The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 65

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 65

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Carl A. Carlson, now deceased, for many years a foundry owner in Austin, was born in Sweden, married there, and eame to America in 1870. They at once located in Austin, where for a

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time Mr. Carlson worked at his trade as blacksmith for the C., M. & St. Paul. After a time, in company with a partner, he went into the foundry business for himself, the firm name being Carlson & Anderson. This eoncern did a general foundry busi- ness, but after a time ill health compelled Mr. Carlson to retire. He patiently endured an illness extending over the long period of nine years, and finally departed this life June 12, 1910. Mr. Carlson married Anna Matilda Olson, daughter of Carl Olson, the latter being a native of Sweden, who farmed all his life and died in South Dakota in 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. Carlson were born six children: Hattie, now Mrs. John Anderson; Anna, now Mrs. L. F. Clausen; C. Arthur, Herbert, and Abbie, now Mrs. C. E. Hoveland.

Thomas Cronan, retired elevator owner, now living in Austin, was born in Northfield, Vt., May 18, 1858, son of Patrick and Mary (Graee) Cronan. He was brought to Rose Creek by his parents in 1868, and here he was reared to manhood, receiving a good common education in the public schools. When he grew to manhood he entered the elevator business with his brother, John, and in this line he continued until his retirement from active business in 1909. In 1910 he took up his permanent resi- denee in Austin. While in Rose Creek he served as postmaster three years, and was school treasurer some seventeen years. He is a member of the Elks, the Foresters and the United Workmen. Mr. Cronan married Mark Keefe, daughter of Cornelius Keefe, and they have one ehild, Esther.

Patrick Cronan was born in Ireland and there married Mary Graee. They came to America in 1849 or 1850, and lived in Boston, Mass., three or four years, after which they located in Northfield, Vt. They came to Rose Creek in 1868.

Michael Carroll, who has farmed for a quarter of a century, on section 35, Red Rock township, was born in Ireland, October 29, 1842, son of Daniel and Mary (Dolan) Carroll. He came to Ameriea in 1863, and after living a year in Waterbury, Conn., worked in various places in various employments, and finally took up railroading, serving several years in the employ of the C., M. & St. P. In 1886 he came to Red Roek, purchased the quarter section where he now resides, and built a shack in which the family lived until he built the comfortable home wherein he now resides. Mr. Carroll married Katherine MeDonald, dangh- ter of Thomas and Bridget (Maughan) MeDonald, and the ehil- dren born were named William, Daniel, Edward, John, James (deceased), Michael, Mary, Frank, Agnes and Anna. Mary mar- ried Michael Daley. The family faith is that of the St. Augustine church, Austin.

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Robert Collins, a popular farmer of Mower county, has a fine farm, of which eighty acres is in section 25, Windom township, and forty acres in section 30, Marshall township. He has a pleasant home, good barns and modern machinery. Robert Collins was born March 3, 1856, in Illinois. When young he was taken by his parents to Janesville, Wis., three years later to Iowa county, Wisconsin, and was there reared and educated. After living there twelve years he came to Windom township and purchased his present farm, since which date he has con- tinued in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Collins is a Democrat in politics and attends the Catholic church. He was married June 6, 1877, to Katherine Madden, daughter of William Madden and Bridget (Larkin) Madden, both natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 1842 and first settled in Freeport, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Collins have six children : William, of Nelson county, North Dakota; Michael, at home; Robert, of Nelson county, North Dakota; Thomas and Frances, at home, and Mary, a teacher at Campbell, Minn.

Nicholas Cress, now deceased, was an estimable citizen of Windom township, hard working, honest and substantial. He was born in Germany, December 16, 1849, son of John and Eliza- beth Cress, also born in Germany. He came to this country at about seventeen years of age, and located in Dubuque, where he remained about two years. Then he came to Windom town- ship and soon purchased 280 acres of land, 160 of which was located in section 36, Windom, and 120 in section 31, Marshall township. On this place he conducted successful farming opera- tions until his lamented death, February 18, 1903. He was mar- ried November 17, 1874, to Margaret Majerus, daughter of Peter and Kathrina Majerus, both natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Cress were born nine children: John, deceased ; Anna, wife of J. B. Fink, of Rose Creek; Michael, deceased ; Peter, a physi- cian, of Ellsworth, Minn .; Henry, deceased ; William, who farms on the old homestead; John and Mary, at home, and Henry, deceased. Mrs. Cress resides in Rose Creek village. The parents of Mrs. Cress came from Germany to Staceyville, Iowa, and thence to Rose Creek, where the mother died. The father died in Lyle township, July 28, 1902.

