The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 97

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 97

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John Wagner, a retired farmer now living in Grand Meadow, was born in Germany, December 19, 1850, son of John and Amelia (Hodleman) Wagner. He was brought to America by his parents in 1856, at the age of six years, and at the age of ten years was taken to Washington county, Wisconsin, where he attended school and grew to manhood. Then he went with his

MR. AND MRS. JOHN WAGNER.

JOHN WAGNER'S RESIDENCE

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parents to Fond du Lac, Wis., and there worked with his father until twenty-four years of age. At that age he started out in life for himself as a carpenter, working four years for one man in Campbellsport, Wis. In 1878 he came to Mower county, and purchased 160 acres of land in Frankford township, section 21. On this farm he labored faithfully, developing the land, erect- ing buildings, and adding various tracts from time to time until he owned 850 acres, all of which, with the exception of a 255- acre tract, which he sold. In 1906 he rented his farm and moved to the village, where he now occupies one of the finest homes in the village. He was married in October, 1878, to Amelia Dick- man, who died in February, 1885, leaving four children : Her- man, who is on the old homestead; John F., who lives in Fillmore county ; Emma, who married Ora Bennett, a contractor of Wheat- land, Wyo., and Lydia, who died in 1895. Mr. Wagner was mar- ried the second time March 18, 1886, to Syvilla Terlinden, who was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, November 10, 1853. To this union have been born two children: Amanda, now Mrs. August Detloff, of Frankford township, and Helen, who lives at home. Mr. Wagner is a staunch Republican, a director of the school board of his district, and a member of the German Lutheran church.

John Wagner, Sr., and Amelia Hodleman, his wife, parents of John Wagner, Jr., were natives of Germany. They crossed the briny deep in 1856 and located in Milwaukee for a period of four years, during which period the senior Wagner followed his trade as a blacksmith. In 1860 this rugged blacksmith moved his family to Washington county in the same state, and after following his trade for a while purchased thirty aeres of land, erected a shop and combined farming with blacksmithing for fifteen years. Then he went to Fond du Lac county, in the same state, and there farmed until 1892. Then he came to Mower county, purchased 160 acres, and was on the high road to suc- cess and prosperity, when, in October, 1895, while driving a horse rake, he was thrown from the vehicle by a runaway horse, and was killed. His wife died October 4, 1910. John Wagner, Sr., and his wife were the parents of eight children: John, who is a retired farmer of Grand Meadow; Amelia, now Mrs. William Krouse, of Grand Meadow township; William, of Wahpeton. N. D .; Ida, who married Charles Fuchs, and died March, 1909; Hlerman, of Arthur, N. D .; Albert; Frank, of Grand Meadow, and Anna, now Mrs. Haskell Yonsie.

Jacob Terlinder and Katherine Engefels, his wife, parents of Mrs. John Wagner, of Grand Meadow, were natives of Germany and came to America at an early day, locating in Fond du Lac. Wis., where they farmed all their lives. They were the parents

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of nine children : Peter, who is on the old homestead in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin; Katherine, who is now Mrs. Henry Schmidt, of Wayne, Wis .; Syvilla, now Mrs. John Wagner, of Grand Meadow; John, of Frankford township; Mina, now dead; Jacob, of Glencoe, Minn .; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William N. Cisco, of Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin ; Gerhard, of Young America, Minn., and Anna, now Mrs. Amos Crico, of Thorpe, Wis.

D. C. Sanborn, of Racine township, a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Canada, January 20, 1844, son of Stephen and Rhoda (Clement) Sanborn, who took him to Dodge county, Wisconsin, when he was in his first year. In 1861, D. C. and his father came to Racine township and purchased land, but the subject of this sketch enlisted almost at once in the Civil war. After serving his term of three months in the Second Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth United States Infantry, and remained in active service until the close of the war, seeing active service at Cedar Mountain, Antietam, the second battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Get- tysburg, third Chancellorsville or Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Hatches' Run, Pebble's Farm, Bethel Church, the Weldon Railroad, and in many minor engagements and continuons skirmishing. He received his discharge at El- mira, N. Y., April 21, 1865, and then returned to Racine town- ship, where he purchased eighty acres of land in section 26, and farmed until 1900, in the meantime, from 1872 to 1882, buying and shipping cattle to Milwaukee and Chicago markets. Mr. Sanborn is an independent Republican and was town supervisor for thirteen years, as well as assessor eleven years. He was treasurer of his school district twenty-one years. The subject of this sketch was married November 25, 1865, to Sarah Hall, who died March 5, 1910. An adopted son, William C., is now in North Dakota.

