USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 36
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district, near where the village of Nieollet now stands. In the spring of 1867 he rented the farm of Mrs. Cordelia Carson, his aunt, near Hebron, Nicollet county. After putting in the erops. himself and brother, Ward, with two yoke of oxen, a cow and supplies, went to his prairie claim, in Birch Cooley, and began to turn over the sod, and prepared quite a respectable field for crop that summer. His brother, Ward, in the meantime, had taken up a claim in the woods across from Fort Ridgely, near Goklen Gate, Brown county; to this point they repaired in the winter. having built comfortable cabins for themselves and stock in the woods. In the winter they busied themselves cutting butternut trees into shingle length blocks, which they hauled to Buseh's mill at New Ulm, thus supplying the larder and good spirits.
In 1868 a erop of wheat was sown on the Birch Cooley field ; in the meantime he had acquired another 160 aeres of land, giving him a 320 acre farm. In the fall of this year he was elected county auditor and sold his farm to Stephen A. Greenslitt. He assumed the duties of his office in March. 1869. In July he was married to Mary Dunlop MeLaren, of Portage-du-forte, Province of Quebec, Canada. Ile was county auditor four years. In the meantime he established the " Renville Times," now the " Olivia Times." He was elerk of the District Court from 1873 to 1878; in 1876 he was a representative in the legislature. Ile was appointed by President Hays to be Register of the U. S. Land Office at Benson, Minn., in 1878, and held the office eight years. In 1880 he bought a large tract of land in Preston Lake township, this county, and stocked it up with blooded cattle, horses and hogs, which he sold for breeding purposes for many years. In 1886 he was elected state senator from this county. In 1888 he was elected a member of Congress from the third district of Minnesota. In 1891 he was appointed chairman of the Chippewa Indian Commission, succeed- ing ex-U. S. Senator Henry M. Rice. President Cleveland let him out; President MeKinley reinstated him. and he was among the Chippewas about five years. He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892. In 1895 he was president and general manager of the Keystone mine in the Black Hills, which had stamp mills and mined extensively. He was a year in that position, and made some money for his friends; no one lost a dol- lar by him, then, or at any time, For that matter. Ile was a member of the board of managers of the State Agricultural Society For a number of years, resigning in 1910. In 1906, just twenty years after his former election to the same office, he was elected state senator from Renville eounty, showing that if a person does about the right thing, coming back is not difficult.
In 1911 Mr. Hall bought himself a home and other property in Olivia, the county seat of Renville county. The people of Olivia are glad to have him among them, and show him and
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his good wife much consideration, all of which is fully appreciated by them. It is indeed gratifying that after more than forty-five years' residence in Renville county, not an enemy or unfriendly person is to be found within its borders. He has modest opinions on most subjeets, which he does not hesitate to state, admitting that another has as much right to an opinion as he has to his, elaiming nothing approaching infallibility, and always open to conviction. He has no fear of any religions denomination or seeret society destroying the country or injuring himself or neighbors. He encourages a spirit of toleration, and more friendly considera- tion of things religious, political and social, trusting that the time may soon come when the "holier than thon" individual turns his gaze inwardly upon himself.
While Mr. Hall has withdrawn from many activities, he is still interested in the upbuilding and development of this region. and in public affairs. His health is good, and he is more active and supple than many a person of half his age. He believes that there are a good many more days' work left in him yet, which no one questions, and it is hoped there may be any number of them.
Mr. Hall is a 32d degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner, of Osman Temple, an Elk. of Willmar Lodge No. 952; a life member of the State Historical, Agricultural and Ilorticultural societies. as well as president of the Fort Ridgely State Park and Historical Association, and this year, 1915. finds him mayor of Olivia and president of the Commercial Club in that place. He takes inneh interest in all of these associations, saying that "it prevents being overtaken by dry rot, or thoughts, at any time, of being a dead one."
Mary Dunlop McLaren Hall was born at Portage-du-forte. Province of Quebec, Canada. She married Darwin S. Hall at Beaver Falls, in Renville county, Minn., July 10th, 1869. Her father was Dougald Ferguson Mebaren: he was born in Perth- shire, Scotland, and came to Canada in the year 1831. He was employed, as a young man, for many years by Atkinson, Osborn & Co., superintending their hunber interests on the upper Ottawa river. Ilis father was an extensive land holder and stock raiser in the Shire of Perth, Scotland, who raised a large family. His name. John Mebaren, was well known in that locality.
