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 43
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Mr. Campbell was married in the year 1843 to Miss Ann Kyle, of Sangamon county,
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Illinois, and daughter of Joseph Kyle. Three children blessed this union, only one of whom now lives-Louise, now Mrs. Conk- lin. Mrs. Conklin has four children-Fred- crick, Monte C., Lewis and Florence. Mrs. Campbell died in October, 1858. The sec- ond marriage of our subject was to Mrs. Catharine Gery, of Clinton, Illinois, a daugh- ter of George Gideon.
OHN MILTON POORBAUGH is per- haps one of the best known business men of Pipestone county, Minnesota. He is a native of Elkhart, Indiana, born March 17, 1852, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Shuey) Poorbaugh. The mother died in 1860, and the father, entering the Union army in 1861, left the children orphans, to battle alone with the world. The children, and their ages at this time, were John M., our subject, aged nine years ; Frank, aged five; Della, aged seven, and Linna, aged three years.
The father being a farmer, John M. spent most of his time on a farm until he was fourteen years of age. He then went West, to Iowa, and worked on a farm during the first summer. He then went to the pineries, where he worked for one year. Returning then, to Mason City, Iowa, at the age of six- teen, he began learning the mason's trade, and a few years later commenced contract- ing. To quote Mr. Poorbaugh's own words, he then took "one of the largest contracts he ever had "-certainly an immense one for a boy of sixteen-in Davis county, Missouri. It was to clear twenty acres of heavy tim- ber ready for the plow in three montlis. When he took this contract he was nearly an entire stranger, without a cent, but he completed the job, employing some twenty- five men, and made considerable money out of it. Mr. Poorbangh's education was very limited, as he was thrown upon his own re-
sources at an early age, and has been com- pelled to rely upon his own efforts. Through- out his life, however, thrown as he has been into such active business, his observation and. quick perceptions served him in its stead, and he is, in every respect, a self-made man.
On the 7th of September, 1871, he was married to Hattie M. Drinkwater, at New- burg, Mitchell county, Iowa. In 1880 he removed to Pipestone county and settled on a homestead in Sweet township, where he started the Pipestone Nursery, of which he is still the owner. In the fall of 1887 he commenced contracting on the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba railroad. He did $100,000 worth of work for that company to their entire satisfaction, and holds a flatter- ing recommendation from that corporation. Mr. Poorbaugh is also one of the principal members of the Jasper Improvement Com- pany, which owns some 1,400 acres of land, on which is located the famous Jasper stone quarries, as well as the city of Jasper. At the present writing Mr. Poorbaugh is en- gaged with contracts on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railway, and also in operating the Red Jasper quarries, from which 125 to 170 car loads of stone are shipped per month.
Mr. Poorbaugh's present home is in the suburbs of Pipestone City, where he has a sixty-acre farm, which is finely improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Poorbaugh are the parents of eight children, five boys and three girls, namely-Charles F., Allie A., Stella May, Robert, Carl, John, Della and Dora Bell.
OSEPH F. SCHWARTZ, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Hansonville township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, located on 280 acres of railroad land in 1882. His farm was on section 3 and he has 160 acres under excellent cultivation, provided with good buildings and one of the very best farms
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in the township. He has a fine barn 40x45 feet and eighteen feet high. He has worked and planned to make his farm one of the finest in the township and his buildings and improvements betoken the high success which has attended his efforts. He has been engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing and cultivates more land and farms more extensively than any other farmer in the township. He has identified himself closely with all public interests and has held vari- ous official positions. He was justice of the township for four years; for two years he held the office of supervisor, and isat present assessor and also supervisor. For four years he has held the position of one of the direc- tors of school district No. 36.
