The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 60

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 60

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).

Andrew A. Alrick, and Sarah Alriek, his wife, were born in Norway and came to America in 1856, locating in Wisconsin, where they remained for years. Then they started with two yoke of oxen and their household goods in a prairie schooner for Min- nesota, arriving in Adams after a journey of many hardships.

ALEXANDER S. CAMPBELL.

561

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

They homesteaded a quarter section and here ended their days, being respected and honored throughout the community as hard- working and industrious people.

Anton B. Asper, a self-made man of Marshall township, has made his way in life with no help and little encouragement, and has acquired a competence and extensive land possessions entirely through his own efforts. He came to America in 1871, engaged in railroad work in Iowa three years, and then came to Mower county and railroading in Adams until he acquired sufficient funds to purchase eighty acres in Marshall township. He now owns 330 acres, carries on general farming on an extensive scale, and owns fifteen cows, his specialty being the sale of cream. He is a Republican in politics and has served on the school board of District 65 for four years. Anton B. Asper was married in 1876 to Julia Johnson, daughter of Arne Johnson, of Wisconsin, and this union has been blessed with seven children: Louie is mar- ried and lives in Marshall township; Alex is married and lives in the township of Clayton; Bennie is married and lives in Adams township ; Tillie, Clara, Oscar and Alma are at home. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Alexander S. Campbell, leading merchant-miller of Mower county, former state senator, present mayor of Austin, is a native born son of Minnesota, and has taken his share in the upbuilding of his adopted city and county. He was born in Rice county. December 20, 1859, and received his early education in the county and village schools, also attending the public schools of Minne- apolis for a while. After leaving school he worked on the home farm, and at about the time of attaining his majority went to Owatonna, where he learned the milling and flouring business. In 1886, in company with his brother, L. G. Campbell, he engaged in the milling business in Austin, and purchased a small mill near the C., M. & St. P. station. This business grew, and in 1890 they purchased the large plant on the east side of the Red Cedar river on Water street. The firm also took control of the milling plant at Blooming Prairie, L. G. taking the management. In 1909 the L. G. Campbell Milling Company was incorporated at Owatonna, with the Blooming Prairie plant as a part of its hold- ings, and Alexander S. is now the owner of the Austin plant, which turns out over two hundred barrels of flour a day. The product of this mill is widely known throughout the northwest, and such brands as the Diamond White, White Rose and Peerless represent the highest development in the miller's art. Mr. Camp- bell served in the Minnesota senate in 1903, 1905, 1907 and 1909, and was mayor of Austin in 1899, 1900 and 1910-11, his publie service having given the greatest degree of satisfaction. IIe is active in the Austin Commercial club, and is also affiliated with

562

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

the Masonic order, the B. P. O. E., the K. of P. and other organi- zations. Mr. Campbell was married December 20, 1883, to Mary Ilunkins, of Owatonna, and they have four children, Minnie C., Alexander K., Francis and Neil. John and Catherine (Graham) Campbell, parents of A. S. Campbell, are deseended from the ancient Campbell and Graham clans of the Scottish highlands, John Campbell being born near Glasgow and his wife in Canada. IIe settled in Milwaukee in 1856 and took up railroad contract- ing. He afterwards located near Northfield, Minn., and carried on general farming until 1868. He then moved to Claremont in Dodge county and engaged in the same occupation, giving special attention to grain and stock raising, until 1889, when he came to Austin, where he and his wife still reside.

F. M. Dufty is one of those men who possess what Shakespeare so aptly called the "Milk of human kindness," and for a genera- tion to come the people of his neighborhood will recall his big souled hospitality and kindliness which has given joy to so many people. His home has been the stopping place for ministers preaching in the vicinity for the past three decades, and every child in the neighborhood, as well as many a child now grown to manhood and womanhood, recalls with pleasure the delightful hours spent in the Dufty home, where they are always made welcome, and where much has been done for their comfort and happiness. His fondness for children is one of Mr. Dufty's most delightful characteristies, and his hand is ever ready to assist all young people. Mr. Dufty was born in Canada, October 15, 1847, son of John and Sarah (Keeley) Dufty. His father died in 1853, and at the age of seven years F. M. was brought to the United States by his mother. He grew to manhood in Wisconsin, and in 1875 came to Mower county, purchasing sixty acres in section 3, Lyle township. To this he added until at one time he owned 480 acres. Ile now possesses 360 acres in sections 3 and 4. Since 1907 he has left the management of his farm largely to his sons. Aside from his property in Lyle township he owns building lots in Austin, and 800 acres in Burleigh county, North Dakota, as well as half a section in Rosseau county, and a quarter section in Beltrami county, in Minnesota. Mr. Dufty is a temperance Republican. IIe has served on the town board, and he and his wife have both been members of the school board. He was mar- ried in 1878 to Fannie J. Powers, who died in 1895, leaving seven children: Avery J., proprietor and manager of the Normal res- taurant ; Alma, married to Claude Howard, a banker, of Free- born, Minn .; Della, who is now the wife of Joseph Lewis, of Grand Meadow; Mary, wife of H. L. Dawson, express mail clerk, of Albert Lea; George, of Beltrami county, married to Selma Johnson; Jay, who lives on the old homestead, and Jesse, who is

