continued in that occupation until his enlistment in the Union army in March, 1864, and went to Madison, Wisconsin, but was rejected, and then returned to Fond du Lac county and was engaged in farming during the summer. After harvest he again enlisted, this time in the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the close of the war in 1865. After being discharged he returned to Wau- kesha county, Wisconsin, and worked his father 's farm for a year, remaining in that county for a year and one-half, when, in 1867, he came to Faribault county, Minne- sota, as stated in the opening lines of this sketch. He has retained his residence in the county throughout the past years and during grasshopper times. He has been interested to a large extent in educational matters and has taught six winter schools since coming to Minnesota. Mr. Oliver was married in 1871 to Miss Ann Jeffry, a native of Wau- kesha county, Wisconsin, and daughter of John Jeffry, a farmer and leading citizen of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have five children-George, Mabel, Edith, Inez and Ruby.

The political affiliations of the subject of our sketch are with the republican party, and in religious sentiment he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of good business qualities, and has served in various official positions. Since locating in the county Mr. Oliver has been engaged prin- cipally in farming.

AMUEL D. PUMPELLY is the pres- ent efficient auditor of Lincoln county, Minnesota. He is the son of Benjamin E. and Mary C. (Cochran) Pumpelly, the former

a native of Maine and the latter of New Hampshire. The parents were farmers by occupation, and resided for many years in Kentucky. At the breaking out of the Re- bellion they were virtually forced to leave their Kentucky home, owing to their intense loyalty, and removed to McLean county, Illinois, where they now reside.

Auditor Pumpelly was born in Mason county, Kentucky, May 20, 1841. His early life was spent on the home farm with his parents, and he was given good educational advantages in the district and select schools. At the age of eighteen he commenced a course of legal studies in the office of Judge Emery Whitaker, of Maysville, Kentucky. After completing his course of studies with that gentleman, and before he was admitted to the bar, the war came on, and he quit the law office, and in September 1861, enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Regiment Ken- tucky Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and served honorably and faithfully until Feb- ruary, 1865. He was mustered out at Louis- ville, Kentucky, bearing the title of captain. For gallant and meritorious service he was first promoted to the rank of orderly ser- geant, then to second lieutenant, and later was made first lieutenant. Somewhat later he was commissioned as captain. In September, 1862, he served on the staff of Colonel Cyrus Dunham. This officer had a brigade organized at Louisville, and went to Munfordville, Kentucky, to hold the railroad bridge which was threatened by General Bragg. After two or three days' fighting the brigade was forced to surrender to Gen- eral Bragg. They were kept prisoners for a short time, and then paroled and sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana. After waiting some two months an exchange was effected, and our subject returned to his regiment at Lebanon, Kentucky. He par- ticipated in a great many hard-fought bat- tles, and was a brave soldier. He was with

325

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

General Burnside's expedition in the fall of 1863, with whom he went to Knoxville. In January, 1864, the members of his regiment veteranized, and joined General Schofield's Twenty-third Army Corps in front of Dalton. They joined Sherman's army, and went through the great campaign against Atlanta. At the battle of Resaca our subject received a severe wound, being shot in the left side. The bullet passed clear through his body, and he was laid up in the hospital for a long time. As soon as he was able to leave his cot he desired to re-enter the service, but was not constitutionally fit for active duty. In October, 1864, he was made assistant provost marshal at Louisville, and he con- tinued in that position until the close of the war. When hostilities had ceased between the North and South Mr. Pumpelly went to Topeka, Kansas, where he was admitted to the bar both in Federal and State courts. He remained two years, returning then on ac- count of health to Central Illinois, where for eight yearshe engaged in farming, and in the grocery business. In 1876 he sold out and came to Minnesota, settling on a homestead in Shaokatan township, Lincoln county. He made that his home some eight years and then removed to Lake Benton, having been elected county auditor upon the republican ticket in the fall of 1884. So efficiently did he serve in this capacity and so popular did he become with his constituents that he was re-elected by a handsome majority in 1886 and again re-elected in the fall of 1888. He still owns and operates his farm of 320 acres.

