Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens, Part 103

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company
Number of Pages: 872

USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 103
USA > North Dakota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 103

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Mr. Todd was united in marriage in Sep- tember, 1870, to Miss Emma Kelly, a native of New York State. She was born in Ontario county on the 7th of December, 1854, and located in Forest City with her parents in 1867. She is a daughter of Will- iam and Rachael (Haubert) Kelly, also natives of New York. They were the par- ents of the following-named children - Nil- son, Emma, Elva, Ella, Eugene, Allen, Min- nie, Jennie and Dolly. Mr. and Mrs. Todd are the parents of three children - Ovid, Walter and Erma. Our subject is a repub- lican in his political affiliations and is a meni- ber of the Masonic fraternity.

ENNIS HANNA is one of the leading citizens of the town of Stephen, Mar- shall county, Minnesota, and is engaged extensively in the general merchandise busi- ness. He has built up a large trade and car- ries a large stock of goods. Mr. Hanna was born May 2, 1847, in New Berlin, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, his parents being Dennis and Elizabeth J.(Dugdale) Hanna. The father was a native of Ireland, and the mother of the Isle of Man.

The subject of our sketch remained on the home farm, working at farm work and attending district school until he was twenty- two years of age. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked on a railroad for seven weeks, tliis being his first experience in shoveling dirt. From St. Paul he went to the vicinity of Hastings, where he turned his attention to farm work during harvest, and then went to Mankato, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, to attend the normal school at that place. He was determined to obtain an education, and, through the kind- ness of Professor Gage, found a place where

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he worked to pay for a part of his board, and, between terms, also worked in the harvest field to obtain money to carry him through his course. He finally accomplished his cherished ends and completed his course of training at the normal school, after which, for eight years, he taught school in the vicinity of New Ulm and Man- kato. In 1879 he removed to Marshall county, Minnesota, settling in the village of Stephen with about $400 in his pocket. As soon as he arrived he commenced his busi- ness operations and put up a store building and opened the pioneer store. In selecting this location Mr. Hanna was fortunate as to a place for business, but, unfortunately, he chose the wrong side of the river for the depot, so in the course of two years, after the depot had been located on the other side, he built the store he now occupies. By careful attention to business Hr. Hanna has built up a large and profitable trade. His $400 continually grew and became several thousands in goods and property.

In the fall of 1876 Mr. Hanna was married to Miss Mary Agnes Lynch, of Mankato, Minnesota, the amiable and Christian daugh- ter of Edward and Mary Lynch. Mrs. Hanna died in the summer of 1878, leaving one child-Julia Agnes. After two years of lonesome wandering, in June, 1880, Mr. Hanna was married to the estimable and accomplished Miss Annie T. Russell, at Man- kato, Minnesota, daughter of Francis and Nancy (Bolian) Russell, natives of Ireland. By this union there are five children-Fran- cis D., Edmund C., James T., Patrick Leon- ard and Eleanor Mary.

Mr. Hanna is a man of extensive travel, and is possessed of a mind of broad ideas and well stored with practical truth. His principles are of the purest kind, and his character has been fashioned on these decided lines. He is a warm friend and supporter of temperance and is a devoted

follower of the teachings of Father Ire- land, the great apostle of the temperance movement in Minnesota. Mr. Hanna has observed the success and failure of the men with whom he has come in con- tact, and the ideas he has gathered there- from, together with his own practical ex- perience, lead him to think that success and prosperity are largely the results of the belief and practice of temperance principles. Seeing things in this light he has come to be an ardent supporter in every movement that tends toward sobriety and total abstinence, but he is not a prohibitionist. In politics he believes in the principles of the democratic party, and with Webster believes that we should have " freer trade." In various ways Mr. Hanna has been honored by his fellow-townsmen, having held the offices of postmaster, supervisor, town- ship treasurer, and has been clerk of the school board ever since he came to the vil- lage. Mr. Hanna is a consistent and promi- nent member of the Catholic church, and is an honorary member of Bishop Ireland's Crusaders. He has had experience, also, in the editorial chair, being editor of the Mar- shall County Leader for one and a half years, being also one of the owners of the same.

