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 84

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 84
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 84

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Mr. Beck, of whom this article treats, remained in his native land until 1869. His younger days were spent in attending school in his native country, and in May, 1869, he emigrated to the United States and located in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he took a tract of Government land of eighty acres, where he remained, engaged in exten-

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sive farming and stock raising operations until 1880. He then moved into the city of Willmar, Kandiyohi county, where he rented the Marlow House for one year, and at the expiration of that time purchased the same, which he has since been identified with. In 1886 he erected the Merchants' Hotel, at a cost of $26,000. It is of brick, three stories and basement, steam heated, sample rooms, billiard parlor, barber shop, and all modern improvements. It is one of the best hotels in the Northwest and has the general pat- ronage of the traveling public. Mr. Beck is one of the best-known and most prominent business men in the county, and has done a great deal to advance the prosperity and welfare of his residence county and city. He is a man of sterling business qualifica- tions and bears the respect and esteem of all who know him.

Mr. Beck was married in 1862 to Miss Lena Hanson, of Norway, and a daughter of Hans Hanson, a sailor by occupation. Mrs. Beck passed away on the 5th of December, 1888, and was buried at Willmar. She was an estimable lady and was beloved and admired by all for her many virtues.

Mr. Beck is a member in the ranks of the prohibition party and was the only person to cast a ballot for St. John in the city. He is one of the solid and substantial public men of the city and is actively interested in all local matters.

OMFORT BARNS is engaged in the mercantile business in Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. The place of his nativity is Licking county, Ohio, where he was born February 8, 1815.

Mr. Barns' parents were Comfort and Cynthia (Webster) Barns. The mother was a first cousin of the Hon. Daniel Webster, and the father was descended from a noble family of Irish birth and ancestry. The

father settled in Ohio before the War of 1812, and built the first house in the town of Delaware. The parents are both dead.

The subject of our sketch remained at home under parental authority until he was thir- teen years of age, and at that time com- menced to work on the Ohio and Erie Canal. He continued at work on the canal during that season, and then returned home and bought his time from his father for seven hundred and fifty dollars, after which he went to the Erie and Hocking Canal, where he began work building locks. He built seven large canal locks, and worked in this line of business for two years. At the end of this time he concluded to change his busi- ness, and, going to Columbus, Ohio. engaged in making brick for a firm by the name of Gill & Atchinson. Continuing in this line for two years he then came westward, stop- ping in Burlington, Iowa, where he remained four years, and during which time he was engaged in building and contracting. He built a large court house and jail in that city. Leaving Burlington he went to Galena, Illinois, where he engaged in mason work and brick-making until the spring of 1849. He then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, by way of a steamer on the Mississippi river, and on the same boat were Governor Ramsey and family. Mr. Barns remained in St. Paul for about four years, and during that time put up a good many business buildings. He built the first stone store in St. Paul, for a man by the name of Simpson. From St. Paul he went to Scott county, to the place where Shakopee is now located. He built the court house and jail in that city, and put up most of the stone and brick houses there. He was appointed one of the county commission- ers by Governor Ramsey, and was afterward elected by the people. While in Shakopee he ran a large brick yard until the time of the war with the Indians. May 7, 1864, he started with Sully's expedition of 123 wagons

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to cross the plains to the Rocky mountains. After spending two years and three months among the mountains, mainly for his health he returned to Shakopee and settled on his farm. In 1880 he removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and purchased a farm on the shores of Otter Tail lake. After seven years of farm life he concluded to move to Battle Lake, to which place he went and engaged in mercantile business.

Mr. Barns was married in 1835 to Mary Decamp, a native of New York. This union was blessed with seven children. Three of the sons served their country in the War of the Rebellion, and one of them was killed in the service. One son was drowned in the northern part of the State. One son and two daughters are living at present.

