The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 66

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 66

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).

615

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

of that year he married Mary Miller, of Prentice, Wis. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.

J. P. Elmer was born in Green county, Wisconsin, and there married Fannie Elmer, a native of the same county. In 1900 they came to Austin township and purchased 265 acres of land in sec- tion 16, where they took up their home. At the present time they are in North Dakota, and their son has charge of the farm. Aside from this son, A. M., there are five other children: Mrs. Lueinda Paulson, of Crosby, N. D .; Samuel, of the United States navy ; Adam, eashier of a dairy lunch at Minneapolis; Walter, who is at home on the farm, and Floretta, of Crosby, N. D.

Edward H. Elward, who is connected with the Austin fire department, was born in Benson, Vt., September 25, 1861, son of Michael and Elizabeth Elward, both natives of Ireland. In early life Edward H. attended the district schools of Vermont and then in 1880 came to Austin, in which vicinity he farmed from that date until 1892, when he accepted his present position with the city. He affiliates with the Elks, the Woodmen, the Workmen and the Odd Fellows. Mr. Elward was married for the first time to Mary Prouty, by whom he had five children; Lee, who married Mary Woodward; Lynn, William, Walter and Ruth. Mr. Elward married for his second wife Inize Prouty, and to this union have been born two children, John and Paul.

John F. Fairbanks, for twenty-six years past a sueeessful dealer in coal, fuel and lime, at Austin, was born in Mitchell county, Iowa, July 25, 1857, son of Alonzo Fairbanks, a war-time miller in Austin, and later a Mower county farmer. John F. passed through the usual experiences of the average farmer boy, worked on the farm, attended the district schools and grew to healthy young manhood. He worked for a time in an elevator and then engaged in the business which he still conduets. Mr. Fairbanks married Mary Vaughn, daughter of Albert Vaughn, a native of Virginia, and they have two sons, Harold V. and Rodney Dean. Mr. Fairbanks is an Odd Fellow, and for many years has served on the Austin school board. He is a member of the Methodist church and of the Republican party.

Alonzo Fairbanks was born in Vermont and married Ellen M. Backus. They came west in 1855 and located in Mitchell county, Iowa, remaining there until 1861, when Alonzo eame to Austin, and after working for a time in a saw mill, became interested in the milling business with the Bemis brothers. At that time the business was in but primitive shape and Mr. Fairbanks soon returned to his former occupation as a farmer. He now resides in Blooming Prairie, Minn. His wife died in 1887.

William A. Frazer, M. D., a well-liked physician and surgeon,

616

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

of Lyle, was born in Bedford, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1850, son of William and Hanna (Davis) Frazer, with whom he went to Illinois in 1861, and to Arkansas in 1868, Wil- liam Frazier dying in 1885 and Hanna Frazer in 1878. William A. attended the public schools of Illinois and Arkansas, and then entered the University of Kansas City, graduating from the med- ical department in 1886. In addition to this he has taken special courses in postgraduate work in Chicago in 1890, 1896 and 1900, thus keeping thoroughly abreast with the latest developments in the realms of medicine and surgery. After practicing in Lynn county, Kansas, in a village ealled Blooming Grove, Dr. Frazer came to Lyle in 1888 and has since maintained his office here, hav- ing a large practice in village and county. Being thoroughly ethical in his profession, he has allied himself with the American, the Minnesota State and the Mower County Medical Associations, of which latter he has served as president. He is at present the village health officer, has been justice of the peace, and belongs to the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Brother- hood of America. He is a Prohibitionist in polities, and in religion holds to the stern tenets of the Quakers, though he attends the Congregational church. Dr. Frazer married Viola C. Johnson, of Hindsville, Ark., the ceremony taking place February 3, 1875. This union has been blessed with six children, four of whom are living: May is a student at one of the colleges at Oxford Uni- (versity, Oxford, England; Ray is manager of the Lyle Corru- gated Culvert Company, at Minneapolis ; J. D. lives at home and is an insurance agent ; William M. is a student in the University of Minesota.