563

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

a student in the Southern Minnesota Normal college. John and Sarah (Keeley) Dufty were natives of Nottinghamshire, England, and as young people came to Canada, where they were married. The former, who was a watchmaker and gunsmith by trade, died in 1853, and the latter came to southern Wisconsin, where she remained until 1902, when she came to Minnesota, and died in Austin in 1904.

B. F. Carll, a well-to-do farmer of Lansing township, was born in Areadia, Wayne county, New York, December 2, 1854, and grew to manhood in New York state. In 1871 he came west with his father, and settled on land that his father had purchased in Udolpho the previous year. Benjamin's early manhood was passed on this farm, and when he was twenty-two years of age he pur- ehased a farm in Waltham township and lived there five years. Then in 1885 he moved back on the old farm, lived there six years, then went to Michigan and stayed seven years. After his return to Mower county he bought out his father's heirs, and thus secured possession of the home farm, which he subsequently conducted five years. He is now living on the old Williams place in the town of Lansing. Mr. Carll is a member of the Masonic order. The sub- jeet of this sketeh married Etta Fifield, daughter of John S. and Rhoda (Pope) Fifield, natives of Michigan, the former of whom was a prominent farmer in Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. Carll have one daughter, now Mrs. George Clement.

Samuel Carll, a native of Maine, moved to New York state in 1812. In 1869 he came west and purchased a half seetion from R. F. Leighton in Udolpho township. He then returned to New York state, and two years later eame baek to his farm in Mower county, bringing with him his son, B. F. Samuel Carll died in 1878, and his wife, Jane Drake, passed away in 1901.

Sven Anderson, of Austin, garage and monument man, was born in Sweden, June 7, 1842, son of Samuel and Mary (Gustaf- son) Anderson, who lived and died in the old country. Sven came to America in 1869, located in Austin, and worked a few weeks on the railroad. Then he worked out for a time farming and in 1870 rented a farm in Austin township for one year. Then he worked for the MeCormiek Harvester Company five years, and afterward purchased a farm in Marshall township, this county. On this farm he remained eight years and then came to Austin, and started dealing in machinery. In 1896 he started in the machine business for himself, and later took up the sale of monuments with his son, John H. Anderson, in which business he has been very sueeessful. In 1910 he opened a garage and buys, rents and sells several makes of automobiles. Mr. Anderson is a Republiean and while in Marshall township was supervisor of the township for a time. He was also deputy sheriff for six years. The subject of

564

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

this sketch has allied himself with the B. P. O. E., the M. W. A. and the Masonic order, in which latter body he belongs both to the Blue lodge and to the chapter. He was married January 13, 1864, to Anna C. Anderson, and to this union have been born six chil- dren-Albert, John, Axel, who died aged 24; George E., the as- sistant postmaster at Austin; Arthur, Herbert and Esther E., the latter being Mrs. Arthur Carlson. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

William T. Adams was born in Illinois, March 29, 1860, and came to this part of the country in 1881. He was a telegraph operator for a number of years for the railroad, and then became a successful farmer in section 17, Udolpho township. He mar- ried in 1885, his wife being Jennie M. Washburn, daughter of Seth S. and Julia A. (McQuivey) Washburn, and they have six children -Edgarda T., Beatrice, Mary F., John Q., Stanley E., Theodore R.

