The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 79

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

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a small house on it, and some thirty-five or forty aeres were under cultivation. The elder Watland purchased a span of horses and a yoke of oxen, together with such machinery as was needed to operate the farm. In 1875 the Watlands bought another 160 aeres, mostly covered with young timber, and brush, which had to be grubbed out and broken, thus keeping five men busy. An extra team of horses was bought, and young John Watland did most of the breaking, coming to understand fully and completely the deepest meaning of the scriptural words, "In the sweat of thy brow, thou shalt eat thy bread." In the summer of 1877 John and a Frenchman took their stand on a McCormick harvester and bound 120 aeres of wheat that threshed 4,500 bushels. In addition to this they cut a considerable quantity of oats which they had to bind by hand on the ground. At this time there was much speeu- lators' land, selling at from $8 to $12.50 per acre, and the country north and west of LeRoy was sparsely settled, most of the farm houses being built of logs. In 1878 John Watland purchased eighty aeres, and in 1879, 160 acres, all located in LeRoy town- ship, near the village of LeRoy. About this time John Watland took unto himself a wife, Bergethe Fuglesteen, of Newark, Ill., and built a house on the last 160 aeres he purchased, thus estab- lishing his own household of which he was the head. It is gen- erally asserted among the old settlers that John Watland has "turned over more sod" than any other man in this part of Mower county, and his progressiveness and belief in modern methods is shown by the fact that in 1890 he planted on his farm in LeRoy township two aeres of apple trees, which have proven both satisfying and profitable. Some years ago the Norwegians living north of LeRoy met together, and organized a Lutheran congregation which bears the name of Betania. In this work the Watlands took a very active part, and donated liberally to the building of a church. After establishing his home Mr. Watland added to his holdings from time to time and after having carried on successful agricultural operations for seventeen years, he rented his farm and moved to the village of LeRoy. Mr. Watland has now disposed of his old homestead, but still owns a large farm one-half mile south from LeRoy, together with lands in southern Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Watland are still enjoying good health and have all the comforts that worldly goods can bestow, while they are living in well deserved retirement amongst their friends and neighbors. Mr. Watland has always been a stauneh Republican, and as such is always ready to serve his party and to promote its eause.

Eugene Wood, register of deeds of Mower county since 1886, is one of the most honored and respected citizens of the county, standing high in both politieal and fraternal circles, his reputa-

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tion as a man equalling his honorable position as an officer. He was born in Albany county, New York, September 18, 1838, son of John M. and Orpha (Denison) Wood, both natives of New York and both now deceased. Eugene, as he was then called by his friends, received his education in the district and select schools in his native county, afterward remaining on the farm with his parents until nearly twenty-two years of age. Ile then worked in the wholesale and retail drug house of Wing & Sisson until 1865. In 1866 he went to Ames, Montgomery county, New York, and purchased a half interest in a lumber and flouring mill, which he conducted four years. Then he became a general merchant in Stillwater, N. Y. February 9, 1877, dates his arrival in Austin. Here he engaged in the hardware business until 1886, when he was elected to the county office in which he has since so faithfully served. Mr. Wood is a high degree Mason, has been senior grand warden of the Grand Commandery of the state of Minnesota, master of the Blue Lodge, high priest of the Chapter, and commander of the Commandery, as well as worthy patron of the Eastern Star. He has also been treasurer of the B. P. O. E. for many years, and his services as president of the Austin school board have advanced the cause of education. The subject of this sketch was married September 30, 1863, to Henrietta Beatty, of Coxsackie, N. Y. This union has been blessed with four children : Fred B., now adjutant general of the state; Clara O., wife of Dr. A. M. Lewis, of Austin; J. Solan, deputy register of deeds, and Clarence, twin of Clara O., who was scalded to death. The family faith is that of the Congregational church.

