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 98

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 98
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 98

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R EV. FATHER E. KENNY, priest of the Catholic church in Grafton, North Dakota, is a native of Ireland. He was born in Licketstown, County Kilkenny, on the 21st of May, 1855, and is a son of Richard and Ellen (Delahuntz) Kenny, also natives of Ireland.

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Rev. Kenny remained on the home farm with his parents, attending school until he was about sixteen years old, when he went to Waterford and entered St. John's Semi- nary, where he remained five years. At the expiration of that time he entered St. John's College, and graduated with high honors in 1880, and was ordained to the ministry by Bishop John Power. There were sixteen, ordained at that time, the largest number ever ordained at one time in that college- all being intended for foreign missions. After receiving his ordination our subject sailed for Adelaide, South Australia, under Deacon Russel. Our subject had charge of Fort Lincoln, where he remained until June, 1884, when he returned to his native land, and after remaining sonie time emigrated with Vicar-General Healy, October 11, 1884, to the United States. They went to Chicopee, Massachusetts, where Father Kenny remained until January, 1885. On the 21st of that month Rev. Kenny removed to Yankton, Dakota, and had only been there about one week when he was appointed to take charge of the church at Grand Forks, North Dakota. After serving four months at that place he went to Pembina, North Dakota, and after remaining three months removed to Bath- gate, but still having charge of Pembina. After remaining at that mission for twelve months Father Kenney settled in Grafton, North Dakota, in June, 1886. He had charge of Grafton, St. Thomas and Stokes- ville missions until September, 1888, and since that time has had charge of the Graf- ton and Drayton churches. He is a man of varied and excellent literary attainments, a true Christian gentleman, and one of the most prominent and highly respected clergy- men in the Red River Region. He is an exemplary citizen, a conscientious and con- sistent Christian worker, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.

ARREN WOODWORTH WOOD,

who is buying grain in Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, for C. A. Pills- bury, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is also engaged in the lumber business at Warren. He is a native of New York, born in Camillus, Onondaga county, New York, January 1, 1840, and is the son of James and Theodora (Woodworth) Wood, also natives of New York.

Mr. Wood, of whom this article treats, remained with his parents until he was sixteen years old, when he removed with them to Battle Creek, Michigan, where they purchased a hotel and remained ten years in that business. During this time our subject attended the graded schools until he was twenty, when he graduated from the Battle Creek Institute. He then entered Byrant, Bell & Stratton's College in Chicago, and after graduating returned to Battle Creek and clerked in his father's hotel. They next removed to Delavan, Wiscon- sin, and after remaining two years went to Durand, Wisconsin, and purchased 900 acres of land, on which they carried on stock-raising and general farming. In 1879 they sold out and took the contract to open the Pembina farm in Marshall county, Min- nesota. The farm comprised nine sections, and after remaining two years he took the contract to open up the Key Stone farms for Charles Lockhart and Michael Grover, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The former is president of the Standard Oil Company of Pittsburgh, and Mr. Grover is a well-known coal king of that region. Our subject and his father bought all necessary farming imple- ments for them, and were two and a half years in fulfilling the contract. The farms comprised nineteen sections in Norman and Polk counties. After completing the contract, our subject was employed by C. A. Pillsbury, of Minneapolis, to buy grain in Argyle, and since that time has been employed by lıim.

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PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

He is also engaged in the lumber business at Warren, and is one of the leading business men of this locality. He owns a fine resi- dence and five lots and is doing à heavy business.

Mr. Wood was married February 10, 1865, to Miss Rozetta Woods, and they have been blessed with the following children-Walter, Kate and Raymond. Mr. Wood is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been president of the village board at Warren for four or five years. He is an exemplary citi- zen, and a man of integrity and honor, highly esteemed by all who know him.

ON. EDWIN MATTSON, a prominent. farmer and stock-raiser of Wilkin county, Minnesota, residing on section 17, township 132, range 46, is a native of Penn- sylvania. He was born in Delaware county, May 17, 1839, and is a son of Peter W. and Eveline (Hannum) Mattson, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in 1880, and the mother is still living on the old homestead.

