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 66

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 66
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 66

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Mr. Kivel was married on the 21st of Feb ruary, 1872, to Mrs. Hattie Wassen, she having two children by her first husband.

This union has been blessed with three chil- dren, named as follows-Bartlett, Frederick and Charles. Mr. Kivel was married the second time, to Miss Rosa Lasarge, in June, 1883. The subject of this article, is a mem- ber of the A. F. & A. M., Crookston Lodge, also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Crookston Post. He is a republican in political matters and any home enterprise, calculated to benefit the town or county, receives his hearty support.

EUBEN CLARK, who is the proprietor of the leading hotel in the village of New York Mills, is an old settler in Otter Tail county. He is a business man of wide experience, genial and accommodating, and in his hotel he is doing a successful business and is making many friends.

Reuben Clark was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 6, 1852, and is a son of Reuben and Mary (Rice) Clark, who were bothı natives of New York State. The father was a mechanic and followed blacksmithing, brick making and farming at different periods of life. About 1854 the family removed to Randolph county, Illinois, and his father died in that State, and his mother died in Hancock county, Iowa. In the family of the parents there were ten children, eight of whom grew up, as follows-George, Ira, Carrie, Fannie, Lula, Mary, Kate and Reuben.

Reuben Clark, whose name heads this article, grew to manhood and received his education in Randolph county, Illinois. He attended school until sixteen years of age, when he engaged in the brick business. When he was twenty-one years old he went to Hancock county, Iowa, and engaged in farming, remaing there for five years and a

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half. While there he took an active and prominent part in public affairs and held various local offices. In 1877 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and settled in Leaf Lake township, where he secured a farm of nearly 300 acres. He engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, and at that time was the most extensive farmer in the eastern part of the county. He took a prominent part in official and political mat- ters, and held a number of township offices. In 1883 he rented his farm and for some time was engaged as an expert in the machinery business, and also followed collecting for a number of months. In 1888 he sold his farm, and on the 28th of March, 1888, located in the village of New York Mills. April 18, 1888, he moved into and took charge of the hotel, which he has since conducted.

Mr. Clark was married September 29, 1872, to Miss Susan Persons, a native of New York. They have three children-Ira, Ida and George.

In political matters Mr. Clark is a repub- lican, and he may justly be classed as one of the leading citizens of Otter Tail county.

ERTON W. SPERRY, of the firm of Sperry Brothers, dealers in stock, meat, and agricultural implements, in Will- mar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is one of the most prominent and respected citizens of the city. He is a native of Michigan, born in Amboy, Hillsdale county, on the 19th day of August, 1843, and is the son of Jeremiah and Jerusha Sperry. The father was born in New Haven, Connecticut, April 4, 1802. He remained there until about 1824, when ne was married and removed to Livingston county, New York. There he followed the cooper's trade and also farming until 1840, when he removed to Michigan. In 1857 he settled in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota.

He was a stanch democrat throughout his life and supported Andrew Jackson for President. The father met his death from an injury received at a political convention held at New London, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota. He was in a heated discussion with a man about thirty-five years of age, and, without warning, the man struck and kicked him. It threw him into a fit of apo- plexy from which he never recovered, not speaking after the injury was inflicted, and died about August 15, 1870. The mother died May 21, 1863, from the effects of exposure in escaping from the Indians in 1862.

Our subject removed with his parents to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he remained on the farm, until the Indian out- break in 1862. Then they were driven away by the Indians, and went to Forest City, Minnesota, where our subject joined a band of old settlers, who returned to their homes to recover what the Indians had not de- stroyed. While at their homes the Indians intercepted their retreat, and the settlers, hastily gathering up the most valuable household goods, returned in a roundabout way. While they were gone the soldiers at the fort, learning that the Indians had come between the party and Forest City, supposed them murdered and sent out a scouting party, which was repulsed by the Indians. In the fall of 1863, after the out- break had subsided, our subject attended school at Elk River, and then enlisted in the quartermaster's department, and went South to the front, where he remained six months. In the spring of 1867 he joined a band or train of 120 men, 40 families, and 67 wagons, and went across the plains, and set- tled in Jefferson Valley, Madison county, Montana, where our subject engaged in min- ing and stock-raising, at which he was mod- erately successful. In 1876 he returned on a visit, and again went back to Montana,

