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 86

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 86
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 86

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Dr. Locke, the subject of this biographical article, spent his school-days in New Hamp- shire and Maine, attending school until he had attained the age of seventeen years. He then commenced the study of medicine in Hollis, Maine, but, before finishing his medical education, responded to President Lincoln's call for " 300,000 more," and, on the 2d day of June, 1862, enlisted in the Sixteenth Maine Infantry, and served until

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1864, when he received an honorable dis- charge, by special act of President Lincoln, who knew that the father and four sons all enlisted in one company, and all were killed or disabled but J. F. He was offered the position of captain, but refused. He served in the battles of Antietam and Fredericks- burg, beside many skirmishes. Our subject was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, and, in consequence of which, was con- fined to the hospital of Maredian, Washing- ton City, District of Columbia, for six months. After his discharge he returned to his father's, in Maine, where for three years he was an almost helpless invalid from diseases contracted in the service.

After recovering his health he studied theology under private tutors, and then entered the Free Baptist Theological Semi- nary at New Hampton, New Hampshire. His first charge was at Wolfboro, New Hampshire. He was ordained at South Berwick, Maine, June 15, 1870, where he served two years. He then accepted a call to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where he remained five years as a Free Baptist min- ister. He then accepted a call to Laconia, New Hampshire, where he remained one year, and then on account of ill-health was obliged to give up ministerial labor. He

then began to make use of his medical edu- cation, and in 1878 removed to Minnesota and commenced to practice under the State laws. He is now one of the largest land- owners in Todd county, Minnesota, and for a period of six years was engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Pills- bury in connection with his clinical work. In 1883 he erected the roller mills in the vil- lage, and is now the proprietor of the same. He is extensively engaged in the practice of medicine, and is one of the most successful physicians in this region.

Dr. Locke was married in September, 1868, to Miss Etta Remick, and this union has

been blessed with two children, named as follows - Grace and Allie, the latter now deceased. Mrs. Locke passed away from the scenes of earth to her final reward in 1873. Mr. Locke was married September 23, 1878, the second time, to Miss Annie Pease, a native of Maine, and the daughter of Winthrop Pease, a contractor of Maine. Dr. Locke and his family belong to the Free Baptist church. The doctor is one of the esteemed citizens of this locality, and has held the offices of president of the village council, member of the board of trustees, etc. He is a member of the Royal Arch Masons and also of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the most successful physicians in the county, and commands a large and increasing practice. As a public speaker Dr. Locke takes high rank, and, when in the East, had all the engagements in lyceum courses he could fill, receiving large pecuniary rewards. A stanch republican in politics, every political campaign finds him at the front. He is also a constant contrib- utor to the leading papers and magazines of the country, and derives no inconsiderable income from his facile pen. His more noted publications, " Fun in Camp," " Evenings in Camp" "and " A Trip to the Yellowstone" have delighted thousands of readers. .

- ON. JOHN WAIT, who is engaged in the milling business in the village of Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of Canada. He was born on the 8th day of December, 1841, and is the son of Alexander and Euphenna (Colburn) Wait, natives of Scotland. They emigrated to Canada at an early day and settled in county Kent. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and died in 1872. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of two

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children-John, the present subject, and Anna, who is now Mrs. George Gray, of Dodge county, Minnesota.

Mr. Wait, the subject of this biographical memoir, remained in his native land until he had attained the age of twelve years. During that time he attended the excellent common schools of his native country, and at the age mentioned removed to Detroit, Michigan. He remained there two years and then went to the northern shore of Lake Huron, where he remained five years, engaged in fishing. In 1862 Mr. Wait removed to Minnesota and settled in Minneapolis. Shortly after settling there he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Infantry and served until 1865, when in August he received his honorable discharge. The principal battle he participated in was Wood Lake, and he was with both of the Sibley expeditions. While in one of these expeditions he was an eye witness of a most singular phenomenon. One of the soldiers was killed by lightning. On the day on which it transpired there was a cloudless sky and no appearance of a storm. He was also in Canby's expedition from New Orleans to Mobile, and engaged in the last battle of the war, Blakley, in May, 1865. After the close of the war Mr. Wait went to Todd county, Minnesota, and located in the township of Hartford, and took land on which he proved up and resided for five years. At the expira- tion of that time he removed to the village of Long Prairie, and engaged in the general mercantile business in partnership with Chandler & Fisher.

