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 91
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The subject of our sketch spent his early life among the pioneer settlements of Wis- consin, and as schools were few and far be- tween, his early life was not supplied with the best facilities for receiving an education. Later, however, he was given good educational advantages. At the age of nineteen he com- menced work for himself, and in partnership with his brother, Peter, shipped cattle to east- ern markets. After one year in Wisconsin he went to Heron Lake, Minnesota, and en- gaged in the mercantile business, but after eighteen months removed to Fulda, Murray county, and operated a store for one and a half years. He then sold out his mercantile business and opened his present bank, in which line he has been engaged ever since. On first coming to Heron Lake he was in the employ of J. T. Smith, for about a year buy- ing flax. Since coming to Fulda, and indeed throughout his life, the subject of our sketch has proven himself one of the most public- spirited citizens of the county. He has taken an active part in general matters and has as-
sisted in various ways in building up the lo- cality. He has been prominent in politics in this county, has been president of the village council, school director, and has held various other minor offices. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Fulda Lodge, No. 170, first becoming a member of the order when twenty-one years of age, in Fox Lake, Wisconsin.
Mr. Dickson was married in Le Sueur coun- ty, Minnesota, September 15, 1885, to Miss Esther Jones, a native of that county. Her parents died when she was only two years of age and she was reared by her sister, Mrs. R. T. Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have one child, Marshall.
RANKLIN L. PLANK, one of the early settlers of Troy township, Pipe- stone county, Minnesota, is now residing on section 24. He came to this county when it was nothing but a wild unbroken prairie, selected his land, and soon after settled thereon and made a permanent home. Many settlers have come and gone since he first landed in the township, and through all these changes he has been one of the permanent factors in the improvement and building up of the agricultural and financial interests of the locality in which he lives.
Mr. Plank was born in Wolcott, Wayne county, New York, September 30, 1846. He is the son of Lewis and Mary (Park) Plank, both natives of New York. The mother died when Franklin was but eighteen months old ; the father is still living and is a resident of Anoka, Minnesota. Mr. Plank's ancestry is traceable to English origin, his great-grand- father being a native of England. His grand- father and mother were both natives of Con- necticut. The great-grandfather was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War, having come to this country some time before that war was commenced. The grandfather was a
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soldier in the War of 1812. The Planks throughout their generations have been most- ly given to the occupation of farming, and have been men of excellent character and considerable wealth.
Mr. Plank resided in the place of his na- tivity until the year 1863, up to which time he had been attending school and working on the home farm. December 9, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and continued in the service until the close of the war, being discharged October 28, 1865. At the battle of Peters- burg he was severely wounded by a shot through the leg. He was taken to Conehead hospital and from thence to City Point, where for a long time he suffered much pain from his wounded limb. While in the hospital he had the pleasure of shaking hands with Presi- dent Lincoln, who went through the hos- pital shaking hands with all the wounded soldiers. Mr. Plank was afterwards removed to the hospital in Washington, where he was still confined when President Lincoln was assassinated. After his discharge he re- turned home and remained until 1868, in which year he came to Illinois, where he worked on a farm in Winnebago county. During the late summer and fall months he was engaged in running a threshing machine, and continued these lines of work until the fall of 1871, when he removed to Waterloo, Iowa. Arriving in that city he found em- ployment in an elevator and after continuing in that line of employment until sometime in 1872, he came to Minnesota, looking for a location. He first went to Wilmar, Kandi- yohi county, and not liking the lay of the country, he went to Anoka, where he re- mained until 1878 working at the lumber business. In that year he went to Beaver Creek, Rock county, and in that place hired a team and proceeded overland to Sioux Falls, and from thence, returning to Beaver Creek by way of Pipestone county, he located his
claim in Troy township, after which he re- turned to Anoka. He returned to his claim in August and built a shanty 10x12 feet, and entered upon the enjoyments of pioneer life. Since that day his residence has been perma- nent.
August 29, 1880, the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Josephine G. Rice, daughter of Major Rice. Mr. and Mrs. Plank have had two children-Mabel A. and George W.
