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 60
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pains in building a good straw barn in Octo- ber, 1877, and this has been so well preserved that it is still used for the accommodation of his stock. Our subject has a fine farm, and has now 120 acres under cultivation, and has the balance for pasture lands. He has excel- lent living water, and has, indeed, one of the finest farms in the country. On making his settlement Mr. Whipple became an active participant in all public affairs, and assisted in the organization of the township in 1879, the first meeting being held in the Bradley school-house. At this meeting there were from ten to fourteen votes cast.
The subject of our sketch was born in Orleans county, New York, December 7, 1842. He is the son of Austin and Betsey (Dane) Whipple, the former born in Pitts- field, Massachusetts, and the latter a native of New Hampshire. The father was an active and energetic farmer throughout most of his life, but at the time of his death had retired from active business. He died in Naples, Illinois, March 14, 1886, at the age of eighty-one years. The mother of our subject was reared and educated in her native State, and when she was about seven- teen years of age came with her parents to Orleans county, New York, where her father engaged in farming. She died in 1879. The parents were both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the father's family there were four chidren- John G. D., James, Mary and George. James is now living in Naples, Illinois, where he is engaged in farmning and stock raising. Mary died at the age of seven years, and George died when three years old in Orleans county, New York.
The subject of our sketch remained in the county of his nativity until he was thirty-four years of age. During his early life he had received an excellent training and a good education in the public schools. He had assisted his father in work on the
home farm, and after our subject's marriage, which occurred in 1867, he took charge of the father's farm, which he rented and operated for some seven years. After that time had expired he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, arriving in that place December 9, 1876. After remaining a short time in St. Paul he came to Lincoln county and located his claim, the family following a month later.
Mr. Whipple was married November 5, 1867, to Miss Lizzie Kennen, a native of Canada, where she was reared and educated until she was seventeen years of age. She then came to the State of New York with a sister and met and finally married our sub- ject at Albion, Orleans county. Mr. and Mrs. Whipple have had four children, three boys and one girl-Ida, Willie, Lewis and Chester, the latter being named after Presi- dent Arthur. These children have all been thoroughly educated, and Ida has been a teacher in the public schools for three terms.
In the veins of our subject there flowed good Revolutionary blood. He had heen taught the principles of good government and had been educated to be a patriotic citi- zen. On the breaking out of the war our subject's mind was exercised over the welfare of his country, and August 13, 1862, he en- listed in the One Hundred and Fifty-first New York Volunteer Infantry. He con- tinued doing loyal service in the Union army until his discharge, which took place at Wash- ington, June 27, 1865. During part of the time he was under Captain Bowen, and was discharged under Captain Miller. He par- ticipated in a number of hard-fought bat- tles and saw much severe service. He participated in the battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, after which with his regiment he crossed the James river, remaining at the front be- sieging Petersburg for some ten days. His regiment was then transferred to the
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Shenandoah valley and participated in the battles of Manassas Junction, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, these last three engagements being under General Sher- idan. He was also in the severe battle of Gettysburg under General Meade. After this our subject's regiment was transferred back to Petersburg, where they continued with General Grant's corps until the close of the war. Gallantly this army charged the breastworks about Petersburg and after ac- complishing victory for the Union arms pur- sued the Rebel General Lee to Appamattox Court House, where he surrendered. Our subject passed through the war without re- ceiving any dangerous wounds. The expos- ure of his military life, however, undermined his health, and for six months he lay sick in Carver hospital at Washington. After being discharged he returned to New York State, where he remained until the fall of 1867, engaged in working his father's farm.
In commencing the last paragraph we said that military spirit had been inherited by our subject. This is seen from the fact that his mother's grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary War and her father served in the War of 1812, and her brother, John Dane, served in the Mexican War. By this it will be seen that the military spirit has been con- tinually in the generations of this family, and our subject faithfully and bravely fulfilled the prediction made by the ac- tions of his ancestors when he entered the Union army and fought through the Civil War. Our subject's uncle, Milton Whip- ple, was a man of large means in New York State and accomplished a great deal in rais- ing money for the Union army and in creat- ing a sentiment in favor of emancipation. He was instrumental in having a monument erected to the old soldiers who went into the service from Riga township, Monroe county, New York. This beautiful and costly monu- ment stands in the burying ground in the
village of Churchville. Milton Whipple was a man of large prominence and wide influ- ence in those days ; was a representative man in every particular and was held in high es- teem.
