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 66

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 66

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fare has won him many friends and warm admirers.

Mr. Cutler was married September 20, 1864, to Miss Emily M. Bailey, a native of Vermont. She was the daughter of Jehial S. Bailey, a carpenter and builder by occu- pation. Mrs. Cutler was an exemplary Christian lady and a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. She died May 2, . 1889, and was mourned by many friends and loving relatives. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cutler-Walter L., now in Washington Territory ; Alvin B., Jessie E., Morris N., Helen A. and Lucy A.

The subject of our sketch is one of the prominent republicans in his locality. and is a representative citizen. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is chaplain, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, having joined at the age of seventeen. He has always taken an active part in religious work, and has served re- peatedly as steward, class-leader and Sunday- school superintendent.

JOHN C. MARSHALL is the able editor and proprietor of the Edgerton Enter- prise of Edgerton, Pipestone county, Minne- sota. This gentleman has conducted this newspaper since the fall of 1887. By his careful management and business push he has built up a large subscription list, and enjoys a large patronage in the line of job printing.

Mr. Marshall is a native of the rock-bound land of Scotland, born in Perthshire, March . 17, 1840. His parents, Samuel and Jane (Hill) Marshall, were also natives of Scot- land. When our subject was about four years of age the parents concluded to emi- grate to America. On coming to this coun- try they settled on government land in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the father

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built a saw-mill and continued the operation of that line of business in connection with farming for a number of years. In 1860 he built a large flouring-mill, to which he gave his attention principally thereafter. The father is still living in Dodge county, Wis- consin, his mother having died in 1883.

The subject of our sketch was given the educational advantages furnished by the dis- trict school, and he was thus enabled to ac- quire a common school education. He finished his schooling with a course of study in the high school at Horicon, which institution he left when he was about twenty years of age. At that age he commenced learning the mill- ing business, and, in connection therewith, commenced the study of law at home. He rapidly advanced in his legal studies and was admitted to the bar in the month of June 1870. The allurements of the legal profession however failed to capture him, and he gave his attention principally to the milling business. Continuing in the latter line until he was twenty-five years of age, he bought an interest in his father's mill and continued in partnership until in 1884. He then sold out and took charge of the Neosha mill at Neosha, Dodge county, Wisconsin, remaining in that employment for about two and a half years. After this period had ex- pired, he started out on a trip through Colo- rado, Kansas and Nebraska, and in the fall of 1887 he came to Pipestone, purchased some land, and also engaged in the printing business.

Mr. Marshall was united in the bonds of matrimony, October 9, 1868, to Miss Eleanor C. Young, a native of York State and daughter of Thomas and Louisa (Giles) Young. Her parents were natives of Eng- land. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have been blessed with five children-Samuel T., John, Frank, Lulu and Jessie.

Mr. Marshall is thoroughly educated and widely read, and by his successful manage-

ment of the Edgerton Enterprise, has built up a large circle of friends. He is a man of strong opinions and ably defends the princi- ples of the republican party, to which he be- longs. He is a good citizen and enjoys the esteem of his fellow-townsmen. He is a member of Neosha Lodge, No. 108, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also of Oconomowoc Chapter, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

OHN H. COOK is a leading farmer and stock raiser of Ash Lake township, Lin- coln county, Minnesota. He homesteaded land on section 34 in 1876 and had also pre- empted lands in the year 1873. He first commenced his farming operations by break- ing about an acre and building a small shanty 12x16 feet in which he lived for about two years. In 1876 he built the shed which he now uses to accommodate his stock. He set out a number of trees in that year, among them being cottonwood, maple, popple and various other kinds. He has worked hard and faithfully to make his farm what it is, one of the best in the township. He has occupied his attention with general farming and stock raising and has been quite successful in ac- cumulating means. He was one of the very first settlers of the township and assisted in its organization in 1879 and held several offices within the gift of the people, among them being that of pathmaster and various others of minor importance. He was the first settler to locate in the southern half of the township and has been fairly successful in his various enterprises. He is of a con- tented disposition, and being gifted with a happy temperament he is contented in what- ever circumstances may happen to come to him.