Seth S. Washburn, early settler of Udolpho township, was born in Bethel, Vt., June 11, 1826, son of James and Ruth (Sanford) Washburn, both natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1783 and the latter in 1785, moving to Vermont in 1785. The parents of Ruth Sanford also moved to Vermont when young, were there married, and there died, the father May 9, 1861, and the mother November 18. 1869. Before marrying Ruth Sanford, James Wash- burn married Polly Chadwick in 1806. She died in 1815. Seth S. Washburn was the fourth of five children born to James Wash- burn by Ruth Sanford. The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood on the farm and received a district school education. He was married in Vermont, September 4, 1853, to Julia A. McQuivey, born in Vermont, July 4, 1825. In the fall of 1856 Seth S. Wash- burn left his native state and with his family settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained a short time. In May, 1857, he came to Mower county and after a brief stay in Udolpho township took up a claim in section 17. His wife died June 14, 1881, having borne to her husband six children, Sanford S., Jennie M., Hattie L., Emma H., James L. (deceased), and Julius E., de- ceased. Honorable Sanford S. Washburn, after serving some years as probate judge of Mower county, lives in Washington ; Emma H. is the wife of J. P. Rogers, of Newport, Minn., and Hattie makes her home with her.

Hosmer A. Brown, one of the substantial and honored citizens of Mower county, and after whom the thriving village of Browns- dale was named, was born in North Stonington, Conn., September 30, 1830, son of Matthew and Lucy (Denison) Brown, natives of the Nutmeg state, who lived on an old homestead, which had been held within the family since the first settlement of Stonington. The property is still in the family. The parents lived on this farm until their death, the mother dying in 1849 and the father

HOSMER A. BROWN.

565

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

in 1860. They raised a family of four children, three boys and one girl, Hosmer A. being the youngest. He received his education in the common schools and then learned the carpenter trade. In the fall of 1851, Mr. Brown went by the way of the Isthmus to California and engaged in mining for a period of two years, after which he received contracts for erecting government buildings at Fort Point, San Francisco. He followed this business until the spring of 1855, when he took passage on board the steamer "Gold- en Age" for home. When within 300 miles of Panama and off the island of Kakera the vessel struck a reef and stove a hole in her bow. The vessel was run ashore but soon filled with water and sank on the beach. Mr. Brown, having had experience in making pumps and draining mines in California, was employed by the captain to assist in stopping the leaks and getting the vessel afloat, which was accomplished on the ninth day, after which they set sail for the British dry doeks on the island Toboga. For his serv- ices, Mr. Brown received from the steamship company $500 in the way of a donation. After remaining thirty days on the island he crossed the Isthmus and came on the steamer "Illinois," from there to his home in Connecticut, where he spent the summer. In the fall Mr. Brown started for Kansas. On reaching Ft. Des Moines, Ia., he heard so much of the troubles there that he ehanged his mind and came to Minnesota, arriving at Spring Valley, Fill- more county, December, and there spent the winter. In April, 1856, he, in company with his brother, Andrew D., who had come from Connecticut that spring, eame to Red Rock township, this county, Hosmer A. entering the northeast quarter of section 9 with a land warrant given his father for services in the war of 1812. He also bought of a Norwegian the southeast quarter of sec- tion 9. Mr. Brown and his brother, together with John L. John- son, were the original proprietors of the townsite of Brownsdale, where Mr. Brown's brother erected one of the first sawmills in Mower county. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Brown was elected to the legislature and served that term. The same year he secured the location of the Southern- Minnesota R. R. at Brownsdale.

Hosmer A. Brown was married in St. Paul January 1, 1870. to Mary L. Frink, born in North Stonington, Conn., her parents being Joseph and Lucy (Billings Coals) Frink, natives of Con- neeticut. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812. The mother died in 1866, aged 66. The father died in 1871 while visiting his son-in-law, Dr. William A. Babcock, in Illinois. Mrs. Brown re- ceived her education at the Suffield Literary Institute, at Suffield, Conn.

William L. Hollister, M. D., retired physician and surgeon, and former state senator in 1883 and member of the legislature in 1897, was born in the town of Sharon, Sehoharie county, New

566

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

York, January 9, 1837, his father being Luther Ilollister. William assisted his father on the farm, and attended the schools of his neighborhood. He started the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Knapp as his preceptor, and then entered the Albany Medical college, graduating in 1861. After receiving his diploma he started practice in Stuyvesant, Green county, New York, but at the end of two years removed to Kingston, where he stayed until 1867. In that year he came west, locating in Lansing, this county, and con- tinned practice there four years. In 1871 he eame to Austin, where, with the exception of the time devoted to publie office, he practiced continuously until ten years ago, when he retired. In 1883 he was elected to represent this district in the state senate. In May, 1883, he received an appointment as internal revenue agent, and in 1907 again went to the state legislature. He also served as eoroner many terms, and many years as pension exam- iner. Dr. Hollister is a member of the Masonie order and of the Elks. He was married January 9, 1862, to Mary E. Beatty, daugh- ter of William Beatty, a brieklayer. Mrs. Hollister was born at Coxsackie, N. Y., March 27, 1837, and to her union with William L. Hollister three children were born. Lansing O. is the only one living; Clarenee and John F. being dead.

