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 69

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 69

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ON. PHILO HAWES is the present able and popular mayor of the city of Luverne, Minnesota. He has been largely interested in the real estate and insurance business in this city for some years and has built up a large and profitable patronage. He made his location as a pioneer in this locality in 1867, in which year he took up the first land, where the village of Luverne now stands. He homesteaded 160 acres, and his first residence was a hole dug in the side of the bank, which was covered over and built around the front with medium-sized

logs. Here he found his pioneer quarters during several months of 1867, and on the 25th of March, 1868, he brought his family to his new location and built a log house 16x20 feet. This log hut was located near where the Burlington railroad depot now stands. In about 1870 he laid out forty acres of the town plat and commenced mak- ing efforts toward building up a little village. At this time, however, his nearest neighbors were forty miles distant. The town of Lu- verne was named after Mr. Hawes' eldest daughter, who is now dead. Our subject en- gaged to some extent in farming and fol- lowed the same for about four years, during which time he was also engaged as mail agent in conveying the mails from Blue Earth City to Yankton, by what he calls his "pony express." He continued his engage- ment with the government for about five years, and has made Luverne his liome ever since, with the exception of a short time spent in St. Paul and Worthington. The first post- office in the village was kept in Mr. Hawes' house for five years, he having charge of the business. In about 1870 Mr. Hawes received his first appointment as postmaster and held it until 1873, when his son succeeded him to the position, continuing in the office until 1884. In 1874 Mr. Hawes engaged in the railway mail service on the St. Paul & Sioux City railroad, and made that his principal occupation until 1884. He then returned to his farm and occupied his attention with farming and stock raising until within the last few years. In 1886 he opened a real estate and insurance business in Luverne, and has continued in that line up to the present time. He has been associated intimately with all public projects since the organi- zation of the county, and has assisted ably in the administration of the local government. The second year after the organization of the county he was one of the county commission- ers, of which body he was chairman for three

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years. He has also held many different offices and in each case has proven himself efficient and trustworthy.

Mr. Hawes is a native of Danby, Tompkins county, New York, where he was born De- cember 18, 1830. He is the son of Cyrus and Caroline (Cotter) Hawes, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed that line of occupation throughout the most of his life. The subject of our sketch was reared a farm- er's boy, and received his education in the dis- trict schools of New York and Wisconsin, hav- ing, when twelve years of age, moved with his parents to the latter State, settling in the vi- cinity of Janesville. After his marriage, which occurred in 1850, and for three years prior to his coming to Minnesota, he was en- gaged in the merchantile business. In 1853 he removed to Red Wing, and commenced op- erating a line of stages from that place to Faribault, Zumbrota and other points in the south and southeastern part of Minnesota. He continued in this business for some ten years, and then entered the employ of the Minnesota Stage Company, locating at St. Paul, where he had charge of several routes. He continued a satisfactory and profitable engagement with this company for some nine years. On the breaking out of the Re- bellion he deterinined to cast his lot with the Union forces, so he enlisted as second lieutenant in Company D, Eleventh Minne- sota Infantry, and continued in the service until the close of the war. Shortly after being discharged from the service he came to Rock county, where he has since made his principal home. Our subject has been connected for a great number of years with the United States mail service, and has had an extensive and varied experience in that line. In 1856 he had a contract with the government to maintain a mail route from Red Wing to Blue Earth City. This he es- tablished and continued for three years.

Next he contracted to transport the mails from Blue Earth City to Yankton, in which line he continued for some five years. This opened mail routes from the Mississippi through to the Missouri river. Besides this he had three shorter routes, one from Jackson to Emmettsville, and other places not far from the first-named village. When he first located in Rock county there were no neighbors, no schools, nor advantages of any kind, and our subject experienced all the pri- vations which come with pioneer life. His market was in Jackson, Jackson county, and the first lumber used in the town of Luverne' was drawn by teams from Madelia, a dis- tance of some 125 miles.