Mr. Hanna came to Marshall county among its earliest settlers, and he has had excellent opportunity to watch the ups and downs of his fellows. The most of them were poor when they made their settlement, but they have been fairly successful, and are most of them better off, as far as this world's goods are concerned, than when they came. Some have done poorly because of a too avaricious nature and because of trying to do more than was possible for them to do. On the whole, viewing the success of most of his neighbors, and having himself made profitable use of his time and advantages, he firmly believes that the West is the place for

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the industrious poor man, principally because it offers the opportunity of a home of one's own. He believes the young men who drift from the legitimate society of women, neg- lecting the duty to build homes, almost neces- sarily become the loafers, tramps, drunkards, thieves, debauchers and murderers of society He believes that the chastity of the man should be held as sacred as that of woman. He believes with Dr. Brownson that the constitution of the Catholic church and that of the United States are so identical that we must eventuate in a great catholic people, the freest in the world. He believes that the teachings of the Catholic church on mar- riage, which it has held in past ages even at the risk of losing whole nations from its fold, to be the only safeguard of the home and of society. He believes the education of the family to belong primarily to the parents, and that the State should not inter- fere, except when the duty is neglected by the parents. He believes in the temporal freedom of the Pope, for similar reasons to those which prompted our forefathers to pro- cure the District of Columbia for the seat of the general government of the United States.

Mr. Hanna does not feel that what little success in life he has had is entirely due to his own wisdom or exertion, but ascribes it rather to the encouragment and faithful co-operation of the two truly Christian women who have been his wives.

ON. JUDSON LA MOURE, the sub- ject of this sketch, is one of Pem- bina's oldest settlers, and he has built up one of the best records for usefulness of any man in North Dakota. He is a merchant and vice-president of the First National Bank of Pembina.

Mr. La Moure's arrival in Pembina, North Dakota, dates back to October, 1870, and, with the establishment of a United States district court there, we find him the first deputy United States marshal and also an attaché of the United States Survey Depart- ment there. He was among the first to extensively engage in farming, and for three years he was deputy collector of customs, and later was returned for three years as member of the Territorial legislature from Pembina county. In 1878 he laid out a part of the town plat and has been actively interested in the prosperity of that place. About that time he established a general store, and as a member of the firm of La Moure, Webb, Traill & Company, he has assisted in building up the city's leading man- ufacturing institution.

Such is in brief the outline of a career of local usefulness which finds no superior, if an equal, in North Dakota. A man of promi- nence and influence, he has the will and power to advance the prosperity and progress of any locality in which lie may reside.

EORGE BRUNELLE is the present chief of police of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota. He was born in Upper Canada, February 2, 1855. He is the son of Joseph Casamire and Calice (Marshal- den) Brunelle, natives of Lower Canada.

The subject of our sketch spent his early days on the home farm, and was given the advantages for receiving an education such as is furnished by the district schools. At eighteen years of age he took charge of the farm and continued its management until 1878, when he came to Red Lake Falls. He purchased a farm and followed the busi- ness of an agriculturist for five years. He then sold his land and moved into the city, built a large barn and engaged in the livery

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business for three years. He then sold out and opened a meat market, which he con- ducted for ten month's, then sold and kept a saloon for nine months. In the spring of 1888 he was elected city marshal and chief of police, which position he still holds.

Mr. Brunelle was married to Miss Eugenie Marshal, daughter of Louie and Margaret (St. Arnault) Marshal. The fruits of this union are five children-Rebecca, Casamire, Albert, Clements and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Brunelle are members of the Catholic church.

He is a man of strong convictions, fearless and progressive in his opinions, and as an officer of the law he has proven himself efficient and capable, and has given entire satisfaction to his constituents.

ON. MOSES E. CLAPP, attorney-gen- eral of Minnesota, has been promis nently identified with the interests of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, since 1881. He is a native of Indiana, born in Delphi, Indiana, May 21, 1857, and is the son of Henry and Jane (Vandercoot) Clapp, natives of Ohio and Vermont. They are now residents of Wisconsin.

