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 95

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 95

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ILVANUS BARROWS is one of the most substantial citizens and well-to- do farmers of Chanarambie township, Mur- ray county, Minnesota. He resides on an excellent farm on section 34. He was born in Vermont, January 1, 1852, and was the son of Oscar A. and Julia (Gray) Barrows. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a patriotic citizen, serving his country during the War of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1866 he left Vermont and came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he re- mained with his family for some eleven years. He then removed to Mower county, where he engaged in farming for three years, and at the end of that time, in 1879, he came to Murray county, and resided for about eight years with his son, the subject of our sketch. In 1887 the father removed to Slayton, where he still resides. The mother is dead.

Silvanus Barrows left the parental home at the age of twenty-two years, up to which time he had been assisting his father in work on the home farm and attending the district schools. At twenty-two he worked in part- nership with his father until the spring of 1878, when he came by team to Murray county, locating the claim where he now lives. He owns a fine farm of 480 acres. He built one of the first houses in the town- ship and made the first improvements. Be- ing one of the earliest settlers he was a lead- ing spirit in the steps taken in the organiza- tion of the township.

Mr. Barrows was married to Susia A. Dudley, March 2, 1879. She was a native of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows have been blessed with four children-Oscar, Elsie L., Archie L. and Estella.

In politics Mr. Barrows affiliates with the republican party and is becoming one of the leading factors in that organization in Mur- ray county. He is a man of excellent busi- ness qualifications, and has been called to

serve in various official capacities for his fel- low-citizens. He was chairman of the town- ship board of supervisors for some two years, and was a member of the board for one year. He was township assessor for two years, and in the fall of 1888 was elected county commissioner, which position he ably fills at the present time. Mr. Barrows is a genial, warm-hearted, public-spirited citizen, and is widely known and highly respected.

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ROF. EUGENE RUCKER, B. S., principal of the Farm College and Business Institute at Wilder, Jackson county, Minnesota, is a native of Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he was born April 19, 1862. His parents were Robert Henry and Saram Ann (Housten) Rucker, both natives of Ohio. The mother died in 1865, and the father is engaged in business in Jackson, Minnesota.

The subject of this sketch made his home principally with his father until he was twenty-two years of age. When he was ten years old the family emigrated to Pot- tawattamie county, Iowa, and in 1886 removed to Dawson county, Nebraska. Our subject was given a good common-school education during his early life, and attended the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa, graduating from that institution July 29, 1886. Then, in com- pany with a class-mate, he went to Nebraska and took a pre-emption. November 26, 1887, he returned to Minnesota, and for a short time stopped in the city of Mankato. Then, for five months, he took charge of a school in Jackson county, and in November, 1888, became connected with the school at Wilder, and is now principal of the college mentioned above. He has been elected for a period of three years, from August 1, 1889. Mr. Rucker is a very efficient teacher and has given eminent satisfaction. Both

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as a teacher and citizen he enjoys the con- fidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. In politics he affiliates with the prohibition party, and is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.

Prof. Rucker was married to Miss Lizzie A. Bailey, a native of Carroll county, Illi- nois, and daughter of Ira L. and Eugenia (Ruppe) Bailey. Her parents were farmers who settled in the State of Illinois in an early day. Mrs. Rucker was educated in Shenandoah, Page county, Iowa, at the Western Normal College, graduating from that institution. She taught some four years in Iowa, and one and a half years in the primary department of the Shenandoah public schools. Prof. and Mrs. Rucker have two children-Muriel Virginia, born January 6, 1888, and Mildred Antoinette, born June 20, 1889.

ABOR C. RICHMOND, a prominent farmer of Lake Side township, Cot- tonwood county, Minnesota, resides on an excellent farm on section 26. He was born in Barnard township, Windsor county, Ver- mont, April 21, 1844.

The parents were farmers by occupation, and the father, Gilbert Richmond, who now resides in Bingham Lake, Cottonwood county, is a native of Vermont. The moth- er's maiden name was Sarah Imus, a native of Essex county, New York. Our subject was one of four children, of whom one died in the Union army and one in infancy. Two children are living-Tabor C. and O. T.

