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 29

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 29
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 29

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R OBERT PATTERSON, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in the village of Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota, is one of the most prom- inent and efficient: physicians in the Red River Valley. He is a native of Ontario, born in Grafton, on the 21st day of August, 1850, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Hardy) Patterson, natives of Ontario.

Dr. Patterson, of whom this sketch treats, spent his boyhood days in his native land, attending the excellent common schools of his native village. When about fifteen years of age, he commenced in life for himself, and about that time went to the State of New York. He remained in that State for eight years, finding such employment as he could during the summers, and each winter return- ing to his native village and attending school. When at the age of twenty-three years, he entered the normal school in the city of Toronto, and received a teacher's certificate; for the next four years fol- lowed that profession. At the expiration of that time he entered the Trinity Medical College, and graduated with high honors in 1880. He received the following degrees: M. B., from Trinity University, Toronto; M. B., from Toronto University ; fellow, by ex- amination of Trinity Medical College, and member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. One year after his graduation he received the degree of M. D. C. M. from the University of Trinity Col- lege, Toronto. After graduating, Dr. Pat- terson removed to Ilderton, Ontario, where he engaged in his professional labors, and re- mained there until the fall of 1881. He then removed to Moorhead, Clay county, Minnesota, and practiced medicine until in June, 1887. He then moved to the village of Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota, where he has since resided, devoting his time and energy to his chosen work. In connec- tion with his professional work he operates

a drug store, and also owns a fine farm of 400 acres, having 200 acres under cultiva- tion.

Dr. Patterson was united in marriage, in 1882, to Miss Anna Lennen, and this union has been blessed with three children, two of whom: are now living, named as follows : Charles Henry and Olga.

The doctor is one of the representative men of the county, and while in Moorhead was elected county physician, which position he filled for two years. He is an active member of the Masonic order, and organ- ized a lodge at Ilderton of the A. F. & A. M. When he went to Moorhead, he reor- ganized the Masonic lodge at that place, and for three years held the position of Worship- ful Master. He, with his family, belongs to the Congregational church, of which organ- ization he is trustee. He is one of the lead- ing practitioners in the county, and has an extensive and increasing practice in both vil- lage and country.

HILIP C. SCHMIDT, one of the promi- nent members of the bar of Polk county, and one of its brightest ornaments, followed a most diversified course of life before he found his true vocation in the profession of law. He first saw the light at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 17, 1854, and is the son of Philip C. and Caroline (Hagner) Schmidt, natives of Germany. In the Sep- tember following his birth, his parents re- moved to Washington county, Wisconsin, traveling from Chicago, Illinois, in a wagon drawn by "slow plodding, careful oxen." The elder Mr. Schmidt purchased a claim, the ground of which was heavily covered with timber, the " forest primeval," and at once installed his little family 'neath the shel- ter of the roof of the lonely log cabin which had been erected by the party of whom he

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bought the place, and who had made the original claimn. His wife and little ones sheltered from the elements, he commenced to clear up the place, literally to "hew him- self a new home in the great wilderness," there being but three acres reclaimed from their leafy covering at the time. Being a wagon-maker by trade, he put up a small shop for repairing all kinds of vehicles, close to the road that passed the farm. Toiling on year after year, he brought the farm un- der subjection to the uses of man, finally, and grew himself prosperous and a promi- nent and influential member of the com- munity where he lives, he still making his home upon the farm. His integrity of char- acter, as well as his sincerity of speech and action, being duly appreciated by his friends and neighbors, the honors of public of- fice were thrust upon him. He served for years as one of the county supervisors, and as a justice of the peace for the past thirty years. The latter position he still holds.

