The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 103

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246

USA > Minnesota > Mower County > The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated > Part 103

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Edwin Price, retired farmer, of LeRoy, was born in Shrop- shire, England, October 6, 1848, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Price, natives of the same shire; Thomas Price dying in 1888, and Elizabeth Price in 1886. Edwin received his early education in England, and in 1871 came to America, locating first for a few months at Portage, Wisconsin. Then he made his home at Fountain, Fillmore county, for a period of eight years, farming, threshing and working in the pine woods. Subsequently he purchased 160 acres in Jamestown township, Howard county, and to this later added an adjoining tract of 160 acres in Oakdale, making a fine farm of 320 acres, all in Iowa. On this tract he carried on general farming until November, 1901, when he retired, rented his farm and moved to LeRoy, where he purchased the home where he now resides. When conducting agricultural operations, Mr. Price made a specialty of full-blooded Poland-China hogs and Durham cattle. While in Iowa he was a member of the school board of

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his township, and served two years as superintendent of roads. He has also been street commissioner in LeRoy three years. IIe is a stockholder in the Farmers' Creamery at Bailey, Iowa, and aside from his farm in Iowa, he owns his own residence, another residence, and twenty-three building lots in the village of LeRoy. Mr. Price was marreid on Easter Monday, in April, 1878, at Chat- field, Fillmore county, to Sarah Linn, who died August 30, 1893, leaving six children: John, who is a railroad express clerk, lives in the state of Washington; Robert, who has passed through the chairs of the LeRoy I. O. O. F. Lodge, lives in LeRoy and is a clerk for Porter & Young; Mary L., who has held all the offices in the local Rebekah Lodge and is now recording secretary, keeps house for her father ; Anna E. is a teacher at Jackson, Minnesota ; Veronica H. and Joseph E. clerk in a drug store at LeRoy. They are both graduates of the LeRoy high school.

Charles A. Roy, for many years a prominent merchant of LeRoy, was actively identified with the social, business, politieal, civic and fraternal life of the county, and his life and character had a most salutary effect on the progress of the village. He was born in Lyndon, Illinois, February 8, 1842, son of Judge John Roy and Martha Foster Roy, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New Hampshire, from which states they moved to Illinois at an early date. Charles A. was reared on a farm, and received a good education, being engaged in farm pursuits at the outbreak of the Civil war. When but nineteen years of age he enlisted as a bugler in Mcclellan's Dragoons, August 2, 1861, at Chicago. He served in the Peninsular campaign under Mc- Clellan, and saw his first serviee at Williamsburg, where a horse was shot under him. Mr. Roy served with the Army of the Potomac, until the fall of 1863, his last service with this army being in October of that year, around Culpepper. In this engage- ment he also had a horse shot under him. After this, the com- pany was placed in the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, and Mr. Roy was sent home sixty days to recruit. Then he went to St. Louis and New Orleans, and thence up the Red river to Alexandria, seeing service about the Red and Atchafalava rivers. Then he went to New Orleans, and eventually was assigned the duty of hunting guerillas about Donaldsonville, where he was honorably dis- charged, August 4, 1864, reaching home, September 18 of the same year. A year later, November 30, 1865, he was married at Lyndon, Illinois, to Frances E. Lathe, daughter of Moses and Elizabeth (Rogers) Lathe, natives, respectively, of Massachu- setts and New York, who located at Amboy, Lee county, Illinois, in 1848, and in Lyndon, Illinois, in 1851, Moses Lathe passing away in 1880 at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife in 1853 at the age of thirty-six years. Mrs. Roy was born in Hornby,

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Steuben county, New York, August 11, 1844. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Roy spent a few years in Lyndon, and then in April, 1868, came to LeRoy, where Mr. Roy associated himself with I. Ingmandson in the tin and hardware business. The firm continued until 1871, when Mr. Ingmandson retired and Mr. Roy took over the business alone. After many years he received his son Foster L. into partnership, and the firm became C. A. Roy & Son. At the time of his death, Mr. Roy had been in continuous business in LeRoy for forty-two years. He was a member of the Masonic order, and belonged to the Knights Templar and the Eastern Star, being also a member of the G. A. R. In these orders he took an active interest, holding the highest positions in the gift of each. When the village was organized Mr. Roy was one of the committee on incorporation, and was elected first recorder, a position in which he served for many years. He was also one of the first trustees of the opera house and for several years its manager. In every way he was a most useful citizen. At the time of his death, December 5, 1910, he left besides his widow, four children: Mrs. Mabel R. Coffeen, of Westboro, Massachu- setts; C. I., a prominent clothing merchant of LeRoy ; Foster L., a hardware merchant of LeRoy, and Frank V., of Springfield, Missouri. The widow of the subject of this sketch is one of four children : Sarah L., deceased; Mrs. C. A. Roy; Wilhelmina, now Mrs. Quackenbush, of Seattle, Washington; and Charles, of Illi- nois. Mr. Roy was a member of the school board for a good many years and was president of that body at the time of the building of the new school.

