USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 20
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The paper is an eight-column folio, and Repub- lican in polities.
The "Stearns County Tribune " was established in 1880, the first number appearing on the 25th of November. It is owned by Walter C. and J. V. Brower, and edited by Walter C. Brower, under whose able management it bids fair, at no distant day, to rank second to no paper in this part of the State.
RAILROAD .- Sauk Centro was without railrond facilities until August, 1878, when the extension of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba rail-
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rond from Melrose, passed through this place.
The Depot was completed in September, and Mr. Ulmer placed in charge, who was superseded, in November following, by J. A. Norris, the pres- ent station agent.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
FRANK ALLISON, of the firm of Maun & Alli- son, is a native of Delaware county, New York, born on the 5th of September, 1850. In early youth he removed with his parents to Beloit, Wis- consin, where he grew to manhood. While yet a boy, he entered the machine shop of O. E. Mer- rill, in that city, where he learned the machinist's trade and was employed until 1872. He then went to Chicago, and continued at his trade until 1877, when he came to Sauk Centre and started a machine shop in company with a Mr. Brown, under the firm name of Allison & Brown, but sub- sequently, merged into the now well known ma- chine shop and foundry of Mann & Allison. Mr. Allison was married in 1873, to Dora Loekwood, of Monroe county, Wisconsin. Their children are, Harry and Myrtle.
WALTER C. BROWER was born in the town of York, Washtenaw county, Michigan, on the 29th of February, 1852, and removed with his parents, A. D. and Mary Brower, to Long Prairie, Minme- sota, in May, 1860. Too young to be accepted as a Union soldier, he remained with his parents dr- ing the war. In 1870, he was suddenly attacked with Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, and on the third day of his sickness the sense of hearing became a total loss. Recovering from the dread disease, without the power of hearing any sound what- ever, he chose the path of a journalist as the one most likely to prove protitable, pleasant, and in- structive, under such circumstances, and after graduating at the State Institution for the Deaf, at Faribault, he purchased the "Todd County Argus," and issned his first number December 27th, 1879. The Argus was sold in October, 1880, and on the 25th of November, 1880, as managing editor, he issued No. 1, Vol. I, of the "Stearns County Tribune." Pleasant, affable, and perse- vering, he has established and built up one of the best papers in the State, under circumstances at once trying and difficult.
HON. J. V. BROWER was born in the state of Michigan, in 1845, where his parents had moved from the city of New York. Ile removed to Min- nesota and settled at Long Prairie, Todd county, in May, 1860. Enlisted in the First Minnesota
Mounted Rangers, for the Indian war, in 1863, and in 1865, just before the war closed, entered the United States Navy. When the county of Todd was organized, on the 1st day of January, 1867, he was appointed County Anditor, and there- after successively elected to the same position at the fall elections in 1867, 1869 and 1871. During his last term as Auditor he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of 1873, was ad- mitted to the Bar, as an attorney at law, and upon retiring from the office of Auditor by resignation, was made County Attorney and County Superin- tendent of Sehools, both of which positions he re- signed to accept the appointment of Receiver of the United States Land Office at St. Cloud in April, 1874, immediately after which he was made Reg- ister of the same Land Office, and in December, 1878, was re-appointed, confirmed, and commis- sioned as Register under Hayes' administration, soon after which he vohintarily retired from the office. He is now President of the Sauk Centre Northern Railway Company, organized for the purpose of building a railroad from Sauk Centre to some poiut on the Northern Pacifie, near Per- ham, via Long Prairie and the Eagle Valley. A man of the utmost selfwill and energy, he has worked his way from the plow handles to the po- sition of trust and profit he now holds.
E. P. BARNUM, a native of Stonington, Connee- ticut, was born on the 16th of June, 1831. Hc grew to manhood in his native town, receiving a common school education, but afterwards spent four years at the Troy Conference Academy, in Rutland county, Vermont. He then followed the fortunes of a sailor for two years, after which he took charge of some business for his father, in New York State. In 1855, he came west, and for one year was proprietor of a hotel at Des Moines, Towa. He eame to Hastings, Minnesota, in 1856, and in company with a Mr. Nash, built a shingle mill in which he was interested until 1864, when he sold out and went as Post sutler to Fort Aber- crombie, where he remained till his removal to Sauk Centre in 1867. Here he was proprietor of the Sauk Centre House until 1874, when he en- gaged in the furniture business, which he contin- ned until March, 1881. In September, 1880, he accepted his present position, that of Book-keeper in the Bank of Sauk Centre. Mr. Barnum was a member of the Board of Education two years, one of which he was Seeretary; he has held the oflice of Town Clerk, four years, County Commis-
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sioner, two years, and Chairman of that Board, one year. He is one of the organizers of the Lit- tle Falls and Dakota Railroad Company, of which ho is Secretary. Mr. Barnum was married in 1852, to Irene E. Barnum, of Michigan; of three children which they have had, but one, Francis E., is living.
