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 54

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 54

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).

stry family-Clarissa, now Mrs. A. P. Hatcli, of Ogle county, Illinois; Henry, Azro P. (a farmer and dairyman of Verona, Faribault county, Minnesota), and Ellen, now Mrs. J. F. Winship, of Winnebago City, Minnesota.

Until eleven years of age the subject of our sketch received his training on the home farm, and was then educated at the Newbury Seminary in Orange county, Vermont. At seventeen years of age he commenced teach- ing school and in 1862 enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Vermont Infantry. He served for nine months and for a time was in one of the hospitals as wardmaster. He was captured by General Mosby on the Rappa- hannock river and was held prisoner for a short time. At the close of his enlistment he returned home and attended school for some six months in his native county. He then went to Syracuse, New York, and at- tended a commercial college, taking a thor- ough course, and also learning telegraphy. He then engaged as operator for the United States Telegraph Company along the Central railroad, later filling the same position for one year in Pennsylvania. Ile then found a position as book-keeper in a wholesale and retail millinery store in Syracuse, New York, and followed the same for five years. He then went to Boston and engaged in the same business with a wholesale house until 1872, when he came to Winnebago City and for two years clerked in a general store owned by J. F. Winshop. Mr. Mckinstry then purchased a stock of boots and shoes and clothing, and has continued in the mer- cantile trade ever since. He now carries an immense stock of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries, etc., and his stock invoices upwards of twenty-five thousand dollars. He is doing an immense and profit- able business. His store is 28 by 70 feet and is centrally located. Since coming to the city Mr. Mckinstry has interested himself in farming lands and has also made invest-

436

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

ments in city property. He is a member of the syndicate that built the Syndicate Block, one of the best brick store buildings in the city.

Mr. Mckinstry was married in 1868 to Miss Alice D. Packer, of Lowell, Massachu- setts, and a daughter of David Packer. This union has been blessed with two children- Ilelen M. and Arthur P.

The subject of our sketch affliates with the republican party and is chairman of the republican county central committee. He has held various official positions and has been a member of the school board and of the city council. He is a leading Odd Fel- low and is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Kinstry are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is secretary and treasurer and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Mckinstry is a man of large public spirit, is generous, and is one of the most highly respected and prominent citizens of the city.

H. TAYLOR, one of the substantial and reliable business men of Jasper, Pipestone county, Minnesota, is the junior member of the firm of J. H. Taylor & Co., proprietors of the Pioneer lumber yard. Mr. Taylor is a native of Jackson county, Wisconsin, where he was born March 20, 1864. His parents, Harvey and Matilda (McAndless) Taylor, were natives of Illinois and New York, respectively. The father followed the mercantile business throughout the most of his life, and died in 1865. The mother is now a resident of Pipestone county. In the father's family there were four children-William K., Frederick, Luella, and our subject.

The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent in the home of his parents. He was given common-school advantages up to the age of sixteen years, when he came with his

mother and sister to Pipestone county. On coming to this county he attended school for some time, and then engaged in work on a farm. In 1881 he engaged in work in the lumber yard of C. L. Colman, with whom he continued during one season. At the close of that time he went to Madison, Dakota, where he found employment in a lumber yard as second man. Later he had charge of a lumber yard for Mr. Colman, in Dakota, where he continued for five years. At the end of this time he came to Jasper and es- tablished his present business. He purchased five lots east of the railroad depot, built sheds and a fine office. He carries a large line of lumber and building materials, coal and lime. Since coming to the village Mr. Taylor has built up a large business, and is becoming one of the prominent business men of the place. He has made several important improvements, and put up the first pair of hay scales in the village at a cost of about $100. In politics Mr. Taylor affiliates with the republican party. He is an energetic, thorough-going business man, thoroughly alive to the needs of his customers, obliging and trustworthy, and is rapidly growing into the confidence and esteem of his fellow- citizens.