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage in McLean, Illinois, August 28, 1865, to Miss Sarah E. Gibbs, a daughter of James and Mary Salome (Davis) Gibbs, natives of England. This marriage has been blessed with the following-named children -- Cora Mabel, Samuel Eaton. Mary Susan and Kate Gertrude.

Since coming to Minnesota our subject has taken an active interest in all matters per- taining to the development and the business resources of the whole country. He has assisted largely in the manipulation of the governmental affairs of the county and town- ship in which he has lived, and has held several positions besides the one mentioned in the opening lines of this sketch. In whatever way he has been called upon to serve his con- stituents he has proven his efficiency and ability as a business man. His loyalty as a citizen is beyond question and as a friend and neighbor he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

- -

EBINA WELD is a prominent citizen of Des Moines River township, Mur- ray county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in farming. He is the son of Zebina and Esther R. (Ridgeway) Weld, natives of Maine. He was born in Athens, Maine, August 15, 1830.

The parental home remained the abiding place of our subject until he was eighteen years of age. Up to this time he had been given a good common-school education and on attaining the age just mentioned he went to Skowhegan to learn the carpenter's trade. continuing thereat for only six months. He then entered a shoe shop to learn the boot and shoe business, but finding this kind of labor too confining for his health he quit that work and went to Brighton, Massachu- setts, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits for two years. He was then married, and leaving his wife on the farm with His brother, he went to Chicago and thence to Iowa City, where he located land and worked about a year at the carpenter's trade. His wife then joined him and taught the village school until the following spring when the family moved to the land which the husband had located, built a house and

326

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

took up their residence. After residing here a short time Mr. Weld was taken with the fever and ague, and selling out his property he removed to Sparta, Wisconsin, where he engaged at work at his trade and also at teaming for some two years. While in Sparta he was quite successful in his business, owning several comfortable houses. His next move was to Plainview, Wabasha county, Minnesota, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land just north of the village, making his home thereon for about seven years. He then purchased a farm and five-acre lot adjoining the village of Elgin. He built the first hotel in this village, and engaged in running it for seven years, when he sold out and moved to Ma- delia, Watonwan county. Here he pur- chased a farm and continued in various pur- suits for eight years. He then sold out and removed to Murray county in 1878, locating a homestead on the northwest quarter of section 24, where he still lives. He has a fine farm of 160 acres with a well-built and a well-kept dwelling house, and other good buildings, and has about one hundred acres under cultivation. He has a number of head of cattle and sheep and several horses, and in his various lines of business has been very successful. He was one of the first settlers of the township, there being but eight fam- ilies here when he made his first settlement. He is a man of excellent business qualifica- tions, is possessed of good character, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Weld was married in North Anson, Maine, March 1, 1854, to Miss Sarah Bray, a daughter of George and Mary (Bunker) Bray, natives of Maine. This lady was born in Anson, Maine, February 24, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Weld have been blessed with the following named children-Frank Eugene, who died at eight years of age, Fred Z.,

Robert (deceased), Delburt U., Burt Ivan, Ethel Irene and Ernest G. All of these children reside at home . except Fred and Delburt, who own farms in Murray county, on which they reside. In Mr. Weld's father's family there are now living the fol- lowing named children-George, Zebina, Benjamin G., Charles H., Harriet U. Dyer. Mrs. Weld was one of five children-Dolly C., Robert M. Baxter, Lydia B., now Mrs. Turner, and Sarah B.

An interesting item in Mr. Weld's gene- alogy is the fact that his grandfather, James Ridgeway, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and was one of the party that helped throw the tea overboard in Boston Harbor.

HARLES G. POOCH resides in Ger- mantown township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He was born in Rhein- felt, Germany, September 4, 1836. Ilis parents were John and Lottie (Neams) Pooch, natives of Germany. In 1857 the parents came to America and located for a short time in Ripon, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1859 they removed to Marquette county, and located on a pre-emption.

