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 89

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 89

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Hilton, and now residing in St. Paul; Cath- arine, married to James Quinn, and a resident of Los Angeles, California : Esther, married to Alphonzo Charboneau, head waiter of the Merchants Hotel, St. Paul ; John P., Mar- garet, Ellen, Joseph, Nicholas, Alice and Theresa. While a resident of Connecticut our subject sent for his parents and his fam- ily, thirteen in all, and paid their passage to America, and assisted them in getting com- fortably settled in this country.

ALEXANDER McNAUGHTON is a resident of section 26, Altona town- ship, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He is a well-known and prosperous farmer, and owns an excellent farm of 160 acres. Mr. Mc- Naughton is a Canadian by birth and was born in that country, February 6, 1851.

The parents of our subject were Peter and Janet (McIntyre) McNaughton, both of whom were born in Canada. The parents were well-to-do farmers of that country, and resided there throughout their lives, the father dying some years ago.

The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent on the home farm. He was a dutiful son and assisted his parents in every way possible to improve their farm and lay by means to protect them in their old age. He was given a good common-school educa- tion and remained beneath the parental roof until he was twenty-six years of age. At that time he went to Chicago and worked at the cabinet-maker's trade for about six months in that city. He then returned to his home in Canada and remained about two years, removing thence to Eau Claire, Wis- consin. He remained iu that city and vicin- ity for about five years, occupied with work at the lumber business. Then, May 7, 1878, he came to Pipestone county and took his claim in Altona township. When he first came there was but one house in the township, that

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being the dwelling of Morris Rouche, who lived about three miles from where our subject located. Mr. McNaughton put up the second shanty in the township and made his home on his farm throughout the season, breaking five acres of land and making other improvements. He then went back to Wisconsin and after remaining in that State about five months, returned to his claim and has remained ever since with the exception of five months in the summer of 1879, which were spent in Wisconsin.

Mr. McNaughton was married March 1, 1888, to Miss Nora Hickey, of Canada. Her parents now live in St. Mary's, Canada.

The subject of our sketch has taken a great interest in the affairs of the local gov- ernment since coming to the township and has held various positions of trust. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors one term, and has served as a member of the board for four terms. He has also been assessor of the township for some years. In politics he affiliates with the republican party. Mr. McNaughton is a man of good business qualities, is respected for his honesty and uprightness of character, and exerts a wide influence among the citizens of his township. He has a good farm of 160 acres and has a pleasant home.

ON. M. K. ARMSTRONG is the president of the Bank of St. James, established in 1878. He is a native of Erie county, Ohio, where he was born September 19, 1832. Coming to Minnesota in an early day, he has been one of its most prominent citizens, and has held important positions. He was appointed surveyor of Watonwan county, and later held the same office in Mower county for two years. In 1859 he went to Yankton, Dakota, and surveyed numerous claims for early settlers. He was elected to the first legislature of Dakota, and

served for ten years. He was elected Ter ritorial treasurer in 1864 and held the posi- tion for two years. During a period of ten years he was secretary of the Biographical and Historical Society of Dakota, and while occupying that position wrote a history of Dakota. He was appointed secretary of the peace commission to treat with the Indians in 1868-69. He was a member of the senate of the Territory during the same years. In 1870 he was elected Territorial delegate to congress, and served two terms, from 1871 to 1875. In 1878 he located in St. James, Watonwan county, Minnesota, where he en- gaged in the banking business. He is a democrat in politics and is one of Watonwan county's most prominent citizens.

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OHN G. MILLER, one of the foremost business men of Lakefield, Jackson county, Minnesota, is the son of Eli and Mary Ann (Brown) Miller, natives of Penn- sylvania. Our subject was born in the same State, his birthplace being opposite Harris- burg in Cumberland county, where he first saw the light June 24, 1834.