Mr. Cook is a native of the eastern part of Upper Canada, being born in the county of Dundas, April 17, 1842. He is the son of

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William A. Cook, also a native of Canada, where he is still living, engaged in farming and lumbering. He is seventy-six years of age, a loyal citizen and a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The mother's name before her marriage was Sallie Casselman. She was born in Canada, and died in that country in 1866. She was an exemplary member of the Lutheran church. The subject of our sketch was one of nine children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood-Cath- arine, Simon, our subject ; Caroline, Maria, Norman, George, Sarah and Dinah. Sarah died at the age of sixteen years. The others are all living in Canada.

The subject of our sketch was reared in Canada, where he received the greater part of his education. He made that his home principally until twenty-three years of age. Before that time his parents had started to remove to the United States, but owing to an unfortunate occurrence they were forced to return to their native country. When our subject was about fourteen or fifteen years old his parents went to Jones county, Iowa, where fortwo years they engaged in farming. Then, selling out, they started with a horse team, by way of Chicago, en route to their native land in Canada. They reached Chicago after a journey of two weeks, and there they loaded their stock and all household goods on a " propeller " and soon after steamed out into Lake Michigan, bound for their old home. About midnight the propeller caught fire from some unknown cause, and the flames could not be stopped. Signals were sent up for help, and ere long a schooner picked up and took on board all the passen- gers. Horses and wagons, however, and everything of this kind, and also the propel- ler, were totally destroyed. The schooner was veered around and started for Chicago. Here our subject's family were landed in a terrible plight. Our subject states that all the clothing he possessed, and in fact all that

he had in the world, were his pants, shirt and a wool hat. All the balance had been de- stroyed by the fire on board the ship. It was quite cold the morning they landed in Chicago, and the sidewalks were frosty, and in the trip to the hotel with the family our subject had to stop several times and put his feet into his hat in order to warm them. In the evening the family got aboard the train and started for the old home in Canada. Be- fore starting, however, they had supplied themselves with the necessary clothing. While on board the burning steamer our sub- ject came near losing his life from the fire. He was only saved, as were also the family, by the early arrival of the rescuing schooner. The suffering at this time was indeed intense, not only physically but mentally as well, and the father was almost crazed by the thought that perhaps his loved ones would be de- stroyed by the devouring flames, and he said that rather than have them burned he would throw the whole family overboard. On re- turning to Canada our subject made that his home until he was twenty-three years of age. Up to this age he assisted his father in work on the home farm, and after becoming thirty- 'three years old he went to the southern part of Illinois, where for three months he found employment in work for a Mr. Sullivan on a 40,000 acre farm. After this brief period he went to Jones county, Iowa, whence, after a short visit to an uncle, he went to Du- buque, Iowa, where he stayed a few days. Removing thence he went on a short visit to Kasota, Minnesota, and after three or four days in that place he went to St. Paul, and from thence to Northfield, in the vicinity of which place he remained five years, working for W. T. Hunter on a large farm. Mr. Hunter's farm was located six miles east of Northfield, and our subject continued a profitable engagement with this gentleman for five years. At the end of this time he located in St. Paul, where for three years he

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operated a lumber business for Mr. Hunter. He then returned to Northfield, and for one and a half years worked on a farm for Wells Blackman. His next move was to the city of Northfield, where for two or three weeks he worked for D. Sparry, and at the end of this time he came to Lincoln county, where he has since been living, engaged in general farming and stock raising. In politics Mr. Cook affiliates with the republican party, and has taken an active interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the local organ- ization.

He is a man of the very best character, thorough and systematic as a farmer, pleasant to meet, and is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. He has an excellent farm, comfortable and commo- dious home, and has a pleasant family.

