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 52

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 52
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 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Jacob Olson, the person of whom this article treats, spent his boy hood days in the land of his birth, and left the sch ol-room at the age of sixteen years. He then learned the shoemaker's trade and followed the same until 1856. In 1856 he emigrated to the United States, and in June landed on Amer- ica's shores. After landing he went to Decorah, Iowa, and remained there until 1859, working a farm on sharcs. He then went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he remained until 1868, engaged in farming. In 1868 Mr. Olson removed to Grant county, Minnesota, and settled on his farm in Erdahl township, section 5, which he had homesteaded in 1866. He has since resided there, engaged extensively and successfully in general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the most successful farmers in the county, and was the first settler in the town- ship of Erdahl.

Mr. Olson was united in marriage July 24, 1856,to Miss Anna Anders Datter, a native of Norway. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children-Betsie, Anna, Christena, Isabelle, Ole, Andrew, Jacob and John. Betsie is now Mrs. Johnson. Anna is mar- ried to Mr. Holt and the remainder are single. Mary, who was the wife of Mr. Anton Holt, died at the age of twenty-eight years. Mr. Olson, with his family, belong to the Lutheran church, and has held the offices of trustee and treasurer of that organ- ization. He has held the offices of school director, school treasurer, chairman of the board of supervisors, etc. In political mat- ters he is an adherent to the principals of the republican party. He is one of the repre-

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sentative men of the county, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Olson was one of the three appraisers who appraised or fixed the values on the State " and school lands in Grant county.

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R. J. E. METCALF, dentist and doctor of dental surgery, islocated at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is one of the leading dentists of this place, and has built up an extensive practice. The Doctor is a native of Orleans county, Ver- mont, where he was born on the 17th of August, 1859. He is the son of Johnathan and Didania (Bickford) Metcalf.

The father was a miller by occupation and owned a large mill in the State of Vermont. He came West in 1865 and settled in St. Charles, Winona county, Minnesota. Later he removed to Clairmont, Dodge county, and thence went to Fergus Falls, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1884. The mother died on the 14th of December, 1887. They had a family of ten children, three of whom are now living- Orpha P., now Mrs. Randall ; Eugenia, and the subject of our sketch.

The Doctor spent his younger days on the farm, attending the district school until eighteen years of age. At that time he commenced the study of dentistry at St. Paul, in the office of Dr. Connance. In 1881 he removed to Fergus Falls and con- tinued his study under the direction of Dr. Pholen, of that city. In October, 1883, he commenced to practice his profession at Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, where he remained in active work for about one year. At the end of this period he returned to Fergus Falls, where he has since remained, doing an excellent business.

Dr. Metcalf was united in marriage in 1884 to Miss Carrie Ford, the daughter .of

Patrick Ford, of Conneautville, Pennsyl- vania. Two children have blessed this union-Raymond F. and William C.

Mrs. Metcalf's parents were Patrick and Mary (Ward) Ford, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of England. Her father's occupation was that of a molder, and later in life he became an extensive farmer in Pennsylvania. He came to Amer- ica in 1849, and settled in Conneautville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres. Here he engaged in farming, and continued his resi- dence until hisdeath, which occurred in 1886. The mother is still living, and resides on the home farm in Pennsylvania. They have a family of ten living children-Mary, now Mrs. William Dorathy ; Margaret, now Mrs. P. B. Henretta ; Rosa and Anna, twins (Rosa now being Mrs. William Haggarty, and Anna, now Mrs. Moses Crapes); Lizzie, now Mrs. Boatman ; Thomas C., John W., Mrs. Metcalf ; Ella, who lives with Mrs. Dr. Met- calf; and Sarah, now Mrs. William Steele. Mrs. Metcalf's father was one of the wealthy prominent men of the county in which he lived. He was a democrat in politics, and for some years held the office of mayor of Conneautville, and also held the office of justice of the peace. After he retired from active business life he held various offices of trust. He was a man who took great pride in raising fine stock, and owned the famned horse called Blazing Star, a race horse which sold for $1,000. He had many other very fine specimens of blooded stock. He died at the age of seventy-five years. He was a man loved and respected by all who knew him. His son Thomas C., is superintendent of the largest salt works in Michigan ; and John W., another son, is at present engaged in managing the home farm. While the father was engaged in the foundry business he held the position of foreman in a large foundry at Conneautville, for twenty years.