The subject of our sketch was married in 1850 to Miss Malvina Hines, of Rock coun- ty, Wisconsin. This union has been blessed with three children-Charles O., Eva Luverne and Carrie M. Charles O. married Ellen M. Grout, daughter of Eli L. Grout, of Luverne. They had one son, Edward M. Mrs. Charles O. Hawes died in 1884. Charles O. is now one of the leading merchants of Luverne, be- ing senior member of the firm of Hawes, Houg & Co. He is also connected with the firm of Harroun & Hawes, dealers in books, stationery, etc., of the same village. Eva Luverne married P. F. Kelley, and died some eight years ago. It was after her that Lu- verne was named.

The subject of our sketch has taken an important place in the affairs of Rock coun- ty. Being the earliest settler of the county, he has with interest watched its develop- ment, and at every step of the way has aided in its growth to the best of his ability. He has taken an active part in republican poli- tics, and has been a delegate several times to the State and county conventions. He was the commander of the John A. Dix Post, No. 96, in 1888. He has landed interests in the county, and owns considerable valuable city property. He is a man of excellent charac-

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ter, and wields a wide influence among the settlers of his adopted county.

AMES SHIELDS is a retired farmer of means and influence, who resides in the village of Woodstock, Pipestone county, Minnesota, to which place he came in the fall of 1888. The place of his nativity is found in the North of Ireland, in county Cavan, where he was born in 1834.

The early life of our subject was spent in his native land, where he remained until he was fifteen years of age. When our subject was fifteen years of age he concluded to emigrate to the United States, and taking the ship, he arrived safely in New York City, where he remained for some seven years. He apprenticed to learn the shoe- maker's trade under a man named Duffy, and after continuing for some time in that line of employment he engaged in farming, continuing thereat until 1855, when he re- moved to the State of Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Marquette county. He engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wisconsin for about two years, and then removed to Free- born county, Minnesota, remaining until the breaking out of the war in 1861. At this time he concluded to give his service to the assistance of his adopted country. He en- listed in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and continued in the service of the army for three years and three months. The regiment to which he belonged was attached to Sherman's army in that grand march to the sea. The colonel of this regiment was Mr. San- born, who afterward rose to the rank of gen- eral. The war experience of the subject of our sketch was of the most severe and excit- ing nature, and, although he saw many severe battles, he passed through them all with but slight injury, despite the fact that in most of the engagements he was in active

service at the front. Among the battles in which his regiment was engaged were the following : Siege of Corinth, Iuka, battle of Corinth, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Forty Hills, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black River, siege of Vicksburg, Altoona and Sa- vannah, besides many other battles and skirmishes of minor importance. Mr. Shields was discharged from the service January 1, 1865, at Savannah, and almost immediately afterward came northward to St. Paul, Min- nesota, from whence he went to Freeborn county, same State. Settling down to the quietness of civil life, he engaged in the saw- mill business for a period of eight years, after which he removed to Blue Earth county, where, in connection with his milling business, he engaged largely in farming. Pulling up stakes he again removed, this time going to Murray county, this being in the spring of 1879. Looking about for a good location for farming purposes, he set- tled on a claim on the southeast quarter of section 18, Chanarambie township. Here the subject of our sketch at once identified himself with the interests of the locality in which he had settled. Together with a few Norwegian settlers he assisted in the organization of the above town- ship, and became one of the members of the first board of supervisors, which posi- tion he held for some four years. He also was instrumental in the organization of school district No. 30, in which he lived, this being in the year 1880. He gave his best attention to the welfare of the township and became one of its most influential and respect- ed citizens. He owned an excellent farm of 245 acres, two hundred acres of which were under cultivation, and engaged largely in rais- ing cattle. He had a beautiful grove of some eight acres which he had planted himself and which was one of the prominent landmarks of that part of the county.