When our subject was thirteen years old he was bound out to Benjamin Morrison, a machinist, and remained under his charge until 1849, when the indenture of apprentice- ship was mutually annulled. At this time he moved with his father's family across the Alleghany mountains, locating in Wayne county, Ohio, in September, and shortly afterward our subject ran away, joining a company on its way to California. His father caught him, however, before he had gone very far and brought him back to the family fold. John continued his residence with his father until 1851, and then found employment in the neighborhood, working on various farms until 1855. He then re- moved to Mercer county, Ohio, where he taught school and worked at the carpenter's

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trade until 1864. However, in the years 1863 and 1864, he made two trips to Canada in the interest of the State and under orders from Governor Todd. In these matters per- taining to the welfare of various State enter- prises our subject was highly successful, and merited the commendation which he received from his superior officers. In 1864 he re- moved to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, and there entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, continuing a profitable engagement with this company until 1875. He then made an engagement with the Peoria City Plow Company and the Mathiesen & Hegeler Zinc Works, of La Salle, Illinois, and re- moved overland to Jackson county, Min- nesota, in company with his son-in-law, B. D. Froelinger. He located on section 6, of Belmont township, and resided on this farm on the Des Moines river for one year. Dur- ing this time the village of Lakefield was surveyed and platted, and coming to the village, Mr. Miller engaged in contract work until August, 1880. At that date he brought his family to Lakefield, where they still live. For a short time after bringing his family our subject engaged in work at his trade and then put in a stock of machinery, which business he has been conducting ever since with merited success. He is agent for the Walter A. Wood Farm Machinery Com- pany.

In September, 1858, in Mercer county, Ohio, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Barbara Waples, daughter of Casper and Margaret Waples, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Miss Barbara was born in Mercer county, Ohio, February 11, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been blessed with the following named children-Charlotte Frances, Margaret Alice, William T. S., George B. McClellan, Katie Gertrude and Charles Francis. Charlotte inarried Bernard D. Froelinger, and now resides in Marshall county, Illinois.

In politics the subject of our sketch affiliates with the prohibition party, and is also a man of strong prohibition principles, believ- ing in the entire destruction of the liquor traffic. He has been quite prominent in local governmental affairs, assisted in the organization of school district No. 38, of which he has been a trustee for five years ; has been postmaster for two years; was justice of the peace for six years, and has been village justice since the incorporation of Lakefield. In connection with his other business he has also pursued the study of law, and has practiced to some extent before the minor courts. He has not been admitted to the bar, but intends presenting himself for that purpose some day in the near future. He is a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by his fellow-citizens.

T ENJAMIN F. VORIES, a leading at- torney of Fairmont, Martin county, Minnesota, is the son of John H. and Ellen (Jacobs) Vories, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and Virginia. Our subject was born in Marshall county, Indiana, December 31, 1853, to which State his parents had re- moved in early life.

When our subject was about ten years of age his father died, and he with three other sons lived on the farm with the mother, until they commenced doing for them- selves several years later. Our subject attended the district school, and was also prouided with the advantages furnished by a private school in his locality. On com- pleting his education in the schools of his township, he turned his attention to the profession of teaching, and engaged thereat for some three terms. He then attended the Union Christian College in southern Indiana, and graduated therefrom after a four years'

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course of study. He then returned home, and after a short time went into a law office in Plymouth, studying with the firm of Capern & Capern, and continuing with them for some three years. He was admitted to the bar in the village in which he had studied in May, 1878, at a term of court over which Judge Keath presided. In June of that year he came to Minnesota, and after traveling about for some time settled in Fairmont in August, but, owing to ill health, he remained but a short time, and on leaving returned to Indiana. In December he again came to Fairmont, and formed a law partnership with M. E. L. Shanks, Esq. They remained in partnership until Mr. Shanks was elected county auditor, at which time the firm was dissolved. Since then our subject has con- tinued in business alone, and he has built up a large and lucrative practice.