Munson O. Wilsie, who has been manager at Grand Meadow for the C. L. Coleman Lumber Company since 1873, was born in Irondequoit, Monroe county, New York, April 20, 1843, son of German T. and Hannah (Hance) Wilsie, both of New York colonial families. He was brought to Minnesota by his parents in 1856 and was reared to manhood in Olmsted county, receiving his education in that county and in the academy at Chatfield, in Fillmore county. After farming a few years he went to Rush- ford, in this state, and was employed in the grain business, having the distinction of shipping the first bushel of wheat over what was then the Southern Minnesota railroad. Later he assumed his present connection, and has since taken his part in the affairs of the village. The confidence in which he is held is shown by the fact that he was the first worshipful master of Grand Meadow

H. G. WILLSON AND FAMILY.

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Lodge, No. 121, A. F. & A. M. The subject of this sketch married Mary Hall, daughter of Philander and Emilie (Riddle) Hall, and they have the following children : Orville, Willis A., Edah B., Emma L., Stephen E., Ethel HI., Giles II., Ralph M. and F. Leigh. Mrs. Wilsie was born in Vermont, and her father was a native of New York state. German T. Wilsie and Hannah Hance, his wife, were both descended from the carlier colonists of New York state. They came west in 1844, and located near Lansing, Mich., where they remained a year. In December, 1845, they settled in Southport, now Racine, Wis., and a year later went to Fond du Lac, in the same state, remaining ten years. In 1856 they lo- cated in Olmsted county, this state, and there German T. passed away, in 1902. His wife, aged ninety-one, makes her residence in Grand Meadow with her son. Edah B., daughter of Munson O. Wilsie, married L. M. Hunt, and they have five children : Lloyd, Claude, Earl, Franklin and Esther H.

Herbert G. Willson, proprietor of Burr Oak Farm, is one of the scientific farmers of Frankford township and carries on ag- ricultural operations along the latest approved methods. His home is comfortable and well located, his outbuildings are in excellent condition and his land is in a high stage of cultiva- tion. The subject of this sketch was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, April 9, 1853, son of Samuel and Charlotte (Taylor) Will- son. He was brought by them to Frankford township at the age of nine years and here he was reared to manhood. After at- tending the schools of the neighborhood he entered the normal school at Winona and graduated in 1878. After teaching in the distriet schools of Frankford two years he rented a farm and started in life for himself. In 1880 he purchased the old home- stead from the other heirs and gave his father a life lease of same. From year to year he has made improvements and he now successfully conducts general farming, making a specialty of his grade Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Poland- China hogs. Mr. Willson is an independent Republican, and has been clerk of the school board of his district for many years. He belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the M. W. A., the A. O. U. W. Mr. Willson was married, December 1, 1881, at Spring Valley, to Abbie R. Rafferty, born in Frankford township, July 23, 1861, daughter of Francis and Helen (Weed) Rafferty, the former of whom was for many years a blacksmith in the old village of Frankford and died June 18, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Willson have been blessed with two sons. Clark M. is a young man of much promise. He was born February 14, 1883, attended the Spring Valley High School and then entered the Northwestern Univer- sity at Chicago, from which he graduated in 1905 with a dental degree. Ile at once took up his profession in Spring Valley

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

and had practiced for three months, when he was stricken with appendicitis. He underwent an operation and since then has not entirely recovered his health. Harold F. was born November 26, 1895, and attends the Spring Valley High School. Harold is a bright boy and has taken a deep interest in agricultural affairs, making a specialty of poultry. Since he was a very small boy he owned a flock of Barred Plymouth Rock fowls, and has won many prizes. He now conducts a nice business in this line him- self. His birds command an excellent price in the markets and his printed matter descriptive of his pens is most excellent. His chickens are of the best in shape and color and of a laying strain that is unsurpassed. The stock showed their quality by winning in 1910 four firsts, two seconds and one third at Spring Valley and Austin.

Samuel Willson was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, and married Charlotte Taylor, also a native of the same county. They located in Ohio in 1853, and in 1858 came to Winona county in this state. In 1862 they came to Frankford township, this county, and located on seetion 36. At that time but fifteen acres had been broken and a log house had been built. The rest of the land he broke and developed, built a frame house and other buildings and followed general farming until his death February 12, 1908. His wife died on January 14, 1896. They were the parents of four children: Orson, of North Dakota; Helen, wife of Marcus M. Chatfield, of Minot, N. D .; Herbert G., of Frank- ford township, and Cassius, of Hammond, Ore. Mrs. Willson is a member of the Eastern Star and of the Royal Neighbors. Clark M. is a Mason and Eastern Star.

