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 51

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 51

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would run to him. There are but few children now that know the pleasure in being chased by Indians. ITis time was em- ployed in assisting in work on the home farm and attending the district schools. When he was about twelve years old, he was assist- ing his father to build a fence. He was hold- . ing the end of a log on a stone wall while his father fastened the other end. His father let his end fall and broke George's collar bone. His father told him " not to mind it, he could tell folks when he was a man that he helped to build that fence." At seventeen he went to Little Rock, Arkansas, to drive team for the government during the last year of the war, and he then learned what it was to be an employ of Uncle Sam in war times. At St. Louis barracks all that were out at meal time were kept out by the guard until those that were in had got through eating and the tables set again. The guards were German and could not talk English. One night our subject was among the number that were out, and the crowd behind him crowded him up to the guard line. The guard motioned him to stand back, but he might as well have tried to back through a solid wall. The guard then charged him with his bayonet ; put it through his pants legs several times ; but the pants were heavy, and the point of the bayonet would go past his legs before it would cut the cloth. Find- ing that he was not doing much damage, he clubbed his gun and knocked George and three or four more down with it. A few days later George with others started for Little Rock on a steamer, on which they were doled out about one-third the rations that they were entitled to. When they reached Cairo the hind end of the steamer came against a barge and all that could jumped for shore. Some of our sub- ject's friends were put in to guard the pro- visions and his little band of seven filled their satchels. They did not go hungry

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thereafter until they reached Little Rock, in December, there they stayed for three days without tents or blankets. From there they went to Duvall's Bluffs for the winter, where they were regularly robbed of three-fourths of their rations. They- patched out by going to the landing when steamers were unload- ing and mixing with the laborers that were unloading, and, picking up a box of "hard tack," they would carry it to the levy and drop it on a stone where their comrades were ready to help grab the contents. From the 22d of December, 1864, to January 4, 1865, all they had to eat was the corn that they stole from the pile from which the mules were fed, yet the United States storehouses were full of supplies. What a dreary Christ- mas and New-Year's feast were spent! The teams never had to go hungry. Our sub- ject was taken sick soon after and sent to Little Rock, where he spent two months. After he had been there about one month he commenced to get better and had a good appetite, but they said that the one little piece of bread and cup of tea were all he could have. The reason they gave was that if they gave enough to eat the sick would want to stay there all the time-so they were literally starved out. In March he was discharged. He then went back home on the steamboat " Albert Lea." At Helena the steamboat was chartered to go to Vicks- burg. It took three weeks to reach St. Louis. And when he reached home his father did not know lini, he was so poor and thin. He remained at home one year and then went to the lumber woods and hired to go to St. Louis on a lumber raft. One of the pilots used to say that the scenery was worth the trip and it is fine, as they passed through the Dells at Kilbourn which people go to see from all over the United States. When they reached Little Bull falls the river was very high and there had been no lumber run over for days. That night (May 1st) it snowed

six inches and they found their clothes frozen to the lumber in the morning. They then commenced to run the lumber over the falls. It dove so that just below the falls there was not a man in sight-everyone cling- ing to ropes so as not to be swept away Three were drowned at the falls that day. Mr. Mennie continued to work amid the grand scenery of the lumber woods, and Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers for eight years, making his home at Portage City, after he was married. After these eight years of service in the pineries he re- turned to Portage City, and made that his ome for about two years. He then came ho Minnesota and settled in Olnisted county, tand engaged in farming for about two years. In 1878 he joined the little handful of early settlers in Lincoln county, and located the claim on which he now lives. Returning to Olmsted county, he remained there until the following spring, then returned for a short time to Lincoln county that he might fulfill the requirements of the law. In the fall of 1879 he moved his family to his land, and made a permanent residence.

