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 83
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In politics the subject of our sketch affili- ates with the democratic party, having been a defender of its principles for many years. his father being a democrat before him. During his residence in this county Mr. Par- ker has formed many warm acquaintances, and has built up a large circle of friends, who believe in his ability and worth both as a man and as a citizen. In matters of a public na- ture he takes an active interest, and his as-
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sistance in these regards is never asked for in vain. He is a member of the society of American Mechanics, and is a leading and representative citizen of the township in which he lives.
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JOHN B. DISCH is a leading and influen- tial citizen of Fenton township, Murray county, Minnesota. He resides on a farm on section 34, where he has surrounded him- self with many evidences of prosperity and thrift.
The place of nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in Switzerland, where he was born May 15, 1828. His parents were John B. and Tresie (Vencine) Disch, both natives of the same country. The father was a shepherd among the Alps and lived in his native land until his death, which occurred in about 1832. The mother died'in her native land in the fall of 1886.
John B. Disch left his home at the tender age of six years and went to Germany, where for ten years he found employment on a farm in Wittenberg. IIe then returned home and remained there one winter, after which he went back to Germany, locating at the same place and apprenticing to learn the tailor's trade. At the end of two and a-half years he went to Italy and there followed his trade for two years, returning at the end of that time to his native place. He then served his time in the army, and in 1852 came to America in a sailing vessel. He was forty-two days crossing the ocean, and land- ing in New York City he took the train for Cleveland. About fifty miles from the latter place he found employment on a railroad and worked in that line for two months, and then went to Cincinnati, where he engaged in work at his trade. For one and a half years he lived in Newport, just across the Ohio river from Cincinnati. From that point he went to Indianapolis, Indiana,
and there engaged for two years in work at his trade. From thence he went to Madi- son, Wisconsin, and worked at his trade for three years, and then returned to Indian- apolis. He was then married and soon after returned to Madison, whence, after two months, he went to Prairie du Chien, same State, and operated a clothing store for two years. Then selling out and going to St. Paul, he engaged in work at his trade for another two years, after which he went to Stillwater, where still another two years were spent in work at his trade. Then in partnership with Mr. Jo. Walf he opened and operated a wholesale liquor store. After two years this partnership was dis- solved and our subject engaged in the retail liquor business. He continued at this busi- ness for some time and then had all his property destroyed by fire. After this he purchased a lot, built a house and ran a hotel and retail liquor store for some time, when he sold out the saloon and operated a restaurant for six or seven years. He was again the victim of a severe loss by fire, all his buildings and property being destroyed. However, he again opened up in business and erected a new building on the site of his hotel. This new building was three stories high, and was known as the "Mansion House." Oursubject still owns the property. In August, 1877, Mr. Disch went to Worth- ington, and under the direction of Captain Minor, a prominent real estate man of that village, came to the place where he now lives and took 320 acres of land. He has since purchased 160 acres adjoining, and now owns a fine farm of 480 acres. Shortly after he returned to Stillwater and remained until 1881, when he removed his family to the farm in Murray county and made a per- manent settlement. Our subject has an ex- cellent farm under good cultivation and pro- vided with fine buildings. He was one of the first settlers of the township and has
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striven hard to make his farm one of the best in the township. In politics he affili- ates with the democratic party and is a con- sistent member of the Catholic church. He is a man of good character and is respected by all.
Mr. Disch was married July 10, 1856, to Dortha Walder, a native of Switzerland, of which country her parents were also natives. They lived in that place until her death. Mr. and Mrs. Disch have had the following- named children-Mary L. (deceased), Anna T., Rose M., John B., Nicholas A., Thomas, Louis O., Mary L., Joseph F., and Dortha M.
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LVIN H. CARPENTER located in Lake Stay township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, April 28, 1877, and has since made his home on the northwest quarter of section 10, where he owns a fine farm under good cultivation. His parents were Caleb and Susan (Haynes) Carpenter, both of whoni were natives of Vermont. Alvin was born in Strongsville, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, March 23, 1830.
