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 90

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 90

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

Our subject's early life was spent on the farm and he attended the district school during the winter months until he was seventeen years of age. He then became a student at Hamline University, where he pursued his studies for three years. He then engaged in teaching school and later studied law for two years and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He came to the village of Windom in 1882. Since that time he has

steadily gained in popularity and in the es- teein of his fellow-citizens. He was elected clerk of the court in 1882, and on the com- pletion of that term became judge of probate. He has also been county attorney and has otherwise prominently assisted in the affairs of local government. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Judge Redding was married to Ella Lambie of Plainview, Minnesota, in the year 1883. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. By a former wife Mr. Redding had three chil- dren-J. Gleed, Annie and Paul.

ELS NELSON is a member of the firm of Nelson Brothers & Company, leading merchants of Luverne, Minnesota. This firm carries an immense stock of goods, including dry goods, carpets, clothing, boots and shoes, hats, caps, crockery, groceries, etc. They have an elegant double store one hundred feet long, each room being twenty- five feet wide. They employ five clerks and do an immense business, it sometimes being necessary to double their clerical force. Our subject first commenced business in Luverne on Main street, one block from where he is now located. His store was then twenty by forty feet, and the business was then con- ducted under the firm name of Landin & Nelson. This firm did a large general busi- ness and remained in that location for four years, at the end of that time purchasing the general stock of William Jacobsen and re- moved their goods to their present location on the 12th of May, 1880.

The place of the nativity of the subject of our sketch is found in Norway, where his birth took place on the 8th of February, 1848. His parents, Nels and Carrie (Larson) Nelson, were also natives of Norway. Mr.

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Nelson, Sr., was reared on a farm, and en- gaged in that occupation in his native land until coming to America in 1858. His first settlement was made in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased land three miles north of the village of Camden. Here the father continued farming until his death in 1875. He was an active member of the Lutheran church, and lived a consistent Christian life. The mother is now residing in Luverne, living with her son and daugh- ter. In the parents' family there are six living children-Lars Nelson, now engaged in an extensive farming and stock raising business in Dakota; Carrie, now Mrs. C. Gunderson, of Calmar, Iowa; Nels, our sub- ject; Gurena, now Mrs. F. C. Mahoney, of Luverne, a member of the firm of Nelson Brothers & Company; Bertie, now Mrs. Cartrande, of Dakota; and Samuel B., also one of the members of the firm.

Our subject received a good common- school education between the ages of ten. and nineteen years, and during that time spent the intervals in farm work. At nine- teen he commenced clerking in a general store in Camden, Iowa, to which place he had gone with his parents from his native land in 1858. He continued in the employ of one firm in that city for seven years, at the end of which time he came to Luverne and started in business as mentioned in the opening lines of this sketch. He also owned a branch store at Flandreau, Dakota, which he established in 1878, operating the samne for four years. His successful business traits have been more or less succeeded to by his numerous clerks, a number of these having be- come successful merchants at different points. One is a merchant at Luverne, another at Lisbon, Dakota; another at Grafton, same territory; another at Fall River, Dakota; and another in business at Flandreau. The firm have also a branch store at Beaver Creek, and our subject is inter-

ested in several other mercantile enter- prises in different parts of the State of Min- nesota. He is actively engaged in assisting in the building up of the financial enter- prises of Luverne, and was one of the organ- izers of the First National Bank, which started out under the name of the Bank of Luverne. Our subject has been a director of this financial institution since its organiza- tion. He is also one of the stockholders of the Red Jasper Quarry Company, of Luverne. In matters pertaining to the local govern- ment of the town and county in which he lives, Mr. Nelson has taken an active inter- est and has held several official positions. He has been a member of the village council one year, chairman of the council board for four years, and has also been a member of the school board for some time. He built his elegant residence, where he now lives, in 1884. In politics our subject affiliates with the republican party, is a leading mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the most prominent and substantial citizens of Luverne.

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& ZRO P. MCKINSTRY, one of the leading dairymen of the State, located in Verona township, Faribault county, Min- nesota, his present home, in the year 1870, and purchased a farm of 178 acres. He has been engaged extensively in the dairy busi- ness and has raised a large number of Hol- stein and Jersey cattle, keeping constantly from sixty to seventy-five head. He is probably engaged more extensively in dairy- ing than any other farmer in the county. His farming operations are on rather a small scale, his object being to raise only sufficient wheat, oats, etc., for his own use. His farm is located three miles from the thriving vil- lage of Winnebago City, which point Mr. Mckinstry largely supplies with dairy prod-

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ucts. He built and made a success of the first " silo" in the county.

