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 91

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 91
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 91

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PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

The mother died in Ireland in 1861. The, father and the rest of the family came to America in 1863, and after stopping a few days in New York City went to Smith Falls, Canada, on a short visit to relatives living in that place. After a few months they moved to Bruce county, Canada, where the father rented a farm and engaged in farming for one year. His experience in farming had been exceedingly limited, for prior to this time he had worked on a farm but about six months. In 1864 the family moved to Southampton, Canada, and for some time the father followed the trade of weaving. He soon gave that up, however, and bought some village property, on which he has been engaged in gardening ever since.

Joseph W. left home at the early age of eleven years, up to which time he had been attending school, but on reaching the age above mentioned he was bound out to a man by the name of James Perdue, to be retained by that gentleman until he was twenty-one years of age. Joseph remained with Mr. Perdue about two years, during which time he attended school and worked on the farm. He was dissatisfied, however, and was seeking some chance to leave what he called his bond- age. Mr. Perdue had a son to whom was bound James White, a brother of Joseph. So when his son, of the same place, came to Mr. Perdue's place on a short visit, Joseph returned with him to his home. Joseph and James, the brothers, were thus thrown together, and Joseph set out to pre- vail on his brother to desert his mas- ter, and finally succeeding, the boys started out to walk to Southampton, where the father and the rest of the family were living. Here he attended school for four winters, working at home during the sum- mer months. At the end of these four years he apprenticed to learn the drug business and telegraphy with a Mr. Frood. He con-

tinued his apprenticeship for about two years, and then, because Mr. Frood took in a part- ner, left his employ and lived at home with his father about six months. He then obtained a situation with a Mr. Shepard, of Lucknow, Ontario, working at the drug business and telegraphy. His employment with Mr. Shepard lasted six months, when he again returned home and lived with his father for about one year. In May, 1879, he came to Minnesota, remaining during one summer with a brother-in-law in Aldrich, Wadena county. Here he practiced tele- graphy in the Northern Pacific Railroad office, and in November, 1879, went into the woods as book-keeper for a lumber firm, remaining in the employ of . that firm until the first of the next May. At this time he returned to Aldrich and entered the employ of W. A. Bryant & Brother as a clerk in their general merchandise store, remaining with them until the following fall. He again went into the woods as book-keeper for Charles Harkens, and while in that gentle- man's employ Messrs. Mealey & Staples came to him with such an excellent offer that he could not refuse to become their book- keeper at Staples' Mill. He remained with this firm for two years as their general man- ager, and during this time he also handled lumber, ties and wood on his own account. The most of this private business, how- ever, was done during the last year of his engagement with the firm. Then Mr. Mealey sold out to a man by the name of Shellabarger, and Mr. White was retained to settle up the affairs of the old firm. A little later Mr. Shellabarger bought out Staples, and the subject of our sketch was retained as book-keeper by the new proprietor, remain- ing with him during one winter. His time was mostly spent in outside work as a kind of general manager. In the spring Mr. White returned to Aldrich, and after remain- ing there a short time struck out for the

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West; with the intention of taking up a claim. He bought some property in Grand Forks, Dakota, and took up a claim in Polk county, Minnesota. Getting his affairs in shape so he could leave his claim and other property, he went to Staples' Mill for a short stay, and thence went on a visit to Canada in company with his brother. After spending some time visiting with his father's family and with friends in Canada he returned by way of Chicago to Staples' Mill, and after a short stay there came to Vining in August, 1883. He built a store building and went into partnership with George H. Putnam in the general merchandise business. This partnership was continued until 1887, when Mr. White bought out his partner and since which time he has conducted the business under his personal supervision.

December 23, 1884, Mr. White was wedded to Miss Ada E. Barrett, a native of Iowa. This union has been blessed with two chil- dren-Clifford W. and Eva E., both of whom are now alive.

