The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 96

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 96

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William A. Nolan, of Grand Meadow village, has an enviable record of active work in publie and business affairs. Ile was elected to the legislature in 1900 and served ten years, his suc- cessor taking office in 1911. He has been president of the school board of the village of Grand Meadow sinee its organization as a separate district, and has been at the head of the Grand Meadow Fire Department for over twenty years. He was a member of the village couneil for three years. He is a harness and leather dealer, an automobile agent, and is interested in the banking and telephone business. Withal, the social side of his nature has not been neglected and he is a popular member of the A. F. & A. M., the M. W. A., and the B. P. O. E. He attends the Congregational church, of which he is a trustee. It may be truly said that Mr. Nolan is a man of affairs, pushing, active, progressive and public spirited, interested in everything that is for the betterment and welfare of his village, his town, his county, his state and his nation. William A. Nolan was born in Yankton, S. D., October 4, 1862, son of Charles E. and Sarah A. (Gordy) Nolan, pioneers. He was educated in the schools of High Forest, Minn., and at the age of nineteen learned the harness-making trade from John

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Connor, at Grand Meadow. Eventually he purchased the busi- ness, and the establishment is now conducted on a large scale. Mr. Nolan married Laura Greening, daughter of John Greening, and their union has been blessed with four children: Mabel I., Bernice, Merrill C. and William R. The parents of William A. Nolan-Charles E. and Sarah A. Nolan-were natives of New York state, where a brother of Charles E. was for many years clerk of the supreme court. Charles E. was an early pioneer, came to High Forest, Olmsted county, in 1855, and was the first merchant to open a store in that town. He died in 1865.

George W. Reed, retired merchant and farmer, now living in Dexter, was born in Cook county, Illinois, September 26, 1853, son of Robert and Mary Reed. He was brought to Pleasant Val- ley township, this county, in 1856, and was here reared to man- hood, receiving his boyhood education in the district schools. In 1882 he took charge of the home farm, and conducted this place in connection with a farm of 160 acres he had purchased in 1878, until 1892, when he became the Dexter representative of the McCormick Manufacturing Company. In the fall of 1904 he entered into partnership with Jesse C. Vermilyea, the firm name being Vermilyea & Reed. After five years Mr. Vermilyea sold his interest in the business to R. S. Noyes. A year later Mr. Reed bought out his partner's interest, and on Auguest 4, 1910, sold out to W. E. Daley. Mr. Reed served as treasurer of his school district twenty years, and was assessor several terms in Pleasant Valley township. He was married April 17, 1876, to Alice E. Frase, and to this union two children have been born, George H. and Florence E. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Robert Recd and Mary, his wife, were natives of New York state. They located in Cook county, Illinois, in 1851, and in 1856 came to Minnesota, and preëmpted 160 acres in section 7, Pleasant Valley. Robert died in February, 1885, and his wife passed away in 1880.

Frederick M. Peirson, a retired hotel proprietor and farmer now living in Grand Meadow, was born April 4, 1834, at Chitten- den, Chittenden county, Vermont, son of John and Nabby (Sax- ton) Pierson. At the age of three years he was brought by his parents to Ohio, in 1840 to Rockford, Ill., in 1844 to Silver Creek, Ill., and in 1846 to Winslow, Ill. At the age of nineteen he located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, and in May, 1854, took up a claim in Minnesota. From that month until October he lived in La Crosse, and then located on his claim, which was in section 1, township 104, range 15, being included in the tier of sections which were set off from Mower county and are now a part of the

F. M. PEIRSON.

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township of High Forest, in Olmsted county. Mr. Peirson broke this land, worked it industriously, and made his residence for many years in a "grout" house, made of lime and sand. This building stood until 1909, when it was torn down to make way for a substantial modern farm building. During the Civil war this building was converted into a tavern. In 1874 Mr. Peirson moved to Rochester, Minn., and engaged in the hotel business there for three years. In 1877 he came to Grand Meadow and purchased a hotel, which he conducted until 1898, when he rented the hotel and retired. Aside from this hotel building, where he now makes his home, he owns a 200-acre farm in Olmsted county and a quarter section in Grand Meadow township. A part of this latter tract is noted for its sand for building purposes, the deposit covering over five acres to a depth of eighteen feet. Mr. Peirson is a man of strong character and has always been active in upholding those things which he believes to be right and good. He is a Republican in politics and served as a justice of the peace for two years. Mr. Peirson was married November 20, 1860, to Catherine Keyes, a native of Ireland, who has proved a most able helpmeet. A son, Dr. Homer F. Peirson, lives in Austin. John Peirson and Nabby Saxton, his wife, were natives of Vermont, both of English descent. While living in Vermont John Peirson was a lumberman in the Canadian woods. In 1837 he removed his family to Ohio, lived there three years, then in 1840 went to Rockford, Ill., and in 1844 took up his residence in Silver Creek, two years later going to Winslow in the same state. In 1848 John Peirson started overland for California, and acquired considerable land along the Pacific coast. Later he went to the Sandwich Islands, where he died in 1852. His wife lived in Illinois until his death, after which she returned to her old home in Vermont, where she died. It is interesting to note that practically the first claim recorded for what is now Mower county was that of J. S. Peirson, in September, 1854. J. S. was a son of John and a brother of Frederich M.

