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 71

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 71
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 71

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).

557

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

a brother living in Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, named James P. He has a sister, Anna, now Mrs. Peter Enmark, living in Grafton. His brother Christian in 1877 went to the Wisconsin pineries, and they have not heard from liim since, so it is presumed he is dead.

Our subject was married in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, in 1883, to Miss Florence Orcutt, daughter of Abel and Ellen Orcutt. Her mother is living on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin. They have two bright children- Jessie and Leroy.

Mr. Loitwood is rated as one of the most capable business men of Hillsboro, and is a man of the strictest integrity.

EFF. H. IRISH, attorney-at-law, and the present incumbent of the office of county attorney of Becker county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Detroit, where he is engaged in his professional and official duties. He is a native of Michigan, born in Oakland county, August 24, 1859, and is the son of William and Mary (Henry) Irish, natives of New York and Vermont, respect- ively. The grandparents of our subject on his father's side were Rial and Sophia (Jenks) Irish, natives of New York, and they settled in Michigan in 1834 and followed farming. Rial Irish died in 1862. They were the par- ents of three children-William, the father of our subject, Helen and Cordelia. The grandparents of our subject on the mother's side were Harvey and Sandona Henry, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire, and they were engaged in farming. They were the parents of the following-named children-Sophia, Mary, Charles, James, William and Frank. The parents of our sub- ject were married at Bellows Falls, Vermont, in 1855, and took up their residence in Mich- igan, where they remained until the father's

death in 1860. He was a surveyor by pro- fession. They were the parents of two children-our subject, the only one now liv- ing, and Charles.

Mr. Irish, the subject of this biographical review, remained on the home farin with his mother, attending the common schools until he was fifteen years of age. At that period in life, he entered the high school at Bir- mingham, Oakland county, Michigan, where he remained three years. He then entered the Pontiac high school, and after stay- ing in that institution for one year, entered the Michigan Agricultural Col- lege at Lansing, from which lie gradu- ated with high honors and received the degree of B. S., in 1882. He then entered the law school at Ann Arbor, where he remained one year. In 1884 he opened an office for the practice of his chosen profes- sion, in Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, Min- nesota. He continued in the law and real estate business in that place for two years, and in April, 1886, removed to the city of Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. In November, 1888, he was elected county attorney, and has since filled that responsible position, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- cerned. In the spring of 1888 he was elected a member of the village board and also on the school board. In the village he owns a fine residence and also possesses- considerable real estate in Otter Tail county.

Mr. Irish was united in marriage on the 5th day of October, 1886, to Miss Edith McConnell, of Chicago, Illinois, and the daughter of Edward and Susan (Colehour) McConnell, natives of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Irish have been blessed with one child - Genevieve. Our subject belongs to the republican party and is one of the promi- nent and esteemed citizens of the county and village.

558

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

ASHER A. WOODWORTH is the proprietor of one of the leading hotels in Hallock, Kittson county, Minnesota. He was born in Rochester, Minnesota, January 27, 1859.

Mr. Woodworth's parents were J. C. and R. J. (McKnight) Woodworth. The father was a native of New York, and the mother a native of West Virginia. In an early day the parents came to Minnesota, where they lived until 1869, at which time they removed to Iowa. They are now living in Sioux City.

The subject of our sketch remained with his parents during his early life, attending district school. In 1862 he went with his parents to Decorah, Iowa, and lived with them in that place until they removed to Sioux City in 1869. In the spring of 1877 he went to the Black Hills and engaged in freighting between Fort Pierre and Dead- wood City, which business he followed until May, 1880. At that time he came to Fer- gus Falls, Minnesota, bringing with him three teams. During that fall and winter he worked at various kinds of employment, and in the spring went to work on the railroad from Wadena to Breckenridge. He followed the railroad business until November, 1881, when he removed to Pelican Rapids, Minne- sota, where he engaged in business for some time ; then engaged in the livery business for about a year, after which he was employed at hauling brick and at different kinds of labor. In 1885 he went to Argyle, remain- ing there but a short time. March 1, 1886, he went to Hallock, Minnesota, where he at once engaged in the hotel business and at which he has continued ever since.

