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 75
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The early life of the subject of our sketch
was spent on the home farm with his parents. He was given a good common-school educa- tion and when sixteen years of age attended the academy at Barre, Vermont. The prin- cipal part of two winters was spent in that institution. The balance of the time until he was twenty-one years old was spent by him in the home of his parents. He then lived with his mother's people for two years, and assisted them in operating their farm, receiv- ing as compensation a part of the products of the harvests. At the end of these two years he went to North Montpelier and opened and started a cheese factory in com- pany with Marcus Peck, of Brookfield, that State. After operating this factory for two years our subject sold out his interest to his brother, Arthur D., and then purchased a farm in the vicinity of Barre. He engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years, and then, selling out, took a trip through the far west, seeking a new location. He spent two months in Montana and then returned as far as Fargo, Dakota, making up his mind to locate there. In the spring of 1883 he took his family to that city and intended to reside there and work at the car- penter trade. Times, however, were somewhat dull and little work could be ob- tained. Remaining until fall he then came to Murray county, Minnesota, and took charge of the farm of his uncle, Lewis L. Coburn. This farm was composed of between forty- seven and forty-eight hundred acres of land. Our subject built several buildings on this farm and rented small portions to various parties. He is now located on 700 acres of this property where he has excellent build- ings, a large frame house and three barns, one 48x100 feet, another 48x48 feet and the third 18x32 feet. The house is 24x36 feet, all thoroughly finished and nicely painted. He has the land on the section in which these buildings are located, and is also i general manager of the entire farming inter-
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ests of his uncle. He received a good salary for managing this immense business.
Mr. Coburn was married in Calais, Ver- mont, September 3, 1873, to Miss Corrie E. Bennett, born in the place of her marriage, February 20, 1854, and a daughter of Charles S. and Caroline E. (Le Barron) Bennett. Her parents were natives of Vermont and farm- ers by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Coburn have been blessed with the following chil- dren-Charles Fred, Blanche May, Cassius Lee (who died at Fargo) and Anna Bessie.
Being possessed of excellent business qualifications, and of broad, progressive ideas, our subject has become one of the leading spirits in all matters pertain- . ing to the public welfare of his township. He takes an active part in political matters and has held various offices. He is a man of excellent education, and after quitting his course in the academy in the East, taught school for some four terms. He is a member of the lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Fulda, and has been worshipful master to that lodge ever since its organization in July, 1886. He is quite prominent in the counsels of this civic society, and has represented his lodge at two sessions of the grand lodge. He has taken the Royal Arch degree, and January 8, 1889, he had the thirty-second degree in that order con- ferred upon him.
HARLES M. PEASE is one of the most highly esteemed and reliable farmers of Burke township, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He homesteaded his present farm on section 18, in 1884, since which time he has been occupied in thor- oughly improving his land. The subject of our sketch was born in Whitewater, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, December 9, 1862. When he was about two years of age the parents removed to Freeport, Illinois, where
they lived some ten years. Here Charles received the foundation of his education, being given good educational advantages in the district schools. Later he went to De Witt county, in the same State, where he completed his education at the age of eight- een years. At this time he removed with his parents to Pipestone county, Minnesota, where he has since lived.