Artemus W. Sanborn, a venerable and honored citizen of Racine township, was born in eastern Canada December 5, 1833, son of Stephen and Rhoda (Clement) Sanborn, the pioneers. Artemus received his education in the public schools of Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he was taken by his parents in 1843. There he grew to manhood, and in the year 1856 came to Mower county and preëmpted the northwest quarter of section 26, in Racine township. After proving up his elaim, he went back to Wisconsin, and there remained until 1862, when he came to Mower county again, and settled on his claim, living on it three years. In 1865 he sold out, and purchased his present place of eighty acres in section 35, where he built his home, developed the

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land, and made all improvements, following general farming until 1882, when he secured a position as railway mail clerk. This position he held until 1887, his run being between Winona and Chicago. During this period of five years he made his home in Rochester, that he might better educate his children and be nearer his work. At the close of this period he returned to his farm in Racine and carried on general farming until 1900, when he retired from active life. He and his good wife continue to live on the home farm, which has been in their possession for forty-six years. Mr. Sanborn is a Republican and has served as town clerk and as assessor and a member of the school board; he was census enumerator in 1880. He is a high degree Mason and a member of the Methodist church. Artemus W. Sanborn was married November 19, 1866, to Mrs. Harriett (Cochrane) Allen, who was born in New York state, January 2, 1838, daugh- ter of James and Fidelia (Aldrich) Cochrane. The Cochranes came west to Dodge county from New York state in 1848, and there James Cochrane died in 1852, his wife, Fidelia, expiring in Juneau county, Wisconsin, in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn have two children, Clara B. and Charles W. Clara B. married Attorney Charles E. Callaghan, postmaster at Rochester, and they have four children, Howard, Lola, Helen and Gertrude. Mrs. Sanborn died February 27, 1911.

Charles W. Sanborn, son of Artemus and Harriett Sanborn, was born in Racine township, June 15, 1872. He received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood, attended the public schools of Rochester and finished with a course in the Darling Business College, at Rochester, from which institution he graduated, July 5, 1894. He then returned to Racine town- ship, and engaged in farming. He now rents his father's farm of 100 acres, is successful in his operations and is well thought of in the community. He married Anna Eichhorn November 18, 1897. She was born in Racine, October 25, 1870, daughter of A. Eichhorn and Rosa Roth, his wife, retired farmers living in Racine village. Mr. Sanborn is a member of the M. W. A. and the I. O. O. F.

Stephen J. Sanborn has occupied a position of trust and honor in the community for many years, and his influence and integ- rity have had much to do with the shaping of the destinies of his vicinity. He was an efficient and courageous deputy sheriff under Sheriff Allan Mollison, was champion of the cause of the farmer in the legislature of 1877-78; was clerk of Racine township several terms, and has been director of the First State Bank, of Racine, for a considerable period. He is an honorable, upright man, well thought of in the community wherein he has

