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 76

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 76

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Mr. Macomber was married December 26, 1880, to Miss Anna T. Thurston. This lady was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, and was brought by her parents to Minnesota when she was about a year old. She was the daughter of Rev. J. M. Thurston, one of the pioneer Baptist ministers of southern Minne- sota, coming to Garden City in 1860, now a resident of Windom. Miss Thurston at- tended the Pillsbury college and acquired a classical education. Mr. and Mrs. Macom- ber have three children-Minnie, Ruth and George.

In politics Mr. Macomber affiliates with the republican party, is one of the prominent and representative citizens of the county, and especially influential in the township in which he lives. Our subject does not confine his attention wholly to the raising of grain but is a systematic and intelligent breeder of blooded stock. He has at present about 600 head of grade Cotswold and Merino sheep, and also about forty head of fine Holstein cattle. Since locating in the county Mr. Macomber has actively participated in all matters pertaining to the public good and has held various official positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ents.

ISAAC VANDERWARKER, a thrifty and prosperous farmer of Alta Vista township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Terhune) Van- derwarker. The parents were both natives of New York and were prominent farmers of that State.

Isaac's birth-place was in Saratoga county, New York, where he was born September 19, 1819. Our subject was born in the same house in which the births of both his father and grandfather took place. He remained on the farm with his parents until he had attained twenty-two years of age. Up to this time he had attended the common schools and had been given a good common-school education. On attaining this age he com- menced working for himself by renting a farm and engaging somewhat in teaming in New York. He continued in this business for about five years, and then in the spring of 1856 went to Marquette, Michigan, where he had charge of twenty-seven teams haul- ing iron ore on a tram railroad. Following this line of business for about six months he then came to Freeborn county, Minnesota, and settled on a homestead, where he en-

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gaged in farming until 1879. He then sold out his interests in Freeborn county and came to Alta Vista township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he took a home- stead and tree claim on section 28. He proved up on his homestead on May 12, 1885, and on the tree claim in 1887.

April 6, 1862, he commenced his military service in the Union army by enlisting in Company K, Fourth Minnesota Infantry. On the 20th of April he went on board a steamboat at St. Paul and with his regi- ment went to Benton Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri. From there his regiment was ordered report at the front. This they did, and our subject participated in all the battles of his regiment until the fall of 1863. His military experience had been of a severe and trying nature, and in the fall of 1863 he was transferred to the invalid corps and sent to St. Louis. Here a number of those who were with him were organized into a company, and, our subject among them, were sent to Washington, where they remained until April 5, 1865. Our subject was honora- bly discharged from further service and returned to his home in Minnesota.

The subject of our sketch was united in the bonds of matrimony in Clinton county, New York, November 19, 1845, to Miss Clorinda D. Stokes. This lady died Febru- ary 15, 1861, leaving the following named children-Elizabeth, Helen, George, Mary, Clara and Agnes. Elizabeth married Chris- topher Bingham, and now resides in Alta Vista township. Helen married George Scofield, and is a resident of California. George married Sarah Cole and now has charge of a large railroad shop in the State of Michigan. Mary is now the widow of Hugh Robertson and resides in Alta Vista township. Clara is still single and lives with her father. Agnes is living with friends in California. Mr. Vanderwarker's second marriage took place on September 15,

1865, in Preston, Fillmore county, Min- nesota, where he was married to Miss Carrie Smith. This lady was a daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Bullis) Smith, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. By this marriage there have been three children -Minnie, Clarence and Frank. Minnie mar- ried G. A. Bronson, one of the most success- ful and best known photographers in the city of St. Paul. Clarence and Frank are still at home.