Christian A. Hegge, M. D., skilled practitioner of Austin, one of the members of the firm of Hegge & Hegge, physicians and sur- geons, was born in Biri, Norway, April 23, 1866. He attended school in Norway, and eame to America in 1887. He at onee en- tered the Augsberg Seminary, at Minneapolis, and after two years entered the scientific department of the University of Minnesota. In 1890 he entered the medieal department of the University of Illinois, graduating in 1893. After a year spent as an interne in the city hospital at Minneapolis, he came to Austin in 1894, and in partnership with his brother, Olav H., started the practice of medieine. In 1900 he took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Clinical School, in 1903 attended elinies in Germany, England and the Seandinavian countries, in 1906 attended the Chicago Poli- elinie, and in 1908 at the Chieago Post-Graduate School. For twelve years he has been one of the physicians and surgeons at St. Olav's hospital, in Austin, which he and his brother founded. Dr. Christian A. Hegge belongs to the American, state and county medieal associations, and has been secretary of the latter two years. He belongs to the Masons and the Maccabees and votes the Democratie ticket. The subject of this sketch was married May 14, 1895, and to this union have been born two children, Nina, July .31, 1896, and Agnes, February 9, 1899, the wife's name being Isa- bella Dalager. The family residence is at 916 Lansing avenue.

Olav H. Hegge, A. B., M. D., a well-known doctor of Austin, one of the members of the firm of Hegge & Hegge, physicians

567

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

and surgeons, was born in Biri, Norway, March 20, 1872, and there received his earlier education. He came to America in 1889, en- tered the University of Minnesota, and then the medical depart- ment of the University of Illinois, graduating in 1893. Then he spent one year as an interne in the Bethesda Hospital, St. Paul, and in 1894 came to Austin, where he joined his brother, C. A. For twelve years Dr. Olav HI. Hegge has been one of the physi- cians and surgeons at St. Olav's Hospital, of which he was the real founder. In 1903 Dr. O. II. Hegge spent a year attending elinies in Germany, England and the Scandinavian countries. He has also taken a number of post-graduate courses in the leading post-graduate schools of New York, Chicago and New Orleans. He belongs to the American, state and county medical associations, and was secretary of the latter organization one year. IIe is a Mason, a Republican in polities, and a member of the Lutheran church. The subject of this sketch was married April 20, 1898, to Stella L. Johnson, and this union has been blessed with three children-Milda, Rolv and Valfrid. The family home is at 811 High street in Austin.

Alden A. Hickok was born in Green county, Wisconsin, De- cember 23, 1856, son of John H. and Christy S. (Bennett) Hickok. He was brought to Mower county by his parents in 1863 and attended the district schools and the Austin high school. He taught school winters and worked on the farm at home summers until twenty-six years of age, and then went to Minneapolis, where, after working in the shipping room and offices of a whole- sale furniture manufacturing company for a time, he went on the road as a traveling salesman for the same concern for six years. After this he again returned to Mower county, and after three years of teaching purchased the old home farm of eighty acres, on which he now conducts general farming. He was elected assessor in 1904, and with the exception of the year 1905 has held that position continuously. Mr. Hickok was married March 30, 1892, to Lillie M. Bishop, of LeRoy village, and to this union have been born ten children-Otto B., Mina Belle, Christea May, Helen C., Adson M., Lilliam L., Lou Thorne, Etta E., Alice A. and Nathan J., all of whom, with the exception of Mina Belle, who is attending high school in LeRoy, are still at home.

John H. Hickok, who came to Austin township in early war times, was born in Ohio in 1830 and came to Green county, Wiscon- sin, in 1846, his people coming some time later. He married Christy S. Bennett. who came with her parents about the same time, in 1853. In 1863 John HI. Hickok and his family came to Mower county, and here he preempted eighty acres of land in Lyle township, selling ont his claim a year later. In the early days he helped to build the historie old Gregson-Officer mill. Mr. Hickok

568

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

followed general farming on his farm in section 25, Austin town- ship, which he bought in 1865, until 1891, when he retired and moved to Austin, where his wife died in August, 1905, and where he passed away in November, 1908. Mr. Hiekok was assessor of Austin, with the exception of one year, from 1872 to 1891. Of his children, Alden A. is assessor of Austin township; Mrs. W. W. Hommel lives in Austin and has two children, Harry and Meda; Mrs. H. R. Campbell also lives in Austin, and E. H. died in Novem- ber, 1909, leaving his widow, Elizabeth, and three children- Beatrice, Ray and Walter, likewise living in Austin.