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made his home for many years. He was born in Canada, Feb- ruary 12, 1837, son of Stephen and Rhoda (Clement) Sanborn, who brought him to the United States in 1844, locating in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he attended school and grew to man- hood. In 1859, during the Pike's Peak enthusiasm, he crossed the plains, making the journey partly on foot and partly on horseback, and spending the winter prospecting along the Sacra- mento river. The following two years he spent in a similar man- ner in Utah, and then mined in Montana until the fall of 1865, when he started for home. He went down the Missouri river in a flatboat to Council Bluffs, thenee by rail to Chicago, via St. Joe, and then made the trip from Chicago to Racine township, Mower county, where, during his absence, his parents had lo- cated. He purchased land and engaged in farming, tilling the soil and prospering withal, until he owned 240 acres, the village of Racine standing on what was originally a part of his farm. In 1890, when the railroad passed through and the village was started, he built a stone building and for eight years engaged in the general merchandise business. Then he engaged in grain dealing, which he successfully followed until 1910, since which time he has lived in retirement, enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr. Sanborn still owns about 200 acres of good land, besides his home and the grain warehouse, the farm being conducted by his son Elias. The subject of this sketch is an independent voter, a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and a high degree Mason. He was married, November 18, 1869, to Theressa R. Stewart, who was born in Trenton, Wis., October 28, 1852, daughter of Deacon Jonathan and Laura (Martin) Stewart. The union of Mr. and Mrs. San- born has been blessed with four children, two living and two dead, Elias D., Pirna L., Lola and Sybil. Elias D., who conducts the home farm, married Nettie Schroeder and they have two sons, Royce E. and Stanley S. Pirna L. married R. W. Chadwick, cashier of the First State Bank of Racine, and they have one son. Vern R. Lola and Sybil died of diphtheria in the fall of 1880.

Deacon Jonathan Stewart, a pioneer, was a man universally respected and took a prominent part in advancing the cause of religion and good morals, whenever his influence could be felt. JIe was born in Oneida county, New York, September 9, 1816. His father, Jonathan Stewart, Sr., was a farmer, and to this vocation Jonathan, Jr., was bred. The subject of this sketch was married, March 16, 1840, to Laura Martin, who was born in Oneida county. July 10, 1822. In 1854 he went to Wiseonsin and purchased 160 aeres of government land, lived on it twelve years, then sold the place and eame to Racine township, June 11, 1857, and pre-empted land in section 27. Deacon Stewart and his wife were the parents of seven children : Jonathan A., John Wesley,

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Latham D., Thaxter M., Eugene P., Theressa R. and Jay Emmett. Jonathan Stewart died in 1908 and his wife in 1898.

Stephen Sanborn was born in Canada and married Rhoda Clement, of Vermont; both being descended from noble New Eng- land stock. They lived in Canada for a time and in 1843 came to the United States, locating in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming until 1861, when they came to Mower county and settled in Racine township, where they purchased land in section 26 and lived until their death, the father passing away July 22, 1870, and the mother October 12, 1896. They were the parents of four children. A. W., Stephen J. and D. C. live in Racine, and Elias died in the United States service.

George J. Schottler, M. D., a successful practitioner of Dexter, was born in Germantown township, Washington county, Wiscon- sin, November 5, 1870, son of Nicholas and Anna (Regenfuss) Schottler, Wisconsin pioneers. He attended the district schools of Washington county, Wisconsin, and after due preparation en- tered the preparatory teachers' course at the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, Ind. Then he taught school in his home district a year and subsequently again returned to Val- paraiso, finishing his courses there in 1892, receiving the degree of B. S. In the meantime he had also attended clinics in thera- peutics and taken a preparatory medical course. He spent the fall and winter of 1892-93 at home in order that his brother might attend school, and in the fall of 1893 entered the Rush Medical College, at Chicago, graduating in 1896 with the degree of M. D. He at once took the state examination and was admit- ted-to practice, taking up his life work at Dexter, June 6, 1896. He has built up a large practice in village and county, is faith- ful and skillful in his services and is greatly beloved by those families to whom he administers in the hours of sorrow and dis- tress. Dr. Schottler belongs to the American, the Minnesota State, the Southern Minnesota and the Mower County Medical societies, has been president of the latter and is now its treas- urer. Dr. Schottler is a stockholder in and vice-president of the First State Bank of Dexter. He was at one time elected presi- dent of the village council of Dexter, but refused to serve. Dr. Schottler owns a fine home in Dexter, which he built in 1898, and in addition to this a house and ten acres of land in the vil- lage limits, which he rents. On his land he has set out 500 apple trees, which are promising well. The subject of this sketch was married, September 12, 1900, at Dexter, to Kathleen, daughter of Abram Vermilyea. She was born December 13, 1876, and her union with Dr. Schottler has been blessed with four chil- dren : George Jesse, born August 26, 1901; Max E., born June 26, 1903, and Kenneth B. and Kathryn B., twins, born July 17,

GEORGE J. SCHOTTLER, M. D., AND FAMILY.

