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 98
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The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent by him in the place of his nativity. He assisted his father in various kinds of la- bor, and was given good educational advant- ages in the public schools. On attaining twenty years of age heleft his native land and, crossing the ocean in twelve days, landed at Castle Garden, from whence he removed to Lake Superior, where he found work in the iron mines for one year and half. He then
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found employment in the copper mines, and continued in that employmentfor six months, after which he came to Minneapolis, Minne- sota, and, remaining there three months, went thence to St. Croix county, Wisconsin. He resided in that locality until coming to Lin- coln county in 1878.
Mr. Paulson was married in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, to Miss Caroline Hanson, daughter of Berg B. Hanson, a merchant of Baldwin, St. Croix county. This lady was born twenty miles from Manitowoc, Wis- consin, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Paulson have seven children- Augusta Mary, Clara Barentyne, Helen Ma- tilda, Henry Theodore, Albert George, Emma Sophia, and Hannah Margaret.
Perhaps no man in this part of Lincoln county is as well known and as popular in public circles as is the subject of our sketch. He has continually and actively interested himself in all matters which tended to the uplifting and renovating of govern- mental affairs, and has held various official positions. In different capacities he has been called upon to serve his constituents and has proven his efficiency, and has grown in pop- ular favor. Besides his connection with mat- ters of a political nature, being a republican in politics, he is also intimately associated with the welfare of the Baptist Church So- ciety. On these lines he is one of the most enthusiastic and earnest of workers. Being formerly a Lutheran, he now holds a mem- bership in the Baptist church. He is well posted on a large variety of subjects, is a good talker, and seems to have a special adaptability to winning men to believe in the Christian religion. He is peculiarly gifted in this particular, and has accomplished, and is accomplishing, a great amount of good in the township in which he lives. Besides being a ·representative man in religious cir- cles, he also holds the esteem and respect of all his neighbors as a thorough-going and sys-
tematic farmer. In these lines he has been very successful, and has accumulated consid- erable means.
DETER JOHNSON, a reliable farmer, resides on section 10, Scandia township, Murray county, Minnesota, and is the son of John and Bengta (Nelson) Pearson, natives of Sweden. He was born in Skon, Sweden, January 22, 1850.
Our subject left the parental home at eleven years of age, up to which time he had attended the common-schools and assisted his parents in farm work. From that age until about fifteen he worked out, and then returned home, where he remained for one year, after which he again left the home of his parents never to return. Until 1870 he remained in his native land working for farmers, and then came to the United States, coming directly to Minnesota where he stopped in St. Peter and worked on the rail- road. This work was begun on the 13th of May and continued until November 15th of the same year. Three months were then spent in work for a farmer, after which two months more were spent on the railroad. After a short rest another two months were spent in railroad work. The following two months were again spent in farm work. He was then married and moved onto his wife's farm in Nicollet county, Minnesota, and operated that until 1886, when they sold out and moved to Murray county, where our sub- ject purchased 160 acres of land on the southeast quarter of section 10, Scandia township, which has remained his home ever since. Since that time he has added 120 acres of land and now owns 280 acres of excellent land with 156 acres under cultivation, while his daughter, Mary Abram, owns 160 acres on section 9. He has lieen very successful in his farming operations and has a comfort- able frame house and good frame barn. The
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subject of our sketch has always taken an active interest in local political affairs, and has been chairman of the board of super- visors for some seven or eight years. He has also efficiently filled the offices of town- ship treasurer and school treasurer. He takes an interest in religious matters and is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.
The wedding day of Mr. Johnson occurred on the 22d of September, 1872, at which time he was married in Nicollet county, Minnesota, to Miss Inger Tolson, a native of Sweden, her birth-place being the same town in which her husband was born, the date of her birth being April 11, 1840. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Johnson she was the widow of John Adrams, by whom she had two children-Gustaf and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been blessed with six children-Alfred, Herman, Anton, Emily (deceased), Aaron and Hino.
