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 45

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 45

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The subject of our sketch received his early training and education in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1865, in which year he moved to Olmsted county, Minnesota. He purchased a farm in Farmington township, and made that his home until coming to Murray county, in 1878. While a resident of Olmsted county, our sub- ject engaged in the practice of medicine in connection with his farming operations, and while there became quite prominent in the public affairs of his township. He held sev- eral official positions with honor and credit.

William Coyle was married, in the year 1856, to Miss Catharine Yager, a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania. This lady died in 1859. Mr. Coyle was married to his sec- ond wife, Miss Emily Ette, in 1860. She was a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1862. The present Mrs. Coyle, to whom our subject was married in 1868, was Miss Cordelia Taylor, a native of the State of New York, born in St. Lawrence county, in 1845. She was reared in that county un- til twelve years of age, and then removed to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, whence, after five years' residence, she removed to Rochester,

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Minnesota. Her education was principally received in LaCrosse county, Wisconsin. She was a daughter of James and Amora Ann (Van Waters) Taylor, the father a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States at the age of fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle have been blessed with eight children -Frederick, Lorin, Mary, George, Lyman, Maude, Millie and Dock.

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is one of the representa- tive citizens of his township, and has held various important official positions. In poli- tics he affiliates with the democratic party, and is in sympathy with the doctrines of the Catholic church. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Coyle is one of the best business men of the town- ship, and has been school district treasurer, assessor and also township supervisor.

AVID JONES. This gentleman is a prominent citizen and well-to-do farmer of Shaokatan township, Lincoln county, Min- nesota, and resides on section 11. He was born in Wales, in October, 1821. His par- ents were David and Margaret (Williams) Jones. The only knowledge our subject has of the early life of his father is that he was a milkman in London. Removing from London, the father located in Wales, where our subject was born. The father engaged in farming in that country on a small farm of forty acres, and remained until 1841. His death occurred in 1844. At the time of his death the father was engaged in operating a carding mill, having sold his farm three years before. Our subject's mother died when he was four or five years old.

David Jones left the parental home in 1841, up to which time he had attended school in the winters and assisted his father on the farm. In the year above mentioned the father was married again, and our sub-

ject went to Aberyotwith, a sea-port town, where he was intending to hire out as a cabin boy on some vessel. His father heard of it, however, and he came down to the village and bound him out for five years to learn the cabinet-maker's trade. He remained in that business for five years, and then worked in a wheelwright's shop for one year. He then found employment in iron works and in various other employments until 1848, in which year he came to the United States. Landing in New York City, he went thence to Milwaukee, remaining two years, engaging in various kinds of building during the summers and cabinet-making in the winters. His next location was in Neenah, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where one year was spent in a chair-making shop. Then, in partnership with two others, he opened an establishment for manufactur- ing the same line of goods. After one year's prosperous business he purchased the interest of his partners, and operated it alone for six years. He then removed to Clifton, Calumet county, built a saw-mill, and taking in a part- ner, operated the mill one year, or until the breaking out of the war. His partner then enlisted in the Union army, and his brother then purchased his interest. After a few months the partnership again became broken, as the second partner enlisted, and Mr. Jones rented the mill for three years. After this he sold out and removed to Oshkosh, locating in that place in 1862. Six years were spent by him in the last named city, his time being occupied with the management of a cabinet shop. In 1868 he came to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and purchased a farm, engaging in agricultural pursuits until 1878. In that year he came to Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he purchased the place on which he now lives. He has a fine farm of 360 acres under good cultivation, and provided with good buildings. Since coming to the town- ship he has taken an active interest in all

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public matters, and has become one of Lin- coln county's representative citizens. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors for two years, being the first to hold that office. In politics he is a union labor man.

The marriage of the subject of our sketch occurred March 26, 1852, at which time he was united in matrimony to Elizabeth Jones, a native of Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been blessed with nine children - David T., John K., Daniel E., Henry W. (deceased), Mary E., Bertie (deceased), Benjamin F., Margaret A. and William W.

ILLIAM S. STORY, a prominent farmer and influential citizen, lo- cated on section 4, Amboy township, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, in March, 1881. He has since been engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising. His son Andrew now operates the farm, and our subject is living, to a great extent, a retired life.

Mr. Story was born in Cayuga county, New York, April 23, 1818. His father, Alexander Story, was a native of New York State and was a farmer by occupation. Our subject's mother's name was Abagail (Ste- venson) Story, a native of Maryland. In the father's family there were four chil- dren-William S., Andrew, Mannassah and Martha Jane.

Our subject was reared in his native county, receiving a good common-school education. Until twenty-five years of age he remained with his parents assisting in work on the home farm. In the fall of 1844, he started for Ohio, where he engaged in farming for two years. Then he returned to his native State, and after a year went back to Ohio, where three or four years were spent in agricultural pursuits. His next move was to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he remained until going to Sleepy Eye, Brown county, Minnesota, in 1879.