Ezbon W. Wilder, a retired farmer and landowner, now living in Austin, was born on his father's farm in Bristol township, Dane county, Wisconsin, September 9, 1852. After acquiring a good common school education in the public schools of his native county, he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until 1876, when he came to Brownsdale, this county, and engaged in farming on his own account. Two years later he purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of 320 acres, all adjoining, described as follows: the south half of the southwest quarter of section 13; the northwest quarter of section 24, and the east half of the northwest quarter of section 23, all in Red Rock township. Mr. Wilder gradually developed this farm into one of the most productive in the county, adding up-to-date buildings and ma- chinery from time to time and building a modern home, always keeping well abreast of the times. On this farm he pursued general diversified farming with much snecess until 1902, when he left the farm and moved to Austin, where he has since lived. enjoying a well earned rest after his many strenuous years of toil. In addition to his farm in Mower county, he owns a quarter see-

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tion in Lac qui Parle county, this state. In politics he is a Republican, and has served several terms as assessor of Red Rock township. He was married March 14, 1881, to Catherine Davis, born in the same year as himself. They have five children: Ruth E., a teacher in the Austin schools; Davis E., of Williston, N. D .; Nellie L., a graduate nurse, now in the Wesley Hospital in Chicago; Frost W., of Minot, N. D., and S. Katherine, who lives at home. The family worships at the Methodist Episcopal church. David Wilder, a Wisconsin pioneer and father of Ezbon W. Wilder, of Austin, was born in Bristol, Ontario county, New York, May 24, 1815, and died in the village of Sun Prairie, Wis., Jan- uary 18, 1896. He was a descendant of Thomas Wilder, who in 1838 sailed from Southampton, England, in the ship Confidence and settled in Massachusetts. In 1819 his father moved to Camp- bell county, Indiana, and in 1822 he settled permanently in Rush county, Indiana. He lived at home until 1836, when he came to Milwaukee, where he remained two years. David Wilder was one of the pioneers of Dane county, Wisconsin, and settled in Madison in 1838, soon after it was established as the seat of government. He lived there until the spring of 1839, then went to Mineral Point, and stayed one summer, returning to Madison again in the fall. In the spring of 1840 he went to Milwaukee and was the second carrier on the stage route between Madison and Mil- waukee, working the route in partnership with Jesse Clark, another pioneer. In 1840 he returned to Madison, remained there until 1842, then settled in what is now the township of Bristol, in Dane county, and lived there with the exception of one year until May, 1877, when he rented his farm and removed to the village of Sun Prairie, where he ended his days. At the organization of Bristol township he suggested the name and was a member of the board that laid out the principal roads in that township. October 23, 1844, he was married to Ruth Nichols. Three sons and four daughters blessed this union: Howard N., of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Ezbon W., of Austin; George W., of Waukesha, Wis .; Mrs. T. L. Waddell, of Jennings, La .; Mrs. C. S. Moak, of Leavenworth, Kan .; Mrs. C. E. Mann, of Chicago, and Helen, now deceased. For thirty years Mr. Wilder was a member of the Methodist church, and for a greater part of the time an official in that organization. Ruth A. (Nichols) Wilder, wife of David Wilder and mother of E. W. Wilder, of Austin, was born in Leeds, Canada, March 7, 1825. Her parents were New England people. At the age of seventeen she, with her brother and two sisters, located in Wisconsin, making the trip overland by ox team, set- tling near Sun Prairie, where their parents had preceded them. She was married October 23, 1844, to David Wilder, and in 1894 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, the family

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eirele at that time being unbroken. Mrs. Wilder was a woman of deep piety and sweet Christian character. Robert Davis, father of Mrs. E. W. Wilder, of Austin, was born in North Wales, in 1815. At the age of twenty-four he and his aged mother settled in Utiea, N. Y., and three years later moved to Racine, Wis. There, in March, 1845, he married Eleanor Jones. After his mar- riage he took up a claim near Watertown, Wis., and with his young wife journeyed hither by ox team. In 1864 he located in Bristol township, Dane county, Wisconsin, and farmed many years, after which he moved to the village of Sun Prairie and spent his life in retirement until the ending of his days. He was the father of eight children: John, David, Nellie, Mrs. F. R. Salisbury and Mrs. E. W. Wilder. Mrs. Eleanor (Jones) Davis, wife of Robert Davis and mother of Mrs. E. W. Wilder, of Austin, was born in North Wales, December 21, 1816, and came to Ameriea with her family in 1844. She was married in March, 1845. Mrs. Davis was a woman of beautiful Christian character, loved by all.