The subject of our sketch was born in Otrocin, Bohemia, January 21, 1842. His parents were Frank S. and Josie Schwartz, the father being of French descent. The father was an iron maker by trade and lived anddied in his native country, Bohemia. The father died on the 12th day of March, 1879, and the mother died in the old country November 15, 1871. In the father's family there were seven children-Frank, Joseph, Katie, Barbara, Anna, Caroline and Mary.
The subject of our sketch remained with his parents in his native country until he was thirty years of age, at which time he came to the United States, first locating in Pennsylvania. His early life in his native land was spent in assisting his father in work at his trade and in attending the public schools. Advantages for education were of a good character in his native country, and he became well prepared for the duties of life. On coming to this country he located in Pennsylvania and engaged in the mining business for the Pennsylvania Gas and Coal Company, following this occupation for some fifteen years. He then concluded to find a location in the western country. He came at once to Minnesota and made his
settlement on his present farm in Lincoln county.
January 21, 1864, in Bohemia, county of Pirglitz, our subject was married to Miss Barbara Staneck, a native of the same prov- ince in which our subject was born, Joackin- stall. Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz have been blessed with ten children-Charles, Mary, Caroline, Gilhart, Joseph, Jennie, Jeronine, Otto, Anna and Robert. .
Since coming to the township Mr. Schwartz has proven himself a capable and trustworthy farmer and citizen. He is a man of excellent character, is an earnest defender of the principles of right and jus- tice. In all public matters tending to the elevation of public interests he takes an active part, and by his public spirit and liberal-heartedness has drawn to himself many warm friends. In politics he is of an independent spirit, affiliating with no partic- ular party, but supporting men rather than parties for positions. He is a leading mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity.
ILLIAM W. BARLOW is the pres- ent efficient and popular sheriff of Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He made his home here in 1872, settling in Amo town- ship, where he took a soldier's homestead of 160 acres. He made numerous improvements, built a house and granary, and set out a fine grove of trees. He continued on his farm until 1880; when he came to the village of Windom, and operated the Hyat House for one year. He then purchased this property, and rechristened it the Barlow House. This is one of the best hotels in the city, and is still operated by our subject.
Mr. Barlow is a native of the State of New York, where he was born, February 19, 1840. His parents were Rev. Samuel W. and Almira (Wright) Barlow, the former a native of New York, and the latter born in Vermont. The
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father settled in Delevan, Wisconsin, in the year 1846, and engaged to a large extent in farming, and also was a minister of the Wes- leyan Methodist church. He continued his residence in Wisconsin until his death, which occurred in March, 1889. Our subject's mother died in 1844. In the father's family there were seven children-Ruth, now Mrs. William E. Wood; Silas V .; Selinda, now Mrs. J. Shelden ; William W., Samuel W., Jr., Josiah W. and James L.
Our subject was reared as a farmer's boy on the old home farm, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He was given good educational advantages, and attended college at Big- foot Prairie, Walworth county, Wis- consin. He also attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Chicago, Illinois, in 1861. In August, 1862, he en- listed in Company D, Twenty-second Wis- consin Infantry. He continued in the service until the close of the war, participating in numerous battles. He was taken prisoner at Brentwood, Tennessee, March 25, 1863, and was confined in Libby prison for sixteen days. The rebels took nearly all his cloth- ing from him, and deprived him of all his valuables. He was then sent to parole camp at St. Louis, where he remained two weeks and then returned home on a short visit. He was on provost duty at Murfreesborough for eight months, and then joined General Sher- man's army, participating in all the battles of the famous march to the sea. He con- tinued with the army until the close of the war, and went with his regiment to the grand review at Washington, after which he returned home, receiving his discharge at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 12, 1865. He enlisted as a private, and for faithful service was promoted to the rank of corporal. When discharged he had a commission as second lieutenant of the company to which he belonged. Returning home after being dis-
charged from further service he took charge of his father's farm, operating the same for two years. He was then married and rented a farm in Walworth county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1872. In this year he came to Cottonwood county, where he has since resided. In 1882 he was elected sheriff of the county, and has held that office ever since. While a resident of the township of Amo he was town clerk for a number of years, and has held numerous other official positions. In politics he affili- ates with the republican party, and is a member of the Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Grand Army of the Republic fraternities, and is one of Cot- ton wood county's most influential and promi- nent citizens.
