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 36

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 36
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 36

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saved enough money to take a college course, which he did, graduating from a college in La Crosse in 1876.

Mr. Cowie first came West in 1881, enter- ing the employ of the L. C. Porter Milling Company, at Goodwin, Dakota Territory, and afterward of Nicollet, Minnesota. In August, 1882, Mr. Cowie came to Fergus Falls. He began the study of law while in college and was admitted to the bar in this city in 1883, and was for two years a mem- ber of the firm of Clapp, Woodard & Cowie, but on the election of Mr. Clapp to the office of attorney-general, Mr. Cowie opened an office for himself, and has since been a successful and painstaking attorney.

He was elected alderman in what is fa- miliarly known as the "Fighting Third" Ward of the city, and has made an excellent officer. He has at all times been a fearless defender of what he deemed the right, and has served the city in an able and efficient manner. His nomination for the legislature in the fall of 1888 was given him without solicitation on his part and reluctantly ac- cepted by him, but having accepted the nomi- nation, he at once set out to make an aggres- sive and honorable campaign in the face of a large republican majority. He was unsuc- cessful, however, being defeated at the polls.

Mr. Cowie's parents were Hon. George and Margaret (Faulds) Cowie, natives of Glasgow, Scotland. The parents canie to America in 1845, settling in Nova Scotia. The father was by occupation a miner, and engaged in work in the coal, iron and gold mines in different parts of America. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, remain- ing in the gold fields until 1853, at which time he returned to the East, settling in Washington county, Maryland, where he followed his old business of mining until 1856. At this time he removed to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he turned his at- tention to farming, and where he still lives.

At present he is engaged extensively in farming and also in stock-raising. He is one of the wealthy and successful farmers of that county. He was chosen to represent the people of his county in the State legis- lature of the State of Wisconsin in 1872. He has been chairman of the town board and chairman of the board of county supervisors. In local politics he is a man of much in- fluence, and is respected by all who know him. He had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living-James F., George M., Allen J., Albert E., Robert, Frank and Maggie. Those that died were Annie, Nettie, who was Mrs. M. J. Shan- nessy, and David. Mrs. Shannessy left two children, twins-Maude and Mabel.

Mr. Cowie was married in 1877 to Miss Jennie Bert, who had been a school-mate during his school-days and a former pupil. Mrs. Cowie was the daughter of Robert and Jennie Bert, natives of Scotland. Her par- ents came to America in about 1845, settling in Pennsylvania. They now live in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, at Glencoe, to which place they moved 'in 1857. He is now engaged extensively in farming and stock- raising, and is one of the prominent and wealthy men of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Cowie have a family of three children- Lewis, Elsie and Robert.

Mr. Cowie has attained to considerable prominence in local politics, and has for some time, in fact since 1886, been a member of the city council. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party, and is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity. He lives in a fine residence on Vine street.

- REDERICK T. KOYLE, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of the village of Ada, and the county coroner of Norman county, Minnesota, is one of the oldest residents of Ada, having located there

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in the summer of 1882. He at once opened an office for the practice of his profession, and has continued in the discharge of his duties therein ever since. In the fall of the same year he, beginning to be appreciated at his true ' worth, was appointed deputy coroner, and in the fall of 1883 was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the county to fill the office of coroner, and has been continued in that position to the present. He has also served on the village board of health for several years.

Dr. Koyle first saw the light January 12, 1859, in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, and is the son of Turner and Lydia E. (Purvis) Koyle. Receiving his primary education in the common schools of his native town and pursuing his more advanced studies in the Collegiate Institute at Coburg, Ontario, he spent his time in the school-room until he was about seventeen years of age. In 1877 he matriculated at the medical department of Queen's College, Kingston, Ontario, Can- ada, from which institution of learning he was graduated with honors in the spring of 1882. From there he went to Montreal, where he spent a few months in the hospital for the purpose of enlarging his studies, and from that city started for Grand Forks, Dakota. On his way thither he came.up to see the new village of Ada, of which he had heard most favorable reports, and being im- pressed with its promise determined to cast in his lot with the people of that village, and has remained ever since.