Harry N. Sargeant was one of the pioneers of the town which perpetuates his name, was the first clerk of the town on its organ- ization, and held that position for many years. He was also the chairman of the meeting which was called September 16, 1873, at his home, for the purpose of organizing what is now the town of Sargeant. Harry N. Sargeant was born in South Stukely, Shefford county, Province of Quebec, June 19, 1817, son of Ros- well and Phoebe (Allen) Sargeant, both natives of Vermont, who located in Canada in 1800, and there ended their days. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in early life, December 22, 1838, married Anna Parker, who was born in Canada, December 22, 1821. The young couple lived on the old homestead in Canada, until 1858, when they went to Oak Grove, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where they purchased a farm. March 1, 1864, Mrs. Sargeant died, and just one year later her husband sold out and started for Mower county, going to La Crosse by land, by team across the river, and by the same convey- ance to the south half of section 11, township 104, range 16, where he had purchased land the previous year. At that time sixty

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acres were under eultivation, and a small frame house had been ereeted on the southeast quarter. Mr. Sargeant developed and improved the land in many ways, and successfully carried on farming operations, attaining honor and distinction. In addition to being town elerk he also served as school clerk and postmaster. The subject of this sketeh married Anna, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Willard) Parker, and eight children were born: Rox- ana, Harriet P., Aliee L., Eliza W., Harry A., Maleolm, George W. and Edwin J. Roxana is the deceased wife of Charles Owen. Harriet, the housekeeper after her mother's death, died in 1909. The influence of her pure, unselfish life lives in those who knew her best. Aliee married William Hambright. Eliza is a well- known school teacher. She was born in Canada, received her early education in the distriet sehools of Wisconsin and Minne- sota, and then graduated from the State Normal school at Winona. She taught for a while in Northfield, but most of her educational work has been done in District 91, Sargeant town- ship, where she was employed as the first teacher after the organ- ization of the school district, beginning that term in her father's eorn-erib, the new schoolhouse not being completed. At the elose of two weeks both teacher and pupils were glad to move to more commodious quarters. The whole period of her service covers some twenty years. Maleolm married Maria Harrington, of Red Rock township. They reside in Wyndmere, North Dakota. George W. married Belle Lewis, of North Dakota. They resided in that state for several years, but are now living in Lodi, Cali- fornia. Edwin J. married Agnes Keef, of Minneapolis. They with their two sons, Cedrie, and Norman, remained on the old homestead until the fall of 1910, when they moved to Kasson, Minnesota, where the boys are attending sehool.

Harry A. Sargeant, now of Northfield, Minnesota, was for many years a prominent man in Sargeant township. He was born in South Stukely, Quebee, Canada, May 26, 1855, son of Harry N. and Anna (Parker) Sargeant. He went to Wisconsin with his parents when three years old, and eame to Mower county with his father when ten years old. January 24, 1884, he mar- ried Anna Johnson, a native of Wisconsin. He became prominent in town affairs, and served as justice of the peace, assessor and town elerk. Their children are Nathaniel J., Arthur P., Howard L., and Willard H. The parents moved to Northfield in 1906, for the purpose of giving their sons better educational advan- tages. Arthur P. was a student at Carleton College three years, and is now taking the medieal course at our state university. Howard L. is a senior at Carleton. Willard H., many years younger than his brothers, is in the Northfield publie school.

Nathaniel Sargeant is a prosperous farmer of Sargeant town-

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ship, which was named for his grandfather. He was born in section 11, Sargeant township, son of Harry A. and Anna (John- son) Sargeant. He received his early education in the schools of his neighborhood and graduated from the Stewartville High school. Since then he has devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits. He married Clara, daughter of John and Mary (Milligan) Gordy, and they have two children : Florence and Olive.