Col. Charles L. West, one of Austin's leading citizens, is known far beyond the limits of the county where he has made his home, and his service on the military staff of the chief execu- tives of the state has done him much credit. Colonel West was born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 30, 1846, and was brought west by his parents in 1855, and spent the winter of that year in Indiana, living for a time in Lyle township, this county, and then at Otranto, just across the line in Iowa. His boyhood education was received in the schools of the latter village, after which he entered the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage, Iowa, in 1863. After a three years' course in that school he entered the employ of a general store in the same place, and remained another three years. In 1869 he came to Austin, and clerked three months for Johnson Bros. in their drug store. Then until 1871 he worked in the general store of Austin & Richardson. In the latter year he embarked in business for himself by opening a erockery store. In June, 1873, he and R. O. Hall opened a general store, which was gradually specialized until it became a first class dry goods emporium. In July, 1901, Colonel West purchased the interest of Mr. Hall, and has since been the sole proprietor, the firm being known as the C. L. West Dry Goods Company. The store is modern in every particular, and carries a fine line of dry goods, eloaks and suits. Colonel West is a Republican in polities. He served the eity of Austin one term as mayor, two terms as alderman from the second ward, and two terms as city treasurer. In Masonic circles he also ranks high. He has been grand commander of Minnesota, Knights Templars, and has also served as grand high priest and deputy grand master

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of the state grand lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1891 Charles L. West was appointed major on the staff of Governor William R. Mer- riam for two years. During this period he was appointed lieu- tenant colonel. He served in a similar capacity on the staffs of Governors Knute Nelson and David M. Clough, but in 1897 retired from military life to serve as a member of the legislature, being re-elected in 1899. In 1901, when Governor Samuel R. Van Sant came into office, he appointed Charles L. West colonel ou his staff. Governor John A. Johnson retained him in a similar capacity, and as Governor Adolph O. Eberhart retained all the members of the old staff he is still serving. In business life Colonel West has not confined himself to his dry goods line, but has interested himself in a number of other enterprises, including the Tri State Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He was married December 18, 1872, at Dixon, Ill., to Charlotte C. Hall, daughter of R. O. Hall. She was the mother of four children : Katie, who died at fourteen years; Harry L. and Veta A., who are with their father, and Leon H., who has a clerical position in the bank at Missoula, Mont. July 7, 1893, Colonel West married Minnie Van Blarcum, at Madison Lake, Minn. The family faith is that of the Congregational church. David West and Harriett Woodworth, his wife, early pioneers and parents of Col. Charles L. West, were natives of New York state. They eame west in 1855 and spent the winter of that year in Indiana, and later they came to Mower county and pre-empted 160 aeres of wild land, built a log cabin and remained until 1862. Then they moved across the line into Iowa, and there the father opened a hotel at Otranto, which he condueted until about 1869, when he disposed of the hotel business and became a merchant and postmaster in Otranto station. He and his wife were sturdy old early settlers, and had their share of the hardships ineident to pioneer days. David West died in 1902, his wife having passed away in the fall of 1868.

I. E. Mandeville Worthing, M. D., one of Austin's well-liked and capable physicians and surgeons, was born in the old Worth- ing homestead in Penfield township, Monroe county, New York, November 13, 1876, son of Jerome E. and Emma C. (Mandeville) Worthing. He received his early education in the distriet schools of his native township, and in the publie and high schools of Webster, then taking a course in normal training at Fairport, N. Y., graduating August 8, 1898. After more than two years of teaching, he again resumed his studies, and took courses as follows: Genesce Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N. Y., two years; medieal department of the Southern Indiana Normal College, at Valparaiso, Ind., one year; College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of Illinois, at Chicago, about two and a half years;

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Northwestern Medical School at Chicago, about two years. After his graduation with a medical degree in 1908, he returned home for a few months and then practiced at Hinkley, Pine county, Minnesota, three months. In March, 1909, he started practice in Austin, and has been very successful. He is a Republican in polities and belongs to the Methodist church. Dr. Worthing was married November 28, 1909, to Mary E. Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bell. The family home is at 408 North Main street. Dr. Worthing is at present instructor in physiology and hygiene at the Southern Minnesota Normal College. Jerome E. Worthing and Emma C. Mandeville, his wife, parents of Dr. I. E. Mandeville Worthing, are of English and French-Holland ancestry, respectively. They are now engaged in farming in Penfield township, Monroe county, New York, and have had six children : I. E. Mandeville Worthing, an Anstin physician ; Mabel. a teacher ; Anna, now Mrs. Arthur Todd, of West Webster, N. Y .; Edith, a teacher and a graduate of the Brockport (N. Y.) State Normal School; Mason, of West Webster, N. Y., and Frances. teaching near New York city.

