Freeborn Co., MN AHGP-Biographies Albert Lea

"History of Freeborn County", 1882
Albert Lea Biographies

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JAMES CAREY ALLING was born on the 7th of January, 1857, in Chemung, New York. In 1858, the family moved to Greene county in the same State, where his parents still live. His father, Harvey Alling, is a Baptist minister. In 1873, James entered the State Normal School at Oswego, taking a classical course and graduating in 1879. He had meanwhile studied law and had also taught some and after his graduation went to Alabama where he was engaged as professor of the sciences in the State Normal School, remaining two years. In September, 1881, he came to Minnesota and obtained the position of Principal of Pleasant Grove school at Mankato. Since January 1882, he has been Principal and Superintendent of the Public Schools of Albert Lea, having a present attendence of over four hundred pupils and a corps of nine teachers. Mr. Alling is the founder of the Albert Lea City Library and a member of the "American Association for the Advancement of Science."

REV. R. B. ABBOTT is a native of Franklin county, Indiana. The son of a thrifty farmer, he was brought up to habits of manual labor, industry and self reliance. After improving such opportunities for education as the common schools of that time afforded, he prepared himself for college by private study. He entered the Indiana State University and was graduated in the class of '47. Three years later he received the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution. For several years he was engaged in teaching, first in Muncie, then in New Castle, and afterward in the Whitewater Presbyterian Academy. After studying Theology privately several years, he was ordained to the ministry of the gospel by the Presbytery of the latter place in 1857, and very soon after became pastor of the church at Brookville in his native county, continuing seven years with much success. This was followed by a two years' pastorate at Knightstown. From this place, on account of his wife's failing health, he removed to Minnesota and again engaged in teaching, first as Principal of the Public schools of Anoka, and afterward as the Principal of the St. Paul Female Seminary. In 1869, he retired from teaching and accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian church of Albert Lea, which has since grown to be one of the best and strongest churches in southern Minnesota. In connection with this, he is laboring for the establishment of a college in Albert Lea for the education of young women, in which enterprise there is great hope of abundant success. His wife, whose failing health brought him to this State, having died in 1879, he was married again, two years later to Miss Marietta Hunter, a graduate of Ripon College, Wisconsin, and for several years a teacher in Albert Lea.

F. A. BLACKMER, M. D., a native of Ohio, was born in Amherst, Lorain county, on the 16th of January, 1848. His father, Dr. Franklin Blackmer, was one of the first physicians to locate in this town, coming in 1856. They settled on a farm near the city, and in 1862, F. A. enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and while at Fort Ridgely was wounded, a ball passing through his face, in one cheek and out of the other. After his return from the army he attended school from 1863 to 1868, then entered the Oberlin College, in Ohio, which he attended during the winter months, and in summer continued his studies at the University of Worcester, in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from the latter institution he was in the drug business, and also engaged in the practice of his profession, having, since 1872, devoted his entire attention to the latter. He was joined in marriage on the 15th of October, 1872, with Miss Franc E. Wedge. The union has been blessed with one child, Roe C., born on the 17th of October, 1873.

HEMAN BLACKMER, also a son of Dr. Franklin Blackmer, was born in Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio, on the 3d of January, 1850. He came to Albert Lea witn his parents when seven years old, attended the public schools until 1865, when he entered the Oberlin College, in Ohio, and remained four years, teaching a portion of each year. He then returned to his home, and in 1870, continued his studies at the Appleton College, in Wisconsin, and after a year there entered the college in Ripon, and in 1872, took a law course in the State University at Madison, graduating in 1873. He was married in October of the latter year to Miss Helen Webster, who has borne him five children, two of whom are living. Mr. Blackmer was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin; subsequently moved to Kansas, and practiced in Osborne until his return to Albert Lea in 1874. For the past seven years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and is also Court Commissioner.

CHARLES W. BALLARD, M. D., Mayor of the city of Albert Lea, and one of its public-spirited and prominent citizens, was born in New York city on the 22d of January, 1826. He attended ; different boarding schools in New Jersey and New York, and, in 1847, began the studies of medicine and dentistry in the Washington Medical University of Baltimore, and the College of Dental Surgery, graduating from both institutions in 1850. He was united in matrimony on the 4th of February, in the latter year, to Miss Annie E. Harris. Mr. Ballard practiced dentistry in North Carolina two years, then returned to New York, and remained in business there until 1868, living, the latter portion of the time, in Connecticut, and while there was a member of the State Senate two terms, taking a decided stand against slavery. In 1868, he went to Florida for the improvement of his health, remained two years and came to Minnesota, buying the land in Albert Lea now known as Ballard's Point. He is engaged in the real estate business.

F. W. BARLOW was born in Genesee county, New York, on the 27th of November, 1852, and came to this county when a child, his parents being pioneers of Bancroft. He was brought up on a farm, and attended school until eighteen years old, then entered a drug store in this city, remaining seven years. On the 14th of June, 1875, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Emma F. Prescott, and they have had two children, both daughters, only one of whom is living. In the fall of 1879, Mr. Barlow was elected County Treasurer, and has since held the office.

CHANCEY BURTCH, a native of Ohio, was born near Seneca on the 22d of April, 1859. In 1864, his parents moved to Michigan, locating near Adrian, where his father died in 1869. Chancey came with his mother and the family to Osage county, Iowa, in 1871, and there attended school. In April, 1881, he moved to Albert Lea, and started in the drug business, in which he has been successful. He was married in May, 1881, to Miss Ada Cutler, who was born in Osage county, Iowa.

WARREN BUEL was born in Genesee county, New York, on the 4th of December, 1826. When he was twelve years old his parents moved to a farm near Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio. After finishing school Mr. Buel engaged in teaching for a time. In July, 1852, he was married to Miss Mary Deming, who was born in Livingston county, New York, on the 5th of November, 1829. They resided on a farm in Huron county, Ohio, until 1859, and the following year moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in 1861, to Jackson, where he was engaged in the grocery business during the war. They came from there to Albert Lea in 1877. Mr. Buel was in the grocery business for two years after coming here, but has since been engaged in insurance and real estate, his office being on Broadway. In 1873, he was elected to the State Legislature, and has also held local offices.

H. O. BRAGER, a native of Norway, was born on the 1st of February, 1841. In early life he learned the watchmakers trade, and since the age, of fifteen has been dependent on himself for support. He came to America in 1866, and located in Black Earth, Dane county, Wisconsin, where, in 1873, he married Miss Inger Mathia Gulson, of the town of Vermont, in the latter county. They have had three children, all boys, only one. Joachim, of whom is living. In 1878, Mr. Braver came to Albert Lea, and opened a jewelry and watchmaking business, to which he has since devoted his time.

HORATIO D. BROWN, one of the early settlers of Freeborn county, was born in Onondaga county, New York, on the 15th of April, 1835. He was brought up on a farm, and at the same time prepared for college; attended the DeRuyter and Cazenovia seminaries, and afterward, in 1852, entered the Union College, from which he graduated as a civil engineer in 1855. He immediately came West, and spent one year teaching in Illinois and Iowa, then came to this county and took a claim about six miles south-east of Albert Lea, in Hay ward. He was engaged at surveying, and, in 1857, was elected County Surveyor: was soon after appointed deputy Clerk of the Court, and, in 1861, elected to the office, holding the same ten years. On the 19th of December, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary L. Peck, and they have had four children, three of whom are living, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company C; was soon promoted to Second Lieutenant, and, in 1864, was made Adjutant of the Eleventh Minnesota Regiment. After receiving his discharge, he returned to this place, and, in 1871, resigned the office of Clerk of the Court, to till that of State Senator, to which he was elected. In the latter year he engaged in the banking business, which he has since continued. He owns a fine residence on the lake shore.