The mother of the subject of this sketeh was Lorena Me Arthur before she married Dougald F. MeLaren, and she was born at Beach Ridge, Province of Quebec, Canada. Iler sister. Rebecca, was the mother of the late Senator H. Ward Stone, of Benson, Minn., and the late Mrs. A. N. Johnson of the same place : Lorena and Charlotte were twins. Eric and Alfred were twins, with Mary the youngest of those children. "Unele Erie" was an active and extensive lumberman in early days, well known, with a home at Eureka. Winnebago county, Wisconsin.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
MR. AND MRS. JAMES P. OKINS AND GRANDDAUGHTER
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The father of the subject of this sketch was for many years extensively engaged in mercantile and lumber businesses on the upper Ottawa river and at Portage-du-forte, while the country was new. Ile was devoted to his family and gave them many advantages for culture and education, which he was amply able to do. The subject of this sketch attended school at Smith's Falls and other institutions of learning, coming west and into the states in the spring of 1868, to her Aunt Rebecca (Mrs. L. K. Stone) and Uncle Erie at Eureka, Wisconsin, where she made her home for a time, and where she met her future husband.
The family of Dougald and Lorena, father and mother of Mary Dunlop. is as follows: The late Dr. William R. MeLaren, of Detroit, Mich. : Mary Dunlop : James Melaren, of Alhambra, Cal .; Louisa, deceased ; George, deceased : Charles, of Los Angeles, Cal .; Lorena (Mrs. S. H. Hudson, of Benson, Minn.) : JJessie, deceased ; Mrs. Annie Osborn, Los Angeles : Mrs. Elizabeth F. Harter, Alta- dena, Cal.
The subject of this sketch came to Minnesota and to Renville county in July, 1869; as before stated, was married to Darwin S. Hall. She has seen this locality develop as few women remaining can say. Herself and husband have gone through life hand in hand, as it were, and much is still in store for them.
James P. Okins, one of the early pioneers of Minnesota, was born in Bedford, England, April 20, 1846, son of Eli and Char- lotte (Porter) Okins. Eli was the son of William, a farmer, who changed the name from Akens to Okins. Three children were born to William: Elizabeth, who died at the age of sixteen years; Eli and John. John became a soldier and took part in the battle of Waterloo. Eli engaged in farming in England and left for America in 1850, arriving at Albany, New York, where he was later joined by his family, consisting of his wife and seven children : John, Josiah, Mary Ann, Maria, Sarah, James, and Lucy. In 1856 the family started for Minnesota. They came by train as far as La Crosse. taking a steamboat from there to Reed's Landing and going by foot and by ox team the rest of the way to Olmsted county, where they pre-empted 160 acres ten miles north of Rochester. It was mostly timber land and there were no buildings on the place. A small frame building was ereeted, 12 by 16 feet, but later replaced by a better dwelling. He began with an ox team and cleared the land, improving the farm. In 1864 he moved to Dakota county, loeating on an eighty- aere tract of land four miles north of Northfield. In the spring of 1868 he came to Renville county and located in south Sacred Heart in seetion 14, where he homesteaded eighty acres. Hle built a log house and lived there till his death in 1873. His wife died many years later. Mr. Okins held the office of supervisor when the township was organized. He was a member of the
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Episcopal church. James Okins received his early education in the district school of Olmsted county. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted at Rochester in Company K, Third Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry, serving one and a half years. He was mustered ont at St. Paul. He then Joeated a homestead of eighty aeres in section 14, south Sacred Heart township, which he still owns. Here he built a log house 12 by 16 feet with a board Hoor and a shingled roof. Ile began with an ox team and a cow and increased his farm to 220 acres and improved it and Imilt modern buildings. He is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator at Renville. Ile has been township constable and was one of the organizers of the town of Sacred Heart. He also served on the school board. In 1911 he retired to Renville vil- lage. Mr. Okins was married September 10. 1870, to Sophia Churchill, born at Rockford, Illinois, December 14, 1852, dangh- ter of Joseph and Sophia (Daniels) Churchill. Mr. Churchill was born in England and his wife was born in Maine. He came from England to Maine, where he married and from there they went to Illinois, locating in Stebbens county. In 1855 the family moved to Wasera, Minnesota, locating on a farm in the neigh- borhood, and in 1859 they came to Le Sueur county, where they bought a farm and lived there till 1866. when they moved to Renville county. They settled in Beaver Falls township, three miles west of the village of Beaver Falls. He obtained a pre- emption right to eighty acres of land and moved into the log building on the place. Here he made his home until his death in 1873 at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Okins have had thirteen children, eight of whom are living: George, Edward, Nellie (deceased). Frank. Mary, Oscar (deceased ), Lavina (deceased), Mina, Clarence, Charles (deceased ). Harry (deceased), Charles and Fred.
