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 40
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duties of his profession on various Missis- sippi steamers. The winters were spent by him at his home in this county.
Mr. Howe was married in Lamotte, Mich- igan, January 28, 1869, to Miss Jennie Max- field, a native of Lamont, where she was reared and educated. She was the daughter of Iva and Lucinda (Angell) Maxfield, both of whom were natives of the State of New York. After the parents married they moved to Michigan, where her father died in 1874. Her father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and was one of the most reliable and trustworthy citizens of the town in which he lived. The mother is still living, and is a resident of the State of Michigan. Mrs. Howe was one of six children-Matilda, Lemuel, Cornelia, John, Charles and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have been blessed with three children, all daughters, and all of whom are living-Maude, Callie and Lottie.
The subject of our sketch is one of the stanch supporters of all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and is always ready to render assistance when the good of his town and locality can be served. In his pri- vate business matters he has been eminently successful, his skill as engineer being typical of the thoroughness and skill which he has carried into all departments of his life. He has a fine farm, upon which are found ex- cellent buildings, surrounded with a fine grove of cottonwood, ash and box-elder trees. He has a comfortable dwelling-house and a large barn 30x56 feet, with eighteen- foot posts, and, taken all in all, he is one of the very best farmers in the county. At present he has about 150 acres of land under cultivation, but he is gradually working into blooded stock, owning some fine Polled- Angus cattle and Hambletonian horses and colts. He has one animal which deserves special mention, it being of three-quarters Hambletonian blood, and from which he ex- pects to raise stock from the noted Flan-
dreau horse, Sun Flower. He has from fifteen to twenty head of well-bred horses. In pol- itics the subject of our sketch is a stanch supporter of the republican party, and is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity. For the past two years he has held the office of supervisor, and has also been a member of the board of school trustees of the dis- trict in which he lives.
R OBERT R. JENNESS is one of the most enterprising and wide-awake business men of Windom, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He located in the vil- lage in 1871, since which time he has built up an extensive and profitable mercantile trade.
Mr. Jenness is a native of Vermont, where he was born in the year 1839. His parents were Thomas and Clarrissa (McGlathlin) Jenness, natives of Vermont. The father was a farmer by occupation, and located in Wisconsin in 1855, engaging in farming in Vernon county until his death, which oc- curred in 1868. The mother is now living in Windom with her son, the subject of our sketch. In the father's family there were four children-John S., now a resident of Vernon county, Wisconsin ; Thomas L., of Windon ; Robert R., our subject, and Abbie, now Mrs. Masterson, of California.
The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent on the home farm, and he was given good educational advantages in the public schools. At seventeen years of age he left home and went to Missouri, where he engaged in work at the carpenter's trade until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. He then returned to Wisconsin and served for two years in the First Wis- · consin Cavalry. He was then discharged on account of disability. After his discharge he returned to Wisconsin on a brief visit, and then went to Missouri, returning soon
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after to Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mercantile business un- til 1869. He then sold out and located in Wabasha county, Minnesota, where, in com- pany with H. G. Richardson, he engaged in the mercantile business for two years. He then sold out and came to the village of Windom, Cottonwood county. For a short time he worked at his trade and then en- gaged in the mercantile business in the block on the south side of the public square, where he continued two years. Nine years thereafter were spent in business in the corner store owned by D. Patten & Com- pany, which building he purchased soon after moving into it. In 1885 he built a magnificent brick block, the upper part of which is given for offices. The last few years he has been doing business south of the park and rents his large brick building. He has been extremely fortunate in his busi- ness ventures in the county and has accum- ulated considerable means. He has devoted somewhat of his attention and money to buy- ing and selling lands and purchased a farm of 180 acres, three-quarters of a mile from the center of the village in 1881. He now resides on this farm and has it well provided with good farm buildings. He is engaged in farming and stock raising, and has a number of head of fine graded cattle and horses. He has taken an active interest in all public matters wherever he has been and has oc- cupied a prominent place among his fellow- citizens. He has held the office of county commissioner, which position he holds at the present time, being also a member of the village council. He was postmaster while in Wabasha county and held various other minor official positions. In politics he affiliates with the republican party; and is a leading member of the Masonic, Grand Army of the Republic and Ancient Order of United Work- man fraternities. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, of the highest integ-
rity, and is respected by all who know him. Mr. Jenness was married in 1864 to Miss Annie E. Duncan, a daughter of John Dun- can, of Kentucky, This union has been blessed with seven children-John E., now in business with his father; Warren M., an engineer; William H., Frederick, Thomas, Lucy and Anna W.