Robert M. Foster, one of the venerable pioneers, has nearly reached the four score and ten mark in his span of years. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1821, son of John and Catherine (Cosgray) Foster, the former born in Maryland and the latter in Ireland, she coming to America at the age of twelve years. Robert M. grew to manhood in Fayette county, and when twenty-two years of age went to Jefferson county, Ohio, there remaining ten years. He then started for Minnesota, taking a trip by rail to Pittsburg, Pa., thence to Cairo, Ill., by boat, then up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and thence to Dubuque, Iowa, remaining there a month. He then reached For- estville, in Fillmore county, this state, and on October 1, 1853, opened a little store, which has since been conducted by some one in the family, being at the present time managed by a nephew, Thomas J. Meighen. In 1876 Mr. Foster went four miles west of his first residence and purchased a half section in Forestville township, on which tract he farmed until 1885, when he sold out and purchased a half section near Preston, in the same county.

617

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Mr. Foster has been practically retired for a number of years and now resides in his large and pleasant home on Kenwood avenue, spending the twilight years of his life surrounded by comfort and care. Mr. Foster married for his first wife, in 1854, Elizabeth Renslow, who bore him ten children, all of whom are living except one. Elizabeth Foster died on the farm near Preston, and later Mr. Foster married Magdaline Van Maekelenbergh, a native of Holland, on April 10, 1893.

Henry D. Fairbanks, partner in the firm of Fairbanks Brothers, leading photographers of Austin, was born in Brandon, Vt., April 13, 1869, son of Luke B. and Caro (Bowen) Fairbanks. Henry was brought to Mower county by his parents at the age of three years, and was here reared to manhood, attending the district schools of Windom township. At the age of 22 years he came to Austin, and took up the photographie art with E. H. Austin. Later he formed a partnership with G. S. Hildahl, but in 1894 Mr. Hildahl died and Guy L. Fairbanks took his place in the firm, the company assuming its present designation. They maintain braneh studios at Adams, Blooming Prairie and Lyle. They have built up a large trade and do excellent work. Henry D. Fair- banks belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and to the Austin and Mower County Automobile Clubs. He was married September 3, 1895, to Kate Beach, of this place, and their union has been blessed with two children: Katie Marie and Howell. The family residence is at 709 Lansing avenue.

Guy L. Fairbanks, of Austin, partner in the firm of Fairbanks Brothers, photographers, was born in Windom township, this county, July 1, 1873, son of Luke B. and Caro (Bowen) Fair- banks. He spent his youth on the farm, and in 1892 went to California with his parents, working one year on a fruit farm. Then he took up photography in Redlands, Cal., and there re- mained until 1894, when he came back to Austin, and entered into partnership with his brother, Henry D. He was married April 5, 1909, to Ida M. Anshus, of Minneapolis, and they have one child, Grant G. The family residenee is at 205 West Water street.

Philip H. Friend, one of the leading business men of Austin, where he has resided sinee 1888, has a flourishing trade, and both in a social and business way enjoys the confidence and trust of his fellow citizens. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, Febru- ary 25, 1859, son of Abraham and Fannie (Strauss) Friend, who when he was still a young boy took him to Mendota, Illi- nois, where he received his edneation in the graded and high school. He then started in life for himself as a clothing elerk at Aurora, Ill., remaining one year. From there he engaged in the clothing business for himself in Clarinda, Ill., and in 1888 eame

618

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

to Austin, where he engaged in his present business. He has built up a large patronage, his "Golden Eagle" clothing house being known far and near as a desirable place to secure men's and boys' clothing, bags and trunks, and all sorts of haber- dashery. In 1899 Mr. Friend erected a fine home on North Kenwood avenne, where he still resides. He is a prominent member of the Masonie order and of the Knights of Pythias, as well as an active worker in the Austin Commercial Club. Philip HI. Friend was married February 22, 1898, to Amy Rau, and this union has been blessed with two bright children, Edith and Philip R.

M. S. Fisch, a leading merchant of Anstin, has been a resident of this city since 1900, and immediately upon his locating here became a prominent citizen, taking an active part in many public movements that tended to the progress of the business interests of the city. He was born in Caledonia, Houston county, Minne- sota, October 5, 1862, son of Theodore and Eva (Manders) Fisch, the former of whom now lives in Minnesota Lake, Minn., the latter dying in November, 1907. Mr. Fisch was reared on a farm in Houston county, attended the schools of Caledonia and Free- berg, and remained at home until 19 years of age. After two years of railroad work on a section gang for the C., M. & St. P. he began clerical work in a store at Minnesota Lake. Four years later he opened a store of his own, and was appointed postmaster, continuing the store business there fourteen years. His post- mastership continued eight years, the two terms of Cleveland's administration. While in Minnesota Lake he served on the school board six years, and on the city council for a similar period. He also became vice president of the First National Bank, of Minnesota Lake, a position he still retains. In 1900 Mr. Fisch came to Austin and engaged in the general merchandise business. Ile has built up a large trade, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community, his goods recommending themselves to a large number of customers, who are drawn to the store by its reputa- tion for honest dealing and fair treatment. The store carries all the goods usually found in such a place, and has special dry goods, cloak and suits, and grocery departments. The store at Minnesota Lake is condneted under the same ownership, with a local manager in charge. Mr. Fisch is president of the Security State Bank, of Waldorf, Wascea county, Minnesota. He belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Foresters. and votes the Democratie tieket. The subject of this sketch was married February 10, 1887, at Freeberg, Houston county, Minne- sota, to Mary Danwen, and this union has been blessed with five children. George T. and Edward N. are clerks in their father's store. Alta K., Herbert M. and Berniee A. are at school.

