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 72

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 72

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Mr. Doeg was born in Alfred, York county, Maine, December 5, 1835. His father was Augustus Doeg, a painter by trade, which business he followed until his death, whichi occurred in 1876. He spent the most of his early life in New Hampshire, his native State, and afterwards removed to Maine, where he remained until his death. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Hulda Cousins, a native of New Hampshire. She died in about 1864. In the father's family there were six children-Thomas, Samuel, Jane, Sarah, George W. and Almond. The last named served in the Union army and was killed at the battle of Nashville in 1864.

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George W. Doeg received his early train- ing and education in his native State, mak- ing that place his home until he was twenty-one years of age. He learned the painter's trade and also engaged to some extent in farming, and, on attaining his majority, went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent a week visiting a sister who lived in that city. He then went to Chi- cago, and thence, after a brief stay, he went to a farm a few miles south of the city and commenced work for a farmer. After a short time he returned to Chicago and en- gaged at the carpenter's trade; four weeks later he started for his home in the East. At Mentor, Ohio, however, he concluded to stop and engage in farming. Making that his home for a year, he then went to Missouri and remained during one winter, after which he returned to Ohio, and a year later was married and settled down to agricultural pursuits in Lake county, Ohio. Two years later he came to Wabasha county, Minne- sota, and engaged in farming for six years, and then came to his present place. He has been all through the hard times so well known to the history of Southern Minne- sota, namely, the grasshopper times, and un- derstands what the trials of pioneer life mean. In spite of all these discouragements and losses, however, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable means, and has put his farm in excellent condition, supplying it with good farm buildings, and making it one of the best farms in the county.

Mr. Doeg was married in the month of December, 1858, to Miss Emily Carroll, a native of Lake county, Ohio, and born in the village of Mentor. She was a daugh- ter of Samuel D. Carroll, a farmer and cooper by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Doeg have three children - Albert, Nettie and Mary. The first named is married to a Mr. Adams, a farmer of Verona township. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The subject of our sketch affiliates with the republican party, and throughout his . history in Faribault county has actively identified himself with all general interests. He has held various official positions, and has taken an active part in school matters. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fra- ternity.

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ILLIAM H. SMITH, the pioneer butcher of Pipestone county, is at present an honored and reliable citizen of Pipestone City, Minnesota. He built his present meat market on Hiawatha street in 1882, having commenced the butcher busi- ness in the city in 1880, in a small building on Olive street. Hismarket is appropriately called the "City Meat Market." He has invested largely in other property in the city, and is the owner of several lots, on which he has built a barn and a large ice house. In connection with his meat market he also carries on a large ice business. In 1880 he took a homestead in Gray township, built a sod house and commenced making improvements. He has prospered in every way, and has now a good frame dwelling- house and outbuildings on his farm.

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is a native of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he was born in 1840. He is the son of William, Jr., and Martha (Cornish) Smith, the father a native of the southern part of Canada, and the mother a native of Ohio. The father was a mason and cooper by trade, and was the son of William, Sr., and Catharine (Ryan) Smith, the former being a soldier for twenty-one months in the War of 1812. William, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and coming from Canada in an early day located in Grand Isle county, Vermont, where he en- gaged in farming, and where he lived until his death. When William, Jr., was six- teen years of age he went to Ohio and

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engaged in farm work for about seven years, and in 1842 went to the State of Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mason and cooper trades. He remained in Wiscon- sin until in 1884, when he sold out and came with his family to Pipestone county. He settled in Pipestone city, purchased three lots and built a residence. The mother of the subject of our sketch died in 1870; the father is still living in Pipestone. In the father's family there were nine children, of whom four are now living-Betsey, now Mrs. Benard; William H., our subject ; Florence, now Mrs. Wheeler, and Effie.