Too much cannot be said of Mr. Plank as regards his prominence in the public matters of Troy township. He is a man well versed in the practical things of life, is a good reader of human nature, and by being observant has educated himself in a practical way so that he is looked upon as being one of the leaders among the citizens of the town in which he lives. His early education was re- ceived in the common-schools and he also at- tended the Leavenworth Academy in New York for sometime. His experience during the War of the Rebellion entitles him to the prominent position which he occupies in the Grand Army of the Republic, Simon Mix Post, No. 95. Mr. Plank is a man of fine personal qualities, is pleasant, and sociable and has formed many warm friendships in Pipestone county.
HARLES M. RENSHAW is a thrifty farmer of Fenton township, Murray county, Minnesota, and resides on section 8. His native place is found on the island of Jamaica, where he was born at the American mission station, May 8, 1845. He was the son of Rev. C. Stewart and Mira (Orum) Renshaw. The mother was a native of Philadelphia. In early life the father served in the United States navy, and later became a missionary of the Congregational church.
The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch left home at the age of
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sixteen years. Up to this time he had been given a good common-school education. November 19, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-first Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry. He served faithfully throughout the entire war, being discharged December 20, 1865. After leaving the Union service he went to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he remained some eighteen months learning the carpenter's trade. Seven months were then spent by him in traveling and he then went to Apple River, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, arriving in September, 1868. He engaged in contracting and building at that point until 1871, when he was married and went to Chicago in answer to a call from Potter Palmer for men to assist in cleaning up the debris left by the great fire. He re- mained in that city until 1873, and then started on a trip through Illinois and Wis- consin, selling sewing machines. After some time he returned to Apple River and made that place his headquarters for about a year. He then went back to his old trade of con- tracting and building, and engaged in that business until 1882, when he changed his location to the village of Nora in the same county, where he engaged in the same work. Here he remained until May 17, 1886, when he took a contract to build a store for S. B. Rockey in Chandler. Coming to Murray county he found a beautiful country, and located his claim. He has made his home in the county ever since. The subject of our sketch has been one of the most prominent citizens of the county, and by virtue of his excellent capability as a business man he has risen to high esteem in the minds of his fellow-citizens. He has a thorough classical education, and was for some time a cadet in the military academy at Annapolis. In poli- tics he affiliates with the republican party, but being a stanch temperance man he is in sympathy with any movement for bringing about the prohibition of the liquor traffic.
He has served his constituents in various official positions, having held the office of supervisor, and being at the present time township clerk: He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Renshaw was married October 26, 1871, to Miss Mary Lemont. Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw have been blessed with nine chil- dren, seven of whom are now living, three boys and four girls.
ON. JOHN F. SHOEMAKER, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Luverne, Minnesota, was born in Chemung county, New York, in 1838. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Law) Shoemaker, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was an extensive farmer in the State of New York, and came west in 1846, settling in Kankakee, Illinois. He resided in Illinois engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1848. The mother is still living in that State. The father was of German descent, and was one of the prom- inent and influential farmers of the locality in which he lived. In the father's family there were seven children, five of whom are now living-Charles D., engaged in con- tracting and building in Illinois; Matilda, now Mrs. H. W. Blackburn, of the same State; Hannah, now Mrs. William Jackson, of Nebraska; John F. and Samuel H., editor and publisher of the DeWitt Observer, of De Witt, Illinois. Elizabeth married George Haverill, of Iowa, and died at the age of thirty-six years. Catherine died when four years of age.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the farm in New York, and in 1846 he came with his parents to Illinois, and made his home on the farm of his parents until two years after his father's deathı. He re- ceived a good common-school education. Two years after his father's death he com-