Mr. Woodworth was married in Pelican Rapids, November 15, 1883, to Miss Emma Bruestle, daughter of Conrad and Rosa Bruestle, natives of Germany. One child has blessed this union - Clifford A.

In politics Mr. Woodworth affiliates with the republican party. He is a man of excel-

lent business principles, and holds the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. His hotel is one of the best the town affords, and his many guests all speak in the highest terms of praise of his excellent qualities as a hotel proprietor.

EORGE L. DEMING, the present post- master at Atwater, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is one of the leading business men of that place, and will form the subject of our present sketch. He has been promi- nently identified with the business interests of that locality, and has been foremost in all enterprises which were calculated to aid in the growth and development of the village or surrounding country.

Mr. Deming was born in Vermont in 1823, and is a son of Gad and Bethiah (Woodard) Deming. His parents had a family of nine children, only three of whom, however, are now living. Our subject's childhood days were spent at home and in attendance upon the district schools. When he was eighteen months old his father died, and his mother kept the family together until George.L. was eight years old, and then he and the rest of the boys were obliged to shirk for themselves, and were thrown upon their own resources. George followed various avoca- tions ; he drove on the canal, worked his way up, and finally became captain of a boat. Later he engaged in the hotel business, and followed that for a number of years in the East, and was postmaster at Shoreham, Ver- mont, under Abraham Lincoln's administra- tion. In 1867 he came to Minnesota and settled at Belle Plaine, where he became agent for the American Express Company, and also engaged in keeping a hotel. In 1878 he came to Atwater, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he still lives.

Mr. Deming was married in 1847, to Miss Isabelle Moffit, and they became the parents

559

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

of four children-William H., George C., Eliza F. and Mary J. William H. is in busi- ness in Dakota ; George is in St. Paul ; Eliza is the wife of J. M. Spicer, the president of the Willmar & Sioux Falls Railway Com- pany ; and Mary J. is still at home.

Mr. Deming is a stanch democrat in his political belief, and is one of the leading members of that party in the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is highly esteemed as a man of integrity and a valued citizen.

OHN A. BERG. Prominent among the business men of the village of Belgrade, Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name heads this article, who is engaged in the hardware, lumber and elevator business. Ile is a native of Norway, born on the 5th day of September, 1845, and is the son of Andrew and Ingeborg Berg, also natives of Norway.

Mr. Berg, the subject of this article, remained in his native land, attending school until he was nineteen years old. In 1864 he emigrated to the United States, and, after' landing in New York City, in June, went direct to Dodgeville, Wisconsin, where he enlisted in the Forty-third Wisconsin Infan- try, under Colonel Cobb, and served until the 24th of June, 1865, when he was honor- ably discharged. After his discharge he went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he attended school during the winter of 1865 and 1866. In the summer of 1866 he went to Chicago, Illinois, and enlisted in the Twenty-eighth United States Infantry, and was made sergeant. He served three years and was discharged April 20, 1869, in Cam- den, Arkansas. He then started for Chicago, and came as far as Kandiyohi county, Min- nesota, where he engaged in the machinery business. In 1882 he paid a visit to Norway,

and after five months' absence returned and took charge of the Northwestern Elevator Company's elevators, as traveling superin- tendent, for two years. He then resigned, and engaged in the machinery business in Willmar, and in 1886 located in Belgrade, where he opened up in the hardware, lumber and elevator business.