The early life of our subject was spent on the home farm, where he remained with the parents until he was nineteen years of age. He was given good educational advantages in the district schools, and also attended a select school for some time. On attaining nineteen years of age he commenced work by the month on various farms in Dane county, Wisconsin, to which place he had removed quite early in life. He continued in Dane county for about two years, engaged in working out, and at the end of that time he purchased a farm and operated it for about a year. Removing thence he went to the mining country near Denver, Colorado, and after remaining during the summer, in the fall returned to Wisconsin, where he spent the winter, and then in the spring of the next year disposed of what property he
had in Wisconsin and Ohio, and went to California, engaging in farming in that State for four years. Then for the two years fol- lowing he engaged in work in the mines, returning to his parents in Ohio at the end of that time. On his return he purchased his father's farm, and one year later was mar- ried in Watertown, Wisconsin, and bringing his bride back to his farın in Ohio, they made that their home for about six years. At the end of that period our subject removed with his family to Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York. Arriving in that place he pur- chased a saw and planing mill and carpenter shop, and continued doing almost all kinds of woodwork for about four years. During the greater part of this time he was in part- nership with Messrs. Leech & Billings. He remained in that business until the establish- ment was burned out, and then removed to Jefferson county, where he rented a farm and engaged in its operation for two years. His next move was to Minnesota, and com- ing to Lincoln county he settled on a claim, where he has lived ever since. He proved up on his homestead in July, 1887. The vicissitudes which have visited the life of Mr. Carpenter have been of various kinds and some of them of an exceedingly severe nature. While in California, he was quite successful in his various business enterprises and accumulated considerable means. On his return to Ohio he purchased his father's farm with the money he had saved while in California. When he purchased the mill in New York he had to mortgage his farm, and when the mill, upon which there was no in- surance, was destroyed by fire, our subject lost all he had, and did not possess enough money to pay the freight on his household goods when he reached Wisconsin on his way to his present home in Minnesota. He succeeded in completing the journey and made his location, and since that time has been eagerly and systematically en-
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deavoring to replenish his depleted for- tunes. He now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, with about sixty acres under cultiva- tion, has four horses and sixteen head of cat- tle, and is well supplied with various kinds of farm implements. He has good buildings and has surrounded himself with signs of thrift and industry. Since coming to the township Mr. Carpenter has identified him- self closely with all the interests of his lo- cality. He has assisted both by word and money in the various public enterprises which have been brought to the attention of the people. In the political government of his township he has also taken an active in- terest, and being possessed of good business abilities, has in every way served his con- stituency well and efficiently. He has held various official positions, among them being the office of justice of the peace, assessor, supervisor, treasurer and director of the school district. For seven or eight years he has been postmaster of Lake Stay postoffice. He is a loyal citizen, a good friend and neigh- bor, has many warm friends and acquaint- ances, and is a consistent member of the Congregationalist church.
December 20, 1868, was the wedding-day of the subject of our sketch. On that day Mr. Carpenter was married in Watertown, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary J. Porter, a daughter of Justus K. and Sibyl (Harding) Porter, both of whom were natives of New York State. This happy union has been blessed with the following named children- Nellie Susan, Alice Elizabeth, May Lily (who died January 23, 1889), and Justus A.
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ANIEL C. DAVIS is an influential citizen of Bingham Lake, Cotton wood county, Minnesota, where he has resided since 1871. He was the first permanent settler in the village, and, in company with R. P. Matthews, established all the corners
on the town site. On coming to the village Mr. Davis opened a general store and oper- ated the same for about three years. He then commenced handling stock, in which line he has been engaged ever since, in con- nection with farming. He raises thorough- bred sheep and keeps constantly over two hundred head. Ever since coming to the county our subject has taken an active inter- est in all matters of a public nature and has held with credit various official positions. He was treasurer of the township for two years, and efficiently filled the office of coun- ty commissioner for three years. He has always been a member of the school board and has taken an active part in educational matters.
Mr. Davis was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 29, 1844. His father, George W. Davis, was a farmer and a lawyer by profession. He was a native of Vermont, where he was reared and educated. He studied law while still a young man and followed that line for some years. He was a custom officer at Hogansburgh, Franklin county, New York, from the time of Lin- coln's first administration to that of Grover Cleveland. He is now living a retired life in New York. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Caroline Jackson, a native of Ver- mont, where she was reared and educated. The parents were farmers and are still liv- ing. Our subject was one of five children- Daniel C., James B. (deceased), Martha A., George E. and Laura A.