In politics Mr. White has always affiliated with the democratic party. He has once been a candidate for county auditor, and also a candidate for clerk of court, but each time was defeated. Had he been elected he would have made an able and efficient officer. By business training and education he is well qualified to hold any ministerial office within the gift of his fellow-townsmen. He has held many positions which have proven his busi- ness capabilities. For some time he was baggage-master in Brainerd for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, a position for which he was indebted to W. H. Lowe, gen- eral baggage agent. However, when Mr. Lowe resigned the express agency at Brain- erd, to which office he had been appointed, Mr. White was thrown out of his position. Mr. White was also a station agent on the Northern Pacific Railroad, which position he held for one year. He has been engaged

in many kinds of work since coming to this country, but he has always been careful and conscientious in the services rendered to his employers, thus winning their respect and further confidence. He has accumulated considerable property, and is now enjoying the comforts and blessings brought by a suc- cessful and useful life. His career has been a successful one, altogether, and as he is yet quite a young man he has still a long record of usefulness to make.

JAMES. S. LA GRO. Prominent among the business men of the village of Paynesville, Stearns county, Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name heads this article, a dealer in furniture. He is a native of the State of Massachusetts, born in Spring- field, Massachusetts, on the 24th of November, 1854, and is the son of Peter and Mary La Gro, natives of Canada. The grandfather of our subject fought under Napoleon and secured the title of De Ste. Maure.

At an early day the La Gro family settled in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, and in the Indian trouble in 1862 they lost every- thing they had except their farm, and they with the rest of the settlers were driven to St. Cloud, Minnesota.

J. S. La Gro, upon attaining manhood, went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for four years was engaged in teaming and gardening. At the expiration of that time he engaged in the furniture business in the city, and continued in business until 1888. In September, 1888, he removed to Paynesville, Minnesota, and engaged in the furniture business there. He has since been engaged in that line, and is having a good trade. He carries a full line of goods, and has one of the best stores in the village.

Mr. La Gro was united in marriage on the 23d of December, 1880, to Miss Anna M.

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Hanson, and this union has been blessed with three children, named as follows - James (deceased), Etta M. and Pearl (deceased). Our subject is one of the prom- inent and representative business citizens of the village, and is actively interested in all local matters. Enterprising and energetic, any laudable home enterprise receives his hearty support. He is a man of the strict- est integrity and honor, highly esteemed by all who know him.

ISAAC C. SUTTON, the efficient and accommodating hotel proprietor and storekeeper in the village of Browerville, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of Indi- ana. He was born in Jay county on the 8th day of November, 1844, and is the son of Samuel and Nancy (Marin) Sutton, both natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Indiana in 1844, where the mother died in 1853. The father is still living in Indiana, and is a well-known farmer and stock-raiser. They were both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of the following-named children - Jacob, Pheobe, William, Elizabeth, Platte, Mary, Lydia and Isaac.

Mr. Sutton, of whom this sketch treats, received his education in Randolph county, Indiana, where he attended school until he was seventeen years old. On the 12th of August, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Indiana Infantry, Company G, Thirteenth Corps. He participated in many skirmishes, but was in no pitched battle. He received his discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, on account of general disability contracted in the service. After his discharge he went to Union City, Indiana, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Minnesota. In the spring of 1870 he settled in Todd

county, section 2, Hartford township. He took a homestead and continued to reside there for eleven years, during which time he was actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was one of the first set- tlers in the township, and took a leading part in all local matters. At the expiration of the eleven years he removed to the vil- lage of Old Hartford and engaged as clerk for D. C. Davis & Co. Soon afterward the firm moved to Browerville, and our subject began the erection of a store building. This was on the 6th of July, 1883, and this building was for a hotel. Our subject took charge of the hotel, but in a short time was obliged to give it up on account of ill-health. He finally sold the hotel property and then erected a dwelling house, in which he lived for two years. During that time he had charge of a lumber yard for Mr. Harrington, and also acted as cook in a logging camp on Rice lake. He then took charge of a saw- mill about nine miles from Browerville, and later returned to the village. He erected another dwelling house, in which he lived until he took charge of the Browerville House, at Browerville, on the 1st of January, 1889. In 1887 he formed a partnership with James Hart in a general store, and they have since carried on the business. Mr. Sutton is highly esteemed by the traveling public and those who know him. He runs a first-class house and is doing a good business.

