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 55
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Mr. Grau was born two miles from the city of Christiania, Norway, November 9, 1826. He is the son of Thorval and Rena (Christianson) Grau, both natives of Norway, and farmers by occupation. The father died
in the old country when our subject was fourteen years old. The mother remained in that country until her death, which oc- curred in 1873. The parents were exemplary Christian people, and were members of the Lutheran church. In the father's family there were five children, three boys and two girls : Christ, Hans T., Ole, Mary and Marion.
Hans T. Grau lived on the farm where he was born until coming to America in 1866. He crossed the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel and was two months on the way, land- ing at Quebec. For some time in that city he engaged in railroad work and then came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm for some three years. At the end of this period he came to his present place in Lincoln county. Since coming to the county, our subject's life has not been all sunshine nor continued prosperity. In the years 1874-5-6, his crops were all eaten up by the grasshoppers, and his family were well nigh destitute. In order to support them he had to leave home and work on the Wilmar rail- road during the summers. He also met dis- aster in the way of destruction of property by prairie fire, and on account of this had to go to Breckenridge, Minnesota, where he worked for some time. In the fire which destroyed nearly all he had, his wife nearly lost her life while trying to put out the flames. She had her feet badly burned and was laid up on account of this misfortune for some two years.
Mr. Grau was married in January, 1849, to Miss Mary Hanson, a native of Norway, and born in the place of the birth of our sub- ject. Mr. and Mrs. Grau have had four chil- dren, all of whom are now dead.
The subject of our sketch is a republican in politics, and has associated himself with the best interests of local government. He has been township trustee for some two years, and has held several other positions of minor importance. He is an exemplary Christian,
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and a member of the Lutheran church. In spite of the misfortunes that have fallen to his lot, our subject has retained courage and kept on working until he has surrounded himself with comfortable circumstances, and has a well-improved and profitable farming business. Being one of the early settlers he is well known, and where best known is most highly respected all over Lincoln county.
ON. HUMPHREY M. BLAISDELL, a prominent attorney and public man of Fairmont, Minnesota, is the editor of the Fairmont News. His parents were Alfred M. and Judith H. (Grey) Blaisdell, natives of Maine. The parents were farmers by occupation, and engaged in that business in their native State throughout their lives.
The place of the nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in the village of Otis, Maine, his birth occurring September 10, 1841. He was reared on a farm, receiving a good education, and resided with his parents until April 25, 1861. At this time he en- listed in Company H, Second Maine Infantry, and served until November, 1862. He par- ticipated in the first battle of Bull Run, and had his leg broken by a musket ball; was taken prisoner, and in Libby, Tuscaloosa and Salisbury prisons until June, 1862. In July, 1863, he re-enlisted as sergeant in Company C, First Maine Heavy Artillery, and was on detached duty until the spring of 1864. He then entered the military academy at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was examined July 11, 1864, by the board of ex- aminers, of which General Silas Casey was a member, and was commissioned July 21, 1864, as first lieutenant in the Twelfth Reg- iment, United States Colored Heavy Artil- lery. He was in command of Company E, of that regiment, during a part of the time, but was principally connected with Company
K, in the department of Kentucky. He was mustered out at the close of the war, April 24, 1866; was examined under general orders from - the war department, and passed for a commission in the reg- ular army. He concluded, however, not to follow a military life any longer, and retired from the service and attended school for some time at Bucksport, Maine. He graduated from the East Maine Conference Seminary and read law with Hon. Eugene Hale, at Ellsworth, in that State. He took an active part in local matters, and was a member of the Maine legislature in 1868. In the spring of 1869 he came to Fairmont, Minnesota and engaged in the practice of law, continuing in that profession until the present time. August 9, 1887, he purchased the Fairmont News, which paper he has since conducted.
The subject of our sketch is an old-time and honored republican, having assisted in the organization of that party, being one of the warmest supporters of General Fremont. Since coming to Martin county he has made his influence felt in the political history of southern Minnesota, and has exerted a strong influence in local political affairs. His news- paper is one of the largest and best in the county and enjoys an extensive patronage. Mr. Blaisdell is a member of the Minnesota Commandery, of the Loyal Legion and also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been a member of the staff of Commanders-in-chief Fairchild and Rea.
