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 80

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 80

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The marriage of the subject of our sketch occurred in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in January, 1858. He was married to Miss Abagail Nash, who died some years ago, leaving one child, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Franklin Hall. The second marriage of Mr. Pickering occurred March 2, 1874, in Trem- pealeau, Wisconsin. On that date he was wedded to Miss Betsey Comstock, a daugh- ter of Rufus and Hannah Comstock, natives of New York. This union has been blessed with three children- William James, Bertie Elmer and Mabelle.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party and has be-

come quite prominent in the councils of that organization. Five different times he has been elected a delegate to the republican county convention and has served his constit- uents with fidelity and efficiency in various official positions. He has held the office of township supervisor, and has assisted in vari- ous other ways in the upbuilding of the political affairs of the town and county. He is a member of the republican county cen- tral committee, and is also a member of the Old Abe Post, No 39, Grand Army of the Republic of Lake Benton. Perhaps no man in the township has done more toward im- proving the general interests of farming and the public welfare than our subject. He is widely known and wherever known is re- spected as a citizen of loyal character, a farmer of thorough and systematic habits, and as one of the most influential of Lincoln county's citizens. He has an excellent farm supplied with good buildings and all neces- sary improvements, and has a pleasant and interesting family.

RANK D. LINDQUIST is a prosper- ous merchant and one of the most in- fluential citizens of the village of Dundee, Murray county, Minnesota. He is the son of Frederick and Ellen (Clancy) Lindquist. The father was born in Sweden, the mother born of Irish parents in New York. She died June 24, 1882.

Frank D. Lindquist was born in Carver county, Minnesota, March 3, 1862. When about nine years of age his parents moved to Murray county, Minnesota, and located on a farm in Belfast township, where they re- mained until the spring of 1888. Our subject was the owner of this farm, having purchased it after the death of his mother in 1882. In the spring of 1888 he sold the farm to his father and came to the village of Dundee, where he built a store and residence, and engaged

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in the general mercantile business. In Oc- tober, 1888, he brought his family to the village, where they are pleasantly and hap- pily domiciled.

Frank D. Lindquist was married in Win- dom, January 5, 1886, to Miss Rosa Galla- gher, a native of Trempealeau county, Wis- consin, where she was born September 24, 1864. Her parents were Daniel and Mary (Drugan) Gallagher, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Lindquist have one child, Minnie Myrtle. While a resident of Belfast town- ship, of which he was the second settler, our subject served in various official capacities, and in every instance proved his worth and acceptability. He is clerk of the township, which office he has held for several years, school treasurer, assessor, and held the office of justice of the peace for six years. Besides his mercantile interests in Dundee, our sub- ject is also financially interested in various other locations, owning 160 acres of land on section 24 of Belfast township, and also a one half interest in 160 acres on section 1, Graham Lake township, Nobles county, Minnesota. The village of Dundee is located on a portion of this land. Besides being in the mercantile business in Dundee, our sub- ject also has a large trade in lumber and building materials. Mr. Lindquist is a man of excellent business abilities, and lias met with merited success in his various financial enterprises.

Mr. Lindquist received an excellent educa- tion. He attended the Mankato Normal School during the winter of 1878-79. He taught one term of school in Belfast town- ship during the winter of 1887-88.

HESTER N. LEWIS. a leading farmer and stock raiser of Lake Side town- ship, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, located on section 20 in 1870. He was one of the early settlers of his locality, and on coming

here commenced active operations on his farm. In 1870 he built a sod shanty, living in this for several years, and then built a more substantial and commodious dwelling. He was a member of the first board of super- visors of the township.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Saratoga county, New York, where he was born October 12, 1823. His father was Simeon Lewis, a native of Rhode Island, and a farmer by occupation. He emigrated to New York State when he was twenty-one years of age, and made that his home until his death. He was born March 25, 1776, and died in 1860. He was an influential citizen. and a Baptist in belief. Our subject's mother's name was Lucy (Rose) Lewis, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1778. While still in her teens she moved to the State of New York, and was married near Saratoga Springs. She died at seventy years of age. She was an estimable Christian lady, and took an active interest in religious matters. There were twelve children in our subject's father's family-Warren, Simeon, Jesse, Ma- tilda, Gideon, Lucinda, Sebastian, Elvira, Elias, Benjamin, Esther Ann and Chester N.

The subject of our sketch was reared in Saratoga county, New York, until 1866. He received a good conimon-school education, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1866 he re- moved to Minnesota, locating in Quincy township, Olmsted county, where he resided until 1870. In that year he came to Cotton- wood county, where he has since lived.

Mr. Lewis was married December 8, 1847, to Miss Sarah F. Townsend, a native of Massachusetts. The marriage took place in Galway, Saratoga county, New York. Miss Townsend was a lady of high culture, and was engaged for some years as a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have one adopted child, Thomas. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lewis adopted a girl, who is married

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and living in Olmsted county. She wedded Frank Thompson.

