USA > Minnesota > Redwood County > The History of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
Digitized by Google
MANY YEARS AGO
-
Digitized by
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
DR. W. A. BRAND
Digitized by
645
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
born Nov. 6, 1876, of Sacramento, Cal., has two children; Jennie E., born July 12, 1879, is Mrs. Frank Stanford, Denver, Colo .; Catherine, born April 20, 1881, is now Mrs. Dalbert Hicks, Regina, Can., and has one child; Lillian, born Jan. 16, 1881, now Mrs. Chas. Walker, lives in California; Malcolm, born Sept. 4, 1882, lives in Portland, Ore., where he is a lawyer; Dorothy, born Sept. 17, 1883, is a high school principal; Maude, born May 29, 1884, now Mrs. Earl Butcher, resides in Redwood county ; Isabelle, born Jan. 6, 1886, is a school teacher at Minot, N. D .; Chester, born June 11, 1890, lives on the old homestead; and Blanche, born March 21, 1892, is a school teacher at International Falls, Minn.
William A. Brand, M. D., was born in Faribault, Minn., Feb. 25, 1876, son of Charles and Mary (Bury) Brand. His father was born in Germany in 1842 and came to America in 1860, locating in Illinois where he lived until 1867. Feb. 16, 1865, he enlisted in Company L., First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, saw service at Chattanooga, Tenn., and was discharged Sept. 27, 1865. In 1867 he located in Waseca count, Minnesota, where he home- steaded in Blooming Grove township. In 1880 he moved to Lac qui Parle county, Minnesota, and in 1885 to Big Stone City, South Dakota, where he conducted a nursery until his death in 1907. He was a member of the German Evangelical church, a class leader, and a very strong and active prohibitionist all his life. The mother was born in Berne, Switzerland, Dec. 1, 1840, came to America in 1848, and now lives in Big Stone City, South Dakota. William A. Brand graduated from the high school of Milbank, South Dakota, in 1899 and from the University of Minnesota in 1904, receiving the degree of M. D. He took up post-graduate work in the Chicago, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College and in the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, and June 14, 1904, located in Redwood Falls, where he has developed a very large practice. Dr. Brand is a member of the "Nu Sigma Nu" fraternity and of the state and national medical societies, also of the county society, being secretary of the county society from 1905 to 1910. He is very active in politics and was chairman for two years of the County Republican Central Committee in Red- wood county and for three years in Grant county, South Dakota. Since 1909 he has served as county health officer. From 1906 to 1910 he served as city health officer. From 1907 to 1909 he served on the school board and is now a member of the public library board. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., M. W. A., E. F. U., and with the K. P., in which he has held all of the chairs and is a trustee. He was also active in organ- izing Company L of the Second regiment of the Minnesota Na- tional Guards at Redwood Falls and was first sergeant for three years. He also was influential in getting a new armory and is now
Digitized by Google
646
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
the company's medical examiner. Other positions of honor now held by Dr. Brand are: Examining surgeon for United States Ma- rine Corps, member of legislative council of American Medical Asso- ciation for Minnesota, examining physician for advisory com- mission of State Sanatorium for Consumptives. Dr. Brand was married June 29, 1904, to Irene M. Ross, daughter of John Ross, a contractor and builder of Bemidji, and his wife Margaret (Shat- tuck) Ross, who died in 1914. Dr. and Mrs. Brand have two children : Berenice E., born Oct. 20, 1905, and William Ross, born March 21, 1912.
