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 48

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 48
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 48

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Mr. Ohlsson was united in marriage August 2, 1859, to Miss Johanna Hall, a native of Southern Sweden, and now the mother of three children-Olaf, Gustaf W. and Christena. Olaf is fireman on the St. Paul Division of the Manitoba Railroad. Mr. Ohlsson has held inany offices in his town and county. He has held many local positions, such as justice of the peace,

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assessor, etc., and was register of deeds for two years, and county auditor for a period of six years. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party. He is one of the representative men of his town and county, ever taking a deep interest in all public and educational matters. Mr. Ohlsson is a citizen of the utmost honor and integrity, highly esteemed by all who bear his acquaintance.

AMES B. BLANCHARD, who now lives a retired life at Moorhead, Minnesota, forms the subject of this personal sketch. His birthplace was Dexter. Maine, and the date of that event was February 5, 1821. His parents were James and Susan (John- ston) Blanchard, natives of Maine, also. The father was a farmer, following the same until his death, in 1821. His foreparents were from France, on his father's side, and on his mother's side his grandfather was from Scotland, and his grandmother a native of Vassalboro, Maine. Johnston, the grand- father, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, coming to America about the time the war was commenced. He drew a pension for such service, and died in the State of Maine, being over ninety years old, honored by all. The wife lived to be over ninety years old. They had a large family, all liv- ing to be old people. Both died at Milford, Maine.

Our subject was reared on a farm until fifteen years of age, receiving his education in the common schools. He was engaged in the lumber business in Maine until 1857, then came to Minnesota, spending the first winter in Minneapolis, where he was em- ployed by the Washburn Company in build- ing the famous dam across the falls. On the 3d of April, the following year, he went to Monticello, forty miles up the Mississippi

river from Minneapolis, where he worked at cutting and sawing lumber, remaining until 1871, when he came to Moorhead with a two-horse wagon load of groceries and dry- goods, which he readily sold out from his wagon to the railroad people and few set- tlers. He camped out during his trip and sojourn there. At that date Moorhead con- sisted of two small tents. He remained there, however wild things appeared, and the following year, 1872, he was appointed sheriff, during the month of April, holding the same under his appointment for one year, and was then elected to the same office for four years. Ile was first in many things, as he was also appointed the first assessor. While he was sheriff he received the appointment of deputy United States marshal, and was made special agent to look after the whisky cases. He served for four- teen years in the capacity of marshal. He has been coronor, deputy coronor, and con- stable, besides various other local offices.

In 1862 our subject raised a company of soldiers at Monticello, Minnesota, consisting of twenty-five men, as volunteers, to go out and protect the settlers against the Indians, who were at that time in general warfare in the Northwestern country. He was made lieutenant of the company, and went to Forest City, Paynesville and Kingston, and had fortified headquarters at Maine Prairie. They were out some five or six weeks. A good deal has been said and written con- cerning exploits during the Indian ontbreak, and much of it is false. As an instance of this, the following is related :

An article appeared, by way of a personal "puff," in the Minneapolis Tribune, in Sep- tember, 1888, in which the exploits of Major Adams were told-what he had done during the Indian War, etc .; but the fact is, he was at his home, in Monticello, Wright county, Minnesota. Our subject was well acquainted with him, and vouches for the

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statement that he was in nowise connected with that warfare, and that he opened his own house himself, and there provided lodgings and meals for very many persons. He left the family with these refugee settlers and went on to protect the remainder from invasion.

The date of Mr. Blanchard's marriage was 1843, when he was united to Miss Sarah M. Gerrish, a native of Maine and the daughter of George Gerrish. They have six children, three of whom are now alive-Charles A., married and living in California, in the lumber trade (he married Emma Powell, of Monticello, Minnesota, and they have one son-Albert) : Ernest married Mary Miller, and is now in the real estate business at Minneapolis; Abner G. married Mary Williston (they have one child). Abner is a railroad man at Moorhead.

