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 64

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862 > Part 64

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The subject of our sketch has been edu- cated in a practical school, and has drawn from his daily life of hard struggle many important and practical lessons. He acquired systematic habits in early life, and has become quite a successful farmer. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and has been supervisor for six years. Before the village of Avoca was located, our subject was postmaster in his township for two years, and at all times has taken an active interest in public matters, drawing to himself the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran church.

JOHN L. STEVENS. This gentleman is one of the reliable citizens of Verdi township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he resides on section 32. He has a fine farm under good cultivation, and has it provided with good farm buildings.

Mr. Stevens was born in England, January 21, 1822. He was the son of Matthews and Sarah (Day) Stevens, both of whom were

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also natives of England. The father was a shepherd by occupation, and followed that line of business in his native country. His family came to America, locating in the State of New York, in the year 1834. Re- moving thence, they located in the State of Connecticut, where the parents lived until their death.

At the early age of twelve years the sub- ject of our sketch left the parental home and started out to do battle with life for himself. For some time he worked for various em- ployers, receiving as remuneration his board, lodging and clothes. He finally apprenticed to learn the hatter's trade, and entering that employment, continued to engage at it until 1852, when he went to California to prospect for gold. He continued in the mining re- gions, meeting with varied success, until 1855. He then returned to the State of New York, and after remaining about four weeks went to Jefferson, Wisconsin, where he remained during one winter, going thence to La Crosse county. He engaged in farm- ing in that county, and remained there for ten years, when he removed to Trempealeau, making that his home until 1878. In this year he came to Lincoln county and took a tree claim where he now lives. He broke some twenty acres of land and then went back to Wisconsin, remaining until the spring of 1879. He then moved his family to his claim in Verdi township, where he has lived ever since.

September 1, 1844, Mr. Stevens was united in wedlock to Catherine Stetter, a native of New York. This union has been blessed with eleven children, five of whom are now living-Ann E., Martha J., Ada E., John M. and Adelaid F. Those deceased were Mary L., Charles H., Sarah G., Kate, Ida F. and George A.

In politics the subject of our sketch has affiliated with the republican party ever since its organization and has held various

official positions within the gift of his fellow- citizens, among them being that of consta- ble, which he held for two years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Stevens being one of the early settlers of Verdi township, is well known and is highly respected by everyone. He is a man of excellent qualities, is genial and. warm-hearted, and is also one of the most public-spirited citizens of the township. Al- though quite well along in years he has been remarkably well preserved and enjoys the best of health. He is a pleasant, whole-souled gentleman, and carries his three-score years very lightly.

During the war Mr. Stevens enlisted in the Forty-ninth Regiment Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry and served his country faith- fully.

EORGE C. EYLAND, JR., banker, is one of the leading citizens of Wood- stock, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He was born February 5, 1853, in the city of New York. His parents were George C. and Serena (Keeler) Eyland, both of whom were natives of the State of New York, both being born in New York City. For many years the father was engaged in the dry- goods business in the city of his nativity, and is now living a retired life in Brooklyn, New York. The parents had a family of eleven children, the subject of our sketch being the second child born to the parents.

The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent in the home of his parents in the city of New York, where he received excel- lent advantages for obtaining a thorough education. For a number of years he at- tended the University of the City of New York, from which institution he graduated in 1872. After concluding his studies in school, he then engaged with the firm of Loring Andrew's Sons in the leather busi-

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ness, continuing in their employ for about eight years. He then removed to Buena Vista county, Iowa, having hardware busi- ness in Alta and land business in Storm Lake, where he remained until 1883, at which time he removed to Woodstock, Minnesota, and made a permanent settle- ment. Being given excellent business train- ing during his youth, he was well prepared for the life of business activity which has fallen to his lot since leaving the parental home. On coming to Woodstock in 1883, he embarked in a private banking business, which he established on a solid financial basis in the fall of 1883. In 1885 he incor- porated his bank, with a capital of $25,000, and has been identified with the institution up to the present time.