His next move was to locate in Cottonwood county where he has since lived.

William S. Story was married in April, 1849, to Miss Eliza Braudded, a native of Ohio, and who moved with her parents in early life to Indiana, where she was reared and educated. Miss Story was the daughter of John and Ann Clarrissa (Gurly) Braudded. Mrs. Braudded was a native of England, and came to America with her parents at the close of the Rebellion. Mr. Braudded was a native of Indiana. The mother died in that State. The father, after engaging for years in farming pursuits, went to Texas, where he died some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Story have six children living-Martha, Ella, Andrew, Lincoln, Rose and Lyona. William died at twenty-three years of age. Andrew, the son who is now operating the farm, was married in January, 1889, to Miss Amelia Trach, a native of Wisconsin, and' who came to Minnesota with her parents when seven years of age.

In political faith the subject of our sketch affiliates with the republican party. In June, 1885, he was appointed postmaster of Red Rock post-office and has held that posi- tion ever since. He has served in various official capacities with rare fidelity, among them being that of supervisor, etc. He is a representative citizen of his township and county and is held in high esteem.

HARLES SMITH, one of the very first settlers of Gray township and a prominent and leading farmer, made his settlement on section 26, Gray township, Pipestone county, Minnesota, May 2, 1878, settling on a homestead. In the following fall he moved with his family to the place and has made that his residence ever since. He has been prominent in the affairs of the organization and improvement of the town- ship and county, and has assisted in every

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way in bringing about the era of prosperity, which has dawned upon the people of Pipe- stone county. He has held many positions within the political gift of his friends and fellow-citizens, and has held the office of justice of the peace, assessor, and township clerk,having been identified with the last office for about five years. He has also been path- master for seven years, and treasurer of school district No. 13 since 1883. Among those who settled in the township about the time of the location of our subject were Mr. Campbell, Mr. Clifford, W. D. Peck, H. Dickey and Samuel Avery.

The subject of our sketch is of German de- scent and birth. He was born in Hesse, Germany, April 4, 1843, and was the son of Jacob and Maria Ann (Wirth) Smith, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a miller by trade and in connection with that business was engaged extensively in farming. The father died in his native land in 1846, a prominent man and esteemed by all who knew him. The mother came to the United States in 1867 and located in Grant county, Wisconsin, where she died in 1887, being at that time seventy-seven years of age, and an exemplary member of the Lutheran church. The subject of our sketch was one of four children-Anthony, Jacob, Charles and Vironka. Until he was fourteen years of age Mr. Smith remained with his parents and received a partial edu- cation. His training had been received in a religious family and being surrounded with pious influences before he left his boyhood's home he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. At the age of fourteen he came to America, landing in New Orleans, whence he went to Grant county, Wisconsin, and made that his home until in the fall of 1861. In February, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Sixteenth regiment, United States Volunteer Infantry, at McGregor, Iowa. Soon after he was promoted to the

rank of sergeant, and continued in the ser- vice until his discharge, February 12, 1865. Mr. Smith saw much severe service, and his loyalty to his adopted country was well proven in many battles in which he engaged. Among these were the battle of Lookout mountain, where his regiment served under General Thomas; Shiloh, Corinth, which oc- curred in May, 1862 ; Stone River, Hoover's Gap, in June, 1863; all the battles and skir- mishes in the Tallehoma campaign ; Chicka- mauga, September 19-26, 1863, at which battle he was severely wounded in the head ; Mission Ridge, November 24, 1863; Buz- zard's Roost, which took place in June, 1864; New Hope Church, in the same month in 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, in July, 1864 ; Ma- rietta, in the same month ; Peach Tree Creek, on the 22d day of same month ; Atlanta, where he was engaged in more or less fighting, continuing for a period of three weeks, and Jonesburg, which was the last battle of any note in which our subject participated. After Mr. Smith received his discharge he returned to the State of Wisconsin, and re- mained until the fall of 1865 in Grant county. At that time he removed to Wi- nona county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the butcher business for about one year. From thence he removed to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and for a period of one year was engaged in the milling business. Then he removed to Minneapolis, where he engaged in the occupation of milling for about one year. He returned after this period to Grant county, where he stopped for some time engaged in the grocery and butcher busi- ness. It was here that he was married in 1868. He continued in the grocery and butcher business with excellent success un- til 1875, in Lancaster, Grant county. In that year he removed to New Albin, Alla- makee county, Iowa, where for one year he was engaged in the butcher business. The following two years were spent by him in

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the same business in Vernon county, Wis- consin, and at the end of that period he re- moved to Pipestone county, locating on the farm where he has since lived.

