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 62
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
491
SOUTIIWESTERN MINNESOTA.
in work at his trade. His next move was to the Lake Superior copper mines, where he found employment at carpentering for eight- een or nineteen years. He then came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and has made that his home ever since. After spending a long time in this county in active farming and in other business, he has retired from active labor, and is now living on what has been gathered as the result of a successful career.
Mr. Lott was married in October, 1841, to Miss Sarah Mckown, a native of New Brunswick, where she was born in the year 1819, and reared until six years of age. She then removed to Canada, whence, after be- ing thoroughly educated, she went to Wis- consin, where she was married. Mrs. Lott died January 16, 1889. She was a lady of exemplary Christian character, and was an es- teemed member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lott has had a family of seven children-John Henry, Edward P., Anelliza, Thomas, Elizabeth M., Joseph and Su- sana. Of these John Henry, Joseph, Thomas, and Susana are deceased. Edward P. is a lawyer, located on Lake Superior. Coming to the township in such an early day, Mr. Lott has had occasion to assist in the development of various public projects. He was a leading spirit in the organization of the township, and has been supervisor and has also held various school offices. In poli- tics he affiliates with the republican party. Having come to the county in an early day, he passed through many of the experiences which come to all pioneer settlers. What- ever has come to him, however, he has en- countered in a manly spirit, has overcome all obstacles, and has finally reached good cir- cumstances and can enjoy his old age in the possession of plenty. During the early days his nearest place for purchasing provisions was New Ulm, a distance of fifty miles, and this village was their trading point for three
years. Then Windom began to grow into a little village and our subject could go to that place to obtain provisions. Our subject re- members that many a time he has gone to his trading point with an ox team and camped out on the prairie by the way-side, the trip occupying four days. Mr. Lott is well known throughout the county, and is one of the repre- sen tative citizens of this township, being re- spected as a man of integrity by all who know him.
ATRICK GILDEA is a prominent and influential farmer of Cameron town- ship, Murray county, Minnesota, and resides on section 28. He was born in Ireland October 31, 1845, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Johnson) Gildea, also natives of Ireland. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, and came to America in 1847, locat- ing in Racine, Wisconsin. After remaining for three years he sent for the rest of his family to join him in Wisconsin. The mother died in Illinois in about 1850. In 1851 the family removed to Sauk county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming for ten years, when they removed to Prairie du Chien. After two years they came to Minnesota, locating in Rochester, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits for fourteen years. The family then came to Murray county, and located on a claim in Cameron town- ship.
The subject of our sketch remained with his parents receiving a good common-school education until he was twenty-one years of age. Up to this time he had assisted his father in work on the farm in the vicinity of Rochester. On leaving home he went to Omaha, where he remained during the win- ter. In the spring he crossed the western. plains, hauling government freight to Camp Douglas, Salt Lake City. After three months he went to Boise City, Idaho Territory, and
492
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
engaged in farming for some ten years. He then took a trip through Oregon and Cal- ifornia, going by steamer to Puget sound, and after two months returning to Roch- ester, Minnesota, on a brief visit to his father's family. He then started out on a trip down the Mississippi river, and at St. Louis purchased an outfit and drove from that place, and located the claim where he lives, in 1878. He was the fourth settler in the township, and built the fifth building.
Mr. Gildea was married in August, 1883, to Miss Mary Nonnenmacher, a native of New York, and a daughter of Andrew and Ernstine (Vill) Nonnenmacher. Her father died some years ago, and her mother is still living in Winona county. Mr. and Mrs. Gil- dea have three children-Joseph, Mary W. and Gertrude E.
In politics Mr. Gildea affiliates with no particular party, but occupies an independent position, voting for men best fitted for official positions. He takes an active part in all matters of a public nature, and has been chairman of the board of supervisors for five years. He is a consistent member of the Catholic church, and both as a man and a citizen is held in high esteem by all who know him.