Philip C. Schmidt, the subject of this per- sonal memoir, was reared upon the paternal farm, helping his father in the arduous labor of clearing it up. At first, in early boyhood, he was set to picking up the small pieces of rocks and stones upon the surface of the ground, and, as he grew in strength, helped dig out the blackened stumps that covered the land. His early education was obtained in the rough log cabin school houses of that period and locality, and by ambitious study at eventide at home. In 1868, with a lauda- ble desire to increase his store of knowledge, he entered the Northwestern University, at Watertown, Wisconsin, but only re- mained there one term. At the expira- tion of that he went to Milwaukee, and, entering the large dry goods establish- ment of I. A. Leir & Co., as cash boy, began to push his own fortune in the world. He was at that time only fifteen years of age, but a bold, manly fellow. In a short

time he was promoted to the position of salesman, and remained with that firm about eighteen months. In the fall of 1870 he. changed to the store of Linfield & Co., also dealers in dry goods and notions, but eight months later, abandoning the mercantile trade, entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as time- keeper. Not relishing that position, in the fall of 1871 he removed to West Bend, Wash- ington county, Wisconsin, where he engaged as clerk in the general retail store of Potter & Miller, and remained with that firm but three months. During the following winter he returned to Milwaukee, and spent one term in the Spencerian Business College, at the end of which he went to Cincinnati and re- sumed his duties in a dry goods establish- ment-that of Hopkins & Co. In the fall of 1872, appreciating the advantages of a trade, he commenced learning that of ornamental painting and decorating in the Hall Safe and Lock Company's works. He remained in that employment for the next six or seven years, becoming quite proficient with the brush, in all of the principal cities of the United States, from the Atlantic coast to Denver, Colorado, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes.

Becoming convinced that he had abilities that fitted him for a forensic career, on the 2d of January, 1879, he entered the office of Frisby & Weil, one of the leading law firms of Wisconsin, where he gave his unflag- ging, unwearied attention to the study of law. He remained with that firm, having studied previously in private for some two years, until the winter of 1882-83, when, the firm dissolving, he followed Judge Frisby to Milwaukee, and with him finished his studies in the winter of 1883-84. Having been ad- mitted to the bar, he looked around for a suitable locality in which to settle and dis- play his abilities as a lawyer, he deter- mined to emigrate to the Red River Valley.

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On his arrival in Polk county, Minnesota, Mr. Schmidt located in Red Lake Falls, which was then a young and promising village, and there opening an office, commenced his successful career in this part of the world. He took an active part in all village and town matters, and was elected a member of the county board of commissioners from that district. In October, 1885, our subject removed his office to Crookston, the county seat, since which time he has been recog- nized as one of the leading attorneys of the place. He is the possessor of one of the best law libraries in the city, it containing some 400 volumes, and is valued at $1,200.

Politically Mr. Schmidt has always been identified with the republican party, and dur- ing the presidential campaign of 1888 was the president of the club of that political organi- zation. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having been made a Mason in West Bend Lodge, No. 138, when but twenty-two years of age, and still holds membership there.

Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage De- cember 23, 1885, with Miss Emma Morrill, a native of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and daughter of David P. Morrill. By this union they have one daughter, Marion M.

A C. EARSLEY. Among the promi- nent and influential business men of the famous Park Regions of Minnesota is the gentleman whose name heads this article, a dealer in heavy and shelf hardware in Her- man, Grant county, Minnesota. He is a native of New York State, born in Tioga county, June 8, 1841, and is the son of Will- iam and Mary (Lynch) Earsley, natives, also, of the "Empire State." After their mar- riage the parents of our subject lived in their native State for two years, and then moved to Indiana, where they lived for seven years. At the expiration of that time they moved

to New York State, where they remained the rest of their lives. They were the parents of the following named children- Ruth, Charles, Cyrus and A. C.

Mr. Earsley, the subject of this sketch, spent his younger days in the State of New York, where he completed his education at the age of twenty-one years. In the year 1871 he came to Minnesota and located at Waverly, and from there removed to Litch- field, Minnesota, where he remained for a few months. At the expiration of that time he went to Herman, Grant county, Min- nesota, and for the next two years was em- ployed as station agent in that place. He then engaged in the general merchandising business in connection with the lumber busi- ness, which he carried on for about three years. Mr. Earsley then sold out his gen- eral merchandising business, and opened a hardware store in connection with his lumber yard, and has since carried on the same. He carries a full line of hardware and all classes of lumber. Before closing the sketch of Mr. Earsley, special mention should be made of his war record. On the 1st day of August, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninth New York Infantry, and served throughout the war. He enlisted at Caro- line, New York, and was discharged at Wash- ington, D. C., in July, 1865. He was under Captain McAllister and participated in the following battles : Wilderness, Spottsylva- nia Court House, etc. He was through Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska and Wyoming Territory. After his discharge he returned to New York State, and from there came to Minnesota.

