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 94

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 94
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 94

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ON. JOHN H. ALLEN is the president and manager of the Fergus Falls Flouring Mills at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is one of the leading business men of the city and county. He is a native of Franklin county, Maine, where he was born March 19, 1832.

Mr. Allen's parents were Nathaniel C. and Hannah (Lake) Allen, natives of Jay, Maine. The father was a carpenter and carriage-maker by trade, which business he followed until forty-five years of age. Then, in 1856, he came to Minnesota, settling at Minneapolis, and later at Princeton, Mille Lacs county, Minnesota, where he engaged in mercantile business with his son, John H., the subject of our sketch. The father returned to Maine in 1868, where he engaged in the mercantile business until his death in 1879. His father was Aaron Allen, who was a native of Maine, and by occupation a farmer

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Aaron Allen reared a family of three chil- dren, two of whom are still living-Stephen and Samuel. Hannah Lake's parents were John and Betsey (Johnson) Lake, natives of Maine. They lived upon a farm and reared a large family of children, twelve of whom lived to see manhood and womanhood ; five of them are now living-John, Joshua, Jere- miah, Arthur and Eliza A. Hannah Allen died in 1837. Nathaniel C. Allen had a family of two children-Edwin and John H.

John H. Allen, the subject of our sketch, spent his younger days on the farm, remain- ing under parental authority until he was sixteen years of age. At this age he was apprenticed to learn the boot and shoemaker's trade, at which business he worked for four years, in the meantime attending the high school at Farmington, Maine. Later he turned his attention to teaching school. In 1854 he came to Min- nesota, stopping first at St. Anthony, where he worked at the lumber business and gave some attention to farming. He commenced the mercantile business in 1857 at Prince- ton, Minnesota, following the same until 1863, in which year he sold out his business interests in that place. During the war he was deputy provost marshal. After the war closed he moved to Anoka, where he pur- chased a flour mill and engaged in the man- ufacture of flour for two years, after which time he sold out and removed to Princeton, where he built a large mill costing some $8,000. He ran this business until 1876, after which time he rented it to another party until 1888, in which year he sold out. In 1876 he was appointed receiver of the United States land office located in Alex- andria, Minnesota, to which place he removed, remaining there until the land office was located at Fergus Falls. He held the position until 1884. He was the first town clerk in the town of Princeton, and served as representative in the State legisla-

ture from Mille Lacs county. For a term of four years he held the position of county treasurer in that county, and was chairman of the board of supervisors for several years. Since 1884 he has been a director and vice- president of the Fergus Falls National Bank, which institution he helped to organize. At the first organization of the Fergus Falls Flouring Mills he was a stockholder, but has since been elected president and is now manager of the mills. The mills were built in 1881; their capacity is over 200 barrels of flour per day.

Mr. Allen was united in marriage in 1858 to Miss Mary Goulding, of Princeton, Min- nesota. They have four children living- Nellie J., now Mrs. C. C. Bell, who has one child, by name Alice M .; Eunice, now Mrs. L. J. Daubner, Charles H. and Ada M.

Since coming to Fergus Falls Mr. Allen in all his business ventures has been emi- nently successful. He has acquired a large fortune and stands at the head of his busi- ness competitors in the city and county. He has been honored in many ways by posi- tions of trust which have been given him by the franchises of his fellow-citizens. He was the first mayor of the city of Fergus Falls. Formerly he was a republican, but he has changed his views and for some time has affiliated with the prohibition party and was the candidate on that party's ticket for the position of State treasurer. Financially he is one of the most solid, substantial men of Fergus Falls.

OHN B. MARTIN, who is engaged in the real estate and loan business for Ste- phen J. Sprague, also handling insurance for himself, is one of the prominent and respected business men in the village of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota. He is a native of Canada, born on the 31st day of

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January, 1851, and is the son of Edward and Jane (Bathwell) Martin, natives of Canada.