HRISTIAN I. RING, one of Edger- ton's most prosperous business men, came to Pipestone county early in 1878, and is at present engaged in the dry goods, cloth- ing, and boot and shoe business. He carries a large stock of goods and has a wide and in- creasing trade. He was born in Christiania, Norway, June 11, 1848. His parents were Iver H. and Inger (Jacobson) Ring, both na- tives of Norway, in which country they still live.
The boyhood life of our subject was spent at the home of his parents, who placed him in school until he was fifteen years of age.
At this time he concluded to strike out and do for himself by finding employment as a clerk. He engaged with a firm in Chris tiania, and continued with them until in 1869, when he emigrated to the United States, lo- cating first at Lansing, Iowa. Here he en- gaged in work for different farmers for about three years, at the end of which period he again commenced clerking, finding employ- ment in a store in the village of Lansing. He continued a profitable engagement with his employers for a period of three years, when he returned on a visit to his native land, remaining some six months. On re- turning to the United States he went back to Lansing and again commenced clerking, con- tinuing in that employment in that place for about two years. He then removed to Lu- verne, Rock county, Minnesota, where he clerked in a store for about three years, remov- ing from thence to Flandreau, Dakota, where he clerked in a branch house for the same firm for which he had worked in Luverne. This firm was by name Landien & Nelson. After six months' stay in Dakota he came to Pipestone City, Minnesota, and found em- ployment for about six months in a lumber yard. He then was placed in charge of the lumber yard of Edgerton, his employer being John Paul, of La Crosse. He continued in charge of this business until the fall of 1888, when he opened in a general mercantile busi- ness. He continued running a general store until in March, 1889, when he closed out the grocery business and has since confined him- self to handling dry goods, clothing and boots and shoes. He owns a homestead in the county, on which he filed his claim before going to Dakota the first time. He proved up on his claim in March, 1885.
Mr. Ring was married in Lansing, Iowa, March 23, 1885, to Miss Hokina Johnson, who was born about one mile from the city of Christiania, Norway, August 14, 1844, Miss Johnson is the daughter of Carl and
493
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
Mary (Olsen) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Ring have had one child, which is deceased.
The subject of our sketch has had a practi- cal training in his business and has met with merited success. He also takes a lively in- terest in public matters and has held many offices, among them being that of village re- corder, clerk of the school board and justice of the peace. He is a leading and influential member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Ring is a busy, energetic man and is lay- ing the foundation for a large and profitable business. Both as a citizen and as a busi- ness man he is held in high esteem by the residents of Edgerton.
EORGE WASHINGTON DAVIS is a leading farmer and stock raiser of Germantown township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and resides on one hundred acres of land on section 10. He located in the county in 1886, purchasing his farm of his father.
The subject of this sketch was born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, March 26, 1865, and was the son of Isaac Davis, a farmer by occupation. George remained with his par- ents until he was twenty-one years of age, up to which time he had been given a good common-school education. On attaining his majority he engaged in farming, and took a place near Sanborn, Redwood county.
Mr. Davis is a young man of pleasant traits, is intelligent and progressive in his ideas, and is one of the rising young men of Cottonwood county. He is a republican in politics, and is growing in popularity with the members of that party, and has held several of the township offices.
November 23, 1887, Mr. Davis was mar- ried to Miss Katie Dellaughter, a daughter of William Dellaughter, a resident of Iowa, and a painter by trade. This lady was
born in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, where she received her early education. She com- pleted her education in the schools of Man- kato, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. She had two sisters, Emma and Ella. Her mother died when she was seven years old, and the girls, with great difficulty, kept house for the father for three years. The father was then married to Mrs. O'Neal, who had, by a former marriage, four children- Frank, Mamie, Emma and Maud. She was a kind, good woman, and tenderly cared for all the children. Mrs. Davis' father is still living, being now seventy-one years old, and enjoying excellent health.
George W. Davis and wife have one child -Myrtle Ruby, born July 18, 1889.
