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 57

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 57
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 57

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).

Mr. McVeety was married in Canada on the 16th of June, 1848, to Miss Jennette McLane, a daughter of William and Mrs. (Rudsdell) McLane, who were natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. McVeety have been the parents of the following named children - Thomas, Elizabeth, Catharine, Ellen, William J., David H., James A., Anna,

Margaret J., Belle, Jennette E. and Francis, all of whom areliving except James, Jennette, David and Anna. Thomas married Mary A. Burns and lives in the same township as his father; Elizabeth married Robert Coul- ter, of Huntsville township; Catharine mar- ried John. Coulter, of the same township ; Ellen married Benjamin Avery, of Canada ; Anna married Thomas Jopling, of Ingster, Dakota Territory, and died two years after her marriage ; Belle married Mathew McDonald and resides near Ardoch, Dakota Territory ; William married Miss Mary Currie, of Upper Canada, and owns a farm about a mile and a half from Ardoch village, Dakota Territory.

The family attend the Methodist Episco- pal church, of which the parents are exenl- plary members.

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RED W. BURNHAM, financial agent, and engaged in the real estate and loan business at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Bangor, Penobscot county, Maine, and was born in the year 1853. His parents were Asa M. and Susan (Hines) Burnham, both of whom were natives of the State of Maine. The father was a photographer while in the East, but in 1883, on coming West, he engaged in the occupa- tion of farming. He settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he purchased land, and is now farming 320 acres in Fergus Falls township. He is extensively engaged in the raising of fine graded cattle and horses. He is at present running a dairy of thirty cows. The grandparents of the sub- ject of our sketch were Asa and Lydia (Parsons) Burnham, natives of the Eastern States, and by occupation farmers. The grandfather served his country in the War of 1812. He was a prominent. politician and a consistent member of the Congregational

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church. He had a family of eight children. The father of the subject of our sketch is a republican in politics and has become a prominent citizen of the town and county in which he lives. He has a family of four sons-Fred W., Charles E., Frank U. and Uri.

The subject of our sketch spent his younger days on the farm, receiving a good common school education. He was a grad- uate of the high school. of Bangor, Maine, and at seventeen years of age left home and went to Delaware county, New York. In this place he obtained employment as book-keeper and paymaster for a railroad contracting company, in whose employ he continued for eighteen months. Later he went to New York City and con- tinued with the same employers for another eighteen moths. After this period he was engaged in the general offices of the North- ern Pacific Railroad Company, holding a position as clerk in the treasury department. After six months spent in the employ of the Northern Pacific he came West to Minnesota, landing in Minneapolis in 1874. After remaining in that city during the summer he then taught school on the Lake Superior Road during the winter. He turned his attention after this to speculating in Minne- apolis and in 1875 came to Fergus Falls, Min- nesota, where the first permanent business vas as clerk in the First National Bank. After some months he accepted a position as book-keeper and cashier for George B. Wright, in whose office he continued for three years. After severing his connection with, the business of Mr. Wright he was employed by Henry G. Page as book-keeper and secretary for two years. After this for two years he held the postion of deputy county auditor, this being from 1880 to 1882. In the latter year he was elected to that office and held the same for one term. After the close of his official duties he was employed by the

Scotch Syndicate in loaning money and buy- ing and selling real estate, which business connection he still retains. He handles money for non-residents in different counties in the West. He has held the office of city clerk for several terms, and holds a commis- sion as captain in the State militia. He is a vice-president of the Fergus Falls Water Com- pany, and for some years has held the office of general manager of the Fergus Falls Gas and Mill Company.

In 1877 Mr. Burnham was united in mar- riage to Miss Fannie S. Jordan of Bangor, Maine, the daughter of Joshua Jordan. This. union has been blessed with two children - Edith M. and Ralph J.

Mr. Burnham affiliates with the republican party, and is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He is one of the solid business men of the city and county.