Henry Dennis, oldest son of Sylvester A. and Rebecka (Arnold) Dennis, was born in Allamakec county, Iowa, was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty-three mar. ried Caroline Abrahamson, daughter of Augustus and Maria (Anderson) Abrahamson, the latter of whom was born in 1827, both parents being natives of Sweden. After his marriage, Henry Dennis went to farming in Udolpho township and continued in this occupation for twenty-seven years before coming to the city

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of Austin. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dennis have one son, Alfred H., who now manages the home farm. He married Helen Kunotson, and they have two children, Ervin and Hazel C.

Thomas Dugan, a retired blacksmith, now living in Austin, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., April 30, 1844, son of Cormick and Catherine (MeNab) Dugan. At the age of fourteen Thomas started out in life for himself by hiring out to a farmer in Rock county, Wisconsin. In 1861 he went to Janesville, in the same state, and learned the blacksmith trade. There he remained until 1866, when he came to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres of wild land in London township, Freeborn county. On this traet he built a log house and farmed for two years, but after that left his wife to manage the farm and took up work at his trade in Austin. After three years of the arrangement he sold his farm and moved his family to Austin. In 1871 he engaged in business for himself in this city and was very successful in all his under- takings, doing general smithy work and manufacturing vehicles of various kinds. In 1902 he sold out this business, and also a farm of 160 aeres which he had purchased in Lansing township, and retired. For seventeen years Mr. Dugan was chief of the Austin fire department, was president of the State Firemen's Association in 1899, and in 1898 was elected fifth president of the National Firemen's Association, at the convention held in Chi- cago. He has also been through the chairs of the local I. O. O. F. The subject of this sketeh was married April 1, 1864, at Porter, Rock county, Wisconsin, to Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of George and Margaret (Lang) Robertson, and this union has been blessed with ten children: Minnie M., George W., Catherine, Flora E., Harry, Sheridan E., Mary, an infant, M. Jean, and Hazel Isabel. Minnie was born July 19, 1865, and is now Mrs. Charles Crocker, of Lincoln, Neb. George W. was born February 9, 1867, and lives in Austin. Catherine was born September 26, 1868, and is now Mrs. William Nichols, of Fargo, N. D. Flora E., born October 15, 1870, lives on a farm near Napoleon, N. D., and is now Mrs. W. O. Harrison. Harry was born September 17, 1872, and also lives near Napoleon, N. D. Sheridan E., born October 4, 1874, now lives in Bismarek, N. D. Mary was born September 27, 1876. The unnamed infant was born February 22, 1884. M. Jean was born Mareh 1, 1886. She graduated from the Austin high school and from the Winona State Normal sehool with high honors, and is now a sneeessful teacher. Hazel Isabel was born September 15, 1887, graduated from the Lineoln new high school, and is now a successful teacher. Cormiek Dugan came to America from Tyrone county, Ireland, in 1836, and two years later brought over his family, his wife, Catherine MeNah, being a native of the same county. After living a while in Taun-

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ton, Mass., they came west in 1842 and located in Milwaukee, Wis. There Cormick was a stock buyer and was meeting with much success in this line, when in 1846 he met an untimely end, being killed by a savage kiek from a horse. His wife followed him to the Great Beyond, April 13, 1855.

George Robertson was born in Scotland, and there married Margaret Lang, a native of the same country. They came to America in 1844, located in Porter, Rock county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming until George Robertson died in 1859. The family then lived on the farm until 1865, when they sold out and came to Minnesota, locating in London township, Freeborn county, on a farm. In 1881 Mrs. Robertson sold her farm and made her home with her children until her death in Austin, in 1896. Their daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Dugan, was born November 14, 1846, at Porter, Rock county, Wisconsin.