Since making his location in Lincoln county Mr. Whipple has taken a prominent place among the leading business men of his locality. He hasidentified himself intimately with the governmental affairs and has served his fel- low-citizens in various official capacities. He has been supervisor of the township for sev- eral years and was chairman of the board of supervisors for two years. In the spring of 1889 he was re elected treasurer of the town- ship which position he has held, since 1885. He has been clerk of school district No. 9 since its organization and was one of the leading spirits in the work in having it or- ganized. He is an influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic and holds the office of junior commander of the local lodge. Mr. Whipple is a man of true and loyal citi- zenship, is possessed of an irreproachable character and is esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHNSON W. STONE, an exemplary citizen and prosperous farmer of Os- born township, Pipestone county, Minnesota, came to this locality in 1879, in company with A. J. Myers and Ed. W. Day. His permanent location was not made in the county at the date just given, however. He pre-empted his land in the southeast quarter of section 20 and then went to Magnolia township, seven miles east of Luverne, Rock county, and lived on a homestead about one and a half years. He then sold out his interest in Rock county, and removed to his present place, where he has resided ever since. He was one of the very first settlers of the township and rendered valuable assist- ance when the township was organized in 1879.
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Mr. Stone was born in Litchfield, Connec- ticut, May 7, 1835. His father died in 1841 and the mother passed from this life in Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1842. When our subject was about six years of age his father died and he moved with his mother to Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, where, after his mother's death, one year later, he then found a home with a cousin until he was eighteen years of age. Until this time óur subject had been given the advantages of a common-school educa- tion, and by studious application to his school duties had become well fitted for any life of business activity. At eighteen years of age, our subject in company with two sisters and an older brother, moved on a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here Mr. Stone continued his residence for about two years, when, on the marriage of a sister and his older brother, he worked out at farm work by the month. At twenty-two years of age he was married, and for two years thereafter engaged in farming on his own account. He then turned his attention to blacksmithing, and after continuing in that line of employment for some years, removed to Decorah, Iowa, where he employed his time in farming and also buying and selling a number of town lots. One and a half years was the extent of his residence in Decorah. At the end of that time he re- moved to Saratoga, Winona county, Minne- sota, where he remained until he came to Pipestone county, at the time mentioned in the opening of this sketch.
Mr. Stone was married January 1, 1847, to Miss Sarah Birdsall, a native of Pennsyl- vania, in which State she received an excel- lent education. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have no children.
In politics the subject of our sketch is a representative republican and takes an active part in the local affairs of that organi- zation. Since coming to the township he
has identified himself with everything that pertains to the welfare of public matters and has held several positions of trust and re- sponsibility. Three different times he has been elected to the board of supervisors and has been chairman of that body for two years. He has been one of the side super- visors for three years. His abilities as a public officer have been recognized in other places, and while a resident of Winona county, he held the office of township super- visor, and was also the incumbent of various school offices. In religious matters he takes an active interest, and is an exemplary mem- ber of the Baptist church. Since coming to the township our subject has grown in pros- perity and has surrounded himself with the evidences of success. He is a man of good character and holds the confidence of his fellow-townsmen.
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ENRY P. GOERTZ, a leading mer- chant of Mountain Lake village, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota, is engaged in handling lumber, grain and machinery. He has built up an extensive trade, and has be- come one of the reliable citizens of the local- ity. His parents were Peter and Cornelia (Franz) Goertz, natives of Russia and Prus- sia, respectively. The father was engaged in the grocery and lumber business, and came to the United States in 1875, locating in Cottonwood county, Minnesota, purchas- ing five acres and a number of lots in the village of Mountain Lake, where he engaged in the general mercantile business. He is one of the prominent citizens of the village and county, and was the first of his country- men to start in business in the village. In the father's family there were two children -Henry P. and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is now the wife of David Ewart, who is en- gaged in the mercantile business in Mountain Lake. The father and mother are still
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living near the village, and are quite well- to-do.