Throughout his eventful career Mr. Van- derwarker has been a man who has proven of general utility in the localities in which he has lived. Possessed of progressive ideas and of excellent business qualities, he has assisted ably and efficiently in the ad- ministration of local government. Among the positions which he has ably filled have been those of township treasurer and treas- urer of the school board, of which he has also been director, in Freeborn county. Since coming to Alta Vista township he has also actively interested himself in public af- fairs, and has been chairman of the board of supervisors for about six years. He was also elected as justice of the peace, but on account of ill-health did not qualify. Since coming to this county he has been quite suc- cessful, and has accumulated considerable means. He is systematic and thorough in all his farm work, and has surrounded him- self with the evidences of prosperity and success. Having been broken down in health during his service in the war, he is entitled to and ·receives a pension of four dollars per month. This is but a pittance, and is no remuneration for the hardships our subject experienced during his military life. Mr. Vanderwarker has a fine farm, has about 140 acres under cultivation, and owns considerable stock, besides many use- ful implements of farm machinery. As a loyal citizen he stands above reproach, and is much respected in the township.

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SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

OBERT HERREN, a well-known re- tired capitalist of the village of Lu- verne, in Rock county, Minnesota, made that his home in July, 1873. When he settled in the city he engaged in the lumber busi- ness in partnership with U. F. Hinds, with whom he continued until 1885, at which time the business was closed out and the partners retired from active life. These gentlemen were the pioneer lumbermen of Rock county, and had in their employ a number of teams drawing lumber from Wor- thington to Luverne. They also engaged farmers to bring lumber to their yards on their return trips from Worthington, which was then the only marketing place for wheat for Rock county farmers. This partnership also invested largely in farm lands, purchas- ing four farms of 160 acres each, and one of 120. On this land they carried on general farming in connection with their lumber business in the city. After coming to Rock county our subject became the individual owner of a farm of forty acres, one mile west of the city, which he improved and held until the fall of 1888, at which time he sold out to good advantage.

The subject of our sketch was born in Herkimer county, New York, December 25, 1816. His parents, Isaac and Catharine (Frayer) Herren, were also natives of New York State, where they engaged for many years in agricultural pursuits. Later in life the parents moved to Ashtabula county, Ohio, this being in 1832. They continued farming operations in Ohio until the fa- ther's death in 1856. The father was a loyal and patriotic citizen and soldier in the War of 1812. In the father's family there were ten children, six of whom are now living -- Robert, Abram, Catherine (now Mrs. Frayer), Henry, Laura (now Mrs. Ly- man), and Sarah (now Mrs. Brown). The Her- ren family is understood to be of Scotch-Irish descent, and the Frayers of German descent

these people coming from the old country and becoming settlers of America in a very early day.

Mr. Herren, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, received his early edu- cation in New York and Ohio, where he re- mained in the home of his parents and was sent at every opportunity to the district schools. He remained with his parents un- til he was about eighteen years of age. At that time he commenced learning the coop- er's trade. He soon mastered the details of that work and engaged in the management of a shop, employing from three to six men, making all kinds of materials usually turned out by a first-class cooper shop. He followed this business for a few years, and then, in. 1852, being seized with the "gold fever," as many other Easterners were, he went to Cal- ifornia and remained in the gold diggings for about two years. Our subject was one of those who were reasonably successful in their prospecting. The first year he engaged in working a mine and then turned his attention to the mercantile business. At the end of these two years spent in California he re- turned to Ohio, sold out his home and moved thence to Columbia county, Wis- consin, where he engaged in the grain trade for a few years. He then engaged in the lumber business for about two years, and at the end of that time went to Connecticut, where he had charge of a large company of men doing work on rail- road construction. Some three months were spent by him in this employment, and he then returned to the State of Wisconsin. On his return to Wisconsin he sold out all his prop- erty there and came to Luverne, where he has since lived. He has been actively engaged in improving his business and residence prop- erty, and has a fine home which he built in about. 1879 in the north part of the city. His residence is on a beautiful and prominent location near the court house, and his grounds

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being higher than most other places his resi- dence lias become one of the most prominent landmarks in the city.