A. M. BURNHAM. M. D., one of the pioneer physicians, and an early settler of this county, was born in Genesee county, New York, on the 16th of October, 1824. When he was quite young he entered the family of a Mr. Giles; attended the public schools, and assisted Mr. Giles in his dairy. He subsequently attended the Bethany High School, the Springville and Centreville Academies, then studied medicine with Drs. Steward and Farmers, and finally entered the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated, in 1853, as an M. D. In the meantime, he had established a good practice in the latter city. In 1857, he came to Wisconsin, and the following year to this county, taking land adjoining the town site of Iosca in Waseca county, but spent the winter at Shell Rock, where he built a hotel, and was engaged in other enterprises. In the spring, he returned to his farm, taking a prominent part in the contest in regard to the county seat of the county. During all this time he was engaged in the practice of his profession. In 18—. he went to Wyoming Territory, where he operated a sawmill, and was an extensive contractor for the Union Pacific Railroad, doing a heavy business, and also engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1871, after visiting New York, he returned to his farm, and has since continued the practice of medicine, Albert Lea has been his home since 1880.

REV. CARL CARLSEN is a native of Denmark, born in the city of Nyborn on the 4th of March, 1842. He attended the common schools, and, while learning the carpenter trade, continued his studies at an evening school. In 1863. he came to America; first to Wisconsin, but soon after located in Chicago, where he was engaged at his trade and contracting, for ten years. On the 25th of December, 1867, he was joined in marriage with Miss Anna Hansen, a native of Norway. In 1873, they came to Albert Lea. and, besides working at his trade, Mr. Carlsen frequently preaches in the Danish Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Carlsen have had four children, two of whom are living, Olga and Victor.

M. M. DODGE, M. D. was born in New Lime, Ashtabula county, Ohio, on the 28th of October. 1842, and at the acre of fifteen years commenced to teach school. In 1859 he studied medicine with Dr. Porter Key, in his native town, and two years later entered the Cincinnati Hospital, and in the winter of 1863 and '64. attended lectures at Ann Arbor. Michigan. The following spring he moved to Wisconsin, immediate!v enlisted in the Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and was detached as Assistant Surgeon in the Adams Hospital upon the regiment's arrival in Memphis. After the close of the war he located in Chicago, and after the fire, being burned out, he attended lectures in Hahnemann Medical College, from which institution he graduated on the 22d of February, 1872. On the 24th of the same month he was joined in wedlock with Miss Lucy H. Norton, and the same year they cane to Lone Rock, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1874 they came to Albert Lea, where Dr. Dodge has an extensive practice. They have one child, Louis, nine years old.

GEORGE DROMMERHAUSEN, one of the pioneer mechanics of the county and among the earliest settlers of Geneva, is a native of Prussia, born on the 22d day of June, 1832. When young he learned the trade of a wagon and carriage maker, and in 1854, came to America and worked at his trade in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He afterward worked in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and in Red Wing, coming to Geneva in 1857, and started the the first wagon shop in the place. He was married in the latter year to Miss Julia Persig, who has borne him four children, all boys. Mr. Drommerhausen took a farm in Bancroft in 1859, which he still owns, but in 1866, came to this place. He owns one of the largest carriage and general repair shops in the city.

C. C. DWIGHT, a Vermonter, was born in Vershire, Orange county, and when about twelve years old removed with his parents to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in which State he received an academical education. At the age of eighteen years he came west as traveling salesman for an eastern clothing house, and in 1876 opened a clothing store in Winnebago City, in the southern part of this State. In March, 1880, he married Miss Emma L. Harvey, a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The same month they came to Albert Lea, anl Mr. Dwight opened a boot and shoe store in company with J. O. Conklin, but is now in the business alone. He is the father of one child, Margaretta, born on the 8th of January, 1881.

S. S. EDWARDS, one of the early settlers, and the oldest photographer in the city, was born in Watertown, Connecticut, on the 15th of July, 1843. He attended the common schools near his home, and afterward the high school of New Haven. In 1871, he married Miss B. M. Lunde, who is a native of Christiania, Norway. They have two children, Mary E. and Charles G. Mr. Edwards came to Albert Lea in 1863, and immediately started in his present business, at which he has been unusually successful.

COL. SAMUEL EATON is a native of New York, born in Onondaga county in 1815. At the early age of seven years his lot was cast with strangers, his parents being unable to provide for and educate him. Having learned the trade, he commenced the manufacture of leather and boots and shoes, at which he was engaged twenty years. Having a taste for military life, he filled all positions from a private to the command of a regiment, holding the latter five years. In 1857 he came to Albert Lea, where he has since resided, and during this time he has been called upon to fill offices of trust, such as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, Judge of Probate, and since 1879 has been Postmaster, having retired from all other business. He was also Deputy Clerk of the Court four years and Deputy County Treasurer two years.

JOHN B. FOOTE is a native of New York, born in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer county, on the llth day of September, 1823. He completed his studies at the Fairfield Academy, receiving from the Superintendent a certificate to teach in any part of New York State, and for thirteen years availed himself of this privilege. On the 1st of November, 1848, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Eliza Sharp, a native of Fulton County, New York. She died on the 23d of February, 1867, and was buried in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus County. Mr. Foote was again married on the 25th of April, 1871, his bride being Mrs. Louisa Burnette. From 1860 to 1879 he was employed by publishing houses of New York and Philadelphia, and in the latter year came to Albert Lea. He has since been proprietor of the Gilbert House, one of the principal hotels in the city. He had three children by his first marriage; Charles M., Francelia Ann, and Sherwood L., the two latter being dead; and one, Ernest B., by his second wife. The eldest son, Charles M.. is of the firm of Warner and Foote, Minneapolis, one of the most extensive publishing houses in the State.

O. B. FOBES was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 30th of July, 1832. He received an academical, education, and in 1854, came to Ripon, Wisconsin. In 1861, he moved to Minnesota, and was engaged in the mercantile business in Winnebago City until 1863, when he enlisted in Company M, of the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and remaining in service until the close of the war. After receiving his discharge he returned to Ripon. Wisconsin, and was Deputy ; Postmaster for about six years. He then came to Albert Lea, and in company with his brother opened a hardware store but has recently sold out anu is now in the srrocerv business, the firm name being Fobes and Owen. Mr. Fobes was married in 1876, to Miss Cassie McNeill, a native of Canada. The union has been blessed with one child, Lucile.

WILLIAM FENHOLT, one of the earlier settlers of Freeborn county, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 12th of May, 1835. He came to America in 1854. first located in Wisconsin, and in 1858. moved to this county, near the head of Freeborn lake, in Carlston township. He was married in 1859 to Miss Emma Killmer, a native of Canada. Soon after the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company F, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and participated in many hard fought battles; was hurt at the battle of Chattanooga and Atlanta, and now draws a pension. He came to Albert Lea after the war and opened the City Hotel which he still owns and conducts. Mr. and Mrs. Fenholt have a family of seven children.