OHN E. BUELL is a leading citizen and well-to-do farmer of Hope township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, and resides on section 18. He was born in Allegany county, New York, September 18, 1826. His parents were Cyrus and Hannah (Vincent) Buell, both natives of Vermont. The father and mother were of English descent, their parents having been born in England and came to America in the early part of this century. The father was a blacksmith by trade and in connection with that engaged to some extent to farming. He resided in the State of New York until his death, which

437

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

occurred in about 1834. Our subject's mother was married some time after the father's death and John E. left home when he was eight or nine years old and resided with a brother-in-law until reaching the age of thirteen years. He then came to the State of Michigan, where for six years he engaged in tailoring. At the end of that period he returned to the State of New York and for three and a half years followed his trade, after which he came West to Illinois, locating on a farm in McHenry county.

After two years spent in Illinois our sub- ject was taken with the gold fever, having heard a great deal of the wonderful Eldorado on the Pacific coast. In 1850 he started for California overland and for two years en- gaged in prospecting and mining for gold. One year was then spent at Sacramento, and he then again engaged in mining for two years, returning at the end of that time to the State of Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm in Adams county. He continued his residence in that county for about eight years when he sold out and migrated to Houston county, Minnesota, where for one year he followed agricultural pursuits. His next move was to Blue Earth county, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres eight miles from Winnebago City. Re- maining in that place until 1868, he then lo- cated on a claim eight miles from Marshall, Lyons county, where he remained some eight years. While on this farm he passed through some of his most bitter and trying experien- ces. He lost considerable money in various disastrous occurrences, and passed through the grasshopper times of 1875-76-77. In 1878 he removed to Hope township, Lincoln county, where he has since continued to live. In the town at the time he settled there were only three other parties-John Moore and Tom Robinson, half-breeds, and Thomas Turner.

Mr. Buell was married in July, 1849, to

Miss Minerva Calkins, who died about twenty- five years ago, leaving seven children. Mr. Buell was married the second time in July, 1872, to Lorena Gould, a native of New Hampshire.

In politics Mr. Buell affiliates with the re- publican party and has become quite promi- nent in the local affairs of that organization. He has taken an active interest in public matters and has held the office of assessor one term and that of school treasurer for three years. In his early life he received a good common school education, and being of a studious turn of mind, has accumulated a large store of general knowledge. He is a man of extensive travels and relates many exciting and thrilling experiences through which he has passed. He is a careful reader of human nature, is an acute observer of pass- ing events and is looked upon as being one of the most intelligent and progressive men of the township. His character is above re- proach, and his reputation for honor and in- tegrity is of the highest order.

LIVER DREW, one of the leading residents of Murray county, Minne- sota, resides on section 2 of Mason township. He was born in the State of New York, Jan- uary 25, 1820. The parents of the subject of our sketch were James and Mercy (Nicholas) Drew, the father a native of Maine, and the mother a native of Connecticut. Throughout the greater part of his life the father was a farmer in the State of New York, where the mother died. The father came West and lived for some time at the residence of his son Oliver and died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-five years.

Oliver Drew, of whom this sketch treats, spent his early life with his parents on the farm. He attended school and assited his parents until he was fourteen years old when he left home, and during one season worked

438

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

on a farm. He then went to live in a doc- tor's family and attended school during the winter and then apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, and for fourteen years found employment as a cutter and fitter in various places in the East. At the end of this period he came to the State of Illinois and opened a hotel, which he operated for three years. Then in 1847 he moved to a farm seventy- five miles from Chicago and made that his home until 1850. At this time, being seized with the gold fever, he started overland for California, where he engaged in mining with good success for two and a half years. He cleared over $4,100 and returned to his na- tive State by way of Nicaragua, stopping for a brief time in South America. He opened a general store in Earlville, Illinois, where he remained two years. In 1860 he took a trip overland to Pike's Peak, and prospected in that region for about two years. He re- turned to the East in August, 1862, and en- listed in Company A, Tenth Regiment Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the Union army throughout the war. He was discharged in July, 1865, and soon after re- turned to the State of Illinois, where he lived until 1869. In that year he came by team to Murray county, Minnesota, and set- tled on a claim, where he now lives. The early experience of the subject of our sketch in this country was filled with the usual hardships which come to the life of the pio- neer settler. He passed through the grass- hopper raids and experienced the total destruction of three or four crops. He owns 355 acres of excellent land, with five acres of heavy timber on the island in Lake Shetek. Our subject's farm is one of the finest in the county.

