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 88

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 88

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RANK TERRY, a leading business man of Slayton, Murray county, Minnesota, is engaged in operating a first- class livery. He is the son of George S. and Georgianna (Le Broy) Terry, natives of Hampshire, England.

Frank Terry is also of English birth, being born in Hampshire of that country, Decem- ber 22, 1866. He lived on the farm with his parents until their death, the father dy- ing in his native land in November, 1878, and the mother in November, 1882. Until fifteen years of age our subject received a good common-school education, and was then apprenticed to the proprietor of a training stable, with whom he served over a year. In 1883 he emigrated to America, locating on a farm for a short time in the vicinity of St. James, Minnesota. In the fall of that year he came to the village of Slayton, and during the winter worked at whatever he could find to do. In the spring of 1884 he found employment in the creamery, at which employment he continued until fall. In the late winter he commenced an engagement in the livery barn of A. Moore, continuing with him most of the time until fall. Then, in company with Mr. Mobray, he engaged in hunting prairie chickens and shipping to for- eign markets. This occupation proved quite successful and highly profitable, as they

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killed and shipped over fifteen hundred chickens, most of them going to the city of Minneapolis. During the winter that fol- lowed he went to his native land on a brief visit, remaining there from December until July, 1886, in which month he returned to Slayton. He then built his livery barn, purchased his horses and has been engaged in operating a livery business ever since. He has first-class outfits and is well prepared to supply the traveling public with desirable and fair-priced livery outfits. He is a pleas- ant, obliging gentleman, and has made many friends during his residence in Slayton.

ON. DANIEL MCARTHUR is the esteemed probate judge of Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he has a large number of warin friends. He is the son of Donald and Catharine (McDonald) Mc- Arthur, who were born in the highlands of Scotland. The parents of the subject of our sketch were farmers by occupation, and in early life came from their native land to America, stopping in Canada.

Judge McArthur was born in Ontario, near Toronto, Canada, September 8, 1832. He resided with his parents on the home farm and attended the district schools, acquiring a good common-school education. During his early life he attended school nearly all the time, but on becoming old enough to work on the farm he was sent to school during the winter months, and during the summers assisted in the farm work. He remained with his parents until he was about twenty-one years of age, when he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, continuing for three years at this occupation during the summer months and attending school for some time in the winter. After this period had expired he commenced working on a farm, and in the spring of 1857 came to

Minnesota and located on a pre-emption in Olmsted county. He remained on this farm, with the exception of the time spent in the Union army, until 1880, when he removed to Lake Benton. In August, 1862, Judge McArthur enlisted in Company F, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, as a private. Part of his regiment was sent to Glencoe, whence, after one month had expired, they were sent to Fort Ridgely, making that fort their headquarters until 1863. The regi- ment was then ordered South to participate in active proceedings at the front. Our subject saw an exciting military career until June 10, 1864, when he was taken prisoner. He was kept by the Rebel forces until October 16, 1864, when he escaped to the Union lines. His escape from his Rebel captors was made by jumping from the cars while he was being taken from one prison to another. He was sixteen days tramping through the marshes and hiding in the woods, shunning every sign of human life, and suffering untold distress from hunger and thirst. After sixteen days he succeeded in finding his way back to the Union lines, where he joined his regiment. He continued in the service until August 25, 1865, when his regiment was mustered out at Fort Snelling. Mr. McArthur then returned to his home in Olmsted county, resumed farm- ing, and continued his residence there until 1880. In 187S he started for the western part of the State for the purpose of looking up a place in which to locate. He selected a piece of land in Lincoln county, filed on it as a soldier's homestead and improved it until 1880, when he moved his family from his home in Olmsted county to his claim near Lake Benton. He has purchased other lands adjoining, and now has 240 acres. He continued his residence on it until the fall of 1886, then the family moved to the village of Lake Benton, where the following spring he built a nice residence.