REV. HENRY FRANK was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 21st of December, 1853. When a child his parents moved to Chicago where he attended the public schools, and after graduating entered the Philip Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts, and later the Harvard University. In 1875, he obtained the position of professor of English Literature and Elocution in the Cornell University, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He was united in marriage with Miss Carrie L. Cleveland, daughter of Dr. Cleveland of Chicago, in 1876. The following year he entered the ministry and for several years preached in Kansas, then, in 1880, on account of failing health came to Minnesota and has since had charge of a church in Albert Lea.

JOSEPH A. FULLER is a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, born on the 17th of March, 1851, near the village of Geneva. When 21 years old he went to Decorah, Iowa, and learned photography, at which business he has since been engaged, coming to Albert Lea soon after finishing the study of his profession. He was married in 1874. to Miss Luella A. Owen, who was born in Wisconsin. They have one child; Mert L., born on the 11th of January, 1875.

P. H. GREEN was born in Otsego countv. New York, on the 5th of April, 1818. When he was young his parents moved to Erie county, where he grew to manhood and then farmed for himself. In 1861, he came west to Freeborn county and located in the town of Freeman, where he improved a farm and remained unlil 1874, during which time he held several of the local offices. In the latter year he came to Albert Lea, which has since been his home, and resides with his sons who carry on the homestead. Mr. Green was married before leaving his native State to Miss Margaret R. Miner, the ceremony taking place on the 17th of August, 1843. Mrs Green died on the 24th of December, 1873, leaving a family of five children.

WALTER GILLETTE was born in the city of Amherst, New Hampshire, on the 22d of February, 1848. In 1855, his parents moved to Milwaukee where Walter received a good business education. His father was a leather dealer in the latter city, for a number of years; in 1872, he moved to Ripon, Wisconsin, in the same business, and remained until coming here in 1878. Walter is associated with him. and besides leather they deal in wool, hides, and furs, theirs being the only enterprise of the kind in the city.

REV. G. S. GOWDY. a native of New York, was born in Rome, Oneida county, on the 19th of May, 1810. When he was young his parents removed to Jefferson county, in the same State, and G. S. attended school and learned of his father the miller's trade. He was married in 1830. to Miss Nancy Allen, who was born in Oswego county, on the 1st of February. 1812. Mr. Gowdy entered upon the ministry at the age of thirty years, and has since continued in that field of labor in the Universalist faith. He had charge of a parish in Yorkshire for a time, and after coming to Minnesota was in Faribault until 1876, then came to Albert Lea as pastor of the church here. Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy have had three children, two of whom are living: Mary Ann, now Mrs. Sylvester Rice, and Nancy M., now Mrs. Franklin Gould.

DANIEL N. GATES, a native of New York, was born in Hopewell, Ontario county, on the 25th of July, 1832. He received an academical education in a Canada college, and in 1853 came west, first to Dubuque, Iowa, and engaged in surveying on the St. Croix river, and a year later began mercantile pursuits in Brownsville, Houston county. On the 9th of October, 1856, he was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Dunbar, and the union has been blessed with three children. In 1858 Mr. Gates moved to St. Paul, where he was Deputy State Auditor three years, and remained until 1869, when he came to Albert Lea and has since been freight and ticket agent for the Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis railroad. He is President of the Board of Education for this city and Chairman of the Board of Education for the county.

GEORGE T. GARDNER was born in Albion, Orleans county, New York, on the 18th of August, 1848. He removed with his parents to Buffalo, and in 1856 to Joliet, Illinois, thence to Milwaukee and to Kibourn City, Wisconsin. In 1861, he returned to Buffalo, New York, and entered a drug store, but in 1870 came to Lone Rock, Wisconsin, and opened a store of his own. On the 28th of November, 1872, he married Miss Hattie H. Hayes, and the next year they removed to this city, Mr. Gardner clerking in a drug store. Later he purchased the business of A. H. Street, and conducted it until 1880, when he was elected Clerk of the District Court, running on a Democratic ticket, and received a majority of 281 in a district which has heretofore given 2,500 Eepublican majority. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have had three children, two of whom are living.

M. HALVORSEN was born in Norway on the 24th of February, 1855. In 1863 he came with his father, Richard Halvorsen, who was a Methodist minister, to Chicago, Illinois, but for three years the family was not permanently located. They finally settled in Forest City, Iowa, and when our subject was fourteen years old he commenced to learn the printer's trade in the office of the "Winnebago Press," and in 1871, purchased the enterprise in partnership with W. C. Hayward. In 1873 Mr. Halvorsen became sole proprietor, being the youngest editor in the State, but a few months later again took a partner. The paper proved a financial failure under the new management, and in 1874 he removed to Lake Mills, Iowa, purchasing there a full outfit, and started "The Independent Herald," making it a grand success. In August, 1875, he purchased the "Albert Lea Enterprise," and has succeeded here far beyond his expectations, having the largest office in the county, and a circulation of his paper of nearly 1,000. Mr. Halvorsen was married on the 15th of August, 1876, to Miss Mildred A. Salsich, and they have one child, Alexander Salsich.

OLE J. HAGEN is a native of Norway, born near Christiania, on the 31st of August, 1852. He came with his parents to America and settled on a farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa, remaining until the age of fifteen years, during which time he attended the public schools. In 1867 the family came to this county and located on a farm near Freeman. On the 18th of May, 1872, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Anna A. Stovern. The same year he came to Albert Lea, and for eighteen months was in the drug business in company with his brother. Be was subsequently engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and later entered a printing office, remaining in the office in the winter and selling machinery in the summer. In 1880 he again worked in the printing office, and when the "Albert Lea Posten" was started he was appointed its editor, which position he still holds. He has a family of four children.

H. A. HANSON was born in Hurdalen, Norway, on the 26th of August, 1843. When about ten years old he became an apprentice to the tailor trade, and worked at the same six years, when he started in business for himself. On the 6th of November, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha M. Nelson. They came to America the following year, directly to this county, and engaged in farming for one summer. In the fall, Mr. Hanson opened a tailor shop in this city, and in 1870 increased his business, thus obtaining the best class of trade in the place. In 1880, he sold out to fill the office of Postmaster, to which he had been appointed. He was the first City Treasurer, and has held other local offices. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had eight children, five of whom are living.

REV. NORMAN F. HOYT was born in Saratoga county, New York, in the village of Waterford, near Troy, on the 23rd of May, 1840. At the age of ten years he moved with his parents to Almira, where he received his early education and remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company F, of the 23rd New York Volunteer Infantry. He went South with his regiment, and was in the battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and others. At the expiration of his term of service, (two years.) he returned home. having been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and in December re-enlisted as a veteran in the the One Hundred and Forty-Eighth Regiment, Company B; was promoted to Brigade Adjutant, and participated in the first and second battles of Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison, and Richmond. After the close of the war he was sent to Texas, and remained in service two years longer, receiving an honorable discharge in February, 1867. He returned to his native State, and the following August came west to Chicago, where for five years he attended the Baptist Theological Seminary, In 1872, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Emma J. Slayson, a native of New York. The following year he took charge of a church at Maquoketa, Iowa, and presided over it three years. Mrs. Hoyt died in October, 1874. leaving a young child, and in January, 1875, he married his present wife, Miss Mary E. Baldwin, who has borne him two children, Mary A. and Mable F. His eldest child is Emma. Mr. Mr. Hoyt came to Albert Lea in 1875, and until the present year conducted services at North wood and in the Baptist Church here, but now confines his labor to his congregation in this city.