Mr. Mckinstry was born in Bethel, Ver- mont, in July, 1844, and was the son of Paul and Harriet (Lillie) Mckinstry, natives of Vermont. The parents are still living at a hale old age, and reside in Winnebago City. The father is now eighty-two years old, and, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal church. They are highly esteemed for their many generous deeds and for their earnest religious work in Winnebago City and in the county. They have been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and our subject's father has held most of the church offices in that denomina- tion. In his early life Paul Mckinstry en- gaged in farming. and came to Minnesota in 1868, and settled at Winnebago City, taking a farm a short distance south of the village. In 1878 he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness and followed the same until 188S, when he retired from active work. He is stock- holder in the steam-flouring mill, and took an active interest in the various other financial enterprises, assisting very materially in the building up and improving of the village. There are four children in the father's family -Clarrissa, now Mrs. A. P. Hatch, of Ogle county, Illinois ; Henry, a merchant in Win- nebago City ; our subject, and Ellen, now Mrs. J. F. Winship, of Winnebago City.

Until he was eighteen years of age. Azro P. Mckinstry remained a resident of his native place. He attended the public schools, and learned the saddlery business. He enlisted in the Tenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry in August, 1862, and served as a private through- out the war, being discharged at Burlington, Vermont, in 1865. He served gallantly and faithfully and participated in a large number of battles. He was wounded at Cold Har- bor, and was in the hospital for six months. After his recovery he again went to the front and served until the close of the war. On

his discharge he engaged in work at his trade for a year, and then operated a shop of his own for three years at Northfield, Vermont. He then removed to a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Brad- ford for two years. At the end of that time he came to his present location, where he has since resided.

The marriage of the subject of our sketch occurred January 4, 1867, on which date he was wedded to Miss Laura Belle Rogers, a native of Newbury, Vermont, and a school teacher during her younger days. She was a daughter of Oliver B. Rogers, a farmer and influential citizen of Newbury. Mr. and Mrs. Mckinstry have four children-Harry, Ned, Florence and Mabel.

Throughout his residence in Faribault county, Mr. Mckinstry has proven a valuable and public-spirited citizen, and has held va- rious official positions, among them being that of chairman of the board of township super- visors, etc. He is a strong temperance ad- vocate, and is a member of the prohibition party. He belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal church, and also to the United Work- men. He is one of Faribault county's most prominent and representative citizens.

B ENJAMIN TARBOT is one of the leading farmers of Rose Hill town- ship, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and resides on a beautiful farm on section 30. He is of Russian birth, born October 24, 1857. His parents, Peter and Catharine (Oust) Tarbot, were natives of that country, and were engaged in farming until their death, living and dying in their native land.

The subject of our sketch was reared as a farmer's boy and assisted his father in culti- vating the soil when not in school. He was given good educational advantages up to the age of seventeen and then left his parents and emigrated to the United States. Four

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weeks were spent in the State of Kansas and then our subject concluded to come farther north. Going to St. Paul, Minnesota, he came thence to Mountain Lake, Cotton wood county, thence to Heron Lake, Jackson county, and thence came to his present lo- cation, pre-empting one hundred and one acres of land. During the grasshopper times he was compelled to change his claim to a homestead. He has since made it his home, and has succeeded well in his farming opera- tions. He has seen hard times as well as the other early settlers, and during the grasshopper raids was compelled to cease farming and work at other employments in order to obtain a livelihood. He is a man of good character, energetic and sys- tematic in his business operations, is a repub- lican in politics, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church, and is highly esteemed both as a neighbor and citizen.

Mr. Tarbot was married July 4, 1882, to Catharine Avia, daughter of John Avia, a native of Austria. This union has been blessed with five children-Matilda, Lena, John, Henry and Edwin.

JOHN G. JOHNSON, a public-spirited and influential citizen of Lowville town- ship, Murray county, Minnesota, has an ex- cellent farm on section 36. He was born in Norway, July 3, 1863.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Gilbert and Anna (Engebretson) John- son, both natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occupation and reared a family of eleven children, our subject being the oldest. The family came to America in 1866, landing at Quebec, whence they went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where the father purchased a farm. He continued his residence thereon until 1872, and then removed to Murray county, locating a claim on section 2, of Leeds township. He resided

on that claim until about 1884, when he sold out and purchased land on section 36, of Lowville township, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1888. The inother is still living on the home farm.

The home attachments of our subject were of such a congenial nature that he remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age. He was given good educational ad- vantages and acquired a mastery over the branches of a common-school education. At times when not in school, he assisted his father in work on the farm. At eighteen he went to Adrian, Nobles county, and worked one season, when he returned to the vicinity of his father's home and engaged in farming for two years. He then went to Dakota and worked a farm one summer, returning after that time to his father's home in Murray county. Then he rented a farm and oper- ated it until 1888, when he purchased eighty acres of land on the section where he now lives. He is a man of excellent character, careful and practical in his business affairs, and has been quite successful. He is public pirited and affiliates with the democratic party, also belonging to the Lutheran church. He has taken an active part in all public mat- ters and has been clerk of the township for some time. His character is of the highest order, and he is respected by all who know him.