Mr. Sutton was married March 22, 1863, to Miss Lavina Whipple, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Jason and Eliza Whip- ple, n'atives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have been blessed with the following-named children- Frank, Henry, Daisy and Jason Oak. Mr. Sutton is a republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is actively interested in all local movements, and any laudable home enterprise receives his hearty support.

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RED RIVER VALLEY AND

HARLES H. HODGE is one of the leading citizens of Motley, Morrison county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the drug business. He is one of the earliest settlers in this region, having located in the village above mentioned in March, 1879, the place then consisting of some fifty people. There were but very few frame buildings in the town, most of them being built of logs, the hotel being nothing but a log shanty some 20x30 feet. Mr. Hodge came to this place to engage in work as a millwright for H. B. Morrison, who was then putting up the present flouring mill and some dwelling houses. In the fall of 1882 he put in a stock of drugs, which was the first stock in the city and which he has since been conducting. He is also agent for L. P. White's real estate, Mr. White being the original proprietor of the town plat.

Mr. Hodge is a native of Vermont, and was born in Lamoille county, August 17, 1833. He remained with his parents in the place of his nativity until the breaking out of the war, receiving advantages for a good education in the district school. When the war broke out he was fired with patriotic zeal, and August 14, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Fifth Regiment Vermont Vol- unteer Infantry, being mustered into the service at St. Albans, Vermont, September 16th. His regiment fell to the allotment of the Army of the Potomac, and joined that army preparatory to active service at the front. In December Mr. Hodge was taken sick and sent to the Union Hospital at Georgetown, and later was discharged from the Judiciary Hospital, Washington, June 17, 1862, after a long and severe illness. This termination of his military life was to him extremely unsatisfactory, so he determined to at once re-enlist and try again the fortunes of war. June 20th, three days after his dis- charge, he re-enlisted in Company H, Ninth Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry, as

a private. July 9th of the same year he was promoted to the position of sergeant, and January 4, 1863, received his commission as second lieutenant in Company H. Sep- tember 15, 1862, he was with his regiment at the surrender of Colonel Niles, at Harper's Ferry, and with them was taken prisoner, but on the following day was paroled and sent to Chicago. January 10, 1863, he was exchanged, but remained in Chicago until April following, when he was ordered to report at Fortress Monroe, remaining in that stronghold until October of that year. Altogether, Mr. Hodge was in some eight or ten of the severest battles of the war, besides seeing service in a number of lighter skirmishes. While in Chi- cago, from January 10th until April, Mr. Hodge was occupied in guarding rebel pris- oners and was sent with a large company of them into the far South, where a number of them were exchanged. The war experience of Lieutenant Hodge was a severe one, being full of hardships and exposure. He went through it all, however, with a bravery worthy the grandeur of the cause for which he fought, and the honors he received were but just recompense for the courage and valor he exhibited.

In the spring of 1866, after the war was closed, Mr. Hodge came to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and after remaining in that place about one year he removed to Green Bay, Brown county, thence going to Chippewa county. As we have already stated, in March, 1879, Mr. Hodge settled in Motley, Minnesota, where he has since resided. On coming here he found the town site covered with pine trees, not a street cut out or cleared, and indeed a veritable wilder- ness. This state of affairs, however, rapidly underwent a change, and Mr. Hodge has witnessed a transformation from that wild wilderness scene into a bright, busy village. Mr. Hodge has taken an active interest in all

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matters pertaining to the welfare of the township and village, and has served in a number of official positions. He has been a member of the school board for the last seven years, and has proven a very efficient officer.

Mr. Hodge was united in marriage Octo- ber 25, 1865, to Miss Myra M. Titus, of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have a family of two children.

