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 58
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The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, April 11, 1842. His father, Carlisle Ferguson, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was reared and ed- ucated. He emigrated to Iowa in 1854, and thence came to Minnesota in 1857, lo- cating at Vernon, Dodge county. He en- gaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1867. Our subject's mother's name was Sarah Hughes, a native of Belle- fonte, Pennsylvania. She is still living, and resides with her son John. In the father's family there are eight living children-Alex- ander, George, John, Carlisle, Mary Ann, Jane, Martha and Elizabeth.
The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent with his parents in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he received a good common-school education. When thirteen years of age he came with his parents to the State of Iowa, and thence to Minnesota, where he remained until he was eight- een years of age. He then enlisted on the 9th day of October, 1861, in Company K, Third Minnesota In- fantry as a private. He served through- out the war, and was discharged at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, September 2, 1865. He served his country honorably and faithfully as a private under Captain James Hodges,
who is now a resident of Colorado. Our subject participated in the following princi- pal battles: Vicksburg and Murfreesboro, and also in many other battles and skirmishes. He was taken prisoner July 2, 1862, at the battle of Murfreesboro, and was held by the rebels for two days, when he was liberated on parole and allowed to return home. He has never recovered from the hardships and exposure through which he passed in his army service. He contracted the disease of asthma, from which he has never recovered. After his discharge he returned to Olmsted county, Minnesota, making that his home until 1872. He then came to Murray county, where he has since resided.
During the grasshopper raids in this region our subject was obliged to find other em- ployment in order to support his family. During two seasons he went to Olmsted county and worked at various employments.
Mr. Ferguson was married in Olmsted county, Minnesota, December 23, 1866, to Miss Emma Gould, a native of Clinton county, New York. Early in life she came West, and was reared in Olmsted county. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have one child, Lu- cinda, eleven years of age.
Mr. Ferguson is a man of stanch prin- ciples, and affiliates with the republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Tracy, and is a man of exemplary Christian character. He was deacon of that society for three years. By virtue of his honorable career in the Union army he holds an influential position in the Grand Army of the Republic. He has taken a prominent place in public matters.
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JOSEPH S. NARAMORE, a prosperous farmer of Delton township, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, is the son of Sam- uel and Aurelia (Bardwell) Naramore, natives of Massachusetts. Joseph S. was born in
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Goshen, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, May 18, 1827. His father died when he was two and a half years old, and our sub- ject then resided with his mother until he was seven years of age. The mother was then married to Benjamin White, and our subject lived with his uncle, G. Porter, until he was sixteen, when he left the home of his relative and commenced doing for himself.
At sixteen years of age he apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade and continued in that line until he was twenty years old, when he moved to Chicopee, Massachusetts, and engaged in work at his trade for a year. Removing thence he followed his old busi- ness at Kenosha, Wisconsin, and also en- gaged to some extent in farming and teach- ing in Lake county, Illinois. Later he was a salesman in a boot and shoe store for two and a half years in the city of Kenosha; then removed to Lake county, Illinois and engaged in farming and school teaching until the fall of 1855. In this year he re- moved to Hennepin county, Minnesota, and located in the village of Excelsior, on lake Minnetonka, where he worked at his trade and engaged in farming until February, 1865, when he enlisted in Company D, Sec- ond Minnesota Cavalry, and participated in the Indian expedition, serving until December of the same year. After his discharge he returned to Excelsior and worked at his trade until 1872, when he came to Cottonwood county and settled near the village of Mountain Lake. He remained there during two seasons, and then sold out to a Russian and came to Del- ton township, taking a tree claim on section 12, where he has since lived with the excep- tion of two years during the grasshopper times. During these two years his boys were left to run the farm, and our subject and his wife went back to Excelsior, where he worked at his trade to earn money with which to support his family.