John Whittet, builder, contractor and agriculturist, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, Feb. 28, 1809, and was reared to the building trades. In August, 1850, he came to America and secured a tract of land in Sumner township, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he farmed until his lamented death, June 2, 1870. His wife, Janet Watson, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, Aug. 19, 1821, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Otto G. Striegl, at Milton Junction, Rock county, Wisconsin, June 2, 1911. The children in the family were six: John, of Redwood county; George, of Redwood county; William, of Rock county, Wis- consin; Thomas, of Redwood county; and Lena, now Mrs. Otto G. Striegl, of Rock county, Wisconsin. + D. W. Whittet of Redwood Falls, Job Bunting was born in England, was there reared, and as a young man came to America and located in Wisconsin, where he married Mary Nobles, also a native of the same country. In their family there were six children: Isaac, now of Dane county, Wisconsin; Joseph, now of Delhi, this county; Amos, now of Dane county, Wisconsin; Salina, wife of Henry Abbott, of Edger- ton, Wisconsin; Elizabeth, now wife of Arthur Vickers, of Albion, Wisconsin; and Alice, wife of David W. Whittet, of this county.
David W. Whittet, agriculturist, man-of-affairs and former county commissioner, has lived in Redwood county for more than forty-five years and has witnessed all the marvelous changes by which the county has changed from a wild frontier region into a well-settled, prosperous farming community of wealth and progress. He was born in Scotland, Sept. 24, 1848, son of John and Jennette (Watson) Whittet, who brought him to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1850. There he was reared and educated. In 1871 he came to Redwood county, and with his brother John bought 160 acres in section 35, Delhi township. Later John traded his interest to his brother George. David W. in addition to this has acquired a tract of 105 acres in section 2, Redwood township. For many years Mr. Whittet carried on general farm- ing in a successful manner. His son now occupies the farm and raises general mixed crops. For many years Mr. Whittet was too busy developing his farm to accept public office, though he was from the very beginning interested in the progress and better-
Digitized by Google
-
-
Digitized by Google
OX TEAM
Digitized by
647
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
ment of the whole community. Later he began to assume many public responsibilities. For twelve years he served on the board of supervisors, part of the time as chairman. For a time he was township assessor. His excellent work for the township attracted attention, and he was elected county commissioner, serving for six years with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. Fraternally, Mr. Whittet is a member of Red- wood Falls Lodge, No. 91, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Whittet was mar- ried March 22, 1868, to Alice Bunting, born in Dane county, Wisconsin, May 15, 1848, daughter of Job and Mary (Nobles) Bunting, and this union has been blessed with four children : Byron, William, Mary Jessie, and James. Byron was born Feb. 2, 1871; William, Feb. 8, 1875; Mary Jessie, Aug. 27, 1877, and James, June 3, 1883. There are also eighteen grandchildren, fourteen boys and four girls.
William G. Ward, attorney, civil engineer, legislator and vet- eran of the Civil war, was born in Oneida county, New York, Dec. 27, 1830, and was there reared. As a young man he came to Madison, Wisconsin, and there, in 1858, he took up the study of law with Wood & Blake. Later he had such men as Matt. Baldwin and George B. Smith for his preceptors. Thus prepared, he was admitted to the bar, Judge Harlow S. Orton being the presiding judge when he was admitted. When the call came for troops to defend the Union, Mr. Ward enlisted and served throughout the conflict. Upon coming to Minnesota, Mr. Ward was made chief engineer on the Winona & St. Peter Railroad. Mr. Ward became a prominent man, represented his district in the legislature several terms, and in 1880 was a candidate for member of Congress on the Republican ticket. In December, 1852, Mr. Ward married Martha Dodge. She died in November, 1865, leaving two children: Clarence Tully Ward, formerly of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, now deceased, and Anna Lucretia, now the widow of E. A. Hendrickson, of Minneapolis. For his second wife, Mr. Ward married Ella Trowbridge, and to this union there were born four children: Mattie, widow of D. L. Cummings, of Waseca, Minnesota; Rosco P., of Waseca; Flor- ence, now Mrs. C. H. Watson, of Waseca; and Earl Whipple, of Canada.