Charles M. Pease is the son of Henry W. Pease, one of the first settlers of Gray township, Pipestone county. The father located on section 24, of that township, in May, 1878, and continued his residence in the county until his death, which occurred in Pipestone city, January 28, 1888. His death was brought about by pneumonia after he had been sick but about ten days. The father was one of the most prominent citi- zens of the township, and assisted in the organization of the same in the spring of 1879. He was a strong republican in poli- tics, and was a justice of the peace for one year, having also held other offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens. In religious matters he was an enthusiastic worker, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was ordained as a minister in that organization at the annual confer- ence held in St. Paul in 1874. He held several charges and continued his ministerial work for about eight years. He was a man of high Christian character, a good preacher, and accomplished a great amount of good in the various fields of labor to which he was sent. His last charge was the Luverne cir- cuit, which he left in 1880. The father was a native of the State of New York, where he was born January 11, 1827, the place of his nativity being in Charlotte, Chittendon county. In that locality he was reared and educated, and remained until he was twenty- two years of age. He was given the privi- leges of the district school, and acquired a thorough common-school education. His
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father was a farmer, and his early life was spent more or less at farm work. In 1840 Henry W. Pease removed to Illinois, where he remained for some years. Removing thence, he settled in Wisconsin, and, after a few years' location there, returned to the State of Illinois. He made Illinois his home until he came to Minnesota, in 1873, in which year he located in Minneapolis and found employment as a carriage painter. The following year, in 1874, he commenced his ministerial duties, in which he continued some eight years, as has already been related. In 1878 he located in Pipestone county, where he lived principally until his death.
Henry W. Pease was married May 14, 1848, to Miss Louisa L. Macomber, who was a native of Essex county, New York, where she was reared and educated. The fruits of this marriage were ten children, seven of whom are living-Eugene, Fred, Charles M. (whose name appears at the head of this sketch), William, Abraham, Leonard and Mamie. The father was a man of excellent character, and stood high in the esteem of his fellow-townsmen. He was a Royal Arch Mason.
Charles M. Pease is one of the representa- tive citizens of his township. He is a young man of acknowledged ability and highest integrity. He has been quite successful in his farming operations and has accumulated considerable means. He takes an active part in public matters, and holds the esteem of all who know him.
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EORGE GATES is one of the lead- ing residents of Moulton township, Murray county, Minnesota, and has an ex- cellent farm located on section 30. The place of his nativity is Schoharie county, New York, where he was born January 23, 1817. His parents were Oldham and Mehit-
able (Hatfield) Gates, the father a native of Massachusetts and the mother a native of New York. Throughout his life the father was by occupation a farmer. He died in New York State in 1828. The mother died in Wisconsin in 1876.
After the death of his father our subject removed to Jefferson county, New York. He then lived with his grandparents four years, after which he went to live with an uncle, with whom he lived until attaining his majority. Early in 1838 our subject en- tered the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, in St. Lawrence county, New York. He at- tended this school summers and taught school winters until 1840, when he received a diploma from that seminary. This diploma was signed by Jesse T. Peck, its honored principal, and since one of the most able and honored bishops of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1840 our subject removed to Watertown, New York, and engaged in teaching school, remaining in that vicinity for five years. In 1845 he removed to Wis- consin, and remained in Racine one year, then settling on Hart Prairie, Walworth county, Wisconsin. During 1846 he bought some government land in Fond du Lac coun- ty, but remained in Walworth county until 1849. During this year he settled on his farm in Fond du Lac county, and made that his home until 1866, when he came to Fill- more county, Minnesota, purchased a farm, and, in connection with its operation, en- gaged in teaching during the winter months. In 1878 he located a farm in Pipestone county and then returned to Fillmore county, remaining there until 1880. He then came to his farm in Pipestone county and made that his home until 1883. His family joined him on the farm in 1882, and in 1883 he located on the place where he now lives in Murray county.
Mr. Gates was married April 14, 1850, to Adeline M. Phelps, a daughter of Milo and
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Wealthy (Kellogg) Phelps, natives of the State of New York. In early life her par- ents moved to the State of Ohio, where she was born, September 25, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Gates have been blessed with five chil- dren, three of whom are now living. They have twelve grandchildren.
In politics the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch affiliates with the republican party. During the last presidential campaign he was one of the most earnest supporters of President Harri- son, having had the honor of voting for his illustrious ancestor. Our subject is a man of advanced age and is wonderfully preserved. His mind is yet strong, as is also his physi- cal organism. He is a man of extensive knowledge, having in early life obtained a thorough education, and having added there- to by careful reading. His character both as a citizen and as a neighbor is beyoud reproach and he is held in high esteem by all with whom he has to do. He is a stanch supporter of all temperance movements, and is a member of the Sons of Temperance. He has taught school thirty-six winter terms.