The subject of our sketch was married in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Miss Hattie Spen- cer, daughter of Samuel and Martha (Big- elow) Spencer, natives of New Hampshire. Miss Spencer was born in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, January 31, 1830. This union has been blessed with the following named children-Charles Spencer and Fred Albert. Mr. Naramore's family is one of the most in- fluential in Delton township. Mr. Nara- more himself is looked upon as being one of the most honorable and influential of its citizens.
Joseph Naramore's son, CHARLES SPENCER NARAMORE, was born in Libertyville, Lake county, Illinois, August 8, 1854. He re- ceived a good common-school education at Excelsior, Minnesota, and lived with his parents until he was thirty years of age. At twenty-one years he took a homestead of section 12 of Delton township and improved the place, keeping bachelor's hall thereon for two years while his parents were in Excel- sior during the grasshopper times. Besides farming he also dealt in buying and ship- ping cattle and in other profitable employ- ments.
Charles S. Naramore was married in Del- ton township, November 27, 1884, to Miss Belle Beaty, daughter of Samuel M. and Anna K. (Caton) Beaty, natives of New Hampshire and Maine, respectively. Miss Beaty was born in Lenark, Carroll county, Illinois, June 20, 1867. By this union there have been two children-Bertie S. and Wil- ber B., who died March 30, 1889.
Joseph S. Naramore, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, has been one of the most prominent public men in the town- ship. He has been county commissioner two years, township clerk four years, and has held the supervisorship for some time. At present Charles S. Naramore is assessor, school district director, and in all matters tending to the public welfare he always takes
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an active interest. They have been hard workers and good managers, and although when Joseph Naramore commenced life for himself he had no money and nothing but a suit of clothes, he has gradually grown in wealth and prosperity until to-day he is one of the most solid and substantial citizens in the township. Both the father and son, Charles S., have excellent, well-improved farms.
Joseph Naramore's son, Fred Albert, was born in Excelsior, Hennepin county, Min- nesota, February 6, 1863. He is at present engaged in farming on section 12, of Delton township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He is unmarried, and resides with his parents.
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ULIUS RECK, a thrifty and industrious fariner of Lincoln county, Minnesota, located on section 15, Diamond Lake town- ship, on a homestead in 1878. He also took a tree claim on section 12 and set out about ten acres of trees. The first year he broke forty acres of land and in 1879 had forty acres of a poor crop. This was occasioned by heavy winds which prevailed in the spring, thus blowing the dirt off the seed which had been sown. Among other severe trials through which our subject was called to pass was the destruction of his house by a wind storm in 1879. In 1880 our subject still con- tinued his farming operations, and had a good crop. He was one among the pioneer settlers of the township, and has been actively en- gaged in bringing his place up to its present high state of cultivation and improvement. The first three years he broke 240 acres on his two claims. In public matters he has been an active participant and has been chair- man of the township board of supervisors for some years. He has been treasurer of school district No. 9 for three terms and also of dis- trict No. 4 for two terins. For two years he has also occupied the position of justice of
the peace. By constant application to the best interests of his township he has become one of the prominent and influential citizens.
Mr. Reck was born in the city of Wabasha, Wabasha county, Minnesota, June 17, 1858. He is the son of Felix and Philopena (Steutzel) Reck, the father a native of Baden and the mother born in Bavaria, Germany. At the time of the birth of our subject the father was a grain dealer and also was engaged in mercantile pursuits, giv- ing his attention also somewhat to farming.
He was formerly engaged in the hotel business, and for years has been a representa- tive citizen of Wabasha county. The father served for three years as a soldier in the German army, in the war between Prussia and Baden. He is still living and is a resi- dent of Wabasha. The mother is also living in Wabasha. In the father's family there were six children-Barbara, Julius, Bertha, Paulina, Bruno and Alfred.
The subject of our sketch remained in Wabasha county until he was twenty years of age. Up to this time he had resided with his parents, who gave him excellent advant- ages for obtaining an education. When he was twenty years of age he came to Lincoln county and purchased a tree claim as already stated, paying therefor $200. He has since made Lincoln county his home.