In June, 1860, Mr. Shields was united in

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marriage to Miss Lucy Austin, a native of Ohio. By this union there have been eight children-Irvy, Frank, Mary, Willie, George, Sadie, Bertie and Florence, all of whom are living at home.

Although Mr. Shields' residence in Wood- stock is of recent date, he has made many friends by his pleasant and agreeable inan- ners and business integrity. His career has been full of activity and usefulness and he is now retired to enjoy the blessings which come from a career of prosperity. In poli- tics he affiliates with the republican party, of whose principles he is one of the most radical supporters. Having passed through a long and honorable army career, he is one of the leading and influential members of the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which society he holds the position of steward and class-leader. Mr. Shields is a man of strong influence, of high character, and has made numerous warm ac- quaintances since coming to Woodstock.

EWIS JAHNKE, a prominent citizen of Rose Hill township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, lives on a fine farm on section 30. Germany was the land of his nativity, and he was born August 22, 1839. The parents of our subject were Michael and Mary (Sonburg) Jahnke, also natives of Germany. The parents never emigrated to America, but lived in their native land throughout their lives. The father engaged in farming, and died in 1859.

Up to fifteen years of age Lewis assisted his father in work on the farm and attended public school, and at that age learned the mechanic's trade. He followed this line of business for twenty-three years, and emi- grated to America April 1, 1867, locating in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for some eight years. He became

quite well-to-do, but lost all his property in the great fire in 1871. After his loss he went to Peru, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for a year, returning after that time to Chicago and remaining two years. He then removed to New Ulm, Minnesota, and made that city his home for five years, coming at the end of that period to the place where he now lives. He took a home- stead of 160 acres, and has been constantly improving it ever since. He has it provided with excellent buildings, and has a fine grove of four acres of trees. In connec- tion with his farming operations he is also engaged in raising Durham and Hol- stein cattle, and also Norman and Clydeș- dale horses. In this line he has met with considerable success, and, with his energy and knowledge of stock raising, he will doubtless soon be one of the most prominent raisers of blooded stock in the county.

Mr. Jahnke was married August 13, 1865, to Miss Emily Grams, a daughter of Andrew Grams, also a native of Germany. This union has been blessed with five children- Owtletie, Mary, Theresa, Clara and an infant now deceased. The members of this family belong to the Lutheran church of Rose Hill township.

The subject of our sketch affiliates with the democratic party and has held various official positions, among them being that of township supervisor, treasurer of the town- ship, and clerk of the school district in which he lives. He is a man of good busi- ness qualifications, and in all his dealings with the duties of public office has proven his capability and efficiency. Our subject had considerable military experience in his native land, having enlisted at the age of twenty years in the German army and served three years. He served through the German, Austrian and Prussian War, which lasted from May 1 to October 1, 1866. · A

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few months after his discharge he emigrated to America. Since coming to the township Mr. Jahnke has taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and has, by his interest in these matters and by his careful attention to his private business, as well as the public duties devolving upon him, gained the respect of his fellow citizens.

AVID L. PHIPPS, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Ash Lake town- ship, Lincoln county, Minnesota, is located on the northwest quarter of section 28. He made his location in Lincoln county in 1876 and was one of the first settlers. He assisted in the organization of the county in 1879 and was elected a member of the board of supervisors for one year. He has served his constituents in various official positions, and in every instance has proven his efficien- cy as a business man and citizen. On our subject's location in the township he broke thirty-five acres of land, built a neat frame house 16x24 feet, in which he still lives. Among other improvements he made at that time was a sod stable, which accommodated his stock for some years until he built a large new barn in the spring of 1886. He has a large number of cattle and also a num- ber of fine half-blooded Norman horses.

The subject of our sketch was born in Windom county, Vermont, November 9, 1817. He is the son of Charles C. and Anna (Lincoln) Phipps, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. In early life the parents removed to the State of Vermont, where the father died when our subject was about twenty years of age. The mother died in 1867. The parents were exemplary Christian people, the father being a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and the mother of the Baptist church. Our subject was the youngest of seven chil- dren-Theodore Lyman, Hannah, Anna,

Lucinda, Abagail, Eliza and David L. Theo- dore, Lucinda and Hannah are deceased.