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menced working out on adjoining farms, and continued in this way until 1851. In that year he went to live with his step-father, with whom he continued three years, and during much of that time he made a specialty of attending school, thus acquiring the fin- ishing touches of a common-school educa- tion. At the end of the time just mentioned he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, and continued in that line of business until 1869, with the exception of three years, during which he served in the Union army. He commenced contracting when he was seventeen years old at McGregor, Iowa, and for a number of years employed from twelve to fifteen men. Mr. Shoemaker enlisted in Company L, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and first held the office of corporal. After serving a short time in that rank he acted as quarter- master sergeant for several months. He was then appointed second lieutenant, and later received his commission as first lieutenant, holding this latter office until the close of the war. He was discharged at Sioux City, June 22, 1866, after having had a severe ser- vice in the Indian War in Dakota and Mon- tana. While in the service he held other positions besides those mentioned. By ap- pointment he held the rank of post adjutant at Fort Randall for two months. He was also quartermaster and commissary at Fort Ponka, Dakota, for six months, and for some time was in command of a company at that fort. His regiment was engaged in a severe one-day's battle in the Bad Lands in Dakota, in the vicinity where the Northern Pacific railroad now crosses these lands. Ifter his service and honorable discharge he returned home to McGregor, Iowa, and engaged in work at his trade until 1869. He then came to Rock county, and pre-empted 160 acres of land, home- steading 170 acres, and purchasing 200 acres adjoining, making in all a farm of 530 acres. He settled down to make a spe-
cialty of farming. Within a few years he had broken four hundred acres and fenced a good portion of his farm, building a good dwelling-house. He has continued farming, and has also occupied somewhat of his atten- tion in the raising of fine graded Short-horn cattle. At present he has about one hun- dred head of Durhams. His land and home are in Mound township, some three miles from Luverne. The Burlington & Northern railroad runs through a portion of his farm. He has also the good fortune of having the fine, red jasper stone quarry on his place, of which there is an unlimited supply. Since coming to the county our subject has identified himself closely with the interests of the locality and has, with honor and credit, held several official posi- tions. From 1872 to 1878 he efficiently filled the position of county treasurer, and had the honor of being the first treasurer of the county. On the organization of the county Governor Austin appointed him as one of the commissioners to locate the county seat. Of this body our subject was made chairman and became mainly instrumental in locating the county seat where it now stands. He assisted in the organization of the township in which his farm is located in 1872, and since that time has held the office of town clerk and was also overseer of high- ways for some time. In 1886 he was elected as an independent candidate to represent his district in the lower house of the legislature. He served two years, and again in 1888 was elected to the same office on the independent ticket by a nice majority.
The subject of our sketch was married in 1859 to Miss Catharine McDermott, of Clay- ton county, Iowa. This union has been blessed with four living children-Hattie, Minnie, Charles H. and Gertrude. The two oldest daughters were thoroughly educated and prepared for the profession of teaching, in which Minnie is still engaged.
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As has already been intimated Mr. Shoe- maker is independent in politics, associating himself with those principles and those move- ments with which he thinks is to be found the highest degree of safety for the govern- ment. In matters of a social nature he takes a lively interest, being a man of excellent conversational abilities and possessed of ex- tensive general knowledge. He is also a member of several civic societies, among them being the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Grand Army of the Republic, being a mem- ber of the John A. Dix Post, of Luverne. Financially Mr. Shoemaker is one among those most largely interested in the develop- ment of Luverne and Rock county. All pro- jects tending toward the upbuilding of the business interests of Luverne and vicinity meet with his approval and earnest and hearty support. Heis one of the stockholders of the Rock County News.
NDRES QUEVLI is one of the lead- ing men of Windom, Minnesota, where he carries a large stock of drugs and merchandise. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, where he was born in the year 1832. His parents were Crist and Mary Quevli, farmers by occupation in Norway. The father served in the War of 1814 be- tween Sweden and Norway. He had a family of three children-Mary, now Mrs. Hamkingson, of Norway; Annie M., now Mrs. Hempstead, of Jackson, Minnesota, and Andres.