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Judge McArthur was married in Good- hue county, Minnesota, in February, 1858, to Jane Martin, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Annett) Martin, natives of the low- lands of Scotland. This union has been blessed with three children - Katie J., Daniel T. and Gilbert W., all born in Olm- sted county.

The subject of our sketch has taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the local government since coming to the county. In fact his abilities are of such a high order in this particular that it has been almost impossible for him to escape the re- sponsibilities of official position. Without solicitation he has at various times been called upon to serve in various responsible places for the benefit of his fellow-citizens. He affiliates with the republican party. Among . the offices which he has held may be named the following: Village recorder, chairman of the board of supervisors, which position he held for four years, and justice of the peace, which office he has held ever since his location in the county, with the exception of one year. He is at present justice of the peace and probate judge. In the latter posi- tion he has succeeded in winning the respect and admiration of his fellow-citizens by virtue of his rare fidelity to the interests of the various kinds of business which come to his hands. Many difficulties of an intri- cate and delicate nature are presented to him for adjudication and in all these he has inani- fested a desire to fulfill the spirit of the laws and to deal out impartial justice to all parties concerned. Having been connected with the department of justice for many years, he has become well versed in the law. He is a man of the highest integrity of character, is a loyal citizen, a warm friend and obliging neighbor, and has planted himself firmly in the respect of his fellow-citizens. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 77, of Lake Benton, and

was the first commander of Old Abe post, No. 39, of the village.

OSEPH BRISTOL is a resident of Sweet township, Pipestone county, Minnesota, and owns a fine farm on section 12. He is one of the well-to-do and influential farmers of the county, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. He was born September 6, 1846, in the State of New York. The parents of our subject were David and Miss (Robinson) Bristol, natives of New York. About three years after the birth of our sub- ject .the family removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, where the father rented a farmi and engaged in its operation for a number of years. Later he removed to Dane county, same State, where he followed agriculture until his death, in June, 1856. The mother remarried, and went to California in the spring of 1859, where she died the following spring.

The subject of our sketch remained with his father on the farm, and received his edu- cation in the common schools of Wisconsin. When the mother went to California, Joseph settled in Marshalltown, Iowa, and remained about one year, engaged in different kinds of occupation. He then returned to his na- tive State, settling in Camden, Oneida county, where he found employment in a large mill, and continued in that line of work until August 5, 1862. At that date our sub- ject enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth New York Infantry. He continued throughout the service, and was discharged at Raleigh, North Carolina, June 8, 1865, being mustered out at Syracuse, New York, June 22d of the same year. Much severe service was seen by our sub- ject. After his discharge our subject re- turned to Camden, New York, and remained about a month, after which he removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Arriving in that

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place, he turned his attention to carpenter work, and continued at that line until 1869, in which year he removed to St. Charles, Minnesota, and engaged in running a thresh- ing-machine. St. Charles remained his home but a few years, after which he concluded to try to better liis fortunes by finding a location somewhere on a farm. So he fitted up a team and wagon and started out for Southwestern Minnesota, arriving in Pipestone county and locating the claim where he now lives on the 20th of May, 1878. He at once commenced breaking his land, and remained until June 23, when he returned to St. Charles and again resumed the threshing business. May 9th of the following year he brought his family to his farm, and has since remained.

Mr. Bristol was married, November 15, 1870, to Miss Ellen Larson. This union has been blessed with one child-Julia, now liv- ing at home.

Coming to the township in an early day, Mr. Bristol has had the privilege of witness- ing the remarkable growth of this county in wealth and prosperity. With the growth of the township our subject has also grown in wealth, and now has an excellent farm, on which are found good buildings. He has a pleasant home and a bright and agreeable family. In all matters pertaining to the general welfare of the township, his assistance has never been asked in vain. He is an in- telligent and whole-hearted gentleman, and is one of the most agreeable persons to meet in the township. In politics he has identi- fied himself with no particular party, but believes in supporting the best men. He lias held several positions in the government of the township, and has at all times proven a satisfactory official. For the past five years he has been a member of the town board, and during two years of that time has held the position of chairman. He is a leading and influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Simon Mix Post, No. 95.