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Mrs. Metcalf is a member of the Catholic churchi, and is a lady who holds the esteem of a large circle of friends in Fergus Falls.

The Doctor's office is located on Lincoln avenue. In politics Dr. Metcalf is a loyal Republican, having affiliated with that party for many years.

OSEPH A. COLBY is engaged in the liv- ery business in Alexandria, Minnesota. He is a native of Erie county, New York, and was born on the 6th of April, 1820.

Mr. Colby's parents were Jonathan and Hannah (Cooper) Colby. This family has been noted for its loyalty to the country, indeed, every male member in every genera- tion has served his country more or less in the wars which have been inflicted upon this land. Mr. Colby's grandfather, Ezekial was born in New Hampshire, and moved to Ver- mont, whence he came to the State of New York, settling in Erie county in 1808. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. On coming to Erie county, New York, the country was wild, and they were among the very first pioneers who settled in and began the improvement of that county. Jonathan, the father of our subject, served in the War of 1812, and for honorable serv- ice attained the rank of lieutenant and finally received a colonel's conimission.

Hannah Cooper, the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, was the daughter of Joseph Cooper, who was born in New Hampshire, and came to Erie county where he settled in 1810. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was in the famous battle of Brandywine. He held a captain's commission during the entire service.

Jonathan Colby's family numbered eight children, three of whom are now living in Erie county, New York, and two in Douglas county, Minnesota.

Joseph A. Colby, of whom we write, received his early training on a farm, re- maining in that business until he was seven- teen years of age. At that time he came west, spending a short period in Indiana, whence he went to Chicago. Here he re- mained three years, at the end of which time he returned. to Aurora, Erie county, New York. Desiring to better prepare him- self for life's duties, he-commenced a course at the Aurora academy, where he studied for two years. He then engaged in the study of law, entering the law office of his brother-in-law, P. M. Vosburgh. Then he engaged in the mercantile business, forming a partnership with C. J. Hamlin, running for a time what was known as the city store. His firm had three branch stores, also, and did a large business for a number of years. Mr. Colby continued in this line from 1844 to 1856, at which time he sold out and came west, settling in Hastings, Minnesota. Here he engaged in farming, and also in the wheat business. Still later he engaged in the gro- cery trade, until the breaking out of the war in 1861. At this time he turned his atten- tion to raising volunteers to enter the union army. He helped to recruit a company of troops with Marshall, of St. Paul, and this company was finally consolidated and called Company K, Eighth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers. This company came west to Alexandria, Douglas county, and built a stockade, where they remained in the service until 1863.

In this year the company was disbanded, part of them going with General Sibley's command and part with General Sully. During this time Mr. Colby was on duty at St. Paul, purchasing for the Government different supplies. He bought horses with saddles and bridles and necessary trappings He was in the service of the Government for four years. In 1856 Mr. Colby came to Alexandria, settling on a farm five miles

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south of the village on the shores of Lake Mary. He took about 400 acres, and engaged in farming until 1882. However, prior to this time, in 1875, he moved his family into Alexandria, where he engaged in the livery business, also running a stage line to Morris, Parker's Prairie and Pomme de Terre. During this time he worked up quite a business, employing, continually, four or five men. The stage line business was kept up by him until he was virtually frozen out by the advent of the railroads. He has made considerable money in buying and selling horses. He bought the livery build- -ing, which he now-occupies, in 1880, keeps twenty horses, and supplies tourists with teams during the summer months. He owns a good residence on H street, where he now lives.