G. A. HAUGE was born in Christiania, Norway, on the 19th of December, 1840. When he was ten years old his parents came to America, and located on a farm in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Since the age of sixteen years he has maintained himself, and on the 16th of October, 1861, enlisted in Company G, of the Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was in several heavy engagements, the battles of Shiloh, Nashville, etc., and remained in service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to his home in Iowa, and in 1869. married Miss Nellie Lagon, a native of Norway. In 1870, they came to this county, first settling in Bancroft, but since 1875, have been residents of this city. Mr. Hauge, with Mr. Christopherson as partner, conducts the largest blacksmith shop in Albert Lea. Mr. and Mrs Hauge have two children.

MAJOR FRANK HALL, one of the early settlers, and the first Mayor of Albert Lea, was born in Lewis county, New York, on the 28th of July, 1834. In 1854, his parents moved to a farm near Beaver Dam, in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and a few years later to Ripon. There Frank attended college for a few years. In 1858, he married Miss Maggie Foster, and the same year came to Albert Lea, and opened one of the first stores in the place. In the spring of 1862, he raised a company in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, of which he was Captain. He remained in service until the spring of 1863, when he received an honorable discharge and returned home. He is landlord of the Hall House, the leading hotel in the city. He is the father of two children, Ida and Joseph W.

C. P. HEDENSTAD is a native of Norway, born in Kongsberg, on the 3d of March, 1853. In 1864, he came with his parents to America, and located in Waseca county, Minnesota, where his mother still lives, his father having died there in 1872. C. P. learned the jeweler's trade when quite young, and in 1875, came to Albert Lea and opened a store in which he keeps jewelry, musical instruments, and sewing machines. In 1880, he was married to Miss Sina Wangsnes,who was born in Bergen, Norway. They have one child, a girl.

C. M. HEWITT, one of the early settlers and enterprising merchants of this place, is a native of of New York, born in Oneida county on the 27th of December. 1837. When young his parents moved to Columbus, Warren county, Pennylvania, where he grew to manhood. In 1859 he came to Minnesota, and located a farm iu Bancroft, where he remained eighteen months and, then came to Albert Lea. He was married in 1867, to Miss Lura E. Ash, and they have one daughter, May A. For ten years after coming here Mr. Hewitt clerked for Frank Hall; and in June, 1869, engaged in business for himself on Broadway, at present having a $12.000 stock.

HANS E. KNATVOLD was born in Drammen, Norway, on the 3d of September. 1848. When he was about fourteen years old his parents came to America and directly to this county, locating in Oakland. In 1862. his father enlisted in Company M, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and after receiving his discharge moved his family to the town of Hayward, where they still reside. In 1867, Hans came to Albert Lea and. clerked in a general mercantile store until 1877, when he, in company with his brother, T. V. Knatvold, started in the hardware business, and they carry the largest stock in the city. their store being locatedon the west side of Broadway, Mr. Knatvold, the subject of our sketch, also owns a fine residence. He was married in 1879, to Miss Clara McArthur, a native of Port Huron, Michigan. They have one child, Bertha May, born in August, 1880.

WILLIAM G. KELLAR is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, born on the 17th of August, 1849. His parents are pioneers of this township, coming iii 1856, and locating on a farm near the citv. William attended the common schools, and in 1865 entered the Oberlin College in Ohio, and since his return has been engaged in surveying for several years, in the employ of the Southern Minnesota railroad. He has been County Surveyor since 1870. In 1874, he was joined in marriage with Miss Ada Green, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio. They have one child, Ira A., born on the 22nd of March, 1878. C. B. Kellar, a brother of the above, was also born in Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 19th of May, 1845. He came with his parents to this place and in 1862, enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, under Major Hall, and after his discharge attended Oberlin College a few years. He has a wife and two children. He is at present in the employ of H. D. Brown as cashier.

PROF. CHARLES W. LEVENS was born in Windsor, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 7th of February, 1840. When he was three years old his parents moved to Racine county, Wisconsin. Charles attended the State University, teaching during the vacations, until 1860. In the latter year he married Miss Rebecca B. Teachout, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and the same year moved to California, remaining one year engaged in school teaching. He returned to Wisconsin, and for two years was County Superintendent of the schools of Racine county; then for four years was Superintendant of the public schools of the city of Racine. In 1876, he moved to Minnesota, and after a residence of two years in Olmsted county, came to Albert Lea, and was employed as Principal of the public schools here, afterwards was elected Superintendent of the same and held both positions until resigning to fill the office of County Superintendant, to which he was elected in 1882. Mr. Levens has been instrumental in building up and giving to the public schools of this city their high reputation for solid worth. He has a family of six children, four daughters and two sons.

WILLIAM CLIFFORD McADAM, a native of New York, was born near Utica, in Oneida county. He grew to manhood in his native State, preparing for college in the Utica Free Academy, and in 1873, entered the Hamilton College, graduating in the classical course in 1877, and from the law department one year later. He then came to Chicago and continued his legal studies in the office of Higgins and Swett. In 1880, he moved to Albert Lea; was with Judge Whytock for a time, and is now of the firm of Palmer and McAdam.

M. T. MAGELSSEN, A. M., M. D., one of the more recent settlers of Albert Lea, is a native of Norway, born in Christiania on the 5th of April, 1852. His father was Chief of Police of that city until 1859, when the family moved to Bergen, where the latter was made Magistrate, and still holds the position. The subject of this sketch spent his early days at school, attending the Learned Latin College in Bergen, and in 1869 entered the Royal University of Norway, from which he received a diploma as physician and surgeon in 1876. He continued his medical studies in the Royal University at Vienna, Austria, graduating in 1879, and completed his education in France. He then located in London, England, where he had a good practice, still continuing to study. In the fall of 1881, he came to America, to Minnesota, and in January, 1882, located in this city, where he has established a good practice.

E. W. MURPHY was born in county Armagh, Ireland, near the seaport village of Dundalk, on the 1st of May, 1832. At an early age he began life lor himself, coming to America, and at the age of sixteen years located in Illinois. He came to Albert Lea in November, 1855, but did not remain more than three years; going south he spent three years traveling. In 1861 he returned to this city, and engaged in the milling business, but in 1878 opened a general mercantile store, to which he has since devoted his time. He was joined in marriage on the 20th of November, 1870, to Miss Ann Hoffman, a native of Vermont. They have been blessed with one son, William Henry, born on the 18th of July, 1875.

C. D. MARLETT is a native of Cass county. Michigan, where he was born on the 19th of May, 1845. He came with his parents to Albert Lea in 1857; attended school, and in 1863 enlisted in Company H, of the First Minnesota Cavalry, serving two years. After returning from the army he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and is now engaged in building and repairing boats. He was married on the 22d of February, 1864, to Miss Alice Killiner, and the union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are living.

SAMUEL MARSH, a native of England, was born in Northampton on the 16th of October, 1836, After reaching maturity he was employed as a bookkeeper in his native town, and in 1855 came to America. He first located in Iowa, and engaged in buying and selling grain. While there he married, in 1864, Miss Michal Bradfield, who was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They moved to Albert Lea in 1870, and for about seven years Mr. Marsh continued the business of buying and selling grain, since which time he has been employed as car accountant at the depot. He has four children; William N., Robert S., John B.. and Ida M.