No attorney in the county has taken a more prominent part in public affairs, and no other man has risen to a higher degree of popularity. He is one of the best attorneys in southern Minnesota, and handles all cases that come to him with a remarkable vig- ilance and success, and has in all official positions to which he has been called, served with the highest degree of efficiency. He has been a member of the village council for five years, and has also been attorney for the corporation for several terms. In the fall of 1884 he was elected county attorney, but, being a candidate again in 1886, was defeated by F. S. Livermore by but thirteen votes. In 1888 he was elected again to the office of county attorney on the democratic ticket, although the county is republican by a heavy majority. To illustrate the pop- ularity to which Mr. Vories has attained, it is but necessary to say that although the county was republican by 682 majority, yet when he was a candidate for county attor- ney the last time in 1888, he was elected by a majority of 337 votes ; and this in the face

of the fact that his opponent stumped every district in the county while our subject made not a single speech. Heis a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 64, of Fairmont, and also of Chapter No. 50, Apollo Commandery, of Albert Lea.

- APTAIN MONS GRINAGER, de- ceased, was, during his life-time, one of the leading men of Southwestern Minne- sota. He was born in Hadeland, in the kingdom of Norway, October 7, 1832, and died in the city of Minneapolis, State of Min- nesota, January 30, 1889. In the year 1853 lie immigrated to America, coming directly to St. Paul. In 1854 he removed to Decorah, Iowa, where he remained until 1859. He then settled on a farm at Bath, Freeborn county, Minnesota. In December, 1861, he recruited a company, consisting chiefly of Scandinavians from Iowa and Minnesota, and joined the Fifteenth Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry. His company became Company K of that regiment; he was chosen captain, and served as such with honor and credit during the war, participating in ten regular battles, besides many skirmishes. Captain Grinager was severely wounded and made prisoner in the battle of Stone River; but he escaped and lay concealed in an old building at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for several days without food or surgical attendance, until the arrival of the Federal troops. At the battle of Chickamauga, all his superior offi- cers being disabled, Captain Grinager com- manded the regiment, and was specially mentioned for gallant services. At the close of the war, Captain Grinager returned to his farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1874 he was appointed by President Grant register of the land office at Worthington, Minnesota. He was re-appointed by Presi- dent Hayes in 1877 and by President Arthur in 1882. He resigned this office in 1886, and

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accepted the vice-presidency of the Scandia Bank of Minneapolis, removing with his family to that city, where he was identified with other important business interests. Captain Grinager was honored in 1888 by his party by being placed at the head of the republican electoral ticket of Minnesota, and by being made vice-president of the National Republican league. He was elected a com- panion of the Minnesota Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, May 2, 1888, and his funeral services were partici- pated in by the sorrowing companions of the order.

Captain Grinager was justly honored by thousands of citizens of the State of his adoption, and tenderly loved by a large circle of personal friends. He was, in war, the true type of a brave and self-sacrificing vol- unteer soldier-in peace a shining example of honest, industrious, patriotic citizenship. He conscientiously performed the duties of offi- cial position, and in all relations of life, as husband, father, associate and friend, he was a model of faithfulness and integrity.

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LEXANDER C. FLETCHER is a lead- ing farmer and stock raiser located on section 32 of Lake Benton township, Lincoln county, Minnesota. He located on this claim in 1879, purchasing the homestead right of another party. He has thoroughly improved his farm at considerable cost, and has made his place one of the finest in the township. He has over 217 acres of land, on which is found excellent water and soil of the very best quality. Mr. Fletcher was one of the very first settlers of Lake Benton township and since making his location here has been actively engaged in operating his farm, and has met with merited success in all its de- partments.

