USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 47
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FLAVIUS BESON was born about twenty-seven miles southwest of the city of Montreal, Canada, on the 14th of November, 1831. At the age of fourteen years he left the parental roof, und for four years was engaged in tho pineries and on the
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river. He then went to Toledo, Ohio, but after a stay of a couple of years, located at Grand Rapids, on the Wisconsin River, and thence, after several years, to Burlington, Iowa, where he was engaged in the wood trade until 1871. when he came to Minnesota. After a few months' stay in Stillwa- ter, he located at Centreville, which has been his home ever since. He first built a saw mill and operated it a while, but has since been engaged in mereantile business most of the time. He was mar- ried at Burlington, Towa, on the 27th of Septem- ber, 1860, to Miss Elen Carter. Of seven children born to them, but five are living.
CLEMENT CARDINAL, one of the most prosperous farmers of Centreville, is a native of the village of St. Our, Canada, born on the 31st of March, 1837. When thirteen years of age, he left home and came to Minnesota, joining his brother, who had pre- ceded him four years, at Lake Como, Ramsey coun- ty. He soon after went to the present site of Hen- derson, Sibley county, and assisted in making the first clearing at that place, remaining three years. He was then employed in the fur trade with the Indians, and located at Traverse des Sioux, where he remained five years, the last three of which he was in business for himself. He was then employ- ed by a fur company and located in Renville conn- ty, but after two years spent in trading with the Indians there, he located on a piece of land at Birch Cooley and engaged in farming, this claim was within half a mile of the Indian battle ground bearing that name. During that memorable An- gust 1862, Mr. Cardinal was suddenly surprised in his new home, by the appearance of the blood- thirsty savages, who killed his father-in-law and brother-in-law, and carried his wife into captivity, from which she was only released after a deten- tion of eight weeks and four days. Mr. Cardinal escaped and enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, serving a year in the campaign against the spoilers of his home, and was after- wards employed by the government, in the trans- portation of supplies. He purchased the farm on which he now lives, in 1863, and moved here soon affer. Mr. Cardinal was married at Mankato, OM the 23d of February, 1858, to Miss Margaret Perro, of Canada. They have been blessed with eight children, all of whom are living.
ALDXANDER CARDINAL was born in the province of Montreal, Canada, on the 5th of September, 1833. lle was raised on his father's farm until 1853, when he left home, and soon after came to
the copper mines in Michigan, where he was em- ployed for upwards of a year. He then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and two years later, to Little Canada, Ramsey county. Was then engaged in farming at the latter place and in Hennepin conn- ty until 1870, when he located on his present farm. He was married on the 11th of November, 1862, to Miss S. Bebau. Of eleven children which they have had, nine are living.
J. B. DEROSIER dates his birth in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 19th of January, 1844. His home was beneath the parental roof until sev- enteen years of age, when he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade at Yamaska, working three years for thirty-six dollars. He then came to Northampton, Massachusetts, but after remaining a year, returned to Canada, and was employed at his trade until coming to Centreville, in 1868. Soon after his arrival he erected a blacksmith shop, which he has operated ever since. Mr. Dero- sier was married on the 6th of September, 1864, to Miss Mary Peltier. Ten children have been born to them, all living.
MICHEL DUPRE was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 6th of March, 1837. His home was with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, when lic was married, and went to live with his father-in-law, having the manage- ment of his farm until the spring of 1865, when he came to Minnesota, and located on the farm which he now occupies. He was married in Jan- nary, 1855, to Miss Eliza Corbet. Of eleven chil- dren born to them, but eight are living.
OLIVER DUPRE was born near the city of Sorel, Canada, on the 29th of November, 1830. He is one of the first settlers in St. Paul, eoming to that place in 1847, when it could not boast of feu dwelling houses. After a two years' stay he located on a tarm in Little Canada, Ramsey county, but in the winter of 1852, eame to Centreville, and located on a farm adjoining the village, which was his home until 1870, when he came to his present farm, located about two miles north of the village of Centreville. Mr. Dupre was mar- ried on the 2d of January, 1849, to Miss Mary Garso. Of six children born to them, but three are living,
PETER DUPRE is also a native of Canada, born on the 11th of May, 1834. He resided with his parents until eighteen years of age, and the fol- lowing year, came to Minnesota, residing in Little Canada most of the time until 1859, then bought
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a farm in Centreville towuship, on which he lived three years, and disposed of it, purchasing the place where he now lives. He was married on the 10th of Jannary, 1858, to Miss Julia Bergner. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living, Mr. Dupre has always taken a lively interest in the development of the township, hold- ing at different times a number of local offices.
