The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 89

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 89

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Granville Kearns, now living in retirement in Austin, is one of the few early pioneers still living in the county, he having the honor of dating his residence in this part of the state front April 28, 1856, on which day he arrived in Austin for the first time. He was born in Ontario, Canada, May 26, 1835, his parents being Robert and Naney (Purdy) Kearns. After arriving at Austin, he went to Moscow, Freeborn county, and pre-empted land there, farming until 1900, when he retired and moved to the city of Austin, where he now resides in a comfortable home at 400 Vine street. Mr. Kearns married Julia, Lamping, daugh- ter of Peter and Julia (Goodore) Lamping, her father being a farmer by occupation. To this union have been born four chil- dren: William F., Alice B., Charles E. and Burton G. William F. married Daisy Newell and they have five children: Ruth, Clifford, Arnold, Dorothy and Alice. Charles E. married Minnie Green, of Rockford, Ill., and they have one son, Frank. Burton G. married Carrie Branum and they have two children: Roy and Grace.

Leander Kirkland, a retired farmer now living in Austin, has the honor of having been town treasurer and chairman of the board of supervisors of the township of Red Rock at intervals for twenty-three years. He was born October 5, 1843, in Chau- tanqua county, New York, son of James and Phoebe (Dawley) Kirkland, both natives of New York state. Leander spent his early life in New York state, and in 1864 the family moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, settling near Decorah, where his par- ents died, James in 1872 and Phoebe in 1868. In 1864, immedi- ately after his marriage, the subject of this sketch took up farming in Decorah, Iowa, and there remained until 1870, when he brought his family to Red Roek township, Mower county, and settled in section 34, where he farmed until 1906, when he prae- tically retired and moved to Austin. He is a Republican in polities, a member of the blue lodge and the chapter in the

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Masonic order and also of the A. O. U. W. He was married in New York state, September 22, 1864, to Patience Rugg, and to this union has been born one daughter, Alice P., the wife of Edwin T. Bemis, whose father, Oliver Bemis, was one of the early settlers of Austin. Mr. Kirkland is highly respected by his friends, and for many years has been one of the substantial residents of the county, his advice on important matters being often sought by the younger generations.

Harcar Lyons, an old settler, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, son of Joseph Lyons. In 1857 he came to Mower county with his brother, John P., and settled in Lansing township. November 1, 1863, he enlisted in Co. B, Second Minnesota Cav- alry, and served on the frontier against the Indians. He was honorably discharged in December, 1865, after which he returned to Lansing and resumed farming. He married, November 24, 1870, Mary A. Bernier, born October 12, 1849, daughter of Joseph and Henriette (De Mars) Bernier. This union has been blessed with two daughters: Fay Eugene and Elizabeth V. Elizabeth V. married R. L. Johnson and they have two children : Louise L. and Hazel I.

Jacob Martin, a well-liked farmer of Sargeant, was born in Cascade township, Olmsted county, this state, May 13, 1872, son of Philip and Christina (Fuchs) Martin. When ten years of age, he was brought to Mower county by his parents, and was reared on the farm in section 16, Sargeant township, completing his common school education in district 113. He now resides on the home farm of 240 acres, all under cultivation. Mr. Martin has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his township, has been in town offiee sinee twenty-two years of age, was many years supervisor, and is now school clerk and constable. He is a director in the farmers' telephone and is a member of the Dia- mond cornet band of Sargeant. The subject of this sketch was married October 24, 1900, to Emma Peterson, daughter of Nels and Betsey Peterson, and they had two daughters: Beulah, born April 17, 1907, and Bessie, born November 10, 1904, and died April 9, 1905.

Philip Martin, of Waltham, was born in Germany and mar- ried Christina Fuchs. He came to America in 1848, located in Jackson, Wis., and lived there until 1864, when he came to Olin- - sted county, Minnesota, and there resided eighteen years. In 1882 he came to Sargeant township, located in section 16, and became a prominent eitizen. In 1900 he moved to the village of Waltham, and his son Jaeob is now in charge of the home farm.