GEORGE M. BENNETT was born in Livingston county, New York, on the 25th of December, 1841. He received his education at the common sehools and at Nunda Literary Institute. After comple- ting his studies, he engaged as elerk in a hardware store until 1864, when he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was engaged in the same eapaeity for one year, at the expiration of which time he came to St. Paul, and was in business on his own account till 1866, when he removed to Sauk Cen- tre, and associated himself with Mr. Cole in the sale of Hardware and Agricultural Implements. This was the first establishment of the kind west of St. Cloud. In 1869, he went to St. Paul, and was engaged in the same business until January, 1880, when he returned to Sauk Centre and formed a partnership with Mr. Moore, under the firm name of Moore & Bennett; their business is dealing in lands, abstracts of title, ete. Mr. Bennett was married in 1870, to Trithena A., daughter of Alex- ander Moore, of Sauk Centre; they have one child, n daughter, named Georgiana M.
S. M. BRUCE, one of the first settlers of Sauk Centre, is a native of Montgomery county, Indi- ana, born on the 9th of September, 1829. He re- ceived his early education and grew to manhood in his native town. In 1850, he went to Califor- nia, but returned to his home in 1853, and en- gaged in mercantile business. His health failing, he came to Minnesota and settled at Sauk Centre in May, 1857, and with Mr. Dingley, built the first house there-a log house-just across the river on Main street, which did service as a Hotel for a number of years. The first Post-office was established in Sauk Centre in 1858, mainly through the efforts of Mr. Bruee. In the fall of the same year he went to Indiana, but returned the follow- ing year and was engaged in running his Hotel and taking care of his farm until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, of the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served till June, 1865, when he was mustered ont at Fort Snelling with the rank of Captain, which he obtained for gallant condnet during the war. He then re- turned to his farm at Sauk Centro, which he man-
aged until the fall of 1873, when he engaged in mercantile pursmits, and prosperously continues in | that line. He was married in December, 1862, to Sarah E. Layman, danghter of Martin Layman, of Minneapolis. They have two children; Miune- haha A. and Florence B.
CHARLES H. BENNETT, a native of Canada West, was born on the 14th of March, 1841. His early years were spent in the vieinity of his birthplace, and after he grew up, was engaged in mercantile business about four years, and after- wards at milling for about two years. In 1869, he came to Sank Centre and went to work in the flouring mill of Moore & MeClure; from a subor- dinate position he was soon promoted to tlie gen- eral superintendenee of these mills, which position he now fills, enjoying the fullest confidence of his employers. In 1875, he was married to Margaret Fowlds, a native of Scotland. They have two children; Thomas E. and Theresa E.
COL. E. BRIDGMAN dates his birth in Hampshire county, Massachusets, on the 7th of May, 1830. From the age of sixteen to twenty-one, he taught sehool, and the following years, until he entered the army, was engaged in earriage manufactur- ing and dealing in real estate. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, of the Thirty-first Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and three months afterwards, was made Captain of the eon- pany. After two years service, he was promoted to Colonel of the Second New Orleans Regiment, and was mostly on detached service in charge of military operations, until mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 30th of April, 1865. After remaining one year in business at Little Rock, he returned to Massachusetts, and was in the wood and lumber business until 1870, thence went to Louisiana in the same line until 1871, when he came to Sank Centre and conducted a Hotel one year. He then went back to Louisiana, and was engaged in the lumber business and building until 1874, when he returned to Massachusetts, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1878, when he settled in Sank Centre and started the first lumber yard in the place. He is still in the lumber business, carrying a very full assort- ment in his line. In November, 1880, his rapidly increasing trade caused him to take a partner, and the firm is now Bridgman & Whipple. Tu 1851, Mr. Bridgman was united in marriage with Eliza- beth Dutton, of Massachusetts.