Gibson A. Richards was born in Mackford township, Green Lake county, Wisconsin. Jannary 16, 1857. son of Thomas and Anna (King) Richards. Thomas Richards was a native of Lin- colnshire, England, and was the only one of the family to come to America. Gibson received his early education in the country school and became a farmer, coming to his present place in Ren- ville county in 1878, where he secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 19, Boon bake township. Here he creeted a frame building 12 by 16 feet and 7 feet high and also a straw barn. After two years he obtained a team of horses. When he married his wife brought him three cows. The first market was at Hutchinson and later at Stewart. He prospered and had good erops, and has increased his farm to 320 acres and made many improvements on the house and barns. He keeps a good grade of stock. Mr. Richards served on the township board for thir- teen years and has been chairman of the board for the past two
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years. He also held office on the school board. He helped organize the Lake Side creamery and has held office on the board as one of the directors. He is also a stockholder of the Buffalo Lake Farmers' Elevator. He is a steward of the local Methodist Episcopal church, which he help to build. Mr. Richards was married July 20, 1879, to Martha J. Potter. In 1879 she taught the first subscription school and also taught three other terms in the district school. For teaching her first school she received $18 a month and she had to pay $2 a week for board. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have four children: William, who is at home; Linnie, who died at the age of nine years: Roy, who is a Farmer of Boone Lake township, and Engene C., a farmer in Boone Lake township.
John Eggert was born in New York, near Troy, January 21, 1856, son of Fred and Mary (Samft) Eggert, both natives of Germany, who came to America with their four children: Charles, Augusta, Mary and Fred, in 1853. They were Fourteen weeks on the ocean in a sailing vessel, which they had boarded seven weeks prior to starting. While on their way to America a daughter, Anna, was born. They arrived at New York and here Mr. Eggert began working for the farmers, John being born while the family lived there. Early in the spring of 1857 they set out across the lakes, up the Mississippi, while the ice was breaking up, and came to Minneapolis, where the father farmed. Next he obtained a team and worked for the railroad, helping fill in and grade the swamp where the Milwaukee depot is now located. Albert was born in Minneapolis. In the spring of 1868 the family drove by horse team from Minneapolis and came in a covered wagon to Renville county, coming to Boon Lake township, where they secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 12. The homestead right included a little log cabin on the land, into which the family moved. There was also a straw barn. Here he began breaking the land with the aid of his horses and made his home here the rest of his life. Ile pros- pered and in time owned 200 acres and built a modern house. Fred Eggert served as township supervisor and school treasurer and built the first schoolhouse of the district. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, and services were often held in his cabin before the congregation owned any church building. He was married to Mary Samft January 10, 1837. He died June 8, 1902, at the age of ninety years, and his wife died February 9, 1899, at the age of eighty-five years. John Eggert was one and a half years of age when he came to Minnesota. He attended the German parochial school in Minneapolis and spent six months at the public school. When he was twenty-one years of age he attended school again, this time at Hutchinson. He has con- tinued to operate the home farm, improved it, ereeted new barns,
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and aequired a good grade of stock. He has served on the town- ship board as assessor for nine years and has also been school clerk. lle helped incorporate the Lake Side Creamery, but is now a member of the West Lynn Creamery, and has served as its president. Ile is a member of the Baptist church at Hutchinson. Mr. Eggert was united in marriage March 7, 1879, to Frederica Fredericks. a native of Germany, daughter of Gotlieb Fredericks, who settled in Boon Lake in 1868. She died December 4, 1879, leaving one son, Henry. Mr. Eggert married again September 15, 1880. to Mimmie Barfknecht, who died June 8, 1892, leaving three children: Lydia, Mata and Minnie. Mr. Eggert married a third time. Bertha Pust, May 19, 1893. The following chil- dren were born : billie, John, Alfred and Agnes (deceased ).