W. ANNIS, an attorney and mayor of the village of Windom, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, is a native of Port Huron, Michigan, where he was born August 8, 1854. His parents were Rev. G. N. and Melissa (Willitts) Annis, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. The father was highly educated, and was a minister of the Baptist church, commencing his labors in that denomination at thirty years of age. He is now living in Washington Territory.

The subject of our sketch followed his parents in their various moves to the States of Michigan and Minnesota. He was thor- oughly educated in his youth and young manhood, and took up the profession of teaching, being principal of the Madelia schools for three years after coming to this State, and came to Windom in 1881, taking charge of the schools of that village for two years. He has given a number of years to educational work, and has had charge of some of the leading schools in the State of Minnesota. After leaving the school in Windom, Mr. Annis went to Dakota, with the intention of establishing himself in the mercantile business. After spending a sum- mer he altered his plans, went to Ann Ar- bor, Michigan, and graduated from the law department of that institution in 1885. In July of that year he returned to Windom, opened a law office, and also became prin- cipal of the schools for one year. For the same length of time he was in partnership with Mr. J. S. Ingalls, since which time he has been conducting his business alone. He has built up an extensive practice, is a man of the strictest integrity, and is esteemed both as a business man and exemplary cit- izen. In politics he affiliates with the repub- lican party, is an Odd Fellow, and is one of the prominent attorneys of the county.

Mr. Annis was married in 1888 to Miss Ella F. Chadwick, daughter of Edwin and Helen M. Chadwick, of Galesburg, Mich-

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igan. Mrs. Annis died March 18, 1889, leaving one child, Earl C.

ENJAMIN H. SORENSON is a thrifty farmer of Alta Vista township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he owns a farm on section 8. Mr. Sorenson is the son of Soren and Karen (Jorgen) Zahl, natives of Norway. The parents were influential peo ple in their native land, and were engaged in the occupation of farming.

The subject of our sketch was born in the northern part of Norway, at Holgeland, January 12, 1840. He remained with his parents on the farm, receiving a good com- mon-school education until he was seventeen years of age. Though the parents lived on a farm, and engaged somewhat in farming, this was not their sole business. Consider- able of their attention was given to fishing. When our subject reached the age of seven- teen he engaged in clerking 'in a general store in his native country, and continued his employment there for about six years. He then became a fisherman by occupation, and engaged in that line for about seven years. At the end of this period he concluded to try his fortunes in the new world. He came to America in 1869, and located for a time in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he engaged in working on a farm for about a year. Then in 1870 he came to Lincoln county, and located a homestead in what is now Alta Vista township. When he first came to the county the land where he located was not surveyed, and he could not file on his property for two years, at which time the survey was made. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres, with about seventy acres under cultivation, has a good barn 30x50 feet in size with sixteen-foot posts, a good frame dwelling-house, and also a frame granary 16x26 feet, with an addition four-

teen feet in width, which he uses as a machinery shed. These buildings are all nicely painted, and show excellent care and attention.

The subject of our sketch was married in Norway, in September, 1864, to Ragnhild Siversen. This union has been blessed with the following-named children-Saras K. and Bernard M. Saras K. was married to Miss Diana Christianson, a daughter of Christian and Almira Sorenson. This marriage oc- curred December 19, 1888.

The subject of our sketch was the first settler of Alta Vista township, and since making his location has become well-known for uprightness of character and loyal cit- izenship. He has contributed generously of his time and means in the furtherance of projects tending to public improvement. His son is clerk of the school board, and the family occupy a prominent place among the citizens of the township: In politics our sub- ject affiliates with the republican party.