619

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

William M. Fowler, farmer, of Dexter township, was born in Licking county, Ohio, August 4, 1853, son of William and Hannah (Tyler) Fowler. He was taken to Wisconsin by his parents when six weeks of age, and thence to High Forest township in Olmsted county, where he attended school and grew to manhood. After his father's death in 1870 he took charge of the home farm unti! 1876, when with his mother he came to Mower county, where he purchased 160 acres of land in Pleasant Valley township. Here he followed farming until 1882, when he removed to Sergeant, and farmed for several years on rented land. After this he pur- chased 160 acres in Sergeant township, and carried on diversified farming until 1894. Then he sold this farm and until 1897 rented a farm in Grand Meadow township. In 1897 he moved to Dexter village and purchased sixteen acres inside the corporate limits, where he resided until 1910, when he sold and resumed farming operations in Grand Meadow township in 1911. He was married December 12, 1888, to Clara DeYoung, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, July 28, 1862. Two children were born to them, a son, Charles Homer, July 17, 1893, and a daughter, Nellie Ruth, August 20, 1897.

William Fowler was born in Massachusetts, March 31, 1815, and at the age of two years was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he was educated and grew to manhood. In Ohio he met and married Hannah Tyler, who was born in Vermont, May 9, 1829, and was taken to Ohio at the age of five years. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Fowler moved to Green Lake, Wis., and engaged in farming until 1866, when they came to Minnesota and took up their residence in Olmsted county, where William Fowler died in May, 1870. Since his death his wife has made her home largely in St. Paul. She is now living with her son, William M., at the advanced age of 81 years. Mr. and Mrs. William Fowler were the parents of five children: Lafayette P., of Montana; William M., of Dexter: J. C. Freemont (deceased) ; Byron, of St. Paul, and Zebina, now of Aberdeen, S. D. John DeYoung and Nellie Mas- tenbrook, parents of Mrs. William Fowler, were natives of Hol- land. They came to America at an early day and located in Cook county, Illinois. There they engaged in farming and truck gardening until 1867, when they removed to Kasson, Dodge county, this state, and after one year moved to Mower county and engaged in farming the remainder of their days, John De Young dying May 18, 1909, and his wife March 2, 1903. They were the parents of seven children: Kate DeYoung (deceased) : James, of Spring Valley, Minn .; Clara, now Mrs. William M. Fowler, of Dexter; Jennie, now Mrs. John Sherman, of Grand Meadow township; Peter, of St. Paul; Minnie, now Mrs. Zebina

620

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

Fowler, of Aberdeen, S. D., and Mary, now Mrs. Stanley Vaughn, of Lansing township.

Matt Flemming, a prosperous resident of Marshall township, was born in Wiseonsin, January 25, 1871, son of Matt Flemming, Sr., the pioneer. Matt eame with his parents and elder brother, Michael, who was born in Wisconsin, October 19, 1866, to Mower county nearly forty years ago, and has sinee carried on general farming in Marshall township, he and his brother Michael, more commonly called Mike, now owning a fertile traet of 460 acres, largely under cultivation and all in the highest stage of develop- ment. Matt and Michael Flemming are both members of the United Workmen, and are both independent voters, casting their ballots intelligently after carefully and thoughtfully considering the candidates and issues of each campaign. The subject of this sketch married Clara Albright, who has proved an able and sympathetie helpmeet. This union has been blessed with three children. Edna, a bright girl of 11, attends school, while Edith and Ethel, the twins born May 19, 1909, are the joy of the household.

