The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 67

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

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married January 1, 1887, to Anna Ewertson, of Otranto, and to this union has been born one son, Harry, March 4, 1893, a grad- uate of the Lyle high school. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church.

Sam D. Goetsch, a successful land agent, is one of the sub- stantial citizens of Dexter, and has built up a large business in real estate there, dealing also in all kinds of fire and cyclone insurance. He was born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, Jan- uary 14, 1879, son of Fred and Mary (Schesson) Goetsch. He was brought to Minnesota by his mother when thirteen years of age, and received his carly education in the vicinity of Waltham town- ship, this county, also starting in life as a farmer in the same vicinity. At eighteen years of age he started clerking in a store in Dexter, and also engaged in business for himself later, having stores at Dexter. In the spring of 1902 he started his present business, and has been very successful. He votes the Republican ticket, but has never cared to seek or accept public office. Mr. Goetsch was married in March, 1902, to Hanna Bush, and four children have blessed this union: Ruby, Pearl, David and Jesse. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church. Fred Goetsch was born in Wisconsin, of German parentage, and married Mary Schesson, living in Bayfield county, Wisconsin. There were six children in the family. William lives in Wisconsin. Joseph lives in Waltham township. Otto lives in Dexter township. Minnie is now Mrs. John Holtz, of Red Rock. John lives in Waltham township. Sam D. is a real estate agent at Dexter. Two other children, Frank and Rose, died when young.

Clarence G. Gillam, a popular young dentist of Austin, was born in Frankfort, Spink county, South Dakota, February 27, 1884, attended the public schools of Windom, Minn., and grad- uated from the Windom high school in 1902. Then he entered the University of Minnesota, and after graduating from the dental department of that institution, in 1905, took up the practice of dentistry in Mountain Lake, Cottonwood county, Minnesota, re- maining there until December, 1907, when he came to Austin, and associated himself with Dr. J. W. Phillips. In 1909 he bought out his partner, and has since conducted the business alone, hav- ing a suite of finely equipped offices at 231 North Main street. Dr. Gillam is an insurgent Republican. He has affiliated himself with the state and county dental associations, and is a well-liked member of the Austin Commercial Club and the Austin Tennis Club. He is also a Master Mason. William S. and Ida May (Loomis) Gillam, parents of Dr. Clarence G. Gillam, were natives respectively of Wisconsin and Minnesota. They went to South Dakota in 1881, and took a elaim in Spink county, on which they lived until 1889, when they moved to Windom, Cottonwood

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county, Minnesota, where W. S. engaged in grist milling until 1904, when he engaged in the nursery business at Redfield, S. D., where he and his wife now reside.

Daniel Guiney, a pioneer of Red Rock township, was born in County Cork, Ireland, and there married Hanna Fitzgerald, a native of the same county. In 1853 he came to America with his brothers, and after a short stay in Boston, Mass., located in Illinois. In 1856 he came to Red Rock township, pre-empted a quarter section, erected a log cabin and carried on farming until the time of his death, June 30, 1900. He left twelve children: John, Timothy, Daniel, Patrick, Frank, Mary, Ellen, Anna, Julia, Lillie and Edward J. Ellen is the wife of George Murphy. Julia is a sister in the Dominican order of nuns. James died in infancy.

Edward J. Guiney is a native of this county, born in Red Rock township, where he still resides, February 18, 1869, son of Daniel and Hanna (Fitzgerald) Guiney. Until recently Mr. Guiney las spent his entire life as a resident of the old homestead. He attended the schools of District 40, in Windom township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. Since his father's death he and his brothers have managed the home place, which is one of the largest farms in the township. Edward J. Guiney is a respected citizen of the township and is a popular member of the Knights of Columbus. He and the other members of the family attend the Catholic church at Austin.