ANIEL J. DENHART made his set- tlement in Elmer township, Pipestone county, Minnesota, in March, 1883, locating an excellent farm on section 14. He now owns 240 acres of land, and is engaged ex- tensively in general farming and in the rais- ing of Short-horn and Holstein cattle. He also owns several thoroughbred horses of the Clydesdale stock. Since coming to the town- ship Mr. Denhart has been an active partici- pant in the administration of the affairs of local government, and has held several posi- tions of trust and responsibility. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors for three years, and has also been clerk of school district No. 19 since his settlement in the township.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he was born January 22, 1853. His father, Jolın D. Denhart, was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and was a native of Germany. When twenty years of age he left his native land and came to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania, where he lived for several years. He died at the home of our subject, at the age of seventy-four years, in 1876. The mother was Nancy Helm, who is still living, and makes her home with her chil- dren. In the father's family there were twelve children, eight of whom are still liv- ing - Jacob, Henry, Dorothy, Eva, John, Frank, Daniel and Joseph.
When our subject was about three years of age the family removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, and it was in that State that Daniel received his early training and was given the advantages for obtaining a good common-school education. He remained with his parents and attended the district schools until he was twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority, he worked at the carpenter's trade, and also spent an appren- ticeship as a stone and brick mason. He continued in these lines of employment until 1881, and in the meantime, in 1878, went to Washington Territory and followed his trades there. Returning to Illinois in 1881, he engaged in the mercantile business, but his health failed, and he started out in search of a location on a farm; visited Southern Minnesota, and found his present location in Pipestone county, where he has since been engaged in the occupation of farming.
In September, 1876, occurred the marriage of our subject to Miss Christa McHose, a native of Stephenson county, Illinois. Mrs. Denhart is a pleasant, sociable lady, well ed- ucated, having attended and graduated from the high school at Orange City, Illinois. She is a daughter of William McHose, a promi- nent and influential farmer of Illinois. In her father's family were thirteen children- Anna, John, Rebecca, Oliver, Sarah, Susan, Christa, Ella, Eva, Endisses, George, Mary and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Denhart have
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four children, all of whom areliving-Daisy, William, Florence and Raymond.
In his political faith Mr. Denhart is a fol- lower of the democratic principles, and since coming to Pipestone county has been identi- fied with the religious interests of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Prior to his settle- ment in this county he was a member of the United Brethren church. In social and re- ligious matters he is a man of much influence and prominence. Since his residence here he has held the position of trustee in the above-named organization, and for one year was clerk of the district conference. At present he also holds the office of steward, to which he was elected for three years. Our subject has been trained in a practical school, and in spite of the many difficulties which have confronted him at various times in his life, he has risen to a position of wealth and responsibility in the county in which he lives. He is a man of excellent habits, is a good citizen, and is respected by all who know him.
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HOMAS THORSON is the efficient register of deeds of Watonwan county, Minnesota, and is also president of the village council of St. James, where he resides. He is a native of Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was born in the year 1852. His parents were natives of Norway, and were Thore and Rachel (Evans) Thorson.
The parents came to America in 1842, and became pioneer settlers of Rock county, Wis- consin. They engaged in farming, and con- tinued residents of that county until 1854, when they came to Houston county, Minne- sota. For several years they engaged in farming, and then removed to Iowa, later settling in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1869 they came to Watonwan county, and were pioneer settlers of Rosendahl township, where the father is now engaged in operating
a fine farm of two hundred acres. There are seven living children in the father's family- Mary, now Mrs. Haugen; Thomas, Nels, Caroline, now Mrs. Gerlinger ; Samuel, Belle, now Mrs. Troman, and Knute. The father of our subject has been a prominent citizen in his township, and has held various official positions, among them being that of school director and road supervisor. He belongs to the republican party, and is a member of the Lutheran church.