Mr. Drew was married August 9, 1856, to Mary E. Atwood, a native of Onondaga county, New York. This union has been blessed with four children-Ellen, Douglas, Clara and Drusilla. Douglas was drowned

in Lake Shetek about half a mile from his home, while on a trapping expedition.

Oliver Drew is a man of excellent social and business qualities, and he is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the town- ship. In politics he affiliates with the dem- ocratic party, and among the official posi- tions which he has held may be named that of township treasurer, in which he served ten years, and also school treasurer, in which he has acted ever since the district was or- ganized. His honorable career in the service of the Union army entitles him to the influ- ential position he occupies in the Grand Army of the Republic, John A. Logan Post, No. 162, of Slayton.

Mr. Drew relates many interesting remi- niscences of his early life. When he was living in Baldwinsville, New York, he went fishing for cat-fish one night, and was sitting on the railing of the bridge crossing the Seneca river. He fell asleep and fell head first into the river, the water being twelve feet in depth and running very rapidly. He floated about eighty rods down the river and struck an Island, and ever after, while living in that town, he went by the name of " Sam Patch." In the historic explosion of Syracuse, New York, he stood within ten feet of a building containing 650 pounds of blasting powder; twenty-five were killed on the spot, and he was one of sixty badly mashed up, but was saved almost by a miracle. These incidents are only two of numerous others which have occurred to him.

ALBERT NELSON JEFFERS is one of the foremost citizens of Storden township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and resides on section 12. He is a native of America, born in Crawford county, Illinois, August 29, 1843, and was the son of Nelson and Lydia (Allison) Jeffers.

The father of our subject was born at or

439

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1819. He died at sixty six years of age. Removing from Kentucky to Allison Prairie, Crawford county, Illinois, he made that his home for some years, and there married Lydia Allison, and from there removed to Beloit, Rock county, Wisconsin, from whence, after eight years, he emigrated to La Fayette county, Wisconsin. taking 160 acres of land as a pre-emption, and also 160 acres on a land warrant, making 320 acres in all. Here the father lived for twenty-five years, enjoying a degree of prosperity such as is the lot of most farmers in Central Wisconsin. He then removed to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, where he resided twelve years. When that time had expired he came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, taking a homestead of 160 acres, and returning to Iowa for a short visit, died there. While in La Fayette coun- ty, Wisconsin, in 1868, he was ordained as a minister in the regular Predestinarian Baptist church. He was a man of deep and practical piety, and proclaimed the gospel for some seventeen years. He died in the triumphs of the Christian faith. The mother of the sub- ject of our sketch was the daughter of Daniel Allison, and was born in Crawford county, Illi- nois, in 1821. She is now living in Cotton wood county. In the father's family there were ten children-Albert N., George Perry, Lyrann, Mary E., Martha, Ida, Laura, War- ren R., Owen T., and Lydia, all living but Mary, Martha and Lydia who are deceased. Ida resides in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, all the others live in Cottonwood county, Minnesota.

The subject of our sketch spent his early life surrounded by the excellent influences of a Christian home. Until eighteen years of age he lived with his parents on the farm and attended the district school. On reach- ing the age just mentioned he commenced farming for himself and continued thereat for a year and a half. August 17, 1864, he

enlisted in Company E, Forty-third Wiscon- sin Infantry, under Colonel Cobb. He par- ticipated in the battle of Nashville, under General Sherman, and in various other bat- tles and skirmishes, and was discharged June 28, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee. On returning from the war our subject was mar- ried and settled on a farm in LaFayette county, where he resided three years. Then he moved to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, and made that his home until coming to Cotton- wood county in 1877. He located 160 acres as a homestead and eighty acres as a tree claim. He has actively proceeded in the im- provement of his farm, built a good dwelling- house, and two large barns. He has fifteen acres of a fine grove of trees, some of them being cottonwoods and maples. He is a man of progressive thought in regard to business and believes in diversified farming. In con- nection with raising grain, he is breeding good stock, such as sheep and Norman horses. He has a great many acres under cultivation and employs five working teams to till his land.