The subject of our sketch was married March 1, 1838, to Caroline Hill, of Harpers- field, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where she was born April 24, 1818. This lady was the daughter of Edward and Jemima (Deneson) Hill, both of whom were natives of New York. Her father was engaged in farming to some extent and also in the boot and shoe business. The parents moved in early life to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until a few years before their death. In her father's family there were seven sons and three daughters, two of whom are now living-Marvin Hill, of Chicago, and Mrs. Herren, who was the young- est of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Her- ren have a family of five children- Edwin R., Adelle E., Julia M., Herbert E. and Addie E. Edwin R. married Annie Yeomans, by whom he has had four chil- dren-Frances B., Annie L., Edith M. and Julia E. Adelle married Mr. T. B. Coon, by whom she has had one child-Eveline. T. B. Coon is the cashier of the Kilbourn City Bank of Wisconsin. Julia M., now Mrs. Hulburt Manchester, is a resident of Union- ville, Lake county, Ohio. Herbert E. mar- ried Miss Susie Guiwits. Edwin R. gave his services to the Union army during the War of the Rebellion, and enlisted in Company D, Fourth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, being commissioned as lieutenant of that company. Later he was promoted to the rank of captain, and was discharged as major. He was severely wounded at the battle of Port Hudson, where he was shot in the knee pan, and was obliged to have his limb amputated. After his discharge from the service he returned to his home in Wis- consin and engaged in mercantile business. He is now in the lumber business at Stevens' Point, Wisconsin.

Since coming to the county our subject has become one of the most prominent citizens therein. He has actively interested himself in all matters relating to the proper govern- ment of his county, and has taken an active part in the affairs of the democratic party. His excellent business abilities have been thoroughly tested in the administration of public affairs. He has held several offices, among them being that of register of deeds. to which he was elected in 1884; president of the village council, which position he held one year, and one year as member of the town board. Mr. Herren is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Rock county. In whatever line of business he has engaged, his transactions have been characterized by thorough and constant integrity, and he has built up an enviable reputation as a business man. Being himself possessed of but limited school education, he has successfully carried out the idea of thoroughly educating his family, and his children were all given excellent school ad- vantages. Mr. Herren is a man of progres- sive ideas, well posted on current affairs, and by his thorough and systematic attention to the details of his business matters, has gath- ered a large and increasing fortune.

- DWARD WALSHE, a thrifty farmer of Murray township, Murray county, Minnesota, located on section 3 in 1885. He purchased a good farm of 240 acres, and has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of his township, and has held various official positions. In every in- stance he has served with rare fidelity and faithfulness. Among the positions which he has held, may be named that of chairman of the board of supervisors, on which he is now serving his third term. He always takes a lively interest in educational matters, and has

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become quite prominent among his fellow- townsmen.

Edward Walshe was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, January 15, 1857. He made that place his home until eighteen years of age, and there received a good common-school education. On attaining the age just men- tioned he came to the United States, in 1876, locating at Boston for three years, where he engaged as agent and collector for the Burk- hardt Brewing Company. His next move was to go to Canada, where he finished his education in the University of Ottawa, grad- uating from the same in 1883. He then re- turned to Boston and re-engaged with his old employers for a year. He then came West and purchased his present place in Murray county.

The subject of our sketch is unmarried. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party, and is a consistent member of the Catholic church. He is a man of the high- est character, and possessed of good business qualifications; is genial, warm-hearted and public-spirited, and is highly respected by all with whom he comes in contact. He is a man of good education, and ably assists in the administration of the various social, re- ligious and public matters of his township, and is indeed one of Murray county's repre- sentative citizens.

ACOB F. GRANT, an influential farmer of Lake Side township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, is engaged in farming and stock raising on section 28. He first located in Carson township, this county, in 1869, and made that his home for four years. He was one of the first settlers of the town- ship, and assisted in its organization in 1872. He was a member of the first board of su- pervisors, and served one year. He was also elected treasurer of the township. He has at all times taken an active part in matters

pertaining to the public welfare. In 1874 our subject exchanged his place in Carson township for his present farm, on which he is now living. He has 240 acres of excellent land, three or four acres of a nice grove of trees, and has surrounded himself with the evidences of prosperity and success. He is also engaged in raising cattle of the Aber- deen Angus stock. Since coming to Lake Side township Mr. Grant has taken an act- ive interest in political matters, and has held various official positions, having been a member of the board of supervisors since 1883. He is also director of school district No. 10, and has been treasurer and clerk of the school district for some time. Mr. Grant was born in Canada West, in Stormount county, September 11, 1845. His father, George J. Grant, was a native of the same county and was a farmer by occupation. He was born in May, 1809, and died in March, 1888; he was of Scotch descent, and was an influential citizen of Canada. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Margaret Shaver who was also a native of Stormount county, Canada, where she was born in 1811; she is still living on the old homestead. Our subject was one of ten children-James W., George P. (deceased), Mary Margaret (de- ceased), Catharine A., Rachel E. (deceased), Jacob F .; Sarah A. and Jane A. (twins), who died when they were about fourteen years of age; Maria B. and John G.

