USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 41
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An Independent School District was organized, und a building erected about 1870, which was re- placed by the present elegant structure in 1875. The new building has four rooms, and three de- partments are maintained. Five common school districts are organized in the town, where the usual summer and winter terms are held.
We gather from the agricultural report of 1880, the following as the products of Vietor for that year: wheat, 49,201 bushels; oats, 18,838 bushels; eorn, 25,725 bushels; barley, 3,208 bushels; rye, 66 bushels; potatoes, 6,312 bushels; beans, 37 bushels; sngar-cane, 5,373 gallons; cultivated hay, 276 tons; wild hay, 1,281 tons; tobaeco, 392 ponnds; wool, 2,708 pounds; butter, 27,825 pounds; and honey, 318 pounds.
BIOGRAPHIICAL.
MICHAEL ARITT, a native of Alleghany county, Virginia, was born on the 14th of August, 1825. His father died when our subjeet was but twelve: years of age, and he resided on a farm with his mother till 1846, after which, until October, 1874, he was farming for himself in the same county. In the latter yenr he came to this place, which has since been his home. Mr. Aritt has been twiee married; first to Eleanora Rayhill, on the 22d of January, 1846. She died in 1871, leaving eight children. His present wife's maiden name was Osea Dew, the marriage taking place on the 19th of December, 1873. She has borne him three children.
AMOS C. BRONSON was born in Cayuga county, New York, on the 7th of March, 1818. He moved with his parents to Wyoming county in 1832, and in 1837, to Alleghany county, where he was en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons. Went to California in 1869, and was employed by the Con- trul Pacific Railroad Company to upholster their passenger coaches. He came to Minnesota, and his present farm in 1872, and has since devoted the greater portion of his time to farming. Mr. Bronson's first wife was Lanma S. Blikely, to whom he was married in 1838. Sho died on the
29th of January, 1852. His present wife was Lu- cinda P. Taylor, a native of New Hampshire, the ceremony taking place on the 6th of February, 1853.
EDWIN BREWSTER, one of the pioneers of this town, was born in Cambridge, Lamoille county, Vermont, on the 7th of March, 1833. When he was young, his parents moved to Huron county, Ohio, where he worked at the earpenter's trade. At the age of nineteen years, he eommeneed work- ing at the millwright's trade in Vermont, then New York and Canada, and in 1856, eame to Min- nesota, loeating a farm in Hutchinson, McLeod eounty, and that winter assisted in surveying a road from the latter place to Watertown, it being the first opening in this portion of the county. In May, 1857, he took a claim in section fifteen, Victor township, and the following autumn, brought his family to their new home. During the Indian ontbreak, Mr. Brewster served three years in Hateh's Battalion. Since his resi- denee in this place, he has filled nearly all the town offiees, and for the past few years, has been engaged in running a portable saw mill and steam thresher. Was married on the 25th of May, 1854, to Miss Sarah E. Freeman. They have had tour children, three of whom are living.
SMITH BENHAM, a direct deseendant of the Pil- grim Fathers, was born on the 19th of July, 1831, in Chittenden county, Vermont. He learned the harness maker's trade when quite young, at which he worked, in connection with farming, until com- ing to Minnesota in 1858. He devoted his time to stoek-raising and farming in Houston county, till 1864, when he moved to Nicollet county, and engaged in farming about four miles from Fort Ridgely. He came to his present farm in 1876. Was married to Hannah Allen on the 20th of Oe- tober, 1853. They have had eight children, six of whom are living.
D. P. BROWN was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, on the 16th of October, 1849. He at- tended school at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, und assisted his father on the farm until 1877, when he engaged in the cattle business in Wyoming Terri- lory, where he remained for two years, meeting with good sneeess. Then he came to Howard Lake, Minnesota, and engaged in the mercantile trade for a short time, when he purchased a hall interest in the People's Elevator, and in connec- tion with it, conducts a general Inmber business, the firm mme being Mooers and Brown, Hlo
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BIOGRAPHIICAL.
was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Sawyer, a native of Michigan, on the 20th of October, 1872.
C. N. BrIss, a native of Yorkville, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, was born on the 17th of April, 1858. Alle lived with his parents at Battle Creek and Tonia, Michigan, till five years of age, then went to live with his grandfather, which was his home till 1877, when he came to Minnesota. He located in the village of Howard Lake, and en- gaged in the furniture business. Mrs. Bliss eon- dnets a Millinery store, the firm being Bliss and Fonda. Mr. Bliss was married to Miss A. Cronk, on the 13th of January, 1877. They have one son, George M.