Mr. Reck was married December 2, 1884, to Miss Bertha Abram, a native of Prussia. When a year old she was brought by her parents to the United States, and they locat- ed in Minnesota. Her parents are now living in Diamond Lake township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Reck have one son, Felix.
Mr. Reck affiliates with the democratic party and is a leading member of the Catho- lic church. He belongs to the Tyler lodge, Ancient Order United Workmen, and takes an active interest in all matters which per- tain to the welfare of that society. In pub-
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lic matters the subject of our sketch has al- ways been an intelligent and active partici- pant. He has taken a prominent part in various governmental affairs since coming to the township, and has held various positions of trust. In whatever position he has been called upon to serve his constituents, he has served with efficiency and popularity. He is a man of excellent character, and is held in high esteem by all with whom he has to do.
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ENJAMIN W. WOOLSTENCROFT, the proprietor and publisher of the Murray county Republican, is the son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (Kerr) Woolsten- croft, natives of England and Northern Ire- land, respectively. Mr. Woolstencroft was born in Jefferson Barracks, February 22, 1846. He resided on a farm with his par- ents and attended the district schools until he was seventeen years old. He then enlisted in Company L, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, his en- listment bearing date of November 1, 1862. He served gallantly until May 10, 1864, when he was discharged for disability. He was afterward commissioned as a recruiting offi- cer by the governor of Iowa and was ranked as a first lieutenant. He participated in the battle of Whitestone Hill, September 3, 4 and 5, 1863, and also in a battle with the Indians at Niobrara river.
Our subject had patriotic blood in his veins, having come from good war stock. His father was an old soldier of the Black Hawk War and also served in the Florida and Mex- ican wars. He held the position of orderly sergeant. After the Civil War was over Benjamin W. Woolstencroft returned to Clayton county, Iowa, to which place his parents had moved when he was a small boy. He remained on the farm until July, 1867, when he came to Nobles county, Minnesota, settling on government land which was then
unsurveyed. He resided here until 1876, assisting in the organization of the county, having been appointed county commissioner by Governor Austin. He was elected first county auditor, but would not qualify. He was county surveyor for eight years in Nobles county. He was also county surveyor for the same length of time in Murray county, which position he now holds. In 1878 he sold out his property in Nobles county and removed to Murray county, where he con- tinued during one winter, about six miles from where the village of Fulda now stands. In the spring of 1879, in the capacity of sur- veyor, he platted the town of Fulda, and took up his location here. During the first one and a half years he was engaged in book- keeping for W. H. Johnson & Co., in their general store. At that time he engaged in the publishing business, in which he has since been occupied.
Mr. Woolstencroft was married in Clayton county, Iowa, December 18, 1866, to Miss Susan Anscomb, daughter of John and Sarah (Rathburn) Anscomb, natives of England and Ohio. Miss Anscomb was born in Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, April 2, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Woolstencroft have been blessed with the following-named children-Minnie, Arthur, William, Mark, Belle, John and Lulu. The son Arthur was the first white boy born in Southwestern Minnesota.
The subject of our sketch has been active and public-spirited as a citizen of Fulda. He has held various official positions, among them being that of president of the village council and also of the school board, besides having been county surveyor and holding other county offices. He is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and also of the Grand Army of the Republic, Zach. Taylor Post, No. 42, of which he has been command- er and adjutant for several years. His prin- cipal business throughout a great portion of his residence in Minnesota has been that of
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surveying, and he was the one who surveyed the line of the Southern Minnesota Railroad from Eagle Lake, Nobles county, to the west line-of the State.
Mr. Woolstencroft's father was a soldier for twenty-one years and three months, and died in the village of Fulda, February 11, 1887. He was married December 3, 1835, and on the 'fiftieth anniversary of his wed- ding day the citizens of Fulda made him a present of a fine gold-headed cane and his wife of a pair of gold spectacles and an easy chair. When the father was on the western expeditions he passed through many hair- breadth escapes, and gathered together many interesting relics, some of which are now in the State historical rooms.