Mr. Colby was married in the year 1843 to Miss Cyrena H. McKillips, of Erie county, New York. They have now three living children - Frank, Rosa and Fred. Frank Colby was married in 1865 to Lizzie Thom- son, by whom he has had three daughters - "Rosa, Lena -and - Abbie. ~ Frank enlisted in the Third Minnesota Regiment of Volun- teers in 1861 as a private, rising to the rank of corporal. He served in the war until its close, losing his health from exposure and hard service. He is now a resident of Alex- andria. Rosa, now Mrs. Truax, formerly Mrs. Stone, was first married to Mr. Stone, by whom she had one child - Archie. In 1876 she married Mr. Truax, by whom she has had two children - Joseph and Thura. Fred married Miss Anna Siples in 1867, by whom he has had one child - Arthur. Fred Colby is a resident of Hastings, Minnesota, and is agent for the St. Paul and Milwaukee Railroad Company.

Joseph A. Colby has been identified with the interests of Douglas county for many years, coming here in an early day, and becoming one of its first citizens. He helped

to organize the county in 1866, and for years held the office of justice of the peace in Lake Mary township. He also held the office of town clerk for three years, and was con- nected with the board of school directors. Mr. Colby affiliates with the republican party in politics, and with his wife and fam- ily belongs to the Episcopal church of Alex- andria.

- ILLIAM L. COE, who has charge of the elevator at Ada, belonging to the Red River Valley Elevator Company, is one of the most popular citizens of that vil- lage. He is a native of Durham county, or shire, England, the son of Joseph and Ann (Grice) Coe, and was born November 27, 1844. In the year 1854, when he was about ten years of age, he crossed the wide Atlan- tic with his parents and for about a year re- sided in Virginia. From there the family removed to Michigan and two years later to Wisconsin. While a resident of the latter State the Civil War broke out and the gov- ernment was threatened with subversion. Among others, August 27, 1861, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the First Wisconsin Battery of Light Artillery, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Racine, September 16th, following. After

waiting about two weeks the command was ordered to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, where it was attached to the corps of General A. J. Smith. Acting to the north and rear of Vicksburg, the battery helped open the blockade to that place, and participated throughout the entire siege of that forti- fied city, losing some three men. This small loss is surprising, as the battery was close up to the rebel works, and the section of which Mr. Coe was a mem- ber, not more than eighty yards from

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the line of their entrenchments, from May 18th, until the surrender of the place, July 4th. From that place Mr. Coe went with the command to Jackson, Mississippi, to force the position held by General Joe Johnston, and after the latter had evacuated that city proceeded with the corps to which the battery was attached, up the Red river to reinforce General N. P. Banks. Mr. Coe participated for five weeks in that ill-judged expedition, which, but for the assistance car- ried him by General Smith, would have resulted in the entire destruction of General Banks' army. On returning to the Missis- sippi river Mr. Coe was sent with the battery to New Orleans, where he was stationed until the fall of 1864, when, his time having expired, he was discharged and returned to his home.

From the latter he came the same fall to Winona, and in 1865 engaged in the wheat business in which he has been ever since. The last six years previous to his coming here was spent in Minneapolis, four years in the employ of the Millers' Association of that city and two years in that of the Red River Valley Elevator Company. In 1886 he came to Ada in the interest of the latter company and has been a resident here ever since. Mr. Coe takes an active interest in all G. A. R. matters and is the present com- mander of William Ketchum Post, No. 62, of Ada, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity.

He is, socially, one of the most popular citizens of the village, and one of its most active and public-spirited business men. He stands high in the estimation of his fellow- citizens as a straightforward business man, en- joying a higli degree of respect and esteem.

Mr. Coe was married September 10, 1875, to Miss Rose Durkee. Her father was a speculator and farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are the parents of three children, as follows - Clarence Hector, Harry Victorand Ella Belle.

HARLES B. KLOOS, a respected and industrious husbandman of Grant, county, Minnesota, is a resident of section 24, Maxsville township. He is a native of Ger- many, born in Maintzler, in the town of Grossherzogthum Hesser on the 20th day of February, 1848, and is the son of Henry and Thoratea (Keller) Kloos, natives of the same kingdom. The father canie to the United States in 1859 and settled in Carver county, Minnesota, where he died March 27, 1881. His occupation through active life was farming. There was a family of sevenl children, named as follows-Catharine, Henry, Ludwig, Elizabeth, Charles, John and Daniel. Daniel died in Carver county, Minnesota, in his sixteenth year. Ludwig died in the late war. He was taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville prison, where he died from cruel treatment and starvation.