When the doctor arrived in Ada he had only $10, but by close attention to the duties of his profession, with his excellent judgment and eminent achievements in all branches of medical science, he has succeeded in placing himself in a most favorable condition finan- cially. He occupies a high rank in the frater- nity of physicians of the county, and has one of the largest and best practices in the village. His genial, whole-souled manner makes him

a favorite in the sick room, and he is, socially speaking, one of the most popular men in the community.

Dr. Koyle was united in marriage July 29, 1884, with Mrs. E. E. Hardy nee Jenkins, a native of Glens Falls, New York, and the daughter of Chauncy and Sadie (Davis) Jenkins.

Our subject is a prominent and active member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Norman Lodge, No. 154, A. F. & A. M., in 1883, and now occu- pies the high position of worshipful master of the lodge, and takes great interest in all the workings of the order.

TEPHEN H. PARKHURST, a prom- inent attorney-at-law in the famous Red River Valley of Minnesota, is a resident of the city of East Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in an exten- sive law and collection business. He is a native of Vermont, born in Stockbridge on the 17th of September, 1825, and is a son of Stephen and Kesiah (Nanson) Parkhurst, natives of Vermont. The grandfather of the present subject was one of the earliest set- tlers in the village of Royalton, Vermont, and was residing there when the Indians destroyed the town by fire. He had always been on friendly terms with the "red men " of that locality, and on this account they spared his house from the brand. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children- Harriet, Benjamin, Phebe, Daniel, George, Eunice, Juliana and Stephen H.

Stephen H. Parkhurst, of whom this sketch treats, remained in Stockbridge until four years old, at which time he removed with his parents to Brandon, Rutland county, Ver- mont, where he remained for sixteen years. During that time he attended the common

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schools until March, 1841, when he secured a position as clerk in the postoffice and re- mained in that capacity until the postmas- ter was removed by the President. In 1842 or 1843 he was employed in the quarter- master's department, under General Clark. His duty was to overhaul and examine the arms in the arsenals. As these duties occu- pied his attention only in the summer, he taught school in the winter, and in October, 1846, he went to Burlington, Vermont, with General Clark, to engage in the newspaper business, Clark having purchased the Burling- ton Free Press, and acted as editor, while Mr. Parkhurst was given charge of the financial department. Our subject remained at that place from 1846 until 1859, and in 1859 he removed to Brandon, Vermont. After return- ing, he purchased a grist-mill and continued to operate it for one and a half years. He traveled through different parts of the west- ern States and again returned to Brandon, where he purchased the largest store build- ing and put in a full stock of mercantile goods. He continued in this business until August, 1876, when he was evicted by fire, his goods destroyed and his building burned to the ground. For the next two years he was engaged in settling up his accounts, and in April, 1881, he removed to Minne- sota. He settled at East Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, where he continued the study of law, having studied at that pro- fession during his leisure hours for a number of years. On the 21st of April, 1882, he was admitted to the bar in Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, and December 18, 1883, was admitted in Polk county, Minnesota. He has since remained in East Grand Forks, engaged in liis law business, with the excep- tion of the summer of 1885, when he paid a visit to his old home in the East. He is one of the strong upholders of the republican party and was delegate to the first district republican convention ever held in the

United States. The convention was held at Rutland, Vermont, June 7, 1854, D. A. Nickolson being chairman. Mr. Parkhurst was a member of the old whig party and was chairman of the meeting held in Essex Junction, Chittendon county, Vermont, where the republican party was organized.

Mr. Parkhurst is actively engaged in an extensive law and insurance business, pay- ing special attention to loans, collections and all matters pertaining to real estate matters.