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where he remained until 1880. 'Then he went to Hamilton county, Iowa, where he was united in marriage to Miss Ada A. Wydeck, the daughter of Ryle Wydeck, and thien removed to Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he purchased an interest with his brother in their present business. They are among the prominent and successful merchants of the city and are doing a heavy business.

Mr. and Mrs. Sperry have been blessed with three children - Ernest, Nellie and Mason. Our subject is now assistant chief of the fire department, which position he has held for two years. He has been presi- dent of the school board for the past four years, and is a democrat in his political affil- iations. He is a man of the strictest integ- rity and honor, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a business man of sterling qualification and is actively inter- ested in all local matters, whereby the city or county, may derive benefit. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership with Sharon Lodge, No. 104, and has filled all the principal offices in the lodge.

ON. JOHN A. JOHNSON, ex-mayor, a merchant and also a dealer in agricult- ural implements in Fargo, is one of the most prominent business men of North Dakota. He has been actively identified with the his- tory of Fargo, has served as mayor of the city ; and filled various offices pertaining to the government of the city, such as member of the city council, board of education, etc. A man of wide experience and excellent busi- ness ability ; and his straight-forward business methods and strict integrity have made his word as good as a bond.

Jolin A. Johnson was born near Wexio, in Sweden, on the 24th of April, 1842, and is a

son of John and Elizabeth (Lone) Johnson. Our subject lived on a farm with his parents until he was twelve years old, and then the family came to the United States. The mother and two of his sisters died with cholera immediately after landing, and owing to this the family was broken up and our subject was thrown upon his own resources. He came at once to Stillwater, Minnesota, and there secured work in a hotel where he learned the English language. He remained in the hotel about fifteen months, and then for four years attended school, working out during vacations. At the expiration of that time he went to Texas intending to engage in the cattle busi- ness, but the breaking out of the war changed his plans and he returned North- ward to Seymour, Indiana, where he went to work in the railroad shops.

He became a practical engineer and soon took charge of a railway engine, which he ran in the South for the Government. In 1866, his health failing, he quit railroading, came to Minnesota and engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Washington county, Minnesota, and moved into Stillwater. He held the office for six years, being twice re-elected and each time he received every vote cast in the county. In March, 1880, he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and engaged in the agricultural implement business, which he has followed ever since. He also carries on the grocery business, having bought out Knowles & Company in 1887. His genial, whole-souled manners and fair dealing have built him a large business, and he is ranked among the most solid and substantial citizens of the city. He is a member of the Masonir fraternity, both of Chapter and Commander y and also a member of the Odd-Fellows Order. He has held various offices in all of these organizations. He has always taken a prominent and active part in all matters of a

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public nature, and every enterprise calculated to benefit his town or county receives his hearty aid and encouragement. As has been stated he has served as mayor of Fargo, having been elected in 1885, and has also served as a member of the governor's staff.

While a resident of Stillwater, Mr. John- son was admitted to the bar, and has also been admitted to practice in all the courts of Dakota, but he does not practice any, except to attend to his own law matters.

Mr. Johnson was married at St. Louis, August 27, 1865, to Miss Agnes A. Coler, a native of Switzerland, and a daughter of John and Anna (Meyer) Coler. Their union has been blessed with the following children-Alice Elizabeth, John Chester, Clarence Franklin, Laura Agnes and Law- rence Edwin.