Everard J. van Bronkhorst, successful dentist of Grand Meadow, was born in Anstin, January 6, 1878, son of Anthony and Annetta (Riss) van Bronkhorst. He attended the graded schools of Austin and graduated from the Austin high school. In 1895 he entered the University of Minnesota and three years later graduated from the dental course in that institution. He first started praetiee at Lyle, in this county, and two years later entered into partnership with Alvin M. Lewis, of Austin. This partnership continued eight years and on Auugst 1, 1908, Dr. Van Bronkhorst came to Grand Meadow, where he has since prac- tieed his profession with marked success. He has a well-equipped office and the beautiful home which he has just completed in the village speaks for itself as to his success, taste and popularity. He is a member of the Mower County Dental Association and of the M. W. A., his political beliefs being embodied in the plat- form of the Republican party. The subject of this sketch mar- ried Louise Siebert, of Wells, Minn., and this union has been blessed with one son, Siebert A., born November 6, 1907. An-

SEYMOUR JOHNSON.

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HISTORY OF MOWER COUNTY

thony J. van Bronkhorst was born in Holland and after coming to America located in Forest Grove, Mich. Annetta Riss was also born in Holland, and came to Illinois when young. They first met in Austin and were here married. Anthony van Bronk- horst was a painter and paper hanger. He died June 21, 1909, and his wife passed away April 19, 1888, both being buried in Austin. They were the parents of four children: Everard J., Josie, Mattie and Henry F. Josie is the wife of Jesse Jones, of Austin; Mattie is the wife of Dr. A. E. Donker, of Forest Grove, Mich .; Henry F. is cashier for the Chicago Great Western at Rochester, Minn.

Walter Watson, one of the foremost farmers of Grand Meadow township, has resided in this county nearly twenty-four years, and during all that time has maintained an enviable record for honesty and fair dealing. He has a comfortable honse which he erected several years ago, spacious outbuildings and sleek- looking stock, as well as a full complement of tools and machinery suited to general farming. The subject of this sketch was born in Fountain, Fillmore county, September 24, 1864, son of James and Sarah (Means) Watson, the former of whom was a native of Mishawaka, Ind., and the latter of Indianapolis, in the same state. They settled in Fillmore county in 1852. Walter was reared on his father's farm, attended the district schools, and after his marriage took up farming for himself on a rented farm. In 1887 he came to Mower county and purchased his present place of 240 aeres, partly in Grand Meadow township and partly in Dexter township. He married Kate Schmidt, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Pider) Schmidt, and they have nine children : Zella, Eva, Nettie, Byron, Lloyd, Cora M. (deceased), Chester, Walter and Rachael. Zella is the wife of Stephen Brown and they have one daughter, Valora. Nettie is the wife of Elmer Young and they have one son, Harold.

Seymour Johnson, retired manufacturer and patentee of the well known Johnson harrows and breaking plows, has taken an active part in the upbuilding of the city. While he is a man of keen business intelligence, nevertheless a broad charity of thought and action has permeated his life, and often has he followed the line of npright and unselfish conduet when acts which the busi- ness world does not look upon as entirely dishonest might have resulted in his finaneial profit. In business life and in politics his influence has been for good, and it may truly be said that his life has been of real benefit to the world. He was born in Ringerike, Norway, December 29, 1841, and was but a year old when his father, Hans Johanson, died. His mother, Ingeborg Andersen, a woman of courage and pluck, eame to America with her fatherless boys in 1855 and located in Waupun, Wis., living