Our subject followed farming pursuits for several years after coming to this country, and in July, 1861, enlisted in Company I, Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Union army until July, 1865; he was discharged July 3, at Milwaukee, where the members of his company were given a grand banquet in honor of their service during the war. Our subject saw considerable service and was in a number of severe battles. He was con- fined in the hospital for some four or five months, from chronic diarrhoea. He was then granted a thirty day furlough, which was extended thirty days longer and he spent this time at home. Returning at the

327

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

expiration of his furlough he reported to his regiment for duty. He was once struck under the arm by a piece of shell, which knocked him down and tore the clothes into fragments about where the shell struck. The injury, however, was not very severe and did not confine our subject to the hospi- tal. Witlı the exception of the time men- tioned above Mr. Pooch was with his regi- ment in active service, participating in a great many hard-fought battles. After his discharge he returned to his father's farm in Wisconsin and then purchased a farm in Waushara county, where he resided for six months, this farm being bought in partnership with his brother, Jolın, but at the end of the six months the partnership was dissolved, and our subject went to Green Lake county, where he rented a farm for two years. He then went to Fond du Lac county, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a year, after which he went to the city of Ripon, rented a house and en- gaged at different kinds of employment for another year. His next move was to West- field, Waushara connty, where he purchased a farm, and operated the same for four years. He then, in 1872, left Wisconsin, and came to Germantown township, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, and located on section 6, where he has since resided.

Mr. Pooch was married in Waushara county, Wisconsin, to Miss Amale Borsack, daughter of John and Anna (Wagner) Bor- sack, natives of Germany. Mrs. Pooch was born in Germany, and came to this country with her parents in an early day. This union has been blessed with the following named children-Bertha, Frank, Herman, William and Edward.

The life of our subject since coming to the county has not been all sunshine, nor has it all been failure. For several years during grasshopper times he raised no crops whatever. Later he has been quite success-

ful in gathering in good harvests, and has accumulated considerable means. After the grasshoppers left two crops were destroyed by rust and blight, but, during these hard times, our subject went to other localities to earn money to support his family. Another sad loss visited him during the grasshopper raids. One time, while the family was at church, their home took fire, and everything it contained was destroyed. In spite of these difficulties our subject has been grad- ually accumulating means, and is now in good circumstances. He owns several head of horses and twenty-five head of cattle, has a good frame house and large barn, and has a nice grove of five acres of trees. In all matters pertaining to the public welfare our subject takes an active interest, and has exerted an influence for good in his town- ship. He has been township clerk during most of his residence here. He has also been school treasurer, justice of the peace. township treasurer, chairman of the board of supervisors, etc. So popular has our subject been with the people with whom he has lived, that, with the exception of one year since locating in the township, he has held some official position. In every in- stance he has given excellent satisfaction, and has gained the respect of all his fellow- townsmen.

RED H. BALDWIN is one of the leading citizens of Edgerton, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota. He has been identified with the interests of this village since 1885, at which time he located here and engaged in the grain business. After following that line for about three years he then engaged in handling stock, coal and machinery, in which at present he has an extensive trade. He was born in Essex county, New York, August 12, 1854, his parents being H. C. and A. C. (Stafford)

328

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

Baldwin, both of whom were natives of the State of New York. Throughout most of his life the father followed the occupation of farming.

Fred H. Baldwin spent his boyhood days on the farm of his parents and received a good common-school education. He con- tinued his residence on the home farm until he was about nineteen years of age, when he engaged in other pursuits for himself. Two years after his birth his parents removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and settled on government land, and it was here that his early life and boyhood days were spent with his parents. In 1878 he removed to Mower county, Minnesota, and settled on a homestead and also took a tree claim adjoin- ing. He lived on this land for about seven years, at the end of which time he " proved up" on the homestead, of which he is still the owner. He also owns the tree claim, but has not submitted his final papers, and he has not as yet received the title thereto from the government. In 1885, he moved into the village of Edgerton, as was stated in the opening of this sketch, and engaged in the grain business, which, after three years, was dropped for the stock, coal and machinery business. In the latter he is still engaged and is doing a large trade.