Mr. Earsley was united in marriage on the 4th day of December,, 1870, in Sardinia, New York, to Miss Ella Simons, and this union has been blessed with the following named children-Jessie E., Maude E., Lesley, A. C., Ethel and Barrett. All of the chil- dren are at home except Jessie and Maude,

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who arc attending the Pillsbury Academy, at Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota. The subject of this sketch has held various offices of his residence village, including those of president of the village council, also a member of that body, president of the school board, etc. He is chief of the fire department and post commander of the An- drew J. Hubbard Post, Number 115, Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the active business men of the village, taking a prominent part in all matters whereby his town or county may derive benefit. He is one of the representative men of that region, and is an adherent to the principles of the republican party. His family are devoted members of the Baptist church. Mr. Ears- ley is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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ILLIAM H. CROWE, a prominent and respected citizen of the village of Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, is en- gaged in the machinery business at tliat place. He is a native of Ohio, born in Columbus on the 15th of April, 1836, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Loche) Crowe, natives of Virginia, both born near Richmond. The father of our subject was a miller by trade, and lived for many years in Ohio. He then removed to the State of Indiana. In 1857 he went to Dakota county, Minnesota, where he lived the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1858 at the age of fifty-eight years. The mother of our subject passed away in 1874 at the age of seventy-one years. They were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the father was class leader for over twenty-five years. They were the parents of the following named children-Elnore, Lewis, Henreitte, Rebecca, Edwin, William, Olliver, John and Elmer.

Mr. Crowe, the subject of this article, re- ceived his education principally in Indiana,

and finished in Dakota county, Minnesota. He acquired his knowledge more by his own efforts than anything else, and his school attendance summed up but little. June 3, 1855, he landed at Minnetonka, Minnesota. In 1857 he took a trip overland with an ox team to the Red River, for the purpose of lay- ingout a town site. He started from Hastings and went as far as the mouth of the Wild Rice river. In 1859 he returned to Indiana, where he remained one year. In the fall of 1860 he returned to Minnesota and worked in the pineries until June, 1861. On the 20th of December, 1863, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, and served until December 4, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. After his discharge Mr. Crowe went to Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, settled, and has since made it his home. He was one of the first settlers in the village, and in 1867 he took a homestead in Gorden, now Leslie township, and continued to reside upon his farm for six years. After leaving the farm he removed to the village of Osakis and engaged in the wagon-making trade, which he has since followed.

Mr. Crowe was married June 29, 1873, to Miss Oliva M. Haskines, a native of New York, and the daughter of H. B. Haskines. She removed to Minnesota when three years old, and has since resided in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Crowe are the parents of the following named children-Alta L., Mabel E. and Byron L. Mr. Crowe held the offices of town clerk, surveyor, recorder of the village (twelve years), and director of the school district. He is a republican in poli- tics, and is at present one of the county commissioners of Douglas county. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is Master of the lodge at Osakis. He is one of the prominent citizens of the county, and a man highly esteemed by all who know him.

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LARENCE J. FISHER, the subject of this biographical sketch, is the efficient and accommodating station agent at Breckenridge, Wilkin county, Minnesota, and is also the agent for the American Ex- press Company at that place. He is a na- tive of Vermont, born in Rutland, Rutland county, on the 3d day of June, 1849, and is the son of James W. and Susan A. (Shippee) Fisher, natives of Vermont. The father is now in the building inspector's office in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in his early days was a merchant in Rutland, Vermont. In 1856 he removed to Illinois, and settled in Lawrence. McHenry county. He there en- gaged in general merchandising, and in 1866 or 1867 removed to Minnesota, settling at St. Paul. He was engaged in purchasing fur for the fur house of Adolph Bostowich, of Chicago, New York and London. . He later bought fur in the Northwestern Terri- tory, and was located at Fort Qu' Appelle, doing an extensive trade with the Indians. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children -- Edward W., telegraph operator at Wahpe- ton, Dakota Territory; Jessie, and Clarence, the subject of this article.