The subject of our sketch received his early training and education in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He was given the ad- vantages for an education furnished by the district school and later became a student for some time in a select school. When sev- enteen years of age he enlisted in Company B, Forty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infant- ry, as a private. After serving about one year, hostilities were ceased between the North and South, and he was granted his discharge from further service. His mili- tary life was principally occupied with doing guard duty in Missouri. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Walworth county, Wisconsin, and for seven years was employed in a livery stable. At the end of that time he turned his attention to work on a farm, continuing thereat somewhat over eight months, after which he was mar- ried. He then engaged in railroading on a branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul road, continuing at that line about nine months. From thence he removed to Buchanan county, Iowa, and turned his attention for one year to agricultural pursuits. Removing thence he went to Lincoln county, Wisconsin, purchased eighty acres of wild land, and, after doing a little clearing and remaining thereon one year, he sold out and removed to Jackson county, where he purchased a

saw-mill. He engaged in handling lumber in this mill for about two years, after which he went to Monroe county, Wisconsin, and for two years turned his attention to the pursuits of the agriculturist. After that period he went to Huron, Dakota, and again engaged in railroading, continuing thereat during one season. At the close of that season's employment he came to Pipestone City, Pipestone county, and took his home- stead, and also engaged in the meat business in Pipestone City, as has already been related in the opening lines of this sketch.

The subject of our sketch was married to Miss Orcelia Kenyon, of Cadiz, Wisconsin, a daughter of Oliver and Sallie A. Kenyon, residents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been blessed with four children-Nettic B., Edith, Maude and Nathan. Nettie B. is a graduate of the normal school at Man- kato. Edith is a teacher by profession, and Maude and Nathan are students in the Pipestone City schools.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Good Templars society. Since coming to the city he has been actively engaged in carrying on his successful business. He is an energetic man, and whatever he takes hold of brings merited success. He has a large trade and is doing a profitable business. One among his leading customers is the proprietor of the Calumet hotel, whose meat supplies are all furnished by Mr. Smith. Our subject takes an interest in all public matters and has a wide circle of friends.

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ARAH J. WALKER is a resident of Windom, the county seat of Cotton- wood county, Minnesota. She is the widow of George B. Walker, who was an influential citizen of the county and a son of Cyrus

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Walker. He was born in Abbot, Maine, in 1843.

Mrs. Walker was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, October 16, 1853. Her parents were Simeon and Lorinda (Brooks) Greenfield, both natives of St. Lawrence county, New York. They came to Winona county, Minnesota, in 1857, and made that their home for eleven years. They then moved to Cottonwood county and located on a homestead of eighty acres, afterwards sell- ing this farm and purchasing another not far distant.

At eight years of age the lady of whom this sketch treats went to live with her grandfather, James Greenfield. She re- mained with him some time and received an excellent education and early training. She was married February 19, 1871, to George B. Walker, this being the first mar- riage ceremony performed in Cottonwood county. This union was blessed with seven children-Edgar and Edwin (twins); Alfred, George (deceased), Clara, Llewellyn and Harold.

Mr. Walker was an early settler of Cotton- wood county, and was the first man to do any plowing in the county after the Indian massacre of 1862. He died April 13, 1887. He was a man of excellent char- acter, public-spirited and generous, and was respected by all who knew him. During the early times Mr. and Mrs. Walker saw many hardships, and for several years had their crops all destroyed by the grasshoppers. Nothing could be made at raising grain, so Mr. Walker traded his horses for cows, and succeeded in making a living with stock. They were able to pro- vide for themselves, and were not obliged to receive assistance from the State.