Andrew Dovenberg, now deceased, never resided in Mower county, but has a large family here, his widow and children hav- ing taken up their residence in Austin after his death. He was born in Germany, came to America, located in Indiana, and there in 1863 was married, his wife's maiden name being Barbara Rush. She was born in Germany in 1846, and came to America with her parents when but two years of age. Her parents remained in Hamilton, Ohio, six years and then located in Indi- ana. There the marriage took place, and in 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Dovenberg went to Ridgeway, Iowa, and remained four years. Preston, Minn., was their next dwelling place. There Mr. Doven- berg was injured by one of his horses, and from the effects of the accident died shortly afterward. Subsequent to the death of her husband Mrs. Dovenberg took up her residence in Austin, where she has since lived, at the present time making her home in a fine residence on Mill street. She has worked hard for her chil- dren, and in them she takes her greatest joy and pride, her great grandchildren, Donald and Vera, being her special happiness. The nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dovenberg were Eliza- beth, Dora, George, John, Louis, Edward, Daniel, Cora and Emma. Elizabeth married William Brown, and they live in Decorah, Iowa, having twelve children: Leah, Reuben, Roy, Raymond, William, Daisy, Carlie, Claude, Ned, Harry, Daniel and Sadie. Leah, the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, married Adam Barsh, and they have two children, Donald and Vera. Dora, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dovenberg, married John Furt- ney, and they have three children: Raymond, Hazel and Dorothy. George married Sarah Mapes and they have three children : Earle, Vernon and Ladice. John married Sarah Hale. Louis married Ella Swainson and they have two children, Doris and Donald. Edward and Daniel, the sixth and seventh children of Mr. and

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Mrs. Dovenberg, are engineers on the C., M. & St. P. Cora and Emma are at home. Cora is a dressmaker and Emma assistant bookkeeper at Hormel's provision market.

George D. Detwiler, of Austin, was born in Ontario, Canada, and there married Elizabeth (Kepkey) Detwiler, also a native of the same province. They came to Minnesota in 1879, located in Austin, and became well-to-do citizens. George D. was at first a mason contractor, but of late he has devoted the larger part of his time to house moving. His wife died February 10, 1910. Their son, John E., is a prominent real estate dealer of Austin. Two daughters, Mary A., living at Austin, and Anna B., at Chicago.

John E. Detwiler, the real estate, insurance and loan broker, was born in Port Elgin, Ontario, and as a boy was brought to Austin, where he has since spent the larger part of his time. He was educated in the public schools, and then in 1889 started out to see the world before settling down. Acting as a picture canvasser, he toured the Pacific coast for one year, visiting all the important towns and also many of the smaller ones all along the line from Victoria, B. C., to San Francisco. After returning to Austin he went to Minneapolis, studied a short time in the law department of the University of Minnesota, and then in 1891 entered a law school at St. Louis, Mo. Again he returned to Austin and entered into the insurance business, later taking up railroad work, but still later again resuming the insurance line. In 1900 he formed a partnership with his father in the house- moving business and continued thus until January 1, 1910, when he again took up real estate, farm loans and insurance, dealing extensively in Minnesota and Dakota lands. Mr. Detwiler served eight years as a member of Company G, Second Regiment, M. N. G., and in 1896 resigned, at that time having attained the rank of second lieutenant. During the Spanish-American war he recruited a volunteer company, but it was never ealled into serv- iee, and after the battle of Santiago, was disbanded. Mr. Det- wiler is a member of the Masonic order and of the M. W. A. He also belongs to the Austin Commercial club, is a Republican in polities, and a member of the Baptist church. The subject of this sketch was married January 30, 1906, at Austin, to Grace E. Baird, daughter of Mrs. George Baird, and this union has been blessed with one child, Baird E., born April 11, 1908. The family residence is at 302 South St. Paul.

Henry F. Deming, a well-known farmer of Nevada township, now living in Austin, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, New York, December 25, 1825, son of the Rev. Rufus and Julia M. (Porter) Deming. He received his education in the publie schools of New York, and in a grammar school taught by his

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father. After his school days were over he farmed for a while and then taught school in New York state and Canada. In 1856 hie removed to Wisconsin and farmed and taught school until 1863, when he came to Mower county and located in Nevada township, where he took a homestead of 100 acres in section 6. This was wild land, but he soon had it under cultivation and yielding abundantly. In 1883 he removed to Austin township, and in 1892 purchased forty acres of school land, where he remained until 1910, when he retired and moved to a pleasant home situated on five acres of land just outside of the city limits of Austin. While in Nevada township Mr. Deming served as supervisor of Nevada township eight years, and as clerk and treasurer of the school board for many terms. He also repre- sented his district in the lower house of the state legislature in 1876. Owing to his early experience as a teacher, Mr. Deming has continued through life as an ardent friend of all educational movements, and he helped to organize no less than two districts in Nevada township, the better to supply the school needs of the township. The subject of this sketch was married April 12, 1853, at Cattaraugus, Franklin county, New York, to Mary E. Bennett, who died April 14, 1909, leaving four children: Charles F., of Canby, Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota; Jessie, who is with her father; Eva, now Mrs. William Clift, and Bertha, now Mrs. Harry Buck. The family attends the Presbyterian church. Rev. Rufus Deming was born in New York state, graduated from Hamilton college, and was ordained a Presbyterian clergyman. This profession he followed in New York state all his life. He died April 12, 1868, his wife, Julia A. Porter, passing away February 24, 1873.