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HEELOCK HUBBELL is a pros- perous farmer who resides on sec- tion 4 of Rose Hill township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He was born December 16, 1857, in the State of Wisconsin.
The parents of the subject of our sketch were Silas and, Eliza (Clement) Hubbell, natives of Canada, who moved to Wisconsin in 1838, locating in Rock county and engag- ing in farming. The next move was to Dodge county, whence they went to Winne- shiek county, Iowa. The father died in Spring Valley, Minnesota, in March, 1887; the mother is now living, and is a resident of section 4, Rose Hill township. Our sub- ject was one of nine children-Abner (de-
ceased), Maria, Ella, Charles O., Ira, John, Annie, Wheelock and Amos E.
Mr. Hubbell was reared as a farmer's boy and attended the common schools during the winter months of each year until he was sixteen years of age. He then commenced learning the trade of blacksmithing in the shop of his brothers, Charles and Ira. After learning the trade he removed to Lansing, Iowa, where he remained a year, after which he went to Winneshiek county, whence he came to his present place. He has a fine farm, part of which was taken as a tree claim and part as a pre-emption in 1878. He also owns a comfortable house and good barns. Three years of his time since coming to Minnesota was spent in Windom, where he worked at his trade. At present he has a blacksmith shop on his farm and works more or less at his trade in connection with his farming. Mr. Hubbell is a man of strong opinions, of progressive ideas, and is one of the active public men of the township. He is a genial, warm-hearted gentleman, and is respected and esteemed by all his fellow- citizens.
Mr. Hubbell was married in Frankville, October 12, 1879, to Miss Bessie Allen, daughter of H. B. Allen, now a prominent resident of the village of Swan, Marion county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell have two children-Grant A., born October 13, 1880, and Roby May, born November 5, 1887.
BAILEY, a retired citizen and influ- ential resident of the village of Verdi, Lincoln county, Minnesota, was born in the State of Massachusetts, October 30, 1834.
The parents of the subject of our sketch were George T. and Martha (Smith) Bailey, both of whom were natives of England. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occupation throughout his life.
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His parents were also natives of England. In 1833 the father came to America, settling for a time in Massachusetts, from whence he removed to Hudson city on the Hudson river, in about 1835. This place was made their home until in about 1844. At this time the mother died, and the father and family for some years lived a kind of roving life, spending brief periods in various places in the Eastern States. In 1848 the father went to Corning, in New York State, where he purchased property, built a house, and has remained until the present time.
The subject of our sketch remained in New York State until he was twenty-one years of age, up to which time he had been moving about with his father and had re- ceived his education in the common schools. He then came to the State of Wisconsin, locating in the vicinity of Melrose, where he purchased a farm of one hundred acres and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1877. He then came by team to the State of Min- nesota, arriving in Marshall, Lyon county, whence he went to Verdi township and took a homestead on section 32. Here he followed the life of an agriculturist for some three years, broke a num- ber of acres of land and put it under good cultivation. After this time had ex- pired he sold out and removed to the village of Verdi, where he established a grocery business. This business he continued to op- erate until early in 1889, when he sold out to Messrs. Cleveland & Merrill, who are now engaged in its operation. Since this time the subject of our sketch has retired from active business life, and has been enjoying the results of a long life of thrift and indus- try. The life of our subject has not been devoid of military experience, and he was willing to prove his loyalty to his native land by enlisting in the Union army. August 14, 1862, he joined Company F, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and continued
in the service until the 28th of December, 1863. He participated in the siege of Vicks- burg, and saw service in numerous other severe engagements. He was afflicted to a great extent with dropsy and rheumatism, and spent some time in various hospitals. He was in Benton Barracks, Missouri, for some time, whence he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Bailey was united in the bonds of matrimony June 13, 1857, to Catharine J. House, a native of Cortland county, New York. This lady was a daughter of George House, a native of New York. This union has been blessed with the following named children-Mattie, Frankie, Dora, Katie, Will- iam, and Mary (now deceased).