ERRED L. MARCELLUS, a promi- nent farmer of Diamond Lake town- ship, Lincoln county, Minnesota, settled on a homestead on section 4 in July, 1872. He was one of the first settlers of this region and when he first made his settlement there ivas but one house between his and the village of Marshall, some twenty miles dis- tant. This house was occupied by a family by the name of King, who kept a kind of hotel or stopping place for travelers. When our subject located in the township there were perhaps three or four other residents, their names being, Ramsey, Worden, John Stewart and Mr. Snyder. Since making his location in the township our subject has taken an active interest in the affairs of local government and assisted in the organization of the township in the year 1879, the first township meeting being held in Marshfield. He was the first treasurer of the township and has held various other local official posi- tions. The first year of his settlement he commenced making improvements on his farm by breaking about five acres and putting out a grove of trees around his house. He
494
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
has been engaged since that time in general farming and stock raising and has worked hard to make his place one of the best in the township.
Mr. Marcellus was born in Dundas county, Canada, August 2, 1818. He was the son of Thomas M. Marcellus, a native of Penn- sylvania and a farmer by occupation. Thomas Marcellus had a family of nine boys and two girls. He was quite a genius in his way and was able to do almost all kinds of work, being skilled in the tanning and preparing of leather and in the making of farming implements. It was his custom to prepare the leather and make the shoes for the family with his own hands. His son Jacob resides on the old home farm in Pennsylvania. Mr. Marcellus' mother was Elydia Onderkirk, a native of Schenectady, New York. She was married in Dundas county, Canada. In the father's family, as we have already stated, there were eleven children-John, Allie, Peter, Jeremiah, James Gerred Levi, George, Jacob, Soloman, Robert and Lovina. Of these Thomas, Jacob, Rob- ert and our subject are the only ones left.
The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent by him in his native country in Canada, where he assisted his father work on the home farm. He was given good educa- tional advantages and acquired a good com- mon-school education. He remained in Canada until his marriage, which occurred in 1838, in Dundas county, when he removed to Winchester and engaged for eighteen or twenty years in agricultural pursuits. At the end of that time he removed to North- field, Minnesota, and rented a farm near Faribault, residing thereon for some two years. He then came to his present place in Lincoln county.
Mr. Marcellus was married in December, 1838, to Miss Dinah Eliza Cassleman, born about one-half mile from the birthplace of Mr. Marcellus. They were reared in the same
neighborhood and were schoolmates, ac- quiring their education in the same school in Canada. She died December 16, 1885, leaving six children-Elizabeth, Elydia, Mary, Lemuel, Louisa and William. Mrs. Marcellus was an exemplary Christian woman, and took an active interest in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which society she was a member. Her children are all now living except Elydia and Louisa. Those living are all residing in Lincoln county in different localities not far from the home of the father. The loss of his estimable and beloved wife has been one of the hardest trials our subject has had to bear since he came to this western country. She was indeed a helpmeet of the truest kind, and constantly endeavored to fill his life with that which would bring peace and happiness. She was a woman of rare domestic tastes, of an equable disposition, possessed of a tempera- ment that drew many friends to her. Res- pected and liked in life, she was mourned wide- ly in death by a host of acquaintances which she had made throughout Lincoln county.
Mr. Marcellus affiliates with the repub- lican party in politics, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years he has taken an active inter- est in all religious work, and was class-leader for some years in Canada. He is a man of exemplary character, and is respected by all who know him. As a business man and citizen he stands among the most prominent men of the township. He has a fine farm, a large number of acres under cultivation, and has it provided with excellent farm buildings.
OAH V. McDOWELL is the gentle- manly proprietor of the Fulda billiard parlors at Fulda, Minnesota. He is the son of Robert and Mary (Wolf) McDowell, na- tives of Ohio and of Scottish and German descent.
.