D. L. Mills, of Sargeant township, is one of the many modern farmers who have followed the "back to the soil" movement. After attaining snecess as a civil engineer and as a hanker, he

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

has now determined to become a scientific farmer, and has started by acquiring 280 acres of good land, on which he has erected a good home and commodious outbuildings. He already has a fine lot of dual-purpose cattle, sheep and Poland-China hogs, and it is his intention to engage successfully in stock breeding for the market. Mr. Mills was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1879, son of John and Rose (Vorhees) Mills. The father, John, came from Ulster, Bradford county, Pa., and the mother, Rose, from Tioga county, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1888, John Mills came to Minneapolis and engaged in the real estate business. He is now in Tacoma, Wash., in the same business. D. L. Mills attended the public schools in Minneapolis and studied engineering, which he made his profession for six years. After- wards he went into the banking business and for five years he managed the Bank of Dexter, Minn., which he organized. In 1907 he disposed of his interest and spent two years in the state of Washington and other places, with a view to selecting a per- manent home. Finally he returned to Mower county and pur- chased his present property. Mr. Mills married Clara J., daugh- ter of F. C. Hartshorn, and they have five children: Carl H., Fred L., Nadine, Robert and Lila.

Michael Matter will long be honored in Waltham township for the part he had in the upbuilding of the St. Michael German Lutheran church. The first services of this congregation were held in his home, and at the organization of the church in 1873 he gave sixty acres of land for the church, school, cemetery, etc. Michael Matter was born October 19, 1798, in Luchentin, Ger- many, eame to America in 1841, located in Wisconsin, and there lived until 1869, when he brought his wife, whose maiden name was Friderike Zulke, to Mower county, where he purchased eighty acres in section 20, Waltham township, from his son, Michael F., who came the same year. He died January 19, 1880, in Milwaukee, Wis., and his corpse was brought to Wal- tham, Minn., for burial at the side of his wife, who died October 18, 1872.

Michael F. Matter is a prominent eitizen of Waltham town- ship, where he has lived since 1869. He was born in German- town, Washington county, Wis., April 21, 1848, son of Michael and Friderike (Zulke) Matter. He came to Mower county in 1869, purchased 160 aeres in section 20, Waltham township, and two years later sold a half to his father. He improved and cul- tivated his half, erected buildings, and carried on general farin- ing for many years. Mr. Matter is one of the oldest settlers of Waltham township. He is also the oldest member of St. Michael's church, and one of the readers in the church when the pastor is absent. He has been supervisor of the town and school treas-

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

urer and a trustee of St. Michael's church at its organization and several terms thereafter. Mr. Matter was married at the first meeting of the German Lutherans in Waltham township. This service was held at the home of his father by the Rev. Mr. Wier, from Lake Elmo, Washington county. His wife, whose maiden name was Therese Frohreich, daughter of Michael and Friderike (Matter) Frohreich, has borne him nine children, of which still live: Wilhelmine, Augusta, Matilda, Herman, Ferdi- nand and Ida. Wilhelmina married Henry Baumgartner and they have six children. Augusta married John Boeris and they have six children. Matilda married Henry Yunkans and they have seven children. Herman married Anna, daughter of Rev. F. C. Milius and they have one child, Beata. Ferdinand, Auguste and Matilda live in Wisconsin. Ida married William Suhrke and lives near Waltham, Minn.

Oscar W. Nichols, a well-liked citizen of Waltham township, in which he owns a half section of rich land, all under cultiva- tion, was born in Moscow, Somerset county, Me., June 17, 1858, son of Charles E. and Clara L. (Hill) Nichols. The father, Charles E., came west March 8, 1869, stopped at Waukon, Iowa, a few days, and then proceeded to Rice Lake, Dodge county, Minn., where he remained four months. In September, 1869, he moved to Waltham, section 11, and there established his home. Osear W. was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of district 58, and assisted his father in agricultural work. After his marriage he moved to his present home in section 2. His good wife, who was Maggie Baumann, daughter of George and Emily (Warren) Baumann, has borne him five children: Pearle E., George W., Cleve E., Ruth L. and Floyd O.

Manley Ousley, of the Southern Minnesota Land Company, is one of the most successful real estate dealers in this portion of the state. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, April 28, 1858, son of M. B. and Amanda S. (Day) Ousley. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools of Boscobel, Wis., and then learned the woolen manufacturing business from start to finish in the mills there. In 1876 he removed with his parents to Decorah, Iowa, and worked at the woolen business two years more. After this he opened a restaurant in that place, continuing the same for seventeen years. His restaurant, which bore the name of "Ousley Restaurant," was one of the finest eating houses in the state of Iowa. After selling out this place, Mr. Ousley came to Austin and purchased the Grand Hotel, which he maintained as the leading family hotel of Austin. After about fourteen years in this business, Mr. Ousley sold out and with Herbert St. Ledger entered into the real estate busi- ness under the name of the Southern Minnesota Land Company,

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a company which during the past year has done over a million dollars' business. While in Decorah Mr. Onsley served on the school board, but he has always voted independently and has never cared to enter actively into politics. He is a member of the Christian Science church. The subject of this sketch was married April 13, 1879, at Decorah, lowa, to Etta M. Kimball, a native of New York state, now the first reader of the Christian Science church at Anstin. To this union two children have been born. Flora May, who was born May 30, 1886, died at the age of ten months. Walter D., born June 29, 1893, is a student in the Austin high school.

