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 77

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 77

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1852 and 1853. He remained in Wisconsin until sometime in 1880, when he removed to the western part of the State of Minnesota, settling where he now lives in Troy town- ship, Pipestone county. Since coming to this State he has confined his business opera- tions almost exclusively to farming, and has now 160 acres of excellent land under a high state of cultivation, ten acres of which is near the city of Pipestone.

Mr. Morrill was united in marriage in 1854, to Miss Matilda A. McEldowney, the wedding day being on July 4, of that year. This union was blessed with five children, all of whom are living at the present time. Mrs. Morrill died in October, 1868, in La Crosse Valley. In 1869, Mr. Morrill was married to Matilda (Brayton) Tay- lor, widow of W. H. Taylor, by whom she had six children, all living at the present time. By the latter mar- riage Mr. Morrill has had no children. Mr. Morrill's two daughters by his first wife are both married, one to J. T. Parker and the other to F. Whitman, a telegraph operator located at Palatine, Illinois, twenty-five miles west of Chicago. One son, Frank, is a black- smith, and a resident of Pipestone, Minne- sota. Andrew, another son, is a civil en- gineer by profession and is in the employ of the B. & M. Railroad Company, with head- quarters at Lincoln, Nebraska. The other son, Elgin A., is living with his father on the farm. A.daughter of Mrs Morrill is one of the teachers in the public schools of the city of Pipestone.

Mr. Morrill came to this county with but very little of this world's goods, having but three horses and about $240 in money. By careful attention to the details of his farm- ing operations and by thrift and economy he has accumulated a considerable fortune, and is to day looked upon as one of the sub- stantial and representative citizens of the township and county in which he lives. In

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personal appearance he is finely-formed man, is genial, warm-hearted and hospitable, and is esteemed and rested by all with whom he has to do. The educational advantages in the early days which were spent by him in his native State were not of the highest or- der, but he was enabled to obtain a good common-school education, and by much read- ing and careful observation he has accumu- lated a large fund of information, upon which he has a faculty of happily drawing when- ever occasion requires. In politics he is a stanch republican, and has the satisfaction of knowing that the party with which he has affiliated so long was successful in elect- ing Benjamin Harrison as president, for whose grandfather Mr. Morrill cast his vote in 1840. By virtue of his stanch qualities of integrity and executive ability he has, at various times, been placed in official positions by his friends and the voters of the county in which he has lived. While in Wisconsin he held the office of assessor for four years, that of treasurer one year, and was also su- pervisor for one year. In Pipestone county he has held many positions of trust and re- sponsibility within the gift of the voters of his township, having been township treasurer hnd overseer of highways for some years. In whatever way Mr. Morrill has turned in his business interests he has always met with success and is proud of the fact that what he owns to-day is clear of all indebtedness.

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REDERICK W. SCHWIEGER is one of the prosperous farmers of Delton township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He was born in Prussia, October 4, 1837, his parents being Ferdinand and Frederica (Moss) Schwieger, natives of Prussia.

When our subject was nine years of age, he commenced working for different neigh- bors in his native country. He followed this line of employment for four or five years,and

was at home during the winters, when he attended school. This continued until he was fourteen years of age, when he engaged in work as a farm hand for some five years. He then found work in Missay City in a store. Three years later he went to Stettin City, where he found work in a large store for ten years. Then he kept a store for himself for a year, when he sold out in 1866 and came to the United States, first stopping in Chicago, where he remained about six weeks. He then went into the country and worked for a farmer, from August until the following March. He then found employ- ment with another farmer and continued with him for two years, when he rented a farnı in Will county, Illinois, operating the same for about seven years. He then came to Delton township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and took a homestead on section 22. He now owns 240 acres, with about 160 acres under cultivation. He has a good farm, well stocked, and provided with machinery and all kinds of necessary im- provements. All the early settlers of this region passed through the hard times of 1873-78, and our subject was not an excep- tion to the rule. His crops were destroyed by grasshoppers and blight during these years and but little crop was raised on his farın. January 13, 1881, his house was de- stroyed by fire and all the contents were burned, our subject not even saving his hat, boots or coat. There was no insurance on the property and it was a total loss. In spite of these things, our subject has kept sturdily on accumulating, until he has a fine farm and is in good circumstances. He is one of the foremost citizens of the township, and always takes an active interest in public matters. He has been school director for two years and also supervisor for some length of time.