Mrs. Blanchard died April 7, 1868, and for his second wife Mr. Blanchard married Mrs. Minerva Norton, who was a native of Maine. Her parents were A. S. and Lydia (Staples) Gatchell. The father was a shoemaker, and settled in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. They had five children-Livonia, Minerva, Prince A., Ellen S. and Jeremiah. In 1854 Minerva married George B. Norton, a native of Maine, engaged in the lumber business. He came to Wisconsin in 1868, and to Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1870, where in a short time he was accidently killed by the falling of a tree. By this marriage there wcre five children born-Fernando W .; Carrie M., now Mrs. A. Rich, of Stillwater, whose husband is a lumberman (George, May, Frank and Bernice are their children's names) ; Albert ; May, now Mrs. Lewis W. Clark, whose husband is city engineer of Stillwater. The other child's name is Lizzie E., who is spending her third year in the normal school at St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mr. Blanchard is a republican in politics and belongs to the Masonic Order. He and

his family all attend the Presbyterian church. It may here be stated that our subject has seen an eventfullife and been a pronounced success in all his undertakings. Among other valuable property owned by him may be mentioned the two-acre plat north of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Moorhead. On this he has erected four houses, one he occupies and the remaining. three he rents. He built the first wooden store building in Moorhead, and sold the first goods here from a wagon, as above mentioned, under which he camped. He has seen vast changes since pioneer days.

An interesting episode in Mr. Blanchard's life history is the following: While living at Milford, Maine, in 1838, he enlisted in the company called "Rackeree Boys," under Capt. Stover Rines. This was the first company to proceed to the northern part of Maine, where trouble existed between the United States and England concerning the international boundary line. The affair was known as the "Aroostook War." Mr. Blanchard served about two months when the drafted men took the place of the vol- unteers. He received $1 per day for the time served. . The trouble was settled by arbitration by Ashburton and Webster.

Mr. Blanchard has always taken an active interest in public affairs. While living in Wright county he was elected to the office of county commissioner. He also served on the school board of the high school of District No. 1.

ATHER SEBASTIAN SCHELS, pastor of the Catholic church in the village of Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota, is a native of Germany. He was born in Bavaria, on the 7th day of August, 1855.

Father Schels remained in his native land, attending the different educational institu-

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tions of that country, until he was eighteen years of age. In 1874 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, where he entered the St. Vincent College, in Westmoreland county, which institution he attended for five years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Atchison, Kansas, where he attended the Atchison College for three years. After completing his course in that college, he went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he attended the College of St. John, for two years. On the 29th of June, 1884, he was ordained at that college and for the next three months was traveling through different parts of Europe. After his return to the United States, he took charge of a congregation at Rush City, Chisago county, Minnesota, where he remained two years. He built a church at that place, and materi- ally improved the charge. In August, 1886, Father Schels removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he located and took charge of three missions, Barnesville, Elizabeth and Fergus Falls. In the fall of 1887 he moved to Barnesville, where he was stationed and has since resided. He erected the present parsonage, enlarged the church and refitted the Catholic school at that place. The church has a membership of over 100 families, and the school employs three teachers and is in a prosperous condition. The original church was built by Rev. Bowen, now of Sauk Cen- ter, who had charge of the Barnesville con- gregation for three years. The subject of this sketch is a man of the highest character and honor, and is one of the most powerful pulpit orators in the Red River Valley.

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JACOB J. FREY was one of the first set. tlers in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is at present engaged in the wholesale and retail butcher business, located on Lin- coln avenue, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

The place of Mr. Frey's nativity was Wurtenburg, Germany, where he was born on the 28th day of March, 1846. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Frey. The father was a farmer by occupation and had a family of five children.