495
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
Noah V., whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 20, 1843. He resided on the farm with his parents, and received a com- mon-school education until he was seventeen years of age, when he started out for him- self, and, coming to La Salle county, Illinois, worked for a farmer in La Salle county. In April, 1861, he enlisted in answer to the first call for three months' volunteers in Captain Jaquis'. Company at Ottawa, Illi- nois. This company was not mustered into service, however, but was disbanded and re- turned home. November 11, 1861, the sub- ject of our sketch enlisted in Captain Will- iam Ford's independent calvary at Ottawa, Illinois. In February, 1862, they were sent to Chicago, where the company remained five weeks, assisting in guarding rebel pris- oners. Thence they were removed to Ben- ton Barracks, Missouri, remaining at that place until April 8th. Then they went as escort with General Halleck to Shiloh, but did not reach that point until after the well-known battle by that name. They made this place their headquarters for a short time and then advanced to Corinth, where our subject participated in the fa- mous battle and siege of Corinth. Gen- eral Halleck being ordered to Washington, our subject's company reported to General Grant in the vicinity of Corinth, acting as his escort until September. The company participated in the preliminary engagements before Corinth, and on the night of the 25th of September had a skirmish with a portion of General Price's army. Falling back, they participated in the second battle of Corinth. They were also in the cavalry engagement at Big Bur Creek, Tuscumbia, Alabama; Buzzard Roost, Tupelo, and many other engagements. In August, 1863, he went to Memphis, thence to Helena, Arkansas. Jan- uary 9, 1865, they went to Springfield, Illi- nois, on which date they were mustered out
of the service. Our subject rented a farm near that of his father in Livingston county, Illinois, and continued operating this .until 1867. He then purchased land, and contin- ued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1872, when, January 16, he sold out and re- moved to Nobles county, Minnesota, coming with a four-horse team. He arrived in Worthington February 17, and in a day or two located 160 acres of land as a soldier's homestead on section 10, Bigelow township. He lived on that claim until the fall of 1881, when he sold out and removed to the village of Worthington and opened a railroad board- ing-house, in which business he continued until September, 1883. He then purchased a residence and billiard hall, and operated the same until July, 1888. He then moved his stock to Fulda, Murray county, where he has been operating his business ever since. His family still resides in Worthington, where our subject still owns his billiard hall, which is at present rented. Mr. McDowell is a man of good abilities, and is at present engaged in writing a history of his regiment, which was the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, or- ganized at Corinth, December 25, 1865, of independent companies. Our subject was appointed historian and secretary of his regiment at their first reunion at &t. Louis, September 27, 1887. Our subject was justice of the peace for six years while in Bigelow township, Nobles county, and was also township treasurer for two years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, Stoddard post, No. 34, at Worthington, and has been a delegate from that post to State encampments, once at Minneapolis and once at St. Panl.
Mr. McDowell was married in Livingston county, Illinois, January 15, 1864, while home on a thirty days' furlough. He was married to Cynthia A. Strange, who was born in Logan county, Illinois, July 5, 1844. This lady was the daughter of John R. and
496
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
Mary (Nichols) Strange, natives of Ken- tucky. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell have been blessed with the following-named children- Mary, Louisa, Andrew, Minnie, Rosa, Mar- tha and John.
1
OHN D. YOUNG, a leading lumber merchant of Fairmont, Minnesota, is the son of Nicholas and Catharine (Drout) Young, who were natives of Germany. The parents emigrated to America in early life and located in Indiana, where the father en- gaged for a number of years in buying and selling horses. During the war he had large contracts with the government for furnishing the troops with horses. When our subject was about ten years of age, in 1865, the par- ents removed to New London, Iowa, where the father engaged in railroad contract- ing, which business he still follows. After one year's residence in New London the family removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1866.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born in Homesville, Indiana, August 21, 1855. When he was a year old the family removed to Reynolds, Indiana, whence, when he was ten years old, they removed to New London, Iowa. In 1866 they went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and our subject continued a resident of the par- ental home until the fall of 1878. During his early life he was given a good education, , and graduated from the collegiate institution in La Crosse in 1870, after which he went to work for a large milling firm as book-keeper and salesman. He continued with this com- pany until the fall of 1878, and then came to Sherburne, Martin county, Minnesota, and put up the first house in the village, engag- ing in the lumber business for the La Crosse Lumber Company. He continued his res- idence in Sherburne for five and a half years and then came to Fairmont and
opened a lumber yard for himself, in which business he has continued up to the pres- ent time. While living with his father our subject had a varied experience in differ- ent lincs of business. While a resident of La Crosse he went with his father to Minne- sota, and worked for some time as book- keeper and clerk in his father's store on the St. Paul & Pacific railroad line. This was shortly after the Indian massacre, and our subject saw a great many empty cabins along the route, also many signs showing that settlers had been robbed and murdered. Since coming to the village of Fairmont Mr. Young has been heartily engaged in assist- ing in the building up of the business inter- ests of the village. He has participated in all matters pertaining to the general govern- ment, and has held various official positions, among them being that of member of the village council. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. Mr. Young is a man of good business qualifications, and, by care- ful attention to the details of his trade, has built up a large and lucrative patronage. His parents still live in La Crosse, where a brother, Nicholas H .. is depot agent for the Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. One brother, Edward, resides in Minneapolis. Our subject has three sisters-Kate, Eliza and Maude L., all of whom are living. Eliza is a teacher of painting, and has a large class of pupils in Fairmont. Mr. Young has a very fine residence, furnished in elegant style ; has a hospitable and agreeable family, and is himself a genial, warm-hearted, cour- teous gentleman.