George Hirsh, one of the leading merchants of Austin, has been engaged in the retail trade since early manhood. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 19, 1856, son of Isaiah and Rosa (Stern) Hirsh, the former of whom was a grain dealer. The father died in 1882 and the mother one year later. George received his education in the schools of Germany and then came to America in 1873. He took up peddling of dry goods and notions in New York state and Vermont for seven years. In 1880 he went west and opened a meat market and grocery store in Chicago, conducting same for four years. The clothing business then occupied his attention in Council Grove, Kan. In 1887 he came to Austin, where he has since remained. Opening with a stock of clothing and men's shoes, he gradually increased his busi- ness, until it reached the proportions which justified the erection of a fine block in 1900. This block is located on the corner of Main and Water streets, and is two stories in height, 95x100 feet. The ground floor is devoted to his store and auditorium, while the upper floor contains lodge rooms and offices. Mr. Hirsh is a member of the board of education of Austin, and has served as chairman of the County Republican Central Committee. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and also belongs to the Austin Com- mercial Club. Mr. Hirsh was married February 12, 1895, at Nee- nah, Wis., to Eva Billstein, and this union has been blessed with three children-Rephah B., Elizabeth F. and Alexander I., all at home. Aside from his business block, Mr. Hirsh owns a pleasant home at the corner of Courtland and Greenwich streets.

Joel A. Hart, now deceased, was a farmer in Austin township in the years following the Civil war. He was a substantial citizen, and was much respected at the time of his death, December 28, 1882. By his union with Amy Varco, born in Canada, daughter of Thomas and Emaline (Eddy) Varco, he had three children : Eugene V., Orrie and Jennie. Eugene V. married Rachel Brooks and they have two children: Irene and Bernice. Jennie is now Mrs. Shepplay and is the mother of three children, Marjerie, Amy and Ruby. Eugene V. now conduets the home farm in Austin

O. J. HILL

MR. AND MRS. THOMAS VARCO.

569

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

township and Mrs. Hart has made her home in the city for many years.

Thomas Varco, one of the earliest settlers, was born in England and moved at an early date to Canada, where he married Emaline Eddy, who was born in Coberg, Ontario, and is still living at the good old age of 84. The family moved to Wisconsin, there remained six years, and then came to Austin, arriving July 24, 1856. A daughter, Mrs. Amy Hart, now living in Austin, well remembers this long and tedious trip to Austin by ox cart. Thomas Varco was a farmer and raised a family of eight children, of whom five are living: Amy, now Mrs. Joel A. Hart; Maitland, who married Hattie Bowers; Charles, who married Isabell Gam- mel; Jennie, now Mrs. Berton Hart, and Justin, who married Etta Streeter and manages the home farm. Thomas Varco died February 12, 1893.

O. J. Hill, a retired farmer now living in Austin, dates his residence in Mower county from 1857. He was born in Carroll county, New Hampshire, March 8, 1835, son of James and Sally (Brown) Hill, both natives of New Hampshire, the former dying in that state and the latter coming to Red Rock township in 1857, and there ending her days. O. J. received his education in the district schools, moved to Oshkosh in 1853 and then in 1857 came to Mower county, making the trip by ox team, which took four weeks, locating in Red Rock township. He purchased 160 acres of government land at $2.50 an acre and later acquired 200 acres of railroad land. Still later he purchased 220 acres, owning at the present time 480 acres, all of which he developed and im- proved, and nearly all of which he broke. Here he built a beau- tiful home and followed general farming successfully until 1898, when he retired and moved to Austin, where he now resides. While on the farm he made a specialty of breeding fine stock, especially Red Polls and Shorthorns. He sold four different teams which he raised for $400 a pair. For six years Mr. Hill was chairman of Red Roek township, and he also served various terms on the school board and as pathmaster. He is a Republican in politics. The subject of this sketch was married March 6, 1862, to Frances Ransom, of Ripon, Wis., whose father erected the first house in Oshkosh. To this union have been born seven chil- dren : Walter J., of Oregon; Arthur H., of Oelwein, Iowa; Eliza G., wife of C. F. Lewis; Edmund T., who occupies the old farm in Red Rock township; Laura J., James O. and Sallie E. The family faith is that of the Episcopal church.

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.

The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 60

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