While a resident of Verdi township, our sub- ject took an active part in all public matters. He affiliates with the republican party, and has with credit and honor filled various offi- cial positions. He was the first chairman of the board of supervisors, holding that posi- tion for two terms. He was treasurer of the township for one term, and is at present jus- tice of the peace, having held the latter posi- tion for ten years. He has been postmaster of Verdi for some five years. By virtue of his military career and honorable discharge he has held an influential position in the Old Abe Post, No. 39,Grand Army of the Repub- lic, of Lake Benton, of which he has been commander. Mr. Bailey is a man of broad ideas, of thorough and varied experience in the practical things of life, and is possessed of an extensive store of general knowledge. In his early life he received a good common- school education, to which he has been con- stantly adding by private study and extensive reading. He is well posted in the general history of the country, and is in considerable demand as an orator on 4th of July occa- sions. Being possessed of excellent practical ideas, he takes a leading place in the busi- ness affairs of his village and wields a strong influence for the improvement and welfare of
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his village. He is a man of high character, and is widely respected as a man and citizen.
OHN J. MIHIN is a well-to-do farmer residing on section 32, Lowville town- ship, Murray county, Minnesota. He was born in McHenry county, Illinois, August 23, 1856. His parents were Michael and Mary (Hourigan) Mihin, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland. The father followed agri- cultural pursuits in his native land until 1849, when he came to America, locating in the State of New York. Some time later and before the birth of our subject, he moved to the State of Illinois. In about 1861 the fam- ily removed to Winona county, Minnesota, where they were among the pioneer settlers in that locality and where the mother died a few years later. Remaining in Winona county until 1866, the father then removed to Wabasha county, where he engaged in farming until 1872, when he located on a homestead in Murray county. He is at pres- ent residing with his son John J.
The subject of our sketch remained with his parents throughout his early life, follow- ing them in their various moves and engaging with them in farming in Winona and Wa- basha counties. In these localities he was given a good common-school education, and continued his residence there until his mar- riage. After the age of fourteen years, how- ever, he did not spend much time with his parents, but resided in their immediate vicin- ty. After his marriage he came to Murray county and located the claim on which he now lives. He has taken an active part in the public matters of his township, and has affiliated with the democratic party. He has filled many official positions, among them being that of supervisor and school director. He is a man of good business qual- ifications, has 240 acres of land under good
cultivation, and provided with good farm buildings.
Mr. Mihin was married, November 21, 1881, to Miss Katie Ryan, a daughter of James and Ellen (Welch) Ryan, natives of Ireland. Miss Ryan's parents came to America in an early day, locating in Minnesota, where she was born. Three children have blessed this union -Mary E., Clara A. and John F.
Mr. Mihin was nominated for sheriff by the democratic county convention in the fall of 1888, and received a large vote, but was defeated, the county being republican by too heavy a majority to overcome.
AMUEL AVERY, a thrifty and ener- getic farmer and stock raiser, is lo- cated on an excellent farm on section 28, Gray township, Pipestone county, Minne- sota. He homesteaded his land in 1879, and by careful attention to the details of his oc- cupation he has made his farm what it is, one of the best in the township. He was one of the early settlers, and has been iden- tified with the interests of his locality ever since his location. He assisted in the organ- ization of the township, and was one of the first supervisors, which office he has held twice since. He has also been assessor for two terms, and also treasurer of district No. 25 since its organization. He was instru- mental in having his school district set off, and has always been willing to serve in any official capacity where his services were needed.