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1904. Nicholas Schottler, one of the successful farmers of Wash- ington 'county, Wisconsin, and father of Dr. George J. Schot- tler, of Dexter, Mower county, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, January 16, 1843, and came to America with his par- ents in 1846, locating in Germantown township, Washington county, Wisconsin. He was there educated and on attaining man- hood's state, took up farming and located on 120 acres of land in two tracts, part of which was the original homestead. This land he cut and burned over, grubbed, broke and improved, and has since carried on general farming. He was married on January 12, 1870, to Anna Regenfuss, born in Washington county, Wisconsin, June 17, 1849, of German ancestry. She died June 13, 1908, leaving six children : George J., the Dexter phy- sician ; John, a farmer of Windom township in this county ; Mar- garetha, now Mrs. Joseph Mueller, of Austin township; Kunnie, who died before her mother; Conrad, on the old farm in Wis- consin, and Cecilia and Mary, who are likewise at home with their father.

0. W. Shaw, president of the First National Bank of Austin, has continued in this position for over four decades and his cor- diality and business acumen have raised what was at the start a small village bank, well to the foremost as one of the sound financial institutions of southern Minnesota. Though very suc- cessful in his enterprises, he is unassuming, democratic and easily approachable by any who need his assistance or advice, and his opinions on matters of business policy are often sought by the people who patronize his institution. Amid the cares and stress of a busy life, he has found time to become a deep stu- dent of early United States history, and his documents and first editions of rare historical works are of a value which only the careful collector and discriminating observer can realize. The subject of this sketch was born in Carroll county, New Hamp- shire, July 19, 1834, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Lunt) Shaw. When young he engaged in clerking. For three years he was at Great Falls, N. H., then for two years was in a wholesale dry goods house in Boston. Afterward he was for three years in trade in New Hampshire with Samuel Merrill. Then, with Mr. Merrill he came to Iowa, where the latter afterward became one of the honored governors of that state. For some years the gentlemen mentioned conducted a general store at McGregor, Iowa, under the firm name of Merrill, Dearborn & Shaw. In 1867 Mr. Shaw went to Chicago, and for a short period engaged in the dry goods commission business with a partner, the firm name being Rollins & Shaw. In 1867 he came to Austin, formed a business alliance with Harlan W. Page, who had previously been eondueting a private bank here, and organized the First

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National Bank of Austin, of which Mr. Shaw became president and Mr. Page cashier. Aside from taking an active interest in the affairs of Austin, Mr. Shaw has served as president of the state board of control for the school for dependent children at Owatonna. He is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, the American Historical Association, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and the National Geographical So- ciety. He was married in 1862 to Sarah J. Rollins, daughter of D. G. Rollins, of Great Falls, N. H.

C. M. Skyhawk, one of the prominent men of Racine town- ship, was born in Mower county, July 25, 1860, son of Lewis and Mary Skyhawk, who came to Minnesota from Indiana in 1856. They were typical pioneers, coming the whole distance in ox wagons and homesteading 160 acres in section 29, Racine township. Lewis Skyhawk died in 1863 and his wife in 1891. C. M. was educated in the schools of Mower county and was reared on a farm. At the age of nineteen he started working out by the month and subsequently purchased eighty acres of the old homestead. On this place he has since resided, carrying on general farming and raising cattle for beef and dairy pur- poses. He sells cream to the Racine Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, in which he is one of the stockholders. May 12, 1886, he married Emma B. Espenschied, daughter of John Espenschied, a farmer of Racine township, now deceased. John Espenschied came to Mower county before the war and after enlisting saw service on the frontier against the Indians. To Mr. and Mrs. Skyhawk have been born four children: Mertie, who is one of the successful teachers of Mower county; Gladys E., who is a telephone operator; Alta J., wife of Charles A. Cady, of Racine, and Stanley M., who is at home. The subject of this sketch be- longs to the M. W. A. and to the A. F. & A. M. He is a Repub- lican in politics, was town supervisor twelve years and director of school district. 33 for fifteen years.

Otto S. Stenseth, clerk of the town of Frankford, is a na- tive of this county, born on the farm where he still resides, No- vember 16, 1880, son of Sever and Gjertrude Stenseth. He was reared on the home farm, received his early education in the district schools and continued farming with his father until 1902, when he rented the home farm. Since that date he has success- fully conducted general farming operations. He votes the Re- publican ticket, belongs to the M. W. A. and attends the Lutheran church.