Mr. Martin, the subject of this biography, remained at home and attended the public schools until he had attained the age of six- teen years. At that period in life he entered an apprenticeship to the miller's trade, and for four years followed that occupation in Cumberland, Ontario, as an apprentice. At the expiration of that time he emigrated to the States and located at Sandwich, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for three months, when he went to Morris, Illinois, and secured a position in the mill at that place. After one year he moved to Millington, Illinois, and remained there four years working at his trade. Then he went to Somonauk, Illi- nois, and took charge of the mill at that place. After one year the mill was destroyed by fire, and our subject removed to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he secured the posi- tion of head miller in the mills at that place. After remaining there two years he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for about a year was employed in the mill of Christian Day & Company. He returned to Red Wing, and after remaining there for a period of two years went to Chippewa Falls, Wis- · consin, and fitted up and took charge of an eight-run mill which he operated for twelve months. At the expiration of that time he went to Minnetonka, Minnesota, and for the succeeding eighteen months had charge of the mill at that point. He then went to Champlin, Minnesota, and took charge of the mill there, which he ran for ten years. He next removed to the village of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota, and became the agent in the real estate and loan business for Stephen Sprague. He is also engaged in the insurance business on his own account, and is one of the most capable business men of that locality.

Mr. Martin was united in marriage in May, 1873, to Miss Della Hastings, the

daughter of W. T. and Deborah (Lyebolt) Hastings. This union has been blessed with the following-named children -- Edna, Nina and Clyde. He has held the office of school clerk for two terms. He is a member of the following social organizations : Knights of Pythias, Sons of Temperance and Good Templars. He and his family belong to the Baptist church, of which he is Sunday- school superintendent. He is an exemplary citizen, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

RANK T. SATRE. The subject of this biographical memoir is a prominent business man of the village of Audubon, Becker county, Minnesota, where he is man- ager of the general merchandise store be- longing to Severt Olson, of Willmar, Minne- sota. He is a native of Minnesota, born in Carver county, on the 10th day of Septem- ber, 1862. He remained in his native county until he was five years of age, when he re- moved with his parents to Willmar, Minne- sota. He received his education in Minne- apolis, and after attending the common schools he entered the Augsburg Seminary, where he remained three years. He then took a year's course at the Archibald Busi- ness College, and at the expiration of that time returned to Willmar, Minnesota. There he secured a position as clerk in a general store, and after three years removed to Audubon, Becker county, Minnesota, where he has remained since 1883. He is manager of the store and is one of the leading busi- ness men of the village.

Our subject has held the office of town- ship clerk for the last five years, and also holds the office of president of the village council, to which position he was appointed in 1889. He is prominently identified with all local movements and is actively interested

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in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the village.

Mr. Satre was united in marriage on the 24th day of August, 1883, to Miss Emma Quande, and this union has been blessed with the following-named children-Clara, Frank and Augusta. Our subject is a democrat in his political affiliations and is one of the representative citizens of the place. He and his family belong to the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a man of sterling business qualifications and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

RNEST C. EDDY, the head of the banking house of E. C. Eddy & Co. at Fargo, North Dakota, is one of the best known financiers, and well deserves space in a volume devoted to the prominent men of the Red River Valley. He has been inti- mately connected with the growth and devel- opment of the city in which he lives, and every enterprise enhancing the public wel- fare has received his hearty aid and encourage- ment. A man of high moral character and of the strictest integrity, he stands high both as a prominent factor in business and finan- cial circles and as an exemplary citizen.

Mr. Eddy was born at Plainview, Wabasha county, Minnesota, June 24, 1856, and is a son of Ezra B. and Jane B. (Wilson) Eddy. The father who was one of the best known and most highly respected financiers in northern Dakota, died at Fargo, in 1885, and the mother still lives with her children in that city. Their children are as follows- Ernest C., our subject ; Ira, cashier in E. C. Eddy & Co.'s bank; Inez, now Mrs. Rev. P. Clare, of Winnebago City, Minnesota ; and Ethelda J., in E. C. Eddy & Co's bank.

