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 99
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 99
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he went to Alexandria, Douglas county, Min- nesota, where he found employment for four years, at the end of which period he removed to Clitherall, Otter Tail county, opening a business for himself and continuing therein until March, 1882; at that time he came to Red Lake Falls and opened a shop on the day after his arrival. He continued to run this shoe shop until September, 1886, when he put in a large stock of boots and shoes.
Mr. Harren was married in Red Lake Falls, November 5, 1884, to Miss Mary Peble, a daughter of Joseph and Rosa (Thuma) Peble, natives of Bohemia. This marriage has been blessed with two children-Rosa and Joseph.
Mr. Harren and wife are members of the Catholic church, and are held in high esteem in religious and social circles. Mr. Harren is a member of the brass band of Red Lake Falls, of which he holds the position of sec- retary.
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DWARD M. DARROW, M. D., a prom- inent physician and surgeon of Fargo, North Dakota, is one of the best-known members of the medical profession in the Red River Valley.
Dr. Darrow was born at Neenah, Wiscon- sin, on the 16th of January, 1855, and is a son of Daniel C. and Isabella (Murray) Darrow, who were both natives of New York State. Our subject spent his boyhood- days at home attending the common schools until he was ten years of age, when he went to Oshkosh, and there attended high school. He then took a thorough course at the Lawrence University, remaining three years in that institution. At the expiration of that time he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated with honors in February, 1878. In the following April he came to Fargo and began practice. From the very first he has met with success, and
now has one of the most extensive practices in the city. He continued alone until March, 1882, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Wear.
Dr. Darrow was married at Appleton, Wisconsin, October 21, 1879, to Miss Clara Dillon, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Barington) Dillon, who were natives of Ireland. The doctor and his wife are the parents of two children - Mary and Bessie.
Dr. Darrow is one of the most successful practitioners in the city, and he is held in high esteem, both professionally and as an exemplary citizen. He has always taken an active and prominent part in matters affect- ing the welfare of the city, and every laud- able enterprise receives his hearty support and encouragement. He was the first superintendent of the Territorial board of health of Dakota, and is the present superin- tendent of the Cass county board of health.
The doctor is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Consistory.
HOMAS ROBB, the capable grain- buyer at the Farmers' Elevator, was one of the first settlers in that part of Wadena county, Minnesota, in the vicinity of Wadena city. He is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born in 1854. His father was a merchant of the city in which Thomas was born, and continued there until the latter was about nine years of age, when the family removed to Perthshire. Here the family settled on a farm, and Thomas remained with them until 1873, being given the advantages of a good education and such other training as would fit him for an honor- able business career.
In the fall of 1872 a Scotch and English colony was formed, known as the “Fur- ness Colony." The subject of our sketch
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RED RIVER VALLEY AND
joined this company, and at one of their meetings he was appointed as one of a com- mittee of five to come to northwestern Min- nesota and Dakota to choose lands for their settlement. Accordingly, in the early spring of 1873, with the other members of the com- mittee and ten other persons, he came to this country and prospected in the region of Brainerd, thence going to Wadena, where they made their first considerable stop. The latter town then embraced but a few houses, there being the depot and section-house, one store and one dwelling. They also stopped at Frazee City, Hawley, Glyndon and Fargo, and spent a day or two in each place, looking over the lands in the vicinity of those towns. From Fargo they returned to Glyndon, and then taking a hand-car they went out that line of railroad for a distance of fifty miles. in search of lands best adapted to agricult- ural purposes. After considerable inves- tigation they decided to purchase their lands from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in two or three townships adjoin- ing the town of Wadena. When the details of the purchase were completed, Mr. Robb took up a farm some three miles from Wad- ena. where he lived for about two years. He then obtained the title to the land and joined his brother in purchasing farms, outside of colony lands. in Otter Tail county. He made farming his business for a number of years, and became one of the leading men in Otter Tail county, being also one of the original settlers in the town of Campton. He took an active part in public matters and held the office of township clerk for ten successive years. In 1883 the Farmers' Elevator was built in Wadena by a stock company, in which Mr. Robb was a leading spirit. In 1SST the elevator came into his hands, and, in company with Nels Rolan, he engaged in buying wheat. In the fall of that year Mr. Robb became the sole owner of the business, and conducted the same until the fall of 1Ss8,
when he rented it to the party for whom he is now buver. He still owns his farm of 220 acres, which is rented at present.
