USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 3
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et purchased Mr. Francois' interest and has since successfully
conducted the business alone. In 1886 he erected his present to store building, which is two stories in height with a base- imant, and is forty-eight by one hundred and twenty-four feet. #is built of brick and fitted up with all modern improvements- nisam heat, water, sewerage, electric lights and cash carrier sys- It is well located and has every convenient arrangement "for the accommodation of his immense stock of goods, which "ró always of the best grades and selected to meet the require-
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ments of his patrons. He carries everything to be found in a first- class general dry goods store, employs an efficient corps of clerks, and by his courteous and fair treatment has gained a liberal patronage. In connection with his mercantile interests he is a large stockholder in the newly organized Redwood County State Bank, an institution destined to become one of the leading finan- cial institutions of Redwood county; he also owns a number of farms and city residences which he rents. Mr. Philbrick is a prominent and representative citizen of Redwood Falls, and has been called upon to serve in several official positions, being a member of the city council two terms, city mayor six terms, and county commissioner four years, during which time he served as chairman of that body. While holding that office the court house and county jail were built under his personal supervision. as chairman of the building committee. At one time he was asked to become a candidate for the state senate from his district, but modestly and positively declined, as he cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office, and prefers to confine his attention to his business interests. In the positions which he has filled, however, he has always proven himself an intelligent, capable and efficient officer, and his many friends were greatly senator. He has also been called upon to settle up several estates. disappointed that he would not become their candidate for state Fraternally he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Philbrick was married in 1880 to Miss Ella V. Blair, of LaCrosse, Wis., daughter of A. A. Blair. They have one son, John Blair Philbrick.
Note .- It is with a deep feeling of sorrow that since the beginning of the compilation of this history, we have been called upon to chronicle the death of Mrs. Ella Blair Philbrick (wife of our subject, F. W. Philbrick), who passed this life on May 19, 1916. Mrs. Philbrick was a woman of rare attainments, pos- Bessing a beautiful and noble character, and was beloved by all who knew her.
Mrs. Ella Blair Philbrick. Ella V. Blair, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Blair, was born at Brandon, Vermont, July 31, 1850, and when quite young came with her parents to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, growing to womanhood in that city and taking up the art of music teaching as a vocation. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of that city and for sixteen years was a faithful member of its choir. On April 21, 1880, she was united in marriage to F. W. Philbrick, who had the year pre- viously become a business man of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Coming to Redwood Falls, Mrs. Philbrick at once became a prominent factor in church work and social circles. She united with the Presbyterian Church and proved herself an ardent
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worker for many years. She became a Christian Scientist during the later years of her life and found much comfort and beauty in her new faith. She was an enthusiastic leader in the ranks of the suffrage movement and after constant agitation suc- ceeded in perfecting an organization called the "Equality Club" and was its efficient president until failing health forced her to give it up. She was also a vice president of the Woman's Suffrage Association of Minnesota. She was a charter member of the Pythian Sisters, also a member of the Relief Corps and W. C. T. U. She had a natural gift for music and art and was the possessor of a beautiful voice which was always at the command of every worthy event. Her untimely death came as a most sorrowful blow to her many friends, occurring on May 19, 1916, just before the completion of this history. Thus has fallen the curtain of life over a most beautiful and noble character, one whom in life it was ever a pleasure to meet and know, and one by whom the world has been benefited for her having lived in it.
Francis G. Hubbard, of the Hubbard-Davis Co., clothiers, haberdashers and men's furnishers, Redwood Falls, was born at Brasher Falls, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1874, son of Reuben G. and Mary E. (Russell) Hubbard, the former of whom was a leather worker and harness maker. After the death of the father in 1885, the mother married Reuben S. Whipple who, in 1887, brought the family to Redwood Falls. Thus arriving in this city as a boy of twelve years, Francis G. Hubbard was sent to the graded schools, and in due time graduated from the high school. With this prepa- ration, he entered the employ of the clothing firm of Aune & Thune, in which situation he continued for some twelve years. In October, 1902, having, during his twelve years of business life not only thoroughly acquainted himself with the clothing trade but also with the needs of Redwood Falls in this line, he formed a partnership with his uncle, Geo. H. Russell, of New York, and under the firm name of F. G. Hubbard & Co. opened his present store, assuming at once the position of active mana- ger. The death of the uncle Sept. 15, 1905, necessitated a change in the firm, and in 1909 the Hubbard-Davis Co. was incorporated with a capital stock of $12,000, Francis G. Hubbard being presi- dent; F. W. Ferris, vice president; and George M. Davis, secre- tary and treasurer. In 1915, Mr. Davis was succeeded by G. E. Larson. The store is well located in the Peterson building on Washington street, carries a large stock of well selected goods and enjoys a well deserved patronage. Busy as he is with the details of his large trade, Mr. Hubbard has found time to interest himself in public, religious and fraternal affairs. He is a director in the Redwood County Agricultural Society, and a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the K. of P., in both of which he has held official positions. The Methodist Episcopal church, of which he
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is a trustee, and its Sunday school, in which he has long been active, have found him an energetic and valued worker. Mr. Hubbard was married June 14, 1899, to Rosella M. Ferris, daugh- ter of J. W. and Rhoda (Driesbock) Ferris, the former of whom is the manager of the local branch of the Standard Oil Co. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have one daughter, Grace Elizabeth.