Charles B. Kloos, the subject of this bio- graphical review spent the younger days of his life in attending school in his native land, and at about twelve years of age came with his parents to America's shores. After a voyage of forty-two days the family landed in New York City, from which place they went to St. Paul, Minnesota. After remain- ing there for six weeks they moved to the farm which the father had purchased in Carver county. Charles, our subject, at- tended the high school in St. Paul, and after completing his course there, attended a com- mercial college. During the interim which separated his high school attendance and his course at the commercial college, he was em- ployed in a steamboat office, to which position he was reinstated after leaving the business college. This position he held for twelve years and after leaving he removed to Grant county, Minnesota, where he bought 640 acres-all of section 23, Delaware township. After improving 250 acres of the farm, building a good house and barn, he sold the entire tract of land, in 1882. Mr. Kloos

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then bought his present place on section 24 in Maxsville township. He bought 80 acres, homesteaded 80 acres and took a tree claim of 160 acres. Since then he has added to his property until he now owns one of the most desirable farms in the county, comprising 650 acres, all well improved. He is engaged in general farming and stock- raising and has the best of building im- provements.

Mr. Kloos was married July 29, 1875, to Miss Margrette Eichmitter, and they have been blessed with the following-named chil- dren-Anna, Lewis, Willie (deceased), Ora and Cora (twins), Prettyman and Mabel. Mrs. Kloos is a native of Minnesota, born in Carver county January 4, 1856, and educated there. Mr. Kloos is one of the representa- tive men of the town of Maxsville, and has held the offices of justice of the peace, school clerk, etc. He, with his family, belong to the Lutheran church. He is a man of the utmost honor and integrity, and is highly esteemed by all, botlı as a neighbor and an exemplary citizen.

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OWEN D. FRANCIS, the photo- graphic artist of Crookston, Minne- sota, and one of its prominent business men, is a native of Enfield, Penobscot county, Maine, where he first saw the light on the 19th of April, 1861. When three or four years old his parents, Elias R. and Mary Francis, moved to Lincoln, where he en- joyed the advantages of the excellent educa- tional institutions of that town until he had reached his eighteenth year. At that time he attended Eastman's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, New York. On completing the course of that institution he went to the " Centennial State," Colorado, whither his parents had gone while he was in college. About one year after arriving in Silver Cliff,

Colorado, he entered the photograph gallery of Charles E. Emery, where he learned the mysteries of the photographic art. He closely pursued this business in that place until 1884, when he removed to Miller, Dakota, and there established a gallery of his own. In the spring of the following year, however, he removed to Crookston, and followed his profession for a year or so in the establishment of H. J. Kertson. After a visit to his Colorado home, which extended over a period of six months, on returning to Crookston, Mr. Francis purchased the busi- ness and outfit of his former employer, and has conducted the establishment ever since.

Mr. Francis is a thorough master of his art, and the work turned out at his gallery is the equal to the best in any of the larger cities, and the finish superior to many. In addition to the mechanical part of his busi- ness he carries in stock a full and complete line of picture-frame molding, and is pre- pared to furnish frames in any quantity. He makes a specialty of enlarging and reprint- ing old and faded photographs, making them as good and fresh as new.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, at Crookston, Minnesota, with Miss Ella Adams, of Miller, Dakota, on the 9th of September, 1885.

ENRY F. EDWARDS, who is proprie- tor of the City Dairy at Moorhead, Minnesota, finds place in this work for a biographical sketch, which, from the best data possible to collect, the writer has been able to formulate the following bit of per- sonal history, concerning a highly respected business man and citizen.

He is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, born in 1853. His parents were George and Charlotte (Mears) Edwards, natives of England and Vermont,respectively.

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The father came to America in 1840, set- tling in New York State, where he engaged at boot and shoe making, continuing the same until his death, which took place in 1878. He had a family of eight children, five of whom are now living-Henry F., Sarah J., Agnes E., Charles H. and Lillie C. The father was a republican in his politics. He had been a British soldier for seven years, being drafted in for life, but made his escape after seven years.