The subject of our sketch was married to Miss Alice Wicks, September 6, 1866, at Montello, Wisconsin. This lady was a na- tive of New York State. Her father moved to Green Lake county, when she was two years old. He died the following spring, leaving a wife and six small children in the wilderness to fight for a sustenance amongst hardships that are seldom endured by pioneer settlers. Many times their provisions were all gone, but kind neighbors learning their circumstances helped them to tide over until they could get more supplies. Mr. and Mrs. Mennie have been blessed with seven chil- dren-Maud (deceased), Margaret A. (de- ceased), Herbert (deceased), Jessie C., Earl G., Alice Ione and Madge L. Mr. Mennie has a hospitable home, and a pleasant and agreeable family.

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Mr. Mennie's father always allowed his children to keep any money that they earned working for the neighbors at odd spells, when not busy on the home farm. They earned enough to buy them some sheep, working, and also catching quails, so that the three oldest had about $100 apiece when they left home.

During the early life of the subject of our sketch he was given good educational advan- tages in the district schools and acquired such an education as would fit him for the duties of almost any life. In politics he is an independent, supporting the best candi- dates for official positions rather than sup- porting parties. Independent and progres- sive in his thought, fearless and outspoken in regard to anything which he deems to bc right, he has proven himself an important factor in the development and growth of Lincoln county and his abilities have been utilized in various ways in local governmen- tal affairs. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors for one term, was path- master one term, and has been clerk of the school board for four years. Being one of the earliest settlers our subject is well known and esteemed for his enterprise and ability as a man and his loyalty and patriotism as a citizen. Possessed of generous qualities and . public-spirited he has drawn to himself many friends and is looked upon as being one of most substantial and reliable farmers in the county.

L. JANES, one of the attorneys of Pipestone City, Minnesota, located in that place January 1, 1884, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a native of Fairfax county, Virginia, where he was born October 18, 1855. His parents were Charles E. and Martha (Reed) Janes, natives of Con- necticut. For years the father was a manu-

facturer of paper and other articles and came to Wisconsin with his family, where he en- gaged in farming. From Wisconsin he came to the State of Minnesota and died in 1878 at Blue Earth City. The mother died about 1865. In the father's family there are four children living-Melville C., Josephine J., Clifford and our subject.

The subject of our sketch spent his early days in assisting his father on the liome farm and attending school. He took a course of instruction in the Wisconsin State University at Madison, and studying law for some time was admitted to the bar in Minne- sota in 1876. He commenced the practice of his profession at Madelia, Minnesota, and resided there for about eight years. He then came to Pipestone where he has since re- sided. While in Madelia he was county attorney for two years and resigned that position when he came to Pipestone. He was appointed judge of probate in 1885, and after holding that position for one year re- signed.

Mr. Janes was married in the year 1879 to Miss Hattie C. Chase, of Lake Crystal, a daughter of A. J. Chase. Three children have blessed this union-Alexander L., Susie I. and Labelle C.

In politics Mr. Janes affiliates with the republican party and is an influential mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He is one of the leading attorneys of the county.

ON. STEPHEN A. MILLER (de- ceased) was born January 7, 1816, in Perry county, Pennsylvania. After a youth of vicissitude he became a forwarding and commission merchant at Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania, in 1837. In 1849 he was chosen prothonatory of Dauphin county, and from 1853 to 1855 was editor of the Harrisburg Telegraph. Then he became a flour inspector at Philadelphia, holding the office until 1858,

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when he removed to Minnesota and opened a store in St. Cloud. In 1861 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the First Minnesota Regiment, and acquitted himself with credit at the battle of Bull Run. In September, 1862, he was made colonel of the Seventh Minnesota Regiment, and the same year was nominated by the president and confirmed brigadier-general of volunteers. In 1863 he was elected governor of Minnesota, and in January, 1863, entered upon his duties and served the term of two years. In 1873 he was a member of the lower house of the legis- lature, and in 1876 was one of the presiden- tial electors. During the last years of his life he was a land agent of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad, and was located at Worthington, Minnesota, where he became one of the most influential citizens. His death occurred in 1881.

ICHOLAS BURGER, a prosperous farmer of Delton township, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, is a native of Ger- many, being born in Baden, in that country, September 10, 1841. His parents, Martin and Kresenzia (Burger) Burger, natives of Germany, were farmers by occupation.