Henry Waterman, who is engaged in the general building and contraeting business, came to Austin in 1902, and has sinee been actively engaged, among his larger contracts being the erection of the Carnegie library, the Methodist church and the Hall & Dalager building on Main street. Mr. Waterman is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and is well liked by his associates. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, June 25, 1856, son of Henry and Sophia (Winter) Waterman, the former being a native of Bremen, Ger- many. Henry grew to manhood in Cook county on his father's farm, and remained at home until sixteen years of age. After that he learned the carpenter trade and then came to Austin. He married Tillie Maas, daughter of Julius Maas, and they have two children: Lillie and Gilbert. He is a member of the Methodist church and of the Republican party.

Edwin Watkins was born in Austin township, July 8, 1873, sou of Whittechur and Mary (Reynolds) Watkins. He was reared on the farm, attended the schools of his neighborhood, the graded schools of Austin and a business college in Austin. In 1896 he rented the old place and there lived until 1905, when he came to Austin and started in the second-hand business, also devoting his time to the purchase and sale of second-hand goods. He was married September 2, 1896, to Katie A. Brown. His brother, Harvey, conducts the home place in Lyle township.

Whittechur Watkins, now deceased, for many years an hon- ored farmer of Lyle township, and still later a resident of Austin, was born in Wales, February 28, 1844, and came to America with his parents, locating first in Wisconsin. He came to Minnesota in

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1856, and located in the embryo village of Cedar City, where after receiving a common school education he remained on the home farm until he was enabled by diligence and thrift to purchase eighty acres of land in Lyle township. He inereased his posses- sions until lie owned 200 highly cultivated acres, on which lie conducted general farming until 1896, when he retired and moved to Austin, making his home here until his death, August 5, 1909. He was married the first time to Mary Reynolds and by this union had two children: Edwin and Harvey. After the death of his first wife he married Frances Hoffman. He was for many years supervisor of Lyle township and was interested in the Farmers' Co-operative Fuel Company.

A. M. Warner, of Grand Meadow, was born in Spring Valley, Fillmore county, December 9, 1875, son of George and Ella (Cole) Warner, who came from Canada and settled in Spring Valley, where George Warner was an early settler, becoming a respected citizen and remaining until his death, in 1908. In the home of George and Ella Warner were seven children. Alva M. was the fifth child. He remained at home until sixteen years of age and then worked out until twenty years old, when he married Setta Schwabenthal, daughter of William and Minnie (Fielhaber) Schwabenthal, both of whom are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of four children : Verna, Sidney, Freddie and Duane. In 1895, after his marriage, Mr. Warner rented a farm. Nine years later, in 1904, he engaged in the livery business, which he is still conducting successfully. Being of a fraternal disposition, he has alhed himself with the B. A. Y., in which he is a popular member.

Michael White, now deceased, for many years a farmer in Lansing township, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and after coming to America located for a time in Pennsylvania. Later he went to Le Seuer, in Minnesota, and subsequently took up his home in Lansing. In 1874 he married Mary Rutherford, daughter of William and Charlotte (Green) Rutherford. Mrs. White was born in Louisville, Ky. She is a capable business woman, and sinee her husband's death in 1903 has managed the farm of 165 acres, assisted by her two sons and a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. White were blessed with nine children, of whom six are living: Julia, Charlotte, Philip J., Mary, Margaret and Thomas P. Char- lotte is the wife of T. F. Cain and Mary is the wife of F. X. Snyder. Julia is the wife of M. G. Braun.

William Rutherford, now deceased, was a prominent man of the early days and was instrumental in strengthening the Catholic faith in this locality. contributing liberally in time and money to its cause. He was born in the county of Dublin, Ireland, April 27. 1822, and there grew to manhood, receiving a good common school

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education. His early manhood was spent in farming in his native country, and in 1846 he married Charlotte Green, who was born July 15, 1818. In 1850 they left the old country and sought their fortunes in America. They landed in New York city, July 12, then went to Kentucky and remained until 1854, going thence to Iowa, where they remained for nearly a year. August 10, 1855, they came to Mower county, entered the east half of the east fourth of section 11, and proceeded to build a log house, which is still standing one-half mile from the village of Lansing. Ilis prosperity increased, his farm was developed, and he attained success by hard work and perseveranee. It is an interesting fact that Mr. Rutherford assisted in laying the corner stone for the first ehureh erected in Austin.