Our subject, Ernest C. Eddy, grew to man- hood and received his early education at Plain- view, Minnesota, graduating from the public

schools there in 1872. He then spent one term at the Shattuck School in Faribault, and the same fall went to the Racine College in Wisconsin, where he remained three years, serving during the last two years as prefect of that institution. He left there in June, 1875, and went to Plainview, and in the fol- lowing September became clerk and book- keeper in his father's bank, receiving, how- ever, no compensation. In 1876, when he was twenty years of age, he became cashier of that institution, and, although still with- out salary until August, 1877, he remained until January 1, 1878. He then resigned and removed to Fargo at the request of his father and others, with the intention of opening the Bank of Fargo. He found, however, that parties had opened a bank under that name four days previous, and he at once took steps to organize the First National Bank, which was consummated by March 1st. During the meantime and on the 11th of January, 1878, he opened the doors of the banking institution under the name of the Bank of Dakota, and a little later, lie, with his father, E. B. Eddy, N. K. Hubbard, E. S. Tyler, M. B. Erskine, G. O. Erskine, H. C. Stevens and S. G. Roberts re-organized it under the name of the First National Bank. They ran this for nine years. Our subject began as cashier, then vice-president, and was president when he withdrew in January, 1887. On the 15th of April, 1887, he opened the banking house of E. C. Eddy & Co., which is still maintained.

E. C. Eddy was married in Plainview, Minnesota, August 2, 1877, to Miss Ida Hop- son, and they have been blessed with the following children-Wayne G., Carrie J., Ilattie G., Ray W., Ezra B. and Ernest C., Jr. Mrs. Eddy is a daughter of Capt. A. S. and Caroline Hopson, who were pioneers of Wabasha county, Minnesota, having located there in 1855. Her father was Captain in Company C, Tenth Minnesota

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Infantry. A sketch of his life will be found elsewhere in this volume.

It should have been stated above that Mr. Eddy's father was a veteran of the late War. He served as first-lieutenant and quarter- master in Company G, Third Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry.

As an index to the standing of the firm of which our subject is the head we quote the following article, which recently appcared in a local publication :

E. C. EDDY & CO. BANKING HOUSE.

The Banking House of E. C. Eddy & Co., although of recent formation, its chief and managing member is no stranger to Fargo or the financial community of the Northwest. E. C. Eddy, the manager of the banking house of E. C. Eddy & Co., has lived in Fargo ten years. He was born at Plain- view, Minnesota, in 1856, and lived there until he moved to Fargo in 1878. He received a liberal education in the Shattuck School and in the Racine College at Racine, Wisconsin. In 1875 he went in as a clerk for his father, who was a member of the Plainview Bank of Eddy & Erskines at Plainview, and subsequently became cashier. He came to Fargo with the intention of opening a branch of the Plainview Bank, to be known as the Bank of Fargo. This idea was merged into another until a charter was obtained incorporating the First National Bank. He was cashier of the First National from 1878 to 1882, and then vice-president until May, 1885, and its president until January, 1887, opening the present bank- ing house the first of April of this year. E. C. Eddy & Co. is really an Eddy institu- tion, Mother Jane B. Eddy and E. C. Eddy composing the firm. E. B. Eddy, his father, was the founder of the Plainview Bank, Minnesota, and was one of the best known and most highly respected financiers in Northern Dakota. E. C. Eddy shares the commanding ability and the unquestionable

uprightness of his father, and is looked upon, not only in Fargo, but throughout Northern Dakota, as a young man of much promise. He has the confidence and good-will of all the people of Fargo, and business in his care is as safe as a government security. The capital stock of E. C. Eddy & Co. is $25,000 ; available capital stock, $35,000. Since its opening they have been very successful, and with the increased prosperity of Fargo it will, in a short time, take its place among the leading financial institutions of the city. E. C. Eddy & Co. deserve the encourage- ment and patronage of the business men of. Fargo.

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B ICHARD W. WITTSE. Prominent among the wheat buyers of Traverse county, Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name heads this article, a resident of the village of Wheaton, where he is agent for the National Elevator Company. He is a native of the State of Iowa, born in Clayton county, on the 11th of March, 1858, and is the son of Wellington and Aurilla Wittse, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents, who were prosperous farmers, were blessed with a family of the following-named children- Grace, Emeline, Charlotte, Loise, Julia, Alta and Richard. The parents are still living in Iowa Falls, Iowa. They are now leading a retired life and are well advanced in years.