In the fall of 1ST8 Mr. Robb returned to the land of his boyhood, in Scotland, and was there married to Miss Jemina Gael. The following spring they returned to their Minnesota home. They have a family of six children, all of whom are living.
Mr. Robb is an active and public-spirited man, and is in hearty sympathy with every- thing that pertains to the welfare of his adopted town. He is an active member of Wadena Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary. He belongs to the Congregational church. Of a family of thirteen, Mr. Robb and a brother James are the only ones in the United States, the others all living in Scotland.
LON. J. E. WOOD, of Detroit. Min- nesota, is one of the leading business men of Becker county. He has been closely identified with business interests in that locality for a number of years and his strict integrity and honorable business methods have given him a high place among the most reliable and substantial business men of that portion of the State.
LE T. LANGEN, who has a lumber vard and is also engaged in the feed business at Battle Lake. Otter Tail county, Minnesota, will form the subject of our pres- ent biography. He was born in Norway, January 30, 1844, and is a son of Tron O. and Bertha L. (Larson) Langen, who were also natives of that country. In 1852 the family came to America, landing at Quebec, proceeding from there by boat to Milwaukee
PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.
- and made their way to Iowa, settling in Win- neshiek county, where the parents still live. They were among the pioneers of that locality.
Our subject, Ole T. Langen, grew to man- hood there. receiving his education in the district schools. helping his father to carry on the home farm in the meantime. In 1868 he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and located on a farm. taking a pre-emption near St. Olaf. When the village of Battle Lake was started he engaged in business at that point, being joined by his family the next year. He has since remained in business there. and his straightforward and honorable business methods have built up for him an extensive trade. He has always handled wagons and various other implements in connection with his lumber yard. and does a business of about $10.000 a year.
Mr. Langen was married on the 3d of February. 1870. to Miss Julia Larson, and they have been the parents of six children, four of whom are now living - Bertha. Agnes M., Leonard H. and an infant. Mr. Langen and wife are exemplary members of the Lutheran church. He is a prohibitionist in political matters.
PATRICK KELLY, one of the pioneers of the Northwest. is one of the most highly respected citizens of Caledonia. Traill county. North Dakota. where he is engaged in the livery business. Having come to the Red River Valley in the days of its first settlement he hassince been closely identified with its history. and has seen it in all the the various stages of its development, from pioneer times up to the present day.
Mr. Kelly was born in Waterford. Racine county. Wisconsin, March 14, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Anna (Mc Williams) Kelly, who were both natives of Belfast.
Ireland. Our subject remained with his parents and attended school at Water- ford until he was fourteen years of age, when he commenced work for the Northwestern Stage Company, and remained in their employ for about fourteen years. In 1871 he came to Moorhead, Minnesota, which was then composed almost wholly of tents. and for about -eleven years ran a stage between Moorhead and Winnipeg. He was here at the time of the terrible Indian scare of 1874, but continued running his stage and many of the fugitives were his passengers. In 1891 he quit the stage business and engaged in farming in Traill county, North Dakota, settling upon a homestead of 160 acres on section 4. Caledonia township. He remained there for five years. when he sold out and engaged in the liquor business in Caledonia village. This he continued for a couple of years, when he engaged in the livery business, which he has since followed. He is a genial, affable gentleman, a capable business man, and a man of the strictest integrity. He has always taken an active part in public affairs, has served as town supervisor, and every enterprise affecting the welfare of village or county receives his hearty aid and encouragement.