JOHN W. BRUCE, one of the proprietors of the
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Novelty Wood Works, is a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, born on the 27th of January, 1844. He remained near his birthplace until Au- gust, 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, He served one year and a half in this regiment and was transferred to the Eighth Indiana Cavalry, from which he was discharged at Madison, Indiana, in May, 1865, for disability caused by wounds received in the service. During the same year he came to Sauk Centre on a visit, but did not permanently settle here till 1867. After being engaged in freighting until 1870, he removed to Ashley, and was farming until 1873, when he went to West- port, Pope county, where he was engaged in a flonring mill and farming until . November, 1880, when he commenced his present business. Mr. Bruce was united in marriage in 1868, with Mary Nideffer, of Lawrenee county, Indiana. Of thrce children which they have had, but two are living; William R. and Etta F.
MARK BEDELL, a pioneer blacksmith of Sauk Centre, was born in Addison county, Vermont, on on the 22d of February, 1828. At the age of four years he moved with his parents to Ohio in which State he was raised, learning the blacksmith trade at Cleveland. In 1850, he went to Wiscon- sin, where he worked at his trade for several years, and afterwards resided in Iowa and Illinois. In 1864, he came to Sauk Centre and opened a black- smith shop; the first wagon and the first plow manufactured in this place, were by him. Mr. Bedell has followed his trade since coming here but owns a valuable farm in the township of Getty, in Stearns county. He was a member of the School Board of Sauk Centre for two years. He was married in 1853, to Alma Armstrong, of Oswego, New York. Of four children, but three are living; Mary C., Charles W., and Helen J.
JOSEPH CAPSER, one of the pioneers of Stearns county, was born in Bavaria, on the 5th of March, 1833. In 1846, he came to America with his fa- ther, who located in Pennsylvania, and was en- gaged as a land agent and surveyor. In 1858, Jo. seph started for the West, and the same year, lo- cated near St. Cloud, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1864, when he removed to Sauk Centre and embarked in the mercantile business, opening the first store within the village limits. As a mer- chant, Mr. Capser has been unusually successful, taking into consideration the fact, which is worthy of note, that he commenced business four thou-
sand dollars in debt. His present prosperous con- dition is a fair index of his energy and enterprise. He assisted in the organization of Stearns county, and was one of the first County Commissioners, holding the office continuously for eight years. In 1875-76, he represented his district in the State Senate and was Presidential Eleetor in the contest of 1876. He also took a very active part in the organization of the Catholic Church of Sank Cen- tre and has been its most liberal supporter since. Mr. Capser was married in 1864, to Mary A. Ley, daughter of Henry J. Ley, one of the old settlers of this region. They have had six children, all of whom are living; their names are, Henry C., Jo- sephina J., Sufronica C., Albert J., Edward A., and George W.
L. E. COE, owner and proprietor of the Sauk Centre House, dates his birth at Granville, Massa- chusetts, on the 5th of August, 1826. At a very early age he removed with his parents to Hartford eounty, Connecticut, where he was reared and learned the trade of machinist and blacksmith. In 1853, he removed to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he worked at his trade until 1860, and from that time until 1865, was in the employ of the Boston and Albany railroad company. He then went to Chili, South America, where he was en- gaged by the Caldera and Copiopo Railroad Com- pany until 1871, when he became connected with Henry Meigs, the celebrated engineer, and was master-mechanic for the Chimbote and Huyras Railroad Company until 1874, when he returned to Connecticut. In 1875, he came to Sauk Cen- tre and purchased the property he now owns, but was engaged in mercantile business until Septem- ber, 1879, when he assumed, and still continues the management of his hotel. Mr. Coe was married in 1853, to Harriet E. Thayer, of Massachusetts. Of six children, but one survives, Emma E.
A. CANFIELD, one of the oldest medieal practi- tioners in Minnesota, was born in Morris county, New York, on the 28th of April, 1822. When he was six years old, his parents removed to Monroe county, where our subject received his early educa- tion. Having decided upon acquiring the medical profession, he entered the study of Professor Me- Intyre, of Pahnyra, and finished his course with Professor Meyer, of Williamson, New York. He then, in 1849, removed to St. Lawrence county, and commeneed practice, In July, 1854, he came to Minnesota, first visiting St. Paul, but settling at Hastings, Dakota county, the samo month.