M. B. Ousley, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Missouri, and married Amanda S. Day, of Kentucky. They located in Boscobel, Wis., and there lived for some years, going in 1876 to Decorah, Iowa, where they are now living a retired life.

Theodore Sanders, a well-known retired farmer of Austin, was born in Denmark, April 2, 1845, a son of Carl and Stina (Larsen) Sanders, who passed their lives in the native land, Denmark. Theodore received a good education in the public schools of Denmark, after which he followed farming until his emigration to America in 1867 .. Arriving in this country, he settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, engaging in farming there until 1875. when he removed to Mower county, Minnesota, and purchased a quarter section of improved land in section 15 of Nevada township. This was the family home for twenty years, during which time modern buildings were added, and the land greatly improved by careful cultivation, yielding rich returns in crops. In 1895, Mr. Sanders sold this property, immediately purchasing a 176-aere farm in Windom township, but on which he has never lived, at onee removing to Austin with his family after the sale of the first farm. He had previously bought a ten-aere tract on South Kenwood avenue and built a home which was their residence until 1907, when he disposed of this place, and moved with his family into their present beautiful and mod- ern home at 1101 North Kenwood avenue. Since his removal to Austin, Mr. Sanders has not been engaged in any line of work, but is enjoying a well-earned rest. He is identified with the Republican party. November 20, 1871, he was married to Mathilda Nelsen, who deceased March 26, 1909, leaving one child. Emelia, who lives at home and keeps house for her father. Carl, who died at the age of eleven years; Thorvald, deceased, aged nine, and Thora, who died at the age of eight days, were the other children of the family. The Lutheran church has always had the loyalty and support of the family.

Loran W. Sherman, for many years prominently identified with the business and civie progress of Lyle, was horn in May-

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ville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 11, 1840, son of Beman B. and Olive (Scott) Sherman. They were born respectively in Windsor county, Vermont, February 26, 1811, and in Massa- chusetts, August 4, 1815. They were married January 4, 1838, and lived in Mayville, N. Y., until 1856, when they removed to Edgerton, Wis., where they both died, the father in 1897, and the mother in 1876. Loran received his education in the common schools and in the Mayville academy, and came west with his parents at the age of sixteen. As a youth he engaged in farm- ing and teaching in Rock county, Wisconsin, until August 23, 1864, when he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, serving in the Army of the Potomac under Gen- eral Grant around Petersburg, Va., until wounded in the final and victorious assault on that stronghold, April 2, 1865. He was discharged at Madison, Wis., June 14, 1865. At the close of the war he went to Iowa and engaged in railroad work at various points. In 1871 he became a buyer for the Bassett-Huntting Company, grain dealers, at Lyle. At the same time he be- came proprietor of a lumber and coal business, continuing the same until 1906, at which time he retired, moving to Minneapolis three years later. He took an active part in the affairs of the village, was elected first mayor of Lyle, served as justice of the peace for a time, and was clerk of the school district of Lyle village from its organization until 1907. He belongs to the Congregational church and affiliates with the John A. Rawlins Post, No. 126, G. A. R., of Minnesota. The subject of this sketch married, in 1868, Miss Cathleen B. Wilcox, of Pennsylvania, and of this union one son is living, Louis A. Sherman, of Austin. Mrs. Cathleen Sherman died in July, 1875. In August, 1876, Mr. Sherman married Marion F. Wilcox, and this union has been blessed with two daughters, Laura I. and Edna L., both of whom live with their parents in Minneapolis.

Byron E. Shutt, the genial proprietor of the Grand Hotel, at Austin, was born at Fort Wayne, Allen county, Ind., April 8, 1864, son of Daniel and Barbara (Cope) Shutt, the former of whom died December 9, 1906, and the latter of whom is now living at Spring Valley, Fillmore county, this state. Byron E. lived at Ft. Wayne, Ind., until eighteen years of age, and then spent a winter in Canton, Fillmore county, Minn. The following spring he went to Duluth, Minn., clerked in a hardware store a year and then returned to Canton, where he spent four years on his father's farm. Subsequently he farmed for a similar period in Iowa. Then he came to Mower county, purchased a quarter section in Frankford township, and a year later a similar tract in Howard county, Iowa. Still later he located on a farm in Racine township and farmed there until 1906, when he came to

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Austin and opened a livery stable in the building that has since been remodeled as the Elk IIotel. Later he went to Cresco, Iowa, and made his first venture in the hotel business. Thus equipped with suitable experience, he came back to Austin and purchased the Grand. He conducts a first-class place in every respect, the rooms of the Grand being well furnished and comfortable at all seasons and his table being excellent in every respect. Mr. Shutt was married October 26, 1886, to Etta A. Brode, who has proven a most able helpmeet in all his undertakings. To this union have been born four children: Mark C. is a student in the State University of Iowa; Claude E. is in the Dakotas, and Joy and Etta are dead.