WILLIAM MORIN was educated in New York as a civil engineer, and followed the profession for five years in the eastern States. He then came to Minnesota and acquired extensive tracts of land, being at present the largest land holder in Freeborn county. He was married in 1862, to Miss M. E. Wedge, and they have two children at home. Mr. Morin is one of the townsite proprietors, his interest being on the west side of Broadway, and is also largely interested in building enterprises in the city. He is a half owner of the finest business block, and is now erecting a fine residence in the western part of the city, on the site he selected twenty years ago.

RICHARD MILLS, a native of Pennsylvania, was born near the village of Brownsville, in Fayette county, on the 14th of April, 1834. He learned the trade of a saddler and harnessmaker in the latter village, and in 1861 enlisted at New Castle for one year, with the One Hundredth Pennsylvania Roundheads; in 1862, re-enlisted in the United States Navy, and served under Commodore Farragutt. After his discharge, in the autumn of of 1865, he came west to Peoria, Illinois, and in 1870, to Albert Lea. Mr. Mills has a wife and three children. His father. Richard Mills, now eighty-seven years old, makes his home with him. He draws a pension for injuries received in the war of 1812.

N. O. NARVESON was born near Christiania, Norway, on the 2d of January, 1850. In 1853, his parents came to America, locating in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and in 1858, came to this county, where they were pioneers in the town of Bancroft. N. O. came to Albert Lea in 1871, and was employed as clerk for Hazelton & Johnson, afterward for Andrew Palmer. Jr., and finally for A. E. Johnson for four years. In 1879, he was married to Miss Anna C. Hanson, a native of Denmark. They have one child. Orine, born on the 15th of June. 1880. In May, 1882, Mr. Narveson commenced business for himself, having a stock of groceries, crockery, glassware, etc.

OSCAR N. OLBERG was born in Christiania, Norway, on the 13th of November, 1848. He attended the Christiania University, and graduated in 1868. The same year he came to America, and, in 1869, to Madison, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1870, he moved to Minnesota, and was engaged in a foreign ticket office, located in Austin, Mower county; also was cashier of the Mower County Bank for several years. In the fall of 1873, he opened a general mercantile store in Adams, Mower county, and two years later built and carried on a double store in Taopi, in the same county. He was married in 1876, to Miss Henrietta Dahl, a native of Waupun, Wisconsin. They have one child, Clara Mable, born on the 7th of November, 1878. In 1881, Mr. Olberg was connected with a wholesale notion house hi Chicago, from which place he moved to Albert Lea on the 1st of October, 1882. At present he owns three mercantile stores, located, one in Albert Lea, one in Taopi, and one at Forest City, Iowa, the one here having been started in 1881. He is also still in the foreign ticket business, being general agent for the ''Monarch" line of steamers.

MARTIN W. O'CONNER, a native of Ireland, was born in Tipperary on the 7th of October, 1846. When he was an. infant his parents came to America, and located in Burlington. Vermont, where his father died a few years later. When he was seven years old his mother moved with her children to Philadelphia, and in 1861, to St. Louis, where he learned the machinist trade. He enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company E, but was soon discharged on account of sickness. In 1868, he came to Albert Lea, and worked at his trade for a time, but now has a saloon and billiard hall, located on the corner of Railroad and College avenues. He was married in 1869, to Miss Hannah Melder. a native of Sweden. The issue of the union is two children Mary and Ellen.

ROBERT MULFORD PALMER was born on the 22d of October, 1855, near Janesville, in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he received a first-class academical education. In October, 1876, he entered the law office of Winans & McElroy, and was duly admitted to the bar of. that State in November. 1877. In January of the following year he came to Albert Lea, and in June was admitted to practice law in Minnesota. In June, 1881, he formed a law partnership with William C. McAdam, Esq., under the firm name of Palmer & McAdam. In 1880, he was nominated for County Attorney on the Democratic ticket, but, though running several hundred votes ahead of his ticket at the polls, he was defeated by John A. Lovely, Esq., a regular Republican nominee, and a lawyer of marked ability. In 1879, he was elected City Attorney, and in 1882, received the regular nomination for City Attorney in the Republican convention over John A. Lovely and John Whytock.

DANIEL G PARKER, late editor and proprietor of the "Standard," and a son of Luther and Ann (Gott) Parker, was born in Mount Desert, Hancock county, Maine, on the 2nd of April, 1831. His branch of the Parker family were very early settlers in the Pine Tree State, his father, a mechanic, serving as a water boy for the continental troops in the war of 1812, and '15. Daniel received only a common school education, and at the age of fourteen years went to sea, and for seven years served on a number of merchant vessels, either as seaman or mate, sailing the latter part of the time from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In 1851, he went to Boston and worked one year in a locomotive machine shop, and in 1854, came as far west as Chicago, where he spent three years, at first as a merchant's clerk and afterward in trade for himself. In 1857, he removed to Red Wing, Minnesota; read law with Judge Charles McClure, and the next year was admitted to the bar at Albert Lea. Here he practiced until the commencement of the rebellion, then resigned the office of County Attorney in 1862, to enter the army as Corporal of Company F, of the First Minnesota Engineers, and served a little more that three years, passing through the various grades of promotion, being First Lieutenant when discharged, most of the time he was on detached duty, acting as Provost Marshal. Judge Advocate in military courts and in other capacities. On returning to Albert Lea, Mr. Parker purchased the "Standard," which had been suspended, and conducted it until May, 1878, when, in consequence of declining health, he sold to W. W. Williams, formerly editor of the "Stillwater Lumberman." During his period of journalism, in 1866, and '67, he filled the office of County Treasurer, and for the last five years has been a director in the public school board. Since 1878, he has been engaged in the real estate and grain trade. On the 21st of January, 1861, Mrs. Eliza W. Pickett, daughter of Nathan P. Smith, of New York, became the wife of Mr. Parker, and they have a pleasant home in western part of the city and, a liberal share of the comforts of life.

AUGUST PETERSON, one of the early settlers and influential men of this county, was born in Christiansand, Norway, on the 20th of September, 1843. His father was policeman and warden of the jail of that city until 1854, when he brought his family to America. They came to Wisconsin and first located in Janesville, then in Kilbourn City. In 1858, they came to Freeborn county, and settled on a farm in Hartland township. In 1861, the father enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and a few days later, August ran away from home and joined Company F, of the Fourth Minnesota Eegiment. On arriving at Fort Snelling he met his father, who had him. transferred to his company. In 1862, he (August) was taken prisoner at Murfreesboro; was afterward paroled and took part in the Indian massacre, remaining in service until the close of the war. After his return he farmed in Manchester until 1872, when he was elected County Register of Deeds and held the office three years. He was appointed by Gov. Pillsbury a member of the State board of immigration for 1879 and 1880. Mr. Peterson is the compiler and owner of a set Freeborn county, "Abstract of Titles;" is also engaged in the real estate and insurance business. His wife was Miss Sarah Peterson, daughter of an early resident of Manchester.

J. H. PARKER, one of the successful attorneys of the city, was born in Orland, Maine, on the 2d of December, 1835. When quite young, he moved with his parents to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he attended school, and in 1851, engaged in clerking, soon after entering the United States postal service. In 1855. he came to Chicago and clerked about a year: then to Red Wing, and was in the County Register's office one year, after which he studied law in the office of Judge Charles McClure. He was admitted to the bar and taken in partnership with Mr. McClure, and, in 1859, was appointed County Attorney, and afterward elected, holding the office six years. In I860, he purchased the "Red Wing Sentinel,*' changed its name to the "Goodhue Volunteer," and conducted it till 1864, when he sold it, and became connected with the "Red Wing Republican.'' He was joined in wedlock in 1862, with Miss Clarinda H. Sterns, who bore him three children, only one of whom is now living. Mrs. Parker died in 1870, and the following year he moved to this city and opened a law office. He was again married in April, 1874, to Mary J. Lytle, and of five children born to the union, only one is living. Mr. Parker was elected Judge of Probate in 1878. and held the office two years. He has lately given some attention to farming, owning a good farm in this county.