EWIS FLING is a prominent and well- to-do farmer of Mason township, Mur- ray county, Minnesota. He has an excellent farm on section 8, where he has surrounded himself with the evidences of thrift and pros- perity. Mr. Fling was born in the State of Vermont, March 9, 1825, and was the son of Alfred and Sarah (Spaulding) Fling, na- tives of New Hampshire. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and died about fifteen years ago in Rochester, Minnesota. The mother died soon after.
Lewis Fling left home when he was twenty-one years old. Up to this time he had assisted in work on the home farm, and had attended the district schools. On leaving home our subject obtained a position as guard in the Clinton prison in New York, where he continued two years. Removing thence he located in St. Lawrence county, where he worked at farming for two years. Going westward he located in Ohio and found work at his trade, that of shoemaking, for three years, at the end of which time he came to Madison, Wisconsin. Here he operated a railroad house until about 1860, when he came to the vicinity of Rochester, Minne- sota, and engaged in farming until 1871. Thence he went to Murray county, Minne- sota, where he now lives. He came over- land, driving two teams and forty-one head of cattle. He located the claim where he now lives and engaged in farming and stock raising. He tried to farm during the grass- hopper raids, but lost all his crops. Becom-
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ing discouraged with his farming opera- tions, he moved to Currie, built a hotel and operated it for ten years. He still owned the farm, however, and at the end of that time he returned to agricultural pursuits, retaining his ownership of the hotel. In the summer of 1888 he moved back to the farm where he now lives. He has 160 acres of fine land, well improved and provided with good buildings.
The wedding day of the subject of our sketch was June 19, 1845. On this day he was married to Miss Ann Hopper, a daugh- ter of Cornelius and Sophia (Case) Hopper, both natives of New York. She was a native of New York State, and in early life received a thorough common-school educa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Fling have been blessed with three children-Alfred C., Emma F. and Minnie E.
Since coming to the township Mr. Fling has taken an active interest in all matters which pertain to the general welfare. He has held various official positions, among them being that of treasurer of Murray county, and also treasurer of his township while a resident of Olmstead county. He is at pres- ent one of the board of town supervisors. In politics our subject formerly affiliated with the old whig party, but he has affil- iated with the republican party ever since its organization. He was an earnest supporter of President Harrison in the last campaign and has an excellent recollection of General Harrison's canvass in 1840. A. C. Fling, the son of our subject, has been register of deeds of Murray county for two terms.
ILLIAM STAUFFER is a retired fariner and reliable and esteemed citizen of Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1826.
The parents of the subject of our sketch
were Henry and Susan (Binder) Stauffer, natives also of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Our subject's grand-parents on his father's side were John and Deborah Stauffer, natives of the same place and of German descent. Susan Binder's parents were Abram and Susan Binder, natives of west Canada and also of German descent. They were farmers by occupation on both sides of the house. In our subject's father's family there were eight children, six of whom are now living-Jacob, Joseph, William, Sarah, Maria and Deborah. The parents were members of the Lutheran church and the father affiliated with the democratic party.
