USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 21
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Illinois, born on the 25th of December, 1848. He lived in his native county until 1859, when he came to Minneapolis and remained until 1876, when he came to Sauk Centre and became a part- ner with Mr. P. Lamb in the mercantile business, which relation continued until January, 1880, when the firm sold out. Mr. Harrison soon began business again in the same line, which he still continnes. He was married in August, 1874, to Miss Mary E. Smith, of Maine.
JOHN F. HANNA, son of William Hanna, one of the organizers of the town of Nininger, Dakota county, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 17th of March, 1830. John resided in his native county until 1853, when he came to Nininger, took a claim and remained until 1859, when he went to the Red river eountry and re- mained until 1861. Returning to St. Cloud he was engaged with the Minnesota Stage Company until the Indian outbreak in 1862, when he enlisted in a regiment of cavalry and served three months. Hc then resided one year at Hastings, Minnesota, after which he returned to St. Cloud and resumed the freighting business. In 1866, he took a claim in Getty, Stearns county, on which he resided six years. Since then he has resided in Sauk Centre, and although engaged in other pursuits, he still owns the valuable farm in Getty. Mr. Hanna is at present the efficient clerk of the Sauk Centre HIonse.
CHARLES F. HENDRYX was born at Cooperstown, New York, on the 22d of April, 1847. Attended the common schools of his native town, and after- wards entered Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York, graduating in 1869. He then became a partner with his father, under the firm name of J. I. Hendryx & Son, in the publication of the "Re- publiean und Democrat," at Cooperstown, which he continued from 1870 to 1874. Then came to Min- neapolis, and was connected with "The Tribune" until the 1st of August, 1879, when he camc to Sauk Centre and purchased the "Sauk Centre Herald," of which he is still proprietor. Mr. Hlen- dryx was married on the 6th of September, 1876, to Fany Galt, daughter of Col. W. H. H. Taylor, of St. Paul. They have one son, born on the 9th of December, 1880.
ALFRED G. JACQUES, one of the old settlers of Sauk Centre, is a native of Bowdoin, Maine, born on the 18th of July, 1832. When four years old, his parents removed to Somerset county, where the subject of our sketch lived until sixteen
years of age, after winch ho followed a senfaring life for four years. In 1852, he came to what was then known as Kaposia, near St. Paul, and en- gaged with the Indian Missionary, Rev. T. S. Wil- liamson, accompanying him to his mission station on the Yellow Medicine river, In 1853, he went to Brooklyn, Hennepin county, where he was en- gaged in farming until 1860, when he eame to Sauk Centre and took a claim near the village, where he has since been engaged in farming; he is also in the insurance business, besides conducting a small tannery. Mr. Jacques was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors from 1866 to 1871, and is at present a member of the board of County Commissioners; he was also a member of the first School Board of Sauk Centre, which position he held for nine years, eight of which he held the office of President. He built the first house at Henderson, now the County seat of Sib- ley county, and was also engaged in the erection of Fort Ridgely. Mr. Jaeqnes was married in 1857, to Sarah A. Hopper, of Indiana. Of three children which they have had, but two are living; Eva E. and Elsie J.
LUCAS Kells, one of the prominent business men of Sauk Centre, is a native of Green county, New York, born on the 8th of September, 1842. At the age of twelve years, he removed with his par- ents to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he learned the trade of harness-maker, at which he was employed until August, 1862, when hc en- listed in Company F, of the Twenty-eighth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and served until mus- tered out at Brownsville, Texas, in August, 1865. In 1866, he came to Sauk Centre, and after a brief period in the harness business, engaged in broker- age, ete., until September, 1880, when he formed a partnership with Solomon Pendergast, and com- meneed a general banking business, their bank being known as the "Bank of Sauk Centre." Mr. Kells was married in 1873, to Martha Brayman, of New York State. Their children are, Mabel and Blanche.
J. W. KOTERBA was born in Germany, on the 4th of October, 1849. He came to America in 1868, and settled in Iowa, where he nequired the harness maker's trade, which has sinee been his occupation. He came to Sank Centre in 1874, and remained until 1876, when he returned to Towa, which was his home until his final return to Sank Centre, in February, 1879. Mr. Koterba is now doing quite un extensive business as harness
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manufacturer and dealer. He was married in 1875, to Christine Kuzba, of Wisconsin. Their children are Joseph and Charles.