The subject of our sketch takes an active interest in the affairs of the I. O. O. F. lodge of this place, of which he is one of the most influential members. His connection with the G. A. R., Stannard Post, No. 161, is an important item in his record since coming to Motley. The post was organized May 7, 1887, Mr. Hodge being a charter member and commander. He is also junior vice- commander of the Park Regions Associa- tion of the G. A. R. Mr. Hodge is a man of wide influence in Morrison county, and is esteemed and respected by all who know him.

APTAIN ALEXANDER GRIGGS, the present mayor of the city of Grand Forks, will form the subject of our present article. No man in North Dakota has done more to promote the interests of that locality, nor been more prominently identified with its growth and progress, and his name is indissolubly associated with the history of the Red River Valley as well as the North- west. A man of iron determination, of energy, enterprise and perseverance, he recognizes no such thing as defeat in any project he undertakes, and the many gigantic enterprises which he has inaugurated and carried to successful completion demonstrate the characteristics of the man.

Captain Griggs is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Marietta, on the 27th of Octo-

ber, 1838, and is the son of William and Esther (McGibbon) Griggs, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. Alexander remained in his native State until about two years old, when he removed with his parents to Bee- town, Grant county, Wisconsin, where he lived for five or six years, and in 1849 removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he secured a position as cabin -boy on a steamboat. From that position he was promoted rapidly, and at the age of nineteen we see him captain of the steamboat Iola. He acted as pilot when he was so small that he had to stand on a box to manage the wheel. He remained on the Mississippi river and tributaries until 1870, when he removed to Fort Abercrombie, which he made his headquarters. He was engaged in the transportation business in connection with J. J. Hill, president of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad, and during 1870 and 1871 had headquarters at that place. In June they removed their head- quarters to McCauleyville and then to Grand Forks, North Dakota. While at Fort Aber- crombie they built the steamer Selkirk and a number of barges, which run on the Red river. When our subject first located in Grand Forks he took a farm where the heart of the city now is, and owing to the unsettled condition of the country it was five or six years before he moved upon it. He located there with the determination to build up a city, and platted his land, graded the first street and built the first sidewalk. He built a steam saw-mill, and opened a general store, doing a general milling and mer- chandising business with the firm known as Griggs, Walsh & Company. After two years they sold out to the Hudson Bay Company, and our subject then went into the steamboat business, increasing the trade year after year until they had seven steamboats and fourteen barges. Since that time the railroad com- petition has about retired this line of indus- try, until the business is carried on by two

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steamers and a few barges. The captain followed navigation actively for thirty years, during which time he was captain of the fol- lowing steamers : Humboldt, Little Dorrit, Aerial, Chippewa Falls, Favorite, Jennie Baldwin, Albany, Otter, Countess, Mankato Otter, St. Anthony Falls, City of St. Paul, Selkirk, Cheyenne, Manitoba, International, Alpha, Dakota, Alsop and Pluck. He is without a doubt the oldest man in that line in the West, and is widely known. Since settling in Grand Forks he has been closely identified with all the interests of the city, and to-day is recognized as the literal "father of Grand Forks." He has done more to advance the prosperity of the locality than any other man, and is yet the most prominent public citizen of the city. He built the first saw-mill, as well as grist mill, and is now the heaviest stockholder in the gas works. He is president of the Sec- ond National Bank and is serving his fourth year as railroad commissioner for Dakota. Since coming to the city he has been con- nected with the following business firms : Red River Transportation Company, McCor- mick, Griggs & Company, Griggs & Com- pany, Griggs, Grosvener & Company, Budge, Griggs & Company, Henderson & Griggs, Griggs & Son. in livery business, etc. In 1888 he was elected mayor of the city, which position he still holds.

The captain was united in marriage in Le Sueur, Minnesota, on the 27th day of Decem- ber, 1865, to Miss Ettie Strong, the daughter of Lucius E. and Ann (Sheppard) Strong, natives of Massachusetts. The Captain and his estimable wife have been blessed with the following-named children - Lois A. Charles E., Ansel, Mary (who was the first white child born in Dakota), Ettie, Bruce, James and Clifford, all of whom are living except Charles. Ansel is engaged in the liv- ery business in Grand Forks. In political matters our subject affiliates with the repub-

lican party. He has held a great many local offices, and since the organization of the county has filled various county offices at different times. He is prominently con- nected with the business interests of the city and vicinity, and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, his word being consid- ered as good as a bond.