Mr. Barns, in spite of his years, is a thrifty, energetic, business man, and occupies a promi- nent place in the esteem of his fellow-towns- men. He is a leading member of the Methodist church, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He was one of the charter members of the first I. O. O. F. lodge in the State of Minnesota. In politics he affiliates with the republican party, of whose principles he has always been a stanch defender. Mr. Barns has had a wide experience, extending over a large territory of country, and having contact with many men of many minds, and coming down to this time in life, he now enjoys many blessings brought by a useful and well- spent career.

EORGE S. WATTAM, M.D., the pres- ent county physician of Marshall county, Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Warren, where he is engaged in a large and rapidly increasing medical practice. He is a native of Canada, born in Prince Edward county, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, on the 10th of July, 1856, and is the son of

William and Mary (Groom) Wattam, natives of England and Canada, respectively.

Dr. Wattam, the subject of this article, remained at home, working on the farm and attending public school until January, 1874, when he entered a course of study at Albert College, Bellville, where he remained one year, when he was compelled to give up collegiate work on account of ill-health. He then returned to the home farm, and after assisting his father for a year or two returned to Albert College, where he gradu- ated with the degree of A. B. in four years. After graduation he began the study of medicine in Toronto, where he attended lectures at the Toronto School of Medicine and the Toronto General Hospital. He took his medical examinations at Victoria Uni- versity, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. and C. M., in May, 1884. In August, 1884, he emigrated to the States and settled in Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he has since remained, actively engaged in clinical work. He is well known and popular throughout the county, and gives the best of satisfaction in his professional duties. He has held the office of county physician for four years, during which time he has had an assistant for three years.

In December, 1887, Dr. Wattam was uni- ted in marriage in Polk county, Minnesota, to Miss Emma White, a native of Wisconsin and the daughter of Charles S. and Ricardo (Sherbourne) White, natives of Vermont and Maine, respectively. The doctor and his estimable wife have been blessed by one child-Charles Clinton. Our subject is a member of the Warren Lodge, No. 150, A. F. & A. M. In political matters he is an adherent to the principles of the republican party, and is actively interested in all local movements. He has a host of friends in Warren and vicinity, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

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OSEPH PREVOST is a well-to-do fariner residing on section 17, township 136, range 48, Roberts township, Wilkin county, Minnesota. Here he owns 160 acres of land which he bought in 1876 for $1,250. Ninety acres are under cultivation. He has good farm buildings and trees of his own plant- ing. Mr. Prevost was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 30th day of March, 1842. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Cornell) Prevost. The parents are of French descent and natives of Canada. The father died in Canada in 1887, but the mother is still living in her native land. The father was a farmer. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom are still living.

Mr. Prevost was educated in the common schools of Canada, and supplemented his course with study in the normal school of St. Andre, Canada. Our subject left Canada in 1864, coming to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked till the following fall, when he came to St. Paul. Here he worked at the carpen- ter's trade until May 1, 1865. Then he engaged to work on a Government force. Accordingly he came to Fort Ransom, in Dakota Territory, about eighty miles north- west of McCauleyville. Here he remained about fourteen months, working on the fort. . Then he took a station twenty-two miles nearer McCauleyville, where he remained one and one-half years, when he came to McCauleyville, in which place he remained four years, working as a carpenter. From that village he removed to Fargo, where he remained one year. Then he engaged in farming north of the city for three years. On selling out he moved to Wilkin county, on the above-described farm. He has remained there since, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has full-blood Jersey and Durham cattle.

Mr. Prevost was married in 1869 to Miss Welbor Polson, a Norwegian lady. They have seven children - Josephine, Mary,

Alfred, Rosy, Elizabeth, Melvina and John S. Mr. Prevost is a republican, and serves his town in the capacity of supervisor and justice of the peace.

R. WILBER N. MORELL, one of the most successful medical practitioners in the northern part of Minnesota, is a resident of the village of Verndale, Wadena county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in clinical work. He is a native of Minnesota, born in Cannon Falls, Goodhue county, on the 8th of June, 1857, and is the son of William and Jane Morell, natives of Canada and Scot- land, respectively. The father of our sub- ject was one of the earliest settlers in Good- hue county, and when Wilber was a baby removed from his farm, which was within a few miles of the village of Cannon Falls. He died from typhoid fever contracted in the late Civil War. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of four children, named as follows - Weltha L., John F., Wilber N. and Ella A.