The marriage of the subject of our sketch occurred on July 15, 1885, on which date lie was married to Miss Mary E. Bloom, a na- tive of New Glarus, Wisconsin, and daugh- ter of Hon. Fred Bloom, one of the leading merchants of the village of Woodstock. A biography of Mr. Bloom appears in another department of this work. When Mrs. Ey- land was some seven or eight years old, she removed with her parents to Nobles county, Minnesota, where she completed a thorough course of education. She is a lady of excel- lent qualities, and has been a teacher for a number of years. One daughter has blessed this union : Clara M., born April 10, 1887.

The banking institution with which Mr. Eyland is so honorably connected is one of the leading financial concerns of the south- western part of Minnesota. Its president is John C. French, Mr. Eyland occupying the position of vice-president and cashier. Mr. Eyland is one of the solid financial men of Pipestone county, and has become thorough- ly identified with the financial interests of the locality in which he resides. His busi- ness career has been both honorable and profitable, and by his faithfulness to the vari-

ous financial duties which have fallen to his care, and the integrity with which he has administered the affairs of the Woodstock Bank, he has drawn to himself many warm personal friends, and built up an enviable reputation. In social and public matters he takes an active interest, and is looked upon as one of the main stays of the village and county. He is a republican in politics, and lias for some time been chairman of the Woodstock republican club. Among the official positions which he has held with honor and credit, are those of treasurer of the township, in which office he is now on his fourth term, and also that of school di- rector of district No. 33, Pipestone county. He is a leading member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and himself and family are members of the Presbyterian church, in which organ- ization he holds the position of trustee. Mr. Eyland is a pleasant, courteous gentleman, is a good citizen, and is respected by all with whom he comes in contact.

REDERICK MEINZER purchased his present place, the southeast quarter of section 32, Ash Lake township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, in April, 1887. At the same time he purchased 160 acres on the northwest quarter of section 33, and now owns 320 acres of excellent land. He has made this his home since 1887, and has built one of the finest dwelling-houses in the township, the building being 16x24 feet with a wing 16x16. His other buildings, granaries, machinery sheds, etc., all betoken a prosper- ous farming establishment, and show in- dustry and thrift. His barn is 30x56 feet, the machinery shed 24x30 feet. He engaged largely in farming and also engaged to some extent in stock raising. Before making his location in Ash Lake township Mr. Meinzer resided in the village of Lake Benton for six , years, and there took an active part in the

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affairs of his village and county. In the fall of 1882 he was elected treasurer of Lincoln county and served three terms, delivering up the office to his successor January 1, 1889. He has always served his fellow-citizens in various official capacities, and while a resident of Limestone township was town clerk for a period of two years, being the first to hold that position in the township. He was one of the early settlers in that township, locating there in 1878, 'where he built the second shanty in the township. In 1880 he assisted in its organization, attending the first meeting which was held on section 22. Mr. Meinzer made Limestone township his home for some five years, engaged in general farming and stock raising. The first settler of that town- ship was Jens J. Jerpark.

Frederick Meinzer was born in Baden, Germany, December 6, 1837. He is the son · of George Frederick and Christine (Nagel) Meinzer, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. They were farmers by occupation, and came to the United States in 1848, settling in Racine county, Wisconsin. In 1864 they removed to Houston county, Minnesota, where the father died in January, 1876. He was a loyal citizen, and a consistent member of the Lutheran church. The mother is now living at the advanced age of eighty years. In the father's family there were six children, four of whom are now living-our subject, Philip, Christopher and Louise. Those deceased were Carl and Catharine.