IMOTHY BEACH. In reviewing the lives of many of the prominent mem- bers of the farming community in the famous Park Regions of Minnesota, none deserve better mention than the gentleman whose name heads this article. Mr. Beach is a resi- dent of section 15, Lein township, Grant county, Minnesota, where he has carried on agricultural operations for eight years. He is a native of Missouri, born in Scotland county, on the 2d day of April, 1859, and is. a son of Amos and Susanna (Milligan) Beach, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. They were of Welsh and Scotch descent, and after their marriage settled in Decatur, Illi --- nois, where they lived ten years, engaged in farming. From there they moved to Walnut. Grove, Iowa, and after living there one year moved to Scotland county, Missouri, remain- ing in that locality from 1858 until 1865, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1861 Amos Beach enlisted in the Second Missouri

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Infantry, and at the expiration of six months entered the Twenty-second Missouri Cavalry and participated in active service until the fall of 1864, when he was honorably dis- charged at St. Louis, Missouri. He partici- pated in many engagements and skirmishes, including the battles of Kirksville and Pierce's Mill. The Confederate soldiers of that region were very much incensed against Mr. Beach for enlisting in the Union ranks and many times tried to ambush him and take his life, and even endangered the life of Mrs. Beach. While her husband was at the front she was taking care of the farm, and while going out one morning to cultivate corn was intercepted by the rebels. She was riding a horse and was commanded to dismount, after which the rebel soldiers removed the saddle, remarking as they secured the horse: "There, you d-d abolitionist, you may have the saddle, we have better of our own." Had it not been that Mrs. Beach had her baby child in her arms she would have, perhaps, met a terrible fate at their hands, but moved by the happy chatter of the childish tongue, they left her to pursue her way in peace and safety.

Timothy Beach, the subject of this article, remained in Missouri until he was seven years old, when the family removed to Olm- stead county, Minnesota, where he received his education. At the age of twenty-one he settled in Grant county, Minnesota ; taking a tract of land in Lein township, where he has since continued to reside. He has a well-improved farm of 80 acres, with good building improvements, and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of his township and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Beach was united in marriage to Miss Anna Rounds, a native of Minnesota, and the daughter of Jerome and Cordela (Beardsley) Rounds. They were married November 15, 1882. The mother of Mrs. Beach was mar-

ried to Mr. Rounds on the 4th of March, 1861, and was the mother of two children -- Charles J. and Anna. The father of Mrs. Beach was a painter by trade and died in 1866.

Timothy Beach, the subject of this article, is first lieutenant of the Sons of Veterans in Elbow Lake, and was the main worker in organizing that body in Elbow Lake. He has held the office of constable of his town- ship one term, and in political matters is a stanch adherent to the principles of the republican party.

OSEPH HANSMAN, leading contractor and builder of Moorhead, Minnesota, will form the subject of the following biograph- ical sketch. He is a German by birth, born August 24, 1852, the son of Mathias and Margret (Kendler) Hansman. The father was a farmer and emigrated to this county, with his family in 1854, settling near the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he took up a pre-emption of 160 acres of land, upon which he moved and there remained until his death, July 27, 1887. The mother is now living with our subject, her son Joseph. The family had four sons-Joseph, Mathias A., Edward and Michael. The father was a democrat and was a representative man of his county and frequently held local offices. He was a Roman Catholic in his religious belief and church membership.

Our subject, Joseph, remained at home until he reached the age of seventeen years, receiving a common school education. After he left school he learned the trade of harness- maker, serving for three years, after which he worked as a journeyman for about five years. He abandoned that trade and took up carpentering, going West to Bismarck and from there to the Black Hills, where he labored both at carpentering and harness-

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making. He followed this for three years and in 1879 went to Glyndon and opened a hardware store, which he operated six months, since which time he has engaged in con- tracting and building. He built the court house and jail at Moorhead, also a large school house and a fine church at Hawley, besides a church edifice at Moland. At this writing (1888) he has just completed the normal school building at Moorhead. He employs all the way from five to thirty-five men, and may well be classed as one of the most prominent contracters and builders in the Red River Valley. He took a home- stead in 1884, upon which he has made good improvements. He has other property, both in Moorhead and Glyndon.