James W. Inglis, D. D. S., a well known dental practitioner of Redwood Falls and prominent man in the affairs of the Second Infantry, M. N. G., was born in Columbus, Columbia county, Wis., March 29, 1876, son of James and Isabelle (Hall) Inglis. He was there reared to young manhood, passed through the public schools of his neighborhood, was graduated from the Oshkosh (Wis.) Normal School in 1898 and from the Dental School of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1901. Thus prepared, he went back to Columbus and opened an office where he engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1904 he came to Redwood Falls where he has since been located and where he has acquired a large clientele. His offices are well equipped and Dr. Inglis keeps well abreast of the latest trend of thought and manipula- tion in all departments of oral operation and hygiene. Being thoroughly ethical in the practice of his profession, Dr. Inglis has allied himself with the National, The State and The Southern Minnesota Dental Associations. A thorough believer in educa- tion, he has taken an especial interest in the Redwood Falls public library and is now serving as one of its directors. Of military life, Dr. Inglis has made a hobby and has found in this line of endeavor, recreation and diversion. Joining Company L, Second Regiment M. N. G., he was soon elected captain, a position in which he served for three years. Upon retiring from this position he became Inspector of Small Arms on the Staff of the Colonel of the Second Infantry with the rank of captain, a position which he still retains. In connection with the military service he has won high honors as a marksman and sharpshooter. His fraternal relationships are with the Masonic and Pythian orders. James W. Inglis is descended from Scottish ancestry. His father, James, was born in Selkirk, Scotland, came to America in 1852, living in Boston two years, went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama where he lived for three years. He then engaged in farm- ing in Columbia county, Wis., where he is still living at the good old age of eighty-eight years and where his good wife passed away in 1913 at the age of eighty-two years. James W. Inglis was married October 25, 1904, to Minnie Swett, who was born May 18, 1872, daughter of Franklin Swett, an architect at Fond du Lac, Wis. Mrs. Inglis graduated from the Oshkosh (Wis.) State Normal School and taught school for five years. She died December 18, 1908, leaving one child, Miriam, born September 6, 1905. September 3, 1913, Dr. Inglis married Gertrude
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G. Hicks, who was born November 26, 1884, daughter of Steven P. Hicks, who farms near Tracy, Minn. Mrs. Inglis graduated from Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, this state, and from Ober- lin College, Oberlin, Ohio, and taught school for a number of years before her marriage.
George Johnson was one of that small band of sturdy pioneers who settled in Redwood county in 1864, the first year in which people ventured to live here after the massacre. He was born in Bloom county, New York, was raised in that state and at the age of twenty-one started out in life for himself. An example of the conditions existing when he was a young man is shown by the fact that for several years he received but $7.00 a month for his services. In 1840 filled with the sturdy spirit of the early pioneers he came westward to Wisconsin and took up a claim near the present city of Watertown. He erected a log cabin and with a team of oxen started breaking the land. So highly did he improve this place that in 1852 he was enabled to sell it for $6,000 in gold. Then he came to Minnesota and settled in Le Sener county where he farmed for some twelve years. It was in the fall of 1864 when he ventured up the Minnesota valley, found Col. McPhail and others who had then been living a few months at Redwood Falls and after visiting with them a short time, took a claim four miles east in Honner township. There he again started pioneer life. He constructed a shack, farmed with a team of oxen, lived on the simplest of fare and endured all the hardships, toils and privations incident to life in the frontier country. In 1876, ripe in wisdom and experience, he retired from active life and took up a home in Redwood Falls. He died while visiting his former home in Le Seuer.