The early life of our subject was spent in his native land, where he received a good common-school education. He remained with his parents until he was of age, when he took charge of the home farm and resided thereon until 1870, when he came to the United States. He located in Minnesota, purchasing a farm of eighty acres and homesteading eighty acres in
Jackson county. He resided in that county, engaged in general farming, for some six years, when he removed to Windom, Cotton- wood county. On coming to this village he purchased a store building north of the pub- lic square and put in a large and extensive stock of dry goods. Somewhat later he built an addition to his store and added a stock of drugs, hardware, clothing, etc. He has taken an active interest in all public matters and has held various official positions. He has been a member of the school board and the village council, and while in Jackson county was supervisor of his township. In politics our subject affiliates with the repub- lican party, and, with his wife, belongs to the Lutheran church. He has been a prominent man in religious matters and has held most of the offices of the organization to which he belongs. He is liberal-minded, public-spirited and always assists generously in the further- ing of any project which tends toward the development and improvement of his locality.
Mr. Quevli was married in Norway to Goreni Quevli, who died in 1884, leaving six children-Crist, a physician at Tacoma, Washington Territory; Nels, a druggist of Lamberton, Minnesota; Mary, Andrew, Annie and Martha. Mr. Quevli was married the second time to Mrs. Lena Larson, a native of Norway.
ENRY ENKE is a thrifty farmer and prominent citizen, located on section 22, Verdi township, Lincoln county, Minne- sota. He is a native of Minnesota, having been born in the city of Rochester, August 10, 1857. His parents were John C. and Anna M. (Schmelzer) Enke, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1853 and first settled in the State of Pennsylvania. His next location was made in Iowa, whence he removed
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to Minnesota, locating in Rochester in the winter of 1855. Up to this time, through- out his life, the father had been en- gaged in work at the mason's trade. In August, 1865, he removed to Omaha, Ne- braska, and worked at his trade some two years, removing thence to Missouri Valley Junction, Iowa. He made that his home un- til 1871, when he returned to Rochester, Minnesota, and remained there until 1878. He then concluded to find a location in some western county, and came to Lincoln county and located his claim, soon after returning to Rochester, and remaining in that city un- til the next July, when he returned to his farm and made a permanent settlement.
Henry Enke remained with his parents, following them in their various migrations, until the year 1880, up to which time he liad been given good educational advantages and had received a good common-school educa- tion. In 1880 he went to Lake Benton and engaged in work at the mason's trade, which he had learned from his father. He lived in Lake Benton for two years, and then re- turned to the farm, where he employed his time for three years. After another period spent in Lake Benton, he returned again to the farm, where he has since remained. He took his present claim as a pre-emption in 1879, having also taken a tree claim in 1878. At present he has a fine farm of 160 acres, under excellent cultivation and well pro- vided with buildings.
Mr. Enke was married June 5, 1881, to Dora C. Eddy. This union has been blessed with five children-Hattie M., Lutie, Charles, Freddy (deceased) and an infant.
In early life our subject was given excel- lent educational advantages and became well qualified to enter upon the duties of any life to which he might be called. He is a man of much intelligence, possessed of good busi- ness capabilities, and has been a prominent factor in the public affairs of his township.
In politics he belongs to the democratic party, and is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Mr. Enke is a man of good char- acter, and is esteemed by all who know him.
ILBER POTTER is a prosperous farmer and prominent citizen of Delton township, Cottonwood county, Min- nesota. His parents were David and Nellie (Gaffin) Potter natives, respectively, of New York and Connecticut. Our subject was born in Hoosick, New York, November 26, 1808. He resided on the farm with his parents, assisting in work thereon until he was eight- een years of age. He then learned the boot and shoe trade and followed that business for about ten years, making his home with his parents. He lived with them until their death. He was the only child, and when he had obtained means wherewith to purchase a home of his own the parents lived with him.