ACOB FISHER, a prominent and repre- sentative citizen of Todd county, Min- nesota, is a resident of the village of Long Prairie, where he is engaged in the banking business. He is a native of New Jersey, born in Hightstown, on the 25th of April, 1848, and is the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Dye) Fisher. The father of our subject died in about 1830. The father and mother of the present subject were the parents of the following children-Alfred, Mary, Abi- jah, Anna and Jacob. After the father's death the mother was married to Alfred Conover, and this union was blessed with four children, named as follows-Amanda, Adeline, Susan and Alice. The mother died in 1886. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church at Hightstown.

Jacob Fisher, of whom this memoir treats, received his education in Hightstown, New Jersey, where he attended the New Jersey Classical and Scientific Institute until he

was eighteen years of age. At that period in life he removed to Minnesota and settled at Sauk Center in 1867. He purchased land in Todd county in partnership with J. D. Jones. The farm was situated near Fairy Lake in the township of Kandoto, and after residing upon it for some time Mr. Fisher removed to the village of Sauk Center, where he formed a partnership with S. P. Chandler in the flour and feed business. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Fisher removed to the village of Long Prairie, Todd county, Min- nesota, where he and S. P. Chandler entered into the flour and feed business, also deal- ing in dry goods, groceries, etc. Chandler & Fisher erected the first frame building for business purposes in the village. After a few years they formed a partnership with John Wait in the general merchandise business, and a few years later Mr. Fisher sold his interest to Mr. Wait. He established the bank in July, 1888. For fifteen years Mr. Fisher has been engaged in the wheat business in addi- tion to his banking interests, and is one of the prominent business men of this portion of the State. In 1884 Mr. Fisher purchased the old mill building at Long Prairie, and fitted it up for a grain elevator, and has since continued to operate the same.

Mr. Fisher was united in marriage in 1870 to Miss Malissa Chandler, and they have been blessed with one child - Leroy. Mr. Fisher is a republican in politics, and takes an active interest in all local matters. He and his family belong to the Baptist church, of which organization he is deacon. He is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is an active worker in all church matters. In 1881 he was elected clerk of court of Todd county, and he has held that responsible position ever since. He is a man of unim- peachable integrity; and he stands high wherever he is known, both as an honorable and capable business man and an exemplary citizen.

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OUIS BORCHERS, the well-known pro- prietor of the brewing establishment in the village of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of Germany. He was born in the province of Hanover, on the 19th day of March, 1859, and is the son of Henry and Louisa (Dipke) Borchers, natives also of Germany. The father is engaged in railroad business in the Old World.

Mr. Borchers, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch, remained at home, in his native land, attending school until he had attained the age of fourteen years. At that period in life he commenced for himself, and secured a position in a store as clerk. Until he was seventeen he retained his position, and in November, 1876, he emigrated to the United States. After a voyage of fourteen days he landed at New York, and from there went direct to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he secured a clerkship in a grocery store. At the expiration of two years he removed to Red Wing, Minnesota, and worked in the Hotel de Batlo for one year. In 1879 he went to Crookston, Minnesota, and entered an apprenticeship to the brewer's trade with August Walter, with whom he remained five years. In 1884 he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and worked in a brewery for eleven months. At the expi- ration of that time he went to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, where he worked in Miller's brewery for six months. From the city of Milwaukee our subject went to East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and obtained a position in a brewing establishment, where he remained eleven months. He then removed to Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota, where he took charge of the brewery at that place, becoming manager, and also took an interest in the establish- ment. He has since been engaged in the business at that place and has a large trade. He has a fine brewery, with a capacity of 6,000 barrels per year. They now have on

hand a stock of 600 barrels. Our subject is one of the thorough business men of the village, and is actively interested in all local movements. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd-Fellows, and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity.

AMES WHITFORD, a resident of Motley and deputy sheriff of Morrison county, Minnesota, is a pioneer of Minnesota-a thorough frontiersman, having come to Minnesota while the State was as yet a Ter- ritory, in 1856. About all of his life has been spent on the frontier, and he has been a pioneer in the fullest sense of that term. Few men in the northern part of Minnesota are more widely known, for in early times his operations in different ways and at different times extended all the way from Duluth to Fargo.