Receiving his early training and education in his native State, our subject remained there until he was twenty years of age. He then came west to Peshtigo, Marinette coun- ty, Wisconsin, where he engaged in lumber- ing during one season. Removing thence he went to St. Johnsville, Illinois, where he engaged in handling horses for two years. He then removed to Plainview, Minnesota, and in 1871 came to his present location and
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engaged in the mercantile business. In poli- tics Mr. Davis affiliates with the republican party, and from 1872 to 1886 was postmaster of Bingham Lake. He is an influential citi- zen, a prosperous merchant and is esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity.
Mr. Davis was married in October, 1872, to Miss Minnie S. Rich, a native of Vermont, but reared and educated in Minnesota. Her parents were pioneer settlers of Wabasha county, this State. They are now in the hotel business in Volga, Dakota. Mrs. Da- vis was for years a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. have had one child, Harry D.
OLONEL SAMUEL McPHAIL is per- haps one of the best known and most influential citizens of Alta Vista township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He is the son of John and Hannah (McAdams) McPhail, both natives of Scotland.
The native place of our subject, Colonel McPhail, is in Russellville, Logan county, Kentucky, where he was born May 2, 1826. His parents moved to East Carroll parish, Louisana, and located on a cotton plantation when our subject was about eight years of age. Here our subject lived with his parents and went to school until he was twelve years of age, and from that time until reaching six- teen years he was assisting his father in his various duties as a city and topographical engineer. The father was an able surveyor and a man of extensive learning and instilled much of hislearning into the mind of his son. The father's life was full of varied ex- periences and covered an extensive territory. For years he was engaged in surveying rivers and harbors and State lines, in all of which our subject rendered him valuable assistance. When Samuel attained the age of sixteen years he was sent to Baton Rouge, where he entered the State military school. Remain-
ing in that institution for about two years he was then assigned to General Zach. Tay- lor's command at Point Isabel, Texas. From that point our subject marched with the troops to Palo Alto, where they en- gaged in their first severe battle May 8, 1846, this being six days after our subject was assigned to duty. After the battle of Palo Alto the command started out on the march and the following morning en- gaged in a battle at Resaca de la Palma. Forty days later found our subject in the heat of the Mexican campaign on their way toward Camargo, where they stopped thirty days for refreshments and to prepare for their march to Monterey. Having arrived before the last-named city they commenced their siege of the same in September, 1846, the enemy capitulating on the 23d day of that month. Eight days later the regiment returned to Camargo to escort a supply train. The route, however, was changed by orders from headquarters and the regiment started under instructions to march across Mexico to Camargo, thence to Matamoras, thence to Topeca, and from thence they sailed to Vera Cruz and joined General Winfield Scott's forces. They remained until after the siege of that city, which lasted from the 9th of March until the 23d. On April 2d they started for the City of Mexico and were met by the forces of Santa Anna, who gave bat- tle and checked the march of the United States troops at Cerro Gordo, April 18, 1847. They then marched to the City of Mexico and were present at four hard-fought battles before the city. After the surrender of the City of Mexico his regiment was stationed at the City of Tolucco until peace was declared in 1848, when his regiment returned to the United States via Vera Cruz.
In 1849 Colonel McPhail visited the Paci- fic Coast, returned in 1850 and came to Min- nesota. In 1851 he made a claim in what is now Houston county, and was the original
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proprietor of Caledonia, the county seat. On the opening of the Civil War he re- ported for duty to General Lyon at St. Louis arsenal and was sent to Cairo, Illinois, and was then put on extraordinary duty, in which he visited General Pillow's command at Memphis, Tennessee, where, having been once in General Pillow's command in Mexico, he was enabled to procure a pass from him, which permitted him to pass all the Confed- erate lines. He has this pass yet in his pos- session. By this pass he was enabled to visit General Cheatam's command at Columbus, also Holland's Ram, the "Turtle," and to give much valuable information to General Prentiss, then at Cairo. He wasin the bat- tle of Fort Donelson, in February, 1862. He returned to Minnesota in 1862, and was sent by Governor Ramsey, with a colonel's com- mission, to command all the mounted forces of Minnesota. He took forty men at Fort Snelling, marched all night and reported to General Sibley at St. Peter, Minnesota. Re- mained in St. Peter one day and night and was then sent by General Sibley to the relief of Fort Ridgely. They left St. Peter near sundown, marched fifty miles that night with 150 citizen-volunteers, and arrived at Fort Ridgely at sunrise next morning.