After following that business for ten or twelve years, during which time he was also engaged in the wheat business, Mr. Fisher sold his interest and Mr. Wait continued one year in partnership with Mr. Chandler. He then purchased the flouring mill and has since operated it, being sole proprietor. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels per day and is doing an extensive business.

Mr. Wait was married October 29, 1871, to Miss Emma Chandler, a native of Indiana and educated in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Wait have been blessed with the following- named children - Melvin S., Florence N., Roscoe C., Pearl, Carlton, Paul and Nellie. Mr. Wait was elected in 1876, as representa- tive from the forty-first senatorial district, and served one term in the State legislature. He is a republican in politics and is a repre- sentative man in the locality in which he lives.

ILLIAM GILGER, the proprietor of the Willmar brewery, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, settled in that place in 1878, where he erected the brewery on the shores of Foot lake and has since remained. He is a native of the kingdom of France in Alsace, which with Lorraine became a part of the German Empire in 1871. He was born in 1850, and is the son of George and Catharine (Keiffer) Gilger, also natives of that locality. The father was engaged in the pottery busi- ness during active life, and a few years before his death, which occurred in 1859, led a retired life. The mother is still living in her native land. The parents of our subject were blessed with the three following-named chil- dren-George, Catharine and William, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Gilger, of whom this article treats, received a fine education in his native land, and after leaving school engaged in the bank- ing business for two years. At the expiration of that time he entered the mercantile busi- ness, and for the succeeding seven years had a large retail and wholesale trade. While in his native land he acquired a knowledge of the brewing business, although he did not follow that occupation while there. In 1873 he emigrated to the United States and located in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he followed

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the brewing business, in partnership with William Constans, for five years. In 1878 he sold out and removed to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he purchased eleven acres of land in Willmar, where he built his resi- dence and brewery at an expense of $15,000. He now has one of the largest establishments in that region, employing five men, and is doing a heavy business throughout this and adjoining counties.

Mr. Gilger was united in marriage in 1876 to Miss Harriette Lambrecht, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the daughter of Franz and Henrietta (Schleif) Lambrecht. Mr. and Mrs. Gilger have been blessed with one child- Stella H. In political matters our subject is independent, reserving the right to vote for the best candidate regardless of party lines. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and also the Sons of Herman, of St. Paul. He is one of the prominent and substantial business men of Willmar, and is a man of integrity and honor, his word being considered as good as a bond.

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ARVEY E. MUSSEY, the editor and proprietor of the Warren (Minne- sota) Sheaf, is one of the best-known news- paper men in the Red River Valley. A trenchant, ready writer, a thorough printer, a capable business man and a hard worker, he is meeting with merited success, and is already recognized as one of the most forcible editorial writers in the northern part of the State.

Mr. Mussey was born in Romeo, Macomb county, Michigan, March 18, 1849, and is the son of Hon. Dexter and Lydia (Russell) Mussey. The parents were both natives of Connecticut, and are still living in Armada, Michigan. In October, 1886, they celebrated their golden wedding, and on this occasion four generations were represented, and,

strange to say, not a single death had ever occurred in any of the families repre- sented. Harvey E., at the time of the cele- bration, slept in the house where he was born, and his parents still occupied the room where his birth occurred. Harvey's father, Hon. Dexter Mussey, is a lawyer, and a man who has been prominently identi- fied with the political and official history of Michigan, having served several terms in the State legislature, and was speaker of the house for several years. He is still actively engaged in practice.