Mr. Parkhurst was married in Bridgeport, Vermont, in January, 1847, to Miss Nancy E. Ganson, the daughter of John and Sybel (Sessions) Ganson, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Parkhurst have been blessed with the following named children-Julia C., now Mrs. Buttles, of Brandon, Vermont ; Henry S., now a resident of Glens Falls, New York; George H., living in Saratoga, New York; and Jennie L., the wife of Mr. Wil- der, of White Hall, New York. The sub- ject of this article is one of the prominent men of East Grand Forks and vicinity, and is one of the ablest lawyers in the Red River Valley. He has held the offices of justice of the peace, town agent, agent for the school endowment fund, and is also a notary public. He has done a great deal for the benefit of the city in which he lives and is very highly esteemed by all who know him. He owns several commodious resi- dences in the city and is an active citizen, working for the best interests of his locality ..

OHN BRENNIN. One of the prominent members of the farming community in the famous Park Regions in Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name heads this article; a resident of section 22, Roseville, township, Grant county, Minnesota. He is a native of Canada, born in Lower Canada on the 6th of

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February, 1845, and is the son of John and Jane (Kennedy) Brennin, natives of Ireland. They came to Quebec in 1832, and from there to Maine, where they remained for a short time and again returned to Canada. After living in Canada for a number of years the parents returned to Maine, where they still reside. They are engaged in farming, but in former days the father was a stone- mason. They have a family of six children, whose names are-Nancy, Catherina, Mary, James, John and Thomas. Nancy died at the age of seventeen years, and James died at the age of twenty-six years.

John Brennin, the subject of this biograph- ical article, spent his boyhood-days in the town of Solon, Somerset county, Maine, and at the age of seventeen left the school-room and commenced in life for himself. Until 1875 he worked at the lumbering trade and also helped his father on the home farm. In the year mentioned he moved to Minnesota, and after remaining in Minneapolis for two years, engaged in farming and in the piner- ies, he went to Grant county, Minnesota, set- tling on a tract of land in Roseville township, where he has remained ever since. He home- steaded 160 acres in the township named, on section 22, and has since devoted his atten- tion to general farming and stock-raising. He was one of the first settlers in the town- ship, there being only two or three houses in the town when he first settled there.

Mr. Brennin was united in marriage May 7, 1868, to Miss Mahala Jewett, and they have been blessed with five children, whose names are-Viola, James, Grace, Blanch and John. Mrs. Brennin is a native of Maine, born at Solon. She is a well-educated lady, and followed the profession of a school- teacher prior to her union with Mr. Brennin. Mr. Brennin is one of the substantial men of his township, and has always taken an active interest in all public and educational mat- ters. He is a democrat in his political affili-

ations, and has held the offices of assessor and supervisor. He was the first voter to cast a democratic ballot in the town. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is held in high esteem both as a neighbor and a valued citizen.

J ORGEN JENSEN, who is now sheriff of Clay county, Minnesota, and a man of much travel and experience, is justly enti- tled a place in a work devoted to biograph- ical sketches of the prominent men of Red River Valley.

He is a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many, born March 8, 1854. His parents are Anton and Annie M. (Christeson) Jensen, natives of Denmark. The parents were en- gaged in keeping a hotel. The father of our subject came to America in 1853, and after a sojourn of eight years returned to his former home across the sea. In 1870 he again came to this country and engaged in farming in Clay county, Minnesota. The family had two sons -- Jens P. and Jorgen.

Jorgen, our subject, was reared in the city and there received a good education. At the age of sixteen he came to America with his parents and lived at home until he was about twenty-five years of age. He then took a pre-emption of 250 aces of land in Moland township, Clay county, where he followed farming until 1886, when he was elected to the office of sheriff of Clay county. In the township in which he settled he was a leading man and held the office of chair- man of the board of supervisors and justice of the peace for a number of years.

He was married in 1882 to Miss Maren Hanson, daughter of Hans Christenson. By the above union twochildren have been born - George A. and William.

In politics our subject is a republican, and is one of Clay county's representative men,

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ever taking an active part in county and State politics.

Both he and his wife are acceptable mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

It may here be stated that Anton, the father of our subject, was a soldier in the German-Danish war of 1848. He was ser- geant in that service and was wounded in the leg. In 1876 our subject joined the Custer expedition as teamster. This was with the famous General Custer, among the hostile Indian tribes, when Custer was killed. This trip consumed over three months.