The subject of our sketch was reared in Windsor county, Vermont, until he was eight years of age, when his parents emi- grated to the State of New York, and after two years' residence there removed to Wis- consin, where our subject remained until coming to his present location, in 1870. The early education of our subject was not neg-

lected; he was given excellent advantages in an academy in Essex county, New York. After completing his education in Wisconsin, he engaged in buying and selling cattle, and also in the milling business. On coming to Cottonwood county he engaged in farming, in which line he has been engaged ever since.

Mr. Richmond was married March 12, 1864, to Miss Almira Kibby, a native of Essex county, New York, and educated in Rosendale, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Anson Kibby, a mason by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have been blessed with five children-Eliza- beth, Sarah, Gilbert, Nellie and Tabor, the two oldest being engaged in the profession of teaching.

On the breaking out of the war the sub- ject of our sketch manifested his patriotism by enlisting April 22, 1861, in the Third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served as a private in many hard-fought bat- tles, and was discharged February 8, 1863, at the West Philadelphia hospital. He was engaged in numerous battles, among them being Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Second Battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, An- tietam, Banks' retreat out of the Shenan- doah valley, and was severely wounded Sep- tember 16, 1862, in the battle of Antietam. From thence he was taken to the hospital, and was confined there until February 8, the date of his discharge. On receiving his dis- charge, he returned to Wisconsin, and re- mained until 1870, when he located on his present place. No man in the township has taken a more active part in public affairs than has our subject. He has been treasurer of the township for several terms, having assisted in the organization of both the county and township. He was a member of the board of supervisors, and has held vari- ous other positions. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, and has been warden of the Masonic fraternity, in which

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society he is an influential member. He is well known throughout the county, and is recognized as one of the most influential citizens. He is a man of good character, and is public-spirited in all matters of a general nature.

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J. ABBOTT, of Delavan, Faribault county, is one of the best known law- yers in Southern Minnesota. He is an old settler in that locality, and, having always taken a prominent part in public matters, he has attained a reputation which extends over a good share of the State. A strong and active republican, and one of the ablest of Minnesota's stump orators, his name is indissolubly associated with the political history of the State. An eloquent speaker, an able lawyer, and a genial gentleman, his " friends are legion."

OBERT CAMPBELL, one of the early settlers and well-to-do citizens and farmers of Pipestone county, Minnesota, located on his present place on section 29, Gray township, in 1879. He has been a resident of that section ever since, and has engaged in a general farming and stock-rais- ing business. He was one of the organizers of the county and also of the township in which he lives, and has held several posi- tions of trust within the gift of his fellow- citizens. Mr. Campbell looks back to those early times, and recollects many names of pioneer settlers. It may be interesting to note some of these names, and learn some- what of their settlement and later life. This information will be, of course, to some extent imperfect, but it is given in the expectation that it may interest some of the friends of the parties whose names are presented. Among those early settlers were Mr. Peck, who still resides in the county; Charles

Smith, also living in the county ; H. Dicky, Henry M. Pease, who died in 1888; Samuel Bailey, who died in 1886 in this county ; A. W. Fenlason, who located in 1879, and remained until 1887; Herman Haney, still residing in the county ; Horace Milley, who located in the county and remained until 1881, when he removed to Minneapolis ; Charles Embury, who still resides in the county ; J. I. Bernard, who is still living in the county ; Joseph Parker, who came in 1878, and still remains; Marshall and Will- iam Harrison, two brothers, who were among the early settlers, and who still re- main ; William Lobdell, who came in 1879, and still remains; William Clifford, who located in 1878, and is still a resident, and A. Smith, who still remains, having also located in 1878. Mr. Fenlason, mentioned above, was the county superintendent for two terms.