Mr. Mattson, the subject of this biograph- ical memoir, received his education in Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania, where he at- tended school until he was twenty-one years old, finishing at Crittenden's College, where he took both a banking and commer- cial course. After graduating he enlisted in 1861 in the Second Pennsylvania Cav- alry, and served until 1864. He was on General Gregg's staff, and was wounded in the battle of Deep Bottom, as a result of which he was confined to the hospital for some time. He was tendered a captain's and also a major's commission, but on account of the wound he received was compelled to refuse. In 1879 he removed to Minnesota, locating in Wilkin county, on section 17, town 132, range 46, where he has since

remained. His well-cultivated farm com- prises 400 acres, and is one of the most desir- able tracts of land in the county. In 1887 he was elected to the State legislature from the Forty-fourth District, and served for two years. He is one of the prominent and repre- sentative men of the county, and has the will and power to advance the prosperity of any locality in which he may reside.

Mr. Mattson was united in marriage May 30, 1863, to Miss Hannah R. Gause, and this union has been blessed with six chil- dren - Evalyn, Bernard, Rebecca, Edwin, Frank and Harlan. Mr. Mattson is a repub- lican in his political affiliations, and is one of the best-known public men in Wilkin county. He is a man of excellent business capabilities, highly esteemed by all who know him.

OUIS STRUETT came to Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 1872, and opened up in the clothing business, which he made a specialty until the fall of 1888, when he put in a large general stock of goods. He has one of the largest stores in the town, and is doing an extensive and profitable business.

Mr. Struett was born in Baden, Germany, August 24, 1847, and is the son of Adolph Struett, a native of Germany. His father was a stone-cutter by trade, and lived and died in the land of his nativity.

The subject of our sketch remained in his native land, receiving the advantages of a good education, until he was eighteen years of age. Then with his mother and three sisters he came to the United States and located at St. Cloud, Minnesota, where for three years he worked at his trade, that of tailoring, which he had learned in the Old Country. At the end of this period he removed to Rush Lake, Minnesota, settled on

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a homestead of 160 acres, and lived thereon for three years. He then obtained a title to his land and returned to St. Cloud, where he remained during the following winter. Then, in 1872, he came to Perham, and engaged in his present business. He was one among the first settlers in this village, some of the others being Mr. Kemper, the present post- master; Peter Schroeder and Henry Ged- man, all of whom are still residents of the village.

Mr. Struett was married in January, 1876, to Miss Katie Feddema, a native of Holland. This lady came to the United States when she was six years old, and settled with her parents in Minnesota. She was educated in Stearns county. Mr. and Mrs. Struett have four children-Amy, Herman, Gracie and Louis.

Mr. Struett is a democrat in politics, and is a stanch defender of the principles pro- mulgated by that party. He is a careful, energetic business man, and has built up an extensive and profitable trade.

R EV. JENS I. LONNE, pastor of the Hillsboro Lutheran circuit, and editor of the Apholds Basunen, a weekly periodical of strong temperance principles, is a resi- dent of Hillsboro, North Dakota. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born in Bergen Stift, on the 12th of April, 1854, and is the son of Iver and Gjerbrud (Olsen) Lonne, also natives of that kingdom.

Rev. Lonne remained on the home farm with his parents, attending school until he he was sixteen years old, when he went on the sea as a sailor, remaining in that voca- tion for two years. At the expiration of that time he entered the Balestrand Semi- nary, at Sogn, Norway, from which he graduated with high honors, and for the suc- ceeding eighteen months engaged in the pro- fession or school-teaching. In the spring of

1876 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he remained during the summer, and in the fall removed to Minneapolis, where he entered the Augsburg Seminary, remaining five years. After graduating, in June, 1881, he went to Grafton as a missionary, and had charge of the Norwegian Lutheran church for about two years. At the expiration of that time he went to Hillsboro, in Novem- ber, 1883, and organized the church at that place, also taking charge of the congrega- tions at Portland, one between Hillsboro and Maysville, another at Reynolds, and one between Hillsboro and Blanchard, and one one west of Buxton. He still has charge of the above churches, except the one at Blanchard. In 1887 he became editor of the paper mentioned, and is one of the strongest temperance advocates in the North west.

