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 46
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year he built a kind of rude shanty out of poles, thatched with hay. Two months later he went to St. Peter, procured lumber, and bringing this to his farm, built a shanty 12x14 feet. This was his home until he built his present commodious and pleasant resi- dence. The first improvements on his place were of a rude' character, consisting of the hay stable and other buildings built in the same primitive manner. He broke some thirty acres of land. The first crop yielded him 132 bushels of wheat. The next season proved a dry one, and from forty acres he reaped a small harvest, and had to haul grain to the Rapidan mill, near Mankato, also to New Ulm and Madelia, New Ulm being his postoffice and market-place for some years. For several years the crops were destroyed, and our subject saw hard times, but this has all been forgotten, and he is now in good circumstances. He is at present engaged in general farming, and gives special attention to raising mules.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born in the east- ern part of Canada, February 9, 1830. At five years of age he went with his parents to Franklin county, New York, and thence to St. Lawrence county, where he remained until he became of age. In the lat- ter county he received his education, and removed thence, locating on a farm in Mas- sachusetts for three years. At the end of that time he returned to his home in the State of New York. After a short period he went to Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he lived four years, then removed to Free- born county, Minnesota, where he spent eleven years, engaged in farming until com- ing to Murray county, Minnesota where he has since lived.
On the breaking out of the war Mr. Young felt that it was his duty to answer the call of the president for volunteers to avenge the insults which had been offered
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the stars and stripes. The fires of patriotism burned in his bosom, and he enlisted Feb- ruary 17, 1862, in Company C, Fifth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He served under Captain Hall, of Albert Lea, and also Captain Timothy J. Sheehan. Mr. Young saw severe service, and fought bravely and gallantly for his country's honor. He participated in the battle of Fort Ridgley, and was for many days in constant battle with the Indians. On account of physical disabilities which had been aug- mented by his military service, he was dis- charged in December, 1862, and soon there- after returned to his home.
Mr. Young was united in the holy bonds of matrimony April 5, 1854, to Miss Luthera Mallory, a native of the State of New York, where she was born February 1, 1831. The place of her birth was in Moira, Franklin county, New York, where she lived until she was twenty-three years of age, and where she received a good common-school education. She was the daughter of Kendrick and Lucinda (Field) Mallory, the former a native of the State of New York, and the latter born in Massachusetts. When her father was quite young the family removed to Mas- sachusetts, where Mr. Mallory was married. They then returned to Franklin county, where he has always remained. The mother died in the State of New York. In the Mallory family there were nine children, eight of whom grew to man and womanhood -- Charles, Luthera (now Mrs. Young), Sophia, James, Amanda and Miranda (twins), Alden and Lorin. Mr. and Mrs. Young have been blessed with the following named children- Ida, Lillian, Mary, Addison and Ernest. Ida is now Mrs. R. D. Marlette, her husband being a carpenter of Tracy. Lillian married L. M. Ayers, a publisher of St. Paul. Mary married A. B. Smith, a farmer of Mason township, Murray county.
For many years the subject of our sketch
affiliated with the republican party, but in 1888, being of strong temperance prin- ciples, he joined the prohibition move- ment and is now a member of that party. He takes an active interest in all matters of a religious nature, being a man of pious character, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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OHN L. BENNETT is the efficient and popular postmaster of Lake Benton, Minnesota. He is the son of Justus J. and Sarah (Lang) Bennett, both natives of New York. The Bennetts are of German descent, while the Lang family trace their ancestry to Scotland. The subject of our sketch, John L., was born in Hamburgh, Livingston county, Michigan, January 8, 1840. The parents were farmers by occupation and he resided with them on the home farm, where he was given the advantages for an educa- tion furnished by the district schools. He was attached to his home, and remained with his parents, giving them the benefit of his toil, until the breaking out of the war.