Mr. Schwieger was married in Will county, Illinois, in February, 1870, to Miss Sophia

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Tode, who died November 20, 1874, leaving two children-Emma and Albert. Mr. Schwieger was married the second time in the same county, in 1875, to Miss Mary Storbeck, a daughter of Heinrich and Loise (Strotman) Storbeck, and a native of Meck- lenburg-Schwerin. Mr. and Mrs. Schwieger have had three children-William, Sophia (who died some years ago), and Sophia. - ILLIAM E. DEAN is one of the leading and most able attorneys of Lincoln county, Minnesota. He located in the village of Tyler in 1879, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He devotes a considerable portion of his attention to loaning money and to buying and selling lands. He has made many warm friends by his careful and successful attention to the various details of his large business. He is the son of Edwin and Rebecca (Low) Dean, natives of Maine. Mrs. Dean was the daughter of Judge Low, a very prominent jurist of the State of Maine.

Attorney Dean was born in Belvidere, Illinois, in the year 1853. His parents were farmers by occupation and he was reared a farmer's boy, being given the educational advantages furnished by the district schools. At fourteen he was sent to the graded schools in the city of Belvidere, and con- tinued his studies therein for about four years and then engaged in the profession of teaching, following that occupation during two winters, and then coming to Lincoln county in 1873. His coming to Lincoln county was for the purpose of finding a farm for himself. He took a squatter's claim and built a house, but remained only a short time, and removed to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he studied law some two years. While there he made several trips on foot to his claim, his circumstances being

so limited that he did not have the incans to travel by railway or hire a team. He remained in Albert Lea for three years, dur- two years of which time he studied law, and taught school during one year. He went from Albert Lea to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1876, for the purpose of attending the law department of the Iowa State University. He continued in that institution until a short time before the close of his last term, when he was taken seriously ill and was removed to the home of his parents. He was not ex- pected to live for some time, but good nurs- ing finally brought him through, and he re- gained his wonted good health, and then removed to Marshall, where, after studying law for a short time, he was admitted to the bar in 1877. Hc then returned to his claim, where he opened a land office and did a good business until in 1878, when he proved up on his land and moved into Marshfield, which was then the county seat of Lincoln county, Minnesota. He engaged in the practice of law in that place until in the fall of 1879, when he removed to Tyler, where be has since resided.

Mr. Dean was married in Tyler, Septem- ber 26, 1881, to Miss Mary Starr, a daughter of Isaac and Ellen (Hannah) Starr, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dean was born in Pennsylvania and died May 1, 1889. The marriage just chronicled was blessed with two children-Albert Low and William E.

The life of the subject of our sketch has been cast among many difficulties and hard- ships, all of which he has conquered. He received a good common-school education in his youth, and being a careful student and a close observer, he has accumulated a vast fund of general knowledge. He is, in- deed, a self-made man, having received but very little assistance and less encouragement while prosecuting his legal studies. He is a leading citizen of Tyler and vicinity, and oc- cupies a high position as an attorney in the

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esteem of his fellow-citizens. Since coming to the village he has identified himself with local governmental affairs, and has held the office of judge of probate for one term, be- sides having held numerous minor positions. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lake Benton Lodge, No. 77, and also of the Temple of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

RIGHAM FOSTER is a reliable far- mer of Shetek township, Murray county, Minnesota. He located on the southwest quarter of section 10, of that township in June, 1872. He was one of the early settlers, and assisted in the organiza- tion of that township in which he has held some of the most important official positions. He has been chairman of the board of super- visors seven years, and justice of the peace for three years. He was county commis- sioner from 1878 to 1881, and was treasurer. of his township for some years during the early days. He has always taken an active interest in all public matters, and originated the first petition for the organization of school district No. 16, of which he was one of the first directors, and which position he held some eight years. He saw hard times during the first four or five years of his resi- dence here, passing through the grasshopper scourge of 1873-77. He had many acres of grain destroyed during those years, and in order to support his family had to leave home and work at various kinds of employ- ment in Wabasha county, this State. In 1873 he began putting out trees, principally cotton woods ; and now has a beautiful grove of five acres about his house. He has turned his attention somewhat to the raising of small fruits and has a large variety of cur- rants, and red and black raspberries, etc.