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EORGE E. CLEVELAND is one of the reliable business men of the vil- lage of Verdi, Lincoln county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the general mercan- tile business in partnership with G. Merrill, under the firm name of Cleveland & Merrill. He was born in Koos county, New Hamp- shire, June 26, 1857.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were M. C. and Eliza J. Cleveland, the father being a native of Vermont, and the mother

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a native of Massachusetts. The family lived on a farm, the father locating in New Hamp- shire about thirty-five years ago. There were six children in the father's family, George E. being the oldest.

When seventeen years of age the subject of our sketch left his native State and came to Rochester, Minnesota, with his parents. Up to this time he had assisted on the home farm, and been given good educational ad- vantages. Two years were spent by the family in Rochester, whence they came to Murray county, locating near Tracy. Here the father was frozen to death January 7, 1873, in the great "January blizzard." The subject of our sketch remained with the fan- ily, taking charge of its affairs and managing the home place. He remained on the farm for about four years, and then with the fam- ily went back to Rochester, remaining four years. Our subject was then married, and returned to the old farm in Murray county. After remaining one year he then came to the "Morris ranch " in Pipestone county, and making that his home for three years, then came to Verdi village, where he found employment with G. W. Van Dusen & Co., buying grain. He is still engaged with that company, and carries on a mercantile business in connection therewith. He formed his present partnership with Mr. Merrill in June, 1888. The firm carries a large stock of ex- cellent goods worth somewhat over two thousand dollars.

Mr. Cleveland was married, November 20, 1878, to Frances J. Heilig. This union has been blessed with five children-Ira, Arthur, Grover, Lloyd and Williamn. In politics the subject of our sketch affiliates with the dem- ocratic party, and takes an active interest in the local affairs of that organization. He has held several official positions, among them being that of constable, which position he held for three years. He is at present postmaster of Verdi village. Mr. Cleveland

is a man of good business capabilities, and is highly esteemed as a man and citizen. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

- ILLIAM B. FRY, a well-to-do farmer located in Delton township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, is the son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Edson) Fry, na- tives respectively of New York and Vermont. William B. Fry was born in New Hartford, Connecticut, March 7, 1829. His father was a minister of the Reformed Methodist church, and owned a farm where he made his home.

The subject of our sketch resided with his parents until he was about twenty years of age. He was thoroughly educated, and taught school for some time before he left the parental roof. His first business after leaving home was in the mercantile trade ; he kept store for a short time in McGraw- ville, New York, and then returning home, remained with his father on the farm for about a year. He then removed with his father to Connecticut, where he engaged in the mercantile business, remaining about three years. He then sold out and removed to Wisconsin, settling about ten miles from Milwaukee, where he taught school for sev- eral terms. He then went to McHenry county, Illinois, and then rented a farm, which he operated for three years. In August, 1862, feeling the stirrings of patriot- ism within him, he enlisted in the service of his country in Company D, Ninety-fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully and well until in March, 1864. He was then discharged on account of wounds received in the battle of Vicks- burg, May 19, 1863, this being the last bat- tle in which he participated. Our subject was with his regiment from the time of his enlistment until he was wounded. He was then not able to do duty, and remained in

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the hospital for some time. For a year and a half after he was wounded he was not able to sit up all day. He has never fully recov- ered, and still carries the bullet in his body. He receives a pension of twelve dollars per month. After his discharge our subject returned to McHenry county, Illinois, but was not able to do any work for some time. That fall he went to Connecticut on a brief visit to his parents, remaining with them until February, when he again returned for a short time to McHenry county, Illinois. He then located in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and for eight years worked his mother-in-law's farm. In 1873 he removed to Madelia, Watonwan county, Minnesota, where he purchased a farm, engaging in agricultural pursuits for two years. He then sold out and came to Delton township, Cot- tonwood county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 14, this being his present place of residence. He also took a tree claimn of 160 acres on section 14, but did not succeed in getting his trees to come up to the requirements of the timber culture act. His son, Edson R., has filed on this piece of land as a tree claim.

Mr. Fry was married in Fairwater, Wis- consin, March 12, 1865, to Miss Catharine Staple, daughter of David and Susanna (Robins) Staple, natives respectively of Maine and Massachusetts. This lady was born in Wellington, Maine, August 25, 1833. Her father died in May, 1862, leaving a wife and the following children-Lucinda, now the widow of Warren Johnson ; Julia, now Mrs. A. Bradbury ; David (deceased), Dan- iel, Joseph, Samuel, Catharine, and Susan, now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have been blessed with the following children-Edson R., Willie E., G. Elmer, Florence R., Edith L. and Fred N.