The subject of this sketch, Albert N. Jef- fers, was married December 25, 1865, to Sarah Frances Butler, the daughter of Dann and Anna Butler, of Georgetown, Grant county, Wisconsin. The fruits of this union were George Franklin, Anna Mary, Ida Grace, Lydia Hellen, Lydia Luella, Robert Nelson, Sybil Ruth, Ada and Adda (twins). Of these children all are alive with the ex- ception of Lydia Hellen and George Frank- lin, who are deceased. They all live at home in Cottonwood county, Minnesota. Albert N. Jeffers is an influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined that order in Warren, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, in 1867 and has been a member of this order in good standing up to the present time.

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

440

ARTIN J. EASLAND is one of the substantial farmers and prominent old soldiers of Grange township, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He has a farm of 160 acres, well improved, located on section 26, where he has resided since the early part of 1879, being therefore one of the earliest set- tlers in the township.

The subject of our sketch was born March 6, 1840, in Cleveland, Ohio, and is the son of Kelley and Cynthia (Leet) Easland. The father was a cooper by occupation, and was a native of the State of New York, while the mother was born in Connecticut. The grand- parents of the subject of our sketch were James and Mary Easland, natives of the State of New York, the grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Our subject's father died in 1882, and the mother passed from this life August 4, 1885.

The subject of our sketch was warmly at- tached to his boyhood's home, and he re- mained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one years. Up to this time he attended school at every opportunity, and when not thus engaged, helped his father at the cooper's trade. August 15, 1861, he en- listed in Company I, Thirty-first Illinois In- fantry, under Colonel John A. Logan. His service was of the severest kind and was filled with hardships and privations. He was taken prisoner near Brandon, Mississippi, February 9, 1864, and was removed to Mo- bile, Alabama, where he was incarcerated in a filthy jail with a lot of negroes. One week of misery was spent in this rebel prison, and he was then taken to Cohaha, same State. After enduring prison fare in this place for four weeks, he was then removed to the loathsome Andersonville prison, where he was incarcerated for eight long, weary months. At that time the rebel forces guarding the prison, becoming fearful that General Sherman's army might march upon their headquarters, removed a number of the

prisoners, among whom was our subject, to Milan, Georgia. This removal was made because of the proximity of General Sher. man's army, and for a time the rebels feared that General Sherman would take possession of that entire country. After remaining at Milan for a short time, our subject was re- moved to Savannah, where for eight days he experienced the usual terrors of the vile Southern prison. At the end of that time he was removed to Blackshear, Georgia, and from thence in eight days removed to Thom- asville, Florida. After nine days of incar- ceration at the latter named place, he was again taken to the frightful Andersonville prison, in which he suffered untold miseries for nine months ; making in all a prisoner of war, thirteen months and fourteen days. Tongue fails to tell of the horrors of the prison in which so many months of our subject's life were spent. This can truly be said, however, that but very few of the inmates of Andersonville, who escaped alive, have ever regained the health they enjoyed before their incarceration. Hundreds and thousands died of the pri- vations, many starved to death, and hun- dreds were taken away by loathsome dis- eases contracted in the miasmatic atmos- phere in which Andersonville was lo- cated. On his discharge, Mr. Easland went to the State of Illinois, locating for a short time in Pekin, remaining there from April 26, 1865, until September, 1866, dur- ing this time being under the continuous care of physicians. As a result of his Ander- sonville life his health was completely broken down and he was prostrated almost beyond hope of recovery. Being ordered by the doctors to come to Minnesota that he might receive some benefit from the atmosphere of this region, he settled in Minnesota, where he remained four years, and during part of which time he held a position in a large saw-mill. Removing from Minneapolis he

44I

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

settled in Clark county, Iowa, where he en- gaged to some extent in farming. His health, however, had been poor ever since his dis- charge from Andersonville, and he was able to do but little work. So after a period of six years, already mentioned, which were spent in Clark county, he returned to Minne- sota, settling in Steele county, from whence he went in March, 1878, to Pipestone county to find a location. In company with J. L. Humphrey he drove through to Grange township, located his land, and in the fall returned to Steele county. In the following spring he brought his family to Pipestone county, and has been a resident of Grange township ever since.