Dr. Morell, the subject of this article, remained in Cannon Falls with his mother until he had attained the age of twenty-one. During that time he attended school during. the winter sessions, and the balance of the time contributed toward the support of the fam- ily. A few days before he was twenty-one he received an injury which disabled him from performing manual labor. This gave him an opportunity to enter the study of medicine, and he at once entered the office of Dr. Conley, with whom he remained five years. He took two courses at the State Medical Department, at Iowa City, in the winters of 1879-80 and 1881-82. In the spring of 1882 he took a trip into the Northwest, seeking a location, and on account of the extra inducements offered by the citi- zens of Verndale, Wadena county, Minne-

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sota, he decided to settle there. He has since followed his profession in the village, and is one of the oldest and most successful practitioners in the county. His practice extends all over the northern part of the State and is constantly increasing.

Dr. Morell was married September 23, 1884, to Miss Minnie Clifford, a native of Cannon Falls. The doctor was appointed county physician in 1886, and is a member of the United States Examining Board, being treasurer of that body. He is a lead- ing member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. In political matter he affil- iates with the republican party and is actively interested in all local matters.

OHN C. MATHEWS, of the firm of Mathews & Ives, law, loan, collection and insurance agents in the village of St. Hilaire, is one of the prominent attorneys in Polk county, Minnesota. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born in the Prov- ince of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, on the 8th day of January, 1843, and is the son of E. H. and Catharine (Smith) Mathews, natives of New York State and Ireland, respectively.

Mr. Mathews, the subject of this article, remained at home and attended school until he was about sixteen years old, when he commenced in life for himself. He engaged in farming, which he followed until 1862. On the 4th day of August, 1862, he enlisted at Hudson, Wisconsin, in Company A, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until September 20, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ken- tucky. After his discharge he returned to Hudson, Wisconsin, where he studied law with Henry A. Wilson, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1868, during which time lie was assistant assessor of internal revenue. He began active practice with Mr.

Wilson, and after remaining with him two years removed to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he practiced law four years, during which time he was the first district attorney in that place. In 1878 he took a trip South, but as the yellow fever was then raging he removed to Minnesota, and located in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, where he remained a short time, and then in 1885 opened a law office in St. Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, where he has since remained. In 1886 he took in Mr. Ives as a partner in the business, and they have since carried on a lucrative business in law, loans, insurance, etc. Our subject is the only attorney in the place. He is vil- lage attorney and village recorder and is actively interested in all local matters. . In political matters he affiliates with the demo- cratic party, and is highly esteemed by all who know him, both professionally and as an exemplary citizen.

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EORGE HAINES, the subject of this biographical article, is a resident of the village of Paynesville, Stearns county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the livery business. He is a native of Canada, born in the Upper Dominion, on the 5th of March, 1851, and is the son of William Haines, a native of Canada.

Mr. Haines, of whom this article treats, remained in his native land attending to his education until he had attained the age of eleven years. He then emigrated to the United States, and located in Kankakee county, Illinois, where he worked on the farm and attended school until 1866. In 1866 he removed to Minnesota, and located in Paynesville, where he remained until 1880, working on a farm. He then went to Manannah, Meeker county, Minnesota, and for two years clerked in a general store. At the expiration of that time he returned

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to Paynesville, Stearns county, Minnesota, and after remaining about one year went again to Manannah, Meeker county, and opened a general store on his own account. He remained in that business for two years, and then went to Litchfield, Minnesota, where he trained trotting horses during one summer, and again returned to Paynesville, where he has since remained. He carried on a general merchandise store for his brother for two years, and then teamed on the rail- road for one summer. In 1887 he opened his present livery stable, which he has since car- ried on. He has one of the best establish- ments in the county, and in all his business transactions gives the best of satisfaction.