Clarence Fisher spent his boyhood in his native State, and early in life removed with his parents to Illinois, where he attended the academy at Lawrence. He then attended Eastman's College for a time. and then en- tered the Byrant & Stratton Business Col- lege. In 1867 he graduated with high hon- ors from this institution. Prior to this he had taken a trip from Lawrence, Illinois, overland to Denver, Colorado. At Fre- mont, Nebraska, he met a great many peo- ple returning, and decided to do so himself. He was on the road from the 22d of May, 1865, until the 5th of June of the same year, and went as far as Black Hawk, Colorado, and there remained with his father, who was en- gaged in different branches of business. After

remaining there a short time, he returned to the States and settled in Illinois, attend- ing the business college. After his gradua- tion he took a course in telegraphy at the same college in Chicago, Illinois. He fin- ished his course at Oak Park, twelve miles from Chicago, on the Chicago & North west- ern Railroad, remaining there three months. HIe was sent to Nevada, Iowa, at the expira- tion of the time mentioned, where he was employed as night operator. He remained but a short time in that place, and was then employed as extra operator on the Wiscon- sin division of the Northwestern road, and worked at the following places : Juneau, Wisconsin; Minnesota Junction, Wisconsin; Appleton, Wisconsin; Crystal Lake, Illinois; Palestine, Illinois; and Barrington, Illinois.

In 1869 he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and took a rest of a month to regain his health, and was then employed by the Pacific & Atlantic Telegraph Company, and took charge of the Merchant's Hotel tele- graph office in St. Paul, and held the position one month. At the expiration of that time he removed to Smith Lake, on the old St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, and remained six months as agent and operator. At the expi- ration of the time mentioned he removed to Delano, Minnesota, where he was assistant agent and operator for a short time. Mr. Fisher next went to Dassel, where he re- mained six weeks. In 1870 he settled at Benson, Minnesota, where he remained un- til August, and then went to Morris, remain- ing several years as agent. On the first day of October, 1882, he went to Breckenridge, Wilkin county, Minnesota, and has since re- sided there, employed as station agent. He is also the agent for the American Express Company.

Mr. Fisher was united in marriage on the 11th day of January, 1888, to Miss Flora Horton, a native of Gilbertsville, New York, and the daughter of C. H. Horton, a prom-

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inent merchant of that place. Mrs. Fisher is a woman of more than ordinary ability and education, and is possessed of a fine musical talent. She was engaged as a teacher of music for a number of years, and is a lady highly esteemed by all who know her. Mr. Fisher owns property in the village of Mor- ris, and has sixteen men under his control in Breckenridge, Minnesota. While in Morris he held the office of town clerk for three years, also county surveyor for two years, and president of the village council two years. While in Breckenridge he has held the office of a member of the village coun- cil. He is a republican and a member of the United Workmen, also chief of the Good Templars lodge located at that place. He is a representative man of the village, and, although not an old settler, holds the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances, and is recognized as one of the most capable and thorough business men in the western part of the State.

HRISTIAN WIDENHOEFER, a success- ful business man of Polk county, Minnesota, is engaged in the jewelry busi- ness in the village of Fisher. He is a native of Germany, born in Wurtemberg, on the 26th day of December, 1860, and is the son of Jacob and Catharine (Burr) Widenhoefer, also natives of that kingdom. In 1873 the parents emigrated to the United States and located in Beaver Bay, Minnesota, where they remained five years. In 1878 they re- moved to Polk county, Minnesota, where they took a homestead in the fall of 1879. They have since resided in Polk county, and are among the successful farmers in the township in which they live. They are the parents of the following named children- Barbara, Carl, William, Mary, Christian, Wilhelmine and Jacob.

