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 79

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 79

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Sigvaldson was united in marriage June 8, 1878, to Miss Gidrun Arason, a daughter of Ara and Gudrun (Asmundson) Arason, both of them being natives of Iceland. The fruits of this union are-Skapti Aron, Thora Jonina, Gudrun Julia, Mary Jakobina and Frank.

The subject of our sketch has taken an ac- tive interest in the public affairs of his town- ship and has held several offices. He was the first supervisor of the township and con- tinued in that position until 1884, at which

time he was elected clerk, of which position he is the present incumbent. He has also been justice of the peace since 1884, and is the clerk of the school board and has been for two years. He is a man of good character, a loyal citizen, and a member of the Iceland Lutheran church.

LI GILBERT, a thrifty farmer of Moulton township, Murray county, Minnesota, resides on section 8. He was born in the State of New York, November 9, 1849. Until twelve years of age he attended school in the vicinity of his home and then moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He remained in the State of Wisconsin until the spring of 1875, in which year he removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1878. He then came to Moulton town- ship, Murray county, and became one of its pioneer settlers. He has been thoroughly identified with all the interests of his locality and has assisted materially in the various public improvements which have been from time to time projected in his township.

Mr. Gilbert was married October 1, 1874, to Mary E. Hart, a native of Wisconsin, and daughter of Herman P. Hart. This union has been blessed with five children, four of whom are now living.

In early life the subject of our sketch was given good educational advantages and became well posted in the learning to be obtained from the district schools. In poli- tics he is an independent, affiliating with no particular party, but supporting the man he thinks best qualified for the position. He has taken an active part in public affairs and has held various official positions, being at present treasurer of his township. He is a man of high character, and is widely known and highly respected as a citizen and neighbor.

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

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ETER O. VINE is a leading citizen of Alta Vista township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He is the son of John S. and Catharine (Schofeldt) Vine, natives of the State of New York. The parents were well-to-do farmers in that State, and when our subject was two years of age they removed to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where they are still living in good circum- stances, and respected by all who know them.

The place of the nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in the State of New York, where he was born in the year 1844. He removed with the parents to the State of Wisconsin, and remained with them, assist- ing in work on the home farm, and attending the district school until he was twenty-one years of age. Two years prior to attaining his majority, however, he had been engaged in working more or less for neighboring farmers, and had been saving money for the purpose of buying a farm for himself. On attaining his majority he purchased a farm in Green Lake county, and made that his home until 1879. In that year he rented his farm and came to Lincoln county. The first winter he came to Marshfield, then the county seat. In the following spring he came to section 22, Alta Vista township, and took a homestead of 160 acres, proving up on this land in 1886.

The subject of our sketch was married in Marquette, Wisconsin, in December, 1875, to Miss Corina R. Larson, daughter of Inge- bret and Cloe (Smith) Larson, the former a native of Norway, and the latter of New York. This lady was born in Lenawee county, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Vine have been blessed with two children-Vernon V. and Oakley W.

Mr. Vine, although of a retiring disposi- tion, and not desirous of pushing himself forward in public affairs, has always been ready to take an active part in the adminis-

tration of matters pertaining to local gov- ernment. He has served in various official positions, and in every capacity has proven his efficiency; and has served his constituents to their entire satisfaction. He has held the office of assessor for three terms, and is at present clerk of the township. He is a man of excellent character, and as a loyal citizen and an active benefactor in all gen- eral development he has no peer in the town- ship. His wife is a member of the Society of Friends, and is an estimable Christian lady. The subject of our sketch started out in life with nothing but his own hands to depend upon, and with them has carved the way to prosperity and comfortable circum- stances. He has created for himself and family a comfortable and pleasant home. Besides the 160 acres he owns in this town- ship he also has a tree-claim of 160 acres in Limestone township, upon which he proved up some time ago. May 25, 1887, he com- pleted his comfortable frame dwelling- house.