The subject of our sketch was born in Southern Russia in the village of Gnaden- feld, a few miles from the Black Sea, Febru- ary 28, 1860. He came with his parents to the United States in 1875, and assisted his father in the mercantile business until 1881. Our subject was given a good common- school education, and was well fitted for the practical business of life. In 1881 he and Mr. Erret purchased our subject's father's store, and also engaged in the lumber and grain business soon after, and continued in partnership for some three years. At the end of that time a division of the business took place, and Mr. Ewart took charge of the mercantile department and our subject took the grain and lumber and also engaged in farm machinery business at that time. Our subject has been quite successful in his var- ious business operations and has accumulated large means, being now given to the practice of buying all kinds of goods for cash rather than buying and selling on commission.
The subject of our sketch was married in Mountain Lake, June 20, 1886, to Miss Eliza- beth Hiebert, a daughter of Gerhart and Susana (Emms) Hiebert, natives of Germany. Miss Hiebert was born in Berjansk, Russia, January 7, 1866. This union has been blessed with two children-Henry and Peter.
The subject of our sketch has held various official positions with credit and honor, among them being that of township treas- urer, school clerk, etc. He is also treasurer of the Cottonwood Creamery Association ; treasurer of the Mountain Lake Tow Com- pany ; and a member of the village council at present. He is a man of excellent principles and is a member of the Mennonite church. Our subject is one of the most successful business men in the village. He owns a large elevator and other property besides an immense stock of goods. In the beginning
of the year 1889 he went in partnership again with Mr. Cornelius Penner, and they started a branch lumber yard at Bingham Lake, Minnesota, and also went in the hard- ware business with Mr. Ewart again. In 1887, Mr. Goertz purchased a three-acre lot on the south side of the railroad track on which he erected an expensive and most at- tractive dwelling, and which he is arranging into beautiful lawns, orchard, garden, etc.
Mr. Goertz is a capable business man and is held in high esteem both as a man and citizen by all who know him.
E. HEGGERSTON, one of the prosperous and influential citizens of Ann township, Cottonwood county, Minne- sota, resides on section 18. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, where he was born August 18, 1852. His parents were Erick and Mary (Klomstad) Heggerston. The mother died in 1859 and the father still lives in his native country. In the father's family there were six children, three of whom are now living-Carrie, Ole and E. E.
The subject of our sketch assisted his father on the farm until he was some eighteen years of age, when he came to the United States and stopped for a brief time at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Fillmore county, Minnesota, then became his home for a year, and he came to Ann township in 1872, and took his claim in 1873. Mr. Heggerston is a man of large energy and activity, and is continually in search of something profitable to which he may turn his hand. In the fall of 1881 he went to Todd county, Minnesota, and there worked in the woods during the winter. The next spring he went to Becker county, where he visited an uncle and found employment at various occupations. He next went to Crook- ston and drove a team of horses to Grand Forks, thence to Laramore, and thence to Stump lake; thence he went to the Cheyenne
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river, also to Devil's lake, and engaged in traveling through the western country for some three years, finally locating on his orig- inal homestead, which had been lying idle while he was away, in Ann township, Cot- tonwood county, where he has since lived. IIe is a hard-working, energetic farmer, and has provided his farm with good improve- ments in the way of a comfortable dwelling- house and commodious barns and otlier out- buildings. He has a beautiful grove of three acres of trees. During the grasshopper raids he was almost discouraged with farming, and was driven away from home in order to obtain money enough to support himself. These things, however, passed away, and good times have been visiting our subject during the suc- ceeding years.
Mr. Heggerston was married December 17, 1887, to Miss Mary Ellefson, whose parents reside in Walnut Grove, Redwood county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Heggerston have adopted one child-Mrs. Heggerson's sister - Annie Maria.