Christian Widenhoefer, the subject of this biographical review, remained in his native land, attending the excellent common schools of that country until he had attained the age of thirteen years. At that period in life he emigrated to the United States with his parents, and after landing removed to the State of Minnesota. The parents settled in Beaver Bay, Minnesota, and our subject removed to the State of Michigan, where he entered an apprenticeship to the jeweler's trade. After learning his trade, Mr. Widenhoefer removed to Minnesota, and located in Polk county. He settled on his father's farm, and for one year assisted his father. In 1881 the subject of this article removed to the village of Fisher, Polk county, Minnesota, where he located and established his present jewelry store. He carries a full line of goods, watches, clocks, jewelry, etc., and has the most complete stock of goods in the village. He is doing a good business, both in repairing and sale, and is prepared to do all lines of work in the trade promptly and satisfactorily.

Mr. Widenhoefer was united in marriage on the 16th day of April, 1885, in the village of Fisher, to Miss Minnie Radi, the daughter of Frederick and Anna Radi, natives of northern Germany. In political matters the subject of this article is a stanch re- publican, and takes an active interest in all local matters. He is one of the esteemed business men of the village, and is promi- nently identified with all movements calcu- lated to benefit either town or county.

AMUEL TORGERSON, the superin- tendent of public schools for Clay county, Minnesota, deserves special mention as one of the county officials. He is a native of Wisconsin, born June 18, 1856, in St. Lawrence township, Waupaca county, of

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that State. His parents were Samuel and. Martha (Hermanson) Torgerson, both na- tives of Norway. They came to America in 1850 and settled in Waupaca county, where they preempted 120 acres of land. During the war for the Union the father enlisted in Company I of the Forty-fourth Wisconsin Volunteers. He served about a year, was taken sick and finally honorably discharged. He came home and died within three weeks, leaving a wife and four children - Samuel, Herman, Emma and Gunder. The mother still remains upon the old homestead in Wisconsin.

Our subject, Samuel, spent his younger days in school in Wisconsin. At the age of sixteen years he engaged as a clerk in a country store, where he remained for a year and a half and then spent a winter in the high schools of Waupaca. Upon leav- ing there he taught in the schools at New Hope, Portage county, Wisconsin, for a year. He next entered the normal school at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, taking a year's course. From the normal he spent another year at teaching, and then, as if endowed with a new ambition and thirst for knowl- edge, he entered the State University of Wisconsin, where he remained for two years; he then put in another year at teaching, in order to meet expenses, and at the same time develop his mind in a symmetrical manner. He then went into the normal school, and after a short time graduated from the ele- mentary course. His next work was that of principal of the North Side high schools at New London, Wisconsin, which position he filled until the autumn of 1882, when he came to Ada, Norman county, Minnesota. He spent some time in looking over the ter- ritory before selecting a location, but finally dropped into Moorhead, where he accepted a place in the law office of O. Mosness. He read law here for a few months and then taught school a year at Kragnes, Clay county.

The same year, 1884, he was elected to his present honorable position, which he has filled with unusual satisfaction to his constituents.

Our subject was married, in 1887, to Miss Jannie E. Anderson, daughter of James An- derson, of Fullerton, Ontario, Canada.

Politically he affiliates with the demo- cratic party, and believes in tariff re- form. Socially no one stands higher than our subject. He isa worthy member of the Knights of Pythias, and both himself and wife are exemplary members of the Presby- terian church.

As one reviews the early life and careful training, both in and out of school, that their worthy official had, one can readily understand how it has come about that he is so well suited for the office he has so long and fitly held.

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ENRY WILLIAM BARKER, the propri- etor of the Barker House, in Elbow Lake, and also engaged in the drug busi- ness in that village in Grant county, Minne- sota, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born at Leon, Monroe county, Wisconsin, March 18, 1860, and is the son of Robert and Emily (Ramsey) Barker, natives of England. The parents came to the United States in about 1853, and settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where they remained for a short time, going from there to Leon, Wisconsin, where they resided for about thirteen years. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and followed his trade while in Janesville, but in Leon he followed farming for about thirteen years, and then went to Sparta and engaged in farming at Big Creek, Monroe county. He then moved to West Salem, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming for eight years. He next removed to Parker's Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1881, where he also farmed. Two years

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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 29

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