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage August 30, 1868, to Miss Kate Schoenberger, a native of Germany. When she was eight years of age she came with her parents to the United States, settling with them in Crawford county, Wisconsin, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed with three children-Nettie M., Fred C. and Stella E.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party. His long war experience and position in the army en- titles him to the prominent place he takes in the transactions of the Grand Army of the Republic, Simon Mix Post, No. 95, of which he is the present vice commander. He also stands high in the Odd Fellows fraternity, of which society he is past grand. He has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1868. The subject of our sketch has seen extremely hard times since coming to Minnesota. When he landed in Pipestone county with his family he had but little in the way of improvement on his farm, and had but thirty-five cents in money with which to carry his family until the spring. However, by good management, and by finding some outside work to do, he managed to get along through the following mild winter without much suffering. For fuel the family used slough grass, and under- went other privations to which pioneer life is subject. The following spring Mr. Smith was forced to go into debt for his seed grain, mortgaging his team to obtain money there- for. Crops came on well during the early summer, but before the harvest was gathered the dreaded grasshopper came and destroyed his first crop. This was very discouraging, but as good fortune would have it Mr. Smith found employment on the railroad,

which was then being built through the county, and made enough money to pay off the mortgage on his team. He thus com- menced laying the foundation for his present good circumstances. Mr. Smith is energetic and thrifty, and is one of the most practical farmers in the township. He is a good citi- zen, and holds the esteem of all his fellow- citizens.

JOHN C. KUFUS is a leading and influ- ential business man of Pipestone City, Minnesota. He is an extensive dealer in dry goods, notions, carpets, etc., and has the largest stock in the county. He is also en- gaged in the flour, feed and seed business, his headquarters for the operation of this line being in the bank building, on Hiawatha street. Mr. Kufus located in Pipestone in 1885 and immediately opened in the mer- cantile business. His flour and feed store was not opened until in 1888.

The place of the nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in Germany, where he was born August 25, 1845. He is a son of Gottlieb and Fredricke (Dreir) Kufus, both natives of Germany. The father was a house-builder and cabinet-maker by trade and followed that occupation in his native country until in 1847, in which year he came to America and settled in Warren county, Missouri, on a pre-emption of 160 acres of land. While engaged in breaking up his farm and bringing it up to a high state of cultivation, he engaged in work at his trade. He made Missouri his home for some nine years and then came to the State of Iowa and settled at Keokuk. After following his trade in that city for some time, he then came to Junean county, Wisconsin, and shortly afterward to LaCrosse county, in both of which counties he followed the mercantile business. Moving from Wis. consin, he settled in Sioux Falls, in which

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city he is now living a retired life, having purchased considerable property and having several houses and store buildings rented, which yield him a large income. He is one of the wealthiest men in that city and is re- spected and esteemed by all who know him. The mother of our subject died in 1885. In the father's family there were four children, three of whom are now living-Louise, now Mrs. Angel of Sioux Falls ; Horace A., now engaged in the real estate and loan business in Nebraska, and our subject.

John C. Kufus received his early training and education in the States of Missouri and Iowa, remaining with his parents until his marriage. He then opened a restaurant at Wapello, Iowa, where he continued in busi- ness until 1884, in which year he removed to Mount Vernon, Dakota. After remaining in that place for about one year engaged in the mercantile business, he then sold out and came to Pipestone City where he has since lived. Since coming to the city our subject has built an elegant dwelling house. which he has provided with all modern improve- ments. He also purchased a business lot on which the store building used by him for storage purposes now stands. Besides the property interests Mr. Kufus possesses in Pipestone City he also owns two fine farms near Mitchell, Dakota.

Mr. Kufus was married to Miss Mollie M. Rabold, a daughter of William and Minnie (Kuchler) Rabold, both natives of Germany. Her parents came to America in an early day and settled in the State of Iowa, where the father died in 1884. The mother is still living in Wapello, Iowa. Mrs. Kufus was born in Wapello, Louisa county, Iowa, where she received her early training and education and where she was married to our subject. She died in 1887 and was buried in the family burying ground at Sioux Falls, Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Kufus had four chil- dren, all born in Wapello, Iowa, and all liv-

ing at the present time. Their names are- John W., now connected with his father in business ; Edwin G., Laurin R. and Talma M.

The subject of our sketch affiliates with the democratic party. Himself and family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kufus has been eminently suc- cessful in his business career and has accumu- lated large means. He has an excellent assortment and a large stock of general mer- chandise and has built up an extensive trade. He is gentlemanly and intelligent, is energetic, public spirited, and is respected by all with whom he comes in contact. He is one of the solid and substantial business men of the city and county.