The subject of our sketch was reared as a farmer's boy, but was given a good educa- tion. He attended the Normal School at Mankato for some years, and taught some eleven months in Watonwan county. He remained with his parents principally until he was twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm in Rosendahl township, operating the same for one year. His next move was to engage as a clerk in St. James fora year. In 1875 he was elected to the office of register of deeds, and has held that office ever since. He has been one of the most popular and efficient county officials that the county has ever had. He was elected justice of the peace in 1882, and held the office until 1889, when he refused to accept a re-election. In 1889 he was elected president of the village coun- cil, of which he is the present popular incum- bent. In connection with his other work he is engaged to a large extent in buying and selling lands throughout the county. He built a fine residence in the village in 1884, and in 1888 built the house where he now lives. In politics he affiliates with the re- publican party, and is a member of the Ma- sonic Lodge, of which he has been secretary for four years. No man in the village is more actively interested or takes a livelier part in matters pertaining to the public wel- fare than does this gentleman. By money and counsel he always aids liberally in the upbuilding of any project which tends toward general improvement, and he is looked upon
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as one of the solid and most influential citi- zens of the county. Mr. Thorson was mar- ried, in the year 1884, to Miss Alice Duryea, a daughter of Daniel H. Duryea, of St. James.
HOMAS SCOTT, an influential farm- er and stock raiser of Carson town- ship, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, is at present located on section 32. He came to the county in 1871, locating on section 6 of Lake Side township, where he pre-empted land. He resided there until the spring of 1889, when he came to his present farm. He has an excellent piece of farming land and is also engaged in raising Durham cattle. Our subject was among the early settlers of Lake Side township and his taken an active in- terest in county matters since making his location.
Mr. Scott is of Irish birth, being born in County Donegal, August 12, 1843. His father, Edward Scott, was a surveyor and teacher and held the office of postmaster for some time. He was a representative man in Ireland and died in that country in 1860. Thomas' mother's name was Isabel Beatie, born in Ireland in January, 1811. She came to America, September 13, 1866, and lived for three years in Boston, after which she came to Minnesota, and has since lived with her son. She is a loyal Christian lady and belonged for years to the Church of England. In the father's family there are six living children-Jane, Lizzie, Sarah, Thomas, Will- iam and Alexander. The deceased were John, Susan, Margaret and Wilhelmina I.
Our subject remained in his native country until he was twenty-one years of age, up to which time he has been given a good com- mon-school education, and for five years had been a mail-carrier. On attaining his major- ity, in June, 1864, he came to the United States, and located in Massachusetts until
1870. He then came West, traveling in Wisconsin and Iowa for about a year. His next move was to come to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he has remained ever since. He has passed through many trying circumstances and saw much trouble during the grasshopper raids but kept stead- ily at work, gradually building up the good circumstances with which he is now sur- rounded. While the grasshoppers were here our subject had to go elsewhere during the fall and winter and work to obtain enough money to enable him to return to his farm and remain until the harvest.
Our subject has been looked upon with great favor in his township and is consid- ered one of its representative citizens. He is a republican in politics and constantly ad- vocates and supports all matters which tend to the building up of the general wel- fare.
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ICHAEL C. MAHONEY was the L first actual settler of Burke town- ship, Pipestone county, Minnesota. On his advent into the county there was naught to be seen but the wild, rolling prairie, and he had ample chance to choose and find a loca- tion, which he did, locating his farm on section 8, where still lives. Mr. Mahoney made his settlement January 25, 1878, and was the first to break sod in the township, which he did in April of that year. He broke about sixty acres of land, built a sod shanty, and laid the basis for the prosperity and good fortune which have come to him through the ensuing years. He lived in the sod hut for about two years, and then erected a more comfortable and commodious dwell- ing and surrounded himself with the signs of prosperity. Mr. Mahoney participated in the first steps toward the organization of the township, the first meeting being held in John Shey's shanty, where they discussed
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the name of the township. One declared that it should be named after the first settler, but Mr. Mahoney declined that honor and suggested that it be called Erin, which title was decided upon. However, on the return of the papers from the State secretary, it was found, to the surprise of the organizers, that the name was changed to that of Burke, this being their second choice, the reason being that there was already one Erin town- ship in the State. Mr. Mahoney was the chairman of the first board of supervisors, which position he held for three years, and throughout all his residence he has been closely identified with the interests of its government and with the prosperity and welfare of the township at large. He has held numerous positions of responsibility, and in every instance has proven himself capable and efficient.