Mr. Wittse, of whom this sketch treats, received his education in Iowa, and after leaving school engaged in farming until he was about twenty-four years old. He then engaged in the carpenter trade, and after, also, remaining eighteen months in a hotel as clerk, in Iowa, removed to Dakota, where he engaged in elevator work. In 1886 he removed to the village of Wheaton, Traverse county, Minnesota, where he took charge of the elevator for the National Elevator Com-

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pany. He has since remained in their employ, and is one of the best known and most capable and reliable business men in the county.

Mr. Wittse was united in marriage on the 4th of October, 1888, to Miss Ada MacGray, the daughter of Frank and Lena MacGray, natives of Prescott county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Wittse completed her education in North- field, Minnesota, and previous to her mar- riage to our subject was a school teacher by profession, having taught twenty-seven terms of school. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in his political ideas affiliates with the principles of the repub- lican party. He is an exemplary citizen, and all local matters receive his hearty support and encouragement. He is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, and his word is considered as good as a bond.

HEODORE FRAZEE, a prominent merchant of the village of Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is engaged in a large and successful general merchandising business. He is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Vinton county, Ohio, on the 9th day of May, 1848, and is a son of Ephraim Frazee. The parents removed to Ohio at an early day. In 1859 they removed to Arkansas, and after remaining two years went to Jonesboro, Illinois ; then went back to Ohio. In 1863 they again went to Illinois, where the father died.

Mr. Frazee, of whom this sketch treats, remained at home and attended school during hisboyhood days. He went with his parents to Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, and then back again to Illinois, where he remained about five years. In 1868, in company with his two brothers, he removed to Minnesota, and first located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where they each took a farm. In December, 1868,

our subject purchased one of his brother's farms, and after remaining there for about four years, went to Frazee City, which was named after his brother. Our subject took charge of the saw-mill and lumber yard of his brother's at that place, and later, in partnership with his brother, bought a general merchandise store. In 1877 our sub- ject removed to the village of Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and opened a general store, which he has since carried on. In 1882 the Bank of Pelican Rapids was established, with our subject as vice-president and his brother as president. They are doing a general banking business.

Mr. Frazee is one of the most prominent business men of that region, and is doing an extensive general merchandise business throughout that section of the county.

Mr. Frazee was united in marriage on the 1st day of July, 1869, to Miss Mary Cox, and this union has been blessed with six children, the following-named three now living- Arthur, Roy and Oliver. In political mat- ters Mr. Frazee is an adherent to the princi- ples of the democratic party.

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JOHN BECKER, a prominent dry goods merchant of the village of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, is a native of the empire of Germany. He was born in 1850. He spent his younger days in the school rooms of his native land, having access to the superior educational advantages of that country. In 1873 he emigrated to the United States and removed to Indiana, where he secured employment at farm labor. In 1874 he moved to Minnesota and settled at Red Wing, where he worked on a farm for about six months. At the expiration of that time he engaged in the peddler's mer- cantile business and for some time sold his wares through the northern part of the

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State. Upon arriving in Wadena he decided that it would be a good place to locate. In July, 1879, he settled in the village, pur- chased a lot and erected a small dwelling house. He opened a saloon and also a mer- cantile establishment, which he operated for some time. He then relinquished his mer- cantile business and for a year or two devoted his whole attention to the liquor business. In 1883 he erected his present store, and after having rented it for two years, he, in 1885, gave up the liquor trade and put in a full line of dry goods, groceries, gents' furnishing goods, etc., which he has since continued to operate. He is one of the most prominent and extensive merchants in the village and in addition to his present business he owns the postoffice building, two other stores, his commodious residence, and forty acres of land north of town.

Mr. Becker was united in marriage in February, 1883, to Miss Mary Peiter, and this union has been blessed with two chil- dren, named as follows-William J. M. and Adolph. Mr. Becker and his family be- long to the Evangelical Lutheran church. He is a representative and esteemed citizen, and is a man of the utmost honor and integ- rity, his word being considered as good as a bond.