Mr. Berg was married on the 19th of February, 1871, to Miss Ellen Bjorge, and this union has been blessed with eight chil- dren - Lotta, Elma, Albert, Willie, Harry, and the following, who are deceased - Olgo Lenora, died 28th of June, 1882, aged one year, three months; Clara Normana, died August 15, 1882, aged three and one- half years, and John Elmor, died July 8, 1884, aged three months. Mrs. Berg passed away October 31, 1887, and was interred in Willmar. Our subject and family belong to the Lutheran church. He is president of the village council, and, while in Kandiyohi county, held the office of county commis- sioner for two terms. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a member of Hogg Post, No. 125, Grand Army of the Republic. He is actively interested in all local matters, and is a business man of the strictest integrity and honor.

ERBERT GLAISYER, a prominent pharmacist, of Clay county, Minne- sota, is a resident of the village of Hawley, where he is engaged in a general drug busi- ness. He is a native of England, born in Brighton, England, on the 3d day of August, 1847, and is the son of Thomas and Phœbe (Lucas) Glaisyer, also natives of that king- dom. The father is a prominent druggist in his native land. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-

560

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

named children - Arthur, Herbert, Edith, Alice, Eleanor, Edmund and Harold.

Mr. Glaisyer, the subject of this biograph- ical memoir, received his education in Hart- ford and Weston, England, where he attended school until he was sixteen years of age. He then studied the drug business until he had completed his chosen profession. He then went to sea, where he was engaged for twelve years, and he then emigrated to the United States, and, after landing, removed to Min- nesota, where he located in Clay county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. He settled in Clay county, in 1874, on a tract of land on section 26, Crom well township, where he remained six or seven years, engaged in a general farming and stock-raising business. He then removed into the village of Hawley, where he opened a drug store, at which he has since been engaged. He is the only druggist in the village and one of the most competent and careful business men in Northern Minnesota. He has held the offices of treasurer, justice of the peace and post- master.

Mr. Glaisyer was united in marriage on the 3d day of August, 1878, to Miss Emma C. Plummer, and this union has been blessed with the following-named children - Regi- nald, Lionel, Edith, Victor, Violet and Her- burt. Our subject and his family prefer the Episcopalian society. He is a democrat in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is actively inter- ested in all local movements, and is a citizen of the strictest honor and integrity, highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.

OHN H. STRONG, who is engaged in the general merchandising business in the vil- lage of Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of the State of Kentucky. He was born in Morgan county, on the 28th of

December, 1860, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Ratliff) Strong, natives of Ken- tucky. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and died in the late war. The mother is still living in Missouri. They were the parents of three children, named as follows-John H., Samuel and James.

Mr. Strong, the subject of this biograph- ical article, remained in his native State until 1872, and at the age of twelve years removed with his parents to Harmony, Indiana, where our subject obtained his edu- cation. After graduating, with high honors, at the age of nineteen, from the Harmony public schools, he secured a position as clerk in the general merchandise store of Zeller & Riddell, with whom he worked three years. At the expiration of that time he was employed as weighman in a coal mine, at which he was employed three years. In 1886 he emigrated to the West and located in Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. He made a flying trip to Dakota, 'but only remained nine months, returning to Eagle Bend. In 1886 he purchased a farm on section 31, Ger- mania township, Todd county, Minnesota, and commenced general farming operations. He remained upon his farm until July, 1888, at which time he removed to the village of Eagle Bend and purchased the interest of Arthur Van Dyke in the general store of Van Dyke Brothers. The firm has since continued as Van Dyke & Strong, and they are doing an extensive trade. They carry one of the largest stocks in the village and handle a full line of first-class goods.

Mr. Strong was married November 14, 1883, to Miss Nellie Savage, and this union has been blessed with one child-Frank. Mrs. Strong was born in Canada August 28, 1864, and is the daughter of Hugh Savage, an engineer by trade. Mr. Strong is a repub- lican in politics and belongs to the Independ

561

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

dent Order of Odd-Fellows. He is one of the leading citizens of the county, and is the assistant postmaster of his village.