Gordon C. Adams, of Austin, now deceased, former farmer and business man, was born in the town of Orwell, Vt., in 1823, and removed with his parents to Benson, Ruthland county, where he was engaged in farming and school teaching. In 1850 he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and engaged in the retail lumber trade, remain- ing several years, after which he was engaged with the New York & Brooklyn Sawmill and Lumber Company for ten years, being superintendent and treasurer of the company seven years of that time. For the succeeding fourteen years he was with the South Brooklyn Sawmill Company, being superintendent, secretary and treasurer nearly that entire time. During this time Mr. Adams visited Mower county, and was so pleased with the vicinity that in 1879 he purchased a farm of 160 acres from S. G. Woodard. Mr. Adams expended a considerable amount of money in improv- ing his place and his barns, and his equipment and facilities for handling and housing crops and live stock was among the best in the township. In his latter years Mr. Adams gave up farming, and for a time engaged in the fuel business in Austin. He died in Austin, February 17, 1901. G. C. Adams married for his first wife Harriet M. Watson. They were married in Vermont, and she died in the city of Brooklyn, leaving no children. His second wife was Ella M. Squires, also of Vermont, who died nine years after her

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marriage, leaving two children, Hattie M., who died at the age of 29, and Alfred, who died at the age of three. Subsequently Mr. Adams married Mattie Allen, born in Whitehall, III., daughter of Jesse and Mary B. Allen. Her early life was spent in Illinois, and she was married to Gordon C. Adams, at the age of 37 years. Mrs. Adams has four brothers living in Illinois: Henry F., William A., Lewis and Albert. Two are dead: Jesse L. and Jonathan. Henry F. married Mrs. Sarah Pankey and they have two children: Mattie and Jesse. William A. married Anna Corn, and their children are Leda, Kenneth and William. Lewis mar- ried Lillian Peet, and they have four children: Bertha, now Mrs. Burns; Ethel; Mabel, now Mrs. Fred Ford, and Lura. Albert married Mattie Stublefield, and they have one child, Edith, now Mrs. Clarenee Grimmett. Jesse L. left three children : Minnie, now Mrs. Cyrus Curtis; Mary, widow of William Reily, and Frank Q., who is married and has several children. Jonathan married Etta King and had three children, Stella, who died at the age of 28 years, and Herman and Roscoe. The two latter are prosperous young men, the former being 30 years of age and the latter 21. These young men are engaged in the lumber business in Wisconsin.

Robert A. Barnitz, one of the rising young dentists of Austin, has a well equipped office at 233 North Main street, and enjoys the confidence of a large elientele, his skillful work being its own highest recommendation. Dr. Barnitz was born in Austin town- ship, February 4, 1882, son of Charles and Josephine (Baudler) Barnitz, and attended the graded schools of his neighborhood, graduating from the Austin high school in 1902. IIe then worked at home two years and at the end of that period entered the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, graduating June 1, 1907. Two weeks later, in July, he opened an office in Austin, which he has sinee sueeessfully conducted. Dr. Barnitz is a member of the Masonie order, and while at college was admitted to the fellow- ship of the Delta Sigma Delta. He is an independent voter.

Charles Barnitz, a market gardener, living in Anstin township, was born in Gratz, Austria, and eame to America in 1869, arriving in Mower county two years later. Subsequently he spent three years in what was then Washington territory on a claim. He then came back to Austin, where he took up the work which he has sinee continued. His wife, whose maiden name was Josephine Baudler, was a native of Austin township.

Alvah E. Beadell, former merchant, now a Lansing farmer, was born at Helena, Wis., in 1862, descended from an old Wis- consin family. His father, Luther Beadell, was a blacksmith and farmer, while his grandfather, Alvah Culver, was a merchant and Mississippi steamboat owner, being one of the first men to run a

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line of steamboats on the Wisconsin river. His mother, Abbie Culver, was a member of the Wiseonsin pioneer family of that. name. The subject of this sketeh passed his early life on a farm in Wisconsin, and in 1891 eame to Lansing village, entering the employ of Harvey MeIntyre, as a elerk. He afterward conducted a hardware store of his own in the same village for nine years. Sinee that time he has devoted his life entirely to farming. He is one of the progressive men of Lausing, interested especially in the town government, having served as treasurer of Lansing township for sixteen years. He belongs to the Masons and the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Beadell was married, some years ago, to Bessie Soule, daughter of Rensselaer Soule and Cornelia Hawley, his wife, for many years well known residents of Lansing. The subject of this sketeh is the father of six children: Mary A., Lester, Edwin, Clarence, Don and Walter.