The place of the nativity of our subject is to be found in the town of Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, where he was born in 1843. He remained in his native country until about seventeen years old, up to which time he obtained a good common-school education. At that age he emigated to America, and, within sixty days after landing in New York City, enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Reg- iment National Guards, and remained in the service throughout the war. During this time he was engaged principally as a marine en- gineer on the Monitor, and after his dis- charge from the service, came to Chicago to erect pumping engines for the water works of that city. He remained in that city some two years after the great fire of 1871, in which he lost some $2,500 worth of personal property, tools, money, etc. In 1873 he came to the State of Minnesota, and was appointed master mechanic of the round- house at Waseca, in which he remained some six months, removing thence to Rochester, near which city he purchased lands, paying therefor twelve hundred dollars. After two
years spent on this farm he sold out for six- teen hundred dollars, and removed to Pipe- stone county, locating on section 8, where he has since lived.
Mr. Mahoney was married in 1863 to Miss nah Umbrille, a native of County Kerry, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney have one child-Kate. In September, 1884, death took four children out of this family in one week from diphtheria-Minnie, aged fourteen years ; Willie, seven years of age; Bridgie, four years old, and Mattie, two years old.
In politics Mr. Mahoney trained with the democratic party until the nomination of Mr. Blaine for president, at which time he became a republican, and since which time he has continued his affiliation with that organization. Our subject is a man of strong characteristics, is an earnest advocate of temperance reform, and is energetic and active in anything that may elevate the moral tone of the commonwealth. While a member of the board of county commission- ers, which position he held from 1887 to 1888, it was mainly through his instrumentality that the liquor license in the county was placed at fifteen hundred dollars. To Mr. Mahoney is largely due the credit of accom- plishing the thorough and efficient work in the line of temperance which has been in Pipestone county during the past few years. He has been vice-president of the old settlers' association for two years. In 1887 he was one of the leading spirits and the vice-presi- dent of the committee which had in hand the preparations for the celebration of the 4th of July. Mr. Mahoney has come to be looked upon as a kind of father by the younger generation which is growing up to take the places of the present burden-bearers. In his farming operations he has met with large success and has accumulated a com- fortable competency. He isa man in whom all have confidence and whose judgment is a criterion to be followed by all who know him.
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ATRICK CRONIN purchased his pres- ent farm on the southwest quarter of section 9, Marshfield township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, in 1878. He located on his land in 1879, and has since been a resi- dent of the township. He is a son of Pat- rick and Bridget (Brennen) Cronin, both of whom were natives of Ireland.
Mr. Cronin was born in Ithaca, New York, March 2, 1855. His parents came to America some years before. When he was only a small boy his parents removed to Wisconsin, and for years the father engaged in working on different railroads in that State. The family finally located near Rochester, Minnesota, where they purchased a farm, and where the parents now live. Our subject made his home beneath the parental roof until he was twenty-five or twenty-six years of age. Up to this time he had been given good educational facilities in the district schools, and become well pre- pared for the practical duties of life. On attaining the age just mentioned, in about 1878, he came to his present location in Lin- coln county, and purchased his farm. The following year he moved to the place and commenced making improvements. He now owns three hundred acres of excellent land, and has a good two-story dwelling-house, and a fine barn forty-six by forty-eight feet. He takes excellent care of his buildings, and keeps them all thoroughly repaired. The house and barn are well painted, and evi- dence care and thrift. Mr. Cronin has taken an active interest in local affairs since coming to the township, and has held sev- eral official positions. In every instance he has proven his trustworthiness and capability and has served his constituents with honor and credit to himself and satisfaction to them. He has been assessor for three years and was also township supervisor for some time. He is a consistent member of the Catholic church, and is held in high esteem
as an exemplary citizen by all who know him.