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Here, he took a elaim and continued the praetiee of his profession until 1857, when he removed to Hampton in the same county, and two years later, to Farmington, where he practiced until 1867. He then removed to Sauk Centre, where he has since resided. Dr. Canfield was mited in marriage with Eliza C. Van Derlinder, in 1841; she died in June, 1850, leaving for children, Mannin F., Jolm H., Phoebe A., and James N., all of whom are still living. His present wife was Rosetta Truax, of St. Lawrence county, New York, the marriage tak- ing place in 1853. The result of this union has been eight children, five of whom are living; Elec- ta L., Dillon E., Florenee V., Hattie M., and Wil- liam O.
ELZA CONNER, one of the old settlers of Sauk Centre, was born in Muskingum eounty, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1821. He grew to manhood in his native eounty, reeciving a common sehool education, and afterwards attending Gambia Col- lege; After leaving college he studied the pro- fession of veterinary surgeon. In 1844, he re- moved to Columbus, Indiana, where he was en- gaged in farming and the practice of his profes- sion until 1859, when he came to Hastings, Min- nesota, and was largely interested in the cattle trade for a member of years. In 1864, he enlisted in the first Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and served imtil discharged for disability from the hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July, 1865. IIe then came to Sank Centre, and most of the time since has been engaged in the eattle trade, and as veterinary surgeon. Mr. Conner was married in in 1845, to Eleonora Crow, of Virginia; she died in 1861, leaving four children, Alonzo, Celestine, Josephine, and Lanra. He was again united in marriage, with Julia Diamond, of Columbus, Georgia, the event taking place in 1866; they have one danghier, named Minnie.
J. H. DENNIS, one of the first settlers of Sauk Centre, was born in Somerset eounty, Maine, on the 18th of Angust, 1828. He was raised on a farm until twenty-one years of age, his father being a farmer and loeal minister. In 1850, he went to Woreester, Massachusetts, where he was Assistant Supervisor of the State Lunatic Asylum one year, and also spent two years at the maehin- ist's trade. The next three or four years were spent in Allegany county, New York, in Pennsyl- vania, and Hudson, Wiseonsin, in the Inmber bus- iness. In 1856, he removed to Hastings, Minne- sota, where he was engaged in farming until com-
ing to Sauk Centre in September, 1858. He soon after took a elaim in what is now the town of Mel- rose, where he resided until 1864, since which time, Sank Centre has been his home. In 1875, Oak- land Cemetery, the property of Mr. Dennis, located in the suburbs of the village, was laid out and dedieated. In June, 1859, he was made Consta- ble and has been re-elected to the office each sne- eeeding year; he was also Deputy Sheriff for ten years. Mr. Dennis was married in 1856, to Amanda S. Chapman, of Syracuse, New York. Of eight ehildren which they have had, but three are living; Faustina B., Hiram E., and Leona E.
JESSE DRAPER, also one of the pioneers of Sauk Centre, is a native of Fayette county, Indiana, born on the 18th of November, 1827. When thir- teen years of age, he removed to Sauk county, Wiseonsin, where he received his early education and learned the blacksmith trade. After working in various plaees he came to St. Anthony, Minne- sota, in 1849, but the following year, removed to Red Wing, Goodhue county, where he resided until 1854 and returned to St. Anthony, but re- mained only a short time, going to Osakis the same year, where he was engaged at his trade until coming to Sank Centre in the spring of 1860. As soon as Mr. Draper arrived here he commenced the erection of a small blacksmith shop, where S. M. Bruee's store now stands. In 1861, Mr. J. M. Thomason became his partner and they con- tinued the blacksmith business in another portion of the town until 1863, when Mr. Draper accepted an engagement offered him by the Government, and went south with the army. He returned to Sauk Centre in 1865, and again started a shop, which he sold to E. E. West in 1866 and removed to Offer Tail county, where he now resides eu- gaged at his frade and fanning. Mr. Draper was married in 1858, to Elizabeth Kells, of New York State. The result of this union is four children; Permelin C., Henry J., Mary A., and George L. Mrs. Draper was removed by death in March, 1881.
T. FLADELAND, a native of Norway, was born on the 18th of October, 1831. He came to Amer- iea with his parents in 1843, they settling in Dane eounty, Wisconsin, where our subjeet was reared, engaged in farming pursuits. In 1849, he en- gaged as elerk in a store, which ocenpation he followed for many years, being employed in Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, and various other portions of the country until the spring of 1866, when he came to Sank Centre, which has since been his
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residence. He was first employed as elerk for Moore & MeChire, and afterwards for Mr. Moore, until 1871, when he started a general store on his own account and still continues in that line. Mr. Mladoland was married in 1858, to Claudine Brun, of Norway; she died in 1864, leaving two chil- dren; John N. and Claudius. He was married again in 1866, to Jane O. Kalstovg, also of Nor- way. Of two children born to them, but one is living, named Olof G.