Mr. Clapp spent his younger days in school attendance in Wisconsin, where he had re- moved with his parents in 1863. After com- pleting his education he studied law at Hud- son, Wisconsin, graduating froma law school in 1873. He then removed to New Richmond, where he engaged in his profession for one year, and at the expiration of that time removed to Hudson, Wisconsin, and until 1881 was engaged in law practice at that place. While there was elected county attorney in 1878, and was one of the leading lawyers in that locality. In 1881 he removed to Minnesota, locating in Fergus Falls, where he has since resided. During the years 1883, 1884 and 1885 he held the office of city

attorney, and in 1886 was elected attorney- general of Minnesota, which position he has since held.

Mr. Clapp was married in 1875 to Miss Hattie Allen, a native of Indiana, and they have been blessed with two children-Cath- arine and Harry. Mr. Clapp is one of the leading citizens of the Northwest, and his name is indissolubly associated with the prosperity and progress of Fergus Falls.

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RANK WEIGEL, one of the proprietors of the Wadena Roller Flouring Mills, has been identified with the business inter- ests of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, since March, 1884, when, in company with his brother, he purchased his present plant. On becoming owners of this property they at once commenced improving it, and expended some $3,000 in putting in the new roller sys- tem and other modern improvements, bring- ing the capacity of the mill up to 110 barrels per day. This firm has a large and increas- ing business and manufactures several fine grades of flour, among them being the "Home Comfort" and the "Pride of Wadena," the latter being the finest quality of patent inake. The firm has a fifty-six horse-power engine and employs five men.

Mr. Weigel is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1831. When he was about eight months old his parents came to this country and settled first in New York, where they lived some years. They then removed to Ohio and made that State their home for five or six years, when they started by team to drive to Chicago, Illinois. This was in 1844, before the days of railroads, and in this way they removed all their effects to Chicago, being five or six weeks on the journey. Chicago at that time was a town of about one thousand inhabitants, and prophesied but little of the grand future

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that was before it. The father still lives in that city, his residence being on the corner of State and Polk streets.

Mr. Weigel was quite a lad when his parents moved to Chicago, and as soon as lie reached the age of eighteen he em- barked in life for himself. He engaged at carpenter work, building up a large pat- ronage in contracting, and continuing suc- cessfully at that business until 1855. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, then a city of 4,000 people, and started a planing mill and sash and door factory. This business he kept up · for five years, and then went up the Minnesota river to Louisville, Scott county, where he bought and ran a flour mill for one year. He then went to Dayton, Wright county, where he built a mill and continued in business in the original building until 1876. He then built a new merchant mill and carried that on until 1880, when, on account of ill-health, he sold out and engaged in farming. In 1881 he removed to Anoka, where he purchased a large mill and refitted it by putting in the patent roller system. He continued in Anoka for about two years, when by wheat speculation he lost $10,000, about all he had. He then sold his property in Anoka, and in 1884 came to Wadena.

In 1854, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Weigel was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Greibler. They have no children.

While in Wright county, this State, Mr. Weigel was one of the most active men in public matters, and was one of the county commissioners for some years. He held that office when the court house was built in that county, and was one of the parties who selected and staked out the ground on which the structure .was built. He is an active member of the Catholic church and, since coming to Wadena, has taken a deep inter- est in the welfare and progress of that society. Through his instrumentality this

society has been enabled to build the finest church edifice in the city. Mr. Weigel has been very successful in the management of his milling interests, and has built up a large and profitable business. He is a man of high character and, by fair dealing and honest practices, has won the confidence and respect of all who have had business relations with him.

ILLIAM G. DEACON, editor and proprietor of the New Era, St. Vincent, Kittson county, Minnesota, is one of the leading editors of the northern part of the State. He is a native of England, and, after coming to the United States, located in St. Vincent, Minnesota, where he was engaged in various occupations for about six years. He then purchased the paper which he now runs, and, by untiring energy, has placed it among the best local journals in the county. He has held the office of justice of the peace, village trustee, county commissioner, and is the present efficient postmaster of the village. He is actively interested in all home enterprises, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

BARRETT, an old settler of Polk county, Minnesota, is engaged in farming near the city of Crookston. He is a native of Canada, and emigrated to the United States, settling near St. Paul, Minnesota, when that city was composed of a few rude shanties. He located in Polk county and settled on his farm, which is now in the city limits of Crookston, where he has since lived, engaged in farming and stock-raising. His farm comprises forty acres of fine farming land. He is an exemplary citizen, and is actively interested in all local matters.