Our subject was reared in Canada until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving a good education. He aided his father on the farm, and on attaining his majority went to Brown county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in lumbering four or five years. He then located in Carson township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, as has already been stated.

Mr. Grant was married in March, 1872, to Miss Emma V. Greenfield, a native of New York. She was a daughter of S. Greenfield,

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SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

an old settler of Lake Side township, Cotton- wood county. She was an estimable Chris- tianglady, and was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church; she died in 1873. In March, 1876, Mr. Grant was married to Miss Mary C. Geddes, a native of Albany, New York. This lady was reared in Wisconsin until she was about fourteen years of age, and thence she removed to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where she completed her education. Mr. Grant had one child by his first wife-Emma J., and has five children by his second wife-George W., Charles F., John G., James Allen and Fred Ray.

The pioneer life of our subject on coming to Cottonwood county was attended with many difficulties and affairs of a trying nature. For several years during the grass- hopper raids he raised no crops whatever, and for mail and groceries bad to go by . way of ox teams to Madelia, Watonwan county, a distance of thirty-five miles. In politics Mr. Grant affiliates with the republican party, is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is in sympathy with the tenets of the Presbyterian church. Throughout his residence in Cottonwood county he has been a man of action and has intelligently participated in all matters of a public nature.

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NTON H. DRUEKE is at present one of the leading merchants of the village of Avoca. He was born in Prussia August 15, 1854, and is the son of John and Theresia (Sasse) Drueke, natives of Ger- many. The father was a well-to-do farmer in his native land. The subject of our sketch came to America with his parents in 1864, and located in Mankato, where his father was killed by a boiler explosion. The mother still resides in Mankato. The subject of our sketch left the parental home in 1880, up to which time he had been employed in work

on the farm and in clerking. In 1880 he came to the village of Avoca and opened a general mercantile business, which he now runs. He carries a large and finely assorted stock of goods, worth between six and seven thousand dollars. He is also engaged in buying and selling grain, and handles all kinds of farm machinery and agricultural implements. He is a man of excellent char- ' acter, is pleasant and courteous, and has built up a large and profitable trade. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and has held various official positions. He has been chairman of the board of supervis- ors for some three years, president of the village council, and is at present postmaster of Avoca.

Mr. Drueke was married in Mankato, March 31, 1880, to Miss Mary Aachen, a na- tive of Iowa. Four children have blessed this union-Rose M. (deceased), Harry P., Isabel and Theresia M.

W ASHINGTON Z. HAIGHT is one of the influential business men of Winnebago City, Faribault county, Minne- sota. He is dealing extensively in the Halli- day standard windmills and pumps. He also handles gas-pipe, hose, creamery supplies, wood and tile well-curbing, feed mills, mill machinery, water wheels, steam engines, belts, horse hay-forks, scales, hardwood lumber, etc. He also does repairing work on the various kinds of goods which he carries in stock. He is also the proprietor of Haight's patent well augers and drills and non-leak- ing pump valves.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, where he was born March 25, 1839. He was the son of Nelson and Harriet N. (McCabe) Haight, natives of New York. The father was en- gaged in the lumber business in Pennsylvania for years and came to Minnesota in 1853,