AMES H. HODGMAN is a retired farmer and resides in Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota. He was born in Canada in the year 1822.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Benjamin and Betsey (Colby) IIodg- man, the former a native of Vermont and the latter born in Maine. In early life Ben- jamin Hodgman went with his parents to Canada, where they engaged in farming. In 1843 he removed to Vermont, and resided there until 1862, in which year he came west to Minnesota, locating at Pine Island, Goodhue county. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life, and died in 1865. The mother died in Vermont in 1857. They had a family of ten children, six of whom are now living-Harry, James HI., Otis, David, Edwin and Lyman.

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and received his education in the primitive log school-houses so common in the pioneer days. He went with his father to Vermont, and labored on the farm in the summers and worked at lumbering to some extent in the winters. In 1853 he went to Will county, Illinois, and engaged in con-

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tracting and building in the village of Lock- port for a year. He then returned to Ver- mont, and in the spring of 1855 located in Rochester, Racine county, Wisconsin. Here he rented a farm, and operated the same for a year. His next move was to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he settled on gov- ernment land in New Haven township. He owned 320 acres of land, and en- gaged in general farming for six years, after which he removed to Cascade township, six miles from the city of Rochester, and re- sided in that locality until 1877. He then sold out and removed to Winnebago City, where he purchased his present residence and also 160 acres of land near Rice Lake, two miles north of the village. He resided there from September, 1877, until September, 1878, when he returned to New Haven town- ship, Olmsted county, and settled on his timber claim. He engaged in the wood busi- ness, cutting some sixty acres of timber and shipping it to Rochester. He remained some three years, after which one year was spent in the city of Rochester, where he engaged in the furniture business. He then returned to his farm and remained until 1884. He then chartered a car and took his family, household goods, horses, wagons, etc., and went to Portland, Oregon, whence he traveled through Washington Territory and Oregon and along the coast for some two months ; then shipping his goods for Ash- land, Jackson county, Oregon, he purchased a house and lot and remained until 1885. IIe then went to Sacramento, California, for the benefit of his wife's health, as she had been suffering for some years with the rheu- matism. After a two months' stay his next move was to Wichita, Kansas, where the family lived for one year. While residing in that city our subject was engaged in sell- ing pianos and organs. At the end of the year he came again to Winnebago City, where he has since resided.

The subject of our sketch was married in the year 1853 to Miss Diana Colby, of Upper Canada, and daughter of Rufus Colby. This union has been blessed with four children- Jennie L., Willie H., Lee E. and Scott. Mrs. Hodgman died in February, 1889. She was a lady of excellent qualities, and her death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.

In politics Mr. Hodgman affiliates with the republican party, and has served his con- stituents in various official capacities. In Olmsted county he held the office of treas- urer, etc., and in every instance served faith- fully, and to the entire satisfaction of all with whom he came in contact. Since com- ing to Winnebago City he has made many friends and is highly esteemed.

ENRY E. HANSON is the present efficient register of deeds in and for Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He is a na- tive of Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he was born September 18, 1860. He was the son of Elling and Guro (Helgeson) Hanson, both natives of Norway. The parents came to America in an early day, and settled on Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. In about 1857 they came to Minnesota, locating on a farm in Fillmore county. Here the father lived until his death, which occurred in 1860. The mother is now a resident of Ann township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. They had a family of three children, two of whom are now living-Annie, now Mrs. Eugene Nich- ols, and Henry E., our subject.

Mr. Hanson was reared on a farm, and re- ceived such educational advantages as were furnished in the district schools. In 1871 he came to Cottonwood county with his mother and settled on a farm in Ann township. He attended school for one winter in the village of Sleepy Eye, and taught school for several terms in Ann township and for one term in

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Westbrook township. He purchased 160 acres of land, and engaged in farming until 1889, and January 1st moved into the village of Windom to take possession of his present office, to which he had been elected in the fall of 1888. He was elected justice of the peace in 1885, serving four years, and also held the position of township clerk during that time. Since coming to the village he has purchased two lots, on which he has erected a comfortable and commodious home. He has a good farm under excellent cultivation, and has it supplied with good farm buildings. He has been quite success- ful in raising grain and graded cattle.

Mr. Hanson was married in 1888 to Miss Julia Peterson, a daughter of Paul Peterson, of Cottonwood county. This union has been blessed with one child, Emma P. .

In all matters of a public nature Mr. Han- son takes an active and prominent part. He is one of the young progressive men of Cot- tonwood county, and bids fair to occupy some of the most important positions within the gift of his fellow-citizens. Since taking pos- session of his office, he has proven himself a man of great efficiency, and has become quite popular. . In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows frater- nity, and with his wife belongs to the Luth- eran church.

AMES YOUNG, JR., is a leading farmer of Murray township, Murray county, Minnesota. He homesteaded his land on section 18 of that township, in September, 1869, and was one of the first settlers of the township, and assisted in its organization. He has held various official positions, and in every instance has proven his efficiency, and has become quite popular with his constitu- ents. He was supervisor for three terms, and held various other positions. The first

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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 45

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