Mr. Blaisdell was married at the residence of A. B. Stickney, Esq., in St. Paul, August 27, 1871, to Miss Henrietta H. Crosby, daughter of Hon. Josiah and Mary B. (Foss) Crosby, natives of Dexter, Maine, where Miss Henrietta was born February 18, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Blaisdell have been blessed with the following named children-Josiah C., Alfred and Arthur.
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OHN JANZEN is a leading merchant and proprietor of the oldest mercantile house in the village of Mountain Lake, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota. He is the son of John and Annie (Thiessen) Janzen, na- tives of Germany. The parents were farm- ers by occupation, and still reside in their native land.
The subject of our sketch was born near Danzig, in West Prussia, March 15, 1850. He resided with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age, re- ceiving a good common-school education. In April, 1873, he came to the United States, first locating in St. Paul. After two years, he then found employment on various farms. He was not obliged to engage in this kind of employment because his parents were wealthy, and could support him in different style, but he preferred to work in this line and do for himself. He traveled about to some extent in Minnesota and Iowa, and in the summer of 1875 commenced clerking in the general store of S. H. Soule, of Moun- tain Lake. This gentleman was one of the pioneers of the county. His father opened a farm on the shores of Mountain Lake in 1869. Our subject continued clerking for this gentleman for several years, and April 1, 1881, he entered into partnership with his employer, and continued business until 1884, when he sold out to his senior partner. Our subject then took a trip to Europe, and re- turned, bringing his brother Abraham with him, locating at Mountain Lake. Imme- diately after arriving, he purchased Mr. Soule's store, and January 1, 1885, opened the business in his own name. His brotli- er Abraham has been book-keeper and head clerk ever since. In connection with his mercantile trade Mr. Janzen is also doing an extensive real estate and loan busi- ness, and is agent for several transportation companies with steamboats plying between Europe and America. Our subject does a
large business in the line of conveyancing, and perhaps no man is better known, and, indeed, no man is more favorably known than is the subject of our sketch. He has always proven himself an able supporter of all matters which tended to the improvement of his adopted village, and has taken an act- ive part in matters of a political nature. In politics he affiliates with the republican party and is a member of the Mennonite church. He has been village recorder, township clerk, and is now president of the village. He had charge of the postoffice from 1875 to 1885, and March 28, 1889, was appointed postmaster of Mount- ain Lake. The subject of our sketch is a man of extraordinary business qualifications. Whatever his hand touches yields success, and, having been fortunate in all his various investments, he has gathered considerable means. He is careful and conservative, and is a wise counselor.
Mr. Janzen was married May 1, 1878, in Cottonwood county, to Miss Anna Goerzen, a daughter of William and Anna Goerzen, na- tives of Germany. This lady was born in Russia, in September, 1858, and came to America at an early age. Mr. and Mrs. Jan- zen have been blessed with the following named children-Anna, Catharina, Mary and Helena.
ILLIAM B. GILMORE, Sr., is one of the intelligent and influential farmers of Eden township, Pipestone county Minnesota. His home is located on section 10, where he settled in 1882. Mr. Gilmore is a native of Vermont, where he was born September 2, 1835.
The subject of our sketch is the son of Ed- mund and Sarah (Doty) Gilmore, both of whom were natives of the State of Vermont. The father is still living at the age of eighty- four years and is a resident of Juneau county, Wisconsin. The mother died in Jefferson
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county, Wisconsin, June 4, 1856. The father's family remained in the State of Ver- mont until in the fall of 1840, when they re- moved 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. During the gold excitement (in 1852) he went overland to California and remained two years. In the father's family there were eight children, of whom the subject of our sketch was the fourth in order of birth. The grand-parents were Ephraim and Mrs. (Sher- man) Gilmore.
Up to the age of twenty-four years the subject of our sketch remained with his par- ents on the home farm. He was given good school advantages and obtained a good com- mon-school education. When not in school his time was occupied in assisting his father at work on the farm, and he played in the Fort Atkinson Brass Band for twelve years, after his marriage, in 1861, he purchased a farm near that of his father's and commenced farming for himself. In the spring of 1868 he removed to Butler county, Iowa, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until in 1882, when he came to Pipestone county, Minnesota, and settled on the farm where he now lives.