Mr. Foster's parents were Enoch and Eliza (Gates) Foster, both of whom were natives

of Cheshire county, New Hampshire, where they were reared and educated. They re- sided in that county until 1830, and then removed to-Niagara county, New York, lo- cating in the village of Somerset. In about 1844 the family removed to Michigan, where the father died in 1871. He was a farmer by occupation and an influential citizen. The mother died in 1872.

Mr. Foster was born in Somerset, Niagara county, New York, March 25, 1831. He remained in that place until thirteen years of age, when, with his parents, he removed to Jackson county, Michigan. Here he com- pleted his education, and remained four years assisting his father in work on the home farm. In 1848 they settled near the village of Quincy, in Branch county, Michi- gan. In 1853 our subject went to Douglas county, Illinois, but in 1854 returned to Michigan, where he joined his father on the home farm. Returning to Douglas county he remained a year, and in October, 1856, went to Wabasha county, Minnesota. In December, 1863, he enlisted in the First Battery, Minnesota Light Artillery, as a private, being discharged as a corporal in July, 1865, at St. Paul. He served under Captain William Z. Clayton, He served his country bravely in the following named battles : Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and Bentonville, and numerous other battles and skirmishes of minor importance. After his discharge from the service he returned to Wabasha county, and made that his home from 1865, to 1872. He then came to Mur- ray county, and located as was stated in the opening lines of this sketch. He has been engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has met with large success. Mr. Foster was married in December, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Cook, a native of Vermont. This lady removed, in 1840, to the State of Illinois, and received her education in the village of Wauconda, Lake county. She was a daugh-

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ter of Andrew C. and Mary (Oaks) Cook, natives of Vermont. Her father was a farmer by occupation and a representative citizen of the locality in which he lived. Mr. and Mrs: Foster have had six children : Robert C., Frank, Andrew Enoch, Seymore R., Nellic and Kitte May. Robert C., Frank and Nellie are married, and reside in homes of their own. The balance of the children live with their parents.

The subject of our sketch has been highly successful in his financial operations, and has become one of the most prosperous and well-to-do citizens of the township. He is a man of strong, decided opinions, is intelli- gent, energetic, and public-spirited, and is one of Murray county's representative citi- zens.

ADISON MCCOLLUM. an indus- trious and influential farmer of Lake Stay township, Lincoln county, Minne- sota, is the son of Thomas and Mary (Mc- Donald) McCollum. The father was a native of Kentucky, and the mother was born in Tennessee. They were well-to-do farmers, and were people of influence and respecta- bility in the locality in which they lived.

The subject of our sketch was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, January 19, 1832. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm, and his educational facilities were fur- nished by the district schools. He remained with his parents until he was about twenty- one years of age, when he started out for himself, and came to Minnesota in the fall of 1852. He stopped for a short time in Da- kota county, on what is now the site of West St. Paul. The first winter of his stay in Minnesota he procured a claim some six miles above Mendota, at a place called Black Dog Village, where he and his father lived some five or six years. At the end of that period they removed to Scott county, and he