Our subject, Henry F. Edwards, remained at home until twelve years of age, up to which time he attended the common schools. At that age he engaged at work on a farm, attending school winters, and followed this for twenty years. He followed farm life in the East until he was twenty-nine years of age, having bought him a good farm when hé was twenty-five years old-the place be- ing in his native county. In 1882, he sold the farm and came to Fargo, Dakota, where he purchased a dairy and continued to oper- ate the same for a year where it was, and then moved the plant to Moorhead, Minne- sota, where he is still situated. His brother, Charles H., was his partner until 1888, when he purchased his interest. Mr. Edwards was married in 1888 to Miss Annie E. Chase, from Michigan. Her people were L. G. and Sarah (Menzies) Chase. The father was born in London, England, and the mother at Detroit, Michigan. The father came to America when he was eighteen years of age, follow- ing farming and fruit growing. He now resides at Manistee, Michigan. They had a family of eleven children, six of whom are now living - Edgar, Louisa, now Mrs. Thomas Solley ; James, Charles, Annie E., now Mrs. H. F. Edwards, and Edwin. The father is a republican and a man who is full of public spirit. The mother belongs to the Church of England.

Our subject believes in the principles of the prohibition party, and is an upright man

who deals square with every one. His place of business is on the east side of the Mani- toba railway track and south of the North- ern Pacific line. He keeps fifty cows and sells his product at wholesale, to parties in both Fargo and Moorhead.

SOLEM, the subject of our present article, is the editor and publisher of the Fergus Falls Ugeblad, the only Scandi- navian journal published in the Park Regions. Mr. Solem was born near Trond- hjem, Norway, on the 27th of April, 1850. His parents were Ellef and Inger (Lerine) Solem, farmers, who still live where our subject was born, although they were natives of other parts of that kingdom. A. Solem was the oldest in a family of two sons and four daughters. When our subject was a boy -from seven to eleven years of age - he was sick a good deal, having an ailment in one of his legs which confined him to the bed for months at a time every year. He therefore could not go to school very much, but was a great reader and studied all the books he could borrow. In 1868 he secured a loan of $100 and attended a seminary for teachers not far from his native town, and graduated from this institution with honors, receiving an excellent testimonial. While attending school, during the first year, he was sick for several weeks with rheumatic fever, which proved a serious set back to him. Early in 1871 he went to the northern part of Norway, near Tromso, and began teaching the children in a family, which vocation he followed for five years. Besides that he secured a position much like a county treasurer in this country, but his salary was very small as compared with the salary for such an office here. He had paid his debt and commenced to think of going to school again. He got another loan-$500 -- and

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went to a school for engineers and architects in Trondhjem. The course was three years, and when that time was up he came to America in September, 1879. He had rela- tives here at several places, but did not know where, except that some lived in Ottertail county, Minnesota, and there he came early in October. He was well received by his relatives, but had a hard time getting some thing to do. To work in some office with- drawing and the like was what he wanted, but could get nothing of the kind. He then worked at anything he could get-on the farm, in the school (Norwegian), in the store, and as carpenter, but felt he was not in the "right place, and was rather low spirited. He was not a very great hand on this kind of work either. After having been here nearly a year everything seemed to goright against him, and he had a hard time of it. But late in the spring 1881 there came a change all through. In the spring of 1880 his betrothed came over from Norway, and they were mar- ried in the fall of the same year. In the spring of 1881 they moved to Fergus Falls, Minne- sota, and he offered to take any kind of work, but could get nothing until he finally was offered a place setting type in a newspaper office which had just been opened. It was something entirely new to him, but he thought, "it must be steady work, if he could learn." This was a Norwegian paper, but it was rather hard to get what little money he earned, and therefore, after about half a year, he went to the Fergus Falls Journal and got a job there. He asked the privilege of setting by the 1,000 (ems) as with the other paper, and that was granted. This was in January or February, 1882. He was a rather poor hand at the type case yet, and his English was just as poor. He made small wages but gradually canie to realize that he was outgrowing his former ideas of being an architect, and that some sort of a printer loomed up in its place. It was quite

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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 52

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