Matt Flemming, Sr., a Wiseonsin pioneer, was born in Ger- many, March 2, 1839, his parents being sturdy and respected natives of the Fatherland. He came to Wisconsin before the war, broke land, endured the hardships incident to pioneer life, and assisted in the development of that state. Some forty years ago he brought his family to Mower county, and purchased a traet of land in Marshall township, where he farmed until the time of his lamented death, December 9, 1907. His wife followed him to her last resting place February 8, 1908, and both are buried at Rose Creek in St. Peter's eemetery.

John J. Gilbertson was born on a farm near LaCrosse, Wis., in 1855. When a young man he was employed for a number of years as a clerk in the large wholesale dry goods house of Mons Anderson in LaCrosse. Ile then entered the general store busi- ness for himself at Grand Meadow, Minn., at the same time editing the Grand Meadow Record, in partnership with a Mr. Jurgens. After remaining at Grand Meadow for ten years, he came to Austin, Minn., and in partnership with George Edgerton, engaged in the machine business, selling threshing machines, buggies, eut- ters and general farm machinery, in which business he remained to the time of his death, which occurred June 9, 1892. Mr. Gilbertson was married in 1878 at Grand Meadow, Minn., to Martha Marian Hestad, and to this union were born six children : Elvira S., Walter 1., Frances M., Lilian F., Lueile HI. and Esther MI. Walter I. married Emily Ricekhoff and they have one child, John. Franees M. married William Masteller and they have two children, Marian and William. Mrs. John Gilbertson was born

621

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

April 14, 1861, at Stavenger, Norway, and came to LaCrosse, Wis., with her parents in 1871, where she lived to the time of her mar- riage. Benjamin Uleland Hestad and Ellen, his wife, parents of Mrs. John Gilbertson, were both natives of Norway, where the wife inherited a large estate and where the husband held a state office. Mr. Hestad came to America shortly before the Civil war and fought in the union army two years. Being called home, he procured a leave of absence and then furnished a substitute to finish his enlistment in his place. On his return to Norway he managed his wife's large estate near Christiania, the estate con- taining many acres and being occupied by many tenants. After remaining there some years he sold the estate and again came to America, locating in LaCrosse, Wis., where he engaged in the real estate business. Later he went to South Dakota and was one of the founders of Bryant, in that state, where he built several stores and assisted in establishing a bank. He also purchased 1,800 acres of land in that vicinity near Lake Norden, which lake he named. Benjamin Uleland Hestad and his wife were the parents of nine children : Martha Marian, Guy, Theodore, Michael, Edward, Augustus, John, Benjamin and Emma Josephine. Mr. Hestad died at Bryant, S. D., in 1904, and his widow still resides there. Mr. Hestad was the nephew of the statesman Uleland, who figured prominently in Norwegian politics and served his country in that capacity for forty years. It is interesting to note in this connection that the greatgrandfather of Mrs. John Gilbertson was General Gunder Hestad, one of the distinguished generals during the war between Norway and Sweden. He was greatly honored by his countrymen and lived to the great age of 103 years. Mrs. Gilbertson well remembers him, as when she was a child he frequently told her stories of the battles in which he had taken part.

John Guiney is one of the live, progressive farmers of Red Rock township, and has held various positions of public and private trust and honor, his interest in progress and education being shown by his continuous service of fifteen years on the school board of his district. He was born in MeHenry county, Illinois, December 15, 1856, son of Daniel and Hanna (Fitz- gerald) Guiney. After a boyhood spent on his father's farm, he reached the age of 25 years, and purchased a place of his own, since which time he has been successfully engaged in farming. October 21, 1890, he married Mary Keating, daughter of Daniel and Hanna (Casey) Keating, and seven children have been born: Julia A., Mary A., Katherine E., Loretta E., Angela M., Daniel E., and Francis G., the latter named being dead.

W. V. Gilmore, of Dexter, formerly principal of the village school, and now rural mail carrier, was born in Mabel, Fillmore