ON. MICHAEL J. Mc DONNELL, who is a justice of the peace, notary public and surveyor, and is also engaged in the real estate business at Graceville, Minne- sota, is one of the most prominent citizens of that locality. He is one of the oldest settlers there, and, having been prominently identified with the growth and development of the village and vicinity, he well deserves space in a volume devoted to the representa- tive men of Northern Minnesota.

Mr. McDonnell was born in county Kil- kenny, Ireland, September 1, 1843, and is a son of William and Margaret McDonnell. For generations past the McDonnells have, been natives of the "Emerald Isle." The mother died when our subject was only six months , old. Michael J. was the youngest of the family ; he has one sister, who is now Mrs. Ella Kenney, of Traverse county, Min- nesota.

In 1848 the family came to the United States and settled in the State of New York, where they remained two years, and in 1850 removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where they remained nine years. At the expiration of that time, in 1859, they settled at St. Louis, Missouri, and in July, 1861, came to Minne- sota and located in Houston county. Our subject attended school during all these years and completed his education at St. Louis. Shortly after the war broke out he offered his services in defense of the flag and tried to enlist, but was rejected as he was too young. He remained at home dur- ing the summer months and aided in carry- ing on the home farm, and during the win- ters taught school. During the last seven years spent in Houston county he also fol-

lowed surveying. He took an active interest in public affairs, and as a stanch democrat he became one of the most prominent men in public affairs in that part of the State. He was honored with a number of local offices, and for four successive terms, from 1874 to 1877, inclusive, he represented Houston county in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature.

In May, 1878, the village of Graceville, Minnesota, was started as a colony by Bishop Ireland, of St. Paul, and in the fall of this year our subject removed thereto, and has since made it his home. He has always been foremost in every move calcu- lated to benefit that locality, and is one of the leading and most highly respected citizens of the place. He was the first president of the village council, and held the office for four successive years, when he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds. He is an honored member of the Catholic church, and also of the Knights of Labor and Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Mr. McDonnell was married to Miss Mary Sullivan, an estimable lady of Houston county, Minnesota, and a daughter of John and Ellen Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. McDon- nell are the parents of seven children - William J., M. E. Grace, Maggie T., John J., Rose M., Athenius H. and Catharine. The second named, M. E. Grace, was the first child born in Graceville, hence the name.

: NUD J. TARALSETH, a prominent and successful merchant of Marshall county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Warren, where he is engaged in the gen- eral merchandising business. He is a native of Norway, born in Hornindal Bergen Stift, on the 2d day of November, 1848, and is the son of Ole and Olena Taralseth, also

562

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

natives of that kingdom. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-named children-two brothers and two sisters-Peder, Harald, Magnhild and Brita, of whom the two youngest chil- dren, his sister Brita and himself, emigrated to this country.

Mr. Taralseth, the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, commenced in life for him- self at the early age of eight years. And for eight years, until he was sixteen, he was em- ployed as a cattle-boy amid the hills of his native country. In 1864 he entered an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and for five years he worked at the trade during the summers and employed his winter time in fishing. By the time he was twenty-four years old he had saved enough to bring him to the United States, and in 1872 he emi- grated for America. After a voyage of twelve days he landed in Quebec, and at once removed to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he secured work on the railroad. He could only get $1.25 per day, and out of this had to board himself. After working one year at this employment he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked at the carpen- ter's trade until 1875. He then returned to Norway and remained five months, visiting old familiar scenes. In May, 1875, he again landed on America's shores and after work- ing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at his trade for three years, he removed to Douglas county, Minnesota. In 1878 he located in Osakis, where he purchased a half interest in a small store, and until 1882 was engaged in that business. He then sold his interest and removed to the village of Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he bought a small building and put in a stock of general mer- chandise. In the summer of 1888 he erected the large brick block he is now in, and Octo- ber 1, 1888, removed to his new quarters. He has since been engaged in the general mer- chandising business and carries a heavy and

complete stock of goods. He has a very extensive patronage and is doing the heaviest business of any firm in the village.