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HARLES EDWARDS is a thrifty and substantial farmer of Hansonville township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he is located on section 24, on a fine farm of 160 acres. He has given his attention prin- cipally to general farming and stock raising, and in connection therewith has operated a threshing-machine during the last nine years. He made his location in the township in 1879, and has, since that year, been actively en- gaged in improving his farm. He has set out a large number of cottonwood and box elder trees, and has now a beautiful grove. During the first year he broke up between ten and twelve acres, and this, with six acres broken before he settled on his land, was sown with wheat. His crop yielded eighteen bushels to the acre. He built a small shanty 12x12 feet, and this still forms a part of his dwelling-house. He has, however, added to it and improved it until now he has a very pleasant and comfortable home. He also built a sod stable 14x16 feet, using the build- ing for about a year and building another, and so keeping on improving until he has now provided his farm with all necessary
out-buildings. He was one of the earliest settlers of the township, and has occupied an influential position in all public affairs. He has held several positions of responsibility, among them being that of constable of the town- ship, to which he was elected four years, and supervisor, which position he held one year.
The place of the nativity of Mr. Edwards is to be found in Norway, where he was born in June, 1858. He resided in the old country for some ten years and then with his parents came to the United States, locating in Fill- more county, Minnesota. Ten years of resi- dence there sufficed and our subject came to his present farm in Lincoln county. The educational facilities in his native country and in Fillmore county were of good char- acter and he was able to acquire a good com- mon-school education. On coming to this township he at once took hold of its various enterprises and assisted in its organization in about 1885, our subject originating the petition for its organization. The first township meeting was held at the house of Mr. Westby on section 22.
The subject of our sketch was married January 9, 1881, to Miss Emma Christoffor- son, a native of Fillmore county. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have two children-Thea and Clara.
In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party and has at- tained to considerable prominence in tlie local affairs of that organization. He is also a loyal and consistent member of the Luth- eran church, of which he is at present a trus- tee. In matters of an educational, political and religious nature our subject has been inti- mately associated with the best interests of the county. He has assisted in every way in developing the farming interests of his locality and has aided in every project tend- ing to its growth and prosperity. He is a thorough-going, hard-working farmer, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens.
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ENRY O. WHITEHEAD is one of the foremost citizens of Pipestone county, Minnesota, and lives in a pleasant home on section 18, in Sweet township. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres of land, and has grown in wealth and popularity ever since coming to the county.
The subject of our sketch was born in Ogle county, Illinois, March 7, 1856. He is the son of Job Whitehead, of whom a sketch is given in another department of this work. The mother was Rebecca (Biggers) White- head, a native of New York, and at present a resident of Sweet township, where the father is also living. When the subject of our sketch was about nine years of age his parents moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from whence, after a residence of about three years, they moved to Story county, same State, where they. engaged in agricultural pursuits. After five years they again moved, this tiine going to Webster county, same State. and remaining between three and five years. From thence they moved to Lyon county, settling in Rock Rapids, from whence, about five years later, they moved to Pipe- stone county, Minnesota, where the family has since lived. Up to fourteen years of age the subject of our sketch helped his father on the home farm, and was given good educational advantages.
Mr. Whitehead was married March 19, 1876, in Lyon county, Iowa, to Frances V. Brooks, a native of Columbia county, Wis- consin. Her father, John Brooks, was a native of New York, and was a man of prominence in the State in which he lived. For a number of years he was overseer of the United States arsenal at Trov, New York, and during the later years of his life was engaged in the occupation of farming. His death occurred November 19, 1884, in Lyon county, Iowa. The father was a soldier in the Union army for three years. Mrs. Whitehead's mother was Lydia M.
(Stebbins) Brooks. She died in Rock county, Minnesota, April 18, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead have two children, both of whom are living- Edith P., born April 15, 1879, and Dudley V., born March 31, 1885.