Sever Temanson, a hard-working farmer of Racine township, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, December 16, 1860, son of T. T. Omsrud and Inge Omsrud Temanson, who came to Mower county in 1866 and settled in Racine township. The father was a shoemaker and farmer, and continued these occupations until his death in 1887. The mother died in 1867. Sever was educated in the district schools and as a young man, worked out. In 1888 he purchased eighty acres in section 5, Racine township, and eighty acres in Frankford township. Here he carries on general farming, raises Durham cattle for dual purposes, and has a fine drove of Red Jersey pigs. Mr. Temanson is an independent Republican. He was road overseer one year, school director two years, school treasurer fifteen years and has served in other posi- tions of public and private trust and honor, including two years' work as a member of the town board. He has been a director of the Grand Meadow creamery seven years and is also a director of the Farmers' store at Spring Valley. His wife, Andrine, whom he married March 18, 1886, was born June 15, 1865, and died June 21, 1907. The Temanson home has been blessed with ten children : Ida, Sanford, Ely, Mattie, Albert, Alice, Martha, Toulo, Milton and Thelma. Ida married Halvor Hanson, of Racine, and Sanford is a clerk in a store in North Dakota. The rest are at home.

Edward A. Whitcomb, the efficient and well-liked carrier on route two, out of LeRoy, was born in Walworth county, Wiscon- sin, October 5, 1841, son of Edward and Almira (Child). Whit- comb. He came to Minnesota with his parents in 1855, and was reared on a farm in LeRoy township, assisting his parents in breaking and developing their farm. In 1875 he took charge of the home farm, and worked this tract, which consisted of 160 acres in section 30, and 120 acres in section 20, until 1890, when he came to the old town of LeRoy and took care of his parents. Later he sold his farms, and in 1890 purchased his present com- fortable home in LeRoy. February 1, 1903, he received an ap- pointment to his present government position. Mr. Whitcomb is a veteran of the Civil war, having joined Company K, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in 1862. He served until 1864, when he reenlisted as a veteran, remaining until the close of the war. He participated in the Grand Review in Washington, was

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mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and discharged at Fort Snelling in the fall of 1865. In civil life he has been no less dis- tinguished. He has been a member of the LeRoy board of educa- tion eleven years, village marshal five years, assessor of LeRoy township several years, and secretary of the board of education in LeRoy township, distriet number four, many terms. He is a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Eastern Star, in the Masons, and also a member of the G. A. R. The subject of this sketch was married, February 22, 1868, to Margaret A. Taylor, born December 5, 1840, at Ulysus, Tompkins county, New York, and this union has been blessed with three children: Frank, Ruben, and Eunice L. Frank married Anna Laws. Mrs. Whit- comb was a daughter of Ruben and Catharene (King) Taylor, natives of New York and Vermont, going to Ithaca, New York, in 1841, where Mr. Taylor engaged at fine carpenter work on ship building and finishing. In 1867 they came to Minnesota and located in the old village of LeRoy, her mother dying two months later, July 17, 1867. Mr. Taylor passed away in October, 1868.

Edward Whitcomb, the pioneer, and Almira Child, his wife, were born in Vermont, moved to New York state and then to Wisconsin. In 1855 they came to LeRoy township, arrived Octo- ber 4, and located on a 120-acre timber elaim two miles northwest of LeRoy village. Later they settled on a elaim of 160 acres of wild land in the same township, and there farmed until about 1875, when they retired and moved to the old town of LeRoy, where both died.

Edward S. Bosworth, manager and owner of the LeRoy Elec- trie Light plant, was born in the village where he now resides, January 14, 1871, son of Daniel and Ann (Nevins) Bosworth. He attended school in LeRoy, and after completing his schooling spent ten years of his life in northern Minnesota. In 1899 he returned to LeRoy and is now engaged in operating the electric light plant which his father started that year. Mr. Bosworth married Elizabeth Powell, daughter of Lorenzo Powell, and they have one child, Grover. The subject of this sketch is a popular member of the A. F. and A. M., and of the M. W. A.