HARLES W. EMBURY, the subject of the present sketch and a prosperous farmer, came to Pipestone county, Minne- sota, in December, 1878, locating on a home- stead of 160 acres in the southwest quarter of section two in Gray township. He has been a hard-working man and with his own hands has improved his place and made it what it now is,-one of the best farms in the town- ship. He has been engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising and in all his labors has met with good success. He was one of the very first settlers in Gray township and as- sisted in its organization in 1879. The other settlers who resided here at that time were L. D. Peck, Andrew Gray, Mr. Gleason and Herman Haney, who resided in the north- eastern part of the township.

The subject of our sketch was born in St

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Armand, Canada East, April 5, 1842. His parents were Charles and Hannah (Brill) Embury, both of whom were natives of Can- ada East and who now live in Steele county, Minnesota, where they located in about 1876. The father has been a farmer throughout most of his life, and both the father and mother are exemplary members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The parents had a family of seven children, six boys and one girl: Russell John, Catherine E., Charles W., Samuel B., Carmi H., William L. and Edwin R.

The boyhood and youth of the subject of our sketch were spent in school in the place of his nativity. When he was eighteen years of age he removed with his parents to Rice county, Minnesota, where he remained some nine years working for his father on the farm. At. this time our subject started out for himself, and, coming to Blue Earth county, purchased a farm and engaged in general farming for a number of years. Then, in December, 1878, he removed to Pipestone county, and made his settlement as was stated is the opening lines of this sketch.

Mr. Embury was united in marriage to Miss Delphine Everson, April 5, 1886. This lady was born in Bergen, Vernon county, Wisconsin, February 22, 1854, and in that State received her early training and a good education. Her parents were LaFayette and Harriet (Morley) Everson, both of whom were natives of New York. Early in life they removed to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where they met, and later, on November 29, 1852, were married in Vernon county, Wisconsin. For many years her father was engaged in the pursuit of the agriculturist, and during the past fifteen years has been a resident of the city of La Crosse. The parents were well-to-do, and wherever they have lived have been honorable and esteemed citizens. In the father's early life he was a resident

of Ohio, where he received his education and early training. While the mother was still young her people removed to Pennsyl- vania, where she was reared until coming to Wisconsin. Mrs. Embury was married the first time in 1873 to Alfred D. Hewett, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1881. He was a farmer by occupation, and by him Mrs. Embury had three children-Irving, Earl and Amy. Mr. and Mrs. Embury have been blessed with one child-Alta Hannah, born January 28, 1887.

The subject of our sketch is one of the reliable and trustworthy citizens of the township in which he resides, and takes an active interest in all matters which pertain to the welfare of the county. He is thrifty and industrious and has a well-improved farm, every foot of which he cultivates with the exception of the ground upon which his buildings stand. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and has become one of the leaders in the local affairs of that organization. He is a representative citizen and enjoys the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

Charles W. Embury, the subject of this sketch, is a great-grandson of Rev. Phillip Embury, the first Methodist minister that preached the gospel in America.

- HORB TORJUSON, one of the lead- ing men of his nationality in West- brook township, Cottonwood county, Minne- sota, resides on section 22. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, where he was born October 10, 1847. The parents of our subject were Torgus and Martha (Torbjorn) Einertson, natives of Norway. The parents emigrated to America in 1862, locating in Wisconsin for several years. They then came to Olinsted county, Minnesota, and thence to Westbrook township, Cottonwood county, where they now live. Our subject's

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father was a blacksmith by trade, and is now engaged in farming. In the father's family there were nine children, four of whom are now living-Torjus, Ole, Ellen and our sub- ject.

On attaining his majority, our subject commenced doing for himself, up to this time having resided with his parents, having been given good educational advantages. At twenty-one years of age he commenced working in different lines in Olmsted county, and a year later came to his present location in Westbrook township, where he took a homestead of 160 acres. He has made excel. lent improvements, and has a grove of eight acres of trees surrounding his house.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the Republican party, and is a member of the Lutheran church. Since coming to the township he has taken an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and has held various township offices, such as supervisor, constable and township clerk, having held the latter posi- tion for several years. He is a man of push and energy, and being possessed of good character, is looked upon with much respect by his fellow-citizens.