Harvey E. Mussey, whose name heads our present article, remained at home attending school until he was eighteen, when he commenced learning the printer's trade in the office of the Romeo Observer, where he remained for about eighteen months. At the expiration of that time he engaged in various occupations, such as working in the mills and pineries, until 1881. A portion of this time was spent at his trade, but most of it was in "roughing it" in the woods. In August, 1881, he arrived in Fargo, Dakota Territory, and went to work at farming. On the 10th of November he went to Glyndon, and became foreman in the office of the Red River Valley News, for L. Osborn, where he remained until February, 1882. He then went to Minneapolis and followed his trade until the following April, when he went back to Fargo and engaged on the farm where he had previously worked. About the middle of November we find him at Moorhead, where he worked in the News office, and two months later went to the News at Glyndon. In the spring of 1883 he went to Ransom county, Dakota Territory, and spent the summer on a claim which he had previously filed upon. He proved up on the claim, but has since lost it on a tax title. In the fall he went back to Glyndon and worked in the Red River Valley News office again until March,

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1886, when he went to Fargo, and was there employed on the Argus until the office was burned, a few weeks later, after which he worked in various offices until June 1, 1886, when he went to Warren. He hired to A. J. Clark, proprietor of the Warren Sheaf, and this arrangement was continued until September 1st. At that time Mr. Mus- sey and J. P. Mattson bought the War- ren Sheaf and Marshall County Leader, and in the following December bought the Marshall County Banner, of Argyle. In August, 1888, our subject bought the inter- est of his partner, and in October sold the Banner, so that he now conducts the Warren Sheaf and the Marshall County Leader. The latter is published at Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota. Under Mr. Mussey's management the papers have already attained a creditable circulation, and are assuming a prominent place in the newspaper circles of "the Valley."

Mr. Mussey was married November 25, 1884, to Miss Ella M. Lyon, and they are the parents of one son - Homer Franklin. Mrs. Mussey was born in High Forest, Olmsted county, Minnesota, and is the daughter of Orson and Sarah (Wood) Lyon, natives of New York.

Mr. Mussey is one of the most prominent business men at Warren, an affable, genial gentleman, and one whom it is a pleasure to meet.

DMUND A. EVERTS is at present engaged in dealing in lumber and flour and feed in Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He was born Novem- ber 12, 1840, in Carroll county, Illinois.

Mr. Everts is the son of Rezin and Saph- ronia (Preston) Everts. The father was a native of Ohio; the mother a native of Massachusetts. The father was a fariner by occupation, and left Ohio at the age of

twelve years, going to Indiana in about 1828. He remained in Indiana, engaged in car- penter work until 1837, thence he removed to Illinois, where the subject of our sketch was born. The mother is living in Hamlin, Min- nesota. The father died May 3, 1881, and was buried in the town of Maine, Otter Tail county, Minnesota.

Edmund Everts came with his parents to Winona county, Minnesota, in 1855. He lived with his parents upon a farm, and attended district school until about the break- ing out of the war. Early in 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served during the entire war, and was discharged July 11, 1865, being mustered out of the service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. His father enlisted November 5, 1865, in the First Minnesota Battery, and was discharged July 1, 1865. On his return from the service Edmund rented a farm in Winona county, Minnesota, and for four years followed the occupation of farming. June 1, 1871, he removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and settled on a homestead on which he lived for ten years. At the end of that time he moved into the village of Battle Lake, where he engaged in the business of buying wheat for .A. J. Sawyer. Continuing in Mr. Sawyer's employ for one year he then entered into an engagement to work for the Northern Pacific Elevator Company, with whom he continued one year. During this time, however, he carried on his present busi- ness in Battle Lake.

Mr. Everts was married August 26, 1866, to Miss Rozilla Hinkston. Miss Hinkston was a native of Illinois, and is a daughter of Philo and Emily Hinkston. Mr. and Mrs. Everts have been blessed with three children -Harry S., May and Fred, all living at the present time. Mrs. Everts' parents were natives of Ohio and are now dead, the mother dying in Winona, in March, 1867.