The next movements were those which immediately preceded the
BATTLE AT BIRCH COULIE.
As so much has been written concern- ing this, we give, in Colonel McPhail's own language, the events leading up to the battle :
"I received orders from General Sibley to take what mounted men I had and move immediately in the direction of the Lower Sioux Agency, the General saying, 'I will send three companies of infantry and some artillery with you. You will ascertain the whereabouts of Major Brown's command and relieve him if he be in trouble. You
will move cautiously ; keep on the prairie as much as possible, and avoid every possibility of an ambush.'
"I immediately mounted what men I had, the number being just seventy-two. These were citizen-volunteers ; many of them mere boys (but of the best of mettle). They were principally armed with shot-guns brought from home. Not one-half of this number had saddles. With this command I moved out about three miles and halted until the detachment of infantry and two mountain howitzers came up, under the command of Major McLaren, of the Sixth Regiment Minnesota Infantry. This perhaps was a
halt of half an hour. My command then moved on the mounted men in front, until we reached the forks of the road, about eight miles from Fort Ridgely. Here we made a short halt to determine which road to take, as we were all in a strange land. While here we heard two or three shots, but were undetermined as to the direction they came from. We finally took the right hand road, as the left led us directly into the woods and deep ravines. We moved on un- til arriving at the east branch of Birch Coulie creek, a deep ravine with some underbrush. Here one of the companies of the Sixth Reg- iment was deployed and skirmished the deep ravine, the column following closely. We then moved forward about half a mile and discovered men to our left in front. At first they appeared to be walking as if in search of something. They spread out and moved to our left and rear, in the direction of the ravine we had just crossed. Some of the boys shouted 'they are Brown's men,' and started to meet them ; when about 400 yards from the command the Indians raised out of the grass and fired on them, wounding one horse. We were then in sight of what proved to be Major Brown's camp, which was on the west side of the west branch of Birch Cou- lie creek, and only the top of a few Sibley
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tents were visible. At this time only some thirty or forty Indians had been in sight. My command was then formed into a hol- low square, mounted men in front, the in- fantry holding both flanks and the rear, the the wagons in square. One howitzer was to the front, the other to the rear. We moved in this plan some three hundred yards and halted to see if I could make out what the camp was. Lieutenant Sheehan and myself could not make out whether they were Sib- ley tents or Indian tepees. I called a half- breed, Quinn by name, and he was undeter- mined in the matter. By this time fully two hundred Indians were in sight, moving slowly to our left and rear. Feeling that it would be madness to attack the Indians in the ravines and brush with the command I had, Lieutenant Sheehan bravely offered his services to carry dispatches to General Sib- ley. My command was then on the open prairie between the east and west branches of Birch Coulie creek. Lieutenant Sheehan left on his perilous journey. I watched with anxiety to see him raise the hill on the east side of the creek, but failing to see him, I became concerned for his safety, having heard shots fired in the direction of the crossing. Then William Wilkins, a
lad from Rice county, offered to go. I made some objections as to his age, but he had the mettle, and I requested one of the boys to let him have a saddle, he having none, when the brave little fellow mounted, and away he went, crossing the ravine half a mile above the road, came out safely, and, as far as I could see him, he was sailing in the air in the direction of Fort Ridgely. I then held a consultation with Major Mc- Laren. I told him I had decided to with- draw to the east side of the creek and go into camp. The Major at first objected. I then explained to him that it was not our safety that concerned me, but that reinforce- ments would have to cross the Coulie, per-
haps in the night, to reach us. I gave the order, and the command withdrew to the east side of the Coulie, went into camp and awaited the arrival of General Sibley, who arrived about midnight."