The early life of Williamn Stauffer was spent on a farm in Pennsylvania, where he was given a good common-school education and remained with his parents until twenty- five years of age, when he removed to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1851, and settled on 120 acres of government land. He resided in Fayette county for five years and then came to Winnebago township, Faribault county, Minnesota. Soon after coming to this location he settled on 160 acres of land three miles north and one mile west of Winne- bago City. There were only six men in the county at this time and our subject with them experienced inany privations. He built a primitive log cabin covered with bark and with an earth floor. He broke several acres of land, and commenced raising grain and stock. His nearest market was a long distance off, and the first mill to which he took a grist of grain was 143 miles distant. Our subject continued to improve his farm, building substantial buildings, and has now 540 acres of land under excellent cultivation. This property he now rents. In 1888 he purchased a house and five lots in Winnebago City, and makes this his home.
The subject of our sketch was married January 2, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth L. Miller, of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and daughter
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of Richard and Mary (Christie) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer have twelve living chil- dren-Emeline, Henry W., Amelia, Marion, Elizabeth, Amalda, John, Newton, Mary, Edith, Alice and Judson. Emeline married Mr. Thomas Jenkins, and has seven chil- dren-Elomore, Fred, Nora, Lorin, Elsie, Grover and Rosa. Melinda married a Mr. Jenkins, and died in 1887. She had two children-Walter and Mira. Henry W. married Mary Miller, by whom he has two children-Clara and Clarence. Amelia married Joseph Spaulding, and had two children-Merritt and Alta. Elizabeth mar- ried a Mr. Jenkins, and had four children- Frances, Palmer, Ada and Oscar. Amalda married a Mr. Barns, and had three chil- dren-Maggie, Carrie and Lena. Mary married a Mr. Jenkins. Henry W. Stauffer was the first white male child born in Fari- bault county. He was born February 2, 1857.
The subject of our sketch is a man of con- siderable prominence in public affairs, and votes with the prohibition party. He is a man of strong temperance principles, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant church. He is quite a genius in his way, and understands thoroughly the business of contracting and building. He built all his farm buildings with his own hands. He has a fine barn 74x56 feet on his place, and is engaged in stock raising together with farming. The Blue Earth river runs through his farm, making it one of the most desirable stock-raising places in the county. He has an excellent flowing well, forty-seven feet and three inches deep, the water being possessed of mineral quali- ties and tinctured strongly with iron. In business affairs Mr. Stauffer has been quite successful. He is careful and systematic and withal economical, and has by careful attention to his business accumulated large means. He is a man of excellent character,
and is highly respected by all who know him.
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SCAR T. GILSON, who is now living on section 14, Troy township, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota, is one of the lead- ing farmers of that part of the county. He was born in Cheshire county, New Hamp- shire, on the 31st day of May, 1849.
His parents, Frederick A. and Melintha W. (Tuttle) Gilson, were also natives of New Hampshire, as were his grandfather and mother on both sides, but his great-grand- father on his father's side was a native of Massachusetts. The father of the subject of our sketch was born on a farm and spent his early years there, but in his youth learned the blacksmith trade, and afterward went into the business of manufacturing glass, in which business he was engaged in Stoddard for about eighteen years. After this he took charge of a hotel for some three years. Then after living a retired life for some time, he finally engaged in farming, and now lives on the land adjoining his son's.
Oscar T., our subject, spent the first eighteen years of his life attending school, and then for two years helped his father at home, the latter part of the time being spent in his father's hotel at Keene. The following two years were spent in working in a hotel for a man by the name of Starky. Mr. Gil- son then returned to Stoddard and engaged in the business of clothes-pin making for one and a half years. After this he went to Salem, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he was foreman in a clothes-pin fac- tory for three years. In April, 1876, Mr. Gil- son went to Nebraska, where he re- mained but four weeks, and then went on to Missouri, in which State he re mained four months. He then came to Rice county, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for Major Rice for about eighteen
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months. In the spring of 187S he, with his wife and child, and A. E. Woodman and D. B. Whigam and son, came through by ox team to Troy township, Pipestone county, Minnesota, spending fourteen days on the road. They were the first family to settle in Troy township, and there was but one claim shanty in the township at that time. His wife was the first white woman in this part of the county. He located his land and built his house that summer. The suffering's and discomforts of that time can better be imagined than described. The nearest mar- kets were Luverne and Tracy. But they were not long the only settlers in the town- ship, for the very next spring people began coming in.