Clarence Tully Ward, for many years one of Redwood Falls' most eminent as well as most popular citizens, was born in Boone- ville, New York, Sept. 15, 1854, son of William G. and Martha (Dodge) Ward. As a boy he was brought to Madison, Wisconsin. When the Civil war broke out and the father enlisted in the army, the duty of helping support the family fell upon young Clarence, and in after-life he often told with relish of selling papers on the streets of Madison to bring in a little money for his mother. In 1868 he came to Minnesota and joined his father
Digitized by Google
648
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
at Waseca. After attending school there for a while he took the four years' course in Shattuck Military Academy at Fari- bault, this state, and then studied two years in the University of Minnesota. Then he entered the law office of Davis, O'Brien & Wilson at St. Paul. Thus prepared he was admitted to the bar and entered into partnership with E. A. Hendrickson, at St. Paul. In November, 1882, he came to Redwood Falls and entered into partnership with his father-in-law, Judge H. D. Baldwin. Later they discontinued the practice of law, purchased the private banking business of George Brayley, and established the Red- wood County Bank. He was city recorder in 1884, and was mayor of Redwood Falls in 1886. He assisted in the material upbuilding of the city by erecting several buildings on Main street. Fra- ternally he was a chapter, commandery and blue lodge Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Ward was a generous, liberal-hearted man, and made friends wherever he went. His death, May 25, 1893, was sincerely mourned. He was married, Dec. 21, 1876, to Annie Elizabeth Baldwin, who was born in Dunkirk, Wisconsin, daughter of H. D. Baldwin. Three children were born to this couple: Ella, born Aug. 8, 1879, and died March 12, 1888; Clinton B., born Aug. 10, 1881, and died Nov. 7, 1882; and Harry W., now of Redwood Falls.
Harry W. Ward, the present city recorder of Redwood Falls, was born in Redwood Falls, April 3, 1884, son of Clarence T. and Annie E. (Baldwin) Ward. The father was born in 1854 and came from Waseca to Redwood in 1882, and with H. D. Baldwin opened the Baldwin & Ward Bank, now the First Na- tional Bank. He remained with this institution until his death, 1892. The mother was born in 1855 and was a daughter of H. D. Baldwin. Harry W. Ward attended the public schools and the high school and finished his education at Macalester College and at Shattuck College of Faribault. He turned his attention to the banking business and organized the State Bank of Carlyle, Car- lyle, South Dakota, becoming its president until the fall of 1912, when he went into the real estate and insurance business in Redwood Falls. Jan. 19, 1914, he was appointed city recorder, and in January, 1915, was elected to the same office for the ensuing term. Mr. Ward is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and also of the K. P. He is a member of the Episcopal church. He was married Oct. 5, 1906, to Mary Dunnington, born Feb. 7, 1886, daughter of T. E. and Mary Dunnington. Her father is a tobacco dealer of Malta, Ohio. He has served as postmaster for sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have one child, Grace, born Dec. 22, 1907.