Coming to the county in an early day, Mrs. Walker has witnessed many changes. She has been of an observant disposition, and has remembered many interesting circumstances

which occurred during the early times. Al- though in straitened circumstances for a number of years in pioneer days, Mrs. Walker now owns a fine farm of 440 acres, located on section 25 of Ann township and section 30 of High Water township. On this farm stands a fine house, excellent large barn and about three acres of a fine grove of trees. There are several acres of natural timber along the creek which passes through the place. Mrs. Walker rents her farm and resides in Windom, where she has lived since July 6, 1887. She is engaged in dressmak- ing, and is one of the leading dressmakers of the city, having built up a fashionable and profitable trade. She is a lady of excellent character, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Walker remembers the first celebration held in Cottonwood county. The people congregated on a farm adjoining that of her father and there passed the day in celebrating the independence of our country. Mrs. Walker's mother read the Declaration of Independence, this being the first time that instrument was publicly read in the county.

- LLEN FLETCHER CHASE is one of the leading and influential farmers of Lincoln county, Minnesota. His location on the northeast quarter of section 22 in Lake Stay township was made in 1879, but he had filed on this claim in the fall of the year previous. In 1879 he moved his family on the place where he now lives, and proved up and obtained a patent from the United States in 1885.

Mr. Chase is a son of John M. and Eliza (Carney) Chase, the former a native of Ver- mont, and the latter born in Ohio. Allen was born in Newbury township, Elkhart county, Indiana, March 14, 1844. His early life was spent on the homestead of his parents. With them he moved from Elk-

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hart county, Indiana, to Indian Prairie, St. Joseph county, Michigan, when he was about four years old. Here he was given good educational advantages in the district schools, remaining with his parents assisting in work on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then commenced running a peddler's wagon for himself, following that line of business for about a year. At tlie end of that time he engaged in working out on various farms, and followed that line un- til August, 1864, when he enlisted in Com- pany H, Eighth Regiment Michigan Cavalry, and served until in June, 1865. During his military service he was on scouting duty most of the time, participating in the famous Hood campaign, and being on active duty throughout the entire period. The campaign just referred to was one of the most memorable of the war and was indeed one which will not soon be forgotten by our subject. Here he experinced all the hardships which may come to the life of the soldier in active duty at the front. For three weeks his regiment did not unsaddle their horses and during this time they were kept busy by a continual running fight with the enemy. After the close of the war our subject removed to On- tario, Lagrange county, Indiana, and en- gaged in farming there until about 1872. One winter of this period, however, was spent in working in a cooper shop, and two years also were occupied with a course of in- struction in the collegiate institute at Onta- rio. In 1872 Mr. Chase came to Brown county, Minnesota, where he purchased a crop already sown. He harvested this crop and the following winter taught school in that county. In the spring he went onto a farm that he had purchased in Renville county, four miles north of Fort Ridgley. Farming on that place for one year he was then driven out by the loss of his entire crop, which was eaten up by the grasshoppers. He returned to Brown county and remained

there until the following fall, his wife teach- ing school at Lone Tree Lake. Mr. Chase also taught school in Renville county. In September, 1874, they returned to Ontario, Indiana, and Mr. Chase taught school during the first winter. The following two sum- mers were spent in work on a farm and the intervening winter he occupied his time in making brooms. One year after this period was spent by him in Houston county, Minne- sota, where, in company with his brother Man- ville T., he opened up and operated a broom factory. In the spring of 1877 he started for Brown county with a team, and after a long and tedious trip through the mud and rainy weather reached a location in that county where he remained one year. The following spring he came to Lincoln county, and his wife returned to the East on an extended visit. Our subject lived a bachelor's life during the summer, and in the fall his wife joined him on the farm in Lincoln county.

The subject of our sketch was married in New Ulm, Minnesota, August 22, 1873, to Miss Ella Ferrand, a daughter of Rev. and Mary N. (Harris) Ferrand, natives of Ver- mont. She was born in Vermont, October 25, 1849, and came West with her parents in early life. Her mother died in Lincoln county at our subject's home in 1885. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. Chase-John B. and Ethel F.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party, and has been elected to various offices in the gift of his fellow-citizens. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors for seven years, and has also been assessor, clerk and director of the school board, and has been justice of the peace. In all matters of a public nature he takes a prominent position, and has aided materially in various ways in the promulga- tion of such ideas and in the promotion of such projects as would benefit his fellow- townsmen. For some time he associated

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with the Farmers' Grange, and did all in his power to build up and improve the general farming interests. As a farmer Mr. Chase is a hard-working, systematic man, and has attained considerable success in every line in which he is engaged. He is a man of stanch character, loyal as a citizen, and has made inany warm friends in the township.