In all matters pertaining to the public wel- fare the subject of our sketch takes an active part. Being a republican in politics, he lias been elected to several township offices, such as assessor, justice of the peace, constable, and various school offices. Mr. Heggerston and family are members of the Lutheran church.
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ONTREVILLE LAFAYETTE DORWIN, one of the prosperous and influential farmers of Lake Stay town- ship, located on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 35 in the spring of 1881. He was the son of La Fayette and Frona (Watson) Dor- win, natives of Vermont. His parents were farmers by occupation, and, leaving the State of Vermont in early life, they removed to Wisconsin, locating near Sparta in about 1864.
Mr. Dorwin was born in Fairfax, Franklin county, Vermont, August 9, 1848. He re- mained with his parents on the home farm and attended the district schools until he was eighteen years of age. At this time he com- menced working out for adjoining farmers and teaming to some extent. This line of employment was continued for some years in and about Sparta, Wisconsin, to which place his parents removed May 1, 1864. Con- tinuing, he engaged in these various lines of occupation until he was twenty-five years of age, he was then married and rented a farm about three miles from Sparta, where he en- gaged in farming for seven years. Then, in 1881, he purchased and settled on his farm of 156 acres of railroad land on the north side of Dead Coon lake in Lake Stay town- ship. Our subject lives about one-half mile from the site of the former home of Houkak, a brother of the noted Indian cliief Little Crow. Houkak's log house stood in this location for years after the Sioux massacre. Little Crow used to visit his brother abont twice a year for the purpose of hunting and trapping, and, bringing friends with him whenever he chose, he almost ate Honkak out of house and home. Since making his location in the county, our subject has been quite successful in his operations on his farmi, and has accumulated considerable means. He has a fine farm under good cultivation and provided with excellent buildings. He has interested himself to a large extent in public matters and has held several official positions, among them being supervisor, school clerk, which latter office he has held ever since he has been in the township. He is a man of good business qualities, of the highest character, and is esteemed by all his friends and neighbors.
Mr. Dorwin was married in Sparta, Wis- consin, December 25, 1873, to Miss Mary Neuwerth. This lady was a daughter of Mitchell and Mary Neuwerth, natives of
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Germany, and she was herself born in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Dorwin have been blessed with the following named children- Harry Orville, Verna Mabel, Orin Newell, Mattie M., Rollin E., Wallace Burton and Laura Irene. Three children were born in Sparta, Wisconsin, and the others were born in Lake Stay township.
ILLIAM H. KENETY is a sub- stantial farmer and citizen of Bon- din township, Murray county, Minnesota. He is the son of William and Eliza- beth (Conlon) Kenety, natives of Ire- land. The father moved to Massachusetts before the birth of William H., and there followed the trade of blacksmithing until 1855, when the family moved to St. Marie, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where the father bought a farm and put up a blacksmith shop, and followed his old trade in connection with farming.
The subject of our sketch was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, December 17, 1844. His early life was spent in assisting his father and in attending the district school. He remained with his parents until February 5, 1882. Before leaving Wisconsin about nine years were spent in selling farm ma- chinery, as the agent for Bigget & Black- stone. He was then married, and came directly to Fulda, Minnesota, where he pur- chased eighty acres of railroad land on section 13, on which he built a nice frame house and very fine barn,20x40 feet, with twelve-foot posts and seven-foot basement. On the north side of the house is a very fine grove of hand-planted trees. Our subject also owns 160 acres as a tree claim on section 28, on which are about ten acres of trees.
Mr. Kenety was married in 1882, in Mon- tello, Marquette county, Wisconsin, to Miss Annie Powers, daughter of Michael and Ellen (Carmody) Powers, who were natives
of Ireland. Miss Powers was born in Ma- lone, Franklin county, New York, in Febru- ary, 1850. When she was a small child her parents moved to Neshkoro, Marquette county, Wisconsin, where the father pur- chased a farm, about six miles from where Mr. Kenety lived, and where they were still living at the time of her marriage. The day after their marriage they started for Minne- sota. This union has been blessed with three children-John, William and Ella. John died September 28, 1886.