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OSEPH P. CLARK. The subject of this biography is a resident of the village of Caledonia, Traill county, North Dakota, where he is engaged in the hardware busi- ness. He is a native of Vermont, born in Peacham, on the 26th day of May, 1850, and is the son of J. A. and Sarah L. (Prime) Clark, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire, respectively.

Mr. Clark, of whom this article treats, remained at home, attending school and working on the farm summers, until he was twenty-two years old. During three or four years of this time he had worked for neigh- boring farmers, but had spent a great deal of time at home, receiving his education. At the age of twenty-two he went to Con- cord, New Hampshire, where he learned the stone-mason's trade, at which he worked four years and a half, in Concord, New Hampshire, and St. Johnsbury, Vermont. In October, 1877, he removed to North Dakota and located in Caledonia, Traill county, where he engaged in the farm machinery business. He followed that business until the fall of 1881, when he engaged in the hardware business, in which he has since been engaged. He has a fine building and carries a full line of heavy and shelf hardware. In addition to his store he owns 480 acres of good farming land, and has a comfortable residence in the village. Since his settlement in the village he has been actively interested in all local matters, and has held the offices of town treasurer for three years, and town supervisor for three years.

Mr. Clark was married in Caledonia, on the 6th of September, 1881, to Miss Edie Houghton, the daughter of L. E. and Louise (White) Houghton, natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Clark in this union have been blessed with one child-Emma June. Mr. Clark is a man of sterling business qualifica- tions, and any local enterprise receives his

hearty support and encouragement. Al- though not in the best of circumstances when he commenced in life for himself, by perseverance and strict attention to business he has placed himself on a good footing, financially.

ISRAEL LEMIEUX, M. D., is one of the most popular and influential physicians in Polk county, Minnesota. He resides in Red Lake Falls, where his office is located. He was born in St. Urban, Chateauguay county, Province of Quebec, in 1852.

The subject of our sketch resided with his parents until he grew to manhood, being given the very best advantages for receiving a thorough classical education. At the age of ten years he was sent to college, where he took a complete course, after which he attended Bishop's Medical College, in Mon- treal, Canada. He graduated from the med- ical institution in 1874, and for six years thereafter practiced his profession in Can- ada. He then went to Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, where he has been engaged in active practice ever since.

Dr. Lemieux was married in Montreal, February 2, 1874, to Miss Ezilda Laforce, daughter of Solime and Eleanore (Rousse) Laforce, natives of Canada. This marriage has been blessed with the following chiil- dren-Archibald, Willferd, Joseph, Fleur- dina, Rosalba, Alberta, Adelard, Albina, Ida, Arthur and Amelia. Archibald, Fleurdina, Rosalba, Alberta and Arthur are now dead.

The doctor occupies a prominent position in social and religious circles in the city, and, besides being a physician of wide repute, is an acknowledged authority on musical mat- ters, being the present organist of the Cath- olic church, of which society he is a member. He is president of the St. John the Baptist

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society, president of the village council, and is also county physician. The doctor has an extensive and profitable practice, and has performed many difficult operations and brought about many remarkable cures, for which he has gained an enviable reputation.

USTUS K. HINMAN, a highly respected farmer of Todd county, is a resident of the village of Grey Eagle. He is a native of New York, born in Cattaraugus county, on the 19th of September, 1835, and is the son of Justus and Rebecca (Ellis) Hinman, natives of the Empire State. The father and mother of our subject were married in 1833 and the mother died in 1844. The father removed to Minnesota in 1884. He has always fol- lowed the machinery business. The father and mother were the parents of three chil- dren-Harrietta, Justus and Ellis.