The subject of our sketch was married on the 10th day of June, 1869, to Mary I. Rich- ardson, a daughter of Albert and Cordelia (Boyden) Richardson. Mrs. Gilson's father was a native of New Hampshire and her mother of Vermont. The mother died when Mrs. Gilson was but three years old, but the father is still alive and living in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Gilson have been blessed with two children-Fred A. and Leon A. Fred A. died October 2, 1873, in Pennsylvania ; Leon is alive at the present time. Mrs. Gil- son began teaching school at the age of fif- teen, and has been in the school-room more or less since that time. She is at present teaching in her own township.
Mr. Gilson has held important public offices ever since the town was first organized ; he has been school treasurer constantly since the school was started, was town treasurer one term and has been on the board for five years, part of the time as chairman. He was a member of the board when the county was attached to an adjoining county as a township. For two terms he held the asses- sorship, which office he holds at the present time. He has been elected to every office in the township except that of town clerk. In
early life he had the advantages of a com- mon-school education. In politics he is a democrat, and is one of the enthusiastic supporters of the principles of that party. Mr. Gilson is a man of fine personal appear- ance, social and hospitable, and takes an active interest in all matters of a public nature. .
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LON. PETER PETERSON is a gen- eral merchant of the village of Slay- ton, Murray county, Minnesota. He was born in Waldris, kingdom of Norway, De- cember 17, 1846. His parents were Iver and Gertrude (Ingebretson) Peterson, also natives of Norway. When our subject was about eighteen months old the parents left their native land and came to the United States, first locating for three and a half years on a farm in Wisconsin. From there they moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, locating on government land. There were only about a dozen settlers in that county when our sub- ject's parents made their location there.
Our subject remained with his parents in Winneshiek county, Iowa, for about eleven years, assisting in work on the home farm and attending the district schools. June 7, 1863, he enlisted in Company H, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and served two years and eleven months. He was a member of the division of the army which operated in the expedition against the Indians throughout Kansas and Nebraska and our subject partici- pated in many engagements with the red men. After his discharge Mr. Peterson returned to the parental home in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and from there went to Freeborn county, Minnesota, whence the same fall here- moved to Jackson county, locating on a piece of railroad land. The residence in Jackson county was continued four years, after which our subject, a brother Albert, and his father came to Murray county in 1870, locating on
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various claims. Our subject continued his res- idence on his land until 1885, when he sold out and removed to the village of Slayton, where during one summer he engaged in the real estate business. The following spring he purchased a stock of general merchan- dise, and has engaged in general mercantile pursuits ever since. He now owns the build- ing in which his business is located.
Mr. Peterson was married in the month of June, 1875, in Murray county, to Miss Thea Christianson, daughter of C. and Caroline (Boong) Christianson, natives of the king- dom of Norway. Mrs. Christianson was born in Norway February 4, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been blessed with the following-named children-Ignatius Conrad, Ira Curtiss, Earnest Dean, Clara Gurtrude, Nora Florentia, Ida Maria and Peter Mur- ray. All of these are living except Ignatius Conrad and Nora Florentia.
The subject of our sketch has become one of the most prominent and influential of Murray county's citizens. He has actively participated in governmental affairs, and has held various official positions with honor and credit. For two years he held the office of register of deeds, and also very efficiently represented his district in the lower house of the State legislature, being elected on the republican ticket in 1884 from the district which comprises Murray and Nobles coun- ties. Mr. Peterson has held all the various township offices, and has also been county commissioner for two terms. He is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Our subject saw much hardship after locat- ing in Murray county, but lias weathered all financial and other storms, and has risen to prominence and influence in the county. When he made his location, the census of the county showed 320 residents, and this was depleted somewhat during the grass- hopper raids, during which our subject lost
considerable means. He sowed grain every year, and in the meantime turned his atten- tion somewhat to cattle. The third year of the grasshopper scourge he put in 130 acres of wheat, but this was a complete loss, and had it not been for his cattle, he would have become bankrupt. He did not succeed in getting through these severe misfortunes without being burdened by a large debt, but by hard work and careful and systematic habits he has succeeded in placing himself in excellent circumstances. Mr. Peterson is a man of high character, and is respected by all who know him.