Daniel Bosworth was one of the active business men of LeRoy for over thirty-four years. He was the son of Thomas and Har- riet Bosworth, born at Great Creaton, Northamptonshire, Eng- land, April 19, 1828. He was educated in the academy of George Wills, of Narborough, in Leicestershire, and at thirteen years of age was bound an apprentice in the city of London to an architect and builder for a term of five years. After three years, however, he purchased the remainder of his time, and worked as a journey- man in various parts of England until eighteen years of age. In 1846 he with his parents moved to Granby. Oswego county, and

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there Daniel followed his trade as a master builder. June 14, 1853, he married Miss L. A. Draper, born at Granby, November 19, 1833, daughter of John and Fannie Draper. She died October 26, 1855, leaving by her marriage with Mr. Bosworth one daugli- ter, Ida L. Soon after the death of his first wife, Daniel Bos- worth moved from Oswego county, New York, to Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, in November, 1856. There he followed his trade, and there he was married November 25, 1858, to Ann E. S. Nevins, oldest daughter of Birdsey and Francis Nevins. To this union were born seven children, five boys and two girls: Harry T., William B., Hugh F., Harriet Frances, Edward Starr, Daniel W., and Lottie S. Mr. Bosworth followed his business as a builder in Elyria until October, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Com- pany A, Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served until October of the following year, when he was discharged for sickness. In May, 1864, for the benefit of his health, he came to Mower county, followed his occupation as a builder, engaged exten- sively in the real estate business and in other interests, and became a respected, honored and substantial citizen. He died in 1900.

Caleb Lewis, a respected citizen of LeRoy village, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, January 8, 1830, son of John and Rebecca (Hartman) Lewis. John Lewis came from the spurs of the Green Brier mountains, in Virginia, and settled at an early day in Union township, Bartholomew county, which at that time was in a heavily wooded distriet, which the settlers must clear before planting crops. Caleb was born and reared in a log cabin, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he came west, and after looking over the country, finally settled in LeRoy. He worked for Daniel Caswell and others, and after his marriage purchased a farm. He traded this farm with Daniel Caswell, for a hotel in LeRoy, and this he conducted for three years, subsequently opening a meat market, and in connec- tion with this, dealing also in live stock. In 1880 he resumed farming on a farm of 160 acres, which he purchased in LeRoy township. Five years later he returned to the village, where he has since lived retired. Mr. Lewis was marshal of the town for five years, but aside from this he has never consented to hold public office, although often urged to do so by his friends. By his first wife, Barbara Bemin, Mr. Lewis had five children, two of whom, John and Alice, the wife of J. D. Hyatt, are living. The present Mrs. Lewis was Margarett Sutton, a native of Wisconsin. This union has been blessed with seven children, of whom four, James, Estella, Leah and Edna, are living. The family stands well in the community, and is always to be depended upon to take its share in every good work.

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George H. Herzog, of the firm of Lovell & Herzog, auctioneers, was born in Austin, August 24, 1873, son of Henry and Aggathie (Fischer) Herzog, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. Henry Herzog located in Austin about 1865 and engaged in the carpenter department of the C., M. & St. P. Ry., with which company he still remains, having the unusual record of forty-six years' continuous service in one employ. George H. received his education in the public schools of Austin, and after reaching manhood's estate engaged in farming. In 1893 he took up the machinery business and was on the road as a travel- ing salesman three years. Then he became a salesman for the Parsons Self-feeding and Band Cutter Company, of Neibo, Iowa and continued in this employ until 1902, when he again went on the road as a traveling salesman for three years. Then after farming in South Dakota for two years he returned to Austin and engaged in the retail and jobbing business with A. B. Lovell. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A., votes the Republican ticket and attends the Catholic church. The subject of this sketch was married November 16, 1898, to Fannie B. Guthrie, and two children have blessed this union: Vern D., born May 2, 1909, and Ruth, who died in infancy.

Ole G. Anderson is one of the well-known Norwegian-Amer- icans of Mower county, and only his extreme modesty and relue- tance to enter the field of politics has kept him from positions of high political preferment. He was born in Norway, October 11, 1849, and came to America alone, arriving in Austin in 1871. After making inquiries for work he continued on his way to Lansing, and started work by the month. In 1875 he purchased forty acres of land, where he has since resided, owning 160 acres of good land in Lansing township. Mr. Anderson was married in June, 1876, to Telda Nelson, daughter of Ole Nelson, who was one of the pioneers of Lansing. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are as follows: Mollie, now Mrs. George E. Anderson, of Austin; Otto; Serena, now Mrs. A. Peterson ; Emma, now Mrs. C. J. Johnson ; Ernest and Clarence (twins), and Lawrence. Mr. Anderson and his family occupy a position of trust and honor in the community.