The subject of our sketch was reared in Baden, Germany, until ten years of age, at which time he came to the United States with his parents, and located with them in Wisconsin. Our subject remained in that State until 1862, up to which time he had been spending his time in farm work assist- ing his father. He received a good common- school education, and January 15, 1862, en- listed in the Nineteenth Wisconsin Infantry, joining the Seventh Army Corps. He entered

the service as a private, and was discharged as corporal. He was discharged at Rich- mond, Virginia, August 9, 1865. He en- gaged in several battles, among theni being Torry's Bluff and the last noted battle of Fair Oaks. Our subject was not wounded in the service, although he passed through many hard-fought battles. After being dis- charged he came to Houston county, Minne- sota. where he remained about a year and a half, then in 1867 he removed to Missouri, and from there returned to Houston county in 1869. He made the latter county his home until coming to Lincoln county in 1878, where he has resided ever since.

Mr. Meinzer was married in October, 1865, to Miss Anna Mary Gerwitz, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with seven children: Emelie, Louise, George, Mary, Fred, Charles and Jacob.

Perhaps no man in the township is so well known throughout Lincoln county as our subject. Since coming to the county he has been intimately associated with all affairs of a public nature and has actively identified himself with all pro- jects which tended to the upbuilding of the general welfare. He has held numerous offi- cial positions, and in every case has mani- fested an adaptability and efficiency which have made him popular as a citizen. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, having been a member of that organ- ization since its foundation. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity, and is secre- tary of the local organization. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, of which he has been adjutant. He is a representative citizen, and is respected and esteemed by all who know him.

R. NATHAN D. SATTERLEE, a prominent physician and surgeon of Winnebago City, Minnesota, is a native of Montgomery county, New York, where he

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was born April 3, 1823. His parents were Nathan Allen and Lucy (Mallery) Satterlee, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter born in New York. The father was born December 5, 1783, and the mother was born November 15, 1791. The father was a farmer by occupation and served in the War of 1812. The grandfather of our subject was John Satterlee, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving under General Washington. The grandfather had six broth- ers who served in the same war. The family originally came from Ireland, in 1748 or 1749, settling in Rhode Island.

Dr. Satterlee's father came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 2, 1848, and later settled at Beaver Dam, where he engaged in farming for four years. He then lived a retired life at Princeton, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he died in 1853. The mother died in 1854. In the father's family there were six children, four of whom are still living : Simon P., Clarissa A., Dr. Nathan D. and Joseph.

The subject of our sketch remained with his parents until he was seventeen years of age. Up to this time he had been given a good common-school education, and had been engaged in various kinds of employment. For three years he worked on the construc- tion of the Erie canal. This was after he left home, and he then attended Fairfield Medical College, in New York, and gradu- ated in the winter of 1840-41. He is also a graduate of the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical Col- lege. His first engagement in the practice of his profession was in Lewis county, New York, and coming west in 1848, he settled in Beaver Dam, where he engaged in active practice for about thirty years. He then .

came to Minnesota, locating in Winnebago City, where he engaged in the duties of his profession for five years. His next move was to La Crosse, where he remained two years, after which he returned to Minnesota, locat- ing at different points and finally taking up

his residence in Winnebago City, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. Satterlee was married in 1861, to Mrs. S. M. Wilcox, of Cambria, Columbia county, Wisconsin. He has two children-Rebecca F. and Amanda B.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party, and is also a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. He is the present chairman of the board of health, also a member of the State Medical Association, and is surgeon for the Milwaukee railroad. He is a man of large attainments and has an excellent practice. Dr. Satterlee is one of the heirs to the famous "Hyde estate " in England.

HARLES H. REIPKE. This gentle- man is one of the leading German citizens of Storden township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. His residence and farm are located on section 26, where he has re- sided since 1878. Mr. Reipke was born in Hanover, April 21, 1837, his parents being Henry and Caroline (Rinkle) Reipke. The family emigrated to America in 1852 and located for a time in Albany. New York. They made that their abiding place until 1856, when they went to Illinois, making that their home until 1863. In that year they concluded to try their fortunes farther West, and, coming to Minnesota, located in Nicollet county, where the parents still live.