Mr. Cronin was married in Rochester, Minnesota, February 28, 1882, to Miss Mary Lawler, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (McElligott) Lawler, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The fruits of this union are the following-named children-Martin, John, Hannah and Cecelia.
ICHOLAS WEBER is a leading citi- zen and prominent resident of Currie, Murray county, Minnesota, where he located in April, 1879. He is engaged in manufacturing wagons, and also deals in machinery. In November, 1879, he built a shop and commenced work at his present business. The extent of his means when he came to the county was very limited, and besides engaging in wagon-making, he also followed the carpenter's trade somewhat, in order to support his family. He has been quite successful in his business and does a large and profitable trade.
Nicholas Weber was born in Luxemburg, Germany, May 13, 1853. His parents were Peter and Anna Catharine (Farthel) Weber, natives of Germany and farmers by occupa- tion. The father died in his native country when our subject was about four years of age. The mother is still living in the father- land. The names of the children in the father's family were Anna, Mary, Michael, John, Elizabeth and Nicholas. All these are still living; those deceased being Catharine, John, Peter, Mary and Magda- line.
Nicholas Weber remained in his native land until he was seventeen years old. He received a good common-school education and was reared a farmer's boy. In March, 1871, he came to the United States, landing at Portland, Maine, whence he came to Minnesota, locating in Houston county.
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Here he engaged in wagon-making for eight years, a portion of the time being spent in the employ of Nick Beck, Scott Reeves and 'Thomas Abbots. The last two years of this time were spent in work for himself. When the eight years had rolled by he came to Murray county and made a permanent loca- tion in the village of Currie. In politics the subject of our sketch has affiliated for some time with the democratic party and is a loyal and consistent member of the Catho- lic church. For two years he has been librarian of his church and was one of the first trustees, which position he holds at the present time. Mr. Weber is a man of excel- lent character, and is widely known and highly respected. He has good business capabilities.
Nicholas Weber was married February 21, 1876, in Caledonia, Houston county, Minnesota, to Miss Anna M. Schiltz. This lady was a native of Germany and came to the United States when sixteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Weber have been blessed with the following-named children-Josephine, Mary, Helen, Frank, and Anna Maria, who died March 16, 1881, at the age of five years. - -
R. WILLIAM J. TAYLOR is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Pipestone, Minnesota. He came to the city in 1874 at a time when there was but one shanty in the place. He did not make his location at that time, but came on a brief visit with Rev. E. A. Bronson. At that time the doctor was a resident of Dane county, Wisconsin, to which place he had moved in 1852, but on his coming to Pipe- stone county on this trip he took up a home- stead and also a tree claim in Gray town- ship, part of which is now in the village of Pipestone. He returned to Wisconsin, and in 1875 again came to Pipestone county, bringing teams, lumber, etc., and at once
proceeding to make improvements. He broke up considerable land, built a stable and a shanty and remained here some three months. In April, 1876, he removed his family to his claim, and has been a resi- dent of the county ever since, with the ex- ception of one year during the grasshopper timnes. This was in 1876 when, on the 10th of August, he removed to Luverne and en- gaged in the practice of his profession for about one year. Then he returned to this county and settled on his claims. He has improved a large part of his land, having some 250 acres under cultivation. He keeps a large amount of stock and does a general farming business.
Our subject is a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, where he was born April 18, 1844. He is the son of Jesse and Effie (Bayles) Taylor, the former a native of England and the latter of Vermont. The father came to America in 1815 and settled near Rochester, New York, where he en- gaged in farming. He afterwards removed to Cuba, Allegany county, where he also fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. Removing thence, he settled in Wisconsin in about 1852 at the town of Middleton, Dane county. Here he engaged in farming until 1881, when he sold out and removed to Pipe- stone, where he is now living a retired life. In the father's family there were three chil- dren-Elizabeth, now the wife of Rev. E. H. Bronson, of Luverne; Dr. W. J. and Orville J., an attorney of Sioux City, Iowa.
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