Henry D. Everett, pioneer Redwood Falls hotel keeper, and developer of one of Redwood county's best farms, was born in Orange county, New York, descended from a long line of sturdy Welsh pioneers of that state. As a young man he became a harness maker and carriage trimmer. In 1857 he moved to Ripon, Wisconsin, and from there to Berlin, Wisconsin. In both of these cities he followed his trade, and in the meantime developed a farm lying midway between the two places. It was in 1878 that he came to Redwood Falls, and became proprietor of the old "Commercial Hotel," located on the present site of the jail. Later he conducted the "Exchange Hotel," located on the present site of the "McAllister Hotel." About 1890, he moved to what is now the Alexander farm, west of the fair grounds, and de- veloped this farm into one of the best in the county. Eleven years later he retired and moved to a pleasant home on Wyoming street, in Lamberton's addition, Redwood Falls. Here he died in 1902. Mr. Everett was a man of genial temperament and energetic disposition, and was widely known and liked. At one time he
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served on the city council of Redwood Falls. He was married in Orange county, New York, to Caroline Mather, a direct descend- ant of Cotton Mather, the Plymouth colonist. This union was blessed with five children: Charles V., Elizabeth, Edward S., Janette and Fannie. Charles V. is treasurer of Redwood county. Elizabeth is the widow of E. D. McClintock, and lives in Minne- apolis. Edward S. is now traveling in Wisconsin, having until recently lived in Everett, Washington. Janette married O .. L. Dornberg, and died in 1884. Fannie teaches in Seattle, Wash- ington. The mother died at her home, while on a visit, in 1915. ington. The mother died at her home, while on a visit, in 1915.
Charles V. Everett, county official, public spirited citizen, and man of affairs, has been connected with the official life of Red- wood county since 1885, and there is probably no man better acquainted with the county's records and transactions than he. In addition to his county work, he has been prominent as a fraternity man, as an officer of the county fair, as chief of the fire department, and as one of the energetic "boosters" of Red- wood county and Redwood Falls. He was born in Orange county, New York, Sept. 3, 1852, son of Henry D. and Caroline (Mather) Everett, both of old Colonial stock. He was brought to Wisconsin by his parents and received his early education in the schools of Ripon and Berlin, in that state. In 1875 he went to Boston, Mass., and took a two years' course in Comer's Commercial Col- lege. In 1878 he joined his parents in Wisconsin, and with them came to Redwood Falls the same year. For a time he engaged in the hotel business with his father and for a time in the livery business with E. D. McClintock. In the early eighties he became assistant to Till Tibbetts, then county surveyor. Jan. 4, 1887, he succeeded Mr. Tibbetts, and held office until Jan. 3, 1893. Since that time he has continued his interest in civil engineering and has done more or less surveying even to the present time. Mr. Everett worked in the auditor's office under Till Tibbetts who took office in 1887, and Andrew H. Anderson who took office in 1891. In 1895, when Charles W. Mead became sheriff in place of Casper Blethen, resigned, Mr. Everett became his deputy. Again, under Isaac N. Tompkins, who took office in 1899, he became deputy auditor, and so continued under Lars P. Larson who took office in 1907. When N. V. R. Hunter died in August, 1911, Mr. Everett was appointed treasurer, in which position he still remains. He was a charter member of the I. O. O. F., and belongs to the Masons, the Foresters and the Maccabees. He has been secretary of the county fair for some years, and was at one time village marshal of Redwood Falls. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Everett was married Sept. 14, 1887, to Jennie Geraldson, born Sept. 17, 1870. This union has been blessed with two children, Helen .and Harold
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IN THE REDWOOD VALLEY REDWOOD FALLS, MINN.
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Ben. Helen was born July 21, 1891, graduated from the Albert Lea College, Albert Lea, Minn., in 1914, and is now a teacher in Columbus, Mont. Harold Ben was born Feb. 9, 1894. He has been assisting his father in his official duties, but is now on the Mexican border with Company L., Second Regiment, Minne- sota National Guard.
Marion F. Johnson, assistant superintendent of the beautiful Ramsey State Park in Redwood Falls, has lived in this county longer than any other man, coming here when there were only a few scattered cabins. He has watched a pioneer country, but recently ravished by the Indians, developed year by year into one of the most prosperous communities of the Northwest. During the nearly half century which he has lived here as boy and man. he has had his part in the development and upbuilding of the community and is one of the most honored and revered citizens of this part of the Minnesota Valley. Mr. Johnson was born in Watertown, Wis., Oct. 22, 1849, son of George and Mary (Calph) Johnson, both natives from New York state. He was taken by his parents to LeSeuer county in 1852 and brought by them to Redwood Falls and Honner township in 1864. Upon his first ar- rival in Redwood Falls he slept for a time in the famous McPhail cabin which is now reserved as a historic landmark in the park of which he is assistant superintendent. At the age of seventeen he struck out for himself, but two years later returned home and at the age of twenty-one was presented by his father with eighty acres of land. This by diligent effort he developed and improved. He erected some splendid buildings as conditions required and in time had one of the finest farms in the neighbor- hood. In 1905 he retired from farm life and in 1911 disposed of his farm holdings. He has been engaged in his present work at the park since 1912. A republican in politics, Mr. Johnson has seen considerable public life both in Sheridan and Redwood Falls townships. He was chairman of the town board, overseer, roadmaster and member of the school board in Sheridan. While in Redwood Falls he has been a councilman and a member of the board of education. His fraternal affiliation is with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Johnson was married in 1876 to Mary E. Stegner, who died in 1906. In 1913 he married Mrs. Laura Peck. He is the father of ten children: Hannah, Mary, Josephine, Benjamin, George, Alwilda, Leonard, Sarah, Bessie, and Florence.