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there until 1892, when she came to Austin, lived with Seymour Johnson, and ended her days in December, 1893. The subject. of this sketch came to America with his mother in 1855. He received his early education in the public schools, and by self study and attentive reading acquired a good education both in English and Norwegian. He also worked in a newspaper office in Wisconsin for a time, and this assisted in his English educa- tion. At an early age he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, serving in Company A, Thirty- second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, until mustered out at the close of the war, May 10, 1865. He fought with Sherman in the Army of the Tennessee, and was with that army on its famous march to the sea, participating in all the battles of the Atlanta campaign. After being discharged at Prairie du Chien, May 10, 1865, he remained in Wisconsin and followed his trade as a black- smith for a time. He came to Austin March 27, 1867, and started in the manufacture of farm implements,, forming a copartnership with R. O. Ilunt in the fall of 1867. In 1870 Mr. Hunt went to California and Mr. Johnson formed a copartnership with L. S. Mitchell for one year, after which he bought out Mr. Mitchell and formed a partnership with H. S. Smith. After Mr. Smith's death in 1893 the firm was continued under the name of Johnson & Smith and under the management of Mr. Johnson until No- vember 1, 1900, when Mr. Johnson sold out to the heirs of H. S. Smith, and retired from business owing to ill health. Mr. John- son served his city as recorder for one term, and as an alderman for several years, being elected on the Republican ticket, in the principles of which party Mr. Johnson is a firm believer. He was also a member of the charter commission of Austin. He has been through the chairs of the I. O. O. F., of which he is now a past noble grand and he is also a charter member and past commander · of the G. A. R. The subject of this sketch was married December 22, 1866, to Lena Johnson, of Waupun. This union has been blessed with two children: A. E. Johnson, who is cashier of the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank, of Blooming Prairie, and Stella L., who is the wife of Dr. O. H. Hegge, and a prominent club woman of Austin. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Johnson is the only surviving charter member. The family residence is at 402 Man- kato street and was erected in 1868, a large addition being con- structed in 1880. Mr. Johnson has been a successful business man and owns considerable property in and around Austin. He was closely connected with the organization of the Citizens' National Bank, but sold out his interest in 1903. He is at present the president of the Austin Building and Loan Association and a director in the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank, of Bloom-

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ing Prairie. The daughter, Stella L., now Mrs. O. H. Hegge, is greatly interested in music and at various times has sung in all the leading choirs of Austin, being at present leader of the Lutheran church choir. She was born in Austin, graduated from the Austin high school, and being of a musical turn of mind studied music at home. She has taken considerable interest in club work, and is ex-president of the Art and Travel Club. She is at present president of the Floral Club, the third oldest women's club in the United States. Mrs. Hegge has taken great interest in church and benevolent work, and is president of the Lutheran Ladies' Aid Society, secretary of the Ladies' Auxiliary to St. Olav's Hospital, and one of the directors of the Austin Y. W. C. A.

John M. Wyckoff was born in the town of Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, October 7, 1827, the oldest of six children, and descended from one of the early colonial settlers of New Jersey. He was reared on the farm of his father, Henry H. Wyckoff, and then started farming for himself in Somerset county, New Jersey. In November, 1851, he married Henrietta Honeyman, daughter of James Honeyman. Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff came to LeRoy township in April, 1856, and on the second of the following month Mr. Wyckoff laid claim to the northeast quarter of seetion 30, entering this land at the United States land office which at that time was located at Chatfield, Minn. In 1859 he bought the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29, in the same town, from George Peck. In 1861 he sold to Milton Sadler, and settled in the old village of LeRoy. In 1864 he bought out the Rev. T. P. Ropes, on section 28, adjoining the old village of LeRoy. In 1868 he settled in LeRoy station, where he still resides. In March, 1868, at the earnest solicitation of F. M. Goodykoontz, the first lawyer to settle in LeRoy, he engaged with him in the law and real estate business, under the firm name of Goodykoontz & Wyckoff. In 1869 he purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone, being ad- mitted to the bar at Austin, Minn., September 21, 1870, before Hon. N. M. Donaldson, district judge. He was elected town clerk seven and justice of the peace five consecutive years in the early days of the township. He was chosen to the legislature of 1862 and later was elected county auditor, his term beginning March 1, 1879.

Rev. David Svennungsen, pastor of the United Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at LeRoy and of several other congrega- tions in the neighborhood, was born in Winona, Minn., March 26, 1876, son of Stener and Divert (Frich) Svennungsen. The Rev. Stener Svennungsen came from Norway with his parents in 1848, when five years of age, and located at Muskeego, Wis. In 1856 they removed to Chickasaw county, lowa, being among the early