The subject of our sketch was married September 29, 1880, to Miss Bertha A. Ward, daughter of Reuben M. and Mary S. (Conrow) Ward, natives of New York. This lady was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, March 20, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Young have two children-Catharine and Mary.
497
SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.
ALEB HEATH, a retired farmer and influential citizen, resides in Pipestone City, Minnesota. He came to the county in 1878, and settled on a homestead of 160 acres in Fountain Prairie township, where he also had a timber claim of 160 acres. He settled on his homestead, built a shanty 12 x18 feet and one story high, and com- menced farming operations by breaking twenty-five acres the first year. He contin- ued his residence in Fountain Prairie town- ship, engaged in general farming, until in 1885, in which year he removed to Pipestone City and settled on sixty-two and a half acres that he had previously purchased of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- pany. This land is within the city limits of Pipestone and is valuable property. Our subject built a neat dwelling-house on this land in 1881. While a resident of Fountain Prairie township our subject moved in an important place among the citizens of that town. In public matters he was at all times looked to for material assistance. For five years he held the office of supervisor of that township and was postmaster at the Heath postoffice, the first office in the township, which latter position he held for six years. He was also a member of the school board and for some time was pathmaster.
The nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in Caledonia, Vermont, where he was born in 1819. He is the son of Archelaus and Sarah (Hall) Heath, both natives of Ver- mont. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and followed that line of occupation throughout the most of his life.
The subject of our sketch remained with his parents during his boyhood days and was given a good education. At sixteen he ap- prenticed to learn the carpenter's trade at Dover, New Hampshire. He followed this business more or less until within the last five years. Leaving the State of Vermont, he removed to New Hampshire in 1842, and
engaged in work at his trade. In 1850 he came Westward, locating in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm, and in connection-with farming engaged in work at his trade. In 1878 he came from Wiscon- sin to his location in Fountain Prairie town- ship, Pipestone county, Minnesota, where he lived until coming to Pipestone City at the date mentioned in the opening lines of this sketch.
Mr. Heath was married in 1840 to Miss Hannah M. Leonard, a native of Glover, Vermont. She was the daughter of Moses and Laura (Chapman) Leonard, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Upper Canada. Her father followed the occupation of farming in the east until com- ing to Wisconsin in 1872, at which time they went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Heath, with whom they continued until their death. Mrs. Heath received her early training and education in the State of Vermont, where she followed the profession of teaching be- fore her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Heath have had eight children, four of whom are now living- Viola, Joseph, Moses and Sarah. Viola is now Mrs. Conner, and has three daughters-Edith, Dadah and Hannah. Joseph married Martha Burgess, by whom he has had four children-Olive, Ethel, Milly and Laura. Joseph's present wife was formerly Eunice Bunnell. Moses married Elizabeth Stout, by whom he has had three children-Denver, Herbert and Elizabeth. Sarah married Mr. Smith, of Wisconsin, and now resides in that State.
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.