On the 18th day of August, 1862, Mr. Bennett enlisted in Company E, Twenty- sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was with that regiment in New York City dur- ing the Irish riot. After this disturbance was quelled the regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac at Manassas Junction. Our subject remained with his division of the army throughout the war, and was with them serving on the skirmish line when General Lee surrendered. Our subject was in a great many hard-fought battles and had many narrow escapes. His hardest experience was in the battle of the Wilder- ness, where he passed through many hair- breadth escapes. He was severely wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania, from the re- suit of which he was laid up from May 11th until August 18th. He was mustered out of
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service with his regiment at Jackson, Michi- gan, and shortly after returned to Shiawassee county, where his parents lived. He re- mained with them until October 4, 1866, when he was married and then moved to Owasso, same State, where he engaged in farming, remaining in that locality until 1872. He then sold out and removed to Hubbardstown and engaged in the grocery business in which line he continued until 1876. He then went to Perry, Michigan, where he worked at the carpenter trade until 1881, in which year he came to Lincoln county and took a 160-acre soldier's homestead and continued his resi- dence on this claim for two and a half years, when he obtained a title from the government and sold out and purchased a furniture store in Lake Benton. This business he still runs in connection with his present position. He wasappointed postmaster January 18, 1889.
The subject of our sketch was married Octo- ber 4, 1866, to Miss Martha Alling, a daughter of Alanson and Bulah Alling, of English des- cent, and both born in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had four chil- dren-Rosabelle, J. E., Robert E. and Artie.
Our subject is a man who commands re- spect wherever he is known. Heis an old sol- dier and can look back over an honorable mili- tary career spent in trying to defend the Union. During those times he was a brave and true soldier and served his country well and faithfully, so to-day he is a true and faithful citizen and ably seconds all projects which tend to the protection and building up of the business interests of the village in which he lives.
ENRY E. BRIGGS is the cashier of the First National Bank of Pipestone city. He is a native of England, where he was born in 1856. He was thoroughly edu- cated in his native land and spent two years in Switzerland studying the languages. For
two years before leaving England he was engaged in the banking business, and for five years in the wholesale dry goods busi- ness. In September, 1880, he came to America, and for a time was engaged in farming near Kingsley, Iowa. In 1882 he came to Luverne, Minnesota, and again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and also to the raising of stock. Ile was a large and extensive farmer and operated three sections of land. In 1884 he came to Pipestone and assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of that city. He has large landed interests throughout the county and in Southwestern Minnesota and is considered one of the solid influential citi- zens of Pipestone. His abilities in a business way have been utilized in various offices, among them being that of village treasurer, which office he held from 1886 to 1888. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the democratic party, and is an influential mem- ber of the Masonic order.
JOHN A. TALBERT, one of the leading farmers of Sweet township, is a resident of section 12. He was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, March 18, 1859.
The parents of the subject of our sketch were Dr. George E. and Asteline F. (Bray- ton) Talbert, the father being a native of Virginia and the mother a native of Wiscon- sin. The father was a man of excellent ed- ucation, and was thoroughly fitted for the duties of his profession. He was a graduate of the university at Delaware, Ohio, and soon thereafter went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he commenced the practice of his pro- fession. At Muscatine he met his future wife's father, and on his solicitation, in 1856, concluded to remove to Columbia county, Wisconsin, opening business in the practice of his profession in the village of Fall River. He remained in that place until 1860, when
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he removed to Greene county, Ohio, where he owned a farm, and on which he lived some eighteen months. At the end of this time he returned to Fall River, Wisconsin, and engaged in the practice of his profession un- til John A. was about eight years old. At this time the father again removed to Ohio, and settled on his farm, remaining there some five and a half years. At the end of this time he again returned to Fall River, Wisconsin, and for two years practiced his profession with excellent success. Removing thence, he settled in the city.of Beaver Dam, same State, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since, and where he has built up an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon. He is one of the leading citizens of the town in which he lives.