AUGUSTIN RIVARD DUFRIEN was born near the city of Sorel, Canada, on the 3d of June, 1825. His father was quite an extensive farmer, owning two farms, one of which Augustin managed, after arriving at maturity, until his father's death, after which he also took charge of the homestead, con- ducting the business until 1869, when he came to Minnesota, and settled on his present farm. Mr. Dufrien was married on the 13th of January, 1845, to Miss L. Bennoct. They have had fifteen chil- dren, nine of whom are living.
FRANK DUPRE, for thirty-tive years a resident of Minnesota, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in the year 1829. At the age of seven- teen years, he left home, and came to the then new Northwest, passing through the present site of St. Paul, when but two houses were there. He located on a farm in Little Canada, Ramsey county, where he resided fourteen years, being employed by the government a portion of the time in trans- porting supplies from St. Paul to Crow Wing. In the fall of 1860, he came to his present tarm, and has since devoted his time to its improvement. He was married in 1846, to Miss Sophia Dufux. Of twelve children born to them, but seven are living.
JOSEPH N. FORCIER, a son of one of the pio- neers of Centreville, was born near Sorel, Canada, ou the 1st of July, 1850, When but four years old, he came with his parents to what is now Cen- treville village, and where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, making his home with his parents, and occasionally working in the hun- ber woods. In 1872, he bought, and removed to the farm on which he has since lived. Mr. For- vier was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Peltier, of Centreville, on the 5th of July, 1870. They have been blessed with four children.
REV. JOSEPH GOIFFON, one of The pioneer mis- sionaries of Minnesota, was born in France, on the 3d of March, 1824. After preparing for col- lege, he entered the Seminary of Meximieux, graduated and pursued his theological studies at
Bron, where he was ordained in 1852. He was then Vicar of Meximieux, for five years, coming to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1857. After a nine months' stay at the latter place, he was sent as a missionary to Pembina, on the Red River, at that time two months were required to make the trip, and his location was sixty miles distant from any other missionary station. His career of useful- ness in that country was suddenly terminated by a very distressing and almost fatal accident which occurred in the early part of November, 1860. While traveling on horseback, alone, on the prai- rie, he was suddenly overtaken by a blizzard, which soon became so violent that he was unable to proceed, and halted amid the blinding snow, without even a tree to relieve his horrible situa- tion. After remaining in the same spot for two days, his horse froze to death, and Father Goitfon became completely enveloped in the accumulating snow, where he remained three more days, subsist- ing on the flesh of his horse. He was providen- tially discovered and resened from his perilons position, more dead than alive, with both his lower limbs badly frozen. He was conveyed to Pem- bina, and thenee to St. Boniface, Manitoba, where his right leg was taken off at the knee, and his left foot also amputated. It would scem that his enp of misfortune was now brimful, but it was not so. While stretched on a bed of pain, nursing what remained of his body, the house in which he lodged, caught fire, and he was thrown out, barely in time to save his life, the fire burning so rapidly that not an article of funiture was saved. But his strong constitution supported him through it all, and doubtless the pions Father recognized the hand of Providence in saving him for future good. After his recovery, he was ap- pointed to the congregations of Little Canada, Ramsey county, and Centreville, which position he has filled for twenty years.
MICHAEL GOLDEN, SR. one of the pioneers. of the German settlement in Centreville township, is a native of Ireland, which country was his home until coming to America and settling in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, in 1849. Mr. Golden lived on a small farm in the old contry and was en- gaged in stock dealing. After three years em- ployment in Providence, as stevedore, he went to Blackstone, Massachusetts, and worked on a farm until 1854, when he came to Minnesota and located in this township, where he has since been engaged in farming pursuits. He has been Con-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
stable, seventeen years, besides holding other town offices.