CAPTAIN GEORGE S. RUBLE was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of August, 1822, and is a grandson of Petre Ruble, who emigrated from Germany in 1738, and settled in Codorus township, York county, Pennsylvania, in 1750. He had four sons, Christian. Petre, Abraham, and Mathias. The latter settled in the east end of Kishacoquillas valley several years previous to the Revolution, and he also had four sons: Petre, Michel, John, and Henry. The latter married Mary E. Simons, of Little York, York county, and they also had four sons: Simon. George S., Henry, and John, all born in the above named valley. The family moved to Wayne county. Ohio, in 1829, settling in Green township, where they lived for nearly twenty years. George S., the subject of this sketch, married on the 1st of February, 1849, Elethear Humphrey, and removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, settling on a farm three miles west of the city of Beloit. He engaged in stock raising and the sale of agricultural implements. In 1855, he came to Freeborn county, and laid out the village (now city) of Albert Lea, building and operating both a steam and water saw and grist mill. When the Indian war broke out, in the fall of 1862, he raised and became Captain of Company H, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and after serving his time and being mustered out, he re-enlisted in the autumn of 1864. He went South as Sen. First Lieutenant of Company C, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery: was stationed at Chattanooga, Tenn.; afterward placed in command of Fort Bishop, at Charleston, East Tennessee. After the close of the war, he located at Chattanooga, and was engaged in the sale of farm implements. He bought property on Lookout Mountain: built, and for twelve years run, the house famous all over the South for good fare and genial hospitality, known as Ruble's Cottage House. Selling out in the spring of 1881, he returned to Albert Lea, and now devotes his time to cultivating the lands he located in 1855. The Captain comes from a hale and vigorous family, the combined weight of the four brothers being, previous to the war, 1265 pounds, and the height of each, exactly six feet two and a half inches. He finds himself able to do his share of the work, although his sixtieth birthday is passed.

SOREN P. SORENSON was born in Port Washington, Wisconsin, on the 12th of January, 1855. He removed with his parents to Door county, and resided on a farm there twelve years; thence to Green Bay, Brown county, where he attended the Green Bay Business College. For three years Mr. Sorenson was engaged in an auction store in company with D. M. Whitney, and, in 1876, moved to Northwood, Iowa. On the 13th of January, 1878, he was married to Miss Alice Gunderson, of the town of Freeborn, and the union has been blessed with two children. The following year they came to Albert Lea, and in a few months went to Blue Earth City and opened a sample room and billiard hall, which he conducted until May, 1881, when he returned to this place and opened his present billiard hall and sample room.

TIMOTHY J. SHEEHAN, Sheriff of Freeborn county since January, 1872. is a native of Ireland, a son of Jeremiah and Ann (McCarthy) Sheehan, and was born on the 21st of December, 1836. He was educated in the national schools of his native country, beiug kept to his studies most of his time till he was fourteen, at which age he came to this country. He learned a mechanics trade at Glens Falls, New York; worked there till 1855, when he went to Dixon, Illinois: was employed one season there in a saw-mill, and in the autumn of 1856, settled in Albert Lea and engaged in fanning till the civil war broke out. In the autumn of 1861. Mr Sheehan enlisted as a private in the fourth Minnesota Infantry, his company being stationed at Fort Snelling. On the 18th of the following February he was commissioned, by Governor Rarnsey, First Lieutenant of Company C, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and on the 18th of June, 1862, was ordered with a detachment of fifty men, to report at Yellow Medicine Agency, for the purpose of preserving order during the time of annuity payments. On the 4th of August, fifteen hundred Sioux broke into the warehouse and seized the goods which were awaiting distribution. Lieutenant Sheehan, with twenty-five men, ordered the Indians to "fall back," under the penalty of instant death if they failed to obey. His good judgment, coupled with decision and courage, thus prevented an immediate outbreak—an outbreak, however, delayed only two weeks. Captain Marsh being killed at Redwood agency, the command of the company devolved on Lieutenant Sheehan; Fort Ridgely being threatened, he marched to that point from Glencoe. a distance of forty miles, in nine hours, many of the men trotting with boots off, while such as could not keep up on foot were put on wagons drawn by mules. Fort Ridgely was then filled with five hundred refugees,—men. wdmen and children,—and with one hundred and one men, for ten days from the 18th of August, the Lieiitenant gallantly defended them from the savages. On the 18th and 21st his men fought all day and all night. It was a desperate siege and a period of awful suspense on the part of the inmates of the fort, until relief came, at the end of tea days. For his bravery on this occasion Lieutenant Sheehan received a captain's commission. After being in other severe engagements with the murderous Sioux, in November, 1862, Captain Sheehan accompanied his regiment to the South, and joined General Sherman's Corps. They engaged in the siege of Vicksburg; was in General A. J. Smith's division, under General Thomas, at Nashville; was subsequently at Spanish Fort and Mobile, and Captain Sheehan participated in these sieges and battles, being in fifteen or sixteen engagements with his regiment, and strange to say, never received a scar. At Nashville he. commanded the color company, and received from the Colonel of the regiment, William B. Gere, in his report, the following commendation: "Captain T. J. Sheehan, commanding Company C. color com- pany, gallantly stood by the colors, and in the last charge on the 16th inst. (December) two color-bearers having been shot, he placed the colors in the hands of the third, a non-commissioned officer of his company, who planted them on the rebel intrenchinents." Such intrepidity characterized. Captain Sheehan all through the war. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on the 1st of September, 1865, having made a military record of which the State may be proud. Colonel Houston and others presented him with a gold badge, engraved as follows: "Presented to Lieutenant-Colonel T. J. Sheehan, for services during the Rebellion, from October 13, 1861, to September 5, 1865." On the badge is a list of the engagements in which he participated. It was a well-merited tribute to his braverv and daring. On returning to Albert Lea Colonel Sheehan was appointed Deputy United States Marshal by United States Marshal Augustus Armstrong, and in 1871, was elected to the office of Sheriff. In this position he has shown great activity, adroitness, and expedition in arresting criminals of various kinds, and is a very popular county official. In politics, he was a Douglas democrat before the war, but he has since acted with the republican party, being an influential and efficient worker in its character. The wife of Colonel Sheehan was Miss Jennie Judge, a native of Ireland. They were married in November, 1866, and have three boys, Jeremiah, George, and Edward. Colonel Sheehan lost both parents when he was two years old; was early thrown upon his own resources, and is emphatically a self-made man. His success in life is owing wholly to his self-reliance, energy, and perseverance.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, a physician for nearly forty years, and an army surgeon, was born in Denmark, Lewis county, New York, on the 9th of March, 1815. His parents, Selah and Catherine (Tisdale) Smith, were classed among the agriculturalists, the father being one of the first settlers in that part of the Black River country, and died when William was thirteen years old. From that date the son took care of himself. He was educated at common and select schools: commenced teaching winter terms at the age of nineteen years, receiving eight dollars a month and beard for the first season, and taught six winters, working on a farm and attending select schools the rest of the time. At twenty-four years of o,ge Mr. Smith commenced reading medicine with Dr. Elkanes French, of his native town, attending th last course of lectures held at Fairfield. Herkimer county, before the medical college was moved to Geneva. He received from the authorities of Jefferson county a certificate permitting him to practice, and followed his profession four years at Pamelia Four Corners, in that county; in 1846, removed to Beaver Dam. Wisconsin, and was there in practice twenty years, except when in the army. In 1850 he took a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he received his diploma. In 1862 Dr. Smith went south as surgeon of a Wisconsin artillery regiment: at the end of one year was transferred to the same position in the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and served three more years. During nine months of this time he was post surgeon at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He is a kind-hearted man, and was very attentive to the wants of the sick and wounded. While at the south the doctor contracted a disease, from which he has suffered more or less for a long time: and in 1866, thinking a change of climate might be beneficial, he went to Fulton, Missouri, practicing when he had sufficient strength; and in 1873, much improved, returned to the north and settled at Albert Lea. Here he has a good run of business, and an excellent standing. He holds the office of County Coroner. While in Beaver Dam, during the administrations of Presidents Taylor and Fillmore, he held the office of Postmaster. A whig in early life, with free-soil tendencies, he naturally drifted into republican ranks, where he is still found. For the last twenty-five years he has paid very little attention to politics, except to vote. His leisure time is given mainly to medical studies. On the 22nd of February, 1843, he received the hand of Miss Louisa M. Stevens, of West Martinsburgh, Lewis county, New York. They have three children living; a son, Selah H., was accidentally killed on the railroad at Cherokee, Kansas, in January, 1874; Mary is the wife of Jasper J. Bond, of Albert Lea; Frances E. and Charles Henry both reside in Albert Lea.