Warren H. Dean, the capable cashier of the State bank, of Rose Creek, was born in Austin, Minn., February 7, 1876, son of Warren H. and Sophrona (Hubbard) Dean. He attended the Northfield public schools and then entered Carleton college, attending that institution two years. Later he entered the Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and remained there two years, continuing his studies by taking a one year business course at the Eastman college, in the same city. In 1903 he came to Mower county and located at Adams and entered the First National bank for the purpose of learning the banking business, later becoming the assistant cashier. In 1906 he came to Rose Creek and accepted his present position as cashier of the Rose Creek State bank, of which his mother is president. In this capacity he has proven a capable business man, and has performed his duties to his own credit, and to the satisfaction of the public at large. He also deals in real estate and insurance, is a stockholder in the First National Bank of

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Adams and has other business holdings. He is a Republican in polities and belongs to the Masons, the B. P. O. E. and the M. W. A.

Warren H. Dean was born in Deposit, Boone county, New York, November 10, 1820. He engaged in the lumber business at Ithaea, N. Y., for a number of years, after which he removed to New York city and entered the lumber firm of II. W. Sage as a partner, remaining twenty years. Leaving New York, he estab- lished a large lumber business at Toledo, Ohio, remaining in that city until 1871, when he moved to St. Paul, Minn. In 1872 he built the first line of street railway in that city. In 1874 he sold his interest in the street railway, receiving in part payment sev- eral large tracts of land in Mower county, besides eity property in St. Paul. After spending one year in travel with his family he moved to Mower county and began the improvement of his land. Mr. Dean was twice married. His first wife died. leaving two sons, Harry and Oscar, only one of whom is now living. He was married the second time, at Toledo, Ohio, to Sophronia Hub- bard. To this marriage were born four children, all of whom are now living: William W., Mrs. A. J. Woodcock, Warren H. and Mrs. H. C. Maughan. After Mr. Dean's death the family removed to Northfield, where the children were educated. Mr. Dean died October 7, 1880, and Mrs. Dean now lives in Minneapolis.

Swend K. Dahle, living in section 13, Red Rock township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, October 8, 1864, son of Knute Olson Dahle and Anna T. (Holven) Dahle. Swend K. came to America in 1886, with his brother, Knute, and arrived in Brownsdale, June 16, of that year. He worked out until he was married in 1891, and then came to the farm he now ocenpies. This place consists of 340 well tilled acres, with large orchard and suitable trees, a remodeled farm house originally ereeted in 1874, fine barns and modern machinery. In 1910 he ereeted two silos, one one each of his farms. Mr. Dahle is a straight Republican, and was town treasurer five years. He married Edna M., daughter of Archibald and Ellen (Simpson) Rockwell, and they are the parents of three children : Ella H. K., aged fifteen years ; Harold K., aged eleven years, and Pearl F., aged three years.

N. K. Dahle, hardware merchant, and president of the State Bank of Brownsdale, was born in Norway, May 3, 1856, son of Knute O. Dahle, and eame to America in 1880. May 18 of that year he located in Brownsdale, this county. For three years he pursued his trade as a tailor, working in Minneapolis and other places until 1883, after which he worked in a hardware store in Minneapolis, three years. In 1886 he purchased a hardware store in Hayfield, Minn., and after seven years of success there, sold out and went to Cheney, Spokane county, Washington, where

JOHN EAGEN AND FAMILY.

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he -purchased a hardware store which he conducted for four years. In 1897 he sold out and returned to Brownsdale, where he engaged in the hardware business with his brother. Six years later he purchased his brother's interest and has since continued the business alone. When the State Bank was organized in 1904 he became president and has since retained that position. Mr. Dahle takes an interest in everything pertaining to the growth and welfare of Brownsdale and is a thorough believer in educa- tion. He takes a prominent part in the activities of the school board, of which he is a prominent member, and is also a popular member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 116, A. F. & A. M. He married Julia Distad, of Hayfield, and they have three children : Clarence, Chester and Gertrude.