Mr. Hinman, of whom this article treats, remained at home, receiving the usual educa- tional advantages of the common schools until he was fifteen years old. When he had attained the age of seventeen years he went to Pennsylvania and worked in a mill for two years. In the fall of 1854 he removed to Minnesota, locating in Hen- nepin county, and the succeeding summer worked in the Minneapolis mills, then engaging in farming near Lake Minnetonka. He then sold out and went to Rockford, Minnesota, and pre-empted land, where he remained engaged in farming for one year. At the expiration of that time he went to Missouri, and after remaining one year was employed as salesman for Washburn & McFarland, hard ware merchantsof Ottumwa, Iowa. After some time he removed to Rochester, Minnesota, and during the sum- mer was engaged in hauling goods from that place to Lake City. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Ninth Minnesota Infantry

and served until August, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. He participated in the battles of Brice's Cross Roads, Tupello and Spanish Fort, besides many skirmishes. After his discharge he followed trapping for a few months and then worked in the mills at Minneapolis. From Minneapolis he went to Mankato, Minnesota, and after remaining there for four years settled in Todd county, Minne- sota. He located in Grey Eagle township, on section 4, and after remaining for over three years returned to Blue Earth county. At the expiration of another four years he returned to Todd county and located in the village of Grey Eagle, where he engaged in the saw-mill business in partnership with Jacob Callahan for six years.

Mr. Hinman was married July 4, 1866, to Miss Cornelia Matterson, and this union has been blessed with three children, named as follows-Albert, Alfred and Cora. Mr. Hinman is a republican in his political affilia- tions, and has been prominently identified with the local prosperity of the village since his residence there. He is commander of Post No. 129, Grand Army of the Republic.

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RED FALLEY, the subject of this biographical review, is in partnership with George Fritz, under the firm name of Fritz & Falley, proprietors and publishers of the Dakota Globe. Our subject is a native of Illinois, born in York, Clark county, Illinois, July 1, 1859, and is the son of Hon. Richard and Fannie (Scranton) Falley. During life the father of Mr. Fal- ley was engaged in the mercantile business in Clark county, and died in 1877. The father was a representative citizen for many years, and was a member of the Illinois State legislature.

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Mr. Falley spent his younger days in school, and received a good academic educa- tion. At the age of eighteen years he com- menced to learn the printer's trade at Lancas- ter, Wisconsin, where he remained two years and at the expiration of that time removed to Breckenridge, Minnesota, and worked in the Free Press office until 1883. He then established the Sargent County Teller, with which he continued until 1887, when he sold out, removed to Wahpeton, Dakota Terri- tory, and purchased the Dakota Globe, and went into partnership with Mr. Fritz. The paper is the official paper of the county, and strongly republican in its political pro- clivities.

Mr. Falley was married in 1885 to Miss Clara Mitchell, of Lancaster, Wisconsin, and the daughter of S. Mitchell. This union has been blessed with one child - Richard. Our subject is a republican in his political belief and is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.

ELS E. ACKER, the popular proprietor of the billiard hall at Hillsboro, Dakota, is a son of Eener A. and Anna I. (Aaker) Tofty. He was born February 24, 1850, at Sundalen Normore, Norway, where he lived on a farm, going to school until he was fourteen years old, when he commenced for himself by becoming a sailor, which he followed until the spring of 1869, when he came to the United States. He first stopped in Lanesboro, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he worked on dams for the railroad company until fall, when he commenced work for the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company, continuing until the spring of 1872. He then went to Glyndon, worked in a railroad yard until the fall of that year, when he went to Brainerd, where he cut cord wood all winter receiving no pay, however. He then went to Aitkin. In the spring of 1873 our subject

went to work on a steamboat called Dakota for the Hudson Bay Company, running between Fargo and Winnipeg, where he was employed until the freeze-up in the fall of 1873, but still remained in their employ. He was sent to Georgetown, then to Grand Forks, where he worked in the lumber yard for them until the fall of 1875. In January, 1876, he, with fifteen others, went to the Black Hills, where they engaged in mining that summer, and in the fall came back to Bismarck, then went to Fort Rice on the Missouri river and hauled hay for the Government until the spring of 1877, when he worked on a steam ferry boat part of the summer between Bismarck and Fort Lincoln; then went to freighting between Bismarck and the Black Hills, following this until June. 1880, when he went to Caledonia, Dakota, where he remained some two months. He then came to Hillsboro, which was then called Hill City, and in company with Albert Pattrud completed the first business building and engaged in the saloon business, which he followed until the fall of 1887, since which time he has run a billiard hall.

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Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens, Part 103

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company Number of Pages: 872

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company
Number of Pages: 872