The subject of our sketch was born in Burlington, Vermont, October 4, 1843, and was the son of Robert and Helen (McLans- bery) Campbell, natives of Argyleshire, Scotland, where they were reared and edu- cated. They were married in their native country, and came to America in about 1837, settling at Burlington, Vermont, where they lived until about 1854. Up to this time the father had been engaged largely in mason work. In the year just named the father started on a tour of prospecting in the State of Ohio, going by way of the lakes, and was probably lost in some storm, as he was never seen or heard of afterward. After this sad occurrence the mother moved her family to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where she lived for two years. Removing thence the family settled in Clinton Junction, on the Northwestern railroad in Wisconsin. They made that place their residence until 1865, up to which time our subject and a brother-in-law had worked a farm together. The mother is still residing in Wisconsin.

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Mr. Campbell received his education in Vermont and Wisconsin, and at seventeen years of age enlisted in the Fourth Wiscon- sin Battery as a private, being promoted shortly to the rank of lieutenant, and as such was discharged July 7, 1865. Mr. Campbell was only engaged in one battle of any note, that being the fight at Chapin's farm in 1864. He was, however, engaged in many skirmishes, deporting himself with honor wherever and in whatever duty he was engaged; being with a cavalry com- pany, most of his time was spent in sharp skirmishes. Our subject was at Fortress Monroe during the time that Mcclellan was in the peninsular campaign in 1862. After his discharge our subject returned to Wiscon- sin, and after remaining for three months removed to Saratoga, Winona county, Min- nesota, where he spent about three years engaged in agricultural pursuits. After this period he engaged in farming for about nine years near Blooming Prairie, Steele county, same State, at the end of that time remov- ing to his present place in Gray township, where he has lived ever since.

The marriage of Mr. Campbell occurred March 25, 1878, at which time he took to wife Miss Ella Peck, a daughter of W. D. Peck, a merchant of Hatfield, Pipestone county. Miss Peck was a lady of excellent qualities and highly educated, having re- ceived her education in Austin, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have four children, two boys and two girls, all living-Bruce, Eva and Ethie (twins), and William Duane.

Mr. Campbell has occupied a prominent place in the history of his township since he took up his residence among its citizens. Its best interests have always found in him an able abettor, and he has at all times proven himself willing to assist in public affairs. His services have been utilized in many instances, and in every case he has proven himself competent and able. Among

these offices may be named that of treasurer, which position he held for two years; chair- man of the board of supervisors, one year ; township assessor, four years, and several other minor positions. He is a man of excellent character, an exemplary citizen, and is indeed one of the representative men of the township in which he lives.

R. ABNER H. TWISS, an influential farmer of Des Moines River township, Murray county, Minnesota, is a native of Windsor, Vermont, where he was born April 18, 1832. His parents were Peter and Har- riet (Gaggett) Twiss, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire.

The subject of our sketch went from Ver- mont to Peterborough, New Hampshire, when four years of age, where he resided on a farm, being given a good common-school education until he was fourteen years old. At that age, in company with his uncle Ben- jamin Twiss, he went to Groton, Massachu- setts, where he remained one year, learning the butcher business. Eighteen months thereafter were spent in that business in the employ of J. Graves. At the end of that time he went to Boston, Massachusetts, work- ing as a cutter for eighteen months in the "Quincy market" of that city. His next move was to Rockford, Illinois, where he en- tered the employ of T. D. Diamond, with whom he continued eighteen months at his trade. He then went to Picatona, Winne- bago county, and, in company with Zenas Palmer, engaged in the butcher business for three years. He then sold out and removed to Derand, where, in company with W. M. Arnold, he engaged in buying and selling cattle and in operating a meat market for three years. Selling out at the end of that time he went to St. Louis, rented one of the stalls in the city market place, and engaged in operating a meat market for five years.