P. LAMB was born in Lamoille county, Vermont, on the Ist of December, 1831. When he was eight years old, his parents removed to Windsor county, and settled on a farm, where the subject of our sketch spent his boyhood. At the age of seventeen, he was engaged as clerk in a store, which lie eontin- ued until 1851, when he came to St. Paul, and was elerk at the Indian trading post at that place. In the fall of 1853, he went to California, and re- mained till the spring of 1857. In the summer of the latter year, he settled at St. Cloud, and took a claim of one hundred and sixty aeres, and in the fall, engaged as clerk in a store, which he eontin- ued until 1860. He was then manager of Bur- bank's transportation and shipping business until 1864, and afterwards had charge of the Express and Stage Company, until 1866, when he removed to Sank Centre. He narrowly escaped death by the Indians in 1862, while in charge of a train of supplies; the timely arrival of a messenger from Fort Abercrombie saved the whole train. Mr. Lamb was book-keeper for Moore & McClure, in Sauk Centre, until 1867, when he engaged in mercantile business on his own aecount, but sold out in Jan- uary, 1880. In September following, hc accepted his present situation, that of book-keeper for Har- mon, Holmes & Co. He was Deputy Auditor of Stearns county one year, has been Postmaster at Sank Centre, and also a member of the village Council, and is now a member of the Board of Ed- neation. Mr. Lamb was married in 1865, to Louisa Tobey, of Wayne county, New York.
E. J. LEAvrrr, a native of Rockingham county, New Hampshire, was born on the 14th of Septem- ber, 1829. In 1845, he removed to Chicopee, where he commenced the study of music, which he afterwards continued in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1855, he located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was engaged as music teacher until 1861, when he entered the army and served as a Band Leader until 1865. He then returned to Wiseon- sin, and was engaged as Band instruetor until 1870, when he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and thence, in 1871, to Sank Rapids, where he engaged in the hardware business, which he dis- posed of in 1875, and took a claim in Morrison county, where he resided five years. In Devem- ber, 1880, he removed to Sauk Centre, and iu March following, formed a partnership nud en-
gaged in the furniture business which he still eon- tinues. Mr. Leavitt was married in 1858, to Mary Carpenter, of Michigan. Of six children born to them, five are living; Olive, Mary, Ernest, Vara, and Justina.
BENJAMIN C. LORD was born in Angusta, Maine, on the 5th of September, 1842. He was reared on his father's farm, but in the fall of 1865, eame west, loeating at Wabaslia, Wisconsin, where he was variously employed, as hotel clerk, stage eom- pany's clerk, and Deputy Sheriff. In 1869, he engaged at St. Paul, with the Minnesota Stage Company, and was driver over the Lake Superior route. In- 1870, he came to St. Cloud, continuing in the service of the company, and in 1871, was on the route from that place to Fort Abercrombie. In the fall of the same year he was their messenger from Breckenridge to Fort Garry, being the first man over the route. In 1872, he took charge of the company's express and stage office at Sauk Centre, which position he held until the abandon- ment of the stage line, in January, 1875. He has since been engaged in saloon business and dealing in MeCormick's agricultural implements. Mr. Lord was married in December, 1874, to Isabel Smith, of St. Cloud. They have one son, named Wil- liam M.
CHARLES L. MERRY, one of the pioneers of Sauk Centre, was born in the state of Maine, on the 16th of May, 1811. He was employed on his father's farm until noon on his twenty-first birthi- day, when he left home, and soon after com- menced working on the neighboring farms in snm -. mer, and in the lumber woods in winter, continuing the same for about four years. He then began farming in Franklin county, but in 1850, removed to Piscataquis county, and followed the plow until 1857, when he came to Minnesota and settled on a farm about eight miles northwest of Minne- apolis. In 1859, he came to Sauk Centre, and settled on the spot which has been his home ever sinee. Mr. Merry built the first frame house in the township. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Thompson, on the 23d of Angust, 1834. Of ten children born to them, but six are living.