William Baudler, a sturdy old pioneer of Mower county, was born in Germany, April 5, 1834. After receiving a good education in the public schools of his native land, he learned the baker's trade, followed this line in Germany and after his emigration to Ameriea in 1853. Arriving in this country, he first located in the state of New York, thence removing to Mississippi, and from there to New Orleans and then to St. Louis, all the time plying his vocation of baker. May 8, 1855, he came to Austin, Minn.,. and acquired 160 aeres of wild land bordering on the city limits. This traet he immediately commeneed working into a productive farm, clearing and improving it from year to year, and adding a home, buildings and new machinery in keeping with the times. In spite of his 77 years, he still takes an active interest in the management of the farm, which he has developed out of the wilderness. In politieal matters he votes for what he believes conducive to the best welfare of the community, being unin- fluenced by party. July 5, 1876, he was united in marriage with Barbara Faber, by whom he has four children: Herman, who is engaged in farming in Lansing township; Carl and Otto, com- prising the firm of Baudler Brothers, attorneys of Austin, and Alvin, living at home.

Baudler Brothers, one of the leading law firms of Austin, is composed of two live and energetie attorneys, Carl and Otto Baudler. They are both natives of this county, Carl being born March 6, 1879, and Otto, December 16, 1881. Their education was largely received in the public schools of Austin, Carl being graduated from the local high school in 1899, and Otto receiving his diploma two years later from the same institution. In 1901 Carl entered the law department of the state university, receiving his degrec in 1904. Otto commeneed the same course the year his

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brother graduated, and was admitted to the bar in 1907. The following year the brothers opened offiees in Austin and have since met with much success in the practice of their profession, being thoroughly conversant with all branches of law. The Democratic party claims their allegianee. At the November elee- tion, 1910, Otto was elected county attorney by the largest majority ever given a candidate in this eounty at a general elee- tion, notwithstanding the fact that the Democratie party is greatly in the minority. He is the youngest county official in Mower county, and one of the youngest in the state. The brothers are loyal members of the Austin Commercial Club. Their home is located at 1206 North Kenwood. William and Barbara (Faber) Baudler, parents of our subjects, are among the pioneers of this county, now residing on their farm in seetion thirty-four, Lansing township. Their sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

George W. Benton was born in Utica, N. Y., February 16, 1832. ITis father, Royal Benton, was a native of Connecticut, and was a merchant in Utiea at the time George W. was born. The family migrated to Ohio, and settled in the town of Vienna, where the father opened a tailor shop, and spent the remainder of his days. The family remained at Vienna, and when George W. was 16 years of age he started with a team to Logan county, and worked on a railroad one season. Then he went to Bellefontaine and engaged in teaming. He was married there in 1852 to Caroline J. Royer, after which he rented a small place and eom- meneed burning lime and selling building stone. After a year or so, he began buying and selling horses, taking them to Galena and Kentucky. In 1854 he made his first trip to Minnesota, engaging his time in buying a drove of horses which he sold in St. Paul. Ile first visited Mower county in December, 1854, and he and his family spent the winter here with his brother, Elon, 1856, on section seven, town of Windom. He teamed for a while and in 1857 elaimed the southwest quarter of seetion nine. The follow- ing winter he built a log house, and in the spring of 1858 moved into it. With true pioneer zeal he started in farming, and in 1883 he had inereased his land to 720 acres. He had also ereeted a fine house and outbuildings. Mr. Benton's wife died in October, 1880, leaving four children: Royal, Winfield, Charles and Alfred. In November, 1881, Mr. Benton married Sarah C., daughter of Barnabus and Maria (Fiteh) Johnson and widow of George Ben- nett. Two children have been born to this union: Ormanzo J. Benton, who is engaged in the boot and shoe business in Austin, and Herbert W., who clerks in Fargo, N. D. Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Benton's first husband, was born in Schatigee, N. Y., and died at Mona, lowa, in 1881, leaving one child, George A. George W. Benton died in April, 1902, as the result of an accident occasioned

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by his team of young horses running away. He was greatly esteemed and his demise caused a widefelt sorrow.

Ole Benson was born in Hemsedal, Norway, August 14, 1822, and in 1841 was married to Margaret Throm. Four children were born to them, of whom two are living: Hans, of Udolpho town- ship, and Andrew, of Blooming Prairie. The dead are Peder and Ben. He came to America in 1853 and settled at St. Ansgar, Iowa. In 1864 he moved to Minnesota, where he settled on a farm in Udolpho township, where his wife died in September, 1870. Then he made his home with his son, Andrew. He died June 19, 1910.