F. M. BALL was born in Piekaway, Ohio, on the 27th of May, 1839. When he was nine years of age, moved to New Albany, Indiana, where he at- tended school and studied medicine with Dr. Moore. He then attended the Marion County Medical School in Kentucky, for three years. In 1861, responded to the call for 75,000 men to sup- press the Rebellious South. After spending some time in the army and in the state of Illinois, came to Minnesota, in 1864, teaching school in Jordan, Scott county, for two years. Then practiced med- ieine and kept a drug store in Carver county tor about five years, thence to Cokato, Wright county, and thence to Howard Lake in 1880, where he still resides in the practice of his profession. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Hardy, on the 20th of September, 1862. They have five children.
THOMAS R. BRIGGS, a native of Kent county, Rhode Island, was born on the 30th of December, 1826. At the age of twelve, went to live with an unele in Otsego county, New York. At the age of sixteen, began to serve an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter trade, at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, and soon after the three years had ex- pired, began to elerk in a store in the same place. In 1855, came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and during the same year located in what was then called the the village of Columbus, now in Anoka county. The following year he moved to Greenwood, Hennepin county, where he opened a store and was proprietor of the "Beaver House." The financial depression of 1857, caused him to close ont his business, after which he made Mine- apolis his home till 1860, when he returned to Rockford, and was engaged at his trade and sindied law till 1863. He enlisted in Hatch's Independ-
ent Battalion, Company B, in 1863, serving on the frontier till 1866. Then returned to his home in Rockford, and in 1867, was elected County Attor- ney for two years. In 1870, moved to Litchfield, Mecker county, and in 1872, came to his present home. Was admitted to the Bar in 1873, since which time he has given his attention to the prac- tice of law. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Devoll, on the 15th of September, 1853. They have had four children, but one of whom is living.
J. M. BISHOP, M. D., was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1852. When abont thirteen years of age, the family moved to High- land county, where he attended school, and studied medicine under Dr. J. F. Bower, after which he at- tended the Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in the class of 1874. The same fall he visited Minnesota, and returning, spent sev- eral months with Dr. W. H. Reeves, of Springfield, Ohio. Then returned to Minnesota, and located in the village of Howard Lake in 1876, and since that date has given his attention to the practice of medicine. He was married to Miss Nettie A. Scholar, on the 28th of June, 1880.
J. M. COREY was born in Hartford, Windsor county, Vermont. His parents died when he was young, and he made his home in the county till about twenty-two years of age. Then, after living in New Hampshire and New York, he returned to his native State, remaining till 1855. In the latter year he came to Minnesota, locating in Maple Grove township, Hennepin county. Since 1867, he has been a resident of this place, his farm being located on seetion twenty. On the 25th of Octo- ber, 1845, Miss Hannah M. Crown became the wife of Mr. Corey. Of ten children, the result of this union, eight are living. Two died while their resi- denee was in Maple Grove.
NATHANIEL CHAFFINS was born on the 1st of April, 1836, in Wayne county, West Virginia. He made his home with his parents till 1854, when he commenced working on neighboring farms. On the 10th of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, of the Fifth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing till the 9th of October, 1862, when he was dis- charged for disabilities contracted in service. On returning to his farm he was taken prisoner and confined in the Richmond prison for about four months; then was exchanged, and in 1865, came to Minnesota, and to his present farm on section thirty-two, in the fall of the same year. Was
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
united in marriage with Polly C. Summers on the 30th of April, 1853. They have had eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living.
E. Y. Omuro, M. D., a ntive of Cumberland county, Kentucky, was born on the 25th of Au- gust, 1849. At the age of thirteen, moved with his parents to Indiana, where he attended the pub- lie schools, and subsequently, the Bedford Acad- emy. In 1870, returned to Kentneky, and imme- diately commenced the study of medieine with his brother, Dr. R. H. Chilton, and attended the Miami Medieal College, of Cineinnati, gradnating in 1874. He practiced in Kentucky until 1880, when he eame to Howard Lake, and formed a partnership with Dr. J. W. Bishop. He was joined in marriage with Miss Laura Huddleston on the 24th of December, 1875. They have one boy living, named Leo.