He is chairman of the Scandinavian Temperance Society of Dakota, and has been a powerful factor in temperance agita- tion in this region. The paper is devoted wholly to temperance work, and its influence for good has been very great.

Mr. Lonne was married at Neeby, Polk county, Minnesota, on the 26th of Septem- ber, 1883, to Miss Ida Saugstad, and they are the parents of two children-George and Cathrina. Mrs. Lonne was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, on the 15th of January, 1862, and is a daughter of Rev. Christian and Randine (Johnson) Saugstad, who were natives of Norway. Her father is a Lutheran minister, who is located at Crookston, where he is held in high esteem.

Mr. Lonne, whose name heads this article, is a man of excellent ability. A thorough newspaper man, and a pungent, able writer, he is recognized already as one of the lead- ing editors of the Red River Valley. A man of high moral character, of strict integ- rity, he is highly esteemed, both profession- ally and as an exemplary citizen.

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PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

J. ROSS, a well-known lawyer of Pembina, North Dakota, and one of the leading members of the Red River Val- ley bar, will form the subject of our present article. He was born at Ottawa, Canada, on the 24th of June, 1859, and is a son of Hon. William A. and Janet (Durie) Ross. His father is judge of the county court and one of the most prominent citizens of that locality.

H. J. Ross, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in his native province, receiving his earlier education in the common schools, and supplemented this with a thorough course at a collegiate institute, fin- ishing his course when about eighteen years of age. He then devoted about three years to the study of civil engineering and fol- lowed this profession for some time, both in Canada and Dakota. In the spring of 1882 le came to Pembina in the interest of a rail- road company. He followed civil engineer- ing and also studied law in the office of Gaffney & Kneeshaw.

He was admitted to the bar November 21, 1885, at a term of court presided over by Judge W. B. McConnell. Mr. Ross at once opened an office and has since been actively engaged in practice. He has always taken an active interest in public matters and served as the first,city justice after Pembina was incorporated as a city.

LARENCE E. BULLARD, attorney-at- law, is one of the earliest settlers and most active and enterprising business men in Verndale, Wadena county, Minnesota. He came to this place in March, 1878, when the vilage consisted of but one small building on the south side of the railroad track, and one residence on the north side, built by Judge Smith some time during the previous fall. When he came there was no depot

and not even a platform at which the trains. might stop for passengers to get on or off. As to signs of a town there were none, although a village had been platted at that place. But, as the village of Wadena was only seven miles west, and Aldrich but four miles east, and both of these towns were started by the railroad company, there was nothing done to encourage or support Vern- dale. So for a time it seemed that the effort to establish a new town on the railroad was to fail utterly. A few people kept coming, however, until the little settlement began to take on the aspect of a village. Then the citizens and new-comers raised some three hundred dollars, and donated more or less work, and by this means succeeded in hav- ing the railroad company put in a side track, so the people could have their supplies delivered to them in the manner customary in a railroad town. Mr. Bullard first engaged at carpenter work, which occupa- tion he followed for a short time. Soon he saw the necessity and advantage of handling farm machinery, so he put in a stock and carried on that kind of business in connection with his other work. The beginning was small and business was trifling, but, as the surrounding country became more thickly settled, business increased, and, in the year 1880, he sold about twelve car loads of machinery. In the spring of 1881 he gave up the farm implement trade and opened a law, loan and real estate office. In Novem- ber of that year he had associated with him, as partner, James Law, with whom he con- tinued in business for some six years.

Mr. Bullard is a native of Fort Madison, Iowa, where he was born in 1843. He is the son of Lorenzo and Sophronia Bullard. The parents drove with a team from Gen- esee county, New York, to Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1836, at a time when Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa were all one Territory. Mr. Bullard's oldest sister was the first child

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RED RIVER VALLEY AND

born in the Territory of Iowa after its organ- ization, and she was named Iowa, after the Territory.