Mr. Cook was married November 15, 1875, to Miss Maggie Marcellus, who was born in Canada, January 12, 1856. A biography of her father is found in another department of this work. She came to Minnesota in early life with her parents, and was educated at Northfield. Her marriage took place in Prescott, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have one child, a girl, born September 24, 1878, named Dinah Irena.

EV. FATHER F. P. KERVICK isthe present popular and efficient pastor of the Catholic church societies at Avoca, Ful- da, Woodstock and Pipestone. He resides in the village of Avoca. Mr. Kervick was born in Baltimore, Maryland, May 18, 1855. He was the son of John and Mary (King) Kervick, the father a native of Ireland and the mother a native of Ohio. John Kervick came to America with his parents, John and Elizabeth (Dunn) Kervick, in 1823. The family located in Maryland.

The subject of our sketch left his home at the age of seventeen years, up to which

time he had been given good educational advantages. At the age just mentioned he entered the St. Charles College, a Catholic institution of learning in the State of Mary- land. He continued his studies in that in- stitution, graduating from the classical course in 1877. After his graduation he went to England, where he commenced a course of theological studies. He was ordained a priest of the Catholic church September 25, 1881, at Mill Hill, London, receiving his ordina- tion in the Catholic cathedral. He soon after returned to the United States, and was given charge of the negro missions throughout the South. October 25, 1585, he was transferred to his present charge. He is a man of fine attainments, and is at the head of the St. Francis Academy at Avoca. He has taken an active part in public affairs since coming to the village, and has been president of the village council and also village treasurer. Father Kervick is a man of high scholarly attainments, and, to these being added mag- nificent natural endowments, he is a man well calculated to successfully take charge of the interests of the Catholic church in this section. He is an excellent pastor, an able preacher, and is beloved by his church peo- ple and esteemed by every one who knows him.

INGUS ROSS is the president of the Security Bank of Luverne, Minneso-

ta. This institution is one of the important financial enterprises in the city, and enjoys an extensive patronage. Mr. Ross came to the county in 1878, and for some time en- gaged in farming and stock raising, later being engaged in the hardware business in the city of Luverne He engaged in the latter business somc five years, and then turned his attention to other pursuits. In 1888, in company with other citizens of Lu-

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verne, he organized the Security Bank, of which he is the president.

Mr. Ross was born in Canada in 1844, and is a son of Allen and Belle (McKay) Ross, both natives of Scotland. The father left his native land before his marriage, and came to Canada, where he resided through- out his life. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and continued in that line until his death. In the father's family there were eight children, six of whom are now living- Walter M., Peter, Angus, John, Robert and Belle. Walter M. is at present a resident of St. Charles, Winona county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the grain and agri- cultural implement business. He is a man of much means, and owns several elevators on the Winona & St. Peter railroad. Peter is still a resident of Canada, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. John resides in Oregon, and his attention is occupied princi- pally in stock raising. Robert resides in Canada, where he is engaged extensively in farming. Belle is now Mrs. Morrison, of Canada.

The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent by him in school in Canada. He remained with his parents in that country until 1865, when he removed to Minnesota, locating at St. Charles, in Winona county, Minnesota. While in that place he attended school and also engaged to some extent in farming. He purchased land southeast of St. Charles and made improvements on the same for a number of years. Later he was engaged in the grain business in that place until coming to Luverne in 1877.

Mr. Ross was married in 1875 to Miss Ella Sinclair, of St. Charles, Minnesota, a daugh- ter of A. C. Sinclair.

Too much can not be said of the executive abilities of Mr. Ross as exhibited in the man- agement of his own private business, and the more intricate affairs of the banking institu- tion with which he is connected. He is a

man of excellent abilities and thoroughly understands the details of the institution of which he is the head. To him is due largely the success which has fallen to the lot of the Security Bank. Our subject has also interested himself largely in other financial enterprises and he has purchased more or less city property. In all matters of a pub- lic nature and in all projects tending to the development and improvement of Luverne, he has taken an active interest and has aided by his counsels and also by liberal gift of money. In politics he affiliates with the re- publican party and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. In his business life, by his thoroughness and unquestionable integ- rity, he has drawn to himself a large circle of admiring and respecting friends.

