The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 75

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 75

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

served as a member of the school board. He is also a popular member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Robertson was married November 11, 1903, to Bertha L. Anderson, and this union has resulted in one child, Merwyn A., born May 28, 1909.

Perry L. Reynolds, retired farmer and real estate man, now living at 601 West Oakland avenue, Austin, was born in Wash- ington county, New York, February 28, 1847, son of Benjamin and Naney (MeDougal) Reynolds, who spent the span of their years in New York state, the father dying in 1872 and the mother in 1892. Perry L. received a good common school education, and in 1867 migrated to Braneh county, Michigan, where he remained two years. In 1869 he eame to Minnesota, and from then until 1904 farmed and dealt in real estate, owning at one time nearly 2,000 aeres in Nevada township, this eounty. In 1904 he retired and has since made his home in the city of Austin, still owning land in Austin and Sargeant townships. He is a Republican and a Mason, and a member of the Christian church. Mr. Reynolds was married May 23, 1883, to Mrs. Nancy A. (Slyke) Brown, and to this union have been born two children: Harland L., an east side merchant in Austin, and Mabel, now Mrs. Harry Herman, of Austin. Mrs. Reynolds is the daughter of David D. and Saralı (Moyer) Slyke, both natives of Montgomery county, New York, where the father died in 1890 and the mother in 1888. Mrs. Reynolds was born in Montgomery county, New York, February 3, 1843, and was first married to Ozni C. Brown, who died in 1882, leaving seven children: Harry K., Millner, N. D .; Colonel W., Austin; Frank D., Nevada township; Chester C., Austin; George W., Pipestone, Minn .; Graee, now Mrs. A. B. Lovell, Austin, and Alice, deceased.

John E. Robinson, an honored and respected pioneer of Mower county, Minnesota, was born in Monroe county, New York, Sep- tember 24, 1837. While in his infaney, he came to Wayne county, New York, with his parents, receiving his early education in the public schools of Newark, Wayne county, and completing his studies at the Collegiate Institute of Rochester, New York. He then read law with Attorneys L. M. Norton and S. K. Williams of Newark, being admitted to the bar at Auburn, N. Y., 1859, and immediately afterwards formed a eo-partnership with his reeent instructor, L. M. Norton, at Newark. In the fall of 1862 he came west, having dissolved his partnership with Mr. Norton, and located at Lansing, Mower eounty, Minnesota, subsequently being admitted to the Minnesota bar, but did not engage in the practice of his profession, maintaining himself by school teaching for a year. The eall to arms of 1861 was then sounded and he responded by enlisting in Company B, Second Minnesota Cavalry, serving until his discharge at Fort Snelling, December 1, 1865. The

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most of his service was on the frontier under General Sully, the hard, fast fighting showing the splendid metal of the Second Minnesota Cavalry. After his discharge he returned to Lansing, continuing teaching, and taking up farming in addition, having at one time over 400 acres of land in Lansing and Udolpho town- ships. In 1882 he removed to Austin and took charge of the Hotel Windsor for five years, subsequently purchasing another hotel, the Robinson House, which he remodeled and conducted until 1892. While a hotel proprietor he was five years agent for the Adams Express Company. He was appointed to fill out an unexpired term as justice of the peace of the First ward, in 1892, and was later elected for the twelve ensuing years. Since the expiration of this term of office he has lived retired at his beauti- ful home at 106 South Main street. In politics he is a temperance Republican, and has served several years as a member of the Austin board of education, in addition to his twelve years of serv- ice as justice of the peace. The Grand Army of the Republic and the Modern Woodmen of America count him a valued member. He is also a staunch upholder of the Baptist church, having been a member since eleven years of age, and a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist church of Austin for many years. December 9, 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Hutchingson of Rochester, New York. Five children have blessed this marriage: William H., born May 1, 1860, died April 17, 1879; Sarah Belle, born June 10, 1863, is now married to F. E. Gleason, a jeweler of Austin ; Otis H., born May 8, 1868, died November 17, 1907; Emma L., born January 14, 1870, is now living in Minneapolis; and John F., born January 16, 1875, is president of the First National Bank of Stecle, N. D., the bank of which his father is vice president. Robert and Sally (Hall) Robinson, parents of our subject, were natives of the state of New York. In 1841 the father removed to Wayne county, New York, where he followed general farming until his death, December 24, 1884. Ilis wife followed him to the Great Beyond, December 25, 1886.