Frank Clague, lawyer, former representative and senator of the state, was born in Ohio, came to Minnesota in 1881, attended the common schools and Mankato State Normal School and taught school for five years. Then he read law in the office of Pfau & Young of Mankato and was admitted to the bar in November, 1891. He practiced law at Lamberton, Minn., until Jan. 1, 1910, when he located in the city of Redwood Falls where he now
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resides. He was county attorney of Redwood county from 1895 to 1903; state representative from 1903 to 1907, being speaker of the House during the session of 1905; and state senator, repre- senting Redwood and Brown counties, 1907 to 1915. He was vice president of the Senate and chairman of the finance com- mission during the sessions of 1911 and 1913. Mr. Clague does a general law business, is interested in farming and banking. At present he is director of the State Bank of Redwood Falls and president of the First National Bank of Lamberton, also presi- dent of Lamberton Land Company. Fraternally he is associated with the A. F. & A. M., commander of the Redwood Falls Com- mandery and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is also a member of the K. P., I. O. O. F., B. P. O. E. and M. W. A. lodges. Mr. Clague was married in 1895 to Stella Porter, a daughter of John and Ellen Porter of Vernon Center, Blue Earth county, Minn.
August C. Burmeister, proprietor of the Redwood Falls Roller Mills and Electric Light plant, was born in Hille, Germany, April 9, 1861, son of Frederick Burmeister, a farmer in Germany, who died in 1900 at the age of eighty-two and his wife, Anna (Hop- man) Burmeister, who died in 1887 at the age of fifty years. August C. Burmeister came to America in 1877 and worked as a miller in Irving, New York, for two years. The next few years were spent at various places, one year in Milwaukee; one year in Milford, Wis .; another year in Milwaukee; two years in Madi- son, Wis .; and two years in Lake Mills and Madison, Wis. In the fall of 1889 he came to Redwood Falls and bought the Red- wood Falls Roller Mills. When he purchased the plant it had a capacity of fifty barrels per day; now it has an output of 125 barrels per day. It is thoroughly modern, equipped with both water and steam power. In 1898 an electric light plant was started and run in connection with the mill until 1909, when a suitable building was erected and modern machinery installed. It is located on the bank of the Redwood river, north of Redwood Falls. It uses an alternating current of 300 horsepower and 200 kilowatt and serves Morgan, Morton, Franklin and North Red- wood. At the present time Mr. Burmeister is installing a public heating plant which will supply the business houses. Seven men are regularly employed at his plant and much extra help is fre- quently engaged. Mr. Burmeister is one of the prominent men of Redwood Falls and holds several responsible positions. He was president of the First National Bank of Redwood Falls for some time and at present is the vice president and chairman of the board of directors. For four years he has been a member of the city council and also of the board of education. Mr. Bur- meister was married Sept. 10, 1887, to Lillian J. Hooper, born Dec. 24, 1863. Her father, Richard Hooper, a miller at Lake
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MR. AND MRS. A. C. BURMEISTER
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Mills, Wis., was born in Cornwall and died in 1912 at the age of eighty-five years. The mother, Abigail (Lent) Hooper, now lives at Lake Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Burmeister have had five children : Edith, Winnifred, Margaret, Charles and Augusta. Edith was born June 17, 1889. After graduating from the Redwood Falls high school, she entered Hamline University, and was there gradu- ated in 1912. Subsequently she taught school at Elmore, Minn., a year. She is now the wife of L. Parsons, who is proprietor of a garage at Amboy, Minn. Margaret was born Feb. 17, 1902. After graduating from the Redwood Falls high school, she entered the Illinois Women's College, at Jacksonville, Ill., and was there graduated in 1915. She is now teaching at Buffalo, Minn. Charles was born Aug. 27, 1905, and is doing well at his studies in the Redwood Falls schools. Augusta is dead.