After the death of his parents our subject did not continue the shoe business, but soon engaged in farming in the vicinity of Alex- andria for three or four years. At the end of that time he sold out and removed to Cattaraugus county, same State, and pur- chased a farm on which he lived for about five years. He then sold out and went to Rockford, Illinois, residing there a few months. His next move was to a place midway between Janesville and Beloit, Wis- consin, on the Rock river, where he pur- chased a claim and on its being brought into the market by the government, filed papers, and made it his residence for four years. Removing to the township of Union he pur- chased another farm where he lived eight years. This land is now the site of the pros- perous village of Evansville. Our subject's next move was to Columbia county, Wis- consin, where he purchased a farm and re- sided some two years. Thence he went to Waupaca county, and purchased village
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property in the village of Weyauwega and engaged in the cabinet business for some three years. He then traded his business for eighty acres of land and settled in Cedar Lake. He commenced hotel keeping and continued thereat for some seven years, dur- ing which time he was postmaster of the village. His next move was to Winnebago county, where he operated a farm for some eight years. He then concluded that he might find a better location in the State of Iowa and went to Winneshiek county, in that State, making that his home some three years. In 1873 he came to Cotton- wood county, Minnesota, and became one of the earliest settlers of Amboy township, his nearest neighbor being five miles distant. The postoffice of Red Rock was in his care and kept in his house for many years. This office was on the line of the mail route from Windom to Lamberton, which our subject was instrumental in having established. After his eight years of residence in Amboy township, Mr. Potter removed to Delton township, settling on 160 acres on section 14. Mr. Potter throughout his life has been one of the most active participants in all public matters, and has always taken an active part in political matters. He is a man of good business qualifications, and has held various township offices. While in New York he was supervisor and constable, and in Wisconsin supervisor, postmaster, township treasurer, and was also one of the county commissioners who established the road from Beloit to Janes- ville, this being the first road laid out through that region and was before Wisconsin became a State. He took a census of Amboy and Storden townships in Cottonwood county in 1880, and has actively participated in public affairs. He is a man of advanced years, and yet remarkably well preserved, both in mind and body. Possessed of good ideas and of the highest character, he is esteemed and highly respected by all who know hin.
Mr. Potter was married in Wyomingville, New York, in the year 1827, to Eliza N. Green. This. lady died in Union township, Wisconsin, in 1849, leaving the following- named children - Albert, Peter, William, Harvey (now deceased), and Julia, who mar- ried Edson Hall, and now lives in Oil City, Pennsylvania. Mr. Potter's second marriage was to Miss Maria Mily, and occurred in Watertown, Wisconsin, August 1, 1850. Miss Mily was a daughter of Walter and Catharine (Kraner) Mily, natives of Ireland. She was born in Ireland, June 15, 1832. The second marriage of our subject was blessed with the following-named children- David W., Hattie E., Charles C., Alice S. (now deceased), Adelbert S., Allen B. (de- deased), and Estella M. David W. married Gertie White, and now lives in Washington Territory. Hattie married S. T. Watson, and is a resident of California. Charles C. is a veterinary surgeon in Ellendale, Dakota. Estella married Charles H. Works, a sketch of whom is given in another department of this work. Albert married Lucretia Doty, who died, and later he married Caroline Stall. He is a prominent lawyer in Wiscon- sin. Peter resides on a farm in Wisconsin. William is a resident of Montana, and is a carpenter and miller by trade.
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USTAF ANDERSON is one of the thrifty and industrious farmers of Al- tona township, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He resides on section 26, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres, which he took as a tree claim in 1880.
Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden, July 15, 1851, and was the son of Andrew and Stenia (Johnson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father contin- ued living in his native land until his death, which occurred in 1862. The mother is still
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living in Sweden. The father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation.
The subject of our sketch left the land of his nativity in 1868 and came to the United States. Up to this time he had lived with his parents and had attended the common schools. Arriving in New York City he went thence to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he found employment on a farm for some time. Then, in the fall, he went to Dunn county, Wisconsin, and purchased a farm on which he lived until March, 1880. He then came to Pipestone county, Minnesota, and made his location in Altona township. Here he has resided ever since. His brother, Alfred W., of whom a sketch is given in another depart- ment of this work, came to the township in 1878, and is still a resident.
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