OHN MCGRATH. Prominent among the business men of the famous Park Regions, is the gentleman whose name heads this article, the proprietor of the meat market in the village of Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota. He is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born in Greenville, in 1858, and is the son of Dennis and Ellen (Cashman) McGrath, natives of Ireland.

John McGrath attended the common schools in Wisconsin until nine years of age, at which period in life he came to the State of Minnesota, and settled with his parents in the village of Clinton Falls, Steele county, Minnesota. He remained there with his parents, attending school and working on the farmn, until 1878, when he commenced in life for himself. In the spring of 1879 hc started from Owatonna with three horses for Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota. His brother was with him, and as soon as they reached their destination they commenced to improve their land which they home- steaded on arriving there. They were the first settlers and built the first claim shanty in that region. When our subject left the farm he went to the village of Barnesville and opened up a butcher's shop in partner-

ship with his brother Thomas. They have since been engaged in the same business, and are the most successful business men in their line in the village. In 1883 Mr. McGrath purchased the St. James Hotel in that place and for eighteen months continued that business. During that time he erected the building now known as the Central House, situated near the depot. At the expiration of the eighteen months of hotel experience the subject of this biography returned to the occupation of butchering, his brother having carried on the trade while he was in the hotel. In 1885 the brothers opened a machine shop, handling all kinds of farm machinery and implements of husbandry. They have since been engaged in that line in addition to their meat market.

Mr. McGrath was united in marriage on the 1st of September, 1885, to Miss Allie Brislane, a native of Minnesota. Mr. Mc- Grath is one of the prominent and esteemed business men of the village, and takes an active interest in all public matters. He is a republican in his political affiliations and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, highly esteemed by all who know him. He has held the office of president of the village board, and was one of the active workers when the new town was organized. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows and an exemplary citizen.

-. ON. E. E. CORLISS, attorney and counselor-at-law, is a resident of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is a native of Washington county, Ver- mont, and was born September 1, 1841. He is the son of Timothy E. and Elvira (Hutchins) Corliss, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire.

The father was a farmer and a lumber- man. He came to Winona county, Minne-

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sota, in 1856 and settled in Saratoga town- ship, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land. He improved this farm and remained there until after the close of the war. He is now a resident of Pelican Rapids, and, having laid up for himself a neat competency, has retired from active busi- ness. The father had a family of eight children, six of whom are now living --- Stilton H., John W., Eben E., Jennie, now Mrs. Beardsley ; Rebecca, now Mrs. Kenney ; and Charles M. The mother died in Sara- toga township, Winona county, on the 6th of December, 1860.

Mr. Corliss, the subject of this sketch, re- mained at home in his native State, receiving his education in the common schools. His early training was received while with his parents at home upon the farm. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Com- pany K, First Regiment, Minnesota Vol- unteers, and served for three months in the ranks. After this period he re-enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers, serving for three years. Mr. Corliss passed through much trying service. He was wounded at the battle of Chicka- mauga, being struck by a bullet in the back of the head, and was for two months in Hospital Number Five at Nashville. On the 26th of May, 1864, he was discharged from service, and in April, 1865, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth United States Vet- eran Volunteers, and served as sergeant until the close of the war. Mr. Corliss was in a great many severe engagements, among them may be named the following-Mill Springs, Kentucky ; Pittsburgh Landing, the siege of Cornith, Perryville, Chicka- mauga, and others of less fame. He was for some time with Sherman before Atlanta, and saw much weary marching for forty days going toward that city, being under fire the greater part of that time. After returning from the war he settled in Saratoga