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Mr. Everts is a man of considerable promi- nence in the business circles of his adopted town. IIe has been engaged in a number of commercial enterprises, and in every instance has met with merited success. In politics he exerts a great influence among the republi- cans of his county, and for many years has been honored in being placed in positions of responsibility and trust. He has held the office of town supervisor for nine years, and for two terms was town treasurer. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the G. A. R., Everts Post, No. 138. Mr. Everts owns considerable property in this county, seven lots in the village, an excellent dwelling house and business building, and also 200 acres of land not far distant from the village. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, cautious and conservative in his business ventures, and by industry and thrift has gathered unto himself much valuable prop- erty, and has built up a large and extensive trade.

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OHN L. EDDY, a prosperous and esteemed business man of the village of Verndale, Wadena county, Minnesota, is engaged in the livery business in that place. He is a native of the State of Iowa, born in 1843. His parents were among the earliest settlers in Iowa.

Mr. Eddy, the subject of this article, spent his early days in Iowa, where he attended school until the second call for volunteers in the war. He enlisted in Company E, Third Iowa Infantry, and served until he received his honorable discharge at Keokuk, Iowa. He served in the South and was in several battles and skirmishes. In the spring of 1865 he re-enlisted in the Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and served as teamster until the war. After the war he returned to his native State, and settled in Butler county,

Iowa, where he remained until 1877. In the fall of 1877 he started with a team for the Northwest. He settled in Wadena county, Minnesota, where he took a claim, and in the following spring sold out and took a farm about two miles from where Verndale is now located. He remained there ten years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1882 he commenced the lumbering business on a small scale, having a portable steam engine. Later he extended the business, and devoted his attention exclusively to that industry until the winter of 1888. In 1886 he erected a steam mill, twelve miles from Verndale, on the Red Eye river, and he con- tinued until 1888. He then engaged in the livery business and is interested in the Park Rapids Stage Line. They ran a daily stage from Verndale to Park Rapids, a distance of sixty miles, starting at 7 A. M., and reaching the destination at 6 p. M., changing horses at Shell City and Central House on Cat river. Our subject has a first-class livery stable and has the best of traveling outfits and rigs. He is doing a good business and is well-known throughout the county. He is a member of the C. C. Parker Post, No. 113, Grand Army of the Republic.

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AMES C. HAINES is a resident of the village of Paynesville, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the hardware business. He is a native of the Dominion of Can- ada, born on the 5th of November, 1840, and is the son of William Haines, a native of Canada. Our subject's mother, who was a native of Scotland, died at Paynesville at the age of fifty-two years.

Mr. Haines, of whom this article treats, remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, during which time he had attended school and engaged in the lum bering business to some little extent.

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In 1862 heremoved from Canada to Kankakee county, Illinois, where he engaged in gen- eral farming operations until 1867, when he went to Minnesota and settled in Stearns county, and took land near Paynesville, where he rented a saw-mill and for about three years followed that industry. At the expiration of that time he engaged in the carpenter's trade, and after working a few years at that vocation removed to the vil- lage of Paynesville and opened a general merchandise store, which he carried on for about twelve years. He was agent for the McCormick Machine Company, and in 1886 sold out and platted the new village on the Minneapolis & Pacific, or Soo, Railroad. In June, 1888, he purchased his present hard- ware store, which he has since carried on. He runs a first-class store, carrying a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, and doing a good business.

Mr. Haines was married the first time to Mrs. Harriet Starkey, who died in 1882, and was interred in Paynesville. The fruits of this union were five children, all deceased but the two following-Hubert and Clem- ent. Mr. Haines was united in marriage, the second time, in 1883, to Miss Augusta Rein, and they have been blessed with two chil- dren-Alice and Estella. Our. subject has held the office of justice of the peace for five years, and has been town treasurer since 1879, also supervisor for one term. In the fall of 1888 he was on the ticket as candi- date for member of the legislature. In political matters he affiliates with the repub- lican party, and is actively interested in all local matters. No man has done more to aid in the development of this locality, and every enterprise calculated to benefit the town or county receives his active and hearty support. A man of the strictest integrity, he is held in the highest regard both as a business man and an exemplary citizen.