Mr. Kelly was married in Caledonia to Miss Anna Brown, the adopted daughter of John and Catharine Brown. Their marriage has been blessed with the following children John .T., Gertrude E .. Robert Earl and Anna Josephine.
IGNATZ REICHERT, proprietor of the Long Prairie House, is one of the leading hotel men in the Park Regions of Min- nesota. He is a native of Germany, born in Byron, on the 8th of August. 1838. and is the son of John Reichert. The mother of our subject died when he was ten years old. and the father is leading a retired life in
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Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He emigrated to the United States in 1850 and located about thirty-five miles from Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, where he farmed for ten years, then settling in Fond du Lac, where he has since remained. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of seven children- Catharine, Margaret, Ignatz, Mary, George, Michael and Henriette.
Mr. Reichert, of whom this memoir treats, received his education in his native land, where he remained until he was eleven years old. At that age he emigrated to the United States with his father and located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1860 he engaged in farming on his own account in Washington county, Wisconsin, and after eighteen months sold out and engaged in the retail liquor business for three months. He then purchased the Fond du Lac Hotel, and after running it two months sold out to his brother-in-law. Soon after he built the Wisconsin House, and followed that business until 1868, when he removed to Spring Hill, Stearns county, Minnesota. He bought a farm, but in a short time sold it and went to Sauk Centre, where he ran a hotel for four months, and then removed to Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, and erected the hotel he now runs. He has also been engaged in the livery, meat market and har- ness business, but devotes the greater portion of his time to his hotel.
Mr. Reichert was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Tapp, who died July 4, 1862. Our subject was married to his second wife in October, 1862, a Miss Regina Jentz, and they have been blessed with nine children --- George, John, Mattie, Michael, Anna, Henry, Regina, Frankie and Minnie. Our subject and his family belong to the Catholic church. In his political belief he is an adherent to the principles of the democratic party. He is well known as a hotel man and his house is well patronized by the traveling public.
RITZ HENNEBOHLE, one of Moor- head's most prominent German resi- dents, and a man who does a vast amount of business in various directions, proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel, manufacturer of brick, and also a farmer, will form the subject of the following biographical sketch.
He was born in 1843, in Germany, the son of Hon. Theodore Hennebohle, also of German birth. The parents lived and died upon the farm they had worked ever since they were married. They had a family of eleven children, four of whom are now living -Adolph, Carls, Frederick and Lizzie. The father, it may be added, was a large farmer and was a representative in his country for two terms. He was also lieutenant in the German army.
Our subject was raised on the farm, living at home until he was sixteen years of age, during which years he had been sent to school, as most boys in that country are. He learned the machinist's trade and in 1866 came to America, settling in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade. In 1869 he had heard and read of the chances of Duluth being a great money-making place, then just springing up, so he went there, running a repair shop for the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad. He also ran a small wagon shop at Duluth for about a year and a half, after which he came to Moorhead, in 1871, running a hotel and store for a time, when the hotel was burned. He continued doing business in the store for about five years. He next bought a farm and commenced to operate that, also engaged in making brick. He now owns 400 acres of land. In 1879 he erected his present hotel-the " Saint Charles"-and has since operated that. He owns other buildings, including a store building adjoining his hotel, as well as a fine block built in 1888. The whole property, building and lots, is worth $17,000.
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He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Nemier, of Germany, the daughter of George and Theresa Nemier. They have seven chil- dren-Mary, Fritz, Adolph, Tresha, Lizzie, Annie, and a baby, unnamed at this writing.
Politically our subject is a liberal demo- crat. He has given much toward public benefit in Moorhead and was among the early settlers there.