Robert O. Richards, a successful farmer of Lyle township, car- rics on agricultural operations in a scientific manner, and has been very successful, especially as a breeder of registered Poll Angus cattle and registered Poland-China hogs. He was born in Lewis county, New York state, April 17, 1870, son of Richard R. and Mary (Salisbury) Richards, natives of Wales. Ile received his primary education in the schools of his neighborhood, coming to Otranto, Iowa, with his parents in 1880. There he also attended the schools, and then remained on the Otrando Stock Farm, work- ing for his father until the latter's death, when he continued to conduct the same farm until 1901, when he and his mother came to Mower connty, where his mother purchased 120 acres of land

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in section 32, Lyle township. To this Mr. Richards has added a few acres of his own. They have erected some fine buildings, brought the land to a high state of cultivation, and now have a model place in every respect. Mr. Richards is single, a Repub- lican, a Presbyterian, and a member of the Masonic order and the M. W. A.

Richard R. Richards was born at Bala, North Wales, January 1, 1833, son of Richard Richards and Susanah Richards, Welsh farmers. He was married November 22, 1856, to Mary Salisbury. Mary Salisbury was born in North Wales, July 2, 1838, daughter of Ebenezer and Margret Salisbury, Welsh farmers. Margret Salisbury died in 1840, and in 1842 Ebenezer Salisbury came to this country. In 1846 he married Elizabeth Jones, of Deerfield, N. Y. In 1849 he was ordained to the Methodist ministry and preached until his death in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Rich- ards engaged in farming until coming westward in 1880, locating in Otranto, Mitchell county, Iowa, where Richard R. took up farming and stock raising on the Otranto Stock Farm, until his death in 1898. In 1901 Mrs. Richards came to Lyle and pur- chased land, as stated above.

Jay J. Rugg, of Austin, founder and part owner of the Austin Dairy Company, was born in Red Rock, Mower county, Minne- sota, May 16, 1872, son of John D. and Barbara J. (Tieknor) Rugg. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood and the high school in Austin, remaining at home and working on the farm with his father until his marriage in 1896. He then rented a farm and worked on his own account for three years, later remov- ing to the "Sargent Springs" place, so called, where he started the nucleus of what afterward developed into the Austin Dairy Company. Mr. Rugg improved the farm, constructed several buildings, and put the place in proper shape for an extensive dairy business. After a time he abandoned this place, and in com- pany with F. W. Kimball and D. H. Stimson, formed the Austin Dairy Company. They commenced business on the corner of Chatham and Oakland avenue, but their business expanded and grew to such proportions that they were obliged to find more spacious quarters. Consequently they purchased their present plant on East Maple street. In addition to the usual dairy busi- ness of retailing milk and cream, they handle butter, poultry, eggs and ice cream. In 1909 they purchased the egg and cold storage plant known as the "Old Major" plant. Mr. Rugg is a popular young man, and. belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen. He married Tillie Dochterman, daughter of William Dochterman, and they have four children: Merville D., Raymond P., Barbara J. and Jay J., Jr.

Henry Roberts was born in Norfolk, England, and came alone

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to America at an early age. He located in Jamestown, N. Y., and married Jane Hill Locke, of Bristol, N. II., a teacher in the public schools of Fruesburg, N. Y. In the year 1855 he came to Minne- sota and in March, 1856, came to Mower county, Lyle township. A year later Mrs. Roberts eame west and was met at Caledonia by her husband with an ox team. Together they journeyed over- land to the little home by the Cedar. Here he acquired a farm of 900 acres and farmed it for many years. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are living: Annice, now Mrs. Edward MeMahn; Eunice, widow of Charles M. Rice; Benjamin (de- ceased), Charles A., Adelbert, Henry, Eva (deceased), wife of C. E. Lashbrook. They moved to Austin about thirty years ago. Here Mrs. Roberts died in 1897 and he is still living in the city.

Charles M. Rice, now deceased, was born near Buffalo, N. Y., a son of Andrew B. Rice. For twelve years he conducted a gen- eral store in Austin and was well and favorably known here. His death in 1897 caused general regret. Mr. Rice married Eunice L. Roberts, daughter of Henry and Jane (Locke) Roberts. Mrs. Rice taught school before her marriage, and for the last eleven years she has taught geography in the Franklin school in Austin. In pursuing her geographical studies Mrs. Rice has traveled exten- sively in this country and abroad.