The place of the nativity of the subject of our sketch is found near Brooklyn, five miles

from Carbondale, Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania, where he was born April 19, 1828. Making his home with his parents in that locality until he was seven years of age, they then removed to Oneida county, New York, where they remained some two or three years. Removing thence they lived for some three years in the village of Seneca Lake, in Chemung county. Our subject made his home with his parents until he attained the age of twenty years, at which time he re- moved with them to Lake county, Illinois, and there engaged in working out on various farms. In the year 1850, together with his brother-in-law, he went to California to prospect and work in the mines. He re- mained in that State for some five years, en- gaged principally in mining, and after that period returned to Lake county, Illinois, to visit his parents. On arriving in that local- ity he found that his people had disposed of all their property and removed to Winona, Minnesota. Our subject followed the family and located in the vicinity of the city of Winona. Here he continued to live until coming to his present place in 1879. Through- out his varied career our subject has been a prominent man in the various localities in which he has lived. He is possessed of more than ordinary abilities and has served in various official capacities. He has held the office of township supervisor, township clerk, and various school offices. He has always been interested in the financial and social development of the citizens of the locality in which he has resided, and has taken an inter- est in political and civic matters of various kinds. While in Winona he joined the Prairie Lodge, No. 7, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Fletcher was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, June 1, 1858, to Miss Rhoda Gilbert, a native of England. This lady came to America when twelve years of age with her parents and located in the Western

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States. Mrs. Fletcher died in August, 1888, leaving seven living children-Fannie L., now Mrs. William Brattle, of Lake Benton ; William G .; George, who married in 1887; Helen, who married to John Bassett ; Hattie, now Mrs. A. Wair, a resident of Minneapolis; Hughes, a farmer of Marshfield township, Lincoln county ; Lulu, single and a resident of Winona, and Abbie, now in the district schools near her father's home. Fannie and Hattie are both graduates of the Winona normal school.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Joshua and Mary Louise (Gear) Fletcher. The father was a native of Mas- sachusetts, and throughout his life gave his attention to a large extent to agricultural pursuits. He was also a shoemaker by trade and followed that line of business in connection with his farming. In early life he came West, located in Wisconsin and later in Winona, Minnesota, where he died. The mother of our subject was born in New York State, where she received her early training and education. She was married in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and coming West with her family, died in 1867, in Winona. The mother was a loyal Chris- tian woman and a consistent member of the · Presbyterian church. In the father's family there were ten children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood-Charles, Edmund, Harriet, Catharine, Alexander C., Albert (deceased), Frank (deceased), George and Mott. The mother's people made settle- ment on land where the city of Winona now stands.

Our subject came first to Lincoln county with his two sons, George and William, who took land for themselves, built a small house 12x16 feet, and then returned to Winona, where they remained during the winter. They sent a man to build the house and the sons took charge of the work on the place. Crops were very good, and the next year

our subject broke one hundred acres and also set out a fine grove of trees. He has a beautiful location and has a pleasant and commodious dwelling house. Since he came to the county, his crops have been generally very fair, and he has accumulated considerable means. Being one of the early settlers and being possessed of an enterprising spirit, he has held several offices within the gift of the people. For four years he served officially on the board of county commis- sioners, and is at present justice of the peace. In the latter position he has served about four years and has administered all affairs which have come to him with rare judg- ment and impartiality to all concerned. He has also held various school district offices in his district. In politics Mr. Fletcher affiliates with the republican party and is at present a member of Lodge No. 77, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. Since coming to the township he has in various official transactions proven his reliability as a man and a citizen, and has made many warm friends.

AMON R. WOODMAN is one of the leading and most hospitable and in- fluential citizens of Troy township, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota. His fine farm is located on section 11. where he has resided since 1879.

Mr. Woodman was born in Madison, Mad- ison county, New York, March 25, 1829. He is the son of Isaac and Rokana (Rich- mond) Woodman, both of whom were na- tives of the same county. Isaac's parents were natives of Rhode Island, and his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which he served during the greater part of seven years. When Damon was about sev- enteen years old his parents left Madison county and removed to Bureau county, Illi- nois, where the father engaged in work at

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the carpenter's trade. In 1854 the parents , removed to Rice county, Minnesota, locating near the city of Faribault, where they were among the pioneer settlers. The father died in April, 1861, and the mother died in June, 1869.