At about 4:30 A. M., on the morning of September 2d, the Indians made an attack on the detachment of troops which was en- camped on the west side of the west branch of Birch Coulie. This command had taken the usual precautions, although no immedi- ate fears were entertained. Their first warn- ing was a shower of bullets pouring into the encampment, and a fearful and terrible battle ensued, which, for numbers engaged, was one of the most bloody of any in which our forces were engaged during the war. The loss of men in proportion to those engaged was ex- tremely large ; twenty-three were killed out- right, or mortally wounded, and forty-five were so severely wounded as to require sur- gical aid ; while scarce a man remained whose clothing had not been pierced by the enemy's bullets. The advance of Colonel Sibley's forces from the east side of Birch Coulie soon relieved the command.
In 1863 Colonel McPhail commanded the cavalry in the Indian expedition under Gen- eral Sibley, and had three hard-fought bat- tles-Black Mound, Dead Buffalo Lake and Stony Lake. In the first of these his cav- alry "played Indian," and took thirty-one of the red men's scalps.
After the Minnesota cavalry was mustered out, in 1863, Colonel McPhail went on duty in the Army of the Potomac until the spring of 1864. When he returned he built a stock- ade fort at Redwood Falls, and located and laid out the town of Redwood Falls. He continued in this place engaged in selling lands and in other lines of business until 1875, when he came to Lincoln county and settled on a tree claim. He received his patent in the spring of 1887. This claim was not taken because of any desire of our sub-
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ject to make a home, but he took it at the solicitation of the government officials, who desired him to make an experimental tree claim. He commenced his operations with the understanding that in case the tree experiment failed he was to have the land as a homestead. He made a great success in the growth of trees, and as to the kinds best adapted to the Minnesota climate. He has ever since been located in Lincoln county, and has attained large success in his experi- ments on his land.
Colonel McPhail was united in marriage in St. Louis, Missouri, May 2, 1850, to Miss Martha Kingston, a daughter of John and Mary (Atkinson) Kingston. This lady was a sister of the well-known John Dickenson, and was a native of Lebanon, Illinois. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and was well-to-do and respected by the citizens of the place in which he lived. Mrs. Kingston McPhail died a number of years ago, leaving two children-Etta (now Mrs. G. W. Ander- son, a resident of St. Paul) and John (who resides at Tacoma, Washington Territory). The second marriage of Colonel McPhail took place in Grant county, Dakota, Septem- ber 22, 1885, at which time he was wedded to Miss Minnie Baker, a daughter of August and Caroline (Miller) Baker, natives of Ger- many. This lady was born in West Prussia, March 30, 1860. Colonel and Mrs. McPhail have been blessed with one child, Logan, named after the illustrious general and statesman.
The subject of our sketch is perhaps the most widely traveled man in Minnesota. He has visited nearly every State in the Union, and in his military character has marched overland through the great territory at the west of the Mississippi river. Possessed of an excellent education and having imbibed the spirit of adventure from his father, who before him was a man of extensive travels and wide knowledge, he was well fitted for
enjoying his varied experience in the great western country during his military life from 1846 until 1867. Wherever he has been, his qualities as a thorough-going, active, ener- getic man have been always identified and utilized. In his military career he served his country with loyalty and fidelity and no duty was ever placed upon him but was entered into with heartiness that bespoke successful accomplishment. His military conduct was of such a gallant nature that it was continually commended by his superior officers, and the promotions he has received have been granted him because of military conduct. In civil life he has been just as prominent as in military life. He is at present county attorney of Lincoln county and has held that position for sixteen years. While in Caledonia, Minnesota, he was judge of the county court, and while in that position ex- hibited excellent abilities as a judicial officer. He has also held numerous positions of minor importance. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Franklin Lodge, No. 25, and also of the Naphtella Chapter, No. 4. In politics he is, as he avers, a straight republican, and always supports the ticket put forth by that party. It is well to notice that in his military career his promotions were gradual and betokened a continual daring spirit and a hearty interest in the successful outcome for the Union arms in the Civil War. He was promoted succes- sively through the offices of second and first lieutenants, captain, major, lieutenant-col- onel, and finally colonel. This is no honor- ary title given by courteous friends and neighbors, but it is a title which has been earned by participation in many hard-fought engagements and for military conduct at the front in the thick of battle. Being a man of public character, and indeed one of the early settlers of Lincoln county, our subject is perhaps one of the best known and most re- spected citizens of this part of Minnesota.
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