William M. Harrier was born in Lesueur county, Minne- sota, September 5, 1861, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Tolan ) Harrier. Alexander was a native of Ohio and of English and German ancestry and his wife was of Irish descent. Ile came to Minnesota before the Civil war and located in Lesueur county. where he made his home until his death in 1903 at the age of sixty-two years. His wife died seven weeks later at the age of fifty-eight years. There were seven children: William, Mary (deceased). Margaret, Emma, James, Alexander and Eliza- beth. William Harrier was the oldest of the children and received his early education in the district school. At the age of nineteen years he began working for himself and in 1889 moved to Ren- ville county and located in Preston Lake township in section 5, obtaining a traet of 160 acres of wild prairie land. Here he built a frame house and a frame barn with straw roof. lle had two cows and $2.50 in cash. He lived on this place for eighteen years and built good buildings, then he moved to his present place, where he secured a tract of 240 acres. He keeps a good grade of stock. Mr. Harrier was married November, 1887, to Mamie Bankson. born in Belleplaine, Minnesota, January 20, 1860, daughter of Andrew and Mary Bankson, both natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1856 by sailing vessel, being three months on the ocean, bringing with them their three children : Lewis, Katie and August. They came to Carver county and located on a farm, where they lived for a number of years, their first home being a log house with a bark roof. The follow- ing children were born in Minnesota: Charlie. Mamie, Frank, Delpha, Enoch, Emil and Waltimer. The father was a veteran of the Civil war and took part in the Indian campaign and was wounded at Gettysburg. He died at Gaylord, Minnesota, twenty years ago, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died thirty years ago at the age of fifty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. William Harrier have had seven children, six of whom are living: Edward, at Buffalo Lake: Ida, now living in Canada : Neltie. liv-
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ing at Buffalo Lake; Cora, living at Preston Lake; Bert, at Preston Lake; Walter, at home, and one child who died in infancy.
Charles Dwight McEwen, deceased, known over the county and state as "Unele Charlie," remembered for his humorons stories and witty sayings, was born at ilinesburg, Vermont. June 20, 1822, and died hily 26. 1901. son of James McEwen, a native of Massachusetts who lived in the colonial days. When he was nineteen years of age Charles D. moved to St. Lawrence county, New York. He settled on a farm and married Merva Dwinell, born in Lynn, Massachusetts, January 13, 1822, who was of English ancestry. In 1855 the family came to Rock county, Wisconsin, where they remained for two years. They brought with them two children : Howard, born September 16, 1845, and Bowman C., born August 8, 1848. Another ehild was born in Wisconsin, Charlana Pareilla, born October 5. 1855, and died August 23, 1862. In 1857 he set out from Wisconsin with ox team and covered wagon, going to Ilutchinson, Minne- sota, the journey taking five weeks and three days. Ile secured a homestead three miles south of Hutchison, proved up the land and built a log cabin. He broke up the land with his ox team and lived there until 1876. Ile had built good buildings and erected what was probably the first cheese factory in the state and milked one hundred and fifty cows. It was located on his farm and was known as the MeEwen cheese factory. The cheese was distributed and sold throughout the country towns by team once a month. Another son, Carlton C., was born in Minnesota May 31, 1859. At the time of the Indian outbreak the mother and younger children went to Wisconsin for the winter, living in the stockade and here Charlana died from diphtheria, the father and the oldest sons remaining at home. The Indians burned the home and shot some of the hogs. While in Wisconsin Clark was born, October 15, 1862. In 1876 Charles D. MeEwou moved to Renville county, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land in section 31. Boon Lake township. It was all wild prairie land. and here he built a frame house and again took up the cheese industry, locating the factory on his l'arm. This was the first cheese factory in Renville county. He also made a specialty of stoek raising. His wife died April 12. 1887, and from that time he lived with his children. He had increased his farm to 800 aeres, built good buildings and prospered. Charles D. MeEwen was a strong abolitionist and was a member of the Home Guards. He was of the Republican party and was elected a representative to the legislature, serving during the term of 1892-93.