Our subject received his early training on the home farm and was given good educa- tional advantages. He came to the United States in 1861 and learned the butcher's trade in the suburbs of New York City, re- maining there until 1862. He then enlisted in Captain Ames' Battery L, Fifth United States Light Artillery, and served until June, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged. Mr. Burger participated in fifty- two battles and engagements. He was wounded at Bunker Hill, Virginia, but was only in the hospital a short time. He was kicked by a horse, having sustained a frac- ture of one of his legs and was laid up from August till November. His company were

in the heat of battle at Winchester, Virginia, June 13, 14, 15, 1863, where they were taken prisoners and our subject removed to Libby prison. He was kept there for two days, and then the whole company was moved to Belle Island, where after twenty days they were paroled and then sent to Annapolis, Maryland, where they were soon exchanged. They immediately returned to active service again. After his discharge Mr. Burger went to Chicago and worked at his trade until 1874, when he went to Brown county, Minnesota, and rented a farm, a short distance from Sleepy Eye. Only one year had passed when he came to Cottonwood county and took a home- stead where he now lives. He went through the grasshopper suffering from 1874 till 1878.

Mr. Burger was married in Chicago, December 14, 1868, to Miss Matilda Schwie- ger, daughter of Ferdinand and Fredricka (Moss) Schwieger, natives of Prussia. This lady was born in that country July 6, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Burger have been blessed with the following named children-Albert, Bertha, Frank, Matilda, Emilia, Helena, August and Martha.

On coming to this county our subject was in straitened circumstances and had but little means. He has, however, by persever- ance and thrift succeeded in putting his farm in excellent condition, providing it with good improvements. His pioneer cabin was 12x14 feet, while now he resides in a neat and comfort- able one-and-a-half-story house and has other out-buildings of like commodious proportions. Mr. Burger has taken an active interest in public matters and has been township treas- urer and chairman of the board of super- visors and school treasurer. He is a man of good character and large influence in the township. He is afflicted with asthma con- tracted during the war at Belle Island. He has been an invalid ever since and has suffered a great deal. In 1885 he took a trip across

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the ocean, thinking that this might cure him, but it was a failure and he still suffers greatly.

OHN AUGUST JAHNKE resides on section 30, Rose Hill township, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota. The place of his nativity is found in Germany, where he was born April 26, 1842. His parents, Michael and Mary (Jess) Jahnke, were natives of Ger- many, and lived in that country throughout their lives. The father died in 1860, having for years been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. The mother died in 1889, at a ripe old age.

Until he was fifteen years of age the sub- ject of our sketch resided on the home farm, where he received his education in the district school. On reaching the age just mentioned, he left his home, going to the city to learn the shoemaker's trade. Entering as an ap- prentice under a very hard and austere mas- ter, he completed his trade, learning all nec- essary to make a master of himself at this trade. At the age of twenty-one he was enlisted in the Prussian army to serve as a soldier for three years. By an accident 'in disciplining the gun discharged, and the bul- let passing through his third finger made a cripple of it. He was then dismissed by the Prussian government, as an invalid, from serv- ice, which granted him a pension, though very small, indeed. After that he traveled five years through Germany, where he gained an extensive knowledge of the life of that people, which was afterward of great use to him. He came to America July 3, 1866. Going to Illinois, he located in Chicago, where he found work in a boot and shoe factory for eleven years. Here, in this large and enterprising city, he found ample opportunity for gaining knowl- edge, which he eagerly sought after. As the separation between capital and labor

became more extensive, he entered the labor party and devoted three years to the study of national economy. He strongly advo- cated the rights of the laboring men, and supported, wherever he could, its progress. He was one of the most active members of this party, and was looked on as the leader by his fellow-men.