E. J. CUTTs, a native of Kennebee county, . Maine, was born on the 17th of August, 1844. His father, William Cutts, was a sea eaptain, and the family moved to New York City about 1853, and at the age of fourteen, the subject of our sketeh commenced to clerk in a store in that eity. In 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-second New York Militia, serving in New York and Virginia. In 1869, visited the West Indies for. his health, and after returning, eame to Minnesota, and lived in Minneapolis and vicinity for four or five years. In 1874, opened a dry goods store at Buffalo, Wright county, and in 1877, came to Howard Lake and opened a general store, where he may be found in the same business. In 1876, was eleeted to the State Legislature, and re-elected in 1880. He married Miss Jennie M. Oakley on the 8th of May, 1863. They have two children.
C. E. CARTER, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, was born on the 5th of March, 1815. He lived with his father on a farm till 1837, when he con- meneed to farm for himself, and continued the same in different parts of the county till 1849, when he engaged in a general store in Sligo, in the same county, which he continued for several years. In 1855, he resumed farming, giving it his entire attention till 1864, when he moved to Martinsville, where he resided till 1874, then eame to Minnesota and located at Howard Lake. He deals in real estate, and takes an active part in the Christian Church of this place. Mr. Carter has been thrice married, and is now a widower.
Rev. J. W. DickEY was born in Janesville, Ohio, on the 10th of November, 1811. When he was a
boy, the family removed to Chester county, Penn- sylvania. He early evinced a fondness for study, and having made a choice of the clerical profes- sion, was licensed to preach, by the Second Pres- bytery of Philadelphia, and located in Crawford county. He was soon after ordained by the Pres- bytery of Erie, and after being located at Mans- field, Ohio, for four years, went to Venango, Pen- sylvania, and thence to West Union, Iowa, and in 1876, eame to Howard Lake, where he was the first Presbyterian minister. He was married on the 19th of October, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth I. Eaton, daughter of Rev. Joliston Eaton, of Erie, Pennsylvania. They have three children. One son is residing in Fayette county, Iowa; the only daughter is now Mrs. E. B. Shaw, of West Union, Iowa, and Hugh M. resides at home.
MARK FOSKET, One of the early settlers of this seetion, was born in Newark, Wayne county, New York, on the 8th of March, 1832. When he was an infant, his parents moved to what is now Gene- see county, where our subject resided till 1854. Then, after living in Michigan two years and vis- iting his native State, he came to Minnesota, ar- riving at Lake Mary, Victor township, on the 4th of May, 1857. He first took a claim in the pres- ent town of Woodland, then, after two years, came to liis present farm, remaining till 1868. He then returned to New York, and spent nine years in that State and Michigan, after which he came again to his farm in this township, and has sinee made it his home. Mr. Fosket is a man well posted on general topies, and seems calculated for frontier life. His fellow-citizens appreciate him, having eleeted him to several local offices, and at present is Chairman of the board of Supervisors. Miss Mary E. Taylor became his wife on the 1st of October, 1876. They have three children.
W. C. FONDA was born at Battle Creek, Michi- gun, on the 20th of October, 1850. He worked with his father on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he commenced learning the harness making trade, which business and farming oecu- pied his attention till 1878, when he came to Miu- nesota. He opened a harness shop in the village of Howard Lake, and remains in the trade. llis wife is a partner in the millinery firm of Bliss & Fonda. Mr. Fonda was joined in wedlock with Miss Frances Cronk, on the 28th of April, 1870.
WALLACE GOODSELL, one of the pioneers of the township, was born in Maeoupin county, Illinois, on the 14th of September, 1850. When he was a
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
boy of twelve years, the family moved to Inde- pendence, Hennepin county, Minnesota, living on a farm till the spring of 1865, when they moved to the present site of Howard Lake, and farmed till 1869, when his father laid out the village. After this Mr. Goodsell commenced elerking, and in 1875, opened a general store in the village, and has been one of the most enterprising business men of the place since that time. He was joined in marriage with Miss Liah M. Barnett, on the 12th of October, 1875. They have two children.