James Z. Rogers, whose parents were one of the territorial families of Minnesota, was born in Faribault, Minn., August 5, 1873, son of Caleb E. and Mary J. (Shonts) Rogers. He received his earlier education in the public schools of Faribault and then attended the Faribault Business College, later clerking in the grocery store of A. J. Grant. Subsequently he worked a year for Grant, Linton & Co., general railroad constructors, as over- seer of one of their contracts in Iowa. In January, 1900, he came to Austin and engaged in the carriage manufactory business with H. M. Hanson for one year. Then he purchased the business and operated it alone until 1906, when he took William H. Teeter as partner. In 1909 he again became sole owner, and now does a large business in making carriages and repairing automobiles. He has been chancellor and is now lecturer of the Knights of Columbus, and has also been banker of the M. W. A. He votes independently and is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Rogers was married May 1, 1901, at Austin, to Mary C. Reilly, of this place, and to this union have been born three children : Milton F., born June 16, 1902, and Madrienne M., twins, and Erving E., born January 30, 1907. Mr. Rogers is a lineal descendant of Joseph Rogers, who came to America in the Mayflower. One of lis ancestors also took part in the Revolutionary war.

Caleb E. Rogers, the pioneer, was born in Bangor, Me., came west in 1855, and located in Waterville, Minn., where he married

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Mary J. Shonts, who was born in Pennsylvania, and came west in 1856, locating on Cannon Lake, near Faribault. He later located in Faribault, and there followed his trade as a earpenter until 1889, when he went to Waterville, Wash., where he still resides. His wife, who has to travel for her health, is at present located in Los Angeles, Cal.

G. M. F. Rogers, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Austin, was born in Otsego, Otsego county, New York, November 19, 1874, son of William M. and Helen M. (Martin) Rogers, who in 1879 took him to South Dakota. He was reared in Doland in that state, and there received his earlier education, graduating from the Doland high school. In 1895 he entered Hamline University, and in 1899 graduated from the medieal department of that insti- tution, which is conducted as a part of the University of Minne- sota. He spent the following year as an interne in the Minne- apolis City Hospital, and then practiced his profession at Rothsey, Minn., removing to Buffalo, Minn., in 1902, and remaining there until 1905. His rapidly inereasing practice, his long hours, and the many demands made on his time and health impaired his strength, and for the next four years he retired from practice, but devoted his time to attending special clinies in the eye, ear, nose and throat, in Philadelphia, Chicago and New York. In 1907 he came to Austin, where he has since enjoyed a full measure of sue- cess. Dr. Rogers is a high degree Mason, a member of the M. W. A. and of the Austin Commercial Club. He was married December 17, 1902, to Nellie R. Hassinger. The family faith is that of the Methodist church.

William M. Rogers was born in New York state and there married Helen M. Martin, a native of the same state. They came west in 1878 and located for a short period near Benson, in Swift county, Minnesota. Then they went to Gary, S. D., and after a short period there, went to Doland, in the same state. When a young man, William M. was a decorator for the D. & H. R. R., but was injured by an elevator accident, and being crippled, came west and took up the mercantile business. He died at Doland, S. D., March 15, 1895, and his widow is still living.

Thomas Rochford was born in St. George, Canada, April 7, 1856. At the age of ten years he moved to this county with his parents, his education being aequired in the district schools of Austin township. Leaving school, he followed farming in Lyle township, Mower county, until 1881, when he came to Austin and engaged in the eonfeetionery business two years, subsequently spending a summer in Valparaiso, Ind. Then returning to Minne- sota, he located at Lyle village, receiving employment as clerk in the postoffice and general store, in addition conducting a board- ing house. After remaining in Lyle three years, he removed to