Ole J. Bollum, superintendent of the county home, was born in Goodhue county, Dec. 5, 1862, son of Ole and Helena (Opegaard) Bollum. The father was born in Norway, came to America in 1862, engaged in farming in Belvidere township, Goodhue county and remained there until his death in 1893 at the age of seventy- six years. He was married in 1847 and his wife died in 1914 at the age of ninety-three years. Ole J. Bollum remained at home until his marriage in 1886 when he engaged in farming for himself. In 1892 he left Goodhue county and entered the general merchandise and hotel business at Boyd, Minn. At the end of seven years his property burned and he moved to Hanley Falls, where he engaged in the hotel and grain business until 1908. Then for three years he sold monuments for Pentony Bros. in Redwood Falls. His ability attracted attention, and on June 15, 1912, he was appointed to his present position as superin- tendent of the county home and county farm. No better a man could have been chosen. With good business ability, and execu- tive talent, he combines a special aptitude for solving the many problems incident to his position, and both his work and his worth are highly regarded throughout the county. The county home has twenty-six acres of land on the western side of the city. There is a fine building costing about $17,000, accommo- dating about twenty people. There are from.10 to 15 inmates at the present time. Mr. Bollum was married May 26, 1886, to Annie Carlson, born July 19, 1867, in Norway. Her father, Karl Carlson, was born in Norway and came to America in 1870, living at Frontenac, Goodhue county till his death, January, 1906, at the age of sixty-nine years. Her mother, Karina (Loekken) Carl- son, died in 1899 at the age of seventy-two. Mr. and Mrs. Bollum have had four children: Claude O., born Nov. 5, 1887, and died April 14, 1889; Chester O., born June 6, 1889, died July 29, 1913; Edwin H. and Edith C. (twins), born Aug. 13, 1894. Edwin H. is clerk for Aune & Thune, in Redwood Falls.
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John Clark, a retired farmer of Redwood Falls, Minn., was born in Scotland, Oct. 15, 1844, son of John and Margaret (Sin- clair) Clark. The father was born in 1803 and emigrated in 1856, with his family to Ontario, Canada, where he bought 100 acres on which he lived until his death in 1877. The mother was born in 1813 and died in Ontario in 1890. Of the nine chil- dren in the family living, John and his sister, Catherine, now Mrs. Archie Currie, of western Canada, are the only ones living. John Clark left the parental roof at twenty years of age `and bought 100 acres near his father's place on which he lived until 1879. In that year he came to Redwood county and bought 80 acres in Redwood Falls township. Later many improvements and additions were made until at one time he owned 600 acres, on which he made a specialty of raising grain and breeding swine, cattle and horses. The farm was well situated in a fine grove and was further beautified by a small apple orchard of about two and a half acres. Here he lived until 1913 when he retired and moved to Redwood Falls where he owns a pleasant home sur- rounded by three acres of well kept grounds. As the children grew to maturity he gave each one of them a portion of the farm. His son, Chester, is now living on the old homestead, the other children all having sold their portions and moved away. Mr. Clark has taken great interest in the activities of the community and has been chairman of the board of supervisors of Redwood Falls township for four years. He was trustee of the school board of district No. 46 for nine years, and for fifteen years he was assessor of Redwood Falls township. In politics he is a Repub- lican. The family faith is that of the Christian church. Mr. Clark was married Nov. 5, 1864, to Mary Jane Caldwell, a lady of Scotch descent, born in Ireland, Jan. 5, 1847, daughter of James and Margaret (Morrison) Caldwell. From Ireland, the Caldwell family came to Canada in 1848, where the parents died, the father on January 17, 1869, and the mother, Feb. 8, 1878, leaving four children: James, now of Michigan; John, now of Colorado; Mary, now Mrs. John Clark; and Roger, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the proud forebears of eighteen chil- dren, thirty-one grandchildren and one great grandchild. John, born Sept. 2, 1865, lives in Regina, Canada, and has six children; Margaret, born Sept. 18, 1866, now widow of Geo. L. Evans of Redwood Falls, has eight children and one grandchild; James, born Nov. 1, 1868, of North Dakota, has four children; Flora, born March 15, 1867, now Mrs. T. S. Wilcox, Wabasso, Minn., has four children; Rebecca, born Nov. 22, 1869, now Mrs. Charles Beers of Redwood Falls township, has three children; Daniel, born April 1, 1870, is a merchant at Minneapolis; Alfred, born August 16, 1872, is a lawyer at Portland, Ore .; Alexander, born August 9, 1874, lives in Regina, Canada, and has three children; Fred,
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