In July, 1846, the family moved to Menom- onee, Wisconsin, where the father was largely interested in the lumber business. They were miles from the outposts of civilization, in the midst of a wild country, their nearest postoffice being at Prairie du Chien, a dis- tance of 280 miles. Mail was obtained by them about twice a year-in the spring and in the fall. Mrs. Bullard and two others were the only white women within 100 miles, and, as in the farther West, were a wonder to the natives. The Indians were almost constant visitors, and on account of their thieving and meddlesome propensities occasioned many an odd and critical ex- perience to these whites. For some years their sole dependence for provisions was in the Government boats which brought sup- plies to the soldiers at Fort Snelling. Mr. Bullard and those with him would come down the Chippewa river to Reed's Landing in their canoes and wait there until some Government boat came up the river, get their supplies, then paddle their way back again to their forest home.

Clarence E., the subject of our sketch, lived with his parents until he was eighteen years of age. Schools, like railroads, were few and far between in those early days in that timbered country, and the education obtained by Mr. Bullard until he was eigh- teen was obtained by dint of hard study at home and in the little log school-house. July 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was one of the regiments of the cele- brated "Iron Brigade." The regiment served under the noted Rufus King until the armies were divided into corps, when it became a part of the First Division of the First Brigade, First Army Corps, under Gen- eral McDowell. Mr. Bullard participated in

all the battles of the command, among them being Gainesville, August, 1863, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded by a musket ball, which forced him off duty for four months. January 1, 1864, he veteranized, and was commissioned as second lieutenant of the Thirty-sixth Wis- consin Regiment in March, 1864, being pro- moted to the first-lieutenancy of the same regiment in the following August. While with the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin he was in the battles of Furness Farm, North River, Cold Harbor and all through the siege at Petersburg. August 25, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Weldon Railroad and incarcer- ated in Libby prison. He was paroled Octo- ber 27, 1864, and December 4 following resigned and was discharged on account of disability. After receiving his discharge he went to Minnesota, locating at Reed's Land- ing, where he lived for six years. From thence he removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which place he made his home until going to Verndale, Minnesota, in the spring of 1878.

Mr. Bullard was married in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Miss Kate Farwell. They have an interesting family of three daughters.

Since coming to Wadena county Mr. Bul- lard has occupied a prominent place in the management of public matters. In 1879 he was appointed deputy clerk of court, this county being then connected with Crow Wing county for judicial purposes. In the fall of 1881 he was elected clerk of the court, holding that office for 'five years. When the village of Verndale was first organized, in the year 1883, Mr. Bullard was elected one of the board of trustees, which position he held for several years. This gen- tleman has always been one of the most active citizens in all matters of public inter- est, and was one of the principal factors in procuring the first educational institution in

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the village. The first school meeting was held in an old blacksmith shop, and the dis- trict was organized in 1878, Mr. Bullard being elected clerk of the district, which position he has retained ever since. He has been quite prominent in educational matters throughout his entire residence here, and it was mainly through his influence that the first school-house was erected. He is one of the charter members of the Masonic lodge which was organized in Verndale in 1879, he having been a Mason for many years, and a member of the Eau Claire Lodge, No. 62, and also of the Chippewa Commandery, No. 8, of Wisconsin. He is a member of the C. C. Parker Post, G. A. R., No. 133, organized in July, 1884, in which he has been one of the most active and influential members, and of which he has held the office of first adjutant, and also of commander for two years. Politi- cally he is one of the most active members of the republican party in northwestern Minne- sota, and has been a member of every legisla- tive and county convention during his resi- dence in this locality. Mr. Bullard is a man of wide experience and of mature knowledge of all matters pertaining to the practical side of life. His experience and training have all been on the practical side of things, and he is, therefore, well qualified for the position which he occupies as a leader in politics and a promi- nent business man.

ANDREW ADAMS, a prominent and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 10, Fisher township, Polk county, Minnesota, is one of the most intelligent representatives of the farming element in the Red River Valley and well deserves mention in a volume devoted to representative men of northern Minnesota.