purchased a farm, on which they lived until 1878. He then sold out his interests in Scott county, and came to Lake Stay township, where he has resided ever since, with the exception of the winter of 1888-89, when he and his wife went. East on a visit. It had been some years since our subject had left the Eastern States, and he concluded to visit the old home and birthplace. They left Lincoln county in October, and after a long and enjoyable visit among rel- atives they returned in April, 1889. On coming to Lincoln county, Mr. Mc- Collum settled on the northeast quarter of section 2, Lake Stay township, where he took a tree claim and where he is now living surrounded with the evidences of thrift and prosperity. While a resident of Scott coun- ty our subject enlisted in Hatch's battalion, Company B, in the spring of 1863. He served with that battalion until being mus- tered out of the service in June, 1865. He enlisted as a private and served as a commis- sary sergeant for some time, also as a cor- poral and orderly sergeant. He was well fitted for a military life and took kindly to military discipline. One peculiar and ludi- crous incident is related by him of the mili- tary experience and of the difficulties some experienced in controlling the soldiers. While stationed at Fort Abercrombie he had charge of a squad of men commissioned to take several barrels of whiskey to George- town on the Red river. The boys were very desirous and almost determined to sample the " goods" that they had with them, but after much trouble, much coaxing, and finally stern measures, our subject succeeded in reaching his destination with the rum intact and shortly afterward turned it over to its proper owners. It was out of his charge but a short time when it was tapped by some one and this was the signal for a general and glorious drunk. The result of this was seen in several brawls and in a

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tragedy. Indians and teamsters and some soldiers were all very drunk, and in fights which ensued a teamster was shot by an Indian and a soldier was smothered in his bunk. Nei- ther of these white men belonged to our sub- ject's squad. The above incident shows that our subject had good control over his men.

Mr. McCollum was married in Scott county, Minnesota, in May, 1856, to Mrs. Mary Cor- dell, neé McDonald, a daughter of James and Elizabeth McDonald. This lady was the widow of Charles Cordell, by whom she had two children-Sarah, now Mrs. Franklin McKennett, a resident of Dakota county, Minnesota, and Emeline, now Mrs. James Casterline, a resident of Oregon, where the husband died some time ago. Mr. and Mrs. McCollum have been blessed with the fol- lowing-named children-Daniel, John and Amanda. Daniel is single, and living with his parents. In the spring of 1889 he re turned from Oregon, where he had gone to look for a place in which to locate. He did not like that country as well as southern Minnesota, and so concluded to return to his father's farm. John married Miss Emma Mendoles, and is living on a farm near that of his father. Amanda married Charles Sinks, of Wilton, Wisconsin.

The residence of our subject in Lincoln county has not been devoid of interest in public matters. He has interested himself in local affairs, and has been county commis- sioner for four years, in which position he has served his constituents ably and effi- ciently. He has also been assessor and town- ship supervisor, and in his official business relations he hasalways proven himself a man of rare capabilities. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. A stanch sup- porter of all those things which he believes to be right, and therefore a loyal citizen, a good friend and neighbor, he has made many warm acquaintances in the township and county. He lives on a fine farm and tree

claim, upon which he proved up in July, 1888. He is surrounded with comfortable circumstances, and has a pleasant home.

ALBERT QUACKENBUSH, a farmer and prominent citizen, is located on section 12, Murray township, Murray county, Minnesota. He located in the year 1870 on a homestead in Slayton township, where he resided some six years, after which he re- moved to the French farm in Shetek town- ship, where he engaged in farming and trap- ping for about two years. Then he came to section 12, Murray township, where he pre- empted his present place. From the very first our subject has striven hard to make his farm one of the best in the township. He has succeeded quite well, and has his land under good cultivation and provided with excellent farm buildings. He owns 320 acres where he now is, and also 160 acres in Slay- ton township, which latter was his first homestead. He has about five acres of a beautiful grove located about his buildings. In this grove are to be found about eight thousand trees -- box elders, ash and willows.

Mr. Quackenbush is a native of Onondaga county, New York, where he was born Jan- uary 13, 1844. He was the son of Jacob Quackenbush, a native of Germany, who em- igrated to New York when a young man. The father was a cooper by trade, and on coming to America engaged to a large extent in farming. He died in 1881. The mother's name before her marriage was Miss Case. She died when our subject was about two years of age. The father was married again to Miss Joan Hocom. In the father's family there were six children-John, Jeston, Gas- ton, David, Albert and Agnes.

The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent by him in his native county, where he received a good education, work- ing as much as possible on the home farm.