Richard P. Maxfield, liveryman of LeRoy for thirty years, was born in Wayne county, New York, in November, 1853, and came to Washington county, Wisconsin, with his parents at the age of six months. The family located in section 36, LeRoy town- ship, in 1862, and here, Richard P., who was the youngest of six, was reared to young manhood, remaining on the home farm until twenty years of age. Then he went to South Dakota and took up land, but a year and a half later returned and engaged in his present business. Mr. Maxfield married Manie A., daughter of

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John R. and Catherine Blacmer, and they are the parents of three children : Miles W., David C., and Catherine. It is worthy of note that the great-great-grandfather of Richard P. Maxfield came from Scotland in the latter part of the eighteenth century.

Edward Erickson, one of the leading farmers of Frankford township, was born January 18, 1873, only son of Erick and Esther (Olson) Erickson. He received his education in the dis- triet schools, and then took up farming with his parents. A few years before his father's death he took charge of the home farm, and since that date has conducted agricultural operations in a successful manner. He is a Republican in politics, has been clerk of school district 19 for the past six years, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Creamery Company, of Grand Meadow. Mr. Erickson was married September 19, 1901, at the Bear Creek church in Frankford, to Nellie Julson, born in Frank- ford township, September 22, 1878, daughter of Nels and Betsy (Hansen) Julsen. This union has been blessed with six children: Alice, born April 5, 1902; Benice, born May 29, 1903; Ernest B., born March 15, 1906; Norman J., born August 26, 1907; Clifford G., born January 5, 1910; Ervin J., born January 11, 1911.

Erick O. Erickson was born in Norway, and as a young man came to America. He was married at Grand Meadow, this county, to Esther Olson. They purchased eighty acres in sec- tion 17, Frankford township, and later added another eighty. On this tract they continued to carry on general farming the remainder of their lives, Erick dying March 29, 1908, and his wife January 18, 1901.

Nels Julsen was born in Norway, and married Betsy Hansen, also a native of that country, the ceremony being performed in Grand Meadow, this county. After their marriage they purchased eighty acres in section 18, Frankford township, and later forty more, until they owned 120 acres, on which they conducted gen- eral farming. Nels died August 1, 1909, and since then his wife has erected a new home in Grand Meadow village, where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Julsen were the parents of ten chil- dren : Lena is dead; Christine is the wife of Julius Finhart, of Grand Meadow; Julia is the wife of Edward Hovda, of Plaza, North Dakota; Gunwald and Casper also live in Plaza; Nellie is Mrs. Edward Erickson, of Frankford; Hannah is Mrs. Elvin Flo- rand, of Grand Meadow village; Oscar lives in Plaza, North Da- kota; Alma is the wife of John Higgins, also of Plaza ; Ella is at home with her mother.

Allen G. Dalen, a prosperous farmer of Racine township, has been a prominent man in the community, and has assisted in the upbuilding of this part of the county in various ways. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, February 13, 1852, son of Gulick

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and Carrie (Moan) Dalen, natives of Norway, who came to Amer- ica in 1850, located in Wisconsin for four years and then came to Mower county and purchased 160 acres of land in section 5, Racine, at $2 per acre, ending their days on this farm, the father in 1884 and the mother in 1885. Allen G. was educated in the country schools of Racine and assisted his parents until twenty- five years of age, at which time he purchased eighty aeres in Clayton township. Five years later he purchased 120 aeres adjoin- ing his father's place in Raeine, and four years later took charge of the home place, where he now lives. Mr. Dalen assisted in starting the Grand Meadow ereamery, and has made a specialty of raising Durham cattle for dairy purposes. He is an inde- pendent Republican, and has served as town supervisor sixteen years and as elerk of his school district twelve years. He has been director of the Bear Creek Lutheran church fourteen years and treasurer six years. He is also president of the Farmers' Store Company, of Spring Valley, and a trustee of the Grand Meadow Cooperative Telephone Company. Aside from these interests he has operated a threshing machine for many years, and has purchased successively six different threshing outfits, each one being better and more modern than the one before. The subject of this sketch was married June 12, 1877, to Eliza Dick- ens, of Fillmore county, and this union has been blessed with seven children: Gilbert, Edwin, Alma, Christina, Matilda, Ros- ella and Selmer. Gilbert is in Minneapolis; Edwin farms a part of his father's land; Alma married Hans Wagoner, of Grand Meadow, and the rest are at home.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 103

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Number of Pages: 1246

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Number of Pages: 1246