EDWIN CLARK STACY is a native of Madison county. New York, horn ID. the town of Hamilton, on the 6th of September. 1815. His parents were Nathaniel and Susan (Clark) Stacy. His grandfather, Rufus Stacy. a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and at Cherry Valley, when it was ravaged and burned by the combined forces of the Tory, Butler, and the savage, Brant. Nathaniel Stacy. a Universalist minister, was Chaplain of a regiment in 1814, and stationed at Sacket's Harbor. He wrote the memoirs of his own life — a work of more than five hundred pages, published in 1850 — and in it gives a pretty full account of the rise and progress of Universalism in the State of New York, a movement in which he was very prominent. The volume is written in an easy, familiar style, veined with humor, and is decidedly readable. The author died ten years ago. Edwin received an academic education at Hamilton. New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania, the family moving to Warren county, Pennsylvania, when he was fourteen years old. He farmed more or less till he was of age: teaching winter schools, and securing his education entirely with his own means. In 1836, he came westward to Ann Arbor. Michigan: read law a while with Miles Wilson, of that place, and finished with a cousin, Consider A. Stacy, at Tecumseh, Lenawee county. He was admitted to the bar at Adrian, in 1840, and in the autumn of that year returned to Warren county, Pennsylvania, practicing at Columbus and at Erie till 1856. He then came to Minnesota, and located at Geneva, where he was engaged in farming for four years. The year Mr. Stacy settled in this State he was appointed by Governor Gorman one of the commissioners to organize Freeborn county, and was made its first Judge of Probate. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention. In 1860, Mr. Stacy removed to Albert Lea, the county seat, and when not in some county office, has been engaged in the practice of his profession and the real estate business. He does a good deal of collecting for commercial, agricultural, and other houses, being a prompt and reliable man. Several vears ago he served as County Auditor three terms, and County Superintendent of Schools one term. No man in Freeborn county is better known than Judge Stacy, the title he has had since appointed Judge of Probate. He is among the leading men of the older class in the county, and greatly esteemed by all who know him. He has always affiliated with the Democratic party; has been quite active and prominent in county and district politics, and was the candidate of his parry for Congress in 1876. He is an Odd-Fellow; holds the office of Noble Grand in the Albert Lea Lodge, and is a member of the Universalist Society. Judge Stacy was married on the 22d of February, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth D. Heath, of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and of four children, the fruit of this union, two sons are living. Both are married, and reside in Albert Lea. Dorr is a member of the city police, and Day F. is a printer and surveyor.

D. K. STACY, whose parents were among the early settlers of this county, was born in Columbus, Warren county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of November, 1842. The family moved to Minnesota when he was fourteen years old; located first in Geneva, and in 1860, came to Albert Lea. In February, 1862, D. K. enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company C. He was on the frontier, and fought against Hole in the Day at the Crow Wing Agency, and was in several of the heavy engagements in the South, remaining in service until after the close of the war. He was promoted to the office of Captain, and received his discharge in October, 1865. Soon after, he was married to Miss Lelia G. Moon, a native of Rock county, Wisconsin. This union has been blessed with three children. It was Mr. Stacy who carried the first mail into the town of Geneva, taking it on his back.

J. W. SMITH, one of the oldest and most successful merchants of this city, is a native of Connecticut, born in Sharon, Litchfield county, on the 14th of January, 1838. When he was seventeen years old his parents moved to Rock county, Wisconsin, and settled on a farm. J. W. attended the Hamlin University in Red Wing, Minnesota, two years, then returned to Wisconsin and resided several years. On the 23d of April, 1863, he married Olive M. Clifford, and the following year moved to Albert Lea and engaged in the insurance business. In 1866, he opened a general mercantile store at Shell Rock, in company with R. B. Skinner, and in 1867, they removed their stock to this place. Mr. Smith has since been in the business, but has changed partners twice. The firm is now Smith & Garrett, and they keep the largest stock of dry goods in the city.

G. O. SUNDBY, a native of Norway, was born near the city of Christiania, on the 25th of July, 1845. He was brought up on a farm, and when about fifteen years old went to the city and clerked for one year. In 1861, he came with his parents to America and located on a farm near Winona, in this State, G. O. soon went to the latter city and found employment in a store, where he remained three years, during which time he also attended Eastman's Business College. In 1865, he moved to Owatonna and engaged in business for himself about a year, then sold out, and two months later visited Norway. On his return he opened another store in Owatonna, and in 1869, came to this city, where he has since successfully continued in the mercantile business, building a store in 1870, and in 1879, erected his present fine brick block. He was united in wedlock on the 14th of July, 1873, with Miss Laura Abbott, and they have one child, Cleon, born in April, 1874.

W. P. SERGEANT, one of the active business men of the city, was born in Oneida county. New York, on the 24th of May, 1839, His great-grandfather came to that county as a missionary to the Indians about one hundred years ago, and secured Government land, upon which his son, grandson, and the subject of this sketch were all born. Mr. Sergeant's father died when W. P. was quite a small boy, and he lived with an uncle, and assisted him on his farm. He afterward clerked in stores, and, in 1861, enlisted in Company I, of the Eighth New York Cavalry, serving three years. He then was employed in a wholesale fancy dry goods house in Utica, New York, until 1868, when he opened a store in Penn Yan. On the 13th of March, 1867, Mr. Sergeant was united in marriage with Miss Harriet I. Stebens. In 1871, they moved to Cresco, Iowa, but the same year came to Albert Lea and bought out a lumber firm, to which business he has since given his attention, also carrying on a farm. He is a strong Republican, and has been Alderman four years, acting as President of the Council the two latter years. On the 7th of November, 1882, he was elected to the State Senate by 397 majority over Ex-Lieutenant Governor Armstrong.