Darwin L. Bigham, for nearly fifty years a resident of Red- wood county, has, since the earliest days, been a vital factor in its growth and progress. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio, Nov. 24,
Digitized by Google
649
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
1843, son of William and Martha (Ross) Bigham. He received an excellent early education at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and was graduated as a civil engineer in the fall of 1866. He came to Minneapolis and engaged in the produce business with A. L. Whitney, under the firm name of Whitney & Bigham, the store being located on Bridge Square. In connection with this store, Mr. Bigham traveled extensively through Minnesota, buy- ing butter, eggs, potatoes, beans, onions and the like, thus sup- plying the farmers with ready cash and bringing to Minneapolis many much needed staple articles of food. In 1867 he decided to locate in Redwood Falls. The place on account of its natural beauty and future possibilities had appealed strongly both to his artistic and business sense. With Henry Baker, he set out from Minneapolis with a horse team, passed through Watertown, Green Leaf, New Ulm, Ft. Ridgely and Beaver Falls, crossed the Martell Ferry at the Lower Sioux Agency, and reached his future residence. Upon his arrival here, he purchased the Honner cabin, facing north on the alley which now divides block -. Mr. Hon- ner continued to live in one side of the house. Mr. Bigham began to deal in land and early in 1868 opened the first lumber yard west of New Ulm. This he continued for several years. During the grasshopper period he lost many thousands of dollars in bad debts and it took him many years to recoup himself. Mr. Bigham has served as county surveyor at intervals since the earliest days and has been prominent in road, bridge, and ditch building. For several years he did most efficient service as county superintendent of schools. In connection with his busi- ness he has traveled extensively in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and he has also visited the Argentine Republic, staying several months each time. He has been on the township board, on the village council, on the board of education and has served in other positions of public trust and private honor. Mr. Bigham was married Aug. 18, 1867, to Anna Stimson, who was born in England, Dec. 31, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Bigham have been blessed with six children: Zelma, Martha, William, Lydia, Addie G., and Darwin R. Zelma is the wife of Robert Turrell, a civil engi- neer for the Great Northern Railway at Havre, Montana. Martha married Frank Colver, who has been connected with the St. Paul Despatch for some twenty years. William R. died in 1890 at the age of nineteen. Lydia A. married F. A. Searing, secretary of the Board of Trade at Mankato, Minnesota. Addie G., a linotype operator, is at home. Darwin R. is a farmer in Montana.
Angus D. McRae, register of deeds, was born in Ontario, Canada, on Dec. 14, 1874, a son of John D. and Mary (Matheson) McRae. Mr. McRae lived at home with his parents until he was about seventeen years of age. In 1894 he graduated from the Sleepy Eye high school, after which he attended the Mankato
Digitized by Google
650
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
normal school for one year. Mr. McRae then taught two years in the public schools of Brown county, and on Sept. 10, 1897, he started the newspaper known as the Sanborn Sentinel at San- born, Minnesota. He continued running this paper until the fall of 1908, at which time he was elected register of deeds of Red- wood county, and has since been re-elected three times, and still occupies that position. Mr. McRae was postmaster of Sanborn, Minnesota, from the spring of 1903 until Jan. 1, 1909. He was also treasurer of the village of Sanborn for three years. Mr. McRae is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in the same. Mr. McRae was married on Nov. 29, 1901, to Margaret E. Dotson. Mrs. McRae was born Nov. 9, 1875, and graduated from the high school of Santa Cruz, California. She was a teacher in the public schools of Redwood county for four years. She is a daughter of Enos P. and Emma (Knapp) Dotson. Mr. Dotson was a grain dealer at Sanborn, Minnesota, for twenty-eight years; he was the organizer of the State Bank of Sanborn, and was its president for many years. He was also mayor of the village of Sanborn for thirteen years. Mr. Dotson (age 63) and Mrs. Dotson (age 57) are now living at Santa Cruz, California. Angus D. McRae's father, John D. McRae, was born and raised in Ontario; he moved to the United States in 1879, and farmed in Home township, Brown county, until the fall of 1913, at which time he gave up farming and moved to Maxville, Ontario, where he still lives in good health at the age of eighty-two years. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-four years with her husband at the same place.
Rudolph Stensvad, better known as "Rud." Stensvad, cream- eryman, garage owner, dealer in automobiles, accessories and supplies, is one of that long list of men who have added distinc- tion to the mayor's chair of the city of Redwood Falls. Ener- getic and progressive, he has taken an interest alike in rural and city development, and has had his share in the modern upbuilding of the county. He was born on a farm in New Rich- land township, Waseca county, this state, March 11, 1874, son of A. J. Stensvad and Ingeborg Rollefsdotter, who came from Norway as young people, were married in Waseca county, and farmed in New Richland township the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1904 and the mother in 1881. "Rud." at- tended the district schools of his neighborhood and was reared on the home farm. At the age of seventeen he became an appren- tice buttermaker in the North Star Creamery in his native town- ship. Seeing the need of better preparation, he entered the State Dairy School of the University of Minnesota at St. Anthony. He graduated in the spring of 1892, and went to Belvidere Mills,
Digitized by Google
-
1
RUD. STENSVAD
Digitized by Google
..