JOHN P. HAUG is a member of the firm of Hawes, Haug & Co., general mer- chants of Luverne, Minnesota. Mr. Haug made his location in this city in Angust, 1880, and for some seven years engaged in clerking. At the end of that period, in con- nection with the gentleman named above, he opened his present business, at which he has since been engaged. They have an excellent and fully assorted stock of goods, and are carrying on a large business.

Mr. Haug is a native of Norway, where he was born November 27, 1859. His parents were Peter J. and Marthan (Peterson) Haug, both natives of Norway. The father was an extensive farmer of his native land, and a prominent member of the Lutheran church. In the father's family there were seven chil- dren-Jens, John P., Martin P., now a man- ufacturer; Petra, now Mrs. Satrug; Andrew,

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Ole and Carl, the last three being at present in Luverne.

The subject of our sketch received his early training on the home farm, and was a grad- uate of what is known as the middle schools of Norway. After his school days were over he was employed as a clerk in an office for some time, and came to America in April, 1880. He first visited Wisconsin and other parts of the West before coming to Luverne, where he located in August of that year. Our subject is a republican in politics, be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, and is an influential member of the Lutheran church. The firm of which he is one of the leading members possesses an extensive patronage. Our subject has been one of the most active business men in the village, and by his ener- getic business habits has made many friends among the merchants of the city. He is a man of gentlemanly bearing, of high charac- ter, and is becoming one of the most respected merchants of the place.

ANDREW MILNE is the president of the Star Manufacturing Company, proprietors of the foundry and machine shops of Winnebago City, Faribault county, Iowa. The company is composed of Andrew Milne, president; W. J. Milne, secretary, and James Bennett, treasurer. This company manu- factures articles of iron, brass, etc., and all kinds of castings are made to order, and they also manufacture and deal in engines, boilers, mill machinery, steam and water fittings, leather and rubber beltings, sleighs, wagons, etc. The company was incorporated in 1886, and is doing a large business, keeping an average of five men at work constantly, and using somewhat over a ton of iron a week.

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is a native of Edin- burgh, Scotland, where he was born in 1837. His parents were William and Margaret

(Gearns) Milne, natives of Scotland. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and later in life became an overseer in a woolen mill. He went to Canada in 1842 and died in 1852. The mother died in the same year. They had a family of eight children, four of whom are now living-Euphemia, now Mrs. Stewart; Jane, now Mrs. Hamilton; James and Andrew.

When he was five years of age our subject came with his parents to Canada, where he received his education and resided with his parents until he was fourteen years of age. He then commenced learning the black- smith's trade, serving an apprenticeship of five years, and attending night school in order to obtain a better education. After this period of time had expired he accepted a position on the Grand Trunk railroad, and was employed as foreman of a gang of laborers running a steam shoveler. He con- tinued at this until 1857, when he came to Whitewater, Wisconsin, and worked at black- smithing for the Central Railroad Company for a time. The company failed and our subject found work as foreman in the wagon and plow shops of Winchester, DeWolf & Co., for eight years. He then commenced operating a machine shop at Fort Atkinson, under the firm name of Powers, Milne & Co. He continued in this line until 1874, when he removed to New Richmond, same State, and engaged in the hotel business. Later he turned his attention to blacksmithing and located at Shell Rock, Washburn county, where he finally found work with the Shell Rock Lumber Company and continued with them some five years. One year thereafter was spent in Iowa, and he then, in 1886, came to Winnebago City, where he has since resided. Since locating here he has pur- chased a fine residence in the city, and has become otherwise interested in various in- vestments. He has always been a man of activity in public matters and has held vari-

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ous official positions, having affiliated for years with the republican party. While at Shell Rock, Wisconsin, he was the first chair- man of the county board, and was also chair- man of the Shell Rock township supervisors for some time. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and with his family attends the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Milne was married July 14, 1858, to Eunice Williams, of Cold Springs, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. She was a daughter of Ezra Williams, a prominent citizen of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Milne have been blessed with three children-Euphemia J., now Mrs. Turris (who has three children- Essie, Ella and Maude); William J. and Maude M.