Mr. Taralseth was married on the 18th day of April, 1875, to Miss Ranghild Satren, the daughter of Ole and Brita Satren, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Taralseth have been blessed with the following-named chil- dren-Lena, Henry and Ralph. Our subject and his family belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Taralseth has been a member of the village council for six years, village treasurer for two years, etc. He is a member of the Warren Lodge, No. 150, A. F. and A. M. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party, and has taken an active part in county and State politics.

R EUBEN F. TATE, of Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Hancock county, Illinois, May 10, 1846. He is the son of Milton A. Tate, of Virginia, and Martha Ann (Broaddus) Tate, of the State of Kentucky. The parents set- tled in Illinois in 1832, and were married at Macomb, Illinois, in 1835. They afterward settled on a farm near Augusta in Hancock county, where they resided when the subject of this sketch was born. In 1847 the family removed to Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, where the early life of our subject was passed and his education was acquired. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Illinois Infantry, and served in the war until February, 1866, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to his home in Rushville where he worked several years at the carpenter's trade. In 1869 he went to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he worked at his trade for five years. For two years after that he was engaged in the construction of

563

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

bridges and depots on the M. K. & T. Railroad then building through Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory and Texas. He then returned to Illinois and settled at Knox- ville, where he engaged in carpentering and the lumber business. In 1882 he removed to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, where he still resides, engaged in the re- tail lumber business, as a member of the firm of R. F. Tate & Co. May 10, 1877, Mr. Tate was married at Aledo, Illinois, to Miss Catharine A. Bitts, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and this marriage has been blessed with five children, one of which died in infancy. The other four are still living. Our subject and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and Seward Post, No. 91, Grand Army of the Republic. He belonged to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd-Fellows in Fort Scott, Kansas. He has held the office of member of the village council and is one of the representative and respected citizens of the village. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party, and is actively interested in local matters.

LBERT S. McMILLAN, editor and pro- prietor of the Verndale Journal, is one of Wadena county's oldest settlers, hav- ing located there in the fall of 1879. He is a native of Ohio, born in Cleveland, on the 19th day of February, 1853, and is the only son of Thomas and Mary (Smith) McMillan, natives of New York. The parents of our subject removed to Iowa in 1862. They were the parents of the following-named children-Eva L. McMillan, Albert S. McMil- lan and Clara E. McMillan, all of whom are residents of Verndale.

Mr. McMillan, of whom this article treats, remained in his native State until he was

nine years of age, when he removed to Iowa with his parents, and settled in Waverly, Bremer county. He remained there attend- ing school until he was seventeen years of age. At that period in life he entered the office of the Waverly Republican, and remained with that paper until 1874, when he entered Cornell University, New York, where he remained one year. In 1876 he again went to Waverly, Iowa, and entered the office of the Bremer county Independent. He remained in that office as foreman and local editor until the spring of 1879, when he resigned his position and shortly after started for the Northwest, in search of a location. He decided to start a paper in the village of Verndale and returned to Iowa, and from there went to' Chicago, Illinois, where he purchased an outfit. He then returned to Verndale, Wadena county, Minnesota, where he established the Verndale Journal, which he has since continued to publish. He now has a steam power press, and one of the most completely equipped offices in Northern Minnesota, and is doing an extensive business in job work. The paper has a large circula- tion throughout Wadena and adjoining counties, and is one of the standard and representative periodicals of that section of the State. In political matters the paper is republican, and is classed as one of the lead- ing political journals of the Park Region. In April, 1883, Mr. McMillan was appointed postmaster, and held that position until June, 1885. During that time he opened a general book store, which he has since continued to carry on in addition to his paper. He is one of the popular and esteemed citizens of the county, and any laudible home enterprise receives his hearty support. In the fall of 1881 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and held the position two years, during which time several new districts were organized, and he did much toward raising the standard of the schools.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 71

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