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His next move was to Alton, Illinois, where he found employment with John Smith, who had a contract to furnish a divis- ion of the Union army with meat supplies. Three or four months were then spent in Cairo, after which he returned to his work for Mr. Smith, with whom he continued two and a half years. Being taken sick at the end of this time, he removed to St. Louis, from whence he went to St. Paul, where he engaged in manufacturing ox bows. From thence he went to various localities in Wis- consin, engaged in purchasing hickory tim- ber. He was then married and for six or seven years thereafter engaged in various lines of business in Wisconsin. At his mar- riage he removed to Viroqua, from whence he went to Trempealeau county, where he took a homestead. After six years' residence there he sold out for ten thousand and fifty dollars, and removed to Dunn county, locating at Knapp Station, where he manufactured bob sleds and sled runners for two years. June 10, 1878, he came to Murray county and took a pre-emption on section 10, where he has since lived. He has an excellent farm- has about one hundred acres in crop this sea- son. He has a good house twelve by twenty feet with an addition twelve by sixteen, and also a stable fourteen by sixteen which ac- commodates a number of cattle and several head of horses. Our subject is a man of ex- cellent ability, and is at present devoting his time to the practice of medicine. He has rented his farm and has built up a large patronage as a physician. His commence- ment in this line was modest and unassum- ing, but he has gained considerable popular- ity, and has built up a large business, having now all the practice he can possibly attend to. He has performed numerous remarkable cures in various very severe cases. Our sub- ject is a man of large experience, is public- spirited and is esteemed by all who know him. Both as a man and a citizen he stands

high in the respect of his fellow-citizens. Dr. Twiss was married in New Amster- dam, Wisconsin, March 21, 1865, to Miss Louisa Mosier, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Aimes) Mosier. Miss Mosier was a native of Syracuse, New York, where she was born November 4, 1845. This union has been blessed with the following children-Etta M., Inez and Frank, who was burned to death at the age of eighteen months. Etta married Charles Clark and Inez wedded Charles Rigle.

DETER JACOBS is a leading farmer of Marshfield township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, having located on the northeast quarter of section 4 in the spring of 1879. His parents were John and Mary Jacobs, both natives of Prussia. The parents resided in their native country until about 1856, when they came to the United States, and stopped in Chicago. They are still living.

Peter Jacobs was born on the river Rhine near the city of Trier, Germany, March 4, 1848. He resided. with his parents in his native land until he was eight years of age, when the family came to the United States and settled in Chicago. He lived with them in that city and was sent to the public schools until he was thirteen years old, at which time he left home and began life for himself. His first business was packing staves and shingles in Michigan, where he remained about three years. Returning then to Chi- cago, he lived with his parents for some time, and learned the cooper's trade. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a teamster in General Saunder's division. He continued in the service until March 22, 1865, and then, being honorably discharged, re- turned to Chicago, and engaged in work at his trade for two years. He then engaged in gardening, in which line he continued for about two years, returning at the end of this

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time to his old trade, and continuing about a year thereat. He then opened a grocery store, and engaged in that business for about nine months, when he sold out and went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade. One year later he returned to Chicago, finding work at the cooper's trade for about a year, when he went to Stirling, Illinois, and after one year's location there went to Winona, Minnesota. But three weeks were spent in Winona, and then our subject went to Wabasha, and remained one year engaged at work at his trade. From Wabasha he removed to Minneapolis, and after four months returned to Wabasha, making that his home until he was married in 1878. He then came to his present place in Marshfield township, Lincoln county, where he has resided ever since.

February 20, 1878, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Pilsticer. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been blessed with four children-Mary, Lena, Clara and Frank, all of whom are residing at home at the present time.

As the traveler passes through Marshfield township he will see no more thrifty-looking farm than the home of Mr. Jacobs. Since making his location on his present farm he has actively engaged in making good im- provements, and has succeeded well in ac- complishing his object. He has an excellent farm and has good buildings, his dwelling- house being very pleasant and commodious. He is a man of much energy, and is a thrifty and successful farmer. Besides his general farming operations he is also engaged in stock raising, in all of which he has met with continued success, and has accumulated con- siderable means. He is a man of prominence and influence, and is widely respected by all with whom he has to do. Possessed of a good character, honest and fearless in his expressions as to what he believes to be right, his opinions are heeded, and he is an impor-

tant factor in the management of the public affairs of his township. He has held the offices of school treasurer and township treasurer.