JOHN A. DANIELSON. The subject of this biographical sketch is engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Lake Park, Becker county, Minnesota. He is a native of Sweden, born on the 4th day of July, 1853, and is the son of Daniel and Sarah (Anderson) Danielson, natives also of Sweden. The father, who was a farmer and miller by trade, came to the United States in 1868 and settled in Kansas, where he remained two years. In 1870 the family emigrated to the United States and located in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they remained

a few months, and from there they removed to Becker county, Minnesota, where they settled in Lake Park township. The father pre-empted land about three miles from the village, and has since been actively engaged in general farming operations. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following children-Caisa, Carl, Olof, John and Edwin:

Mr. Danielson, of whom this sketch treats, received his education in his native land, and in 1870 emigrated to the United States. After a voyage of eleven days he landed in New York, and went directly to Minnesota, settling in St. Paul. There he secured a position as clerk, and remained in that capa- city for about seven years. In 1876 he pur- chased land in Clay county, and at the expiration of the seven years removed to his farm and commenced farming. He erected a dwelling-house and improved the farm, remaining there for three years. He settled permanently in Lake Park in 1878, and secured a position as clerk in the general merchandising store of R. H. Abraham, with whom he remained three years. Our subject then purchased the stock of his employer and engaged in the same business on his own account. He carries a full line of goods, and is doing an extensive business. In 1885 he built his present elevator on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and is extensively engaged in the wheat business.

Mr. Danielson was married on the 15th day of August, 1886, to Miss Helma Ander- son, a native of Sweden and the daughter of Gustuf and Margaretha Anderson, also natives of that kingdom. Our subject and his wife belong to the Lutheran church, of which organization he is secretary. He affil- iates with the republican party, and any laudable home enterprise receives his hearty support. He has been treasurer of the vil- lage, and is one of the leading men of the county.

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ON. E. G. HOLMES is the president of the First National Bank of Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, and is one of the solid financial characters of the city. He is at present State senator from the Forty- fourth senatorial district of Minnesota, and is one of the most influential members of the upper house of the legislature.

Mr. Holmes is a native of Madison county, New York, where he was born in 1841. His parents, Henry and Almira (Denison) Holmes came to Madison county, New York, from the place of their nativity at Stonington, Connecticut, in an early day. The father for many years was a prominent merchant and wealthy man in New York. Some years before his death he had retired from active life, and was living in the enjoy- ment of blessings and comforts resulting from a long, successful career. The grand- parents came to this country from England, and the family, therefore, traces its history back into English ancestry, among which are to be found men and women of high standing.

The subject of our sketch remained with his parents in the State of New York until he had nearly attained his majority. Dur- ing his early life he lived on a farm, contin- uing thereon and attending school at every opportunity from the age of twelve years to twenty. Then, on the 18th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-sixth Regiment, New York Volunteers, entering the ranks as a private. He saw service for two long years, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run, where he was taken pris- oner by the rebels. Shortly after his cap- ture he was paroled and returned to the loyal States. Going to Chicago, Illinois, he entered Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, from which institution he gradu- ated about one year later. From thence he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he engaged in clerking in a mercantile estab-

lishment for the period of two years. From thence he removed to Holmes City, Douglas county, same State, where he engaged in a mercantile career, continuing with good success some two years, at which time he removed to Otter Tail City, opening a store at that place and also one at Detroit in 1871. Moving to Detroit in 1872 he then' made his permanent settlement, erecting the first frame building in the county, and also becoming first merchant therein. Mr. Holmes engaged in the banking business in 1874, becoming cashier of the Bank of Detroit, which institution is now known as the First . National Bank, to which it was changed in 1885, one year after the subject of our sketch became its president. In public enterprises and improvements Mr. Holmes has always been a prominent character. He built the Minnesota Hotel, a summer resort for tourists, at Detroit, in 1883. He built the large block on Washington avenue opposite where the First National Bank now stands, containing several stores and an opera house. In July of 1888 this large building was destroyed by fire. He has laid out three additions to the city of Detroit, besides owning the old Minneapolis fair grounds, consisting of eighty acres of land, now platted into lots, and which, in 1887, cost him $260,000. He is a large landholder, owning some 17,000 acres of excellent land in Becker and adjoining counties.

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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 94

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