Digitized by
-
Digitized by Google
T. W. WOOD- Aug 1860_
To-oyale-duta. Little Crow-
Digitized by Google
651
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
Minn., where he engaged in creamery work. He was similarly employed in Bird Island from 1893 to 1894, and in Hartland from 1894 to 1898. Then he and his brothers, Ole and John, went to Iowa and purchased creameries at Rock Valley, Marcus, and Hull. The Hull creamery came under the direct management of the subject of this sketch, who successfully conducted it until 1907. It was that year that he sold out, came to Redwood Falls, and purchased the old Farmers' Co-operative Creamery. He disposed of the old building, moved the equipment to its present location at the corner of Mill and Third streets, purchased new machinery, installed new systems in various departments, and built up a splendid institution, making himself one of the leading creamery- men of the Northwest. In April, 1916, he purchased the Lobdell Garage, securing the equipment, and leasing the building for two years, with the option of buying at any time during these two years. Of his future plans, the Redwood Gazette at that time said: "Mr. Stensvad will have associated with him his two sons, both of whom understand automobiles, repairs, battery work, etc., thoroughly. A complete Cadillac service station will be installed in the garage. Mr. Stensvad having been the Cadil- lac representative for southwestern Minnesota for several years, will continue the agency, along with the garage business proper. The agency for United States tires and supplies will also be con- tinued and also the Willard storage battery station, special atten- tion being paid to the recharging and keeping in order of batteries.
"Mr. Stensvad has had broad experience with automobiles and all lines of work connected with them. His new quarters, which Mr. Lobdell leaves splendid equipped for all lines of work, give a fine opportunity to both Mr. Stensvad and his sons to put their knowledge to use to the best advantage and to render better service to the public than ever before. The many friends whom Mr. Stensvad has made during his Redwood Falls residence are pleased that he is to continue his work under the more favor- able conditions of the new establishment. Every one is confident that the success of the Lobdell garage will be continued under the new proprietorship." The months that have passed since then have more than justified these expectations, and Mr. Stens- . vad is building up a substantial business, which is rapidly increas- ing in size and importance. Mr. Stensvad is the secretary and treasurer and executive committee member of the Retail Auto- mobile Dealers' Association, which has for its object and motto "Standardization of the automobile business, making it a busi- ness, not a game." Since 1912 he has been president of the Red- wood County Agricultural Society, and to his efforts and devoted work is largely due its splendid reputation throughout the state. Politically, Mr. Stensvad has been very active. For two terms
Digitized by Google
652
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
he has been on the city council, and for one term did excellent service as mayor. He is secretary of the Redwood County Cen- tral Democratic Committee, and has been a delegate to state Democratic conventions. For two terms he has managed the political campaigns of Hon. Joseph R. Keefe. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic and Pythian orders. Mr. Stensvad was married at Hartland, Minnesota, July 26, 1895, to Lina Sibil- rud, born Nov. 1, 1878, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius C. Sibilrud. Mr. and Mrs. Stensvad have been blessed with three children, Ingolf M., born Jan. 8, 1897; Julian Arthur, born June 20, 1898, and Norma Agnes, born Jan. 26, 1902. Both of the sons are employed by their father as mechanics.
