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 52

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 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

KORACE H. GILMORE is one of the leading and influential farmers of Sweet township, Pipestone county, Min- nesota. He has an excellent farm and a pleasant home on section 34, where he located in the spring of 1878. When Mr. Gilmore set- tled on his farm not a dwelling-house was iwithin sight, and nothing could be seen save the gently undulating prairie as far as the eye could reach. He became one of the organ- zers of the township and has been intimately identified with all public interests ever since· When he came to the county, what is now the prosperous village of Pipestone, was com- posed of but two or three buildings-a dwell- ing owned by Mr. Sweet, Dr. Carr's office, and a small postoffice building, 10x12 feet, then in the course of construction.

Mr. Gilmore was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, April 25, 1847. He is the son of Edmund and Sarah (Doty) Gilmore. The parents were natives of the State of Ver- mont. The father is still living at the age of eighty-four years, and is a resident of Ju- neau county, Wisconsin. The mother died in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, June 4, 1856. The father's family remained in the State of Vermont until the fall of 1840, when they removed to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, set- tling on government land and engaging in farming. Here the family remained for a quarter of a century, removing thence to Juneau county, where the father now lives. In the father's family there were eight chil- dren.

The subject of our sketch remained be- neath the parental roof until he reached the age of thirteen years, up to which time he had assisted in work on the home farm and attended the district school. For about eight months, at this time, he engaged in work for a neighboring farmer, after which returned to the parental home and attended school during the ensuing winter months. The fol- lowing summer he again found employment

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on adjoining farms and the next winter at- tended the district school. The following spring he removed to Juneau county, Wis., and found employment with a lumber firm by the name of T. Weston & Co. He con- tinued a satisfactory and profitable connec- tion with this firm until June 6, 1864, when he enlisted in Company E, Forty-first Wisconsin Infantry. His service in the Union army continued until September 23d of that year, when he was discharged. He then returned to Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business in the employ of the same firm for which he had worked before he went into the service. He continued with this firm until in the spring of 1878, when he started to come to Minnesota by team. He left his family behind him in Wisconsin, and drove through to Pipestone county, where he homestraded the land on which he now lives. His wife and family came to the township a few months later.

Mr. Gilmore was married November 17, 1874, to Miss Eliza Donaldson, a native of Sauk county, Wisconsin. She was a daugh- ter of J. R. and M. A. (Waddell) Don- aldson, the father a native of New York, and the mother a native of Ohio. Her father died in 1860; the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have been blessed with two children, both boys and both living-Robert E. and Charles C.

The political faith of the subject of our sketch is with the republican party. Cir- cumstances and educational facilities were such during the early life of our subject that it was almost impossible for him to obtain a thorough education in the schools. He is, however, a close observer, and an eager reader of current events, and by this means has become thoroughly acquainted with the practical side of life. He is a man of excel- lent judgment and a worthy adviser in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. He is looked upon as being one of the solid

and substantial farmers of the township and is respected by all. His farming interests have all prospered in his hands, and, al- though when coming to the township, he had but a team and wagon, and a few house- hold goods and seventy dollars in money, he has accumulated considerable means and has now a comfortable home, and owns 160 acres of fine land.

EDWARD SPORNITZ is at present the popular and efficient station agent at Verdi village, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He was born in Chatfield, Minnesota, April 11, 1867.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were J. Robert and Elmira C. Spornitz, the former a native of Prussia and the latter a native of New York. The father located in Minnesota in the village of Chatfield, in 1865, and left that place in about 1877, locating in Eyota, of which place he is now a reliable citizen. He is a harness-maker by trade.

The subject of our sketch followed the parents in their various moves, receiving his education in Chatfield and Eyota. He con- tinued residing with his parents, attending school until he was fifteen years old, and then found work on a farm during one summer and fall. He was then struck down with . typhoid fever, which left him in a bad con- dition, as far as health was concerned. He was sick for some two years. He then com- menced studying telegraphy at Eyota, where he remained about a year, after which he obtained a position as telegrapher at Elkton, Dakota. After two months he was sent to Kent, Minnesota, and three months later re- moved to Lake Benton. He became quite an expert operator, and was on the night force for some six months at Lake Benton. From thence he went to Volga, Dakota, as assistant operator, and six months later, February 22, 1888, took charge of the station at Verdi

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village. In politics the subject of our sketch affiliates with the republican party, and is an influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Spornitz was married November 29, 1888, to Miss Kate Bailey.