Mr. Frey received his early education in his native land, and at the age of fourteen years commenced to learn the butcher's busi- ness, at which he served some two years. After completing his apprenticeship he con- tinued in this same line of work until he was twenty-two years of age. At this age he came to the United States and first settled in Oseo, twelve miles from Minneapolis. While there he was engaged in butchering and also in taking care of horses, remaining in that line for about one year. In 1869 he came to Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, and settled on 160 acres of Gov- ernment land. He commenced improving this farm, building a log house 14x20 feet, and remained improving this place for per- haps six months. Thence he removed to Austin, Mower county, Minnesota, where he engaged in working at his old trade. After six months in Austin he went to St. Paul, where for three months he worked at the same business. Next he returned to Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he again engaged in work on his farm, remaining there for a few months ; he then started out with a Government corps of surveyors, surveying land in the Northwest. After five months spent in the Government employ he then re- turned to his farm, which he continued to improve, occupying a portion of his time in cutting rails. Six months later he com- menced driving stage from Fergus Falls to Benson, and after some time spent in this line of work, engaged in the grocery business at Elizabeth. He continued in this business from November until the next June, at which time he sold out and again turned his atten- tion to surveying for perhaps four months. - .

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At this time he came to Fergus Falls and engaged in butchering, which he has con- tinued most of the time since. He has the old- est butchering establishment in the city, and constantly keeps at work from four to six men. In 1880 he purchased his office and store, and later has made other fortunate investments of property in the city. He owns a fine residence on Lincoln avenue, also one on Union avenue and on Lakeside drive. In the latter place he now lives. He owns a farm of 120 acres, half of which is within the city limits. In politics Mr. Frey is an inde- pendent, affiliating with no particular party, but at all time supporting the man he thinks to be best adapted for the position. He does a large and growing business in buying and selling cattle. He is one of the leading and most enterprising citizens of Fergus Falls.

In 1874 Mr. Frey was united in marriage to Miss Serena Osmanson, a native of Nor- way. Four children have blessed this union -Jacob A., May, Catharine and Clara.

OSES P. PROPPER is a farmer by occupation, and lives in the city of Wahpeton, Richland county, North Dakota. He is a native of Otsego county, New York, where he was born June 20, 1840. His parents were Nelson and Ruth (Graves) Propper, natives of New York.

The father was a hotel proprietor for some years in New York State, and in an early day removed to Genesee county, Michigan, where he engaged extensively in farming. He remained in Genesee county until his death, which occurred in 1880. The mother is still living in Michigan. They had a family of twelve children, eleven of whom are now living - George N., Abram, Daniel, Laura (now Mrs. Bevis), William, Moses P., John, Frederick, Erastus, Louisa (now Mrs. J. C. Carpenter) and Morgan.

The subject of our sketch spent a portion of his younger days on the farm, and a part of the time in the village, receiving a good common school education. For about two years he was engaged in the livery business at Fentonville, Michigan. In 1865 he came West, locating in Yankton, Dakota, where for two and one-half years he held the posi- tion of superintendent of the Crow Creek agency. After this he entered the Govern- ment employ as one of a surveying corps, and continued at that business for perhaps two years. In 1871 he removed to Richland county, Dakota, where he located land on the present site of Wahpeton. He owns 460 acres, about half of which is under cultivation. He built his present fine resi- dence in 1885, and has surrounded himself and family with all the comforts that mod- ern improvements can give.

February 24, 1875, Mr. Propper was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Thompson, of Genesee county, Michigan, daughter of John and Tryphosa (White) Thompson, natives of New York. Her father was a mason by trade, but engaged largely in farming. In an early day Mr. Thompson came with his family to Michigan, and in 1881 removed to Dakota, where he died in 1882 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Propper. The mother is still living in Michigan. Mr. Thompson had a family of seven children, six of whom are now living - Mary, Thomas, Sarah (now Mrs. Propper), Frances (now Mrs. Case), Belle (now Mrs. Moody) and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Propper have one child- Maud S.

Mr. Propper is one of the prominent busi- ness men of the town and county and has held numerous offices of responsibility in county affairs. In 1874 he was appointed to the office of sheriff of Richland county, and held it until the next election when he was elected thereto. For nine years he was con- nected with that office as sheriff or deputy.

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For two years he was chief of police in Wahpeton. In politics Mr. Propper affili- ates with the republican party. He is also a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities. He has been highly successful in all his business ventures and has accumu- lated considerable property. Ile possesses excellent business abilities and holds the esteem of his fellow-townsmen.