The subject of our sketchi was formerly a whig in politics, but now affiliates with the republican party. He is a man of estimable character, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

ARREN MCCARTER is one of the leading and influential farmers of Grange township, Pipestone county, Minne- sota. His farm is located on section 22, where he has a pleasant, commodious home. He was born February 19, 1835, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania. His parents were Elisha B. and Mary (Morrison) McCarter, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1837, and the father died in 1866, both of whom passing their last days in Tioga county, Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and a leading and influential citizen of the county in which he lived. The subject of our sketch left the parental roof in 1851. Later he went to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Up to the time of leaving home he had been given the ad- vantages for education furnished by the district school, and had assisted his father in work on the home farm until 1850. In that year and during the most of 1851 he engaged in work in a blacksmith shop learning the blacksmith trade. On coming to Wisconsin lie adopted the plan of working in the piner- ies during the winter and in the summer working on the Mississippi river. Continu- ing this method of life for about two years he went to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he was one of the first settlers. He pre- empted government land and settled down to the occupation of farming, in which he en- gaged until October, 1851. While a resident of Olmsted county he experienced many of the difficulties and hardships usually passed through by the first settlers of

every country. His nearest market was Red Wing, about fifty miles away, and there were but few neighbors and they were miles away. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, be- ing discharged September 19, 1865. The first battle in which he was engaged was at Mur- freesboro, where he was taken prisoner by the Rebels and removed to McMinville. He was paroled and taken from that place to Benton Barracks, Missouri, whence he re- turned to his home in Minnesota. Soon after he went to Fort Snelling and joined the com- mand of General Sibley, and was with him through his fall campaign against the Indians, being a member of the squad which captured the thirty-eight Indians who were hanged at Mankato, Blue Earth county, a few months later. He returned to the South in Decem- ber, 1862, and was with his original company throughout the remainder of the war; saw service at Fort Hinman, from whence he went to Vicksburg, near which his regiment was stationed when the city surrendered to the Union army. From thence the regiment went to Little Rock, Arkansas, and served at various points and in numerous battles and small skirmishes. He was discharged from the service September 19, 1865, being mustered out at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He at once returned to Olmsted county, and remained there engaged in farming until 1879. In that year he came to Grange town- ship, Pipestone county, located his claim and then returned to his home in the eastern part of the State. In the spring of 1880 he brought his family and made a permanent settlement on his land in Grange township.

Mr. McCarter was married to Nancy Huy- ler, in October, 1855. Miss Huyler was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of George and Sarah (Furman) Huyler, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with six children,

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four of whom are living-Emma L., Merton J., Bertha A. and George H.

In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the republican party, of whose principles he is a warm supporter. By vir- tue of an honorable war record he occupies a leading position in the Grand Army of the Republic, Simon Mix Post, No. 95. He has been chairman of the town board of super- visors for one year, and in all his relations in life, whether public or private, he has con- ducted himself in an honorable and efficient manner. He is a man of broad ideas, and is respected by all.

HEODORE EICKHOLT is a promi- nent farmer of Selma township, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota. He was born on the river Rhine, in Prussia, June 10, 1824, his parents being Herman and Hermina (Voss) Eickholt, natives of Prussia.

The subject of this sketch resided with his parents on their farm until he was twenty years of age. Until fourteen he was given a good common-school education, and when twenty he enlisted in the Prussian army, serving two years. In 1848 he was again called to the ranks and served three months during the riots in his native country. After his first two years' service he went to live with his mother, his father having died in 1842. He resided with his mother until 1847, when she died, and our subject remaind with the other children on the homestead. In 1849 our subject came to America to avoid being pressed into the Prussian service again. On coming to this country he took out naturalization papers, and, after a brief time, returned to Prussia. He had been home but a short time when he was taken by the police before the governor of the province to be forced into the army of that country. He was told by friends that the police were looking for him, but, feeling as-

sured that his claim as an American citi- zen would be honored, he did not seek to avoid the officers. On being taken before the governor he claimed American citi- zenship, and was ordered to show his pa- pers, which he did. He was then told that he could remain in the country five days, when he stated that he could not finish his business in that time. He was then told that he could have ten days, and again he objected that he could not possibly finish his business in that time. He was then told that he could have eleven days and no more, and if caught in the country after that time he would be considered subject to military duty. For some time he lived close to the Prussian line, and every night would go to the side where he was not subject to the police au- thority. Five policemen arrested him once, but he told them that he did not live on that side of the line, but was only there during the day time, remaining at home on the other side every night. He was annoyed a great deal, but managed to remain in the country until 1854, when he prepared to start to this country. After getting ready to start, a minister friendly to the king and in high favor at court, wanted to go part of the way with our subject to assist him in escaping. This offer was made by this min- ister on the ground that our subjeet had not been treated properly by the government authorities. Our subject succeeded in taking ship and getting to this country. He first located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he purchased 160 acres of government land. He resided there until 1864, when he was drafted into the Union service. He fur- nished an eight-hundred dollar substitute, and in the spring of 1865 sold out and removed to Effingham, Illinois, purchased a farm and remained three and a half years. On going to that place he had a good team, vagon and various other articles of personal property and $1,400 in money. He remained