LBERT E. WOODMAN, a leading farmer and representative citizen of Pipestone county, Minnesota, resides on sec- tion 14, Troy township. He was born in Rice county, Minnesota, October 26, 1858.

The subject of our sketch is the son of Damon R. Woodman, whose biography ap- pears in another department of this work. His mother was Emma J. (Brown) Woodman, the parents both being natives of Madison county, New York. The father is a promi- nent farmer of Pipestone county, and is also a resident of Troy township.

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biography received his education in the district schools until he attained the age of fifteen years. At this time he com- menced attending the high school in Fari- bault during the winter months, and through the summer attending the district schools. He continued operating this plan for about five years, then in April, 1878, he came to Pipestone county and located where he now lives. His trip to this county from his home near Faribault was made while driving cattle

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for Major Rice in company with O. T. Gilson and D. B. Whigam, who are both now resi- dents of Troy township. During this trip Mr. Woodman received his initiation into the experiences of pioneer life. His journey oc- cupied fifteen days and it rained during each day, but, notwithstanding the rain, the trip was finally accomplished and the settlement in Pipestone county made. Dur- ing the first two months he was engaged in freighting for different families, and in company with Mr. Gilson, already mentioned, drew the first load of lumber into Troy township. Until July of that year he worked at various kinds of labor, and in that month returned to Rice county, where he helped his father through the harvest season. When in Pipestone county, in the April previous, he had entered his claim, so in the fall of the year he returned and built a stable on his land and made preparations for putting in crops in the following season. During the winter he found his way to Memphis, Ten- nessee, where he engaged as timekeeper for the government at the harbor works at Memphis, receiving as compensation seventy- five dollars per month. Four months were spent in this kind of labor, and he then re_ turned to his farm in Pipestone county, Minnesota, remaining thereon until in the fall of 1880. That winter he went to Fari- bault, where he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, returning to his farm the following spring. Working his land during the sum- mer, in the fall he went to Blue Earth county, and engaged in different kinds of employment during the winter. He returned to his farm the following spring and made a permanent residence there, and has lived in Troy township ever since.

Mr. Woodman was united in marriage to Miss Martha Houk, August 9, 1883. Miss Houk was a native of Indiana. Her parents were Levi L. and Jane (Thornton) Houk, the father being a native of Pennsylvania, and

the mother a native of Ohio. The mother died October 2, 1883, in Good Thunder, Minnesota, and the father died March 31, 1888, at the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- man have three children-Richard L., Belle and Emma A.

Mr. Woodman is a man of excellent abilities. He is thoroughly educated, being a graduate of the Faribault high school. His business knowledge and tact are of a high order, and in all his financial operations he has been eminently successful. He owns 160 acres of fine farming land, and another 160 acres is owned by his wife. In politics Mr. Woodman is a supporter of the principles enunciated by the republican party, and, as a man and citizen, is held in high esteem by all who know him. He is a man of excellent character, a good citizen, and is rapidly growing in wealth and popularity.

AMUEL S. GILLAM, a prominent and influential farmer of Great Bend township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, resides on an excellent farm on the shores of Cottonwood lake, on section 24. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, June 26, 1822.

The subject of our sketch is the son of Henry and Hannah (Willet) Gillam, the former a native of Orange county, New York, and the latter a native of Washington county. The parents came to Illinois in 1847, where the father followed the trade of shoemaking until his death, which occurred in about 1848, that of the mother occurring not far from the same time. In the father's family there were eleven children, the sub- ject of our sketch being the youngest.