N. H. MINER was born in Addison county, Ver- mont, on the 26th of January, 1832. When ten years old he removed with his parents to Franklin county, New York, where he was reared and re- ceived his primary education, and afterwards at- tended Franklin Academy, nt Malone, New York.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
He studied law with Parmelee & Fitch, of the lat- ter place, and was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1856. He practiced two years in New York, and then in Waupun, Wisconsin, until 1860, when he removed to Minneapolis. In 1861, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which was disbanded at the end of one month's service, for the purpose of re-enlisting as a three years regiment, but owing to ill health, Mr. Miner was unable to return to the ranks. In 1862, he joined Captain Northrup's Company in defense of the frontier against the Indians. In 1864, he served in Hateh's Battalion, and in May, 1866, settled at Sauk Centre, where he has since practiced his pro- fession. Mr. Miner has been a member of the Board of Education several years, and a member of the State Legislature in 1866, and again in 1867. He was married in 1858, to Julia E. Mar- tin, who died in 1873, leaving three daughters who are now living; Gertrude E., Helen A., and Jessie F. Mr. Miner's present wife was Miss Kate Martin.
F. W. MANN, a native of Kane county, Illinois, was born on the 14th of October, 1845; his father was an early settler, and a surveyor in that county for twenty years. In August, 1862, the subject of our sketeh enlisted in Company B, of the One hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Til- fantry, of which his father was Captain, and served until mustered out at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in July, 1865. He remained in Mississippi, engaged with his father in the lumber business, until the following spring, when Gen. Beauregard compelled them to leave, and they returned home. He then learned the moulders' trade, at Elgin, Illinois, and worked there und at other places in that State in- til Angust, 1873, when he removed to Sank Cou- tre. Horo he followed the business of driving wells until April, 1880, when he became a partner in the well known firm of Mann & Allison, machine shops and foundry. Mr. Mann was married in 1866, to Julia Parker, of St. Charles, Illinois; they have two children, Fred P. and Cleora B.
W. MONIECE was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of September, 1841. At the age of five years, he removed with his par- ents to Ohio, and thence, in 1849, to Porter coun- ty, Indiana, where he resided, with the exception of one year in Pennsylvania, until his removal to Sank Centro, in Angust, 1867. flere he took a olim, on which he remained six months, after which he was employed by IL. C. Waite, in a flour-
ing mill. In 1868, he went to work in MeClure's mills at Sauk Centre, where he continued until 1877, when he accepted his present position, that of head miller at the steam mills of Harmon, Holmes & Co. He is also n partner in the firm of MeNicco Bros. & Carpenter, proprietors of the Little Sank Flour Mills. Mr. MeNiece was married in March, 1873, to Miss C. E. Dolson, of Porter county, In- diana; they have one daughter, Ella M.
J. B. PERKINS dates his birth in Broome county, New York, on the 21st of August, 1843. In 1848, he removed with his parents to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and in 1857, to Monroe county in the same State. He was reared to farming pursuits, and received his early education at the schools of Wisconsin. In 1866, he came to Sauk Centre and was engaged in farming until 1871, when he sold his farm and taught school for a member of years. In 1876, he opened a drug store in the village of Sauk Centre, and in 1880, took as a partner, C. M. Sprague, being now the well known firm of Perkins and Sprague. Mr. Perkins was married in 1880, to Ada Hewes, of Wisconsin.
BENJAMIN R. PALMER, a pioneer physician in Stearns county, and for some years an Assistant Surgeon in the United States Army, was born in South Berwiek, Maine, on the 15th of March, 1815. Early in life he developed a fondness for study, and purposed to take a full college course. With this end in view, he prepared at Dover and Derry, New Hampshire, and entered Bowdoin College in 1834, but while in the sophomore year, lost his health, and was obliged to leave. In a short time his health was so improved that he commenced reading medicine with Dr. M. Hawks, of Eastport, Maine, finishing with Dr. Peter Fahnestock, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and receiving his diplo- ma from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in 1844. He practiced eleven or twelve years in Pittsburg, and in 1856 came to Minnesota and located at St. Cloud, which was his home for a number of years. In 1862, he became Aeting Assistant Surgeon, United States Army, and served about four years, being stationed most of the time at Sauk Contre and Fort Ripley. Since the close of the Sioux war he has resided in Sauk Centre, where he was the first resident phyiscian. The Doctor has been twice married; first to Miss Julia Brewer, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in May, 1852, who died in November, 1855. His present wife was Miss Anna B. D. Barrows, of
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Fryeburgh, Maine, their union taking place in August, 1858.