In January, 1867, Mr. Barlow was married to Miss Belinda Mead, a daughter of Kenney and Arzulah (Bush) Mead. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Nellie, who is now attending Hamline University near Minneapolis.
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EORGE F. STOW, one of the leading business men of the village of Tyler Lincoln county, Minnesota, established him- self in the lumber trade in March, 1885. Since coming to the village he has been one of the active, energetic business characters, and has built up a large and profitable busi- ness. He is the son of John G. and Char- lotte (Fisher) Stow, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Vermont. The family came to Wisconsin in an early day and lo- cated in Rock county, where they remained until about 1857 and then removed to Wau- paca county. The father died on his farm in Wisconsin, December 21, 1885, and the mother is still living on the old homestead.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born in Johns- town, Rock county, Wisconsin, February 19,
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1850. He resided on the farm of his father in that county until 1857, when with them he removed to Waupaca and there settled on a farm. Our subject remained with his par- ents assisting in farm work and attending the district schools until he was twenty-two years of age. He received a good common- school education, and on attaining the age just mentioned, commenced teaching school, which profession he followed for about two years, during which time he made his home with his parents. After this period of teach- ing had expired he removed to the village of Chilton and accepted a position as telegraph operator and station agent for the Wiscon- sin Central Railroad Company. He contin- ued in this employment from November, 1874, until May, 1882. At that time he came to Tyler and became station agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany. He continued in the employ of this company as their agent until in March, 1888, after which time he gave his attention en- tirely to his lumber business, which he had established in March, 1885. During his res- idence in Tyler he filed on a claim in Potter county, Dakota. In order to hold this land, his wife, with the characteristic determina- tion of her sex, went to the claim and resided thereon for six months, at which time our subject proved up and obtained a patent.
Mr. Stow was united in matrimony in Hayton, Wisconsin, December 5, 1877, to Miss Sarah Nicholson, a native of Rochester, New York, where she was born in October, 1859. This lady was the daughter of William and Patience (Love) Nicholson, natives of. England.
Since taking up his residence in the village of Tyler our subject has identified himself intimately with all public interests and has held various official positions. He has been village recorder for some time and has held other positions of trust and responsibility. He is also interested in various civic societies,
being an influential member of the Chilton Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Chilton, Wisconsin, and also of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 207, of the same place. He is a member of the Temple of Honor and Independent Order of Good Templars of Tyler, and being of a musical turn is one of the prominent mem- bers of the Tyler Cornet Band. In his various business enterprises Mr. Stow has attained merited success and has accumu- lated considerable means. He is careful and systematic in all his transactions, and in whatever direction his attention is drawn, the business with which he is occupied is carried on to success. His connection with the railroad company as depot agent and also with the express companies has always been of the most harmonious and cordial na- ture, and besides being profitable to himself has been highly satisfactory to the companies, who have given our subject recommendations of the highest grade. Mr. Stow is a man of excellent character and is respected by all who know him.
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INFIN J. BERDAHL, junior member of the firm of Christianson & Berdahl, is one of the leading and most prosperous merchants of Jasper, Pipestone county, Min- nesota. These gentlemen were the pioneer merchants of the village, opening their busi- ness May 17, 1888.
Mr. Berdahl is a native of Norway, where he was born December 12, 1852. His parents were John E. and Christina (Henjum) Ber- dahl, natives of Norway. The father was an extensive farmer in his native land and a man of considerable prominence and influ- ence. The family came to America in 1856, settling in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they lived some four years. Removing thence they settled in Houston county, Min- i nesota, where the father purchased eighty
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acres of school land in Black Hammer town- ship. He improved this farm and continued living thereon for a period of six years, at the end of which time he removed to Fill- more county, Minnesota, settling in the town of Amherst. His residence in that town was continued until 1873, in which year he removed to Minnehaha county, Da- kota. In the father's family there were nine children, eight of whom are now living- Andrew, Erick, Anfin J., Christina, Martha, Herman, Ole and Christopher.