He was married in 1879 to Miss Bertha Hanson, daughter of Hans and Annie C. (Johnson) Hanson, who had nine children, four of whom are now living-Mary, now Mrs. Johnson ; Nels H .; Annie, now Mrs. E. Erickson, and Bertha, now Mrs. Hansman. The parents came to America in 1864, set- tling in Allamakee county, Iowa, where they were engaged at farming until they removed to Glyndon, Minnesota, where the father died in 1879. The mother still resides at that place. The father was a republican in his political belief and held various local offices while in Iowa. Both he and his wife were devout Methodists.

Our subject and his wife are blessed with three children-Joseph H., Peter E. and Mathias B. In political belief he is an inde- pendent, yet has ever been very active in public matters.

LLSWORTH D. CHILDS is a mem- ber of the firm of E. D. Childs & Co., who are the largest and most extensive farmers in Polk county, Minnesota, also general merchants, real estate dealers and

grain buyers, at Crookston. He is one of the most honored and respected citizens of that city. He is a native of Westborough, Worcester county, Massachusetts, and first saw the light, April 7, 1843, in the home of his parents, Ellsworth and Eliza (Marshall) Childs. He received the rudiments of his education in the schools of the "Old Bay State," but at the age of thirteen was re- moved by his parents to the new country of the Northwest. The family settled at Pres- cott, Pierce county, Wisconsin, where they were numbered among the pioneers who first penetrated into that region. On his father's farm our subject passed the intervening years, until " the boy was sprung to manhood," and was early inducted into a knowledge of the art of agriculture. About the time of attaining his majority, he lost his father by an accidental death, but he still remained with the balance of the family in that part of the country until about 1873, when he embarked in the agricultural implement busi- ness both in Prescott and in Hammond, and continued in that trade until the fall of 1877. In the previous spring, in company with James Hill, of Roberts, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, he purchased of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company some 10,000 acres of land, all located in the county of Polk, Minnesota, and returning to his home, sent up teams and men to break up some 300 acres of the land, which were as yet in their primitive condition.

At that time the village of Crookston had hardly a population of 100 people, and but very little of the land was as yet taken up in the county. In the spring of 1878, with the return of the season for planting and sowing, Mr. Childs came in person to look after his magnificent farm, and with him brought all the necessary means of carrying it on prop- erly. His first work was the erection of a house, 26x30 feet in area, one and a half stories high, and a barn with accommodation

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for sixteen horses, and at the same time commenced seeding and other work. In the succeeding fall he erected two other separate sets of farm buildings on the place, and, as one of the firm of E. D. Childs & Co., erected a part of what is now the Red River Elevator, the first one north of Glyndon. In 1880 Mr. Childs laid out the village of Carman, on land belonging to the company, and erected several store buildings to rent to parties desirous of doing business in the place, and has always taken a great interest in the welfare of that thriving and enterpris- ing hamlet.

By active business energy Mr. Childs has brought some 4,500 acres of their large' farm in subjection to the uses of civilization, a portion of which is rented out to tenant farmers, and a portion of which is devoted to tame grass. The balance is as yet in pasture. Messrs. Childs & Co.'s share of the grain raised on the place during the year 1887 was 30,000 bushels. During the harvest season they find it necessary to operate some thirteen self-binders and two threshing machines, the latter driven by steam. On their immense place they have, also, 160 head of thorough-bred and high- grade cattle; 200 head of fine sheep, and seventy-five head of horses, most of which are of excellent strains. Seven sets of farm buildings adorn the place in different locali- ties, and on these and their other structures, in various places, the firm carry about $25,- 000 insurance alone.

Politically, Mr. Childs has always been a warm advocate of the principles formulated in the platforms of the republican party, and has taken an active part in all local cam- paigns. He has an active, enterprising spirit and one that has stamped his individuality and character to a marked degree upon this community. But little desire for office has he had, still he has been induced to act as member of the council of Crookston. He is

also one of the board of directors of the Duluth and Winnipeg Railroad.