- OHN KNOWLES is an enterprising and successful farmer and stock raiser resid- ing on section 20, Amboy township, Cotton- wood county, Minn. He located in the county in the fall of 1878, and has become one of its most prominent residents. The place of his nativity is found in Grafton county, New Hampshire, where he was born April 30, 1843.

Our subject's father was Hon. E. C. Knowles, a carpenter by occupation, and a native of New Hampshire, in which State he was reared and educated. For some ten or or twelve years he engaged at railroad car- penter work. He then came to Minnesota, and located in Dakota county, where he farmed for one year, and then went to Rice county, where he lived for thirty years on a farm, after which he removed to Lane coun- ty, Oregon. Our subject's mother's name before her marriage was Lucinda Atwood, a native of New Hampshire, and is still living. In the father's family there were eight chil- dren-John, Mary, Sarah Jane, Albert P., Ezekiel, Frank, Ella and George Orrin. While living in Rice county E. C. Knowles at one time represented the county in the State legislature.

The early training and education of our subject was received in Grafton county, New Hampshire, where he remained until thirteen years old; then, with his parents, he came to Dakota county, Minnesota, where he re- mained some two years. His education was completed in the township of Webster, Rice county, in a log school house, when he was twenty years of age. He continued with his father, sharing the benefits of the paren- tal home life, until he was twenty-one years

of age. He had, however, depended considera- bly upon himself since eighteen years of age. In 1859 he went to Goodhue county two years, and then moved to Rice county, en- gaging in farming for seventeen years. His next move was to Brown county, where he remained until making his location as one of the early settlers of Amboy township, Cot- tonwood county. He pre-empted his present place of 160 acres, and has succeeded in making his place one of the best in the township. He has 320 acres of fine land. He has always taken an active interest in public matters, and has held various official positions with honor and credit. He has been township supervisor several times, clerk of school district No. 14 for five years, township assessor, etc. In politics Mr. Knowles affiliates with the republican party, and is a leading member of the Grange, and is one of the representative men of the county.

Mr. Knowles was married August 29, 1872, to Miss Levenia Armstrong, a native of Nova Scotia, where she was born May 27, 1855. Her early training was received in that country until she was fourteen years of age, when she came to Blue Earth county with her parents, who now reside in Wash- ington Territory. Her parents were Charles and Sibyl (Chute) Armstrong, farmers and natives of Nova Scotia. Miss Armstrong was one of nine children-Wallace, Hen- rietta, Mary, Burton, Edward, Levenia, Han- ford, Albert and Ida Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Knowles have seven children-Esther A., Emma Myrtle, Lillie Pearl, Ella Sibyl, E. C., Burton Leon and Hattie Belle.

EACON D. N. WARE is the pioneer lumber dealer of Winnebago City, Fari- bault county, Minnesota. He made his loca- tion in the city in 1767 and has resided here ever since. He is a native of Massachu- setts, where he was born November 4, 1825.

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The parents of the subject of our sketch were Daniel and Lydia (Jennings) Ware, na- tives of Massachusetts. The father was a contractor and builder by occupation and fol- lowed that line of business until within fifteen years of the time of his death, when he turned his attention to farming. He died in 1863. The mother died in 1865. Daniel Ware's parents were Daniel and Nabby (Newell) Ware, na- tives of Massachusetts and farmers by occupa- tion. The latter Daniel's father was Joshua Ware, of English descent. Daniel, senior, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and served at the battle of Bunker Hill. After his death his wife received a pension on ac- count of this Revolutionary service of her husband. The mother of the subject of our sketch was the daughter of parents born in Massachusetts and who were of English de- scent.