Donald Stewart, a sturdy pioneer of Redwood county, was born in Campbellton, Scotland, May 1, 1834, son of Hugh and Annie (McLean) Stewart, descended from the ancient royal Stewart clan of that country. The former came to Canada when Donald was a boy. There they lived for a number of years. From there in 1860 Donald Stewart and his brothers, Archibald, Andrew and John, came to Wabasha county, this state. It is worthy of note that all of these four brothers afterwards came to Redwood county and all became prominent and prosperous citizens, Andrew being the only one of the four who is now living. Donald Stewart arrived in Redwood county in the fall of 1871 and secured a half section of land in sections 10 and 15, Redwood Falls township. His first building was a frame shanty 16 by 24 feet, which in later years was converted into a granary. Begin- ning to farm on a small scale and gradually breaking more and more of his land, Mr. Stewart in time attained unusual pros- perity. Of sturdy Scotch principles, he early espoused the pro- hibition cause and fought hard for his belief in the days when temperance was not so popular as it is at the present time. At one time he was a candidate for the legislature. A thorough believer in education, he served for some years as a school director. It is worthy of note that Mr. Stewart specialized in the dairy business at the time when many others believed that this county was more adapted to the feeding and shipping of stock and would never become a leading cow district. His active life was brought to an untimely end July 2, 1896, when he was killed in a runaway accident. Mr. Stewart was married in Lon- don, Canada, July 1, 1861, going back to Canada from his farm in Wabasha county to claim his bride. His wife, Catherine (Wat- son), was born in Scotland, June 1, 1833, came to Canada as a girl, lived with her husband some ten years in Wabasha county, came to Redwood county with him, was an admirable helpmate in all his endeavors, and survived her husband by two years, dying Nov. 30, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were the parents of eight children : Annie L. is the wife of Andrew D. Smith, of
Digitized by Google
--
653
HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY
Paxton township, Redwood county, Minnesota; Andrew D. is a farmer of Redwood Falls township, Redwood county; Margaret, of Seattle, Washington; Robert, of Redwood Falls township; Archie, deceased; Belle, now Mrs. W. J. McDonald, of Walnut Grove, Redwood county; John, of Melford, Minnesota; Cather- ine, now Mrs. Francis Pollard, of Morgan, Redwood county.
Andrew D. Stewart, agriculturist, man-of-affairs, and public speaker, was born in Wabasha county, this state, March 31, 1864, son of Donald and Catherine (Watson) Stewart, and was still a boy of tender years when his parents brought him to Redwood county in 1871. Here he was reared to agricultural pursuits and received his early education in the little red schoolhouse of dis- trict four, the fourth public school erected in this county. Later he attended the Winona State Normal School for two years. Thus equipped with the groundwork of the education, which he has since increased by deep reading and wide observation, he started teaching school in this county, serving schools at Delhi, North Redwood, and district No. 61 in Sheridan township. For several years the father and three sons, Andrew D., Robert, and John, farmed together on the old homestead, improving and developing it in various ways. In 1894 the partnership was dis- solved, Andrew D. taking two hundred and eighty acres in sec- tions 15 and 16, Redwood Falls township, and Robert taking a similar tract. It was at that time that Andrew D. moved into a small frame house on his present farm. By diligent labor and industrious effort, Mr. Stewart increased his farm to its present size of 600 acres. In 1899 he built his splendid present residence, and as necessity has required he has erected various barns and outbuildings. At the present time he is erecting a second set of buildings with the intention of dividing his farm into two divisions, both of which will be devoted largely to dairying and cattle feeding. A feature of this new set of buildings will be a concrete barn 34 by 64 feet. Nearly all of the farm which goes with these new buildings is tiled and fenced and the whole place will constitute one of the best rural estates in the county. As a public man, Mr. Stewart is widely known. He has perfected himself in the art of oratory and his services in this regard have been greatly in demand in Sunday school assemblies, farmers' picnics, social affairs. Aside from his farm holdings in Redwood county, he owns a half interest in a tract of three hundred fifty acres in Cass county, this state. A sincere friend of the farmer and true believer in rural co-operative effort, he has been secre- tary of the Redwood Falls Farmers Mutual Insurance Company nearly twenty-five years. He is president of the Redwood County Rural Telephone Company, director of the Farmers Elevator Company of Redwood Falls, secretary of the State Mutual Cream- ery and Cheese Factory Fire Insurance Company, and secretary
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.