II. H. HOUNSOM was born in Kalamazoo, Mich- igan, on the 18th of April, 1836. When a small boy the family moved to Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois, and in 1851 to Mount Morris, Illinois, where Mr. Honsom learned the printing business, and continued it till the breaking ont of the Re- bellion. He enlisted in the One hundred and forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving for about one year. Then was engaged in a printing office in northeastern Missouri, until 1873, when ill health compelled him to move to Minnesota. He opened a notion store at Howard Lake, and did job printing on a foot press, con- tinuing the same to this date. He married Miss Ambrosia Head in 1868. They have one child, Cora.
E. B. HYATT was born near Indianapolis, Indi- ana, on the 24th of June, 1839. The family moved to Minnesota in 1856, and located near the line between Isanti and Anoka counties, but in the former. The family was among the first Qna- ker families to locate in the Quaker settlement. Mr. Hyatt lived with his father till 1859, when he went to Richmond, Indiana, learned the carpenter trade and followed the business till 1867, when he came to Wright county, Minnesota, and took a claim in Middleville township, being one of the pioneers of the town, working on his claim and at his trade till 1872. Then spent some time in Min- neapolis, before permanently locating at Howard Lake, since which time he has given his attention to contracting and building. He still hokls to the Quaker laith, and has always taken a deep interest in the church. He was joined in marriage with Miss Ennice Teas, on the 27th of November, 1861, who died on the 26th of December, 1875. They had four children, three of whom are living.
C. T. HARRis was born in Saratoga county, New York, on the 10th of September, 1852. While young, his parents moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he attended the public schools
of the place. In 1868, the family moved to An Arbor, where he attended the University of Michi- gan, and graduated in the classical course in 1875. Then he became Superintendent of the public schools at Monroe, Michigan, for five years. In 1880, came to Howard Lake, and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits.
J. H. HOBSON, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, was born on the 11th of October, 1838. When yonng, he moved with his father to Wash- ington county, and in 1864, engaged in the hard- ware business, remaining in the State till coming to Minnesota in 1876. He came to Howard Lake and purchased the hardware store of J. Smith, which he sold in a few years, and in company with Mr. Parker opened a general mercantile store in the spring of 1880. The following spring, Mr. Ball entered as a partner, the firm name now being Parker, Hobson, and Ball. They also opened, in an adjoining building, a stock of hardware, which they still continue, doing a fine business. Mr. Hobson was united in marriage with Miss Lydia M. Bruce, on the 4th of April, 1864. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Flora A.
WESLEY HUDDLE, a native of Highland county, Ohio, was born on the 15th of May, 1835. When about seventeen years of age, he removed with his parents to Indiana and devoted his time to agri- enltural pursuits. Came to Wright county in April, 1864, and the following June, moved to a farm near Waverly, remaining one year. Since 1865, Mr. Huddle has been a resident of this place, his farm being situated on section twenty. Was married on the 20th of October, 1860, to Miss Mary H. Evans, of Ohio. She has borne him eleven children, ten of whom are living.
DAVID TRONS is a native of Lincoln county, Ohio, his birth dating the 16th of April, 1831. He remained in the State until coming to Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1847. Came to Minnesota in 1854, and found employment in Albert Lea for two years, then engaged in farming in Blue Earth county, and finally, in 1862, located his present farm. Married Miss Betsy L. Stilson on the 24th of De- cember, 1859. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living.
H. E. JONES, a prominent old settler of the vil- lage, was born in Fulton county, New York. His father, Ephraim Jones, was engaged in mannfac- turing pursuits, in which his son participated till about sixteen years of age. In 1845, Mr. Jones visited Michigan, where he engaged in agricultu-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
ral pursuits. In 1850, moved to Neenalı, Wiseon- sin, where he engaged in the merchandise trade for one year, then moved to Pennsylvania, and en- gaged in the same business for three years, when he returned to Michigan and lived till 1861. Then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and for four years traveled in that State, and employed his time in various occupations. In 1865, located on afarm in Woodland, Wright eounty; then, in 1869, when the village of Howard Lake was laid out, moved to this place and erected the first frame building, known as the "Sherman House." In 1871, he started a general store, and was one of the aetive business men of the town. In 1879, he opened the "Jones House," since which time he has closed ont his other business and given his attention to the hotel. In 1877, was elected County Commis- sioner and held the office for three years.