Mr. Adams was born in Schoharie county, New York, on the 15th of December, 1855, and is a son of Benjamin and Harriet

(Jackson) Adams. When he was a mere lad but nine or ten years old his parents died and he was thrown upon his own resources. He saw many dark and discour- aging days, and hard times was by no means a stranger in his early experiences in life ; but his perseverance and industry never for- sook him and enabled him to overcome the obstacles and hardships which fell to his lot. After the death of his parents he worked for various farmers in his native State, and remained in that region until 1875. At that time he came West and found work among the farmers of St. Croix county, Wisconsin. In the year 1879 he came to Polk county, Minnesota, and took a home- stead of 160 acres on section 22, Fanny township. There he remained until June 20, 1888, when he removed to a farm which he had purchased, comprising 160 acres on section 10, Fisher township, where he now lives. He still owns his homestead, and, not- withstanding the many disadvantages which have beset him, he is now in excellent circum- stances.

Mr. Adams was married in April, 1883, to Miss Elsie Webster, a daughter of Calno U. and Mary T. (Carothers) Webster, who are noticed at length elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of the following children-Howard C., Charles W. and R. T.

Our subject has always taken an active interest in all matters of a public nature and has held various local offices. An old settler, he is well known, and is highly esteemed both as a neighbor and an exemplary citizen.

- -

SCAR YOUNGGREN, the present sheriff of Kittson county, Minnesota, is a son of Axel and Matilda (Mattson) Younggren, natives of Sweden. He was born May 1, 1863, in St. Croix county, Wis- consin, where he lived with his parents and

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attended school until he was seventeen, when he came to Kittson county, Minnesota. He acted as foreman on his father's farm of 2,580 acres until January 1, 1889, when he moved into Hallock and assumed the duties of sheriff, having been elected in November, 1888, on the people's ticket. Mr. Younggren did not accept the office for the salary, but rather for the experience it would give him. In business connections regarding the farm Mr. Younggren was the same as a partner with his father.

His parents still live in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and five of the sons are with them, while our subject and his brother Charles are in Kittson county. Charles is at present on the farm and will oversee the farm until the sheriff's term of office expires. Charles has been foreman on his father's farm at Red Wing, Minnesota, but severed his connection with it in the fall of 1888. Charles is married to Miss Carrie Olson, being the only one of the family that is married. Following are the names of the father's family - Charles, Palla, Oscar, France, Emma, Fredrick, Arthur, Melvin and Leonard.

W. McLANE, the subject of the present article, is among the most prominent and public-spirited citizens of Fergus Falls. He has extensive property interests here, and has been closely identified with the growth and development of the city, as every enter. prise calculated to be beneficial to either town or county has always received his active support and co-operation.

Mr. McLane was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1839, and is a son of John McLane. The father was a native of the North of Ireland, but came to the United States when a boy and settled in Pennsylvania. There in later years he engaged in contracting and build-

ing, handling some very extensive contracts in constructing the rock roads through the mountains. He died in Canada at the age of seventy years. The mother, Reid, was a daughter of Dr. A. Reid, of Kentucky, where they were among the pioneers, and her father was prominently identified witlı early public matters in that State. When she was only twelve years old she, with her father and mother, made a trip from Kentucky to Kingston, Ontario, on horseback, being some four months on the road.

J. W. McLane, whose name heads this article, grew to manhood and received his education in his native province. He has led an active business life ever since attain- ing early manhood, and is one of the most capable, thorough and successful business men in the western part of the State. Enter- prising and energetic, he has taken an active part in the development of Fergus Falls and vicinity since his settlement here, and may well be classed among the most prominent citizens of Otter Tail county.

P. HARREN is a manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes in Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota. He was born in Stearns county, Minnesota, near St. Cloud, August 30, 1861.

Mr. Harren's parents were Joseph and Magdalina (Bauer) Harren, the father being a native of Holland and the mother of Lux- emburg. The parents came to Minnesota at an early day and settled on a farm near St. Cloud, where their son John was born. The son remained at home attending school until he was thirteen years of age. He then went to St. Cloud, where he apprenticed to learn the boot and shoe business, serving three years. He then removed to Cold Springs, same county, where he worked at his trade for eight months. At the end of this time

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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 98

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