John A. Talbert, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, remained under parental authority until he was about twenty- one years of age, up to which time he had been given excellent school advantages, and had obtained a good education. In 1880 he left his home and came to Minnesota, set- tling in Rock county, where, during one summer, he worked on a farm, and the following season purchased the farm where he now lives. He built a neat residence in 1884, and has surrounded himself with the comforts indicative of a prosperous farm life.
Mr. Talbert was united in marriage, March 10, 1886, to Miss Emma Rogers, a native of Wisconsin. She is the daughter of William Rogers and wife, both of whom are at present living in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Talbert have been blessed with two children; George R. and Ethel May. George R. died when an infant.
The subject of our sketch received a thorough classical education, and was well fitted for any life of business activity into which he might be called. He is a man of broad ideas, sound judgment, and is possessed
of a high character. In politics he affiliates with the union labor party. In his farm operations he has been quite successful, and now owns 160 acres of fine land, well im- proved, and having comfortable buildings thereon.
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ON. DANIEL F. GOODRICH, de- ceased, was one of the prominent attorneys of Faribault county, Minnesota, and resided in the State from 1867 until his death, making his home in Blue Earth City, where he has occupied a prominent position in social and political circles. He was a member of the State legislature, having served in the senate for several terms. He was a republican in politics, and was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity of Blue Earth City.
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JOHN H. CURTIS is a prominent farmer of Shaokatan township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, and owns an excellent farm on section 24.
The place of the nativity of Mr. Curtis is found in Mason county, Kentucky, where he was born October 16, 1829. He was the son of Nicholas and Rebecca (Petticord) Curtis, both natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was the son of John Curtis, a native of Virginia, who was also a farmer by occupation.
John H. Curtis assisted his parents on the farm, being favored with but very poor edu- cational advantages. The father died in 1850, and John H. took charge of the farm until 1865. Then he came west, locating in McLain county, Illinois, where he rented and operated a farm until the spring of 1877. He then came to the State of Minnesota, becoming one of the early settlers of Lyon county, where he remained two years. Re- moving thence in the spring of 1879, he
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located on his present place on the shores of Lake Shaokatan. He has a fine farm of 148 acres, under good cultivation, and well provided with farm buildings. In politics he affiliates with no particular party, but be- lieves in occupying an independent position. He supports the man best adapted and qual- ified for the position. He is a inan of good character.
In May, 1850, occurred the wedding day of John H. Curtis, when he was married to Miss Sarah Barclay, a native of Kentucky. She died April 13, 1879, and was buried in Shaokatan township. This union was blessed with six children : Alice, Mary Belle, Nich- olas, James E., William H. and Charles H., all of whom are living at the present time in Lincoln county.
ON. JAMES B. WAKEFIELD, ex- lieutenant-governor of the State of Minnesota, is a resident of Blue Earth City, Faribault county, where he located in 1856. He was born in Winsted, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on the 21st of March, 1828. He was thoroughly educated in his early life, and was prepared for the legal profession, being admitted to the bar in the State of Ohio in 1851. He practiced two years in Delphi, Indiana, came to Minnesota in 1854, and after two years' work in his profession, settled in Blue Earth City. Mr. Wakefield has trained with the republican party since its organization, has served as a delegate to several national conventions, and has oc- cupied a prominent place in the party affairs of the State. He has been a member of the State senate for three terms, and was speaker of the house during the latter year of a two years' service, and served as lieutenant-gov- ernor. He is one of the foremost men in southern Minnesota, and has always been considered one of the most useful and influ- ential citizens of Blue Earth City.
ATHANIEL P. HOAG, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Carson township, Cottonwood county, Minn., located on his present place on section 12, May 13, 1871.