Cornelius Downey, a substantial farmer of Windom township, was born in Ontario, Canada, May 11, 1855, son of Thomas and Bridget (Mangen) Downey, natives of Ireland who came to Canada in 1847, and to Chippewa county, Wisconsin, in 1877, the father dying there April 28, 1882, and the mother, June 28, 1889, leaving nine children: Ellen, Johannah (deceased), Michael, Mary, Thomas (deceased), Maggie, Cornelius, John (deceased) and Bridget. Cornelius remained with his parents until twenty- six years of age, and came to Minnesota in 1885. At once upon his arrival here he located on the 176 acres in section 31, Windom township, where he still resides, carrying on farming in a modern manner. He was married July 12, 1881, to Catherine MeCauley, daughter of James and Naney MeCanley, natives of Vermont, who came to America in 1847, lived a time in Vermont, eame to Houston county, Minnesota, in 1854, and there ended their days, the father dying September 4, 1886, and the mother November 1, 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Downey have been born eight children: Mary is the wife of M. B. Perkins, of Windom township; Mar- garet (deceased) ; John, Thomas and Elmer are in Austin ; Aliee and Thresa live at home; Catherine (deceased).

John Eagen, who has resided on his present farm in Red Rock township since 1868, was born in Canada, May 1, 1843, and as a small boy was taken first to Illinois and later to Brookfield, Wau- kesha county, Wisconsin, where his parents died. John Eagan came to Mower county in July, 1865, and rented land in Red Rock township until 1868, when he took up his residence in a log cabin which he built on section 25. This log cabin was replaced with a modern dwelling in 1898, but the old cabin is still standing, earefully preserved as a valued relie of the past. The farm con- sists of 160 well tilled acres of land. Mr. Eagen has not cared to engage actively in polities, but has consented at various times to serve as treasurer and pathmaster of the town. JJohn Eagen was married August 28, 1859, to Ellen M. MeGovern, daughter

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of Terrance and Bridget (Carson) McGovern, born in Monroe county, New York, January 13, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Eagen are the parents of six children : Franeis M., Margaret A., Charles A., William J., Philip Howard and Joseph. Francis M. died in infancy. Margaret A. married M. J. Keenan, and they have three children: Helen (deceased), Geraldine and Eleanor. Charles A. lives in Austin. William J. has a farm near his par- ents' farm and operates both places. He married Maude Reetor, of Lansing, and they have three children : Myron P. (deceased), Arnold E. and Walter P. Philip Howard married Margaret, now deceased, a daughter of W. H. Lawrence, and they had four ehil- dren: Elwin, Harry, Francis L. (deceased), and Donald J. P. H. owns a farm in Red Rock township. Joseph, the youngest ehild of Mr. and Mrs. Eagen, is dead. Charles A. was married to Marie Nipstad, of Austin. They have three children; John B., Alyious F. and Margaret E.

Lars P. Egtvet, who owns and operates a fine farm in the neighborhood of Corning, was born in Vos, Norway, in 1843, and came to this country with his parents in 1846. They settled on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, and there Lars received his education and grew to sturdy manhood amid agricultural pur- suits. After reaching the years of maturity, he left home and eame to Freeborn county, remaining, however, but a few months. He subsequently lived a year in Udolpho and four years in Red Rock, coming to Lansing township in 1885. He has been very sueeessful, lives in comfort, and has raised a fine family. His farm of 191 acres of well tilled land lies partially in Freeborn county and partially in Mower county. Mr. Egtvet was married in 1869 to Ingebor Winger, and this union has been blessed with eleven children, of whom nine are living. They are: Emma, Trena, Betsy, Peter, Edwin, Henry, Oliver, George and Hattie E. Emma is the wife of Lars Hanson; Irena is the wife of T. Nelson ; Betsy is the wife of Ingerbright Christianson; Edwin and Oliver live in Dakota.

A. M. Elmer, a successful young farmer of Austin township, has charge of 265 acres owned by his parents, and has demon- strated his fitness for the responsibility. IIe was born in Green county, Wisconsin, December 13, 1889, son of J. P. and Fannie Elmer, coming to Mower county with them in 1900 at the age of eleven years. Ile attended the district schools of his native county and Austin township, taking courses in the Austin high school and the Southern Minnesota Normal college, graduating from the latter in 1907. He at onee upon graduation entered the Union National Bank, at Minot, N. D., in a elerical position, and was later employed by the First National Bank, of Aberdeen, S. D., returning to his home in the spring of 1910. September 19

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 65

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