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settlers there. He attended the Upper Iowa University, the Luther College, of Decorah, Iowa, and the Concordia Seminary, of St. Louis. He was then ordained in the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, and has sinee filled various pastorates, being now located at Sherwood, N. D. David reeeived his education in the public schools, at the Decorah Institute in Iowa, St. Olaf's College at Northfield and the United Church Seminary of St. Anthony Park, St. Paul, graduating from the theological eourse in the latter institution in 1904. He was ordained to the ministry of the United Church at Albert Lea June 12 of the same year. His first pastorate was at Rugby, N. D. While there he also labored in the interests of the Good Samaritan Hospital, acting as finan- cial seeretary from the time it was founded. This is a very substantial structure, aggregating a cost of $60,000, and is oper- ated and owned by the Sheyenne Kreds Hospital Association of the United Church. In 1911 he received a call to the pastorate of the United Lutheran Church at LeRoy, and was installed February 26, his field ineluding also Saterdal's congregation in Fillmore county and congregations at Creseo and Ridgeway in Iowa. Rev. Svennungsen was married October 26, 1904, to Carrie Groethe, daughter of O. M. and Guro (Tonjum) Groethe, who located in Mower eounty in 1865 and remained until 1902, when they moved to Elk Point, S. D. Rev. and Mrs. Svennungsen have three children: Rolf G., born August 1, 1905; Steinar D., born September 18, 1907, and David K., born January 3, 1910.

Nathan F. Banfield, vice-president and eashier of the First National Bank, of Austin, was born in West Roxbury, Mass., November 15, 1860. He is one of a family of six children. His parents, Everett C. and Anne S. (Fiske) Banfield, both deseended from early New England families. Ile received his early eduea- tion in the schools of his native place, in Adelphia Academy, Brooklyn, N. Y., in a private sehool in Washington, D. C., in Bates school, San Francisco and in Wolfeboro Academy, at Wolfe- boro, N. II. Later he attended Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass., and was a member of the elass of 1879. He came to Austin to enter the employ of the First National Bank in Mareh, 1879, at the age of eighteen years. To him promotions came with the passing years: In 1882 he became assistant eashier, a direetor in January, 1884, in 1885 eashier and in 1903 was elected vice-presi- dent. He served for some years as treasurer of the eity of Austin and as a member of the board of education. He was married July 5, 1882, to Nellie Sterling, daughter of James M. Sterling, one of the early settlers of Austin. To them were born seven children: Nathan F., Jr., Helen S., Annie F., Everett C., Riehard S., Gert- rude S. and Arthur F. Nathan F., Jr., received his education at the Austin high school and the University of Minnesota. He

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entered the employ of the First National Bank of Austin int August, 1904, and became a director of that bank in January, 1909. Helen S. was graduated from Vassar College, Pough- keepsie, N. Y., in the elass of 1908. Annie F. died in January, 1891, at the age of three years. Everett C. is at Amherst College, Amherst, Mass., a member of the class of 1912. The three younger children are in the Austin schools, Richard graduating in the class of 1911.

A. J. Hayes, cashier of the First State Bank, of LeRoy, was born in the village where he now resides June 18, 1873, son of the pioneers, Wentworth and Eliza A. (Bishop) Hayes. He received his early schooling in the village sehools of LeRoy and then attended the Pillsbury Academy, at Owatonna. After com- pleting his course at that institution he entered the employ of his father's store, remaining six years. In 1901 he became assistant cashier of the First State Bank, and his merit soon secured his promotion to his present position. He is a popular member of the I. O. O. F. and of the M. W. A. Mr. Hayes married Tennie Griffith, and this union has been blessed with three children, Bruce, Loueta and Wentworth.

Wentworth Hayes, a retired business man of LeRoy, has taken an active interest in the affairs of the community, and his sterling integrity and uprightness have won for him an enviable place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Of him it has often been said that his life has been an exemplification of the theory that abso- lute honesty in business brings the highest meed of success, even in these days when dishonesty seems so rampant in publie and private life. Wentworth Hayes was born in Alton, Belknap county, New Hampshire, May 23, 1831, son of Joseph and Betsy (Brewster) Hayes, natives of New York, and prominent farmers in that state. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district schools of Alton, and then entered the Wolfsborough Academy, at Wolfsborough, N. H. After gradua- tion from this academy he entered the employ of a shoe factory, and became so expert a cutter that he saved his employer from one to one and a half eents on every pair of shoes made. Mr. Hayes continued in this line until 1854, when he came to LeRoy and located in the old village. He preempted 160 acres of timber land and later purchased two other quarter sections, making at that time 480 acres. In 1862 he entered into contract with the United States government for carrying mail, and for nearly four years conducted the stage routes from Deeorah to Osage and from Decorah to Preston and Chatfield. Eleven months before his four years' contract had expired, he sold out, making $1,000 bonus on the contraet aside from clearing thirty-five per cent on his equipment. It is worthy of note that while in this business

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The history of Mower County, Minnesota : illustrated, Part 97

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