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ARL S. EASTWOOD is the editor of the Heron Lake News, one of the popular and prosperous journals of Jackson county, Minnesota. Mr. Eastwood was born in Wisconsin, August 21, 1858. His parents were Levi and Rachel (Smith) Eastwood, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively.
The subject of this sketch resided with his parents until sixteen years of age ; he then commenced doing for himself and found employment in a newspaper office for the purpose of learning the printer's trade. This was at Shell Rock, Iowa. Our subject con- ținued his employment in that village for some time and then went to Mason City, where he was employed on the Republican for four years. He then removed to Spirit Lake and became the founder of the Dick- inson County Journal and operated that newspaper with excellent success for three years. Again changing his field of opera- tions he went to Lakefield, Minnesota, and started the Lakefield Citizen. He was also made postmaster of the village and held that position for two years, resigning March 4, 1885, and removing thence to Mankato, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where for a short time he edited the Register, now as then
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one of the leading newspapers of the city. After six months he sold out to Messrs. Woodard and Geddes. Leaving Mankato, our subject came to Heron Lake, Jackson county, where he became the proprietor and editor of the Heron Lake News.
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OLONEL HARRISON WHITE, per- haps one of the most influential and best known citizens of Rock county, located in Beaver Creek, in 1877. He built the first store building in the place and engaged in the general mercantile and lumber, coal and grain trade. He also built the first elevator in the place, and in connection with his other lines operated largely as a shipper of grain and live stock. He has continued in these various enterprises ever since, and has built up one of the most extensive trades in South- western Minnesota. He has also been engaged to a considerable extent in loaning money and in the real estate business. On the opening of Beaver Creek village, our sub- ject was appointed agent for their lands by the railroad company. Besides his financial interests in the city of Beaver Creek, he also has two fine farms within easy distance, where he carries on general farming and is engaged in raising fine cattle and hogs. Since coming to the city he has taken an active interest in public matters, and has been one of the leading spirits in the affairs of the republican party. He has held vari- ous positions of trust, has been president of the village council for four terms, and chair- man of the township board. In the polit- ical campaign of the fall of 1888, Colonel White was nominated by the republicans of his district for representative in the State legislature. He made a gallant fight for the election, not alone for himself, but for Harrison and Morton and the whole repub- lican ticket. He had many warm friends who worked earnestly for him in this
campaign, friends who held him in high esteem as a man and citizen, and we can do no better than to quote some of the opinions expressed by newspaper writers in favor of the election of Colo- nel White: "Colonel White is making a gallant fight for election as represent- ative in the legislature. To use his own words, he fought with Sheridan too long to lie down in the fight for the republican party. He accepted the nomination for representa- tive with the odds confessedly against him, but with a resolute conrage and indomitable energy characteristic of the man, coupled with the enthusiasm born of his love for the republican party and the old flag, he ac- cepted the responsibility placed upon him by his party, and is bearing the republican ban- ner gallantly. By every consideration of jus- tice he ought to win, and the republicans of this district should come to his support as loyally as he has ever come to the aid of his country or his party when there was any fighting to do. His claims to election are based on a clean record, an upright ca- reer, unflinching fidelity to the principles of the republican party, unclouded integ- rity, abilities of a superior order, and the fullest confidence of those who know him well. Add to this a war record which deserves high rank among the most brilliant and honorable in the annals of the Rebellion, the republicans of Rock county will give Colonel White a magnifi- cent majority. If our Pipestone brothers will give him the support he merits, they will never have cause to regret it."
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