JOHN W. GRAY, a native of Lower Canada, was born on the 18th of February, 1855. When a young man, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he was employed in his native country until the spring of 1879, when he came to Sank Centre, and for upwards of a year, was engaged in the flouring mill of Harmon, Holmes & Co. Since November, 1880, he has had an interest in the ownership of the Novelty Wood Works. Mr. Gray was married in 1878, to Elizabeth Cum- mings, of Lower Canada. They have two ehil- dren; Walter and John L.
C. HARMON, manager of the Lakota Roller Flouring Mills, is a son of Deaeon Harmon, one of the old settlers of Minneapolis, and was born in Penobseot eonnty, Maine, on the 4th of Angust, 1839. In 1850, he removed with his parents to St. Anthony, Minnesota, where he remained until 1859, when he came to Sank Centre and took a claim which he worked until 1863. He was then employed in the Quartermaster Department, United States army, until 1866, when he returned to his farm, and was also engaged in railroad building for several years. In 1872, he engaged with Harmon, Holmes & Co., in the building of their flouring mills at this point, and sinee their completion has been manager of the concern. Mr. Harmon was married in 1865, to Frances E. Reed, of New York State. Of five children, the result of this nnion, only two are living; William W. and Inhi M.
JESSE L. HARMON, son of Jacob Harmon, one of the early settlers in Pope county, Minnesota, dates his birth in Dubois county, Indiana, on the 1st of March, 1852. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Scott county, Missouri, where he was reared on a farm. In 1867, he eame with the fam- ily, to Pope county, where his parents yet reside. In July, 1877, he went to Fargo, D. T., and worked at the harness trade until April, 1878, when he came to Sank Centre, and has since been employed as tradesman and foreman, by William Schertlins,
the well known harness dealer of that place. NELSON HOOPLE, owner of Hoople's grain elevator and saw mill, was born in what is now the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 28th of October, 1846. In 1855, he removed with his parents, to Dakota county, Minnesota, where he was engaged in farm- ing the greater portion of the time itil Novem- ber, 1863, when he culisted in Company F, of the First Minnesota Cavalry, and served till he was mustered out at Fort Snelling, in December, 1864. He then returned to the old homestead in Dakota eonty, and followed farming until 1872, when lie removed to Sank Centre. Mr. Hoople is re- garded as one of the " go-ahead" citizens of Sauk Centre, and has rapidly placed himself in the front rank of its business men. He was married in 1868, to Cecelia Erwin, of New York State. They have had three children, two of whom, Roy and Lotta, are now living.
C. O. HOFFMAN, one of the proprietors of the Novelty Wood Works, is a native of Bartholomew eounty, Indiana, born on the 18th of March, 1848. In 1853, he came with his parents to Scott connty, Minnesota, where he remained until 1862, when he eame to Sauk Centre and was engaged in farming until 1868. He then learned the trade of cabinet maker and also the making of doors, sash, and blinds, which he followed until 1876, after which he was engaged as a millwright until entering his present partnership, in November, 1880. Mr. Hoff- man's father was killed by the Indians at West Union, in September, 1863. He was married in 1871, to Harriet C. Frederick, of Wright comty, Minnesota. They have four children; Mary N., Annie I., Minnie, and Frances.
P. S. HICKMAN was born in Cumberland, now At- luntie conuty, New Jersey, on the 11th of Septem- ber, 1816. At the age of eleven years he went to sea, and was a sailor for twenty-two years, fourteen of which he was a sea eaptain. He then settled in his native State, and followed farming until 1857, when he eame to Dakota eounty, Minnesota, and thenee, in 1862, to Sauk Centre, where he continued farming until 1870, when he engaged in carpenter work. In 1877, he commeneed tho manufacture of wag- ons, buggies, ete .; he is now doing a prosperous business. Mr. Hiekman was married in 1840, to Deborah Ingersoll, of New Jersey. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living, their names are, Dannelia, Eliza, Sarah, Henrietta, Emma, Adelaide, John J., Richard, and Amelia.
E. J. HARRISON is a native of St. Clair county,
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