The subject of our sketch was married in Fillmore county, Minnesota, to Miss Martha Bateman, and daughter of John and Katura Bateman, both of whom were natives of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have been blessed with four children-H. Ralph, Lee, Lyle and Irene.

Throughout his life Mr. Baldwin has taken an active interest in all matters which per- tain to the welfare of the locality in which he has lived. Wherever he has been he has held local offices and his abilities in this line have been utilized in many different ways. While in Mower county he was township clerk, justice of the peace and township

supervisor. At present he holds the office of marshal of Edgerton. In his business relations Mr. Baldwin has proven himself a capable and trustworthy man and enjoys the confidence of a wide circle of friends.

EVI H. FULLER is a retired farmer and prominent resident of Winne- bago City, Faribault county, Minnesota. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, December 23, 1824.

The subject of our sketch was the son of John and Betsey (Clark) Fuller, natives of Vermont, where they lived until shortly after their marriage. They then located in Chautauqua county, New York, where they engaged in farming, and removing thence settled in Cayuga county, whence they re- moved to Wyoming county. Later they removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farm- ing in Waukesha county, where they settled in 1856. The father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1877. The mother died in 1875. The father was a democrat in politics in early life, but finally came to believe in the principles enunciated by the republican party. The mother was a consistent member of the Baptist church. They had a family of six children, only four of whom are living-Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hall; Levi H., John W. and Charles R.

Our subject was reared as a farmer's boy and was given the educational advantages furnished by the district schools. He re- mained beneath the parental roof until he was nineteen years of age and then removed from New York to the State of Wisconsin in 1844 and settled for about three years in Waukesha county, engaged principally in farming. Hethen removed to Dodge county, where he purchased 120 acres of wild land, built a log house and engaged in farming. After seven years of continuous residence in Dodge county our subject sold out and

329

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

removed to the township of Merton, Wau- kesha county, purchasing a farm of 120 acres, and adding forty acres thereto some time later. He continued his residence in Wisconsin until coming to Winnebago City to make his location on the 29th of June, 1888. However, prior to locating in this village he had visited Faribault county in 1882, and had purchased 170 acres of land in the northeastern part, in Winnebago City township. This farm is rented at pres- ent. After coming to the village he pur- chased a residence on Mill street, just west of the high-school building. He has made elegant improvements to his home property, which cost him about $1,400. Throughout his life he has been a man of much promi- nence, and has always taken an active inter- est in township affairs, having held various local offices. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist church. He is one of Winnebago City's prominent and substantial citizens.

On the 25th of December, 1846, Mr. Ful- ler was married to Miss Austina Snyder, who was born in Germany in the year 1830. She was the daughter of Casper and Marga- ret (Welch) Snyder, also natives of Ger- many. They left their native land on the 2d of May, 1841, and came to America, locating in Genesee, Waukesha county, Wis- consin, where they engaged in farming. Two months after their arrival the father died, and the mother passed from this life in 1875. In the Snyder family there were seven children, five of whom are now living -Anson, George, Acty, Austina, now Mrs. Fuller, and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have been blessed with the following named chil- dren-Norman E., Genevera, Julia and Ed- win M. Norman E. married Miss Einigene Baxter, and is located in Blue Earth county. They have one son, Levi S. Genevera mar- ried Mr. A. Lowe, who died in 1887, leaving

two children-Orson D. and Roy. Julia married Mr. Muir, by whom she has had one son, Harrison S. Edwin M. is now attend- ing the Rush Medical College in Chicago. -

RANK WORKS is an enterprising and influential farmer and stock raiser located on section 4, Carson township, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota. He made his location in the county in August, 1877, first settling in Delton township on section 28, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land. He resided thereon until November, 1888, up to which time he had thoroughly im- proved bis farm and built good farm build- ings. At the date just given he removed to his present place, where he has since lived. Our subject was one of the early settlers of Delton township, and took an active part in its public affairs, serving his fellow-citizens in various official capacities. He was clerk of the school district for five years, township constable for three years, and was chairman of the board of supervisors for one year. Wherever he has been he has always taken an active part in public matters.