MICHAEL GOLDEN, JR. a son of our last subject, was also born on the "Emerald Isle," on the 17th of October, 1850. He came with his parents to America, when but an infant, and resided beneath the parental roof until he began life for himself, and in fact, now owns and occupies the old home- stcad, his father having opened a new farm and moved thereto. Mr. Golden has been Justice of the Peace, twelve years, and held a number of re- sponsible offices in the town. He was married on the 5th of August, 1874, to Miss Ida Seott, of Mound View, Ramsey county. They have three children.
LOUIE HAULLY was born in the Province of Que- bec, Canada, on the 15th of March, 1835. He left home in 1852, and came to Minnesota, residing for two years near White Bear Lake, in Ramsey eoun- ty, after which he went to Michigan, and resided about twenty-four years, eleven of which, he was engaged in the copper mines in the vicinity of Calumet. He came to Centreville and located on this farm in 1878. He was married on the 26th of September, 1864, at Quebec, to Miss A. Haully. Of eight children born to them, but six are living.
JOSEPH HOULE, one of the pioneers of Centre- ville, was born near Sorel, Canada, on the 24th of March, 1836. His mother died when he was elev- en years old, but Joseph remained at home until 1851, when he came to Minnesota, and visited what is now the township of Centreville, in the fall of the same year. The following spring, he went to work for F. Lamott, who resided near the pres- ent village of Centreville, but did not remain long, going to St. Paul, and afterwards working in dif- ferent portions of the northwest until 1871, when he returned to Centreville township, and located on his farm which he had previously purchased.
FRANK KRAUS was born in Behmen, Germany on the 15th of October, 1844. His father dying in 1864, he carried on the farm for ten years. Coming to America in 1874, he spent n short time in the State of Illinois, and St. Paul, Minnesota, but came to Centreville township the same winter. Ho has been engaged in farming ever since, rent- ing some land until 1876; when he bought the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Krans was mar- ried in July, 1866, to Miss B. Suss. Of six child- ren born to them, but four are living.
FRANCIS X. LEVALLE the second man to make a permanent settlement in the town of Centreville,
is a native of the province of Quebec, Canada, and was born on the 1st of June, 1825. He remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he came to the United States, and was employed in the woolen mills of Rhode Island for abont seven years. In 1849, he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and on the 7th of September, located near Lake Como, in Ramsey county, which was his residence until coming to Centreville, in the fall of 1852. Farming was not very general here at that time, and the settlers supported themselves chicfly by hunting, game of all kinds being very plenty. Mr. Levallce built the first frame house in Centreville, and has always been one of its most enterprising citizens. His wife was Miss Mary Shepard, and they were married on the 9th of January, 1848. They have had thirteen children, twelve of whom are living.
OLIVER LOREUX was born near the city of Sorel, Canada, on the 2d of March, 1850. When he was eight years old, his mother died, but Oliver remained with his father until 1870, when he came to Minnesota. He was engaged in the pinerics in the winter, and worked in a brick-yard in St. Paul, in summer, until 1873, when he bought the farm on which he has since resided. He was married on the 1st of July, 1873, to Miss Catharine Bebau. They have been blessed with five children.
TELESPHORE LACOSSE is a native of Canada, born in the year 1839. When eighteen years old, he went to Massachusetts, and the fol- lowing year, to Georgia, where he was living at the breaking out of the civil war. He was draft- ed into the Confederate army, serving in the Sev- enthi Georgia Infantry, eight months. lle de- sorted to the Union lines while on picket duty in front of Rielmond, and made his way north to New Ilaven, Connecticut, where he enlisted in the Sixth Connectient Volunteer Infantry and served two years. After the close of the war, he lived in Vermont, until 1868, when he came to Minnesota, residing in Stillwater until he removed to this farm in 1872. Mr. Lacosse was married in 1872, to Miss Alphonsine Parentcan, of Centreville. They uro the parents of five children.
CHARLES IL. Moong was born in England, on the 4th of November, 1837. When four years old, he enme to America with his parents, who located in the province of Ontario, Canada. At the age of thirteen years, he commenced working on a farm, and afterwards engaged in mercantile business.
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BIOGRAPHIICAL.