The subject of our sketch remained with his parents, going with them in their various moves until he was about twenty-four years of age. He had been given ample educa- tional advantages in the common schools and obtained a fair education. At twenty- four years of age he commenced farming on his own account in Minnehaha county, Da- kota, continuing his agricultural pursuits until 1887. In that year he rented his farm and moved to Pipestone city, Pipestone county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the general mercantile business with his present partner. After eight months they concluded to move from Pipestone, so, packing their goods, they moved to Jasper village, becom- ing the pioneer merchants of that place. They put up a store building 22x40 feet, where they have since been engaged in a general trade.
Mr. Berdahl was married in 1878 to Miss Caroline Christenson, of Moody county, Dakota. This union was blessed with three living children-Christian O., John A. and Clara M.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is one of the promi- nent and successful business men of this part of Pipestone county. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and both himself and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is a stockholder in the Jasper Produce Company, of which he is the pres-
ent vice-president. In public matters he takes an active interest and has held several school and township offices.
ANS LAVESSON is the popular register of deeds of Lincoln county, Minnesota. Since coming to the county he has identified himself intimately with the interests of the republican party, and was first elected to his present position on the republican ticket in the fall of 1884. He is now serving on his third term, and through- out his official career he has performed the duties of his office with rare fidelity, and with entire satisfaction to his constituents. So popular has he become that at the two last elections at which he was re-elected, although his name had been brought forward and placed upon the republican ticket as a member of that party, yet the democrats have endorsed him, and assisted in his re- election in 1886-88.
Mr. Lavesson is the son of Lave and Anna Larson, both natives of Sweden. He was born in Skonastift Tornahared, Sweden, July 13, 1848. His parents were farmers by occupation, and he was reared a farmer's boy, receiving the educational advantages furnished by the district schools. Until fif- teen years of age he continued his studies in the schools, and assisted his parents on the farm, continuing with them at farm work until he was eighteen years old. He then engaged with an adjoining farmer, and worked out by the year. This line of life was not continued very long, however, for at the end of the year he became convinced that he could make nothing in his own land. So he concluded to emigrate to the United States. This he did, mak- ing a location in Wabasha county, Minne- sota, where he arrived June 1, 1868. Here he hired out to a farmer for $150 and board for a year, remaining with him for about one
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year. At the end of that time the wages were raised to $22 per month, but the raising of the wages did him but little good, as he never received any pay. He moved from that place disgusted with the manner in which business was done there, and stopped in Mankato, where he clerked in a dry goods store for some time. Close confinement, however, did not agree with his health, and he was forced to quit that kind of employment. He went to St. Paul and found employment with a liveryman as driver. This was done so that he might have the benefit of out-door work. He re- mained in the liveryman's employ for four years, and then returned, in 1875, to Wa- basha county, where his brother and himself rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1878. At that time he came to Lincoln county, Minnesota, and took a homestead and tree claim in Ash Lake township. He was one of the early settlers of this locality, and when he came there were only two houses in the township. He retained the ownership of his farm until the summer of 1884, when he sold out for $4,800. Since that time he has been engaged to some extent in buying and selling lands. He has bought and sold, and now owns, three hundred acres of good land, well im- proved and provided with very fine buildings.
The subject of our sketch was married in Stockholm, Wisconsin, July 25, 1876, to Miss Carrie Pearson, daughter of Peter and Olivia Pearson, natives of Sweden. Miss Pearson was born in Sweden and came to the United States with her parents when she was five years of age. She received her early training and education in Vasa, Good- hue county, Minnesota, where her parents still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Lavesson have been blessed with two children-Charles Elvin and Alice Minnie.