Mr. Childs has been twice married, the first time in 1865, when he wedded Miss Esther Hamblin, but who was carried away by the death angel in 1866. Appreciating the Divine injunction that "man should not live alone,". July 7, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza McLorinan, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and daughter of P. J. and Sarah McLorinan. By this union they have had four children, of whom three are living-Jesse C., Ralph D. and Ruth E.

OSEPH GILPIN, of Alexandria, is the editor and proprietor of the Douglas county News, one of the leading republican newspapers in the northern part of the State. Mr. Gilpin is a native of Lockport, New York, born October 4, 1842, and a son of Thomas and Elisabeth (Featherston) Gil- pin, who were natives of Ireland. Early in life the father learned the stone-cutter's trade and followed that avocation for many years. At an early day he removed to Canada and became a foreman on the work of constructing the Welland Canal. He died in the spring of 1888 and his widow still lives in Canada. Thomas Gilpin and wife were the parents of five children- Sarah A., Joseph, Mary J., Eliza and Hannalı.

Joseph Gilpin, whose name heads this article, received his education in New York State. He began learning the printing busi- ness at between thirteen and fourteen years of age, and finished his apprenticeship at Buffalo, New York. In 1864 he enlisted in Company E, Sixtieth Massachusetts Infantry, and remained in the service for six months, doing provost duty most of the time. In July, 1867, he came to Douglas county, Min- nesota, and took a homestead in Alexandria

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township. He began improvements and remained there for a time, and then, in 1870, he traded the place to William E. Hicks, proprietor of the Alexandria town site, for the Alexandria Post. For five years he con- tinued the publication of this paper, when he sold out. On the 1st of August, 1878, he established the Douglas county News, and has since conducted that journal. Mr. Gilpin has built up a lucrative business. The paper has an extensive circulation and is regarded as one of the most influential republican journals in the Park Regions.

Mr. Gilpin was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah Walker, a daughter of Daniel Walker, of Alexandria. Their marriage has been blessed with three children-William S., Mary T. and Nellie B.

Mr. Gilpin has always taken an active interest in all public affairs and every enter- prise calculated to benefit either his town or county receives his earnest support and encouragement. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Grand Army of the Republic.

LIVER H. PHILLIPS, the editor and proprietor of the Norman county Herald, came to the Red River Valley in April, 1888, and located at Ada, Minnesota, where he established his paper. He was born in Rochester, Monroe county, New York, July 26, 1834, and is the son of Israel and Fidelia (Goodale) Phillips, both of whom were natives of the State of Massachusetts. His parents had settled at Rochester in 1811, when that city, which now can boast of its 100,000 inhabitants, contained but twohouses. His father was a boat builder 'by trade, and followed that business in that locality, where he passed the rest of his days, for inany years.

Oliver H. was the youngest of a family of eleven children born to his parents. He was given the advantages of the schools common to that district in its early day, and so fitted himself, that at the age of seventeen he com- menced teaching in the country schools. During the time that he was devoting his attention to the instruction of the rising generation, he did not neglect his self-educa- tion, but giving up his leisure moments to study, recited to the professors of the Rochester University, and during one winter attended the Clarkson Academy.

In 1855, having attained his majority, he came to Minnesota, and, settling in the neighborhood of Wasioja, Dodge county, he there took a claim and opened a farm. He remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits in that place, until the railroad passing through the county, the village of Dodge Center was instituted, when he removed thither. He entered into the sale of farm- ing implements, and for some time was the county agent for the "Grange," or Patrons of Husbandry, for the purchase and sale of that machinery. He continued in that line of business until 1876, at which time he bought the journal known as the Dodge Center Press, of which he was the editor and proprietor for three years, developing a natural tact and fitness for the busi- ness, surprising in one having no previous training.

In 1879 Mr. Phillips removed to Goodwin, Deuel county, Dakota, in the neighborhood of which he took up a claim, and entered into the mercantile trade in the village. This latter he continued for about a year, the balance of the time he devoted to his farm until 1883. when he returned to Dodge county. On his arrival there he purchased the Dodge Center Index, and once more occupied the editorial chair. After two years' editing and publishing that independ- ent sheet, he consolidated it with the

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Kasson Vindicator, and changed the name to that of Dodge County Record.