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Austin and established the pioneer express line of the city, adding the first hack line three years later, operating these for a period of eleven years, then selling out and conducting a dray line for two years. This business and equipment he traded for western land, marking his entry into the real estate business, in which he remained four years, as a co-partner in the Rochford Land Com- pany of Austin. He traded his interest in the company for his property of seventy aeres on South Kenwood avenue, it being valued at $300 per acre, containing immense quantities of gravel and sand. Mr. Rochford is now engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of cement building material on this place. He has erected twenty-one houses in the city of Austin, five being constructed of cement blocks of his own manufacture. He has now disposed of all but four. An extensive real estate business claims much of his attention, and a large number of high-bred driving horses, of which he is a great fancier, pass through his hands. He owns one team that he values at $2,500. All his success he owes to his untiring efforts and the assistance of his loving wife. As to political convictions, he is a Republican, but his large business interests have prevented him from seeking office. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Equitable Fraternal Union, and the Order of Owls, in which he is past president. He has served as trustee in all his lodges. He is also serving as vice president of the Catholic Total Abstinence Society of Austin. November 26, 1882, he was married to Ella Davison of Valparaiso, Ind., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Davison. They have seven living children, two others being dead. Nina (de- ceased), Pearl, Leo, Isa, Ora (deceased), Meda, Harold, John, and Mabel. The family attend the Catholic church. James and Pauline (La Chance) Rochford, parents of our subject, emigrated from Canada in 1866, locating in Lyle township, Mower county, Minnesota, where the father followed his trade as a carpenter until 1871. He then went to Crookston, Minn., leaving his family at Lyle township, and remained fourteen years, working at his trade. Returning to Lyle township, he lived a retired life up to the time of his death. The mother is still living at Austin.

F. G. Ray, a veteran of the Indian campaign and of the Civil war, and for many years the honored postmaster of Rose Creek. was born in Vigo county, Indiana, September 10, 1841, son of Isaac M. and Mary A. (Gordon) Ray ; went with them to Moline, Ill., in 1856; to Hastings, Minn., in the spring of 1857, and in that city finished his schooling. In 1862 he became a citizen soldier and served in the Indian outbreak. In 1863 he enlisted in Com- pany F, Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served in all the campaigns and battles of the Sixteenth Army Corps under

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General Thomas, being discharged at Fort Snelling in August, 1865, at the close of hostilities. He then farmed at Empire City, Dakota county, Minnesota, until 1868, when he came to Rose Creek and purchased a half section of school land in section 36, Windom township, the land being at that time partly broken. Shortly afterward he returned to Minneapolis and worked for the Northern Pacific railroad two years. In 1870 he came back to Windom township and lived on the Marshall farm with his par- ents until 1875, when he moved to the village of Rose Creek, and conducted a hotel from 1876 until 1893. He was postmaster four years under Harrison, was out four years under the second Cleve- land administration, and was again appointed under the first McKinley administration, since which time he has served continu- ously, under McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft. Mr. Ray is a con- servative Republican, has served as justice of the peace, was town clerk for ten years, assessor two years, and is now treasurer of the board of education of Rose Creek, as well as a notary public. He is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in addition to his duties as postmaster, and aside from his home in Rose Creek village he owns a farm of 160 acres in Windom township, which he purchased in 1887. He has been a member of the Rose Creek Congregational church since 1880, and is a deacon as well as superintendent of the Sunday school. He affiliates with the Ma- sonic order, the G. A. R. and the Territorial Pioneer Association. The subject of this sketch was married October 31, 1893, to Eliza- beth Southworth, of Michigan, who has proved an able and effi- cient helpmeet.

Isaac M. Ray and his wife, Mary A. Gordon, were natives, respectively, of Ohio and Virginia, the former being of English and the latter of Scottish descent. They located in Indiana in 1818, and Isaac M. Ray was there admitted to the bar, serving as police judge of Terre Haute until 1856, when the family moved to Moline, Ill., remaining until the spring of 1857, when they came to Minnesota and located in Hastings, Dakota county. He was admitted to the bar in Minnesota and was sheriff of Dakota county four years, as well as police justice at Hastings, Minn. There they remained until 1868, when they came to Rose Creek and then went on the Marshall farm for seven years. Then they moved to Rose Creek and here Isaac M. died April 14, 1876, and the mother December 9, 1899. Isaac M. Ray when about twenty years of age, was licensed to preach by the M. E. church in Vigo county, Indiana. He was also a member of the bar in Minnesota.

Orasmus D. Rhoades, an early settler of Udolpho township, who gave up his life for his country in a southern prison, was born in New York, October 27, 1817. He went as a young man to Chautauqua county, New York, and was there married to Maria

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Hunter, October 6, 1844. She was born in New York city, October 19, 1825. In 1853 Orasmus D. Rhoades eame west to Clinton county, Iowa, and in August, 1856, he came to Mower county and settled in section 22, township of Udolpho, where he entered land and built a house. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, and went south with his regiment. IIe was taken prisoner at the battle of Guntown, Tenn., and was first sent to Andersonville. Later he was incarcerated at Milan, and there died of starvation, December 24, 1864. His wife lived on the old homestead, assisted by her son, Oscar J. Rhoades, until hier death in 1910. In the family were six children: Oscar J .; Mary C., wife of B. M. Carll; Malina, wife of Norman Carll; Amelia J., wife of C. King; Harriett O., wife of Samuel Seavy, and Loretta E., wife of John Andrews.