ELS S. MUNSON, the head miller and manager of the Warren Roller Mills at Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is one of the most highly respected citizens of that locality. He is an old settler in Minne- sota and has been a resident of Warren since 1882. He has had charge of the mill ever since it was erected. It now has a capacity of 150 barrels per day, and is one of the finest mills in the valley. Mr. Munson is a thorough miller and is familiar with every branch of the business. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and is highly esteemed both as a business man and an exemplary citizen.

AMES E. WILLIAMS, who is engaged in farming in Grant county, Minnesota, is a native of the State of Iowa. He was born in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, on the 9th day of May, 1854, and is the son of James D. and Margaret A. (White) Williams, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father was captain of Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry. He is now living in Ackley, Iowa. The father and . mother of our subject were the parents of the following children - Joseph, Charles, William, Frederick, one daughter (who is now the wife of John Wirt, of Alden, Iowa), and James, the subject of this sketch. All the boys served in the war, and Charles died in the service. All but our subject and William

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are in Ackley, Iowa. William is living in Grant county.

Mr. Williams, of whom this article treats, remained at home until 1871, when he left home and for the succeeding three years was conductor on a railroad. In 1874 he took a trip to Fort Gary, Dakota Territory, and then went to Minne- apolis, Minnesota, and clerked in the Mer- chants' Hotel for about one year. He then engaged in the wholesale grocery business with Newell & Harrison, remaining with them until the fall of 1877, when he returned to his father's home, remaining during the winter. In March, 1878, he removed to Grant county, Minnesota, purchased a piece of land and took a tree claim, which he finally proved up on as a homestead. He has since remained on his farm, situated on the north bank of the beautiful sheet of water, Lake Comorant, which is four and a half miles long, two and a half wide, its clear, pure water abounding with many varieties of fish, and a pictur- esque, timbered island nestling in the center. His farm comprises 560 acres, 250 of which are under a high state of cultivation. He is extensively engaged in farming, ownstwelve horses and twenty-five head of cattle, good buildings, etc.

Mr. Williams was married October 6, 1876, to Miss Mary Peterson, the daughter of John O. and Catharena Peterson. Our subject has been prominently identified with the local progress of Grant county since his residence there. He has held the office of justice of the peace since 1878, when he was appointed to that office and since that time has been re-elected each term. He has been register of deeds, deputy sheriff, clerk of court, school clerk, and was appointed one of the State land appraisers. Mr. Williams has been a State and senatorial delegate, and has been chairman of the board of county com- missioners several times. He is one of the

prominent citizens and highly esteemed by all who know him. He was instrumental in securing the right of way of the Minneapolis & Pacific Railroad Company, being delegated to confer with them.

- ENRY A. BRUNS. Among the earliest settlers at Moorhead, Minnesota, was Henry A. Bruns, the proprietor of the Grand Pacific Hotel, and he has taken a leading part in every move or enterprise ever inaugurated to build up the city or develop the surround- ing country. It is no injustice to, or reflec- tion upon, others to say that he has done more toward making Moorhead what it is to-day than any other resident.

Mr. Bruns is a son of Henry and Sophia (Stetman) Bruns, who were natives of Ger- many. They came to America before their marriage, and were married at Sherrill's Mount, Dubuque county, Iowa. There the father took a pre-emption claim of 160 acres, and still lives upon it, retired, however, from the active cares of business. His son Edward carries on the farm. Henry Bruns, Sr., and wife were the parents of seven children- Henry A., Rosenna (now Mrs. Hinde), Sophia (now Mrs. Koerner), Edward, Annie, Mary and Otilla. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In political matters the father is a republican.

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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 91

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