township, Winona county, Minnesota, where he remained on the farm for one year. Thence he went to Chatfield, Fillinore county, Minnesota, where he studied law with Judge Ripley. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar. He came to Otter Tail county and settled at Battle Lake, where he built the first frame house in the county. The dimen- sions were sixteen by twenty feet with twelve-foot posts. He settled on 320 acres of land, one-half of which was pre-emption and the other half homestead. He contin- ued on the farm, improving the same until 1874, at which time he removed to Fergus Falls, opened a law office and engaged ac- tively in the practice of his profession. He is still running his farms, having purchased other lands, making in all 500 acres. He has been quite successful in his farming busi- ness, and does not confine his attention wholly to raising grain. At present he has many head of fine-graded stock. His prop- erty interests in the city consist of several houses and much business property, besides his fine residence, with all modern improve- ments, situated on Lincoln avenue. He also has a summer residence at Chitherall Lake. Mr. Corliss has held many offices of trust within the gift of his constituents. He was elected county attorney in 1870, and held that office during the greater part of the time until 1884, serving ten years in all. For one year he served as a member of the lower body of the State legislature in 1872. He has also held the positions of deputy register and deputy treasurer in Otter Tail county, and was county superintendent of schools for some time in stead of his brother, William M. Corliss, deceased.

In 1864 Mr. Corliss was married to Miss Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of John Tucker, of Saratoga, Winona county, Minnesota. Six children blessed this union-Charles W., an attorney-at-law, who was married in 1887 to Miss Alice Stanton, of Fergus Falls ;

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John H., a teacher by profession ; Florence, Jennie, Mary and Roy J.

In politics Mr. Corliss is a defender of the faith as propounded by the republican party. He has attained to considerable prominence in the councils of that party and is one of the local leaders thereof. He is also a prom- inent member of the Masonic, Odd-Fellows and G. A. R. fraternities. In all his busi- ness relations he has stood at the head of the citizens of Fergus Falls. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' Bank, and is one of its directors. He is one of the lead- ing lawyers and most prominent citizens of Fergus Falls.

REEMAN ORCUTT, retired capitalist, is a resident of Wahpeton, Richland county, North Dakota. He is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was born in the year 1846. His parents were Moses and Mary (McKay) Orcutt.

The parents were natives of Vermont and Canada, respectively. In early life the father learned the trade of millwright, but later became a physician and surgeon. He came to Wisconsin in 1844, settling in Mil- waukee, where he remained for two years. He then removed to Steuben county, New York, residing there until 1869, when he came west, settling in Benton county, Min- nesota, where he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in 1879. The mother died in New York State in 1855. They had a family of ten children, seven of whom are now living - Francis, William, Nelson, Henry, Freeman, George, and Walter S.

The subject of our sketch' remained at home under parental authority until his mother's death in 1855. He was then bound out to a farmer who was to keep him until he was twenty-one. This did not suit Mr. Orcutt, the place soon became distaste-

ful to him and the people disagreeable, so he ran away and came to Wisconsin, stopping at Beaver Dam, where he worked at all kinds of labor and remained two years. IIe then came further west, stopping at Concord, Dodge county, Minnesota, where he worked at anything he found to do. This was in 1857, and our subject was but eleven years old and with no relative within a thousand miles. He was plucky, however, and ener- getic and always found something to do. In April, 1861, at fifteen years of age. he enlisted for a service of three years in Com- pany I, First Regiment, Minnesota Infantry. He remained with this company eighteen months, and was then transferred to the Sixth Regular Infantry and was made drill- master toward the close of his service at Fort Hamilton, on Long Island, New York. The first engagement was in the battle of Bull Run, where he was severely wounded by a shot received in his left leg. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg by a shot in the left elbow, the shot shatter- ing the bone and severing one of the main arteries. This disqualified him from further service as a soldier on the battle-field, as he could not have the proper use of his arm. He suffered intense agony by this wound, and lay on the battle-field nine days before being removed. He saw much fighting, and was in every battle of the Army of the Potomac up to the battle of Gettysburg, except the first battle of Fredericksburg, at which time he was too sick to be in the field. After his service he went to Hornells- ville, New York, where he engaged in sell- ing lightning rods for about three months in the year, and for nine months attended the Alford Academy and the Rodgersville Uni- versity, in Livingston county, New York. He pursued this plan for three years and ac- quired an excellent education. In February, 1868, he removed to Benton county, Minne- sota, settling just across the river from St.

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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 36

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