Ananias Sorenson has lived in Le Roy township for thirty- five years and has seen many changes in township, county and state. He was born in Norway, married Annie Ronningen Paul- son, and brought his family in America in 1865, locating at Lansing, Iowa. In the spring of 1871 he moved to Winneshiek county, in the same state, and in 1876 came to Mower county, where he purchased 160 acres in section 2, Le Roy township. This land he developed, erected a house thereon and followed farming until the fall of 1888, when he sold his farm to his son, Soren A., with whom he now makes his home. His wife died August 9, 1910.

Soren A. Sorenson was born in Norway, March 27, 1860, was brought to America by his parents, lived with them in Iowa, and in 1876, centennial year, came with them to Mower county. After receiving an adequate education he worked with his father until 1888, when he acquired the home plaee, having in the meantime purchased eighty aeres in 1885. On his farm of 240 aeres he now conducts general farming and has made many improvements, including a new barn built in 1897 and a new house built in 1898. His stoek consists of Poland-China hogs, Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. Mr. Sorenson has spent practically all his manhood in Le Roy, with the exception of one year from the fall of 1887 to the fall of 1888, when he was in Canton, Lincoln county, S. D. He has taken an active part in the affairs of his neighborhood and has served continuously for twenty-two years as treasurer of school district No. 1. Aside from his farm in Le Roy he owns a 340-aere farm in Chisago county, near North Branch. The subject of this sketch was married January 23, 1891, to Miss Louisa J. Sogn, born in Lin- coln eounty, South Dakota. This union has resulted in ten ehil- dren, of whom eight are living. They are: Alice M., a graduate of the Augustana College, at Canton, S. D., and Leonard A., Mattie O., Sylvester R., Edna L., Helen S., Ruth C. and Enoch B.

Oliver T. Huntley, an industrious farmer of Le Roy township,

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has the honor of being one of the few persons born in Mower county as early as 1856, having first seen the light of day in Le Roy township, April 11, 1856, just four days after the first board of appointed county commissioners had met at Frankford in their first meeting. He was reared in the home of his par- ents, Permanes and Eunice C. (Edson) Huntley, attended the district schools, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, at which time he purchased eighty acres in Le Roy town- ship, section 6. This he has since increased to 240 acres, all in the same seetion, and on this tract he followed general farming, making a specialty of stock and grain. He is an independent voter, has served as a member of the school board several years and belongs to the M. W. A. The subject of this sketch was married Mareh 30, 1882, at Le Roy, to Lena Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Huntley have one son, Frank L., born December 20, 1882.

Permanes F. Huntley, a territorial pioneer, now deceased, was a man highly esteemed in the community. He was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, N. Y., May 28, 1821, and grew to manhood in his native state. May 19, 1840, he married Euniee C. Edson, and eight years later, in April, 1848, came west and settled on forty acres in Kenosha county, Wiseonsin. In Sep- tember, 1850, they moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and set- tled on a farm six miles east of Decorah. Later they located at Hickory Ridge, Alamakee county, Iowa, where they owned two farms. In June, 1853, they came to Minnesota and settled on land on which the village of Spring Valley is now located. From that plaee they came to Le Roy township and purchased a pre- emption claim of 320 acres in section 19. Here they earried on farming the remainder of their days. At the age of 43, in 1864, Mr. Huntley enlisted in Co. M, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and served until the elose of the war. By virtue of this service he became a prominent member of the James George l'ost, No. 23, G. A. R. The subject of this sketch died October 27, 1893, and his wife passed away March 22, 1901.

James M. Tanner, an honored and esteemed farmer of Red Roek township, is one of the earliest settlers of Mower county, still living, and during his residence here he has had the pleasure of seeing a wild prairie blossom forth with cities and villages, houses and barns, erops and live stock. He was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1844, son of Ebenezer E. and Lydia A. (Colby) Tanner, the former of whom was born in Tompkins county, New York, September 25, 1824, and the latter in the same state in 1827. In 1859, the family came to Red Roek township, where they lived until their death, Ebenezer E. pass- ing away in 1878, and Lydia A. in 1860. James M. Tanner as- sisted his father on the home farm and received his first education

E. H. WELLS.

MRS. E. H. WELLS.