Deacon Ware was the only child, and until sixteen years of age continued in the family of his parents, being given good educational advantages. He assisted in work on the home farm, and when sixteen engaged in work at the boot and shoe business in Natick, Massachusetts, fourteen miles from Boston. This he continued until he was twenty-eight years of age, then went to Newton, Mass., where he was engaged in the express business. In 1867 he came to Winebago City, where he has since lived. The following year he built his present excellent and commodious dwelling- house of brick and drew what lumber was used forty-six miles, from Waseca. The lime in this building was drawn from New Ulm, a distance of sixty miles. On coming to the city our subject first intended to engage in farming, but for a time engaged in dealing in real estate and loaned money. On the advent of the railroad our subject engaged in the lumber business and also added wood and coal, having been engaged in these lines ever since. He has been one of Winnebago City's most prominent citizens and has held

various official positions, among them being that of village councilman, to which he was elected in 1887-88. Formerly he affiliated with the republican party, but being a strong temperance man, he now affiliates with the prohibition party.

In the year 1846 Mr. Ware was married to Miss Gabriella Fuller, of Massachusetts, a daughter of Benjamin and Suky (Jackson) Fuller, natives of Massachusetts. The par. ents were farmers by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Ware have had two sons-Frank .N., who married Miss Marion Turner, by whom he had the following children-Alta, Lela and Elsie, and Winfield F. The genealogy of Mrs. Ware's family is traced somewhat as follows : her father, Benjamin, was a native of Massachusetts, and was the son of Ben- jamin Fuller, whose father was Thomas Ful- ler, all of whom were prominent men in the State of Massachusetts.

The subject of our sketch has a beautiful home in the southern part of the city, and is one of Faribault county's most esteemed citizens. He is a man of excellent principles, of careful, systematic business habits, and has built up an extensive trade.

OHN A. ARMSTRONG, banker of Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minnesota, is one of the best known and most prominent and influential citizens of Southern Minnesota. He is proprietor of the Winnbago City Bank. He located in the city in 1870 and opened his bank the same fall and in 1877 built his present neat business building.

Mr. Armrtrong is a native of Washington county, New York, where he was born in the year 1834. His parents were Archibald and Nancy (Donaldson) Armstrong, natives of New York State. His parents were of Scotch descent and were farmers by occupa- tion. The father died in 1860 and the

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mother passed from this life in 1887. They were members of the Presbyterian church in which society they wielded a strong influ- ence and of which the father was a trustee for many years. There were nine children in the father's family-Jane, E., now Mrs. Mack ; Archibald, Alice, now Mrs. Robert- son ; Christa, now Mrs. McFarland ; Martha H., now Mrs. Reid ; Mary, now Mrs. Bever- age; Margaret, now Mrs. McCollum ; Isa- bel, now Mrs. Edie, and John A.

Mr. Armstrong was reared on a farm and received a good common-school education. In early life he also engaged to some extent in the mercantile business and in 1857 came West, locating in the city of Owatonna, Min- nesota. He resided in that place for two years and was engaged in the drug and gro- cery. business. He then returned to the East and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Washington county, New York, for two years, after which he returned to Owatonna in the early part of May, 1861. Our subject was in the city of New York buying goods for his business at Owatonna, Minnesota, when the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter. Coming to Owatonna he re- mained in business in that City until 1867, when he sold out and removed to Winne- bago City.

While in Owatonna he put up several of the best buildings in the place. He built the block now occupied by the First National Bank and also a beautiful home where Pills- bury hall now stands. He also purchased considerable land in the county and was quite successful in his financial investments. Since coming to Winnebago he has taken an active intesest in public improvements and owns the finest residence in the village. He is one of the largest land proprietors in the city and owns a number of farms in Faribault and Martin counties. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Baptist college of Winnebago City and is a member of the

Presbyterian church. He is public-spirited, generous to a fault, and is one of the most enterprising and prominent men in Faribault county. In politics he affiliates with the republican party.