Hans Benson, a successful Udolpho farmer, was born in Nor- way, December 14, 1849, son of Ole and Marget (Throm) Benson, who brought him to America in 1853, and after eleven years in Iowa moved to Udolpho township, where they purchased the Teller farm. On this place Hans grew to manhood and then pur- chased the Hasmer place of 159 acres, on which he still lives. Mr. Benson served on the school board for several years, and he had the members of his family attend the Lutheran church. He mar- ried Ida Christianson, and in the family are the following chil- dren : Florence, Ole, Selmer, Cora. The father of Hans Benson died June 19, 1910, at the age of nearly 88, and his mother died in 1870.

Herbert W. Boody, chief engineer for the Austin Electric Light and Power Plant and an expert in his line, was born in Portland, Me., July 15, 1872. His education was acquired in the public schools of Portland and Minneapolis, after which he entered the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, working his way up from call boy to locomotive fireman, remaining eight years in the latter capacity. He then, in April of 1898, engaged as engineer for the old waterworks plant of Austin, proving so entirely satisfactory that on July 4, 1900, at the time when the water works and light plant were combined under one head, he was made operating engineer. In this capacity he continued until December 12, 1908, when he was given his present position as chief engineer of the plant. His political convictions are Re- publican, and he has officiated as constable of the third ward two years. He is a Master Mason, a Modern Woodman of America, and is associated with the C. of H. and the F. O. E. October 4, 1894, at Austin, he was married to Caroline M. Fischer, a native of this county, born at Varco, February 15, 1877. This union has been blessed with two children: Marguerite T. and Leonard H. The family reside at 110 Division street. They worship at the Episcopal church. Leonard G. Boody, father of our subject, is a machinist of unusual ability, holding many responsible positions with different railroad companies in his younger days. He was a native of Maine, following his trade as a machinist in this state

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until 1882, when he came west to Minneapolis, first being cm- ployed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and later by the Northern Pacific railroad. In 1883 he brought his family to Min- neapolis, and entered the machine shops of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul railroad, being connected with this company until 1891, when he took charge of the shops of the Great Northern, as foreman, at Great Falls, Mont. Resigning in 1900, he has sinee lived retired at Tacoma, Wash. His wife, neé Mar- garet A. Flemming, died January 13, 1895.

Wilson Beach, a rugged old pioneer of Mower county, was born in Fulton township, Schoharie county, New York, May 17, 1836. The public schools of Albany county, New York, afforded him his education, after which he engaged in farming in that county until 1856, when he took the westward trail for Minnesota, pre-empting a quarter section of wild land in section 26, Lyle township, Mower county. With the rude tools and implements of those early days he eleared and improved his land, valiantly over- coming the obstacles and enduring the privations inseparable from the life of a pioneer. Together with his father and brother he purchased 280 acres more in seetions 36 and 37, Lyle township. Mr. Beach made other additions until he was the sole owner of about 400 acres, all in Lyle township, on which he successfully followed general farming until poor health compelled his retire- ment in 1880, removing to Austin the same year. Five years later he operated a feed store for a time, but sinee then he has not been actively engaged in business, now living retired at 209 West Maple street. ITis political convictions are Republican, and while in Lyle he served as town treasurer and supervisor, and was alderman from the first ward of Austin for a term sinee his removal to this eity. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. March 18, 1869, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Sabin, who died November 17, 1894. He was married a second time, June 18, 1898, to Henrietta Hazard. Mr. and Mrs. Beach are loyal attendants of the Baptist church.

Phillip H. Best, market gardener and poultryman, of Austin, was born in Germany, October 25, 1858, son of John and Margaret (Schiller) Best, who brought their family to America in 1866, locating in Waukesha eounty, Wisconsin, and engaging in farm- ing until John Best's death, in 1908. The mother, Mrs. Margaret Best, is still living at the good old age of 87 years. Phillip Il. received his education in Germany and Wisconsin, then took up farming with his parents. He was married, January 1, 1879, to Helen Nixon, daughter of William and Franees Nixon. This union has resulted in twelve children, all of whom are living: Mabel, now Mrs. Harry Rogers, residing on a farm in North