Mr. Haines was united in marriage on the 25th day of December, 1874, to Miss Mary McKinley, and this union has been blessed with the following-named children-Chester A., Gracie, George and Florence, all of whom are living at home. In political matters our subject affiliates with the republican party, and is actively interested in all local matters. He is a man of the strictest honor and integ- rity, highly esteemed by all who know him.

LASIUS A. HOSLER, the subject of this article, is a resident of the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the hardware busi- ness. He is a native of Germany, born on the 14th of December, 1858, and is the son of Blasius and Monica (Zimmerman) Hosler, natives of Germany. The father was en- gaged in farming in the Old World, and emi- grated to the United States in 1866, and set- tled in Stearns county, Minnesota, where he followed farming and then removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he was one of the pioneers of the county. He settled on a farm about three miles from the village and remained there, engaged in gen- eral farming operations, until 1884, when he

moved into the village and engaged in the hardware business, in which he has since continued. His son, our subject, is in part- nership with him and they are the leading hardware merchants of the village. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following-named children- Blasius, Dominick, Agusta, Frank, Aggie and Monicka.

Mr. Hosler, the subject of this biograph- ical review, spent his school days in his native land and in Minnesota, where he had removed with his parents when he was eight years of age. Up to twelve years of age he remained in Stearns county, Minnesota, and attended school. When he was twelve years old his parents removed to Otter Tail county, as before stated, and engaged in farming. Our subject is now in the hard- ware business with his father in the village of Perham, where they carry a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, also doing a gen- eral repairing business. They have an extensive trade and carry the largest stock of any store in the village. They are promi- nent and successful citizens of the village, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.'

Mr. Hosler was united in marriage June 8, 1880, to Miss Maggie Seiffert, and this union has been blessed with three children, named as follows-Frank, John and Minnie. Mr. Hosler is a democrat in his political affiliations and is actively interested in all local matters. IIe is a citizen of the strict- est honor and integrity, and any laudable home enterprise receives his hearty support.

ILLIAMS BROTHERS, of the firm of Williams Brothers & Company, proprietors of the roller flouring mills in Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, are among the most prominent and leading bus- iness men of that place.

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JOHN WILLIAMS, the senior member of the firm, has been a resident of Willmar since 1879, and has been engaged in milling, contract- ing and building throughout the Northwest. He has been connected with the present mill since it was built in 1885. Mr. Williams is a native of Prince Edward Island, born in 1853, and is the son of William S. and Char- lotte (Green) Williams, natives of England and Prince Edward Island, respectively. The father is living in Willmar, where he is engaged in contracting and building. The mother died in 1883. They were the par- ents of six children, five of whom are now living, named as follows - Eliza, Mrs. Gould; Sarah, now the wife of J. H. Wiggins; John, Benjamin and Joseph. John Will- iams, the subject of this biographical mem- oir, received his education in the common schools, and after leaving the school-room engaged in the contracting and building business. He has gradually worked into the milling industry, until now he is one of the most efficient millers in his county. In 1879 he settled in Willmar, where he has since remained,engaged in contracting, build- ing and milling. Mr. Williams was united in marriage in 1875 to Miss Maggie Sharp, the daughter of James Sharp, and this union has been blessed with four children, named as follows-Laura E., Zilpha B., Harry B. and Ethel B. Our subject is a republican in his political affiliations, and is one of the promi_ nent and representative business men of the city. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and also the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is alderman from the Second Ward, and is actively interested in all local movements.

BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, the subject of this biographical review, is a member of the firm of Williams Brothers & Company, proprie- tors of the Willmar Roller Mills, at Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, and a brother of John Williams, whose sketch precedes

the present memoir. He is also a native of Prince Edward Island, and is the son of William S. and Charlotte (Green) Williams. Benjamin Williams received his education on his native island, and in 1885 engaged in the milling business in Willmar. The mill is doing a heavy business, and is one of the largest in the county, four stories high, 30x40 feet in size, engine room 20x30 feet in size, one story, and an addition 14x46. Mr. Williams, our subject, has a fine residence on Litchfield avenue, and is one of the lead- ing and most substantial citizens of the place. Mr. Williams was married to Miss Harriet Tanton, the daughter of George Tanton, of Prince Edward Island. In this union Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been blessed with the following - named children - George, Mabel F. and Albert L., deceased. In polit- ical matters our subject is an adherent to the principles which govern the republican party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a public-spirited citizen, and any laudable home enterprise receives his hearty support and encouragement.

ELLACK O. GILBERTSON, the well- known pharmacist of the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, engaged in the drug business in partnership with his brother-in-law, F. D. Keye, is also engaged in the retail liquor business, and is the pro- prietor of the billiard parlors in the same building as the drug store. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Moscow, Iowa county, Wisconsin, on the 1st of January, 1859, and is the son of Ole and Anna Gilbertson, natives of Norway. The parents engrated to the United States in 1848, and located at Moscow, Wisconsin.

Mr. Gilbertson, the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, remained in his native

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State until he was nine years of age, when he removed to Minnesota with his parents, and settled in Kasson, Dodge county, Minnesota, where his parent purchased a farm. During his residence in his native State our subject attended the public schools, and after coming to Minnesota he remained on the home farm assisting his father, 'and in the winters attended the' excellent common schools of that county, until he was sixteen years of age. He then commenced in life for himself and went to college in Decorah, Iowa, where he remained five years. He was then taken sick and upon his recovery, after six months, he at once entered a course of study in Curtis' Commercial College, in Minne- apolis, Minnesota. In 1878 he graduated from that institution and then returned to Kasson, Minnesota, where he secured a position as clerk in the store of A. L. Porter, and after remaining with him six months was taken sick. As soon as his health would permit he went to work for W. E. Porter, in a lumber yard, remaining with him nine months. At the expiration of that time he removed to Barnesville, Minnesota, where he taught school for three months and then went to Rothsay, Minnesota, and secured a position as a clerk in A.L. Pederson's drug store, and also deputy postmaster, at which he worked for two years. He then went to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, and clerked in the general and drug store of T. Frazee for one year. In 1884 he removed to Argyle, Marshall county, Min- nesota, where he opened his present drug store. Aftercontinuing in the business alone for one year lie took in, as an equal partner, F. D. Keye, and they have since carried on the business, until now they are the leading druggists in the county.

Mr. Gilbertson was married December 29, 1888, to Miss Emma Keye, a native of Min- nesota and the daughter of Andrew and Fredrica Keye, natives of Germany. Our subject and his estimable wife belong to the i

Lutheran church. He has held the office of village recorder for one year, and is actively interested in all local matters. In. politics he is an adherent to the principals of the republican party.

ALVIN H. WILCOX. Prominent among the business men of the Park Regions of Minnesota is the gentleman whose name heads this article, a resident of Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota. He is a native of New York State, born in Cattar- augus county on the 21st day of January, 1834, and is the son of Lansing and Miranda (Hohnes) Wilcox, natives of New York. The father was a farmer in his native State, and is still living on the old homestead. He is the son of William and Loraina (Green) Wilcox, natives of Massachusetts. William Wilcox was a Presbyterian minister, and a graduate of Williams College at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and of English descent. Miranda (Holmes) Wilcox was the daughter of Alanson and Olive (Lee) Holmes, natives of Vermont, where they were engaged in farming. Her grandfather was Orasmus Holmes, a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the Revolution. He enlisted under Col. Ethan Allen, was present at the taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and was afterward transferred to Arnold's regi- ment. He was taken prisoner in the battle of Quebec, and after his release returned to the States and enlisted under General Put- nam. He was finally honorably discharged, and settled in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1804, where, he purchased 3,000 acres of land, including the present site of the village of Fredonia. Afterward he moved to Ohio. This was in 1815. He died in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, in 1828. The father and mother of our sub- ject were the parents of the following

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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 84

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