REV. O. H. SMEBY was born in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, on the 31st of January, 1851. When he was an infant his parents moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he attended school, and later entered the college at Decorah, graduating in 1871, after which he attended the Theological Seminary at St. Louis. After completing his studies in the latter institution, he came to Albert Lea, and has since had charge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in this place. He was married in 1876, to Miss Marie Carlson, a native of Skien, Norway, her birth dating the 12th of August, 1854. They have had three children, two girls and a boy, the oldest girl being dead.

SIMON STRAUSS was born in Kirch Brombach, Germany, on the 22d of March, 1850. He attended the Commercial College at Frankfort on the Main for five years, and after graduating was employed as Assistant Teller in a bank at the same place. In 1876, he emigrated to America, directly to Iowa, where he clerked for his brother, and in September, 1878, came to Albert Lea, and started in business under the firm name of Strauss & Jacoby His present partner is Mr. Schlesinger, and they keep the largest stock of clothing, gents' furnishing goods, boots, shoes, etc., in the city.

G. O. SLOCUM was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 29th of August. 1840. His early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and in 1850, the family removed to Menasha, where the father of our subject built the first mill in that place. In 1856, they removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, and in 1858, G. O. attended school at Oberlin, Ohio, remaining there two years. He then returned to Illinois, engaged at farm labor in the summer and taught school during the winter seasons. In 1862, he enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served eighteen months in Company H, and was then discharged for disability. During the winter of 1864-65 he attended a business college in Chicago, re-enlisted the next spring, and served till the close of the war in the Twenty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company K. He was married on the 7th of March, 1865, to Miss Mary A. Carter, and in 1868, they came to Oakland township, going, a year later, to Hayward, where Mr. Slocum purchased a farm, to which he gave his attention in the summer, and taught school in the winter, also filled some local offices. In 1875, they removed to Albert Lea, and he clerked in the Auditor's office until 1878, when he was elected to his present office of County Auditor. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have been blessed with five children, two of whom are living, both daughters.

IRA A. TOWN was born in Franklin, Franklin county, New York, on the 2d of April, 1848. In 1864, the family removed to Shell Rock in this county, and in 1869 our subject attended the Cedar Valley Seminary in Iowa, graduating as Bachelor of tht Sciences in 1873. He then 26 returned home, but a year later entered the law department of the Iowa State University, graduating in 1875, as Bachelor of the Law, and soon after entered a law office in Albert Lea. In 1878, he began practice by himself and after the organization of the city of Albert Lea was one of its first City Justices. He was defeated by a small majority as an independent candidate for the office of Judge of Probate in 1877, but was elected two years later, and is now serving his second term. On the 22d of November, 1879, he was married to Mrs. Fannie V. Steele, of Fredericktown, Ohio. They have one child, a daughter.

LEANDER J. THOMAS, an old settler of this State, was born in Springfield, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of October, 1841. When he was an infant his parents moved to Wisconsin and located in Janesville, Rock county, and in 1857 came to Minnesota. Leander attended select school at Owatonna for two years, and afterward learned the printer's trade. In 1862, he enlisted in Company E, of the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; was in General Sibley's expedition across the plains, and, in the fall of 1863, sent south, and remained in service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage on the 25th of December, 1868, to Miss Clara M. Colby, a native of Wisconsin. They have one son, Edwin D., born on the 29th of October, 1871. Mr. Thomas has been practicing veterinary surgery for the past twelve years. He came to this place in 1873, and located just outside the city limits, but is now living in the city, running a feed stable in connection with veterinarv business. Mr. Thomas is an honorable man, and respected by all who know him.

TORGER L. TORGERSON was born near the capital of Norway on the 6th of August, 1848. His parents came to America when he was about five years old, and first located in Iowa. In 1861, they came to this county and settled in Manchester, where his mother still lives, his father having died after coming there. In 1867, Mr. Torgerson was married to Miss Anna M. Fossom, also a native of Norway. They have four children: Anna M., Louis P., Aase E., and George A. Mr. Torgerson located on a farm of his own after his marriage, and in 1877 came to Albert Lea, where he is engaged in the sale of agricultural implements.

ANDREW L. TOCKLE is a native of Norway, born in Trondhjem on the 16th of December, 1835. He there learned the tailor trade, and, in 1869, came to America, and directly to Albert Lea. Previous to leaving his native country he was married to Miss Marrette Ennbo. They have one child, Anna M., born on the 23d of October, 1866, who now attends the St. Olafs school in Northfield. Mr. Tockle opened a merchant tailor establishment on the corner of Broadway, and also deals in agents' furnishing goods and sewing machines.

DR. FRED A. TWICHELL is a native of Vermont, born in Stockbridge on the 29th of July, 1854. After attending the common schools he entered the Black River Academy, and was subsequently employed as bookkeeper at Lawrence, Massachusetts. Returning to his home in Vermont he began the study of his profession in the office of Dr. R. M. Chase, one of the prominent dentists and physicians of the place, and remained with him three years. He came to Albert Lea in April, 1881, and began the practice of dentistry in company with Dr. Street.

WALTER THOMPSON, one the oldest business men of Albert Lea, was born in Buckingham county, England, on the 5th of April, 1840. His parents came to America in 1854, but he remained in his native country until 1859, and there learned the boot and shoe business. He came to this place in 1863, and opened a boot and shoe store in which he has a good trade. Mrs. Thompson was formerly Martha Slater and they have a family of five children, four sons and one daughter.

JOHN WHYTOCK is a native of Buffalo, New York, born of Scotch parentage on the 14th of November, 1835. He attended the public schools, afterward the Aurora Academy, and when twenty-two years old commenced the study of law which he continued three years. In about 1860, he came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the following year ei'listed in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, was enrolled as First Lieutenant and soon promoted Captain of Company B; in 1865, was made Major of the regiment, which position he filled until the close of the war. He then located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and remained ten years, being private secretary of the Governor, and also United States District Attorney two years. He was joined in matrimony on the 6th of August, 1872, with Miss Taylor. In 1875, they came north to Minneapolis, where Mr. Whytock practiced law until 1878, and then came to Albert Lea which has since been his home, doing a successful business in his profession.

W. W. WILLIAMS, a son of Rev. John L. and Priscilla D. Williams, was born on the 1st of December, 1840, in Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. His father was a noted divine of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an early abolitionist. He was an agent of the "Underground Railroad" and in 1849, removed to Wisconsin. W. W. received a common school education supplemented by several terms at the Monroe (Wisconsin) Institute. He commenced to learn the printer's trade in 1858, and has since been in the newspaper and printing business, except two years spent in the drug business at Spring Valley, Minnesota; two years of which he served as Deputy Warden of the Minnesota State Prison, and a year in the employ of Seymour, Sabin & Co., of Stillwater. In 1864, he came to Minnesota, and the following year purchased the "Preston Republican," which he sold in 1866, and in 1869, started the "Blue Earth City Post." During most of his residence in the latter place he was Postmaster; sold his paper in 1874, and removed to Stillwater. In 1878, he purchased the interest of D. G. Parker in the "Freeborn County Standard" to which he has since devoted his time. Mr. Williams is a clear and fearless writer and has opinions of his own which he does not hesitate to avow and since he has been in this county has exercised a powerful influence in political circles.

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