Damon R. left New York with his parents when he was seventeen years of age, and removed to Bureau county, Illinois. During his early years he was given excellent school advantages and obtained a good common- school education. On coming to Illinois he assisted his father in work at the carpenter's trade, which line of business he followed for some five years. He then concluded to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, rented a farm and continued its operation for some two years. In 1854, when his parents re- moved to Minnesota, he came with them and settled on government land, remaining in Rice county until 1879. At that time he started out by team to find a location in Southwestern Minnesota. He came to Pipe- stone county and located on the land where he now lives. He came to this county alone in the fall of 1879, and his family followed him the next spring.

December 14, 1853, Mr. Woodman was united in marriage to Emma J. Brown, a na- tive of Madison county, New York. Her parents were natives of the same county and are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Woodman have been blessed with three children-Ella R., now married and residing in San Fran- cisco, California; Albert E., a farmer on land adjoining his father's farm; and Lucy M., who still lives at home.

Mr. Woodman is a republican in politics, and is a leader in all matters which tend to the local advancement of that party. He takes an active interest in all things of a public nature, and has the esteem and confi- dence of his fellow-townsmen. He has an excellent farm of 116 acres under a high state of cultivation, and is also engaged to

some extent in stock raising. He is a man of excellent social qualities, pleasant and agreeable in conversation, hospitable and charitable to a very great extent, and is a man possessed of such magnetic tempera- ment that he draws many friends about him. His home is one of the happiest in the town- ship and his family one of the most pleasant and agreeable.

- ANS PETER LEWIS is a prominent dealer in general merchandise in Fulda, Murray county, Minnesota. He is the son of L. E. and Ann C. (Tieg) Lewis, both natives of the kingdom of Norway, and farmers by occupation. The mother died in Norway in July, 1886; the father is still liv- ing in that country.

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born in Holland parish, Norway, August 29, 1851. He re- sided with his parents on the farm, receiving a good common-school education, until about fifteen years of age, after which he helped his father in the farm work. In the spring of 1871 he came to the United States and first located in Grant county, Wisconsin, where during three seasons he worked on a farm. In the spring of 1872 he went to Jackson county, Minnesota, with his brother Christian, with whom he stopped for a short time. Moving thence he went to Windom and clerked in a lumber yard, and about Christmas went to Lake Crystal and attended school until spring, returning to his employ- ment in the lumber yard for a short time thereafter. He then went to Baldwin, Wis- consin, and clerked in a general store for 1} years, and continued his clerkship in various stores for several parties until the spring of 1878, when he went to Heron Lake, Minne- sota, as book-keeper and clerk for J. T. Smith, continuing with him until August, 1880. Ile then came to Fulda and took

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charge of a branch store, over which he con- tinued control until 1883, when Mr. J. M. Jackson purchased an interest therein and took charge of the business. Our subject continued clerking for Mr. Smith until the fall of 1884, when he opened a general mer- cantile business for himself. He has one of the largest stocks in the village and is doing a large and profitable trade. He is a man of public spirit, and has actively participated in all general matters. He has been village recorder almost throughout his entire resi- dence here, and in the spring of 1889 was elected president of the village council. His brother, Christian, is a resident of Jackson county, where he is county sheriff. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and was the first member initiated in Fulda Lodge, No. 170. He is a man of excellent character and is a con- sistent member of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Lewis was married in Heron Lake, May 1, 1880, to Miss Julia E. Rhude, daugh- ter of O. and Rachel Rhude. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been blessed with two children -Roy V. and Florence E.

UDGE J. G. REDDING is one of the leading lawyers of Windom, Cotton- wood county, Minnesota. He was born at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in the year 1849 and was the son of George W., and Johanna (Gleed) Redding, the former a native of Vermont and the latter born in England.

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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 89

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