The early life of Mr. Phipps was spent in his native county in Vermont, where he was reared and educated until he was about twenty years of age. He received a good education and assisted in work on the home farm. When twenty years of age our sub_ ject purchased a farm of four hundred acres, paying therefor $3,000. He lived on this farm for about four years and then sold out and purchased another of five hundred acres, continuing the operation of this latter place until coming to Minnesota in 1856. He first located in Dakota county, where he pre- empted 160 acres of land and became one of the first settlers of Lewiston township. For three years he engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising in Dakota county, and then removed to a farm in Northfield town- ship, Rice county. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising for two years, and at the end of this time moved to the city of Northfield and resided there, still continuing the operation of his farm until coming to Lincoln county in 1876.

David L. Phipps was married when twenty- one years of age in June, 1837, to Miss Maria Potter, a native of Vermont, where she was reared and educated. This lady died in 1870. By this marriage there, were seven children, only one of whom lived to advanced years-May, born Sep- tember 15, 1857, in Lewiston township, Da- kota county. May married George McCort- nev, a farmer of Shaokatan township, Lincoln county. Mr. McCortney was born in Farı bault, Rice county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs McCortney have one child, Anna Frances. August 22, 1872, David L. Phipps was mar- ried to Miss Olia Irene Marcellus, a native of Canada, and daughter of Garret L. Marcellus, one of the early settlers of Ash Lake town- ship. This lady died May 26, 1884, leaving one child, Charley Levi, born in June, 1879.

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SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

Mrs. Phipps was an estimable Christian lady and was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.

The subject of our sketch has become one of the prominent and most well-to-do citizens of the township and has accumulated consid- erable means as the result of his thrifty and systematic habits. He is a man of excellent abilities and understands thoroughly the details of his occupation. In early life he was given the advantages of a good education and throughout all his life has constantly applied himself to the mastery of the af- fairs pertaining to the general welfare. He has become well posted on current and historic events and has gathered a large fund of gen- eral information. He is a pleasant and cour_ teous gentleman and makes friends wherever he goes. He is a man of highest character, and is esteemed as a warm friend and loval citizen by all who know him. In politics he affiliates with no particular party, but sup- ports the man best fitted for the office to which he aspires. He has a fine farm of 440 acres under excellent cultivation and pro- vided with good buildings. Perhaps no other man in the township is so deeply interested financially in farming as our subject, as he has a large number of acres constantly under culivation and has a larger acreage than any other in the county.

- RANCIS DALY, a reliable farmer of Bondin township. Murray county, Minnesota, was born in County Meath, Ire- land, in the fall of 1830, his parents being Edward and Jane (Tucker) Daly, natives, respectively, of Dublin and County Meath. Ireland.

The subject of our sketch remained with his parents on the farm and attended the common schools until he reached the age of twenty years, when he came to the United States, first stopping in Long Island, where

he worked on a farm for about one year. He then went to New York City and worked out at odd jobs around the docks for a short time. From that time until 1853 his time was spent in various employments, among them being work in a brick-yard, in a rice mill, a soap factory, and as a roustabout on the boat "City of Hartford," after which he