He came to the United States in 1857, and loeat- ed in Jefferson county, New York, where he first engaged in farming and afterwards was employed for seven years, in purchasing farm produce through the country. fle then worked on a rail- road for three years, coming to his present farm in Centreville township, in 1878. Mr. Moore was married on the 4th of November, 1857, to Miss Ann Purcell. Ten children, the result of this union, gather around the family board.
PETER PARENTEAU is a native of the province of Quebec, Canada, born on the 29th of Novem- ber, 1819. When sixteen years of age he went to New York State, and resided near Albany until 1842, when he returned to Canada, purchased a farm and cultivated it until coming to Minnesota in 1856. After living one year in Little Can- ada, Ramsey county, he came to the village of Centreville, which has been his home ever since; he lives on a small farm near the village. Miss Margaret Vadnias became his wife on the 15th of October, 1842.
OLIVER PELTIER was born on the 13th of Jan- mary, 1825, in the province of Quebec, Canada, near the south shore of Lake St. Peter, where his boyhood days were spent. At the age of fifteen years, he commenced to learn the carriage maker's trade, at Sorel, and after serving his apprentice- ship, returned to his home and remained a year. He then visited in turn, Ticonderoga and other portions of New York State; British America, in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay; Worcester, Massa- chusetts, where he learned the trade of moulder and resided eight years; the Republic of Mexico; Cleveland, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois, coming thence to Centreville in 1853, He settled on a farm here and conducted it until 1871, when he sold out and removed to ST. Paul, which was his home for the next eight years, three of which, he was on the police force of the city. He then re- trarned to Centreville, where he is now living, en- gaged in farming. Mr. Peltier was married on the 20th of May, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Podvin, of Massachusetts. Of twelve children born to them, but seven are living. 1
FRANK PERA is a native of Glengarry, Canada West, and was born on the 24th of July, 1846. Ilis home was with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he came to Michigan and was employed in the copper mines, five years. Ho came to Minnesota in 1869, and located on his farm in Centreville township, where he resided
until the death of his wife, in March, 1880, when he removed to the village of Centreville, and has resided here ever since. Mr. Pera was married on the 25th of April, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Burk- ard, who died as above stated. They had two children, only one of whom survives.
J. Penrien was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 24th of August, 1822. His home was with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he settled on a farm in the neighbor- hood, on which he remained about twelve years. He came to Minnesota in 1855, and located the farm on which he has lived ever since. Mr. Pel- tier was married on the 8th of Angust, 1843, to Miss E. Neveux. They have had thirteen chil- dren, nine of whom are living.
WILLIAM RAMSDEN is a native of Yorkshire, England, born on the 22d of January, 1813. His father was a miner, and William worked about the mines until twenty-one years of age, when he was employed as coachman in Manchester, Eng- Jand, filling the position about eight years. He came to America in 1845, and after remaining in New York State for several years, came to Scott county, Minnesota, in 1854. He is next seen as a merchant in St. Paul, and later, comes to Colum- bis, Anoka county, where he operated a saw-mill for several years; then kept a dairy near St. Paul, and in 1865, came to the farm in Centrville town -. ship on which he has sinee resided.
JOHAN REDMANN is a native of Prussia, born on the 22d of May, 1822. His father died when he was two years old, and he remained with his mother until seventeen years of age, when he began to work on the neighboring farms, contim- ing the same for twenty-five years. Came to America in 1866, and after remaining in Michigan about three and a half years, came to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which was his home until coming to his present farm in 1876. Mr. Redmami's wife was Miss R. Huneka, the marriage taking place on the 6th of November, 1844.
W. SPEISER was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 29th of June, 1839. He lived with his parents until coming to America in 1866. After spending about a year in Indiana und Michigan, he came to Wisconsin, and was engaged on a farm about six months. Came to Centreville township in the fall of 1868, and after working for A. Weu- zel nbont four and a half years, purchased the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Speiser was married in July, 1871, to Miss R. Messerschmidt.
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, HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
They have had six children, but three of whom are living.
J. IT. SHERMAN, whose birthplace is Green con- Ly, New York, was born on the 11th of April, 1823, At the age of twenty-one years, he began un up- prenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and after serving two years, was employed by B. G. Morse, of Red Falls, New York, with whom he remained over seven years. Then lived at Binghampton a few yours, coming to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1856, where he was employed at his trade seven years, going thence to the Pacific coast, but soon return- ed to New York State, remaining in Brooklyn a few years. In 1866, he came again to Minnesota, and settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Sherman was married on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1849, to Miss Ann E. Hard. Of three child- ren born to them, but one is living ..