R OSWELL BOOMHAUER is a pros. perous citizen of Murray township, Murray county, Minnesota, living on a home- stead on section 18, where he settled in 1867. He has engaged in general farming and stock- raising with large success. When the sub- ject of our sketch came to the township there were other settlers, he being about the fifth to make a location in the township. Moses Cook, Abner Marsh, Captain Aldridge and Jo Aldridge were the parties whom our sub- ject found in the township when he came. The first year Mr. Boomhauer broke about five acres of land, built a straw barn, and put up a log house, the latter being burned after

two years, when he erected his present house. Mr. Boomhauer assisted in the organ- ization of the township and throughout its history has been one of the most interested of its citizen in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. The first public meeting was held on section 7, and our subject be- came a member of the first board of super- visors. He also served in the capacity of township treasurer, which position he held for some time.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were John and Submit (Whitcomb) Boom- hauer, the fathers of both the parents being natives of the State of New York. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a well-to-do citizen of the place in which he lived. In the father's family there were thirteen children - Abigail, Fineta, Roswell, Sarah, Sena, Maria, Emily, Miranda, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, John J., Lucy Jane, Simon Peter and Margaret.

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born in Schoharie county, New York, March 1, 1822. He re- sided in his native county until 1867, and received his early training and education in his native place. For some time he engaged in farming and took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare in the State in which he was born. On coming to Murray county he made his present loca- tion and has ever since resided in Murray county. He has seen many hardships, among them being the destruction of all his crops for four years by the grasshoppers. In order to support his family he had to work out and hunt and trap. One crop was de- stroyed by hail. All these hardships, how- ever, are now forgotten, as our subject realizes the prosperity and success which have attended his efforts since those early days. He has an excellent farm under good cultivation, and has a large number of cattle and other stock.

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Mr. Boomhauer was united in matrimony April 8, 1846, to Miss Angeline Silvernale. This lady was a native of Albany, New York, and was a daughter of Nicholas and Maria (Owens) Silvernale, both of whom were natives of Columbia county, New York. Her parents are still living and are residents of the State of Michigan. When Miss Silver- nale was two years of age her parents re- moved to Schoharie county, New York, and made that their residence for ten years, removing thence to Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, where she resided until her mar- riage. She received an excellent education. In the Silvernale family there were seven children- Angeline, now Mrs. Boomhauer ; Margaret, Hattie, Abram, Barney, Sabrine and Calion. Mr. and Mrs. Boomhauer have thirteen living children-John, Calvin, Abram, Barnet, Charles, Albert, Lagrand, Ann, Harrietta, Sabrine, Loretta, Emma and Nellie.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the democratic party and is a lead- ing member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which society he holds the office of trustee. He has been a prominent man in the affairs of his town, and has held vari- ous official positions with credit to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents. He is a man of high character and is esteemed by all who know him.

ICHABOD B. SMITH is a leading resi- dent of Sweet township, Pipestone county, Minnesota. His home is located on a fine farm on section 28, where he settled in 1878. The subject of our sketch was a Maineite by birth, being born in Somerset county in September, 1835.

Our subject's parents were Daniel and Saralı (Dunker) Smith, both natives of Maine and farmers by occupation. The grandfather, Ichabod Smith, was born in Burwick, Maine,