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settling at Caledonia, Houston county, Min- nesota. He settled on 160 acres of govern- ment land, and first built a log house 16x24 feet. He commenced making improvements and accomplished a great deal. He moved to Faribault county in 1864, and settled in Lura township on a homestead of 160 acres. He made substantial improvements and lived on that farm until within a few months of his death, when he made his home with his son, our subject. He died in 1881. The mother is still living and is a resident of Lura township, where she resides with her daughter, Mrs. Laura V. Tabor. In the father's family there were twelve children, eight of whom are now living- Mary E. (now Mrs. Deming), Milicent (now Mrs. Kirkman), Washington Z., Louisa (now Mrs. Armstrong), Laura V. (now Mrs. Tabor), Marquis de Lafayette, Caroline M. (now Mrs. Boyn), and Jenet (now Mrs. Lindahl). The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were consistent Chris- tians throughout their lives. The father was for years a class-leader and steward of the Methodist church, and accomplished much toward the building up of that society. In politics he affiliated with the republican party throughout the latter years of his life.

The subject of our sketch was reared on the home farm, and received a good common- school education. He resided with his par- ents until he was twenty-five years of age. Prior to this, however, for some years he had had charge of the home farm. After leav- ing home he engaged in the agricultural im- plement business at Wells, Faribault county, Minnesota, and soon afterward invented a peat machine. He continued in Wells some three years, and succeeded in manufacturing a large quantity of peat and selling several of his machines, which he manufactured during 1871 and 1872. He next engaged in boring wells at Easton, Faribault county, and in- vented a well-boring machine in 1876, com- mencing the manufacture of this machine

at Easton. In 1878 he removed his entire plant to Winnebago City, where lie pur- chased seven lots on the corner of Main and Mill streets, and where he erected his present business buildings. He employs from ten to fifteen men in his own busi- ness, besides others whom he has engaged in putting down wells with his patent well- machines. He has had a large and profit- able business, and is well known as a successful worker in his line. He owns con- siderable property, and has a good dwelling- house on Mill street, near his place of busi- ness. Since coming to the city he has taken an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and has assisted materially in devel- ·oping the present financial interests of Win- nebago City. He is one of the members of the executive board of the Baptist college, and is also a member of the board of directors of the public schools. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which society he holds the position of steward. He is a member of the Driving Park Association, and is one of its stockholders. Formerly he was president of the Farmers' Warehouse Company, of the city. In politics he affil- iates with the republican party, and is an influential member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been quite suc- cessful in his business affairs, and is one of the prominent and most substantial business men in the county.

Mr. Haight was married in 1865 to Miss Clarissa A. Woodard, of Caledonia, Minne- sota, a daughter of Sheldon Woodard. Seven children have blessed this union, five of whom are now living-Milo M., Warren W., Hiram H., Eddy E. and Forest F.

HOMAS MORRILL, one of the prom- inent farmers of Pipestone county, Minnesota, resides on section 4, in Troy township. He was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, September 25, 1822.

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The parents of the subject of our sketch were natives of New Hampshire and Ver- mont, their names being James and Eunice (Fitch) Morrill. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was engaged largely in agricultural interests in his native State until his death, which occurred some time in the 50's. The mother is also dead, her demise occurring soon after the death of her husband. The parents left Vermont in 1833, removing to St. Lawrence county, New York, where the father purchased a large tract of land and engaged in farming.

Thomas Morrill remained with his parents during the early years of his life, working on the farm and attending school, in which lie was given advantages for obtaining a fair education. His life with his parents contin- ued until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he came westward, locating in Mukwanago, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he soon found employment at farm work, and in which line he continued for a few years. He remained in Wisconsin until 1849, when he returned to Vermont and New York State to visit friends, remaining with them until in the spring of 1850. In the latter year, in company with his brother- in-law, C. T. Loveland, he came to Wis- consin, locating in Dodge county, where Mr. Loveland purchased a large farm. Thomas remained in his brother-in-law's em- ploy, sharing in the profits of the farm, until in the fall of 1851, when he concluded to find land for his own use. Removing to the western part of the State he settled on 160 acres of State land in La Crosse Valley, where he continued his farming operations for a number of years. His work was not confined to agricultural pursuits exclusively, but he found time to engage somewhat in contracting and building. He constructed a large dam across the La Crosse river for M. Palmer, the dam remaining intact until this day, although having been built in the years

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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 76

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