Mr. Whitford was born in Huntington county, Canada East, November 30, 1827, and is of Scotch extraction, both of his parents having been born in Scotland. When our subject was thirteen years of age his parents removed to Lampton; Canada West. James emained there for a year or so, and then started in life for himself, and for some time was engaged in "cruising around promiscu. ously." In 1856 he came to St. Anthony, in the then Territory of Minnesota. This is now known as Minneapolis, although at that time Minneapolis was unknown. After spending a week or so at that place our sub- ject hired to a company hunting pine timber. They "staged it " up to Elk river, and there took canoes and followed up the Missis- sippi river to where it is joined by the Crow Wing river, and followed the latter stream up to Long Prairie river. At that time there were but very few settlers in Northern Minnesota, although a few were located at . Sauk Rapids, Little Falls and

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Swan River. They explored the country all along the streams mentioned, and on their way back were "froze up" at the mouth of the Long Prairie. From there they " packed" their stuff down to the old Crow Wing trad- ing post, and from there took stages to St. Cloud and St. Anthony, arriving at the latter place about the middle of February. A day or two later our subject returned to the Northern part of Stearns county, Minnesota, and spent the winter with his brother Joseph. In the spring of 1857 the brothers engaged in freighting from St. Paul to Fort Abercrombie and Fort Gary. They used ox teams and the round trip consumed from thirty to thirty-five days. They would take supplies out, and on the return would bring furs for the Hudson Bay Company. They followed this for four seasons. James Whit- ford's brother Joseph, with whom he was then in company, was a well-known man in pioneer times. Joseph located the original town site of Fergus Falls, and one of the streets of that city still bears 'his name. Joseph was afterward killed by the Indians in what was known as the "Detroit woods."

After the expiration of the four years spent in freighting, James Whitford returned to his father's home in Canada, and remained about a year. In the fall of 1862 he em- ployed himself at lumbering-in the woods and on the "drive." When the building of the Northern Pacific Railroad was com- menced, in the spring or summer of 1870, he commenced putting in camps along that line of road between Duluth and Brainerd ; and during the winter of 1870-71 he was en- gaged in grading on the railroad east of Brainerd. In the spring of 1871 he went to where Wadena is now located, then known as Union Creek, and graded two miles of track there. He then engaged with the con- struction company and remained with them until the road was completed to Fargo. In March, 1872, he took charge of a work

train and continued in this until the sunimer of 1875. He was then laid up with the rheumatism and spent the following winter at the hot springs. Returning in the fall of 1876, for a time he had a half-interest in a threshing machine in Goodhue county, Minnesota, and during the following winter and spring followed lumbering. In the fall of 1877 he returned to Motley, and this has been his headquarters ever,since. He has been engaged in getting out wood, ties, etc., and still does a good deal of "cruising," or timber hunting, and he is about as well posted on Northern Minnesota pine lands as any man in the Northwest. He has also taken an active and prominent part in local matters, and was one of the judges at the first election held in that locality, in the fall of 1876. He has held a great many local offices, has been a member of the village board for the past six years, was village marshal for several years, and has been deputy sheriff for the past five years. He is a prominent member of the Masonic, and also of the Odd-Fellows fraternities, and stands high in the community in which he lives as an exemplary citizen.

Our subject was married May 16, 1877, to Ellen Johnson, whose parents were the first settlers at Motley. They have been the parents of five children, three of whom are living.

ALVIN L. SPAULDING, cashier of the Lumbermen's Exchange Bank, in Brainerd, Crow Wing county, Minnesota, is one of the most prominent business men of that locality. He is also engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and holds an interest in the bank. Mr. Spaulding is a native of the State of Vermont,- born in Burlington, Vermont, on the 16th of May, 1842, and is the son of Roswald and Calista

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(Farmsworth) Spaulding, also natives of Vermont.