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HOMAS WALSH, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is one of the oldest pioneers of the Red River Valley. He was born in County Louth, Ireland, November 14, 1822. He commenced life for himself when about twelve years old by learning the tailor's trade at Montreal, Canada, serving an apprenticeship of four years. He then for two years worked as a journeyman at Burlington, Vermont, from where he went to Willsborough, Essex county, New York, where he opened a tailor shop on his own account. In 1856 he removed to Henderson, Sibley county, Minnesota, where he opened a shop and clothing store and served as post- master under President Johnson's adminis- tration. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, and participated in all the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged up to the battle of Nashville. He was wounded in this battle and for three inonths laid in the hospital at Jeffersonville, Indiana, after which he joined his regiment at New Orleans, proceeded to Mobile, and partici- pated in the taking of Spanish Fort. He was mustered out in September, 1865, and returned to Henderson to resume his busi- ness. In April, 1871, he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and engaged in the lumber, milling and mercantile business as a member of the firm of Griggs, Walsh & Co. Four years later they sold out to the Hud- son Bay Company, and since that time he
has been engaged in the real estate business. He has held about all the city or county offices at different times and served for six years as register of deeds. He built the first house in Grand Forks. He has taken a very prominent part in the upbuilding of the city and his name is a familiar one throughout the entire valley. No man has been more prominently identified with the history of this region.
Mr. Walsh was married at Montreal, Canada, February 2, 1846, to Miss Eleanor Ranson, and they became the parents of the following family -George H., Carrie, Charles A. and Edmund. Carrie and Charles are dead. George married Laura M., a sister of Capt. Alex. Griggs, and is living on his farm near Grand Forks. He is an attorney by profession, and is at present a. member of the Territorial council. Edmund is a resident of Crookston, and is clerk of court, and one of the leading citizens of Polk county, Minnesota.
Thomas Walsh is an honored member of the Catholic church, and also of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ALMER W. NILES, one of the earliest settlers of Wilkin county," Minnesota, having located there in 1872, is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, on section 4, township 131, range 47. He is a native of New York State, born in Bombay, Franklin county, December 15, 1834, and is a son of Reed and Sarah (Babcock) Niles, natives of Vermont. They were the parents of the following-named children-Hittie, Louisa, Louisa, Alzina, Benjamin, Harry, Palmer, Alzada, Stephen Wallace, Reed, Helen Maria, Ransom, Stephen Wallace and Ransom.
Mr. Niles, of whom this article treats, remained at home with his parents until he
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was nineteen years old, when he went to Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where he fol- lowed mill work and carpentering for eleven years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, and after working at his trade and blacksmithing for some time removed to Minnesota, locating in Stevens county. After remaining there a short time he went to Meeker county, Minnesota, and erected the first building in Litchfield. In 1872 he removed to Wilkin county, Minnesota, and after working a year at bis trade in Breckenridge located on his present farm. He has improved and cultivated his farm since that time, and now has one of the most desirable farms in the county. His farm comprises 200 acres of excellent land, and has good building improvements.
In reviewing the life-work of our subject, we find that he enlisted in 1861 in an inde- pendent Wisconsin infantry, and after his discharge he again enlisted in September, 1864, in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, receiv- ing his discharge in 1865. He served in the battles of Nashville, Franklin and Col- umbia. After he was mustered out he located in Clinton, Iowa, and after a time returned to New York. From New York he went to Wisconsin, and, as narrated above, from there came to Minnesota. He is one of the leading farmers of the county, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Niles was married in 1871 to Miss Juliette Moore, and they have been blessed with five children-Ernest, Benjamin, Her- bert, Helen and Alice. Mr. Niles is a demo- crat in his political affiliations. He has held the offices of justice of the peace, con- stable, supervisor, etc., and is actively inter- ested in all local matters. He is a member of Sumner Post, No. 57, Grand Army of the Republic.
ERDINAND D. KEYE, one of the prominent business men of Argyle vil- lage, Marshall county, Minnesota, is engaged in the drug business in that place. He is a native of New York State, born in Niagara, New York, on the 4th of February, 1853, and is the son of Andrew and Frederica (Ouden) Keye, natives of Germany. The father helped build the suspension bridge at that place, and later removed to Minnesota, pre-empting a claim of 160 acres in Goodhue county.