Mr. Hoag was born in Addison county, Vermont, January 22, 1815. His parents were Elijah and Lydia (Varney) Hoag, natives of New York and Maine, respectively. The father was born in Duchess county, New York, and engaged in farming through- out his life. When nine years of age he re- moved with his parents to Addison county, Vermont, settling in Ferrisburg, whence, after several years' residence, they re- moved to Lincoln, in the same county. In 1832 the family emigrated to the State of New York, and in 1867 went to the province of Ontario, Canada, locating in the village of Baltimore, where the father died in 1879. The father was a consistent member of the Quaker church. Our subject's mother was reared and educated in the State of Maine, where her people were engaged in farming. Her parents were the first settlers of Vassal- borough, in that State. The mother died in 1825. In the father's family there were ten children : Nathaniel P., Richard, Mary, Martha, Abagail, Justin and Hannah by his first marriage, and Jacob, Jane Ann and Lydia by his second marriage.
The early life of our subject was spent in his native county, and he remained with his parents until he was seventeen years of age. Emigrating at that time to Clinton county, same State, he made that his home until July, 1862, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighteenth New York Volunteer Infantry. The colonel of this regiment was Samuel T. Richards, a man of excellent qualities and a good officer. Our subject was mustered into the United States service at Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York, September 1, 1862, and was mustered out on the 14th of June, 1864, as fifth ser-
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geant of his regiment. On leaving the serv- ice he at once went to the State of Virginia, where he engaged in lumbering for three years. His next location was in the State of New York, where he remained until the fol- lowing spring, at which time he came to Cot- ton wood county.
Mr. Hoag was married April 10, 1877, to Mrs. Jane (Carrington) Baker, a native of the village of Henrietta, Monroe county, New York, where she was born July 7, 1829. When five years of age she went to Ontario, New York, and remained until she was thirteen, when her parents went to Ohio, in which State she received the major part of her education. Miss Carrington married William Baker on the 10th of De- cember, 1850. The family lived a short time in Lafayette and Medina counties, Ohio, then went to Cleveland, thence after two years they emigrated to Wisconsin, locating in Minnesota in September, 1863. Mr. Baker was a farmer by occupation, but was a machinist by trade. He was killed in the Janesville mill, March 13, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Baker had five children-Nellie, Daniel, George, Helen and Minnie. Helen died at the age of two years ; Minnie is now a teacher. Mrs. Hoag's father was William Carrington, a wheelwright by trade, and her mother's maiden name was Jerusha W. Marsh, the father being born in Oneida county, New York, and the mother in Ontario county, same State. The mother is still living and is eighty-five years of age.
In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party. He is a man of considerable enterprise and has always taken an active interest in public matters. He has held various official posi- tions. Having been one of the first settlers of Carson township he has been intimately associated with its political affairs, assisting in its organization in June, 1871. He has been clerk of the township, member of the
board of supervisors, and director of school district number sixteen, having held the latter position some two years. Mr. Hoag is one of the leading members of the Con- gregational church, and was ordained a dca- con of that society in 1879. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is one of Cottonwood county's representative citizens.
ILLIAM W. GOBLE is one of the prominent residents of the village of Currie, Murray county, Minnesota. He located in the county in June, 1873, and soon after purchased 160 acres of land on section 8, Murray township. He was one among the early settlers of the township, and has taken an active part in all matters of a public nature. The land on which he settled had been homesteaded by a man by the name of Abner T. Marsh. Mr. Marsh had obtained a title to his land and sold out to Mr. Goble. Our subject commenced active operations on his farm, built a log house 16x20 feet, with a lean-to eight feet wide, set out a large number of trees, and made various other improvements. This log house of which we have just spoken be- came interesting from the fact that in the extensive Indian scare of Southwestern Min- nesota it was used by the white settlers as a kind of fort. Mr. Goble remained on his farm until the spring of 1883, when he re- moved to Tracy, remaining in that village about two years engaged in work at the car- penter's trade. He then came to the village of Currie, where he has since remained.