SOLOMON PENDERGAST is a native of Barnstead, New Hampshire, and was born ou the 15th of No- vember, 1833. His early education was received in the public schools of his native town, and after- wards, at Gilmanton Academy, later, he attended Guilford Academy, at Meredith Bridge. In 1856, he came to Minnesota, and after remaining two years in the vicinity of Hutchinson, went to Cin- cinnati, but returned to Hutchinson one year later, and in the spring of 1861, came to Sauk Centre, and has resided here ever since. First engaged in The mercantile business in company with a Mr. Fish, their store being about one a half miles from town, on the St. Cloud road, but the same fall re- moved within the present limits of Sank Centre. During the Indian troubles of 1862, the partner- ship was dissolved, Mr. Pendergast purchasing the interest of Mr. Fish and condneting the business alone until 1875, when he sold out and engaged in the hardware business in company with Mr. Oakford. His store was burned in the disastrous fire of March, 1870, but at once rebuilt and the business continued. R. J. Wille bonght Mr. Oakford's interest in 1877, and the new firm condneted the business until January, 1881, when Mr. Pendergast disposed of his mercantile interests and established the Bank of Sauk Centre, which he is now carrying ou. For a munber of years he had been interested in a store with O. A. E. Bly- berg, at Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, and also a branch store at Audubon, Becker county, both of which were sold to Mr. Blyberg. Mr. Pendergast was nited in marriage with Miss Cor- nelia Chapman, at Minneapolis, in 1859. They have Four children, all danghters.
1. 1 .. ROBBins is a nalivo of Windham county, Connectient, born on the 4th of March, 1836. He grew to manhood in his native county, and resided there until the spring of 1863, when he went into the army as chief clerk in one of the commis- sary departments, and served until the fall of 1864. He then came to Sauk Centre and bought the val- uable eighty-acre tract of land now known as Robbins' and Mendenhall's addition to Sank Cen- tre, and also pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres. He then went to Ohio and completed his education at Oberlin College, and afterwards re- moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he con- ducted a Commercial College until 1870, when he permanently located at Sank Centre. He has
been engaged most of the time since, in the Ium- ber business, insurance, and real estate. Mr. Rob- bins was Superintendent of Schools at Sank Con- tro three years, and has been otherwise identified with prominent local affairs. He was married in 1869, to Lurancio Converse, of Windham conuly, Connectient. They have four children; Lilla A., Bessie, Una S., and Ray P.
N. W. RICE dates his birth in Oneida county, New York, on the 26th of June, 1840. His father was by trade a mason, and was employed in dif- ferent parts of New York State and Wisconsin until 1856, when he died, leaving the subject of our sketch to provide for the family, then residing in Green county, Wisconsin. He remained there until 1861, working at the mason's trade. In De- cember, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until June, 1865, when he was mastered out at Memphis, Tennessee. He then returned to Wisconsin, and was in the livery business and also had control of a mail ronte until June, 1870, when he came to Sauk Centre. He soon after took a homestead in Swift comty, but subsequently re- turned to Sauk Centre and engaged in the livery business which he still continues. He also kept a hotel in Benson one year, and had a mail contract for four years since coming to Minnesota. Mr. Rice was married in 1860, to Lotta Jackson, of Wisconsin, now deceased. He has six children; Charles A., Nellie G., Lettie L., Guy H., Bert J., and Frank.
C. M. SPRAGUE, a native of Will county, Illinois, was born on the 11th of December, 1846. In 1854, he came to Hastings, Minnesota, where he remained until 1862, when he enlisted in the Minnesota Mounted Rangers. He served one your with them, und afterwards in the Second Min- nesotn Volunteer Infantry, until he was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in December, 1865. In 1866, he came to Sauk Centre, and was elerk in the store of Joseph Capser for eight years, after which he became a partner, but sold his interest in 1877. He then engaged in the brokerage bis- iness until 1880, when he became a partner with J. B. Perkins, in a drug store. Mr. Spragne is Town Clerk of Sank Centre, and is also financial manager of Keller's fanning-mill manufactory. Ho wns married in 1870, to Amelia E. Wright, of Pennsylvania. They have one child, named Fay- ette W.
F. E. SEARLE was born in Franklinville, Catta-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
raugus county, New York, on the 21st of Febru- ary, 1853. He attended the common schools, and completed his educational course at Tenbroeck Academy, in his nativo town. In the winter of 1878, he came west and located at St. Cloud, where he studied low with his brother, D. B. Searle, and was admitted to the Bar in 1876. In the same year he removed to Sauk Centre, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Senrle is Secretary of the Sauk Centre Board of Education, and one of the Directors of the Public Library, taking an active part in the progress and development of the ma- terial interests of the surrounding country.