In politics Mr. Whitehead affiliates with the union labor party, having been connected with that organization for some years. Our subject is a man of broad ideas, well-culti- vated mind, energetic and careful in his business transactions, and has built up a large circle of warm friends since coming to Pipestone county. He is a good citizen, and takes an active interest in all matters of a public nature. Mrs. Whitehead is a lady of much culture and refinement. She has taken an unusual amount of interest in educa- tional matters, and was elected as the first county superintendent of schools in Pipestone county, but owing to a clause in the laws of the State, at that time, to the effect that a " woman could not hold the office," she was not permitted to qualify.
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ILLIAM H. WILSON is engaged in one of the most im portant busi- ness enterprises of Rock county, and is therefore one of Rock county's best known and most trustworthy citizens. He is the proprietor of the Luverne Roller Flouring Mills, located on the Rock river, just east of the city. He came to Luverne in 1876, and for about six years engaged in the hardware business. On first coming to the city, he built his mill, and engaged more or less in its operation. He is one of the most enter- prising business men among Luverne's early settlers. He built the first brick building in the city, and indeed the first in the county, in 1878, this building being now used by the Security Bank. This structure was 24x60 feet, two stories high, with good cellar, and cost in the neighborhood of three thousand dollars. The mill, taking into consideration
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all its improvements, and its equipment with the modern invention now so universally used and known as the roller system, cost some sixteen thousand dollars. Here our subject employs some six men continually, and is engaged in operating an extensive and profitable business. Besides his city business enterprises, he has also invested considerable in lands in the county, and has several choice farms. He is engaged in gen- eral farming, and to some extent makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs. Every busi- ness project that would help develop the in- terests of Luverne has met with the hearty support of Mr. Wilson. He became one of the leading spirits in the organization of Rock County Bank, of which he has been vice-presi- dent ever since its organization. He was also one of the organizers and is the president of the Security Bank of Howard, Minor county, Dakota. We have already intimated that our subject contributed largely in the build- ing enterprises of Luverne. He has built several business buildings, some of which he has sold and others he rents. He built a very fine residence in 1887 at a cost of about five thousand dollars. This was the finest dwell- ing house in the city, and is fitted with all the modern improvements.
The place of the nativity of Mr. Wilson is found in Ogdensburg, New York, where he was born in the year 1848. His father was James Wilson, a native of Ireland; his mother was a native of Scotland, and her name before her marriage was Mary Piercey. The father came to America in 1840, and settled in New York State, where he en- gaged in the occupation of farming. New York remained the home of the parents throughout their life. They had a family of six children, five of whom are now living -- William H., John, now a resident of Luverne, and foreman in our subject's mill; Margaret, now Mrs. David Shell of Mitchell, Dakota ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Kelley, of New
York; and James, at present operating the old homestead in St. Lawrence county, New York.
The parental roof sheltered the subject of our sketch until he became sixteen years of age Up to this time he had been assisting in work on the home farm and had attended district school at every opportunity. He thus obtained a good common school education and became well fitted for entering actively upon the duties of active life which have fallen to his lot. At the age of sixteen he went to Ogdensburg, New York, and com- menced learning the milling trade, serving an apprenticeship of some six years. Then, in 1870, he came West and settled in Win- dom, Minnesota, where he engaged in gen- eral merchandising. He was the first mer- chant of that town, and continued his resi- dence there engaged in business until 1876, when he came to Luverne. He built the first store building in Windom, and built another larger store in which he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Mr. Hutton, under the firm name of Hutton & Wilson. This business partner- ship was continued for some time until Mr. Wilson sold out his interest to Mr. Hutton, and came to Luverne. The firm of Hutton & Wilson did an extensive business at Windom, and they were the largest and most subetantial dealers in that place.
The subject of our sketch was married in 1881 to Miss Zillah E. Drew, of Luverne, daughter of Charles C. and Sarah Drew. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been blessed with one child, a son named Charles.
The political affiliations of the subject of our sketch have been with the democratic party. He is also an influential member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. Throughout his business career in Rock county he has proven himself a man of careful, conservative business habits, and also a man of the highest integrity. He has
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