The subject of our, sketch was reared a farmer's boy, and assisted his parents on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, and in the meantime was given a good com- mon-school education. At the age just men- tioned he commenced learning the baker's trade and followed that line of occupation for some three years, after which he com- menced for himself and for two years oper- ated in Albany, New York. Removing thence he went to Illinois, opening a bakery

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business for himself, and operating the same for four years. His next move was to St. Peter, Nicollet county, Minnesota, where he engaged in the grocery and bakery business for a period of sixteen years. He met with good success and accumulated considerable means. At the end of the sixteen years, Mr. Reipke removed to his present location in Storden township, Cottonwood county, where he located on a homestead of 160 acres, and also took 160 acres as a tree claim. On the tree claim there stands to-day a fine grove of thirty acres of trees, the finest and largest grove in Cottonwood county. Our subject has provided his farm with excellent improvements, building a good house, barn and other outbuildings. He does not con- fine his attention entirely to the raising of cattle, but also produces a fine grade of Short-horn cattle and Clydesdale and Norman horses. '

Mr. Reipke was married in May, 1862, to Elizabeth Miller. This union has been blessed with four living children-Caroline, Rosa, Carl and Henry. Caroline married Gotleib Zinn, and now resides in Minneapolis. Rosa married Henry Troutfeather and resides in Cotton wood county. The family are mem- bers of the Luthern church, and occupy a prominent place in the social and religious affairs of the township.

The subject of our sketch is a man of en- ergy and ability, and takes an active part in public matters and affiliates with the demo- cratic party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge of Windom, becoming a mem- ber of the general organization in St. Paul, Lodge No. 12, in 1866.

ON. PIERCE J. KNISS. This gen- tleman is perhaps one of the best- known and most widely-respected citizens of Rock county, Minnesota. He is the presi- dent of the First National Bank of Luverne

and is also president of the Jasper Stone Quarry Company of the same town. He made his location in Rock county in June, 1870, and the same fall surveyed the town plat of Luverne. He built a log cabin 16x 18 feet, in which he lived with his family, and also built a real estate office on the vil- lage site. Mr. Kniss platted 180 acres of land and laid the foundation for the present prosperous, city with whose interests he has been connected ever since. He established his private bank in 1876, and, later, merged it into the State bank, and in 1886 was mainly instrumental in organizing and establishing the First National Bank, of which he has since been president. This gentleman, perhaps, more than any other in the county, has performed those acts and said those things which gave impetus to the improvement and settlement of Luverne, and which have brought it to its present prosperous condition. He has largely in- terested himself in every project which has aimed toward the financial development of the city and built up many prosperous and profitable business enterprises. For some years he was engaged in railroad contracting, building seventy miles of the old St. Paul Sioux City line of road and also fifty miles for the Milwaukee road.

Mr. Kniss was born at Old Defiance, De- fiance county, Ohio, on the 16th of Novem- ber, 1839. His parents were Jacob and Mernava (Taylor) Kniss, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Virginia. Throughout his life the father was largely interested in the leather trade and carried on a large tannery business, be- ing also a boot and shoe merchant. He died in 1849, in Ohio. The mother is still living and is residing with her son P. J. In the father's family there are three living children -Minnie L., now Mrs. Dr. H. H. Hurlbert, of Duluth; George W., of whom a sketch is given in another department of this work, and our subject.