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RANK JEROME, one of the wealthy and influential citizens of Crookston, Minnesota, is one of the earliest settlers of that portion of the far-famed Red River Valley, having made his appearance in this locality on the 15th of May, 1872. He is what may truly be termed a self-made man, having been the unaided architect of his present comfortable fortune, and after years of toil deserves the ease he takes in these latter days.

Mr. Jerome was born in Montreal, Canada, January 24, 1848, and is of Gallic ancestry, the original settlers and possessors of the soil of that Province,and is the son of Peter and Esca- lictic (Stamour) Jerome. Receiving his edu- cation in the city of his birth, at the early age of fifteen our subject entered upon mer- cantile life as a clerk in a store and remained at home until early in June, 1869, when he came to the United States, landing in St. Paul, Minnesota. Having come to stay, the next day after his arrival he took the oath of allegiance to our Government and took out his first papers of naturalization. For some six months he was employed as clerk and salesman in a boot and shoe store in St. Paul, but at the end of that time, as the rate of wages was higher, and he was young and vigorous, he bravely shouldered a pick and shovel and found work on the construction of the Lake Superior railroad and followed that employment for a time. In the spring

of 1871 he commenced as cook for a gang of graders on the construction of the Northern Pacific Railway and followed them to the Missouri river. Having now accumulated a little capital, in the fall of the same year he returned to the second crossing of the Crow Wing river and put in a small stock of general merchandise and erected a hotel - such as was used in those days -a primitive bark shanty. There he remained until April, 1872, when he gave up the venture and removed to Glyndon, where he entered into an engagement with the contractors on the railroad to act as cook at Buffalo river, three miles north of Glyndon and was there until the middle of May, following. In com- pany with P. G. and A. J. LaChapelle and Charles Clouth, he then came with a team to where the survey of the railroad crossed the river, about a mile and a half east of the site of Crookston, and having hired the sur- veyor to put them across the stream, the party took up claims and then returned to camp. Two weeks later they all returned to this county and erected log cabins, which they finished with sod roofs, upon their respective claims. These were the first houses, rough as they were, put up on Red Lake river.

Mr. Jerome commenced farming at once, and has lived upon his place ever since his first location. In the year 1882 he opened a meat market in Crookston, which he carried on until 1886. The village growing, in the summer of 1884 Mr. Jerome surveyed and platted some seventy eight acres of his farm, which adjoined the city and river as Jer- ome's addition to Crookston, which in the following year he disposed of to other parties, only reserving one block upon which stands his residence. In 1886, with true public spiritedness he erected the St. Louis Hotel at a cost of $9,000, and furnished it at a cost of $4,000. This edifice is a handsome three-story brick building, the main part

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being 31x60 feet on the ground and the "L" 22×28 feet. After running the hotel a few days Mr. Jerome rented it, and has done so ever since. He is also the owner of the livery barn and grounds adjoining the hotel; a building and lot on Broadway, now occupied as a meat market ; two houses and twelve vacant lots on Hunter's avenue, and some sixty acres of his farm adjoining the town.

The subject of this personal history has always taken a deep interest in the growth and welfare of Crookston and has done his share toward its development and upbuilding. He was first elected a member of the city council in 1885, and has filled that position ever since, his constituents re-electing him his own successor each year in appreciation of his services in their behalf. He devotes his time to his large interests in the com- munity, the supervision and management of his farm and his official duties, and finds in them the necessary outlet for his superabun- dant energy and activity.

Mr. Jerome was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Wilkins, October 15, 1873. The lady is the daughter of D. J. Wilkins, who took up a claim here in 1872, but now a stock-raiser at Livingstone, Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Jerome are the parents of six chil- dren, named as follows-Daniel P., George E., F. X., Cora G., Arthur and Rosalie.