Sever Stenseth was born in Norway and came to America in 1866. After living in Racine a year, he purchased forty acres in section 16, Frankford township. To this he later added sixty acres in section 15, making 100 acres in all. On this farm he

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and his wife Gjertrude still live, although they rent the place to their son Otto S. Of their twelve children seven are living. They are: Inger, wife of Sever Kval, of Frankford township; Sarah, wife of S. E. Wilsie, of Grand Meadow; Emma, wife of Peter Weeks, of Racine village; Sever; Nels, of Grand Meadow ; Otto S., of Frankford, and Sophia.

Charles H. Steffens, a large stock raiser of Racine township, was born in Fillmore county, this state, December 24, 1861, son of Richard and Mercy (Hammond) Steffens, natives of Canada. The father Richard went to California in 1852 and engaged in the lumber business six years. Then he returned to Canada and was there married October 26, 1860. Subsequently he and Ins wife came to Fillmore county and purchased 160 acres of land. Richard Steffens died in 1883 and his wife Mercy at Spring Valley in 1907. Charles H. received his education in the district schools and taught school five years, this period in- eluding one year's service in the schools of Grand Meadow. In 1884 he finished a full course in the Normal School at Winona. Later he settled on his present farm, where he has been very prosperous. He is one of the supervisors of the town, has been treasurer of school district 34 for twenty-three years and belongs to the Grange and the M. W. A. Ile is one of the extensive farm- ers of the county, cultivating 465 acres, a part of which he leases. The subject of this sketch was married, December 24, 1885, to Ella Felch, daughter of. C. J. Felch, first probate judge of Mower county. This union has been blessed with eight children. Nellie M. is a student at Carlton College. Bonnie Richard graduated from the agricultural school of the University of Minnesota, and is now employed by the state drainage commission. Alice is at home. David B. is a student in the Spring Valley High School. Joseph Warren died October 20, 1895, aged one year and four- teen days. Charlotte and Raymond attend the Racine village school. The youngest of the family is Lincoln. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Hon. Charles J. Felch, first judge of probate of Mower county, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 1, 1818, son of Benjamin Felch, a native of New Hampshire. He was reared in his native state and in 1842 married Mercy G. Barrows, by whom he had four children. David F. M. enlisted in the Ninth Minneapolis Volunteer Infantry and died in a war hos- pital. Benjamin F. died from injuries caused by being thrown from a horse. The two youngest died in infancy. Merey Bar- rows Felch died in Wisconsin in 1850, and Mr. Feleh was mar- ried, January 1, 1852, to Hannah L. Shelden, a native of Steuben county, New York. Two children blessed this union, Charles II., deceased, and Ella H. Mr. Felch came to Mower

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county in 1855 and purchased two pre-emption claims, one from Joseph Robb and the other from J. D. Gregory. These claims had been made in 1854. Mr. Felch was the first probate judge in this county, and in 1863 and 1867 sat in the senate of this state as representative from the district composed of Mower and Dodge counties. He was also elected county commissioner in 1870 and also for the succeeding term. He died November 1, 1893.

John Terlinden, a prosperous farmer of Frankford township, was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, February 6, 1858, son of Jacob and Katherine Terlinden, natives of the Rhine coun- try in Germany. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, there grew to manhood and remained at home engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1884, when he came to Minnesota, located in Carver county, and purchased ninety- six acres of land in Young America township. There he fol- lowed farming until 1900, when he came to Mower county and purchased 160 acres in Frankford township, half in section 17 and half in section 20. He greatly improved the land and build- ings and has successfully conducted farming operations. Mr. Terlinden is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Grand Meadow and in the Geiser Threshing Company No. 1, of Frankford township. He is a Republican, attends the German Lutheran church and belongs to the M. W. A. The subject of this sketch was married, September 18, 1884, to Amelia Buss, of Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and they have seven chil- dren: Jacob, John, Minnie, Lizzie, Henry, William and Clar- rissy. Jacob Terlinden was born in the Rhine country in Ger- many and with his wife Katherine came to America in 1843. After stopping a month in Milwaukee, they located in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and there farmed the remainder of their days, Jacob dying in 1886 and Katherine in 1906. They were the parents of nine children: Peter lives on the old homestead in Fond du Lac county ; Katherine is Mrs. Henry Schmidt, of Wayne, Wis .; Sybila is Mrs. John Wagnor, of Grand Meadow; Minnie died at the age of twenty-five; John lives in Frankford township, this county; Jacob lives in McLeod county, Minn .; Jerry lives in Carver county, Minnesota; Elizabeth is Mrs. Will- iam Cisco, of Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin; Annie is Mrs. Amos Cisco, of Thorpe, Wisconsin.

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 96

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