Mr. Armstrong was married in 1859 to Miss Carrie Carl of Washington county, New York. She died in June, 1874, at Winne- bago City, leaving two children-James C. and George C. The second marriage of Mr. Armstrong took place in December, 1875, when he was wedded to Miss Frank Minor, of Winnebago City, and daughter of C. B. Minor. This latter union has been blessed with one child-J. Archibald. Mrs. Arm- strong is one of the most estimable and highly respected ladies of Winnebago City, she is a member of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union and takes an active interest in all affairs of that organization. She is presi- dent of the Young Ladies' Missionary Society of the village and is deeply interested in religious work, having been a teacher in the Sunday-school for a number of years.

JOHN L FERING located on section 2, High water township, Cottonwood coun- ty, Minnesota, in the year 1869. He located a soldiers' claim of 160 acres and resided there- on for seven years. He then sold out and went to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and en- gaged in farming for two years, when he returned to Highwater township, locating again on section 2, where he has since re- mained. During the grasshopper raids our subject was obliged to go to Iowa to obtain means with which to support his family, not being able to obtain sufficient for that pur- pose on his farm in Cottonwood county. There were but four or five other families in the township when he came, their names being Lott, Fering, Peterson and Erickson. Our subject assisted in the organization of

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his township and also of school district No. 28.

The gentleman of whom this sketch treats is a native of the kingdom of Norway, his -birth occurring August 1, 1841. His father, Lars Fering, was a farmer by occupation, who came to the United States in about 1851, having come from his native country to Canada the year previous. On coming to the States he made Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his headquarters for one year. Then the family removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father is now living in Highwater town- ship. Our subject's mother's name was Car- oline Feering, a native of Norway, and who died in 1881.

Until nine years of age the subject of this sketch was reared in his native country. He then emigrated to America with his parents and finally located with them in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he received his educa- tion. Mr. Fering enlisted February 28, 1862, in the Sixteenth Regiment, United States reg- ulars, and was discharged February 28, 1865, at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Our sub- ject participated in the following-named bat- tles-Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Marietta, Jones- borough, Chattahoochie river, Kenesaw, At- lanta, etc. Mr. Fering was severely wounded at the battle of Atlanta, in August, 1864, and was in the hospital at Atlanta and Chat- tanooga for three months, and also a short time at hospital No. 18, at Nashville, Ten- nessee. After being transferred to Lookout Mountain our subject served with his regi- ment for three months, when he was dis- charged, and soon afterward returned to his home in Winneshiek county, Iowa, from whence, after two years' residence, he came to his present location.

Mr. Fering was married in August, 1867, to Miss Richel Iverson, who was born near Stoughtonville, Wisconsin, and reared and educated in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Her parents were Lars and Susan Iverson, who

were farmers in Highland township, of the county last above named. Mrs. Fering died in November, 1887, and was buried in Westbrook township. She was a member of the Lutheran church, and her death was greatly mourned by a large circle of loving friends. Mr. and Mrs. Fering had ten chil- dren-Lewis, Sever, Laura, Julia, Iver, Christ, Otto, Caroline, John R. and Gertie.

In politics the subject of our sketch is a stanch republican, and with his family, be- longs to the Lutheran church. Mr. Fering is a man of wide influence, is a respected and representative citizen, and is a leading mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic.

DGAR ORLANDO JENNINGS is one of the prominent and most influ- ential citizens of Lincoln county, Minnesota. He is located on a fine farm on section 32 of Lake Stay township. Mr. Jennings is the son of Eumenus and Lydia (Hoskins) Jen- nings, the former a native of New York, and the latter a native of Massachusetts.

The subject of our sketch was born in Fort Brewerton, New York, June 8, 1849. His father was a saddler by trade and remained engaged in that business in Fort Brewerton until 1858. Then the family moved, our subject accompanying them, to Lake county, Illinois, where the father purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. They continued in that locality, our subject being given good educational advantages, for about three years, when the parents sold out and removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota, locating about five miles west of Albert Lea. Here our subject received thorough instruc- tions in the district schools and assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in work on adjoining farms, continuing in the vicinity of Albert Lea for about three years. He then went north into the pineries and engaged for

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seven seasons in rafting between St. Paul and St. Louis. At the end of this period he located in Alden, Minnesota, and opened a butcher shop, in which line he continued for about a year, meeting with good success. He then sold out, and in 1878 removed to Lake Stay township, Lincoln county, and settled on a homestead and tree claim, where he now lives. Since 1878 he has been a per- manent resident and has occupied his atten- tion principally with general farming and stock-raising. He has associated himself with all projects tending to public devel- opment and improvement, and has assisted largely in the administration of local affairs.