William W. Goble, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1836. He received his early training and education in that county, remaining until he was twenty years of age, when, on his birthday, he started to find a location in the West. He stopped in Fond du Lac county,
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Wisconsin, and remained .there some six or eight months, when he located in Buchanan county, Iowa. After one and a half years spent in farming he returned to Wisconsin and spent two and a half years there, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He then went to the oil regions, engaging in putting down oil wells until 1864. He then returned to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farm work for five years. After that time had expired he came to Mur- ray county, Minnesota.
Mr. Goble was united in marriage June 18, 1863, to Miss Samantha J. Finch, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where she received her early training and education. She died at the age of thirty-two years in the fall of 1882, and was buried in Murray township. She was an estimable Christian lady, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In January, 1885, Mr. Goble was married to Miss Hettie E. Lester, a native of the State of New York. Mr. Goble had four children by his first wife- Elmer E., Hettie, who died at the age of fifteen years; Lizzie M. and Miron W.
Mr. Goble is a man of the strictest piety, and is an exemplary member of the Presby- terian church, holding the office of elder in that society. For some years he was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he also held the position of recording steward. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party, and is a member of the Masonic Order, being chaplain of the local lodge. Ever since coming to the county, in- deed throughout his life, he has taken an ac- tive interest in all matters which pertain to the public welfare, and has held various offi- cial positions. He is a man of excellent bus- iness abilities, and has been deeply interested in the welfare of all projects for the develop- inent of his community. He has been town- ship clerk and also a member of the board of supervisors for some time. He is a man of
excellent reputation and wherever known is highly respected.
HILIP F. POORBAUGH, a live, ener- getic business man of Jasper, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota, is the agent for the Jasper Improvement Company. On the 15th of April, 1888, he came to the place where Jasper village is now located, for the pur- pose of laying the foundations of that town. For six months he lived in a tent, and com- menced booming the village and staking out town lots. He built the Jasper Hotel, which was the first house on the town plat. After running this hotel until in December, 1888, he then sold out and gave his attention more directly to handling village property. In July, 1888, he built the large stone livery stable, and ran a livery in connection with his other business. He also built the first blacksmith shop and also a dwelling-house. He is thoroughly alive to the needs of the village in every way, and aids willingly and largely in making improvements. During this season (summer of 1889) he will build the finest dwelling-house in the village, and one of the finest stone blocks in the county, to be known as the " Bank Block." In social and educational matters our subject has taken a prominent part, and is at present treasurer of the school district, and in May, 1889, by a unanimous vote, he was elected president of the village council.
Mr. Poorbaugh's native place is found in the State of Indiana, where he was born in 1856. A sketch of the life of the father of the sub- ject of our sketch is given in the biography of J. M. Poorbaugh, in another department of this work. The subject of our sketch re- mained with his parents throughout his boy- hood and youth, acquiring a good common- school education in the public schools. At six- teen years of age he apprenticed to learn the mason trade, which line of occupation lie
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followed until in 1887. He was an excellent workman and filled considerable contract work of the Burlington and Manitoba rail- roads, employing during this time some 250 men. In 1881 he came to Minnesota and located at Pipestone, making that village his headquarters while working on his contracts with the Burlington company. He also en- gaged to some extent in making real estate investments, buying and selling Pipestone City property. He built a residence in that city and became quite popular among the business men of that place. He owned a homestead and tree claim about nine miles north of Pipestone and lived for some time on the homestead, on which he built a house and made other improvements. His experi- ence on the farm was not of an agreeable character and he soon gave it up for more pleasant as well as more lucrative employ- ment. While on the farm he burned hay for fuel and in various other ways experi- enced some of the disagreeable features of pioneer life. Again he concluded to try farming, and after living in the village of Pipestone for a short time he purchased a farm of 160 acres six miles west of the city, on which he lived some two years, making excellent improvements. Then he returned to the city of Pipestone, and after one year's residence there came to Jasper village, where he has since lived. Since coming to the vil- lage he has had charge of the interests of the Jasper Improvement Company, at which line he has made a remarkable success.
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