AMUEL M. DIANARD, who now has charge of the lumber yard for Mallory & Spafford, in the village of St. Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of the Empire State. He was born on the 22d day of Jan- uary, 1862, and is the son of Alfred and Mary Ann Dianard, natives of Canada and America, respectively.

Mr. Dianard, the subject of this biograph- ical review, remained at home and attended school until he had attained the age of four- teen years, when he entered an apprenticeship to the lumber business. He has since that time been actively engaged in the business, making it a life work. For many years his work and time was divided between saw-mills, lumber yards, contracting, and in every form and department of the business. He is one of the most competent lumbermen in the North- west, and is familiar with every branch of the business. He was raised in Canada, and in 1876 removed to Michigan. In 1884 he removed to Minnesota and located at St. Hilaire, where he ran a circular saw for three months and sawed shingles. For the suc- ceeding two months he took charge of a lum- ber yard for Darling & Welch, and con- tinued in that capacity for one year. Mr. Dianard then took charge of the American House, which he operated for six months, and at the expiration of that time again returned to the lumber business. He was then employed by Larson Brothers to saw shingles, and in the spring of 1888 engaged in that business on his own account for a time. He then operated a circular saw for Item & Qualm for one month. At the expiration of that time he started out with a threshing engine and was engaged in that occupation until September, 1888, when he took charge of Mallory & Spafford's lumber yard, which he is now running. He is one of the best-known lumbermen in the county, and has the reputation of being master of every branch of the business.

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Mr. Dianard was united in marriage in St. Hilaire, on the 20th day of March, 1885, to Miss Nettie Anderson, the daughter of Andrew and Anna Anderson, natives of Norway. In this union Mr. and Mrs. Dianard have been blessed with two children-Edna and Lulu. In political matters our subject affiliates with the republican party, and is actively inter- ested in all local movements. He is one of the prominent business men of the village, and is doing an extensive lumber business throughout the county. Mr. Dianard was elected president of the village council of St. Hilaire and justice of the peace in 1889. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and his word is considered as good as a bond.

STEN I. ROYEM, the county auditor of Marshall county, Minnesota, is a resident of the town of Warren, where he is engaged in his official duties. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born in Mera- ger, on the 31st day of April, 1855, and is the son of John and Ingrid (Eisteinsen) Royem, also natives of that kingdom.

Mr. Royem, the subject of this biographical sketch, remained in his native land until he was fifteen years old. During that time he attended the excellent common schools of his native land. At the age of fifteen he emigrated to the United States and settled in Calumet, Michigan, where he secured work in a boarding-house. He remained at that work for about fourteen months and then removed to Dakota. During the first two summers he worked with a surveying party and one winter attended school. He then found employment in a hardware store in Sioux Falls, with Phillip Cross, with whom he worked two years. At the expiration of that time he secured a position as clerk in the postoffice, and after working four years paid a visit to his native land. He spent one

summer amid the picturesque hills of his native country, and in 1880 again crossed the ocean for the United States. He settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he found work in Hans O. Peterson's general store, on Washington avenue, as clerk. He retained the position three months and then went to Marshall county, settling in Warren, where he clerked for Johnson, Allen & Co. for one year, and then for Gilbert Conson for one and one-half years. In November, 1881, he was elected to the responsible position of county auditor. During the first year he had a deputy, but has since attended to the office himself. He has been elected four times, and discharges the duties devolving upon that official position with credit to himself and satisfaction to all parties con- cerned. He is an exemplary citizen and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

REDERIC CLAYDON, proprietor of the City Drug Store, in the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is one of the leading pharmacists in the north- ern part of the State. He is a native of England, born in London, on the 17th day of May, 1841, and is the son of Charles and Mary (Brook) Claydon, also natives of that kingdom. The responsible position of bursar to Trinity College, Cambridge, England, was held by the family for upward of 150. years.

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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 86

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