September 10, 1778, was a blacksmith by trade, and was a prominent citizen in the State of Maine, where he spent his life. He died at Moosehead Lake, Maine, January 15, 1857. Daniel Smith lived and died in his native State, his death occurring October 20, 1887. He was a man of rare qualities and was beloved by all with whom he came in contact. The paper in speaking of his death, said : "The deceased was one of nature's noblemen, hon- est, benevolent, and liberal to a fault. No person ever appealed in vain to 'Uncle Daniel ' for a favor which was in his power to grant." During a long residence in An- son township, Somerset county, Maine, he lived such a humane, benevolent, upright · life that he was mourned far and wide by hundreds of warm friends and loving rela- tives. The mother died September 8, 1886.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the farm of his father in Somerset county, where he was given good advantages for receiving a common-school education. When fifteen years of age he commenced working more or less for neighboring farmers in the vicinity of his father's home. Remaining in his native county until April, 1858, he removed to Juneau county, Wiscon- sin, where he engaged at different kinds of labor until 1861. September 9th of that year he enlisted in Company H., Tenth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and remained with that company until March 3, 1863, when he was discharged from further service. His war experience was of a most trying and exciting kind. It was full of exposure to danger and to sickness, and in consequence of these things, at the date of his discharge, he was completely broken down in health and had to return home to recuperate. On re- covering somewhat of his wonted good health he concluded to again offer his services to the Union army. June 15, 1864, he re- enlisted in Compay E, Forty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and continued in the

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service until September 23d, of that year, when he received his discharge. Hc at once returned to his home in Wisconsin and en- gaged in various kinds of light labor, such as his broken-down state of health would per- mit, until 1878. That year, in company with John Clark and Horace Gilmore, he started out with teams to drive through to Pipe- stone county, Minnesota. In this primitive manner of traveling they accomplished their journey after a few weeks and settled in Sweet township, where they were the first settlers. The subject of our sketch at once located on a homestead, where he has since lived engaged in general farming and stock- raising.

Mr. Smith was married February 13, 1865, to Miss Margaret A. Donaldson, a resident of Wisconsin. The fruits of this union are four children, three of whom are living at the present time: Daniel, Pearlie H. and Mary E. Ichabod R. died when eight years of age.

Mr. Smith is a man of high character and is respected by all citizens of the township in which he lives. He is a man of generous and benevolent characteristics and carries these traits into every department of his life. His career has been visited with many diffi- culties and sad misfortunes, but through all of these trils he has risen to his duties with a manly fortitude such as should character- ize a worthy son of an honored sire. Of his father's family there were four sons in the Union army during the Rebellion, our sub- ject being the only survivor. In politics Mr. Smith is a leading member of the democratic party and belong to the Grand Army of the Republic, Simon Mix Post, No. 95.

R ICHARD LAHART, an influential citizen of Cottonwood county, Minne- sota, is the son of John and Bridget (Pol- lard) Lahart, natives of Ireland. Our sub-

ject was born in County Tipperary, parish of Ballingerry, Ireland, November 1, 1829. His early life was spent with his parents on a farm, in which occupation they were en- gaged for many years. Until 1852 he re- mained in his native country and then came to the United States, stopping first for about a year in Onondaga county, New York. He then went to Allegheny county, remaining about a year, engaged in the lumber busi- ness. His next move was to Illinois, where he found employment as a foreman on a railroad, continuing in that line until the cholera broke out among the railroad em- ployes in 1854. He then ceased this work and went to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and engaged in lumbering until 1858. He then came to Wabasha county, Minnesota, and filed on a tract of government land. He lived on his claim until the spring of 1861 when he sold out and rented a farm until 1870. Then he moved to Delton township, Cottonwood county, and filed on a piece of land as a pre-emption. He afterwards changed this to a homestead. This land was on section 34, where he has lived ever since, and where he is now surrounded with the evidences of prosperity and success. While in Wabasha county his home was in Plain- view, and his family remained in that town until a year after our subject located in Del- ton township.

Mr. Lahart was married in Wabasha county, December 22, 1859, to Miss Bridget Granahan. This union has been blessed with the follow- ing-named children-John F., Mary Jane (now dead), Thomas E., James W., Charles R., David A., Ellen, Mary, Louisa and Katie. John F. married Maggie Cail, and resides in Minneapolis. He is engaged in the wheat business and owns four elevators in Dakota.