A. TRUDEAU dates his birth in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 23d of February, 1841. He was reared on his father's tarm until seventeen years of age, when he was employed as clerk in a store, confining in that capacity until his twen- ty-third year, when he engaged in mercantile business on his own account, at West Farnham, Canada, remaining there thirteen years. Then came to Minnesota, and after a year spent in Min- neapolis and St. Paul, came to Centreville and formed a partnership with Mr. Larose, under the firm name of Larose & Trudeau; they car- ry on a general store and also deal in agricul- tural implements. Mr. Trudean was married on the 21st of May, 1866, to Miss Isabella Dalglish. They have had seven children, six of whom are living.
OCTVIS TURVILLE was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 4th of June, 1857. When he was seven years old, the family removed to the Luke Superior copper mines, where the subject of this sketch remained nine years. He then came to Centreville and located on his present farm, his parents residing with him. Mr. Turville was mar- ried in 1880, to Miss D. Dupre, of Centreville. They have one child.
JOSEPH TAVIR is a native of Bohemia, born on the 11th of May, 1850. He lived with his parents, attending school and engaged at various employ- ments in the neighborhood, until 1867, when he came to America. After a stay of one year and a half in St. Panl, he came to Centreville and lived with his brother until 1872, when he bought the farm on which he has since resided. Mr. Tavir
was married to Miss C. Moroltor, on the 16th of April, 1872. They have been blessed with tive children.
FREDERICK W. TRAVES, the first man to make &7 permanent settlement in Centreville township, in a native of Oldenburg, Germany, und was borr) on the 16th of Feburary, 1814. He came to America in 1841, and soon after, enlisted in Com -- pany D, of the First United States Infantry, and after being stationed for n time at New York City. and afterwards in Florida, was ordered to Fort Snelling, where he remained until his discharge in 1846. After his discharge, he occupied an abandon- ed claim on the present site of St. Anthony or East Minneapolis, but the threatening attitude of the In- dians in the vicinity, caused him to leave, and he moved to a spot between that and St. Paul, near where the present half-way house stands, and where he remained one year. He then went to St. Paul and lived until 1850, when he came to what is now Centreville township, and located on section nineteen, on the shore of Rice Lake, where he has limited, fished, and farmed ever since.
OLIVER VALOIS was born in the province of Que- bce, Canada, on the 11th of October, 1851. He lived with his parents until 1868, when he com- meneed an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and after conchiding his term of service, worked a number of years in Sorel, Canada, and the state of Vermont. He came to his present home in 1875, and has resided here ever since, actively pursuing . his trade. He was married on the 13th of April 1880, to Miss Mary Dupre, of Centreville. They are the parents of one child.
STEPHEN WARD, (deceased ) was one of the pio- neers of Centreville, and was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 26th of October, 1824. When a young inan he learned the trade of brick-mason, which he followed until settling on a farm in Ano- ka county. He came to America in the summer of 1848, residing two years in Philadelphia and about the same length of time in New Orleans and St. Lonis. Coming to St. Panl in 1851, he resid- ed there until 1854, when he settled on the farm in Centreville township, which was his home until his death, which ocenrred on the 21st of Septem- ber, 1880. Mr. Ward was married on the 17th of August, 1845, to Miss Sarah Howard, of Worecs- tershire, England.
ANTON WENZEL, also one of the pioneers of Cen- treville township, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 10th of February, 1839. 'His father was a
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COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP.
blacksmith and during his boyhood, Anton was employed with him in the shop. He came to America with his parents in 1853, they locating in St. Louis, Missouri, but in 1855, came to Centre- ville towuship, being the second family in the Ger- man settlement. His father settled on section nineteen, where the subjcet of our sketch resided umtil he commeneed farming for himself. Mr. Wenzel is pleasantly located on the south shore of Rice Lake, and is one of the most prosperons farm- ers in the township. He was married on the 2d of July, 1863, to Miss Henrietta Neukirch. They have been blessed with a family of nine children, all living.
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