Mr. Keye, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood-days on the farm, where he remained attending school and assisting his father until he was twenty-one. At that age he borrowed money and built a mill in Flor- ence township on Wells creek. He remained there, meeting with the best of success, but the mill was finally destroyed by fire, and as he had a great quantity of stored wheat the payment of the losses left him without any- thing. He then removed to Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he erected the first building, and homesteaded land on the town site. He then put a small stock of goods in his dwelling-house, and a few months later, on the advice and with the assistance of A. J. McCay, of Goodhue county, erected a sub- stantial store building, Mr. McCay furnish- ing the money. He put in a general stock of merchandise, and after following the busi- ness for six years sold out to Olson & Holen, who are now carrying on the business. After selling out our subject entered into partnership with his present brother-in-law, H. O. Gil- bertson, in the drug business, which they have since continued. Mr. Keye also owns 1,000 acres of land, which he rents. He is one of the leading and successful business men of the village, and is a man of excellent business qualifications.
Mr. Keye was married in Red Wing, Min- nesota, March 23, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth Terwilleger, the daughter of Gilbert and
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Margaret (Sandt) Terwilleger, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Keye have been blessed with one child-Ralph, born June 10, 1882, and died January 1, 1889.
He has held the following offices : First president of the village council, county com- missioner, town commissioner, etc. Mrs. Keye is a lady of excellent literary attain- ments, and previous to her marriage followed the profession of a school-teacher. She is school director and is a lady who is highly esteemed by all who know her. For an ex- tended time she was book-keeper for her hus- band and is thoroughly competent in almost any branch of business.
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H. WHIPPLE, senior member of the firm of Whipple & Spicer, proprie- tors of the principal livery and sale stable of Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, is one of the well-to-do and influential citizens of this part of the county. He is a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1845.
The parents of Mr. Whipple were George L. and Martha (Rider) Whipple, both of whom could boast of nativity in the Empire State ; the father was a contractor and builder, and was a man of wealth and in- fluence in the locality in which he lived. The parents moved to Minnesota in 1866, and settled on a farm in Foster township, Faribault county, where the father lived until his death, which occurred in 1883.
The subject of our sketch was an only child and was given excellent, educational advantages in Pennsylvania, his native State. When he grew up he engaged in selling notions and jewelry, continuing in this line of business until the spring of 1862. Then, when he was about sixteen years of age, he enlisted as a fifer in the One Hundred and
Thirty - second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. His enlistment was for the period of nine months, but he remained in the service for one year, participating in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg and Chancellorsville, being slightly wounded in the hand and arm at the battle of Fredericksburg. At the end of this year's service he returned home and soon after enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment, New York Independent Battery. At this time he veteranized, enlisting for three years, or during the war, remaining in the service until the close of hostilities between the North and South. Mr. Whipple was in the expedition against Petersburg, and was with the Union Armny when that city was cap- tured. At the close of the war the subject of our sketch went to Fall Brook, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where for eighteen months he engaged in driving a delivery wagon. He then came to Minnesota, where he lived with his parents on the home farm in Faribault county, for about two years, at the end of which time he moved into the town of Wells, where he purchased a livery stable and outfit. Nine months were sufficient to satisfy Mr. Whipple with the livery business in Wells. He then went to Duluth, where he found employment at painting for Lavaque & Foss, who had a contract for painting depots, hotels and emigrant houses along the Northern Pacific Railroad. One year was spent by him at this work and then he came to Detroit, Becker county, where he opened the first paint shop in the village. One year later he sold out his busi- ness, and then engaged in running the Wilson Hotel for one year. The following eighteen months were spent by Mr. Whipple on a claim in the township of Richwood. Thence removing to West Richwood he cleared up a farm and remained thereon two years, losing both crops by the destructive grass-
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hopper raids. This was a hard loss to bear and Mr. Whipple turned his attention to other business. He purchased a dairy estab- lishment at Lake Eunice, and carried that on for nine years with good success. At the end of this time he moved to Detroit village and leased the Northern Pacific Hotel, which he conducted fer about eight months, then, in April, 1887, in company with Mr. Spicer, he purchased his present livery outfit.
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