Mr. Kenety has always taken an active interest in public matters, as is shown by the fact that he has held many offices of trust and responsibility. Among these may be named that of county commissioner, to which he was elected on the democratic ticket in 1886, and again in 1888. He was also chairman of the board of township supervisors for six years. While in Wiscon- sin he was township treasurer and tax col- lector for three years, and also held various school offices. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of Avoca. Mr. Kenety is a man of exemplary charac- ter, and is a member of the Catholic church.
DGAR M. BENTLEY, a leading citi- zen and business man of Jasper, is engaged in the hardware business, carrying a large and finally assorted stock in his line, and doing a successful business.
The place of the nativity of Mr. Bentley is found in Peoria county, Illinois, where he was born October 1, 1860. His parents, William H. and Hannah B. (Lucas) Bentley, were natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania. The father has followed book-keeping for lumber houses principally throughout his life, and is at present a resident of Peoria, Illinois. He came to that State in about 1842, first settling in Elmwood, where for a
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number of years he engaged in farming. In the father's family there were five children, all of whom are living-George L., now in Montana; Edgar M., Emma J., Schuyler C., at present a resident of Omaha, and William II., now living in Peoria, Illinois.
The early educational advantages of the subject of our sketch were of good character, and he was able to acquire a good common- school education. He remained under par- ental authority until about sixteen years of age, at which time he commenced clerking in a grocery store in Elmwood, where he re- mained some six years. After this two and one-half years were spent in clerking in a general store at Smithville, Illinois, and thence he removed to Blanchard, Iowa. He remained in Blancliard for one year, engaged in clerking in a drug store, after which he went to Dakota, locating at Colman, where he engaged in the hardware and drug busi- ness. After a business career of three years in Coleman, he then sold out and came to Pipestone county, settling in the village of Jasper, where he has since remained. On arriving in the village he purchased a hand- some lot on Wall street, and erected a store building 20x40 feet and two stories high. He carries a large line of shelf and heavy hard- ware, and is doing an excellent and profit- able business.
Mr. Bentley was united in marriage in 1886 to Miss Nellie Hoskins, of Colman, Dakota. This lady is a daughter of Thomas E. and Mary (Ramsdell) Hoskins. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have one son-Ray L.
In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the Republican party, and is a leading member of the local lodge Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. Since coming to the villiage Mr. Bentley has been intimately identified with all public matters which per- tain to its growth and development. He is an active and energetic business man, and, besides carrying his own trade, is largely in-
terested in the Jasper Produce Company, of which he is one of the directors.
LBERT J. COX, M. D., is one of the leading and most influential physi- cians and surgeons in Lincoln county, Minne- sota. He resides in the village of Tyler, where he is engaged in the active practice of his profession. He is the son of James and Minerva J. (Cook) Cox. His mother was the widow of Zebulon A. Viles, and after Mr. Viles had been dead five years she was married to James Cox, the father of our sub- ject. The doctor's father was a native of Somerestshire, England, and the mother was a native of New York State. Early in their married life they removed to Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, where, March 2, 1862, Albert J., the subject of oursketch, was born.
As soon as the subject of our sketch was old enough he was sent to the district school and was kept therein until he was fourteen years of age, having to attend to his studies both summer and winter. After fourteen he went to school during the winters and assist- ed at work on the farm during the summers. This was continued until he was eighteen years of age, when, in the fall of 1880, he was sent to the Galesville (Wisconsin) Uni- versity, from which institution he graduated in June, 1883. He was determined to obtain an education, and being possessed of consid- erable push and energy, and what is famil- iarly called in Western phrase " grit " and " stick-to-a-tiveness," he succeeded in earn- ing sufficient money to pay his own way through school. He was in the university about eighty weeks, and the bal- ance of the years spent there he was work- ing at something in order to earn money sufficient to pay his tuition and other ex- penses. He saw considerable hardship, but bore it all because he was obtaining his much desired education. During a portion of the
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