JOHN A. JOHNSON, a native of Leicester, Eng- land, was born on the 1st of February, 1834. When young, served an apprenticeship of six and a half years at the plumber and coppersmith trade in his native city. Then spent some years in va- rions places in Europe, working nt his trade until 1854, when he emigrated to America. He loeated in Lexington, Michigan, and engaged in contract- ing and building. The following year he moved to Canada, and in 1857, came to Minnesota, stop- ping one year in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Then went to Watertown, Carver county, and engaged in the milling business until 1869. As soon as Howard Lake was platted, he moved here and erected a flonring and saw mill, it being the third frame building in the place, which he continues to operate. He also has an interest in a mill at De- Graff, Swift county, which was built in 1879. He was married to Miss Catharine A. Stoltz on the 13th of December, 1865. They have six children.
I. HI. KOLBE, pastor of the German Intheran Church, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 27th of August, 1811. Ile attended the schools at Leipsic, and in 1866, enlisted in the German army, served two years and came to America. He en- tered a college at St. Louis, Missouri, at which he graduated in 1871. Then, eame to Minnesota and took charge of a church at Green Isle, Sibley county. Since 1879, he has been a resident of Howard Lake and pastor of the church ns above mentioned. Mrs. Kolbe's maiden name was Agnes Klenkenberg. She has borne him five children, three of whom are living.
RICHARD KNIGHTS, proprietor of the Sherman
House, was born near Sherbroke, Canada, on the 5th of March, 1830. In 1871, he moved to the United States, and was a resident of New Hamp- shire for six months, then to Minnesota, living in Rockford, Wright county, till March, 1873; thence to Minneapolis, and two years later, to Buffalo, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, staves, etc. In November, 1877, he opened a hotel in which he did a good business, and was a very popular landlord. In June, 1881, purchased this hotel, which he remodeled and opened in the fall of the same year. On the 25th of February, 1852, he was nnited in marriage with Miss Mary E. Wigget, who was born in England, but came to America in early childhood. They have had eight ehildren; Ada, Ann E., Mary, (now Mrs. Bryant, living in Monticello ) Austin, Madaline, Isabel, Herbert, and Hattie. On the 8th of July, 1881, Herbert was thrown from a horse and sus- taincd injuries from which he died on the 19th of July, being uneonseious from the time of the injury.
HALVORD LARSON is a native of Sweden, born on the 28th of October, 1840. He engaged in various occupations in his native country until coming to America in 1869, after which he was employed on the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Mani- toba railroad, then on the Northern Pacific rail- road until 1875, when he located on a farm in this place, which has since been his home. In Febru- ary, 1872, he was married to Christiana Peterson, who has borne him three children.
J. CRAIG LONG was born in Donegal county, Ireland, on the 19th of December, 1847. When an infant, the family emigrated to America, locat- ing in New York City for one year. In 1850, they moved to Freeport, Illinois. His father was a merchant, and his son assisted him in the store until twenty-one years old. Soon after attaining his majority, went to Maquoketa, lowa, and opened a dry goods store, which he controlled for five years, then moved to Independence, where he continued in the same business for some years. In 1879, came to his present home in Howard Lake, and immediately identified himself with the place by opening n drug store, in which business he still continues.
J. W. MORGAN, a native of Coneord, New Hamp- shire, was born on the 9th of November, 1857. He came to Ypsilanti, Michigan, with his parents in 1868, where he attended school and graduated in the "Pharmacy Department," in 1876. The
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
following year, located with his parents at Three Rivers, Michigan, and after three years came to Minnesota, and soon after located at Howard Lake, engaging in business with C. T. Harris, under the lim mune of Harris and Morgan, which he still continues. He was united in marriage with Miss Jessie P. Wheeler, of 'Three Rivers, Michigan, on the 25th of May, 1880.
WIIAHAM IL. MCCOLLUM was born in Mellenry county, Illinois, on the 2d of October, 1844. IIe lived with his parents until he responded to the call for 75,000 men for three months, in 1861. In 1862, came to Minnesota, and soon after, enlisted in the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, in Com- pany F, serving thirteen months, and on his re- turn enlisted in Brackett's Battalion, fighting the Indians on the plains; was mustered ont of ser- vice in May, 1866. Then located in Scott county, Minnesota, where he lived till 1874, when he moved to Watertown, Carver county, and engaged in mercantile business for eighteen months. In 1876, came to Howard Lake and opened a drng store, which he still continues. He was appointed Postmaster in 1877, which office he still holds. lle was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Freer on the Ist of January, 1868. They have had six children, three of whom are living. .
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