Mr. Spaulding, of whom this article treats, remained at home attending school until he had attained the age of sixteen years. From that period in life until he was twenty he worked in a nursery a part of the time and then went to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended commercial college for some time and then clerked in a general store for one year. On the 25th day of July, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, and was appointed orderly sergeant. In February, 1863, he was promoted to second lieutenant of Company H. He was trans- ferred to Company C of the same regiment, and was promoted to first-lieutenant, and commanded the company, acting as captain for fourteen months. He was taken pris- oner September 23, 1864, at Athens, Ala- bama, and was confined two months at Enterprise, Mississippi, then removed to Memphis, Tennessee, where he was paroled. He then went to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and after five weeks joined his com- pany in January, 1865, at Decatur, Alabama. The regiment was shortly after stationed at Hunt's Hill, Alabama, where they remained until they were mustered out in June, 1865, not disbanding, however, until July 4, 1865, at Jackson, Michigan. After our subject received his honorable discharge he went to Jonesville, Michigan, where he secured a position as book-keeper in a general store, where he remained for nine years. In 187 4hew as admitted as a partner, the firm being Sibbald, Spaulding & Co., and until 1879 was actively engaged in a general merchandising business at that place. During a part of that time, from 1867 until 1874, he held the office of post- master. In 1879 he removed to Minnesota, settling in Minneapolis, where he was em- ployed as book-keeper, in the First National Bank. In the fall of 1881 he was advanced

to the responsible position of head book- keeper, which position he held until 1883. In May, 1883, he removed to Brainerd, Crow Wing county, Minnesota, and, in partnership with Hantly Brothers, engaged in the real estate business. In 1885 the Lumbermen's Exchange Bank was established, and since that time Mr. Spaulding has held the posi- tion of cashier. He also has an interest in the bank, and is engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is one of the prominent business men of the city and is actively interested in all local matters.

Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage on the 7th day of April, 1864, to Miss Arrietta C. Gaylord, and this union has been blessed with two children, named Fred (deceased) and Florence F. Mrs. Spaulding passed away on the 28th day of September, 1888, and was interred at Brainard. Mr. Spaulding has held many offices in the city, including county commissioner for four years and city assessor. He was president of the republican club in 1888, and takes an active interest in the cam- paigns of that party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is the present com- mander of the "Pap" Thomas Post, No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic.

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ILLIAM J. MORROW, the present efficient county auditor of Becker county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Detroit, where he is engaged in his official duties. He is a native of Canada, born in Ottawa, on the 20th day of May, 1848, and is the son of William and Cath- erine (Barrie) Morrow, natives of Canada. The father was engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Canada, and died in 1853. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of two children-William J. Morrow and John Morrow (deceased).

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W. J. Morrow, the subject of this biogra- phy, received his education in his native land and attended the Rigiopolis College, at Kingston, Canada, for three years. At the age of eighteen he left his native land, emigrated to the " States," and located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He remained there one year, engaged in the lumber business, and in 1866 moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and secured a clerkship in Minneapolis in a grocery store. In 1871 he went on the Northern Pacific Railroad as far as the junction in Carlton county, where he remained one year em- ployed by the railroad company. He con- tinued to work for the company until 1876, when he purchased a 160-acre farm in Ham- den township, Becker county, where he lived engaged in general farming and stock- raising for three years. In 1879 he was elected clerk of the district court, and after filling that position for seven years, resigned for the auditorship. In the fall of 1886 he was elected county auditor and re-elected in 1SSS. In addition to his official duties, he is engaged in the insurance business. He owns the fine brick store building on Wash- ington avenue, which he rents for store and office purposes. He also owns a fine resi- dence dwelling on Park Row.

Mr. Morrow was married December 31, 1874, to Miss Racheal Pierce, of Hamden, and the daughter of Thomas and Fannie (Hemstock) Pierce, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have been blessed with the following-named children - Edith, Fannie, George, Willard, Grace and Estella. Our subject is a republican in his political affilia- tions and is actively interested in all local . movements. While in Hamden township, he held the office of town clerk, and since his res- idence in Detroit has been a member of the village and school boards. He is one of the leading and substantial citizens of the village and county and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

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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 66

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