IMON HANSON, a leading merchant and influential citizen, operates a, gen- eral store in Hadley, Murray county, Min- nesota. He was born in Norway, October 14, 1849. His parents were Hans and Julia (Engebretson) Simonson, both natives of Norway. The father during his early life was a stockman, and later engaged in farm- ing in his native land. He came to America with his family in 1861, landing at Quebec, whence he went to Wisconsin, and thence, after a brief stay of four months, to Fillmore county, Minnesota. Here he purchased land and engaged in farming for eleven years. Then in 1872 he removed to Murray county and took a claim on section 10 of Leeds township, where he now lives. The father was one of the first settlers of the township, and became one of its most prominent citi- zens.

The subject of our sketch was given a good common-school education in Norway up to the time of his coming to America with his parents in 1861. He continued with them on the home farm occupied in farm work and attending the district schools in the win-

ters until he was twenty-three years of age. He then left home and worked in various parts of the State until he was twenty-eight years old. He was then married and took a homestead about a mile from the village of Hadley. Here he engaged in farming until 1887, in which year he removed to Slayton and with a partner opened a general store. After ten months this partnership was dis- solved and Mr. Hanson came to Hadley vil- lage and opened the store which he now runs. He has an excellent stock of goods . worth about two thousand dollars.

Mr. Hanson was married December 9, 1877, to Miss Ida Peterson, a native of Nor- way, and a daughter of Ira and Gertrude (Engebretson) Peterson. Her parents now reside in the village of Slayton. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have been blessed with four children-Henry, Gertie, and Charles and Stella (twins.)

Since making his location in Murray county, our subject has taken an active part in all public affairs and has served his fellow- citizens in various official positions. Affiliat- ing with the republican party he has been elected by the constituents of that organiza- tion to the offices of justice of the peace, supervisor, chairman of the board of super- visors, and road overseer, holding the latter office five years. He is a man of excellent character and belongs to the Lutheran church.

OSEPH SAVAGE, a resident farmer of Delton township, Cottonwood coun- ty, Minnesota, is the son of Patrick and Rose (Brodigan) Savage, natives of Ireland. Joseph was born in County Louth, Ireland, October 20, 1828. When eleven years of age our subject commenced work in a cotton factory, and was thus engaged for twenty-five years, first commencing that work in a factory in Droghady, Ireland. His engagement in that

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line of business was continued for the num- ber of years just stated in various places in the old country and in America. When about seventeen years of age he came to America, and found employment at his trade in Lowell, Massachusetts, after which he removed to Putnam, Connecticut, remaining in that city for fourteen or fifteen years. At the end of this time he visited various places in the South as an expert, adjusting machinery in cotton factories. Being thus engaged until the spring of 1861, he then went to Markesan, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in work on a farm. His next move was to Winona, Minnesota, and thence he went to Mankato, and various other places. He finally settled in Brown county, Minne- sota, where he took a homestead and resided about fifteen years, when he sold out and removed to Delton township, Cottonwood county, where he took a tree claim on section 24 in 1878, where he has since lived. While a resident of Mankato he went South in the government employ, and while in Decatur, Alabama, was pressed into the service as a deck hand on board a gunboat. Before he was taken on board the boat he had charge of the mail along a railroad which was de- stroyed by the Union army. He carried the mail for a time on a hand-car, and also car- ried passengers occasionally, and quite often made the sum of twenty-five dollars per day from passengers who had to pass along the route.

Mr. Savage was married in Putnam, Con- necticut, August 5, 1850, to Miss Esther Riley, daughter of Barnard and Mary (Doyle) Riley, natives of Dublin, Ireland. This lady was born in Dublin on Palm Sunday in the month of April, 1831. She died in Cotton- wood county, November 6, 1885. This union was blessed with the following-named chil- dren-Joseph, who died in 1854; Mary Ann, married to William Williams, and now resid- ing in Iowa; Rose J., married to Edward

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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 88

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