In the winter of 1873 Mr. Chase requested Rev. Wilson, of Marshfield, to organize a Congregational church at his house, and the organization was perfected with the following four members : Mr. and Mrs. Chase and Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter. Rev. Dr. Cobb (State superintendent) and Rev. Mr. Simmons (since State superintendent) assisted Mr. Wilson. Since that time church service and a regular Sunday-school has been maintained. New members have been added from time to time, and there is now twenty working members. Ten or twelve members have meanwhile re- moved to other localities. Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Chase, of course, were chosen dea- cons, and the latter has from time to time been chosen nis own successor. Mrs. Chase is secretary of the church. In connection there is maintained a woman's missionary society, which is in fine working order, and of which Mrs. Chase is president.

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HOMAS O. WORNSON, a leading and influential farmer of Lowville township, Murray county, Minnesota, has an excellent farm on section 36. He was born December 8, 1850, and was the son of Ole and Martha (Gunderson) Wornson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was a prominent man in his native land, and for twelve years was a lieutenant in the Norwegian army. He came to America in 1860, landing in Quebec, whence he went to Chicago, and then to Rock county, Wiscon- sin, where he rented a farm for five years.

He then removed to Fillmore county, Minne- sota, where five years were spent in agricult- ural pursuits. In 1872 he removed to Murray county, and located a claim on section 6, of Slayton township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1880. The mother is still living on the old homestead.

Thomas O. Wornson resided with his parents until the age of eleven years. He then left home while his parents were resid- ing in Wisconsin, and commenced work for himself. For three years he was occupied at farm work, and then rented a farm in Fill- more county, which he operated in company with his father. After the three years spent in Fillmore county, he then followed railroad- ing for two years, and in 1872 came by team to Murray county, and located a claim on section 6, of Slayton township. He continued his agricultural pursuits in that township until 1884, when he sold out and went to Washington Territory and Oregon, looking for a location. Not being satisfied with the country through which he traveled he re- turned to Murray county, Minnesota, and purchased the place on which he now lives. He has seen hard times, but in spite of these things has accumulated considerable means. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, and experienced all the ills through which the pioneer settler usually has to pass.

Mr. Wornson was married to Minnie Christianson, March 23, 1872. She was the daughter of Christian and Caroline (Oleson) Christianson, natives of Norway, where also Miss Minnie was born. Mr. and Mrs. Worn- son have been blessed with ten children- Emma, John, Olaf, Alma, Betsey, William (deceased), Sjur Rheinhart (deceased), Cora and Harry.

In politics the subject of our sketch affil- iates with the republican party, and has be- come one among the prominent men in the local governmental affairs. For eight years

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he was supervisor, and for one year was assessor of Slayton township. Since residing in Lowville township, he has been supervisor, and was a member of the republican county central committee for two years, also town central committee for three years. He is a man of good character, and is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to education, and has been one of the school directors for some three years.

ATHANIEL P. MINION is a leading farmer residing in Delton township, Cottonwood county, Mindesota. His farm is located on section 34, where, in connection with farming, he also raises blooded stock, with the intention of giving a considerable part of his attention to the raising of Clydes- dale horses in the near future. The subject of our sketch was born June 6, 1859, in Can- ada. His parents were Arthur and Rhoda (Griffen) Minion, the former a native of Ire- land, and the latter born in Canada.