March 11, 1861, Mr. Gilmore was united in matrimony to Miss Mary J. Ellis, a native of New York State. Mrs. Gilmore is a daughter of Jolin and Abigail (Peck) Ellis, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have been blessed with nine children-Wil- liam B. J., Alton E., Afton A., Jessie A., Ethel J., Carrie M., Earl C., Elba A. and Lizzie M.
The subject of our sketch is living on a fine farm of 160 acres under excellent culti- vation, and upon which are found good farm buildings, and a beautiful grove of timber. Since coming to the township he has identi-
fied himself with all its better interests and his services have never been called for with- out being freely given. Taking an active interest in the political matters of his town, he affiliates with the republican party and has become one of the prominent leaders of that organization. He cast his first vote for Fremont in 1856. Throughout his life he has been constantly identified with all mat- ters of a public nature, and has held numer- ous offices of responsibility and trust. While a resident of Iowa he held the office of jus- tice of the peace for four years, held the office of president of the school board, and also that of treasurer for a period of six years. Since coming to Eden township he has been a member of the board of super- visors for four years, during two years of which time he has held the position of chair- man of that body. At present he is in the fifth year of official service as one of the school trustees of the district in which he lives. In religious matters he occupies a prominent position before the people and accomplishies a great amount of good. He is an active member of the United Brethren church, and while a resident of Iowa was a licensed minister of that organization and did much active work. Mr. Gilmore is an energetic, painstaking farmer, and has met with merited success in all his financial operations. He is a man of excellent judg- ment, of unquestionably high character, and has the esteem of all his fellow-townsmen.
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ON. SILAS BLACKMUN, an influen- tial resident of Selma township, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota, is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, where he was born October 9, 1835. His parents were Martin P. and Mary A. (Deuel) Blackmun, the former a native of Vermont and the lat- ter born in New York. He resided in St. Lawrence county until 1850 wien, with his
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parents, he moved to Wisconsin, settling on an Indian reservation in what is now Wau- shara county. They took a claim before the county was surveyed and our subject re- mained with his parents assisting on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age.
Educational advantages were somewhat lim- ited in the pioneer days of Wisconsin and our subject spent but little time attending school. At twenty-one years of age he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Waushara county until 1863, when he sold out and removed to Faribault, Minnesota, where during cne winter he engaged in team- ing. In March, 1864, he located on a pre-emp- tion in Brown county, where he resided three years, and at the end of that time removed to another farm in the same county. In 1874 he came Cottonwood county and settled on 160 acres of land on section 18 of Selmatown- ship. He took this piece of land as a tree claim and has made it his home ever since.
Mr. Blackmun was married in Waushara county, Wisconsin, October 26, 1856, to Miss Annie E. Henton, a daughter of William and Mary (Jones) Henton, both natives of Wales. Miss Annie was born in Erie county, Penn- sylvania, November 27, 1837. She died February 5, 1858, leaving one child, Theo- dore C., born September 5, 1857, and died September 23, 1858. The second marriage of our subject took place in the same county in Wisconsin, February 22, 1859, at which time he wedded Miss Elearnor S. Henton, a sister of his first wife. This marriage has been blessed with the following-named children-Walter M., Frank W., Lillie, Lydia, Lucy, Mira and Mabel. Walter M. married Agnes Hudson and resides in Selma town- ship. Frank W. married Alice Luther, and lives on a farm adjoining that of his father. Lillie married Albert Knowles and now lives in Lane county, Oregon. Lydia wedded Perry M. Dickerson and is now a resident of Brown county, Minnesota. The
other children are single and are living at home.