returned to the Excelsior Soap Factory in New York City. In 1853 our subject went to Chicago and found employment with Obadiah Jackson in a general store, where he remained one year and then returned to New York and worked for Leavett & Allen, book publishers, with whom he remained until August, 1860. Soon after his return to New York he built a house on Staten Island, and in 1855 was married. After closing his engagement with Messrs. Leavett & Allen, Mr. Daly returned to Ireland, where he re- mained until May, 1863, engaged in the dairy business. About this time disease got among his cattle and they died off until his business was completely ruined. He then returned to New York and found employment with Messrs. Kiggins & Kellogg in the book busi- ness. He remained with this firm until May, 1887, and was head porter and shipper for twenty-four years. During his residence in New York Mr. Daly became the owner of considerable property. He owned a fancy store in Brooklyn and two dwelling-houses, one on Myrtle avenue and the other on Myrtle street. When he acquired this prop- erty it was out in the open country, but now the city extends four miles beyond this street. In May, 1887, our subject came to Murray county, Minnesota, and purchased a farın on the southeast quarter of section 21, Bondin township. Our subject has a fine farm of 160 acres, on which are a good frame dwelling-house and barn. Though he has lived in the township but a short time, Mr. Daly has come to be considered one of its wealthy and reliable citizens.

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The wedding day of our subject occurred in March, 1855, when he was married to Miss Maria Quinn, a daughter of Patrick and Mary Quinn. Miss Quinn was a native of the town of Athlone, County of Roscom- mon, Ireland. This union has been blessed with the following-named children-Jane, Edward, John (deceased), Mary, Ellen (de- ceased) and John.

EORGE BAXTER is a leading farmer of Winnebago township, Faribault county, Minnesota. He is operating a fine farm of 280 acres, which is one of the best places in the township. Mr. Baxter is a native of the village of Troy, Granville township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1845. His parents were Nathan and Amelia (Decker) Baxter, who are now residents of Winnebago City.

Nathan Baxter was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1820. His parents were Chauncey and Nancy (Vroman) Baxter, natives of New York. Chauncey Baxter was a leading citizen of his State and was engaged extensively in lumbering and also in farming. He had a family of six children, two of whom are now living, Nathan and Celestia, the later being now Mrs. Gilbert, of Wisconsin.

Nathan Baxter was reared in Pennsylvania, received a good practical education, learned the lumber business and engaged in farming. He located in Wisconsin in 1862, in Waukesha county, where he engaged in farming and in the wood business. He remained in that State until 1888, at which time he removed to Winnebago City, where he still lives. In 1887 he had visited this region and pur- chased several farms adjoining Winnebago City. This property he still owns. He has a neat residence on Cleveland street, in

Winnebago City, where he is at present making substantial improvements.

Nathan Baxter was married January 1, 1843, to Miss Amelia Decker, who was born in Delaware county, New York, and a daughter of George and Eliza Decker, natives of England and Connecticut, respectively. Her father came to America in 1812, locat- ing in New York, where he was married and reared a large family of children. A brief sketch is given of the children in the biography of Nathan Baxter in another de- partment of this work.

George Baxter, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, spent his early days in school in Pennsylvania. Later the family came West, and our subject found employ- ment at engineering in Muskegon, Michigan. Nine years were spent in this business, part of the time being spent in the shops and a part of the time on the lakes, principally Lake Michigan. Our subject then removed to Oconomowoc; Wisconsin, and operated an engine and threshing machine for some five years. In 1879 he concluded to come to Minnesota, and settled where he now lives. At that time there was nothing but the bare prairie, and settlers were some distance apart. Our subject commenced making improve- ments on his farm, built a house and granary, living in the latter for some years until he could build his present fine residence. He has two large barns, one 30x40 feet and the other 32x50 feet, with a shed 18x60 feet, all painted and built in excellent shape. He has a large windmill and reservoir. He has set out several acres of trees and has a very pleasant and comfortable home. His farm is under good cultivation and is one of the best in the township.

George Baxter was married in the year 1872, to Miss Etta Kilmer, of Janesville, Wis- consin, and a daughter of James Kilmer. This union has been blessed with one son, George J., aged thirteen years, and now a

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

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student in the high school at Winnebago City.

The subject of our sketch is one of the most active and energetic citizens of Winne- bago township. He always participates in all matters which tena to the upbuilding of the interests of his locality, and is always alive to its needs. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, as did his father before him. He is one of the most solid and prominent farmers of the township and county.

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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 69

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