The father of the subject of our sketch was born in Ireland in 1811, and in 1831 came to Canada, where he was married. In 1865 he went to Clinton county, Iowa, and engaged in farming until 1871, when he came to Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota, locating on sec- tion 4, of Carson township, where he took a pre-emption. He improved his farm, and became one of the prominent men of the township, being identified with the political history of the county throughout his entire residence there. In 1884 he was accidentally killed on the horse power at a threshing ma- chine, and his death was deeply mourned by a large number of friends, who held him in high esteem both as a man and citizen. The mother is still living in Delton township. In the father's family there were eleven children, our subject being the second youngest.

The subject of our sketch received his early training and education in the country in which he was born and in Iowa, removing to the latter place with his parents in 1865. Our subject was given a high-school educa- tion in Iowa, and assisted to some extent on the home farm. After coming to Minnesota he spent a few months in a school in Dodge county, after which he returned to the farm of his parents. He has resided in Cotton- wood county ever since, and has become one of its prominent citizens.

Mr. Minion was married March 20, 1881, to Miss Augusta Bastian, a native of Ger- many. When quite young this lady came with her parents to America, and located in the State of Illinois. Her father was Carl Bastian, a farmer by occupation, and who now resides in Cottonwood county, of which he was one of the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Minion have five children: Robert, Frank, Bertha, Lewis and Effie.

The subject of our sketch has a fine loca- tion on section 34, where he owns 160 acres of land. He is a hard-working, energetic farmer, and has provided his place witlı ex- cellent improvements. Throughout his resi- dence in the township he has taken an active interest in all public matters, having been assessor of Delton township for three years. He is public-spirited, liberal in all enterprises which need the assistance of the citizens of the township, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

HARLES CHRISTENSON, an influ- ential resident of Iona township, Mur- ray county, Minnesota, is located on an excellent farm of section 30. He is a native of Denmark, and was born July 7, 1852.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Christen and Catharine (Sorenson) Christenson. The parents were natives of Denmark, and the father followed the trade

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of blacksmithing in his native country. In 1867 the family came to America, settling in Howard county, Iowa, where they lived on a farm for three years. They then removed to the village of Cresco, where the father died shortly afterwards. The mother re- moved to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where she died some years later.

The early life of Charles Christenson was spent in the parental home. He assisted in work on the farm and was given a good com- mon-school education. When twenty years of age he commenced work on adjoining farms, working for three years in Howard county, Iowa. He then purchased a team and came to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where for three years he lived on a rented farm. In 1878 he came to Murray county and located his present claim. He was one among the very first settlers, there being only two other families in this neighborhood when he came. There were about five set- tlers in the northeast corner of the township. Since making his location here he has taken an active part in public matters and has affiliated with the democratic party. He is a man of excellent principles, has a good common-school education, is an able business man and is respected by a wide circle of friends.

The wedding day of Mr. Christenson was on the 18th day of September, 1888, when he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. McDonald, a daughter of R. J. and Elizabeth McDonald. This lady was a native of Min- nesota, where she has lived throughout her life. She is a lady of estimable character and has an excellent education.

AA YRON ORVIS is a prominent cit- izen of Pipestone county, and is engaged in farming in the city limits of Pipe- stone. He located in this county in 1886, and purchased a farm in Grange township,

where he owned 640 acres, which he has since sold. He purchased the place where he now lives in 1888, and now owns eighty acres in one body at that place. On settling in Grange township he commenced improve- inents by breaking 114 acres of land and building a stable. On the farm on which he lives at present he has substantial buildings and has made fine improvements. While living in Grange township he took an active part in all public matters and held several official positions, among them being that of school trustee.

The place of the nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in Canada, where he was born in 1838. He is the son of Eleazar B. and Elizabeth (Austin), Orvis, both of whom were natives of Vermont. Shortly after their mar- riage the parents moved to Canada, where they engaged in farming and remained until their death. They belonged to the society of Friends. They had a family of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are now living- Austin, Phobe, Hulda, Maria, Myron, Andrew and William H. Susan, the second child, is dead.

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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 72

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