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Dakota; Alice, living in Wisconsin; Margaret, wife of John A. Stromer; Cora, wife of Levi Brimacomb, both of Austin; Emma, Nellie, Zella, Katherine, Ray, Jay, Florence and Milo. In 1888 he moved from Wisconsin to Mower county, Lyle township, where he engaged in farming. In 1903 he came to Austin, and in 1908 purchased twenty acres on South River street, where he engaged in garden and market farming. Aside from raising bees and poultry, his special pride are his White Wyandottes, White Plymouth Rocks and White Pekin ducks. Mr. Best is a Re- publican, is a member of the Owls, also of the M. W. A. Mrs. Helen Best was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, March 31, 1860. Her father, Wm. Nixon, was born in England in 1831. He came to America in 1849 and located in Wisconsin. In 1856 he was married to Frances Smart, who died in 1864, leaving him with three small children, and in 1869 he was again married to Mary Plum. Six children were born to them. Five children are living. While Mr. Nixon still lived in England he ran an engine in the coal mines. In this county he was one of the first engineers on the C., M. & St. P. railroad. He also operated the first steam threshing machine in his part of the state of Wisconsin, this being in 1858, when a machine had been invented to thresh the grain by steam, but when the machine itself had to be drawn by oxen. In 1888 he came to Carpenter, where he bought a farm of 200 acres. He still kept up the business of threshing until 1891. His death came in 1908.

Sven Christenson was born in Nas Hallingdal, Norway, in 1847, and passed away in Lansing township, this county, April 23, 1907, having led a useful life filled with hard labor and worthy accomplishment. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native country, and when 22 years of age came to America to seek his fortune, making his way to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he stayed one year; then came to Lansing township, where he worked on various farms about four years before purchasing land in section 5. This land he improved, built a good house and comfortable outbuildings, and here made his home until his lamented death. He married Carrie, daughter of Knut Braaben, and to this union were born five children: Inga, Mary, Carl, Christene and Nels. Inga is the wife of Hans Benson, and they have four children : Florence O., Ole, Selmer and Cora. Mary married Halvor Medgaarden, and they have one son, Clarence. Carl, Christene and Nels live at home with their mother, and Carl and Nels manage the home farm, which consists of 200 acres, all in a fine stage of cultivation. Mrs. Christenson is a good woman, known for her interest in church work. She was born in Norway, and with much courage came to this country alone to seek her fortune in 1872. The family is highly regarded in the community.

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Frank M. Callinan, passenger conductor for the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul railroad, trusted by the company and well liked by his associates, was born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., January 5, 1866. His early education was received in the public schools of Prairie du Chien, this being supplemented with a course in the Sacred Heart College of his home town. He then learned telegraphy and entered the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Minnesota Lake, being connected with the company ever since. In 1888 he came to Austin, and was made freight conductor. In 1903 he was given charge of a train in the passenger service, his run now being on the Iowa & Minnesota division. His political convictions are those of the Democratic party, but the nature of his work has prevented him from holding office. He is fraternally identified with the Order of Railway Con- ductors, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus, in which latter he is now serving as grand knight. September 8, 1898, he was married to Mary Meany, by whom he has three children : Ellen F., born November 3, 1900, at Minneapolis ; John G., born July 27, 1904, at Austin ; and Anna R., who was born May 27, 1910, at Austin. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Callinan comes of a family of railroad men, his father, John G., commencing with the same company as his son, and gradually earning his promotion to the position of passenger conductor, serving in Wisconsin until 1888, when he was transferred to South Dakota, still retaining his position. He died while in the employ of the company, March 21, 1899. His wife had previously died, March 8, 1892. Her maiden name was Ellen Gilmartin. William and Katherine (O'Malley) Meany, parents of Mrs. Frank M. Callinan, were pioneers of this county, the O'Malleys locating in 1856, and William Meany, in Windom township, in 1868. William Meany was a hard working industrious farmer and died on the farm, January 30, 1895. The mother is still living on the old homestead.

W. E. Cornelius was born in Winona county, Minnesota, and came to Freeborn county in 1896. In 1908 he moved to Mower county and was married that year to Mrs. Thea Ulland, the daughter of Gilbert Thompson, an early settler of Freeborn county. By her first husband, whom she married in 1898, Mrs. Cornelius has two children : Albertina T. and Genelia S. To her and W. E. Cornelius has been born one daughter, Beatrite L. The Cornelius farm is pleasantly situated in Udolpho township, and the comfortable residence faces the road which divides the coun- ties of Mower and Freeborn.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 67

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