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He remained with his father until he was nineteen years of age. Then, in January, 1864, he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry, serving until the close of hos- tilities, being discharged in 1865 at Clouds Mill, Virginia. He participated in the fol- lowing named battles-Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Spottsylvania, and was under fire at Petersburg for nine months, before which fortifications he was dismounted, and was doing infantry duty. The captain of his regiment was named Taylor. After his discharge our subject returned to the State of New York, and made that his home until the fall of 1871. 'He then went to Michigan, whence after about six months he went to Wisconsin, and thence on to Murray county, Minnesota, where he has since lived. In politics Mr. Quackenbush affiliates with the democratic party, and takes an active in- terest in the public affairs, and has become one of the representative citizens of the township. He is a man of good education, high character, and is highly respected by all who know him.

Mr. Quackenbush was married July 17, 1874, to Miss Ann Noyes. This lady was born in the State of New York, where she was reared and educated. This union has been blessed with five children-Josephine, Eldora, William, Ray and Della.

[EINRICH GIESELMAN is an in- fluential and well-to-do farmer who resides on section 32 of Southbrook town- ship, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He was born in Germany, April 15, 1839, his par- ents being Ans and Charlotte (Brant) Giesel- man, also natives of the fatherland. They were well-to do people in that land and are still living. In the father's family there were two children-Heinrich and William.

The subject of this sketch emigrated to America in September, 1870, and after about

a month went to Jackson county, Minnesota, and engaged in various pursuits for nearly half a year. He then bought his present farm of 160 acres of land of a Mr. Benson of Heron Lake. At the time of the purchase there were no improvements on the farm and it was nothing but wild prairie. It is now provided with excellent buildings and other improvements that betoken success and pros- perity. Surrounding his d welling our subject 'has three acres of a fine grove of trees. In connection with his farming he is also en- gaged in raising a fine grade of stock.

Mr. Gieselman was married in September, 1881, to Mrs. Gertrude Morgmarode, by whom he has had four children. Mrs. Geisel- man had two children by her former husband. The names of all the children are as follows --- Jo, Frank, Henry, John, Willie and Adam. The family are members of the Catholic church at Heron Lake. Mrs. Gieselman was the daughter of John Morgmarode, and was also a native Germany. Her father died in that land and her mother emigrated to America.

STELLA PERRIGO, M. D., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the homeopathic school in Pipestone City, Pipestone county, Minnesota. This lady came to Pipestone county for the purpose of practicing in her profession in 1882, and made her headquarters in the town of Os- borne, where her sister, Mrs. R. E. Thomas, resided. In 1884 she became an actual resi- dent, settling on Liberty Hill farm, in Os- borne township. where her husband, Myron H. Perrigo, settled on a homestead of 160 acres. They continued improving this land until moving to the city of Pipestone in 1888. Mrs. Perrigo graduated at the Hahnemann College and Hospital in Chicago, in 1884. She is the only homeopathic physican in the

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county, as well as the only lady physician therein.

Dr. Perrigo is a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Peter and Mariah (Eastman) Himebaugh.

In 1889 she purchased property in the city of Pipestone, where she has a fine residence. She has been quite successful in her medical practice, and is known as a successful physi- cian far and near. She makes many exten- sive rides on professional business through- out Pipestone and adjoining counties and even into Dakota and Iowa. She is a lady of thorough education and well qualified for the duties of her profession.

Dr. Perrigo has connected with her in her practice her nephew, Fred A. Perrigo, a son of William H. Perrigo, of Milwaukee.

In July, 1889, she was elected county phy- sician for Pipestone county, which position she now holds.

RS. EMILY ADELIA GOWIN, a resident of Delton township, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota, is the daughter of Thomas P. and Rachel Rebecca (Smith) Richardson, natives of New York. Mrs. Gowin was born in that State April 10, 1847. Her father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and when she was eight years old the family moved to Berlin, Wisconsin, where they remained a short time, and where her mother died. After the death of her mother the father broke up housekeeping, and the children scattered for about a year. Then the father married Almira Fairbanks, and, gathering the children together, provided them with a home, with the exception of an elderly son, Lemuel. After her father's marriage our subjeat lived with him until September 26, 1866. At this time she was married, in Waupun, Wisconsin, to John Gowin, who was the son of David and Mercy Ann Gowin, natives of New York.

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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 77

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