Mr. Easland was united in marriage to Miss Emma I. Humphrey March 29, 1871. Miss Humphrey was a daughter of H. J. and R. S. Humphrey, both of whom are still living and residents of Grange town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Easland have been blessed with four children, all of whom are living-Anna I., Samuel L., Burton L. and James W.

The subject of our sketch in early life re- ceived a good common-school education, is a man of excellent ideas, and exerts a strong influence in the township in which he lives. He is a good citizen and takes an active in- terest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the township at large. He is energetic and industrious, and as far as his health permits, personally superintends the man- agement of his excellent farm. He is known as a man of high character and is respected by all his fellow-townsmen. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. He is a member of the Simon Mix Post, No. 95. Grand Army of the Republic. He has held several official positions, and is at present clerk of the school district in which he lives. For five years he was a member of the board of supervisors, and was clerk of the town- ship for one year.

ETER PAULSON is a prominent resi- dent of section 14, Lime Lake town- ship, Murray county, Minnesota. He was born in Norway, March 10, 1852. His par- ents were Paul and Dorothea (Johnson) Paulson, both of whom were natives of Nor- way and farmers by occupation. The par- ents are now residents of Dual county, South Dakota.

Until fifteen years of age the subject of our sketch was given good educational ad- vantages in his native land. After that time he assisted his father in work on the home farm for about four years, and at nineteen years of age came to America with his par- ents, landing in Quebec, and going by way of Chicago to Southern Minnesota, and set- . tling in Rushford, Fillmore county. Our subject worked at various employments until 1876, working during the winters in the pineries and in the summer months driv- ing a dray in his village. In 1876 he went to the village of Worthington and worked on the Sioux Falls branch of the Omaha railroad until harvest, when he went to Waseca county, and after a short time spent in the harvest fields, went to his former home in Fillmore county. In 1878 he came to Murray county and located the claim where he now lives. He has worked at vari- ous kinds of labor since coming to the farm and in different places, residing on his farm a sufficient portion of the time to enable him to hold it as a homestead. In 1884 he was married and settled for a permanent resi- dence on the farm.

Mr. Paulson was married May 3, 1884, to Anna Hagen, a daughter of Nils and An- drene (Amund) Hagen, natives of Norway. This marriage has been blessed with three children-Nils P., Axel M. and Dagene.

Mr. Paulson is a strong, energetic, system- atic farmer, and in his operations has met with good success. In politics Mr. Paulson affiliates with the republican party and has

442

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

held the office of township treasurer since 1879 and has also been assessor for two terms. He has a fine farm of 160 acres, provided with good buildings. He is a man of good character, and is a consistent mem- ber of the Lutheran church.

ANS T. GRAU located on section 4, Lake Benton township, on the shore of the lake from which the township derives its nanie, in the year 1869. Since that year he has been a permanent resident of Lincoln county and has actively interested himself in all matters of a public nature. During the first two years of his residence here he did but little work on his own farm but en- gaged himself to adjoining farmers in order to support his family. Our subject was one of the very first settlers of the township, and among those who came about that time were Mr. Taylor, James Gilronan and Henry Bre- felt. Mr. Grau assisted in the organization of the township and has materially aided in every enterprise which tended to develop his locality. The first year he built a small shanty 14x10, himself cutting the logs out of which it was built. He lived in this primi- tive dwelling for some years and then built his present neat and commodious residence, which is 18x26 feet and sixteen feet high. His first stable was built of sods and it ac- commodated some six or eight head of cattle. He has now good buildings, and the passer- by witnesses on every hand the evidences of prosperity and thrift. He has labored hard on his farm and has brought it up to be one of the best in the township. Our subject is probably the earliest settler now living in the township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 54

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