The interest that our subject has taken in political matters is shown by the fact that he has held various township offices, and in each instance has proven a satisfactory and

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honorable official. He has been township supervisor, school director, etc. With his family he belongs to the Catholic church. Our subject is now in good circumstances, although he has passed through many trying conditions which have brought him consid- erable loss financially. Several crops in the early days were destroyed by the grasshop- pers, and our subject was obliged to leave home in order to obtain money for his fam- ily's support. He shoveled snow on the rail- roads during the winters, and at one time was obliged to obtain seed grain from the State. Since those days, however, he has been doing quite well, and owns a fine farm of 160 acres which is free from incumbrances, with almost the entire acreage under culti- vation.` He has a fine frame house, a large barn 30x60 feet, with ten-foot posts and a stone basement. He was penniless when he commenced work for himself, and had noth- ing to depend upon but his own exertions. He has succeeded well in his work]and has accumulated considerable means. Whatever he has has been gained through his own ex- ertions.

JOSEPH PICKERING, a thrifty and industrious farmer of Lake Stay town- ship, Lincoln county, is the son of Enoch and Fannie Pickering, both natives of England. The mother died when our subject was a small child, and the father came to America in about 1844, locating in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he settled on a farm.

Joseph Pickering was born in Stavotshire, England, May 3, 1836. He remained with his father's family until fifteen years of age, coming with them to America in 1844. At fifteen he left home and never returned again, engaging in various lines of common labor until he was twenty-five years of age. He then rented a farm in Goodhue county, Minnesota, and engaged in agricultural pur-

suits for one year. August 12, 1862, he en- listed in Company F, Sixth Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, and served in the Union army until August 19, 1865, when he was honora- bly discharged. In 1862 his regiment was ordered on an expedition to Fort Ridgley. They went to that place and after remaining a short time they marched to Birch Cooley to reinforce Company A of this regiment and ninety citizens who were engaged in a battle in that region. The members of Company F heard the firing and other sounds of battle between Company A and the Indians, and started out to assist them. After traveling two or three hours and not being able to find the battle-field on account of the cessation of the firing, they returned to the vicinity of the fort. During the night they were surrounded by the Indians and in the morning a fierce battle took place. Company F, dou- ble-quicked through the Indians' lines and found their way into the camp of Company A, where they witnessed a terrible sight. All of the company had been killed or wounded except eighteen men, and these were on the point of despair and were ready to surrender to the Indians. After this raid, Company F returned to Fort Ridgley. The company traveled over much territory on their re- turn trip. This was done for the purpose of picking up the living and wounded settlers and burying the dead. About three months of the following winter were spent by Com- pany F in the village of Glencoe, and after that time had expired they went to Fort Snelling and made headquarters there until spring. They were then ordered to Red- wood Falls and there concentrated for the summer campaign against the Indians. Go- ing to Big Bend on the Missouri river, they then returned to Fort Snelling, after having been gone for four months. From Fort Snelling they took a course across the country to Preston lakes, where they built

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winter quarters and remained until spring. Returning to Fort Snelling they took boats and started down the river to Helena, Ar- kansas, remaining in that vicinity for three months, then being sent to St. Louis. Re- maining in the last named city until March, they were then ordered to report at New Orleans, and after two weeks' stay in the barracks at that city were sent to Dauphin Island, Georgia. After camping in this vicinity for five or six weeks they were then sent on an expedition to Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, where they were engaged in besieging the position of the enemy for some three weeks. After the capitulation of the Rebel forces the division to which Com- pany F was attached was sent to Mont- gomery, Alabama, where they remained until they received orders to be discharged. After his discharge our subject came to Minnesota and found a location for two years at Pine Island in Goodhue county. His next move was to the State of Wiscon- sin, where he remained until April, 1879, en- gaged in farming. Hethen came to Lincoln county and settled on his homestead of 160 acres on the northeast quarter of section 30 in Lake Stay township. He has remained in that township ever since and is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

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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 79

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