L. T. STOREY, a native of Morrow county, Ohio, was born on the 16th of April, 1853. He passed through the ordinary routine of a common school education, and afterwards attended the Ohio Cen- tral College, at Iberia, in his native county. After leaving college he came to St. Cloud, where he studied law with L. W. Collins, and was admitted to the Bar in 1876. In 1877, he came to Sank Centre, where, as a lawyer and business man, he has become deservedly popular. He holds the of- fices of Notary Public, Village Recorder, and Vil- lage Attorney. Mr. Storey was united in mar- riage in 1876, with Miss Phoebe C. Mattison, of Illinois.
ANDREW J. SMITH, proprietor of the Citizens' Bank of Sauk Centre, is a business man of more than ordinary ability. He is a native of Dumfrie- shire, Seotland, born on the 4th of January, 1839, but came with his parents to Quebee, Canada, in 18-15, where his father was Reetor of the High School until his death, several years later. Here Andrew J. was reared, and received a liberal edu- ention. After leaving school, he was engaged in the Post-office department four years, and after- wards, mail agent for an ocean line of steamers un- til the spring of 1867, when he removed to Apple- ton, Wiseonsin, and purchased a half interest in a woolen mill. In the spring of 1872 he sold ont, and came to Sauk Centre, and established himself in the banking business on his own responsibility, there being no bank here prior to that time. Mr. Smith was married in 1871, to Annie Dickinson, of Liver- pool, England. Of six children which they have had, only three are living; Edith A., Ethel K., and Edna W.
WILLIAM SCHERFFINS, a native of Germany, was born on the 14th of January, 1848. He learned
the trade of harness maker while a boy in his native country. He came to America in 1865, and after a stay of about six months in New York ('ity, settled in Winona, Minnesota. Here he worked at his trade nutil 1868, when he removed to St. Paul and engaged in the manufacture of horse collars, which he continued until 1870, when he came to Sank Centre, and has been in the harness business ever since. Mr. Scherffins' harness goods are all his own mannfacture, but carries besides a full as- sortiment of everything pertaining to the trade. He was married in January, 1874, to Augusta Burow, of Germany. They have three children; Melvin A., Joseph L., and Leo W.
S. SIMONTON, one of the old settlers of Stearns county, and for the last twelve years, Postmaster at Sauk Centre, dates his birth in Perry county, ยท Pennsylvania, on the 28th of February, 1839. In 1847, he removed with his parents to Illinois, and learned the trade of printer at Joliet. In 1857, the family removed to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, where our subject remained until 1860, when he came to St. Cloud and took a claim of eighty neres of land, which he disposed of six years later. In 1862, he went to Illinois, and learned telegraph operating, at which he was employed nutil his re- turn to St. Cloud, in 1867. About this time, his brother, J. H., commeneed the publication of the "Sauk Centre Herald," at Sank Centre, and he soon joined him as a partner. They continued to publish the paper until August, 1879, when they sold it to Charles Hendryx, the present proprietor. Mr. Simonton was united in marriage with Lydia Coons, of Ohio, in 1873. They have one son, Ed- win L.
J. H. SIMONTON was also born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, his birth dating on the 16th of November, 1840. In 1847, he went with the fam- ily to Will county, Illinois, and thence, in 1857, to Sank Rapids, where he was engaged as journey- man printer most of the time until 1859, when he came to St. Cloud and became one of the proprie- tors of the "St. Cloud Times." In 1866, he sold his interest in the "Times," and went to St. Paul to work on the " Pioneer," which he continued un- til 1867, when he removed to Sauk Centre and started the "Sank Centre Herald." Soon after, his brother became n partner, and the business was continued and disposed of as previously stated. Mr. Simonton's wife was Miss Jennie Stabler, of Sauk Centre, the marriage taking place in 1871. They have had four children, three of whom are
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now living; William A., Benjamin P., and an in- l'ant not named.
A. G. WHITNEY was born in Brooklyn, Henne- pin county, Minnesota, on the 14th of May, 1860. Ile moved with his parents, snecessively, to Fair Haven, St. Cloud, and Clearwater, his mother dying at the laller place in August, 1870. In 1872, he went to live with an unele at Farminton, Minnesota, where he met with a severe accident, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered; he was dragged under a large field harrow by a runaway team, a distance of thirty-six rods. He attended school in Clearwater for a time, after which he was engaged in teaching. During the last few years he has been in the insuranec busi- ness, and since August, 1880, has had the district ageney for Northern Minnesota, for the Continen- tal Insurance Company, of New York.
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