Oscar J. Rhoades, a substantial farmer of Udolpho township, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, September 17, 1845, one of the six children of Orasmus D. and Maria (Hunter) Rhoades. He came to Mower county with his parents, here grew to manhood and received his education, and has sinee continued to reside on the home place. He is one of the few pioneers that are still living, and well remembers the time when there was only one house between his residenee in Udolpho, and the present site of the packing house in Austin.

Reuben Rollings, now deceased, was born in Leicestershire, Eng- land, April 12, 1825, seventh of the eleven ehildren of John and Luey (Piek) Rollings, both natives of England, where John Roll- ings was engaged in the mercantile and commission business. Reuben received his education in the English schools, and when he grew to manhood married Jane Fisher, February 18, 1856. She was from his native place and was born May 20, 1830. Soon after their marriage they came to America and settled in Dane county, Wis., where Reuben Rollings engaged in farming until 1861, when lie eame to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and remained until the summer of 1867, when he moved to Waltham township, Mower county. In the fall of 1877 he came to Red Rock township, where his widow now resides, and died in September, 1906. Mr. Roll- ings in his life was a strong Republiean and held many town offices at various times. To Mr. and Mrs. Rollings were born six children : Joseph W., Alfred F., Mary A., Amelia J., Henry J. and Emma L. Mary A. is the wife of D. A. Lamport, and they have two boys, Harold and Leonard. Amelia J. married Arthur Bur- nett, and they have three children : Ethel, Raymond and Marion. Henry J. lives in Fergus Falls; Emma L. is the wife of the Rev. O. F. Jones, and they have one son.

William A. Rugg was born in Red Rock township, November 26, 1877, son of J. D. and Barbra (Tieknor) Rugg, natives of

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New York state, who came west in 1857 and preempted land in section 34, Red Rock township, erecting first a shack, and then a small frame house which stood until the present family resi- dence was erected in 1872. In this home William A. was reared, receiving his education in the "Pioneer" school, district 41, and in the Franklin school at Austin. When he attained his majority he engaged with his father in the coal and wood business for a time and then worked as fireman on the S. M. division of the C., M. & St. P. railroad for six months, subsequently taking up farming on the old homestead, where he is now located. He mar- ried Clara Mott, daughter of Lorenzo and Sarah (Brockway) Mott, and they are the parents of three boys, Albert W., aged nine; J. Donald, aged seven, and Everett M., aged five.

Knute Rudlong, who has farmed in Adams township since 1884, was born in Valdris, Norway, in 1864, son of Arlag and Marit Rudlong, his wife deceased. Knute came to America in 1884 and located in Adams township, where he worked by the month for four years. At the end of that time he bought 120 acres and started to improve the place. He now has an excellent farm, with comfortable house, well kept barns, a suitable amount of shade trees, a windmill and modern machinery. In previous years Mr. Rudlong made a specialty of grains. He is a Republican in politics and was road overseer in the township two years. The Lutheran church expresses his religious creed and he has been trustee of the church of that denomination in Adams for three years. The subject of this sketch was married in 1888 to Rachel Olson, and this union has been blessed with one daughter, Ida, who after completing the course in Adams schools creditably, is now helping her mother at home. December 3, 1905, Mr. Rudlong paid a visit to his old home, visiting his old father, three brothers and a sister, whom he had not seen for twenty-one years. He sailed on the steamship Baltic on the White Star line.

A. O. Sundem, a venerable and honored resident of Nevada township, lives on eighty acres in section 26, and is now practi- cally retired, having reached an age when active participation in the toil of life is not a necessity. He was born in Norway, March 28, 1825, and came to America in 1855. In Norway he was a fish- erman and railroad worker. After landing in Quebec he went to Wisconsin and worked near Madison six years, mostly in the lead mines. Then he came to Mower county, purchased his pres- ent place, and until a short time ago successfully conducted farming operations thereon. He was married in 1860 and has four children: Edward, died at the age of thirty-seven years after a long illness; Anna is at home; Emelia is the wife of John Osteman of Lyle; and Christian conducts a farm near Lyle.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 75

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