Being provoked at the low wages received and dull times, he left Chicago and went to New Ulm, where he resided for two years, when he removed to his present location. He took forty acres as a homestead. The hardships of pioneer life on the prairies are untold. Beginning with no capital, he has greatly increased his property, and has thor- oughly improved and provided his farm with buildings surrounded by one of the finest groves and gardens in the county. He is now engaged in raising cattle and horses of higher breed. He has worked hard to make his place one of the best grain and stock farms in the county, and has succeeded ad- mirably in his enterprise, and has added 120 acres to his farm. He is an energetic and successful business man, and has accumulated considerable property, but has met with sev- eral reverses of fortune, having lost all he had in the Chicago fire of 1871. Mr. Jahnke is a man of excellent character, great honesty and integrity and is highly respected by all who know him. He has held the offices of his town successfully and never is out of a school office. He is a warm supporter of education, doing all he can to aid its prog- ress. He has helped to build up his dis- trict, where they have one of the best schools and some of the most advanced pu- pils in the county, having secured an able and competent teacher, who has taught many successful terms in this district.

Mr. Jahnke was married August 13, 1865, to Julia Grains, daughter of Andrew Grams, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with twelve children, seven of whom

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are living-Mary, Lizzie, Mattie, Rudolph, Alexander, Alma and Sophia. Mary, the eldest daughter, has received an excellent education, having been in the best normal schools of our country, and is now engaged in teaching and has met everywhere with success. Mrs. Jahnke is a Christian woman in the truest sense, a tender mother, devot- ing herself with great pains to bringing up her children as true men and women and useful citizens of the United States. The family are members of the Lutheran church. The father is not supporting any of the polit- ical parties at present, believing both parties wrong as to some of their principles. He is strongly for reform, believing that many evils could thus be avoided, and is in favor of telegraphs, railroads and some other large interests being placed under the government control.

Z MUND OLSEN is a substantial farmer of Mason township, Murray county, Minnesota, and resides on section 28. He was born in Egersund, in the kingdom of Norway, March 1, 1839. His parents were Ole and Mary (Nilson) Teninson, both natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occupation and operated a farm of his own in his native land. The subject of our sketch left his native country at the age of eighteen years. He was given good educational advantages, and during the last six months of his stay at home worked at shoemaking. He came to America when eighteen years old, landing at Quebec, whence, after remaining a few days, he went by boat to Montreal and thence to Chicago, and from there to La Crosse, Soon after he located in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he remained two years engaged in working on various farms. November 14, 1861, our subject enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

He served until the 20th day of December, 1864, when he was discharged at Chat- tanooga, Tennessee. He fought bravely and gallantly for the Union side, and participated in many liard-fought battles. He was at Island No. 10, and served with his regiment during the entire time of his service with the exception of a short time spent by him in the hospital. His regiment was with the army of the Cumberland. Our subject was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and was in the hospital for some time. On being discharged he returned to Vernon county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming until 1870. Then he started out with an ox team and drove through with his family to the place where he now lives. They were three weeks on the way. He settled on his claim as a homestead of 160 acres. He brought $700 and some cattle with him, and thought that he had sufficient to support himself and family. The grasshoppers came, however, and for four years he lost every- thing. At the end of that time he was in debt seven hundred dollars. During the last ten years, however, he has been gradually getting into better circumstances, and is now entirely out of debt, and has an excellent and well-ordered farm. His first market was at New Ulm, and during the winter of 1880, or the winter of the deep snows, the family ran out of flour, and were obliged to grind their wheat in a coffee-mill. These vexatious and trying circumstances, however, have all been forgotten in the prosperity with which our subject is now surrounded.

Mr. Olsen was married to Bertha M. Ten- inson, January 28, 1865. This lady was a native of Norway, and was the daughter of Tenis Teninson, who was also born in the old country. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have been blessed with eight children-Josephine M., Tenis M., Oscar J., Bart, Bargena L., Amelia, Anna M. and Alma.

In politics the subject of our sketch affil-

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iates with the republican party, and is a leading and influential member of the John A. Logan post, No. 162, Grand Army of the Republic, of Slayton. Since coming to the county he has taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the general welfare, and has held various official positions. In every instance he has proven his efficiency, and has served with increasing popularity. He has been treasurer of the township for two years, and for one year has held the office of treasurer of the school district.