622

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

county, June 10, 1881, son of A. H. and Catherine (Lamb) Gil- more. He received his earlier education in the common schools and graduated from the high school at Mabel, in Fillmore county. He took courses at Hamline University two years, and then started teaching in Fillmore county. After a year at Canton, lie eame to Dexter in 1907, and took charge of the schools here for two years. Then he passed the necessary examinations and became rural carrier on Route 1 from the Dexter postoffice. He is an independent voter, belongs to the Masonie order and to the M. W. A., and attends the Methodist church. He was married August 22, 1906, to Marian Stroud, daughter of James K. and Carrie (Bacon) Stroud, early pioneers of Fillmore county, now living in retirement in Mabel, in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Gil- more have two children: Daryl L., born in Fair Oak, Cal., July 10, 1907, and Eleanor Kathryn, born February 13, 1910, in Dexter. A. Il. Gilmore and Catherine Lamb, his wife, after many years spent in Minnesota, are now living in Fair Oak, Cal. They have three children : Walter V .; Ralph, a student at the Leland-Stan- ford University in California, and Ella, one of the head teachers in the reform school at Ione, Cal. James K. Stroud and Carrie Baeon, his wife, after many years spent as farmers in Fillmore county, have now moved to Mabel, not far from their old farm, and are there spending their days in retirement. They had seven children : Elmer R., of Mabel, Minn., a merchant ; Leonard B., a farmer in Atwater, Minn .; Lulu M., wife of A. A. Miner, of Mabel; Herbert N., eashier of the First National Bank, at Wim- bledon, N. D .; Roy, a farmer near Mabel; Arthur D., a Methodist elergyman in Boston, and Marian, now wife of W. V. Gilmore, of Dexter.

George W. Grimshaw, now deceased, was a fine type of the early Minnesota pioneer. He was a prominent citizen of both Mower and Steele county, took a fervent interest in the agricul- tural development of this part of the state, and was a stauneh advocate of everything that tended toward the betterment and progress of humanity. He was born in Oneida county, New York, January 10, 1833, and at three years of age was taken by his parents to Jefferson county, New York, where he received his education in the district schools and in the academy there. He eame west in 1856, located in Aurora township, Steele county, and then seven years later took up his residence in Lansing township, Mower county, where he engaged in farming until 1893, when he came to Austin, built a home at 610 West Winona street, and there lived until his death, April 16, 1904. Mr. Grimshaw served as town clerk of Aurora township, Steele county, and elerk and chairman of Lansing county, in Mower county. He was instru- mental in organizing the Mower County Agricultural Society,

623

HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

which is still in existence. He was a member of the Methodist church for over forty years, being a steward and serving on the board of trustees for many years. He was married August 16, 1858, at Loraine, Jefferson county, New York, to Larena Hanson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hanson, and this union was blessed with four children: Adelbert, who died at five years; Addie, his twin, who died at six weeks; Ida May, now Mrs. J. E. White, of St. Paul, and Rose E., now Mrs. C. L. Rice, of Austin. The Cedar River Grange, at Ramsey, Minn., was instrumental in organizing the Mower County Fair, and Mr. G. W. Grimshaw was president of the first Mower County Fair held in Austin and served several years in succession.

J. B. Graves, a respected citizen of Brownsdale, and at one time county commissioner of Mower county, was born May 21, 1829, in Fowler, St. Lawrence county, New York, son of Gaylord and Nancy (Tuckerman) Graves. In 1838 the entire family came west to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where the father had two years previous made a claim. J. B. spent his early life in Wal- worth county, and later went to Fox River, where, being a car- penter by trade, he built a number of houses. In the spring of 1861 he came to Brownsdale, and continued at his trade in addi- tion to carrying on general farming. Some years ago he became treasurer of the creamery at Brownsdale. In fraternal affilia- tions he is a Mason, having been raised to that dignity at Austin, but being now a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 116, of Browns- dale. He married Margaret Clark, daughter of Owen and Mary (Condon) Clark, born at Utica, New York, September 20, 1835, and they had four children. Three are dead: Edwin, Mary and Howard. Alice is the wife of W. H. Lawrence.

A. George, the popular station agent for the C., M. & St. P., at Lyle, has occupied his present position for seven years. Since coming to the village he has actively identified himself with public affairs, is president of the Lyle Commercial Club, is keeper of records and seals of the Knights of Pythias, and a hard worker in the I. O. O. F. When at Otranto he was president of the school board of that place. He was born in Hartford, Wis., November 2, 1865, son of A. and Verona (Weistonner) George, natives of Switzerland. They came to America about 1857, and located in Hartford, Wis., where the senior George engaged in contracting and building. In 1880 they removed to Milford, Iowa, and retired. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of Wisconsin and Iowa. After leaving school, he entered the employ of the C., M. & St. P. as station agent at Milford, remaining there six months. Then he was given charge of the station at Otranto, Iowa, and there remained fifteen years. Ilis residence in Lyle dates from April 13, 1903. Mr. George was

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 66

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