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in that country until he lost everything he had on account of failure of the crops. His next move was to return to Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he rented a farm, remain- ing some two years. Concluding, however, that but little was to be made by remaining in that country, he sold out and removed to Winona county, Minnesota, where he rented a farm and operated it for one year. After putting in his crops he came to Selma town- ship, Cottonwood county, and homesteaded his present place, building a stable and cut- ting considerable hay. In October, 1871, he found his stable and hay had been destroyed by fire. Our subject continued farming, meeting with various discouragements. When the grasshoppers first came to the country he had eight acres of wheat in good condition. This was entirely destroyed by the grasshoppers, as were his crops through the following three years. In 1877 he raised a large amount of grain. He sowed thirty bushels of wheat, and threshed over five hundred bushels. Mr. Eickholt has a fine farm of 320 acres, a nice frame house, and has a large barn. His land is under good cultivation, and well improved. In politics Mr. Eickholt affiliates with the democratic party, and is one of the leading citizens of the township.

Mr. Eickholt was married in Columbia county, Wisconsin, in September, 1857, to Miss Mary Klein, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Neder) Klein, natives of Prussia. This lady was born in Erfert, Prussia, August 27, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Eickholt have been blessed with the following-named children -- Herman, Christian, Hermina, Werner, Ger- hard, Mary, Bertha, Gertrude and Theodore. Werner died October 5, 1881. Gerhard died November 26, 1881. August 2d of the same year Hermina was taken sick with the typhoid fever, and at one time the whole family, with the exception of Mrs. Eickholt and a babe, were sick with the dread disease.

They were without help and all alone, as the neighbors were afraid to visit them, with one exception, H. M. Goss, who came three times a week to see if the family were in need of anything. The family had a terrible siege of sickness for several months, and there was not a night from August until January 15, 1882, when the lamps were not burning. January 15th was the first night during all that time that some one did not sit up as a nurse all night. After the family got well Mrs. Eickholt took sick, and was sick for three years. All were under Dr. C. A. Greene's care. Christian took sick in 1878, and was sick six years. Herman married Lizzie Renner. Hermina married Manus Brown. Christian wedded Mary Thorson.

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AJOR FRANCIS WOODARD, a leading and well-known citizen of Lincoln county, located on the south- west quarter of section 20, of Lake Stay township, in November, 1881. Since com- ing to the township he has taken an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and has served his fellow-citizens in various ways. He is a man of much native ability, and being possessed of a good education, wields an extensive influence in his town and county. He is a son of William and Martha (Doolittle) Woodard, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter a native of New York. His parents were farmers in Erie county, New York, where they lived until their death. The father died in 1863, the mother in 1869.

Our subject was born in Evans township, Erie county, New York, February 7, 1840. He was given good educational advantages in the district schools and remained with his parents on the farm until he grew to man- hood. When about nineteen years of age he was married, and after the death of his parents engaged in working the home farm

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until 1871. He then sold out his interests in New York State and moved to Faribault, Minnesota, and engaged in teaming and also to some extent in farming. His removal to and location in that city was for the purpose of giving his children good educational facilities. He purchased property and otherwise inter- ested himself in the public enterprises of that city. He made Faribault his home un- til 1880. in which year he removed to Bala- ton, Lyon county, Minnesota. His trip overland from Faribault

to Balaton was made by team, and was about the hardest two weeks' experience that our sub- ject ever passed through. The roads were in terrible condition, mud everywhere, and apparently unfathomable in depth, and some days the little company could not proceed more than six or seven miles. During this trip the weather was extremely unsettled and the rain fell during a great portion of the time. However, they were fortunate enough to find houses to sleep in every night except one. After passing through this hard expe- rience and getting a first taste of pioneer life they lived in Balaton, and our subject rented a farm, which he worked one season. The first winter found the early settlers but little prepared for the intense cold and heavy snow storms. About the middle of October, one of those terrible blizzards, so well known in Western Minnesota, swept over the country, and Mr. Woodard could not have his thresh- ing done until late in the winter, and when he prepared to thresh out the grain, he found that the stacks had blown so full of snow and ice that it was impossible to do anything with it. It was worthless for the grain and was too icy and full of snow for fuel. The grain was threshed, however, during the winter. This was a hard time, and will be remembered as one of the most bitter winters experienced by the early settlers. The fam- ily-not this family alone, but all families in that region-were without fuel. Provisions