The subject of our sketch occupies a prominent position in the political govern- ment of his county and State, having par- ticipated in political matters during his entire residence here. He was elected to the State legislature on the republican ticket in the fall of 1882, and was re-elected in 1884. He was appointed postmaster of Selma post- office July 3, 1882, and has held that position ever since, the office being at his residence. Mr. Blackmun has also held nearly all the local township offices and in all his public relations has served his constitutents with rare fidelity and efficiency. He has passed through many circumstances of a trying nature, but is now surrounded with the evi- dences of prosperity and success and is in good circumstances. In August, 1864, the grasshoppers besieged the country, but did but little damage. The next year the grass- hoppers came and destroyed all his crops. In 1873, the year prior to his settlement in Cottonwood county, the grasshoppers came and deposited their eggs and until 1877 the crops were all practically destroyed. In that year our subject had a good crop and began to grow more hopeful. In the follow- ing year the crops were again light on ac- count of blight. Since that time crops have been fair and our subject has been success- ful in accumulating considerable means. He has owned a great deal of land in the county, but has now only 160 acres. Each of his married sons is settled on a quarter section of land on which they live, adjoining his own farm.
ORNELIUS N. BRESSLER, a leading farmer of Diamond Lake township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, purchased a re- linquishment of a homestead of section 33, April 19, 1882. On this place he has lived
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ever since, engaging in general farming with excellent success. There were about five acres broken on the farm when he came into possession, and he commenced adding thereto and making improvements. He was one among the early settlers, and has always been held in high esteem by his neighbors and fellow-citizens.
Mr. Bressler was born in Monroe, Ogle county, Illinois, January. 18, 1853. His fa- ther was George Bressler, a native of Dau- phin county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until after his marriage. He was a carpen- ter by trade, and followed that occupation until coming West in an early day, making his settlement in Monroe, Ogle county, Illi- nois. He was one of the first settlers of that section, and made his location when there were no railroads nearer than Chicago. Chi- cago was his market and to that city he went to sell grain and buy provisions. He was a democrat in politics, and was a member of the Evangelical church. George Bressler's father was a native of Germany, and was a tailor by trade. The mother of the subject of our sketch was Susan Mess- ner, also a native of Dauphin county, Penn- sylvania, where she was reared and educated. In the father's family there were ten children -Elizabeth, Sophia, Phœbe, Edward, Sarah, Catharine, Henrietta, George A., Cornelius N., and James Wesley. Elizabeth married Andrew Jackson Montgomery, a hotel pro- prietor and owner of a restaurant. He died in 1880 in Lake Benton, Minnesota, to which place he had come in an early day. He was a prominent business man of Lake Benton.
The early life of Cornelius N. Bressler was spent in Ogle county, Illinois, where he re- ceived his early training and education. He remained in Illinois with his parents on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he purchased an interest in a threshing-machine and made threshing his principal business for a number of years.
He then sold out his interest in the thresher and purchased a one-half interest in a clover huller, operating in that line during three falls. He then traded his interest in the huller for a threshing-machine, continuing in that line for four years. He then sold out and came to Lincoln county in the fall of 1881. He did not make a permanent location until in April, 1882, when he set- tled on his present place. Throughout his life he has been more or less engaged in agricultural pursuits, having operated a large farm in Illinois in connection with his various machine interests. He also worked more or less at the carpenter's trade with his father and assisted him in the erection of many public buildings in Ogle county, Illinois. While there he also took an interest in musical matters and was a mem- ber of the Monroe cornet band for four or five years. Since coming to Lincoln county he has been connected with other enterprises besides that of farming. In 1885 he purchased an in- terest in a horse-power threshing machine and after conducting that in partnership with another party for two years, became sole proprietor of the outfit. In 1887 he purchased a steam engine, operating his thresher by steam power from that time on. In the fall of 1888 he purchased a new separator, and is now provided with enough machinery to accommodate the threshing orders of a large portion of the county. He has an extensive patronage in this line. In connection therewith he also runs a feed-mill, which he has operated for two years. In this line he has been quite successful and has made a large amount of money. He is fair and trusting in his business dealings and has the confidence of the general public. He is known all over the county as a man of ex- cellent character and as a true and loyal citizen. He has taken an active interest in the public matters of the township in which he resides and has held various official posi-
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tions. He has been clerk of school district No. 4 for about a year, and is now director of that district in which position he has served his constituency for two years past. In politics he affiliates with the demo- cratic party.