Mr. Works was born at Columbus Junc- tion, in Louisa county, Iowa, September 1, 1857. His father was Hiram Works, a farmer and carpenter by trade, who was born in Orange county, Vermont, residing in that State until he was twenty-four years of age, when he was married and removed to Ohio. Our subject's mother's name was Prudence Lincoln, a native of Orange county, Vermont. Both parents are still living. Our subject was one of two chil- dren, his brother being named Charles.

When our subject was at the tender age of four years his parents removed to Hennepin county, Minnesota, locating at Lake Minne- tonka, where they resided some two years. After the Indian troubles had ceased, the family removed to Douglas county, this State,

330

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

where they resided some five years. Remov- ing thence, they went to Missouri and remain- ing in that State only six months ; returned to Minnetonka Mills, Hennepin county, Min- nesota, where they resided four years. The next move was to Douglas county, where they engaged in farming for four years. Then by team they went to Nebraska, sell- ing out their stock; but not being satisfied with that location, they returned to Minne- sota and located in Delton township, Cotton- wood county, the entire family coming to this location. Since 1877 our subject has remained in the county, and has been en- gaged in farming. His early education was received principally in the village of Osakis, Douglas county, and was completed in Ex- celsior, Hennepin county. Mr. Works is a man of excellent qualities, is possessed of a high character, strong, sensible ideas, and is a practical farmer. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, but, being of strong temperance principles, he has voted more or less with the prohibition party. He is a man of excellent principles, and is highly respected.

Mr. Works was married March 18, 1885, to Miss Lizzie Bastian, a native of Germany, and who came to the United States with her parents when she was two years of age. Settling in Illinois, she there received her early training and education. The father was Carl Bastian, who became an early set- tler of Delton township, Cottonwood coun- ty. Mr. and Mrs. Works have three chil- dren-Charles L., born April 14, 1886 ; Nellie, born June 4, 1887. and Myrtle, born Septem- ber 20, 1888.

K. HABERMAN is a reliable farmer who resides on section 20, of La- Crosse township, Jackson county, Minneso- ta. The place of his nativity is found in Austria, his birth occurring in February,

1853. Our subject's parents were John and Anna (Heger) Haberman, who were natives of Austria. The mother died in her native land and the father married again and emi- grated to America in 1872. He is now a resident of LaCrosse township.

Until twenty years of age the subject of our sketch remained with his parents in his native land. He received a good common- school education and at twenty years of age came to the United States and located for about two months in Wisconsin. He then came to LaCrosse township and located on 160 acres of land. He has worked hard to improve his farm, has built a good house and a large barn and has three acres of a nice grove of trees. Besides his farming he is also engaged in raising cattle and Clydes- dale horses. He has met with considerable success and has accumulated some means. He has taken an active part in public mat- ters and is well known and respected throughout the township. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party.

In the year 1873 Mary Ninnerither was united in marriage with Mr. Haberman. Mr. and Mrs. Haberman have six children- Flora, Willie, Carl, Matilda, Mary and Aganie.

EDER O. SKYBERG. This gentle- man is the efficient and popular county treasurer of Rock county, Minnesota. He came to the county in 1872, and settled on a homestead of 160 acres of land in Martin township. He commenced making improve- ments by building a sod house 14x16 feet. He made his home on the farm until the spring of 1883, at which time he removed to Luverne, having been elected county treas- urer in the fall of 1882. After the first year or two of "roughing it" on the farm, he began to accumulate a little means, and commenced branching out in the way of

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 38

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