B RENTON H. PHINNEY, one of the prominent and influential members of the farming community of the Red River Valley and Park Regions of Minnesota, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in Dodge county, on the 8th of July, 1857, and is the son of Lindley M. and Elizabeth M. (Tupper) Phinney, natives of Nova Scotia. The parents of our subject were married in their native land and remained there twelve years afterward. They then removed to Dodge

county, Wisconsin, where they staid until 1862, when they went to St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and remained there seven years. At the expiration of that time they went to Grant county, Minnesota, and settled in Pellican, Lake township, where the father homesteaded 160 acres of land. They continued to reside there until 1888, when they moved to Herman Village, Grant county, and retired from active life. They are sympathizers with the Presbyterian church and are excellent citizens highly esteemed by all. The father was county coroner for Grant county for twelve years and also justice of the peace for some time. They are the parents of the following-named children - Mary E., now Mrs. John Houston; Williminah, the wife of George F. Burns, of Pellican Lake township; Maggie A., married to W. D. Brackin, of Traverse county, Minnesota; Agnes M., married to Mr. George I. Hinkley, of Herman, Grant county, Minnesota; Frankie J., now the wife of Mr. J. A. Palin, of Lisbon, Dakota Territory ; Charles H., who is married to Miss Hodgson, of Grant county, Minnesota, and the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Phinney, the subject of this article, spent his boyhood days principally in Grant county, Minnesota, and in that region attended school until he entered the Min- neapolis Business College, at which he completed his course in 1883. During his attendance at this college he was engaged in handling stock on his own account, buying and selling horses and also engaged in the machinery business at Herman, with his brother, under the firm name of Phinney Brothers. Since the time of leaving college Mr. Phinney has been engaged extensively in general farming and stock-raising on his fine farm in Maxsville township. The farm lies about three miles from the village of Herman and comprises 1,800 acres of well- improved land, with the best of building

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improvements. He has a fine grove of fifteen acres of maple, box elder; cotton- wood, etc. He deals in Durham and Polled- Angus cattle and owns 100 head. His horses are of the Englishi Shire, Norman and Ham- bletonian stocks, and his is one of the most extensive stock farms in the county. Mr. Phinney is one of the representative and influential citizens of Grant county, always taking an active interest in all public and local affairs. In political matters he affili- ates with the democratic party and takes a deep interest in the party's campaigns.

HOMAS L. McVEETY, a prominent and successful farmer residing on sec- tion 26, Huntsville township, Polk county, Minnesota, is one of the "old timers" and pioneers of the Red River Valley. He is one of the most substantial and highly respected farmers of that locality, and justly ranks as one of the truly representative citizens of Polk county. His many years of residence here have made him well and favorably known and he holds the respect and esteem of all. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of June, 1850, and is a son of James and Jennette (McLane) McVeety, who are noticed at length elsewhere in this ALBUM. Thomas Mc Veety received his education and was reared to manhood in the Province of his birth. He remained at home until he was about fifteen years old, and since that time has depended upon his own resources and efforts. After leaving home for about three years he was employed at lumbering and also worked on the Mississippi river. At the expiration of that time lie went to Win- ona county, Minnesota, and two months later went to Eau Claire, Wisconsin; where he secured work in the woods. After spending some six months in that manner he returned to Winona, and shortly afterward went to |

Minneapolis. From there he went to work on the Northern Pacific Railroad, between Brainerd and Duluth, as that road was then being graded. For three months he was employed there, and then went to Gull Lake, and worked in the woods for J. Blanchard during the winter of 1870-71. In the follow- ing spring, in company with William Flem- ing and Robert Coulter, he came to Hunts- ville township, Polk county, Minnesota. They drove through from Winona county, Minnesota, with ox teams. They were the first settlers in this neighborhood, and during pioneer days they were obliged to endure many disadvantages and hardships. Upon his arrival Mr. McVeety took a homestead on section 26, Huntsville township, where he has since lived. He now owns 400 acres in all, 160 acres of it, however, are located in Dakota. The farm is well improved, and is one of the most valuable in the locality. He has comfortable building improvements, and is in excellent circumstances, all the result of his own successful management, together with his energy and industry.

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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 48

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