The life of the subject of our sketch since he came to Lincoln county has been inti-
mately associated with all matters pertain- ing to the public welfare. He has given of his time and means in the furtherance of various projects which tended toward the upbuilding of the general financial interests of the locality in which he has lived. He has interested himself largely in political movements, and has efficiently served his constituents in various official positions. He has been a member of the township board, township clerk, and held the latter office when elected register of deeds. He sent in his resignation as township clerk, but it was not accepted, and he had to hold that position until the following spring election. He has been quite promi- nent in governmental affairs, and is at pres- ent a member of the congressional committee, and has held some official position ever since locating in the county. He has a pleasant family, and, with his wife and children, be- longs to the Swedish Lutheran church.
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HARLES W. GILLAM is one of the leading and most substantial citizens of Windom, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He is a dealer in farm machinery and buys and sells grain of all kinds and is a member of the firm of Thurston Bros. & Gillam, dealers in general merchandise.
Mr. Gillam is a native of Omro, Winne- bago county, Wisconsin, where he was born April 10, 1861. His parents were Samuel S. and Cornelia (Clark) Gillam. The father is at present engaged in farming in Cotton wood county. The parents are both natives of New York and are still living. In the father's family there five children-Henry C., William S., Charles W., Edward E. and Albert.
The subject of our sketch was reared on the farm and received the educational ad- vantages furnished by the district school. He remained with his parents, assisting them in farm work, until twenty-one years of age,
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when he opened a flour and feed store in which he continued for about two years. He then added machinery and commenced buy- ing grain, continuing in this line ever since. He built an elevator in 1887 with a capacity of eight thousand bushels of grain. He is doing a large and extensive business and has a neat office on Ninth street. He is a man of large enterprise, and is one of the city's most enterprising and public-spirited mer- chants. In 1889 he was elected village re- corder, and is also chief of the fire depart- ment. He has interested himself largely in real estate investments and owns a consider- able amount of land in the county. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and is one of the most highly respected and sub- stantial citizens of Windom.
HARLES H. WORKS, who resides on section 28, Delton township, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, is one of the lead- ing farmers of the locality in which he lives. He has taken an active interest in local mat- ters, has filled various township offices and is regarded as an honorable and straightfor- ward man.
JOHN J. HOLDEN is one of the prosper- ous and influential citizens of Lake Sarah township, Murray county, Minnesota, where he located on section 2, in 1879. He pre-empted his present place, and has resided there ever since, with the exception of four years, from 1880 to 1884, which were spent by him in farming in Lyon county. Mr. Holden was one of the early settlers, and took an active interest in pioneer matters. In 1879 he broke forty acres of land, and the following year set out a fine grove of trees. At present he has a fine farm under good cul- tivation, and for some time he has owned an interest in a horse-power threshing machine.
In public matters he has always taken an active interest, and was elected assessor, which position he held one year during early days. While in Lyon county he held several official positions, among them being that of assessor, school director and treasurer of his school district. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors of Lake Sarah township for one year. In county matters he has always taken an active part, and in 1886 was elected one of the county commis- sioners, which position he still holds, having been re-elected in 1888. He is at present school clerk of District No. 13, which posi- tion he has held since 1885. All public matters, and especially educational affairs, meet with his earnest and hearty support.
Mr. Holden was born in Trondhjen, Nor- way, November 3, 1845. He remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, and then came to America, locating for four years in Dane county, Wisconsin. While in Dane county, Wisconsin, he worked in a woolen factory, and after four years he went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and remained until 1876 engaged in farming and in carpenter work. He then purchased a farm in Ellington township, Dodge county, and resided there for seven years, after which he sold out and came to his present place. Referring to his early life, we may see that he received a good common-school education in his native land up to the age of seventeen years, and during this time had learned the dyeing trade.
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