Mr. Jennings was united in the holy bonds of matrimony in Albert Lea, March 12, 1877, to Miss Mary G. Wadsworth. This lady was born in Freeborn county, Minnesota, October 19, 1859, and received her early training and education in the city of Albert Lea. She was a daughter of George and Mary (Barns) Wadsworth, both natives of Ohio, and who are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth were among the pioneer settlers of Freeborn county, to which county they came from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have been blessed with three children-Guy, Nellie and Bessie.

The business abilities of our subject are of a high character, and have been recognized and utilized in various ways by his fellow- citizens. He has held the office of county commissioner for one year, has been assessor of his township for five years, and for three years has been treasurer of his school dis- trict. In all of these 'positions, and espe- cially in the first, he has proven his capabili- ties as an official and his loyalty as a citizen. He has aided materially in the various pro- jects for public improvement which have come before the board of county commis- sioners, and has always championed any- thing which was in the line of a needed or desirable improvement. His counsels in the

deliberations of the honorable body to which he belongs have always been of the wisest and most judicious character, and his influ- ence and work have been highly appreciated. Besides these matters he also takes an active interest in the affairs of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a member of the lodge at Tyler. He has been very successful in his farming operations, and has surrounded himself with buildings and other improve- ments so essential to the successful manage- ment of a large farm. He has a very comfort- able and pleasant frame dwelling-house, and has about 140 acres under cultivation. His residence is located on the south side of Lake Stay,about seventeen acres of his land running down into the lake. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in the county, and on account of the abundance of game thereabouts every fall it is the resort for hunters and sports- men. Mr. Jennings is a man of high char- acter, of excellent systematic business habits, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. When he commenced in life he was a poor young man, with no means, and nothing but his own efforts to depend upon. By hard work and judicious management he has accumulated considerable means, and has risen to a leading position among the farmers of Lincoln county.

RAN MARTIN SOUTHWELL, de- ceased, was the son of Martin and Hul- da Jane (Candy) Southwell, pioneer settlers, of Michigan. These people located in that State in a very early day, and were forty miles from market, having to go that dis- tance to Detroit with an ox team. Oran Southwell was born in Romeo, Michigan, April 10, 1835, and resided in that locality with his parents for a number of years. July 19, 1855, he was married, and the fol- lowing year removed to Rutland, Illinois, where he resided until February, 1858. Re-

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moving thence he located in Winona, Illinois, where his death occurred February 21,1879.

Mr. Southwell was a loyal citizen, and was a man of patriotic spirit, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hun- dred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was soon afterward elected orderly ser- geant of his company. In April, 1863, for gallant service he was appointed as second lieutenant, which position he held during the remainder of the summer and fall of that year. Then came the sudden death of Lieutenant Davidson, and the resignation of Captain Ludington, and our subject was at once appointed to the captaincy of his com- pany, receiving his commission February 22, 1864. He was severely wounded in the knee at the battle of Chickamauga, September 23, 1863. This wound troubled him more or less up to the time of his death. He was also shot through the thigh in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 18, 1864. In conse- quence of these wounds he tendered his resig- nation, which was accepted December 20, 1864. He then returned to Wenona, and in April, 1865, he formed a partnership with Dr. Odor and engaged in the drug business. In November, 1867, Isaac Vaughn purchased Dr. Odor's interest and the firm became South- well & Vaughn. Mr. Southwell resided in that city until his death. He was a man of the highest integrity of character and in business affairs he enjoyed the reputation of being prompt, reliable and correct. He was a leading and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and held a high posi- tion in the Masonic fraternity, of which he was master for years. He was also influen- tial in the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows lodge, of which he was vice-grand for some time. He took an active interest in State military affairs, and bent all his ener- gies to perfecting the organization of the Wenona guards, of which he was captain.

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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 52

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