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in a private school. Afterward, when the school district in Red Roek was organized, he completed his schooling in the public schools. He was hard at work on the farm when the Civil war broke out. Quick to see his country's danger, he enlisted in Co. C, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until April 3, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of poor health and general disability contracted in the service. During his war career he saw strenuous fighting for a year on the frontier against the Sioux, and later participated in the battles of Oxford and Nashville, as well as in many other skirmishes. After his discharge he returned to Red Rock and resumed farming. Ilis place, which is located in sections 11 and 12, consists of 157 acres, on which suitable buildings have been erected. His house, which is a substantial one, built in 1866, has been remodeled and repaired from time to time and now presents a comfortable and modern appearance. The subject of this sketch was married, March 10, 1867, to Lois A. Dickins, daughter of Robert and Lois A. (Tanner) Diekins. She died some years later. Later Mr. Tanner married Anna M. Colby, daughter of Amos and Mary (Stephens) Colby, the former a native of Bow, N. H., and de- seended from an early Colonial family. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner are the parents of Gladys G. and Pearl B.

Daniel B. Vaughan was born in Clinton county, New York, July 3, 1835, son of Benjamin and Johanna (Kimble) Vaughan, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Vermont. He went with his family to Rock and Dane counties, Wisconsin, and in 1855 came to Mower county, pre-empting land in the northwest quarter of section 15, Lansing township. Here he has since continued to live with the exception of three years spent in the army and several winters in the woods. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was married March 13, 1861, to Elsie Lyons, daughter of Joseph Lyons, and this union has been blessed with three children.

Elias H. Wells was born June 24, 1833, in Fairfax, Franklin county, Vt. He lived with his parents on their farm attending district school and working between terms until he was about fifteen years of age. As a result of overwork or overheating his system he was warned that he must leave the farm and try some less arduous way of earning a living and one more shiel- tered from the summer sun. Therefore he left home and up to the time he became of age was either attending school or teaching or elerking in a store in the village. When quite young, being very desirous of seeing the world outside of Fair- fax, he volunteered before Vermont was blessed with railways to help take a lot of horses to Hadley Falls, Mass. There he vis-

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ited relatives in different places, returning home via Albany, Troy and Whitehall, N. Y., and Burlington, Vt., partly by rail, then by canal and then by lake steamer, finishing up on the old horse- drawn stage coach. This trip is still one of his pleasantest recol- lections. He visited the first world's fair held in this country. This was in 1853 in New York City. He returned home via Bos- ton and Hadley, and this, too, is one of his choicest recollections. He has had something of a mania for attending big fairs when possible. Accompanied by his wife, he visited the Centennial at Philadelphia and the expositions at Chicago, St. Louis and Port- land, Ore. These trips with others to the cities of Washington, Norfolk, Pittsburg, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Victoria and other points in the British possessions he holds as more valu- able. assets than large accumulations of silver or gold or cor- porate securities or' even Minnesota dirt. In October, 1854, shortly after becoming of age, he left Fairfax for the then dis- tant West, going via Ogdensburg, Niagara Falls and Chicago. He spent about fifteen months in the states of Illinois, Iowa and the then territory of Minnesota, when St. Paul and Minneapolis were little but hills, sandy plains, shanties and great expectations. He returned to Fairfax in the winter of 1856, when at the solicita- tions of his parents with promise of aid, he purchased a general stoek of merchandise and opened it for trade in the store in which he had formerly clerked. In the succeeding year he was elected clerk and register of deeds for the town, which office he continued to hold until after he was appointed postmaster. After serving three years he resigned this office, closed up his business and in company with the family of his wife's father, Dr. R. Soule and others, in the spring of 1865 started for Minnesota. On account of the series illness of his wife he did not reach Lansing until about the middle of July. Rochester was the nearest railway point and from there he came by private conveyance to Lansing, where he has resided ever since. While in Fairfax Mr. Wells did a general credit business. His experience in trying to col- lect his dues and the loss he sustained discouraged him from con- tinuing in the business, as he once contemplated. Therefore he invested most of his money in land, expecting to improve it and hoping to get satisfactory returns by renting to others to work upon shares. This not proving quite satisfactory, he concluded to try his hand at the business and in the spring of 1870 moved onto the southwest quarter of section 14 in Lansing. Some two or three years later he went to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. and purchased a carload of high-grade merino sheep, also a pair of Shorthorn cattle. Those were specialties which he continued on the farm. Some of the time the flock of sheep, including lambs, numbered from 600 to 800, and they were a musical lot.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 89

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