Bowman C. McEwen, a well known farmer of Boon Lake town- ship, received his early education in the district schools and attended the Union school in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He enlisted,
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1864. in Company B. First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was sent sonth to Chattanooga. Tennessee, being discharged at the end of the war. lle returned to Hutchinson and remained there until his father moved to Renville county, when he obtained pre- emption elaim of 160 aeres in section 31, Boon Lake township. Here he built a claim shanty and remained for the next eighteen years. He used the oxen to break up the land and marketed at Ilntehinson and Glencoe. His first barn was a ride straw strue- ture, which has been replaced by a modern basement barn. 144 by 52 feet. When they began farming he had one cow and a yoke of oxen. He has now large herds of cattle, specializing in the llereford breed. He also raises Hamiltonian horses and Chester White hogs. He has built a modern steam heated house and made many other improvements. Mr. MeEwen has been a member of the board of supervisors of the township for several years and for eleven years has been the treasurer of school dis- triet No. 57. which he helped organize, hauling the first Inmber for the school house. From 1904 to 1912 he served on the county board as county commissioner and was a great advocate of drain- age and good roads. He was a candidate for representative on the county option platform and defeated. He is of the Repub- lican party and has served on the councils and convention boards of that party. In April, 1879, Mr. MeEwen was married to Josie Byhoffer. born in Carver county, daughter of Theodore and Catherine (Bowman Byhoffer, early pioneers of that county who came to Minneapolis in 1851. Mr. Byhoffer was a carpenter and was offered a lot in what is now the heart of Minneapolis in payment for work but refused it. He located as a farmer in Carver county and later moved to Glencoe, where he secured a farm three miles northwest of Glencoe. llere he lived until his death in 1896 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died March, 1911, at the age of ninety-one years. They had fonr boys and four girls: Helen. John, Kate. Charles, Theodore, Josie. Francis and David. Mr. and Mrs. MeEwen have two chil- dren : Dwight manages the home place, which now consists of a half section of farming land. Sarah is now Mrs. M. O. Rams- land. of Saskatchewan, Canada, and has three children : Adella, Lenore and Maxwell.
Erwin T. Coffin, a farmer of Boon Lake township, was born in Ontario, Canada, August 31, 1860, son of Jaeob and Mary E. (Terrell) Coffin. Jacob Coffin was born in Deerfield, New York. Angust 8, 1830, and his wife in England. June 13. 1833. He beeame a farmer and moved back from Canada to New York state. In 1869 he removed with his family to Clinton. lowa. After five years he came to MeLeod county, where he engaged in farming, making the trip with his family in a covered wagon drawn by a team of horses. After twelve years he moved to
MR. AND MRS. E. T. COFFIN
THY NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LIN X AND TILLEN FONDATIONS
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Northfield, where he remained five years to allow the children to obtain an education, next coming to Renville county. At the time of his death he was living with his daughter, Mrs. O. E. Countryman, at Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin were married December 24, 1854, and had five children: Clinton Il., born November 19. 1855 (deceased) ; Ida A., born May 16, 1858; Erwin, born August 31, 1860: Frank, born February 13, 1862, and Willis A .. March 5, 1864. Jacob Coffin died November 19, 1894, and his wife died July. 1904. They were both members of the Congregational church. Erwin T. Coffin was eleven years of age when the family came to Minnesota. Ile received his education in the district log school house, grew to manhood and engaged in farming. He now owns a farm of 160 acres of well improved land, is one of the township supervisors and has served on the school board for fifteen years. Ile is a member of the Lake Side Equity Association. Erwin T. Coffin was united in marriage March 3. 1891. to Mattier Countryman, born in last- ings, Minnesota, January 6, 1870, daughter of Henry D. and Sophronia (Briggs) Countryman. Her parents were born in St. Lawrence county, New York, the father October 27, 1825, and the mother December 1, 1831. They were married October 31, 1849, in St. Lawrence county, and in 1857 they set out for Hast- ings, Dakota county, Minnesota, thus becoming territorial pioneers. In the seventies they located in Renville county, secur- ing 160 acres in section 25. Boon Lake township, where they erected a frame house and a small barn. They had thirteen chil- dren : Preston K., born November 24, 1850; Mary R., born Sep- tember 22, 1852: Orville E., born October 3, 1854; Daniel, born February 2. 1857, and died February 8, 1858: Alice A., born November 10, 1858; Alonzo J., born November 20, 1861 : Edith C., born September 25, 1863, and died August 24, 1865; Evelyn, born September 1. 1865; Edith O., born November 20, 1867: Martha M., born January 6, 1870; Wilfred E. and Winifred E., twins, born February 5. 1872. A twin of Mary R. died in infancy. Mr. Countryman died April 19, 1908, and his wife died October 15, 1892. They were members of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin have had four children: Virgil, Guy, Ralph and Preston (deceased). Virgil was born December 31, 1891 ; Guy, January 28. 1894; Ralph, November 3, 1896, and Preston was born June 27. 1900, and died July. 1900.
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