Up to seventeen years of age the subject of our sketch assisted his father in work at the shoemaking trade. However, in the meantime he was given good educational ad- vantages and attended the public schools

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when they were in session. At seventeen years of age he removed to the State of Illinois and engaged in farming for one year. At this time, however, he was taken sick with the fever and ague, and returned to the State of New York, where resided at home with his father until he was twenty- one years of age. He then returned to Illinois, remaining three years when he again re- turned to New York to the parental home and remained one year. At this time the entire family came to Illinois and our sub- ject found work on a farm in Kendall county, continuing in that line of employ- ment, together with teaching several terms of school, for about five years. A few months were then spent in Monroe county, Wisconsin, after which he went to Milwaukee and remained one year, having charge during that time of the Sabbath school book depository. The climate, how- ever, did not agree with him and he soon re- moved to Omro, Winnebago county, Wiscon- sin, where he found work at his trade, and in connection therewith engaged in farming until 1865.' January 17th of that year he en- listed in Company A, Forty-eighth Wiscon- sin Infantry, and was discharged December 30, 1865. After his discharge he went to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and made that his home until 1869, when he came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and took his claim where he now lives. Returning to Illinois he remained in that State during the winter and in the following spring came to Cottonwood county, where he has since lived. Ile has seen much of hard, pioneer experience, has passed through the grasshop- per scourge, and has succeeded in spite of all these back-sets in placing himself in good circumstances, and has surrounded himself with the evidences of prosperity and success.

Mr. Gillam was married August 3, 1853, to Miss Abagail C. Clark, a native of Washing ton county, New York, and daughter of

Hiram and Melinda (Payne) Clark. Her father was a native of Vermont and her mother a native of New York. They emi- grated to Illinois in an early day, where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Gillam have been blessed with five children-Henry C., William S. Charles W., Edward E. and Al- bert (deceased).

The subject of our sketch is a man of strong temperance principles and affiliates with the prohibition party, having been a strong anti-slavery man. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has held various official positions, among them being that of supervisor of the township, clerk of the same, which position he has held since 1875, being the present incumbent. He has also taken an active interest in edu- cational matters and has been associated for years with the school board. He is a man of good principles and sympathizes with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Le Grange Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

RANK L. MENNIE is one of the lead- ing farmers and stock raisers of Mar- ble township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He came to Lincoln county in May, 1878, and settled on his present place on section 12. He filed his papers on his claim April 16th of that year. He has resided in Marble town- ship ever since his first settlement, and has been engaged in general farming and stock raising. Our subject was one among the pioneer settlers of the town, and, associated with Mr. Parrott, of whom a sketch is given in another department of this work, our sub- ject organized the township, and served as a member of the first board of supervisors. Of this body Mr. Parrott was chairman, Mr. Mennie clerk and Ole Siverson and Isaac Peterson the other members. In every pro- ject which has tended to the development

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and improvement and better government of the township our subject has taken an active interest, and his abilities have been used in various official positions. He has been town- ship clerk ever since locating in the township, and is at present director of the school dis- trict No. 26, which position he has held since its organization.

The place of the nativity of our subject is found in Marquette, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he was born July 25, 1854. He is a son of Peter L. and Margaret (Duffes) Mennie, both of whom were natives of Scot- land. The father and mother are both liv- ing in Portage City, Wisconsin. The father came to America in about 1834, and for a short time resided in the State of Illinois, whence he went to the vicinity of Racine, Wisconsin, lo- cating fourteen miles west of that city, where he lived some eight or ten years. His next move was to Marquette, Green Lake county, that State, whence he moved to Portage, Columbia county. Throughout the most of his life he engaged in the occupation of farming. He is now living a retired life and is enjoying the benefits of a long and well- spent life. He has been a man of consider- able means, and was a representative citizen of the localities in which he lived. He has served his neighbors and fellow-citizens in various official capacities. In the father's family there were nine children-John D., William G., George P., Mary Jane, Elsie E., Frank L., Ada A., James and Ella.

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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 66

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