Mr. Avery was born in Lewis county, New York, January 13, 1824. His parents, Joseph and Clara (Truax) Avery, were na- tives of the same State. In early life the parents settled in Lewis county, and made that their home for thirty-five years, rearing and educating their family in that place. The father was engaged in diversified occu- pations ; he was a farmer, and besides that
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was engaged in running a saw-mill and owned a lime-kiln. He continued in these occupations throughout his life until his death, which occurred in 1869. The mother died in 1865. She was an exemplary Chris- tian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The subject of our sketch was one of eleven children, and was the fifth in order of birtlı. The names of the children in the parents' family were Jacob, Lydia, Sallie Ann, Mary, Samuel, Deborah, George, Mar- tha, John, Elizabeth and a child that died when quite young.
The subject of our sketch was reared and educated by his parents in the county of his nativity in New York. He remained with his parents, serving them, and being given good educational advantages until he had at tained the age of twenty-one years. At this age he was married, and engaged in work for himself, principally following the carpenter's trade, but to some extent engaged in the oc- cupation of farming. After his marriage he settled in Oswego, remaining there a few years. After this he removed to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he settled on a farm, and, as we have already stated, en- gaged to a great extent in work at the car- penter's trade. He continued this line of work until the opening of the war, when he enlisted in the Forty-eighth Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry as a private, being soon after promoted to the rank of corporal, and as such being discharged January 6, 1866. The war experience of the subject of our sketch had to do with many different localities, and he was moved from place to place, guarding army stores and rebel prisoners, and later being sent out on the plains to assist in pro- tecting the settlers from Indian raids. His company was under the command of Captain Charles Felker, who was in command most of the time while our subject was in the service. For a period he was with his regiment in Kansas, guarding property at Fort Scott. 1
From thence he was removed to Fort Riley, marching thence to Fort Lenard, on the western plains, where he was engaged in watching the treacherous Indians. He was discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, and after turning over his arms to the government at Fort Leaenworth, Kansas, he returned to Winnebago county, Wisconsin. He made that county his home until he came to southern Minnesota and settled in Pipestone county, as was stated in the opening of this biography.
In June, 1845, Mr. Avery was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Rea, a native of Oswego county, New York. Miss Rea was reared and educated in Lewis county, New York, in the vicinity of the early home of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have two children-Erwin, a mechanic, who is mar- ried and a resident of Wisconsin, and Del- ciett, now married to G. D. Gamble.
Since coming to the township, Mr. Avery has been identified with its best interests continually and in every way has assisted to the utmost extent of his means and ability in the management of public affairs. He has drawn to himself the good-will and es- teem of all his fellow-townsmen and has made many warm friends. He is a man of excellent ideas, energetic and practical, and ranks among the representative citizens of Pipestone county. He is a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
EORGE L. MACOMBER resides on section thirty-four, Great Bend town- ship, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He was about the first settler in the township, making his location in May, 1871, at which time he took a soldier's homestead. He did not at once take up his residence on his claim but for a time resided in Windom. For four years he was county superintendent of
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the schools of Cottonwood county, and dur- ing this time resided in the county seat.
The subject of this sketch was born in Durham, Androscoggin county, Maine, No- vember 28, 1848. His father, Hon. Leonard Macomber, was a farmer and an influential citizen of Maine, and was born in the same county in which our subject was born. The father was a prominent public man and was a member of the Maine legislature for one term. Our subject's mother's name before her marriage was Ann Eliza Swett, a native of Turner, Maine, and a teacher by profes- sion during her early life. This lady is a sister of Hon. Leonard Swett, who was a prominent lawyer of Chicago, and the friend and law associate of Abraham Lincoln. Our subject was one of two children-Joseph and himself.
George L. Macomber was reared in his native county and given a good common- school education. He also took a course in the State college, and after completing his studies therein at about twenty-one years of age he came to Minnesota, and took his claim in Cottonwood county, where he has since lived. In November, 1863, our subject enlisted in the Thirtieth Maine Infantry, under Captain Noyes, who commanded Com- pany E. Mr. Macomber served faithfully until August 22, 1865, when he was dis- charged and returned to his home in Maine.
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