Milton J. Woodson, now deceased, was one of the honored pioneers of Mower county. His life was an exemplification of industry, integrity and righteousness, and in dying he left an honored heritage to his children. The subject of this sketch was born in Green county, Kentucky, February 14, 1823, son of George Washington Woodson. He was taken to Illinois when nine years of age and there completed his education. After his school days were over, he hauled lead from Galena, Ill., to Milwaukee, and in 1849 went to Iowa, where he bought a farm in Fayette county, and farmed until 1855, when he came to Mower county and pur- chased a quarter seetion of government land at $1.25 per acre. On this land he continued farming until his death, December 24, 1890. The subject of this sketeh was married November 15, 1848, at Green county, Wiseonsin, to Cynthia Ann Davis, who was born in Indiana, April 25, 1832, daughter of Elder John and IIanna (Moore) Davis. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Woodson was blessed with ten children: James W., born September 22, 1849, now at Charleston, Ill .; John Wesley, born August 30, 1851, and died in July, 1853; William J., born April 26, 1854; George A., born May 11, 1856; Henry, born June 17, 1858; Albert, born November 12, 1865, now of Colorado; Sarah, born August 7, 1867, now Mrs. Joseph Lohman, of Austin; Thomas, born November 10, 1869; Martha, horn Mareh 8, 1872, now of Denver, Col., and John, born March 13, 1875. The family faith is that of the United Brethren church. George Washington Woodson was a native of Virginia. When a young man he with a colony went to Kentucky and there lived until 1824, when he went to Indiana. Years later he returned to Kentucky and there remained until 1834, when he went to Illinois, where, in 1835, his wife died. He afterward married again, and soon purchased a farm in Coles county, Illinois, where he ended his days. His maternal grandfather, James Buntin, was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Arthur E. Warren is one of the progressive merchants of

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Brownsdale, and his general store is well stocked and well patron- ized. He was born in Rochester, Minn., December 16, 1872, son of John and Helen (Greenleaf) Warren. He was reared on a farm and spent one winter in Florida ; then one winter in Warren, Wis. ; then two years in Shefield, Iowa ; then five years at Redfield, S. D .; then one year in Beebee, Ark. The last eighteen years he has spent in Mower county. He is a member of the M. W. A. Arthur E. Warren married Anna Hunt, daughter of George Hunt, and they have three children: Hope, Frank and Robert.

John Warren was born in Saratoga county, New York, and married Helen Greenleaf, a native of Chantauqua county, New York. He came west in 1863 and settled in Roekdell township, Olmsted county. In 1874 he came to Brownsdale, but from time to time worked in the pineries with his brother at a place still called Warren, Wis. In latter years he worked a small farm near Brownsdale. ITis children are: Hattie, wife of Carlos O. Sleeper; Louis, George and Arthur E.

Frank T. Young, general merchant and prosperous citizen of LeRoy, was born in Albion, Ind., August 1, 1858, son of Thomas and Adeline (Avery) Young, who brought him to Mower county as a child. He received his schooling in the brick schoolhouse in LeRoy, and after this taught school two years. After two more years, spent in F. H. Avery's store, he worked on the railroad, and was giving satisfaction to his employers in this work when a wreck in the St. Paul yards caused him serious injury. After his recovery he worked for a time for T. A. Killen, and later for H. A. McConnell, subsequently going to Chicago, where he was em- ployed with Marshall & Hardcastle. This work he was obliged to give up, being called home to settle the estate of his unele, F. H. Avery. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Willard K. Porter, which continues to the present time, conducting one of the old substantial general merchandise houses of the county. Aside from the local business, the cloak department of the company has sales- men on the road, and in addition to this the partners deal exten- sively in live stock, making daily shipments to Austin. Mr. Young is a member of the B. P. O. E., of Austin, and of Eureka Lodge, No. 75, A. F. & A. M. He married Mary, daughter of Captain John E. Jones, of Carroll, Iowa, and they have three children : Thomas O., Bernice and Frank E. Thomas Young was born in Wayne county, New York, where his parents lived and where he spent his early manhood and was married, afterward coming to Mower county. Adeline Avery, his wife, was the daughter of John T. Avery, a silversmith, who was born in Norwich, Conn., and later moved to Cochecton, Sullivan county, New York, subsequently going to Wayne county, New York., where Adeline was married.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 79

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