OSEPH A. BIGHAM is one of the lead- ing and most enterprising citizens of Tyler, Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in carrying on an extensive hard- ware business. He is a son of John C. and Mary (Hannah) Bigham, natives of Ireland. The parents came to this country in early life, and located in Pennsylvania for three years ; then moved to Illinois, where they lived one year, removing thence to Minneso- ta, and they now live in Marshfield township. They have ten children, who have all settled in Tyler, Minnesota. The father has been a farmer throughout his life, and is in prosper- ous circumstances.

Joseph A. Bigham was born in Mount Morris, Ogle county, Illinois, December 1; 1855. He resided with his parents on the farm, and was given the educational advan- tages furnished by the district schools until he was seventeen years of age. When he was one year old his parents removed to Wabasha county, Minnesota, where he re- ceived his early training and education. The journey from Illinois to Wabasha county, Minnesota, was made by the family with two yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. On reaching manhood the subject of our sketch commenced farming for himself on rented land near his father's residence. He contin- ued operating this property in partnership

with his brother, Robert A , for about three years, and during the last winter of their lease on this land he attended Bailey's Commercial College in Keokuk, Iowa. On graduating from that institution he returned to Minnesota, and at once engaged in mer- cantile business in partnership with his brother, Robert A., in Red Wing. This enterprise was not successful, and our subject lost all he had earned while en- gaged in farming. Then, in the fall of 1878, he came to Lincoln county and took a homestead on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 24 in Marshfield township. In the fall he returned to Wabasha county and taught school during the winter, returning to his claim the following spring. He broke some land and lived on the farm for about ten months, when he purchased the land from the government and obtained a patent. He then returned to Wabasha and taught for four months in the same school in which he had engaged before. At the end of this time he came to Marshfield village and pur- chased a one-half interest in a meat market in partnership with William Evans, in which business he continued for about six months. At the end of this time he sold out, and com- ing to Tyler studied law in partnership with Andrews & Dean, with whom he continued about a year. He was then admitted to the bar and commenced the active practice of

his profession. Shortly after leaving the of- fice of attorneys Andrews & Dean he took a trip to the Yellowstone Park and traveled extensively in the Western country for about two months. During the following two years he engaged in the practice of law and also to some extent in teaching school. The next line in which he engaged was that of purchasing grain for the Winona Mill Company, and after one year's continuance at this business he was honorably discharged on account of there not being grain suf- ficient to pay for keeping a buyer. Our

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subject then removed to Walworth county, Dakota, and after remaining three months returned and again commenced buying grain for the Winona Mill Company. He continued with this firm until December, 1887, when he entered the employ of C. R. Seafield, for whom he purchased grain until January, 1889. At this time his proprietor failed in business and our subject was en- gaged for about two months in settling up his business. He then purchased a hard- ware store at Tyler, owned by R. D. Cone & Co., of Winona. He has been engaged in this business ever since.

Mr. Bigham was married in Brookings, Dakota, July 4, 1882, to Miss Flora A. Hodg- man, a daughter of Edward and Artemetia A. (McCalpin) Hodgman, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Miss Hodgman was born in Manitowoc, Wis., September 22, 1866. This union has been blessed with two children-Gertie and Charles Eugene.

Mr. Bigham has been intimately associated with all business projects in the village in which he is located since he first made set- tlement there. He has aided largely both financially and otherwise in bringing about the present financial and business develop- ment of the village, and is looked upon as one of the most substantial citizens of the place. He is a careful and systematic busi- ness man and has built up a large trade. In affairs of local government he takes an active part and has been president of the village council for some time and is the present vil- lage attorney. He is a member of the Temple of Honor, Independent Order Good Templars and Ancient Order United Work- men. He is a man of the strictest integrity and is respected by all with whom he comes in contact. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Bigham was nominated as a candidate for the Min- nesota legislature on the prohibition ticket. He ran away ahead, of his ticket, but was defeated by a small majority.

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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 51

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