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The educational advantages furnished the subject of our sketch in his youthful days were of the highest order. He attended the Delton Academy in Sauk county, Wisconsin, in which institution he matriculated when fifteen years of age. After completing his scholastic course he became a teacher, follow- ing that profession in the States of Wisconsin and Illinois. He became a thorough, and by experience, a practical, civil engineer, and spent nine years in surveying and engineer- ing, and for some time was engineer in Wis- consin in connection with the draining of State swamp lands. The political career of our subject has been one of the most notable character and he has held many posi- tions of honor and responsibility, having in each instance proven his, efficiency and served his constituents to their satisfac- tion and with credit to himself. The first position to which he was elected was that of chairman of the board of supervisors in 1874, which office he retained for several years. He has been president of the village council, and has held numerous other minor positions. In 1878 he was elected by a unanimous choice of the people as a member of the lower house of the legislature, and was elected to his second term in 1880. He has been quite prominent in the affairs of the republican party, and has represented the local interests of that organization several different times in the State conventions, but is now a prohibitionist in sentiment. He enlisted in Company K, Fiftieth Wisconsin Infantry, entering the service as a private. In May following his enlistment he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and later became adjutant of his regiment. He was in the service for sixteen months, having en- listed for one year. His regiment was with the division which bivouacked on the Mis- souri river. The engagements in which he participated were mainly with Rebel bush- whackers, and our subject saw much severe

fighting and had many narrow escapes. Ilis regiment was sent up the Missouri river to Fort Rice, Dakota, to repel the attacks of the Indians and protect the settlers from their ravages. He was in many skirmishes with the red men, and understands the cruel- ty and fierceness which characterize the Indian method of warfare.

The subject of our sketch was married in 1870 to Miss Mernava Donaldson, of Lindon, Wisconsin. This lady was a daughter of William and Margaret Donaldson, promi- nent citizens of Lindon. Mr. and Mrs. Kniss have five living children-Lillian M., Everett .J., Ella M., Paul D. and Ruth G. The three oldest are at present at Cornell college at Mount Vernon, Iowa.

In company with Judge Perkins, Mr. Kniss organized the Windom Bank in 1881, and also established the first bank at Pipestone City and another at Flandreau, Dakota. He visited California in 1886, purchased lands and set out a large grove of orange trees. At a more recent date he purchased a grove of orange trees already bearing. He has one of the finest residences in the village of Luverne and has embraced an entire block in the grounds about his house. His residence is of brick, fitted with all modern improvements, surrounded with ornamental and shade trees, and he lias withal one of the most beautiful homes in the city. Mr. Kniss is the founder of Luverne, and has fathered every movement toward its development since the first day of its foundation. To him more than to any other man is due Luverne's present prosperity and financial strength. Being a man of abundant financial strength he has aided materially in the establishing of nearly every lead- ing business enterprise in the city and county, and whenever his hand has pointed out, or his voice dictated, methods or means by which any organization was to be governed, success has invariably come, and

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the results have proven the sagacity of Mr. Kniss' judgment. He is a man of broad ideas, and intensely practical, and has therefore become one of the most highly reputed gen- tleman in the county. His reputation for integrity and business uprightness is without a flaw, and it is well and widely said that Mr. Kniss' word is as good as his written obliga- tion. Coming to the county in the very early day, and locating the city of Luverne, lie has watched its needs and has done all he could to help it keep pace with the times. - ENRY COOPER, a substantial far- mer of thetek township, Murray county, Minnesota, took a claim on section 32 in 1872. He is now residing on section 18. He was one of the very first settlers of the township, and has been closely identified with its official history ever since making his location. He is indeed a representative cit- izen, and is in good circumstances. He came to his present claim in about 1875, since which time he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising. He took a trip to the Pacific coast in the fall of 1888, but soon returned, as there is "no place like home."

The place of the nativity of Mr. Cooper is found in Syracuse, Onondaga county, New York, where he was born in April, 1839. He resided in that village and obtained a good common-school education until he was seven- teen years of age. IIe also attended school for some time in Liverpool, New York. While in New York our subject assisted his father in work at the cooper's trade, and also for some time engaged in boating on the Erie canal. On coming to Wisconsin at seventeen years of age, he then engaged in agricultural pursuits. His first trip to Min- nesota was when it was practically a new country, indeed before its organization as a State. Returning to Wisconsin, he remained

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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 64

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814