were scarce and hard to procure, and they were forced to burn railroad fences and posts and whatever else they could pick up or tear down on the prairies. Before the spring opened, and before the snow had begun to disappear, our subject moved to anoth- er farm a few miles distant, and in the fall purchased the right to a claim in Lake Stay township, Lincoln county, where he chanced to be with a part of his family on a visit. He then concluded to re- turn to his place near Balaton. During this trip he was destined to meet with another experience which in after years could be re- lated as an interesting pioneer reminiscence. They started on their return to the farm near Balaton, and some time after night had set in reached Coon Creek, a swollen stream, which they had to cross. Fearful for the safety of his wife and two children, whom he had with him, our subject started the team into the water. The rushing stream nearly threw the horses off their feet and the water came up over the front end of the wagon, and it was only by dint of careful driving that the family got through in safety. However, this was done and they had suf- fered nothing save a terrible fright and very wet clothes. They did not return to their claim until the following spring, but continued improving it and getting it ready for occupancy and cultivation. On coming to the county our subject was in poor cir- cumstances, but by careful and systematic management of his farm he has grown in wealth and prosperity, and is now one of the leading and substantial citizens of the town- ship. He has cultivated his farm thoroughly and has reaped excellent harvests. His land is well fenced and provided with excellent buildings. He has nine head of good horses, a herd of twenty-seven cattle and a number of hogs, and has his farm well supplied with the necessary and needful machinery. Since making his location here our subject has

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identified himself closely with the best inter- ests of the town and county, and his abilities as a business man have been utilized in vari- ous official positions. He has held the posi- tion of township clerk and has been justice of the peace during most of his residence in the township. While in New York State he also efficiently filled several school offices, continued in some official position during his entire residence there after attaining his majority. He has also been one of the school directors and road overseer since coming to Lake Stay township. The subject of our sketch is a man of pleasant qualities, of ex- cellent character, and is highly esteemed. In politics he affiliates with the prohibition party ..

Mr. Woodard was married March 9, 1859, in Pontiac, to Miss Ann Eliza Page, a daugh- ter of John and Ann Eliza (Tucker) Page, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have been blessed with the following-named children-Ida Melissa, Willis Howard, Or- lando Francis, Lily May, Albert Horatio, Helen Bessie and Horace Belden, the last two being twins. Ida married Elbert Hamnı, and now lives one-half mile from Balaton. Orlando F. and Lily May are both teaching school.

ASHBURN LEWIS came to Mur- ray county, Minnesota, in the spring of 1870 and located a farm on section 10 of Murray township. He has an excellent prairie farm and is engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits. He was about the first settler in the township and is perhaps the first Norwegian settler in Murray county. He assisted in the organization of his town- ship and also in the location of the county seat at Currie. Among the various positions which he has held, for he has taken an active part in public matters, may be named that of supervisor, which he held for one term.

His residence since 1870 has not been wholly permanent. Two years of this time were spent in Kandiyohi county, where he ran a boarding house. The balance of the time has been spent in Murray township. He has an excellent farm of 160 acres, under good cultivation, provided with good farm buildings. He has been quite successful in his farming operations, and in spite of the grasshopper raids of four years through which he passed he has become quite well- to-do and has brought himself into good cir- cumstances.

Mr. Lewis was born in the southern part of the kingdom of Norway. At ten years of age he left his native land and with his parents came to the United States, locating in Green county, Wisconsin, where they lived for three years on a farm. Then Mower county, Minnesota, became their home, where they engaged in farming for thirteen years. During this time our subject had assisted his parents on the farm and attended the common schools at every oppor- tunity. However, his educational advan- tages were not of the best character, and whatever he possesses to-day is mainly attrib- utable to his own private study and home in- struction. He enlisted in September, 1864, mn the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery as a private. He served until the close of hostili- ties between the North and South, and then received his discharge at St. Paul. During the most of his time in the service he was stationed at Cameron Hill, Tennessee. On leaving the service he returned to Mower county, where he lived for a while with his parents. In 1870 he came to Murray county, where he has resided ever since. The sub- ject of our sketch is a man of considerable public spirit, and takes an active interest in public affairs. Possessed of good character he is highly respected by all who know him. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran church.

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Mr. Lewis was married in the spring of 1870 to Miss Emma Goeson, a native of Norway. This lady came to America with her parents when she was ten years of age, and located in the State of Iowa, in Fayette county, where her parents lived on a farm. She was reared in Iowa, where she was given a good common-school education. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had five children-Lauris G., (who died at three years of age), Gilbert B., Lauris G., Julia B. and Oliver Alfred.

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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 80

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