Mr. Bressler was married February 2, 1888. in Lake Benton village, to Miss Lily Louisa Smith, a native of Northfield, Minne- sota, where she lived until reaching the age of twelve years. At that time, with her par- ents, she removed to Lincoln county, where they became pioneer settlers. Her parents are still living in the county. - -
ILLIAM H. STEVENS is a thrifty and substantial farmer of Murray county, Minnesota, and resides on section 30, of Slayton township. He was born in Eaton county, Michigan, July 14, 1854. His par- ents were H. G. and Susan (Curtiss) Stevens, the father a native of Ohio and the mother a native of New York. By occupation the father was a farmer in early life, later was a school teacher and store-keeper, and still later a miner. The father died in Novem- ber, 1878.
The first twenty years of the life of our subject were spent by him in the home of his parents. Up to this time he had been reared as a farmer's boy and had the benefit of the advantages for education furnished by the district schools. At the age of twenty years he engaged for some time with his father in mining, and later rented a farm near Manchester in the State of Iowa. He operated this farm for three years and then worked on a farm in Iowa for two years. Then, in March, 1879, in company with Mr. Lamport, he came to Murray county and soon after located where he now lives. He first went to Currie and remained there a year and then came to his present place.
Mr. Stevens was united in the holy bonds
of matrimony January 4, 1887, to Emma M. Beckon, of Murray county, Minnesota, and daughter of J. A. and Mary E. Beckon. This union has been blessed with two chil- dren, one girl and one boy.
Having through his life been a man of practical temperance ideas, our subject now affiliates with the prohibition party. He takes an active interest in all matters of a general nature and especially has his influ- ence been felt in the politics of his county. He has been justice of the peace for two years and for four years has been a member of the school board. He is a man of high character and is widely known and respected among the citizens of Murray county.
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ENDELIN HECK is one of the pioneer settlers of Pipestone coun- ty, Minnesota, who has risen to a position of prominence and influence in Elmer township. He resides on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 20, where he made his settlement March 1, 1879. The first settlers of the region in which Mr. Heck located were George F. Wait, F. Kurz and a few others, the gentle- men whose names are given being still resi- dents of Elmer township. Another settler was Henry Paul, who remained until in 1884 and then removed to Wisconsin. Coming to the township in such an early day in its his- tory, Mr. Heck had the privilege of assisting in the organization of its civil government in June, 1879. The counting of the ballots at this election was not as laborious a matter as to-day, there being at that time but ten votes cast to determine the formation of the town- ship. The first two town meetings were held in the house of our subject, which he had built in the spring of 1879. It will be seen that the services of the subject of our sketch, and in fact of all voters in the township, were required to administer the public affairs. Mr. Heck continued his interest in these .
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matters, and in 1881 was elected as one of the school directors of District No. 17, which position he held for one year. He was then elected as treasurer of the same district, and holds that position at the present time. For four years he held the office of township supervisor, and in 1888 was elected chairman of the township board, to which position he was re-elected in 1889.
Mr. Heck was born in Baden, Germany, January 7, 1844. When about eight years of age he came with his parents to the United States, landing in New Orleans, whence they went to Sainte Genevieve county, Mis- souri, sixty miles below St. Louis. After remaining in that locality for a few years, in 1856, the family removed to Reed's Landing, Minnesota, and, in 1858, a removal was made to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where the subject of our sketch remained with his parents until in 1879, when he removed to Pipestone county and made a settlement as was stated in the opening lines of this biogra- phy. The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent among circumstances which precluded somewhat the obtaining of a thorough classical education. However he was given the advantage of the common schools in which he obtained a fair common- school education. When he was about twenty years of age, February 1, 1864, lie enlisted as a private in the Second Cavalry Wisconsin Volunteers. His service contin- ued throughout that year and until Novem- ber 15, 1865, when he was discharged at Austin, Texas. His military life was of a checkered nature being connected with a number of different commands. For a time he was under Captain Sherman, then under Captain Leroy. The troops to which this regiment was attached were engaged principally in skirmishing and scouting in Mississippi and Tennessee, a small portion of the time being spent in the same line of maneuvers in Arkansas and Louisi-
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