Since coming to the county Mr. Fry has taken quite an interest in public matters, and has held various official positions. He

has been justice of the peace. township clerk, township treasurer and assessor, hav- ing held some office nearly all the time since locating in the.township. He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church, and is a loyal Christian gentleman and an enterpris- ing citizen. He has passed through many trying times, and in early days had much of his crops destroyed by grasshoppers, and in other ways damaged. He is now in good circumstances, however, and is comfortably located on a good farm.

ATTHIAS J. BECKER is a promi- nent and substantial farmer of Altona township, Pipestone county, Minne- sota. His farm is located on section 34. Mr. Becker was born in the State of New York, June 3, 1861. His parents were John J. and Catharine (Williams) Becker, both natives of Germany. John J. was the son of Matthias Becker, who was a shoemaker by trade and a native of Germany. The elder Matthias came to America with his wife and family and located in the State of New York, where they spent the most of their lives. John J. was reared in that State and was married there. Our subject's father was a farmer by occupation and was quite well-to-do and influential in the com- munity in which he lived. He had a family of ten children, of whom Matthias was the eldest. In 1869 the father removed his family to Rice county, Minnesota, and pur- chased a farm on which he still lives.

Matthias J. Becker remained with his parents, assisting in the work of the home farm and attending the district schools until 1879. He then came to Pipestone county for the purpose of improving his father's place, which the father had located in 1878. Our subject continued his residence on his father's farm until 1882, when he home- steaded the place, tlie father surrendering

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his prior right. Later the father purchased a farm of 160 acres adjoining this place, and our subject operated both places. He is not married, but has a brother and sister living with him on his farm. Coming to this country with but little means, our subject has by thrift and economy saved consider- able means and has placed himself in good circumstances. He has an excellent farm with sixty acres under cultivation and en- gages in general farming and stock raising. He is a man of good qualifications, having been well educated in his youthful days, and has been a constant and eager reader of the accounts of passing events. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party, and takes a prominent stand in local matters. He is noted for his integrity of character, and is respected by all.

HOMAS LEMON, a prominent far- mer of Lake Benton township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, homesteaded his present place on sections 34 and 35 in 1872. He commenced operations the first year he came by breaking twenty acres and building a log house some 16x20 feet. This log house is still a portion of his dwelling, but he has im- proved it considerably and has built an ad- dition Sx24 feet. He has also adorned and beautified his place by planting trees, among them being cottonwood and elm. He has a fine farm, and the passer-by is greeted with many evidences of prosperity and thrift. Our subject was one among the early settlers of this township, there being but three or four residents in the locality when he made his location here. He assisted in the organiza- tion of the township, and was a member of the board of supervisors for two years. He has also held other official positions; has al- ways taken an active interest in local affairs and has proven himself a valuable addition to the company of settlers in Lake Benton

township. His farming operations have not always been met with success, but he has kept heart in the face of all troubles, has borne up courageously under all losses, and continued manfully at work replenishing his depleted circumstances. He lost much by grasshopper raids in 1874-5-6, and has been a loser to a large extent by diseases among his stock. Despite all these he has kept sturdily at work and has accumulated consid- erable means, becoming one of the reliable and substantial farmers of the township.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Ireland and was born in May, 1846. He re- mained with his parents in that country until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he came to the United States, locating eighteen miles from Winona, at Money Creek. Here he remained until coming to his present residence in Lake Benton town- ship. The subject of our sketch received a good common-school education in his native land and assisted his father in work about the home place until coming to America.

Mr. Lemon was married in June, 1864, to Miss Ellen Jane Miller, also a native of Ire- land. When this lady was seventeen years of age she left her native country and came to America, locating in Wisconsin, where her marriage took place, in the city of La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Lemon have seven children-William C., James, Eliza, John, Stella, Rufus and Blanche.

Mr. Lemon is one of the foremost citizens of his township and ever since making his lo- cation here has proven one of its greatest benefactors. He has heartily engaged in every project which has tended toward the financial or other development of his locality, and has assisted in various capacities in the administration of local government. In politics he has affiliated for some years with the republican party, in whose principles he earnestly believes. He is a man of excel- lenti character, systematic and thorough-

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going as a farmer and has met with merited success. He has a pleasant home and an agreeable family. - OHN M. DICKSON is one of the repre- sentative and influential citizens of Ful- da, Murray county, Minnesota. He is the president of the Bank of Fulda, one of the leading financial institutions of the county.

He was born in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, Feb- ruary 24, 1858, and is a son of John and Jane (Marshall) Dickson, natives of Glasgow, Scotland. In an early day the parents came to America and became pioneer settlers, about sixty miles west of Milwaukee, Wis- consin. From this point they had to go to Milwaukee for provisions, that city being their nearest railroad station. Here they marketed all their wheat and other grains, and did all their trading.

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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 90

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