In the spring of 1888 our subject disposed of his journalistic business at that point, and in search of a more eligible site for business, came to Ada with his material and estab- lished the Herald, an active supporter of democratic principles - especially tariff reform.

During his residence in Dodge county, Mr. Phillips was quite active in behalf of educa- tional interests, and took a prominent part in local politics. He filled the office of justice of the peace during his residence in Dodge Center. On coming to Ada he bought the building where he transacts busi- ness, and besides his property in Dodge Center, owns some 500 acres of excellent arable land in the neighborhood of Water- town, Dakota, which is partially improved.

Mr. Phillips is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Washington Lodge, No. 38, of Wasioja, Dodge county, was made a Royal Arch Mason in Tabernacle Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., of Kasson, but was afterward one of the charter members of Relief Lodge, No. 108. In both lodges he was an active worker and served as worshipful master of both. He still holds his connection with the Dodge county lodges. Is a member, also, of the A. O. U. W.

Besides the office of justice of the peace, Mr. Phillips has filled most of the township offices in Dodge county, and that of assessor in Deuel county, Dakota, and has been the candidate of a party hopelessly in the minor- ity in Dodge county for most of the county offices, legislature and the State senate, and occupied a prominent place in the com- munity.

Mr. Phillips was united in marriage April 9, 1863, with Miss Marietta Walkup, a native of Chautauqua county, New York, and daugh- ter of Thomas and Amarilla (Andrews)

Walkup, and by this union they are the parents of five children, four of whom are living. The latter are-George, the teller of the First National Bank at Fergus Falls ; Fannie, a teacher in the public schools at the same place; Helen a type writer and sten- ographer in C. L. Lewis' law office in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Harry who is in business with his father.

ILLIAM E. WALKER, the proprie- tor of the Crookston planing mill, sash and door factory, is one of that city's most active and enterprising citizens. He is a native of Toronto, Canada, born June 16, 1862, and is the son of Walter and Elizabeth (Gibson) Walker.

The father of our subject came to Crook- ston from Toronto, where he had been engaged in the building and contracting line for years, and, in 1882, forming a copartner- ship with W. J. Bailey, purchased the ground and erected the planing mill where his son carries on business. Mr. Bailey retiring about one year later, Joseph Netzer went into partnership with Mr. Walker, and the firm name was changed to that of Walker & Netzer. At the expiration of another twelvemonth the latter gentleman retired, and William being taken into partnership, the firm became that of Walker & Son. It was operated under this name and style for a period of three years, but in the spring of the current year (1888) the father retiring, the proprietorship of the establishment passed to our subject. About the same time the latter added the building in which he has his office-a frame structure 20x68 feet in size, two stories high, the lower one used as a warehouse as well as office, the second story as a carpenter shop. About the same time was added a dry kiln in the rear of the mill, some 16x30 feet in

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area on the ground. The mill proper is a substantial edifice, 30x60 feet in size, two stories in height. In this building is found all the necessary machinery to carry on the business, and all driven by a thirty- horse-power engine. The institution, which is one of the leading industrial establishments of Crookston, and this part of the Red River Valley, makes a specialty of sash, doors, molding, general building material, etc., and gives employment to from sixteen to twenty men and boys. Mr. Walker does a general contracting and building business, also, and the firm of which he has been a member, and is the successor, has put up by contract a large number of the better class of buildings in the city, both public and private. In addi- tion to the mill business Mr. Walker is engaged quite extensively in the sale of cedar posts, telegraph and telephone poles, and tim- ber of a like nature.

The subject of this personal memoir is one of the most active, stirring young business men of Crookston, and is rapidly winning his way to a prominent place in the community. Energy, industry and business tact are, in his case, accomplishing what they always have done in this world, and are elevating him to a recognized place, both in trade and social circles.

LE MOSNESS, one of the most able and finely-educated attorneys located at Moorhead, Minnesota, forms the subject of this sketch. .

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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 57

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