AUL F. SHERMAN. This gentleman is one of the leading general mer- chants of the village of Jasper, Pipestone county, Minnesota. He is a native of Aroos- took county, Maine, where he was born in May, 1855.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were John and Zena Sherman, natives of Maine. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, but in connection therewith was also an extensive operator in the lumber busi- ness. In 1865 the parents removed to Min- nesota, settling for a time in the city of Shakopee, Scott county, where the father engaged in the manufacture of wagons: In 1877 he removed to Amaret, Lyon county, where he lias since been engaged in farming. The mother died in 1862, leaving two chil- dren, our subject and John F., also a resi- dent of Jasper.

The subject of our sketch followed his parents in their various moves and in the city of Shakopee was given excellent advan- tages for receiving a common-school educa- tion. He continued his studies in school until about fourteen years old, at which time he found work as a clerk in one of the stores of that village. For five years he continued his clerkship and then attended the high school of that place two years, af- ter which he removed to Sioux Falls, Dakota, where he settled on 320 acres of land and engaged in farming. He thoroughly im- proved this land and owned a large number of cattle and horses. He took a prominent part in the affairs of that locality and held several offices, among them being that of assessor for four years, and being also a member of the school board during the en-

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tire time of his residence there. During his residence in Dakota he also took an active interest in the workings of the Farmer's Alli- ance, and held the office of secretary of the local organization for some time, being one of the organizers of that society. He was the secretary of the first meeting held by the alliance and was afterwards appointed as a delegate to attend meetings in various counties throughout the territory. He in- terested himself also in insurance mat- ters and became a general solicitor and traveling agent for the Farmer's Mutual Protective Association of Plankington, Da- kota, . continuing that relation with said company for about four years. In 1888 he went to Amaret, Lyon county, Minnesota, and put in a stock of general merchandise, continuing in business in that place until April, 1889, at which time he closed out a part of his goods and brought the remainder to Jasper. On arriving in this village he purchased the store building on Wall street, where he is at present located, doing an ex- cellent business.

Mr. Sherman was married in 1888 to Miss Mamie Chisholm, of Hartford, Dakota, and a daughter of Robert Chisholm. Mrs. Sherman is a lady of excellent social quali- ties and is highly educated. She is an ex- cellent musician and has the honor of bring- ing the first piano to the village of Jasper.

In politics the subject of our sketch is an earnest supporter of the principles of the republican party. He is a man of excellent business capacity and is rapidly becoming one of the prominent business men of the village. He is a large stockholder in the Jasper Produce Company. Throughout his career he has been quite successful in all his business and has accumulated considerable means. He is a man of push and energy, and by virtue of these qualities will succeed at whatever he turns his attention to. He is held in high esteem by all his fellow-citi-

zens. He has a large and finely assorted stock of goods and is doing an excellent business and has an excellent and increasing trade.

- ENRY GRALING, a citizen of Ger- mantown township, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, is the son of John and Margaret (Hutteroth) Graling, both natives of Germany. Our subject was born in Prussia, October 2, 1836, and resided with his parents on the farm until 1847, when they came to the United States.

On coming to this country the Graling family first stopped in Wyoming county, New York. There they purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits for some years, our subject remaining with his parents until he was twenty-four years old. After his marriage, Henry Graling engaged in farming, and also taught school for some time. For some years he was engaged in buying and selling butter, cheese, etc., and remained in New York State until 1871. In this year he removed to Minnesota and lo- cated in Fillmore county, where he lived one year. He then came to Germantown town- ship, Cottonwood county, and located a homestead of 160 acres, also a tree claim of the same amount, this being the north half of section 30. Our subject still resides on the homestead, but some time ago gave the tree claim to his son John. When our sub- ject came to the township in the spring of 1873 there were but few settlers here. He at once commenced operations, breaking and seeding about ten acres of land, and made other improvements. His crop, however, was destroyed by the grasshoppers. The next year the same story was repeated and continued during four seasons. The fifth crop our subject tried to raise was a good one and yielded an excellent harvest, some going twenty-seven bushels to the acre. Rust and

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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 95

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