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"History of Freeborn County", 1882
Shell Rock Twp. Biographies



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ALONZO ALFORD was born in Clinton county New York, on the 1st of January, 1842. In 1854, he came to Wisconsin where he grew to manhood. He returned to his birth place when twenty years old, and the following year married Miss Helen Richards, a lady of Canadian birth. He returned west with his wife and resided in Hastings until 1876, when he came to Glenville and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, which has since been his business. His wife died in 1878, leaving a family of seven children.

JAMES W. ABBOTT, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, was born on the 9th of January, 1843. When two years old he moved with his parents to Athens county, where he grew to manhood, and at the age of eighteen years enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company H, went south, was in the Army of the Potomac, and served over three years. After receiving his discharge he returned to the scenes of his childhood where he married Miss Sarah E. Pierce in 1864. Mr Abbott having lost his health during the hardships and exposures of the soldier's life, sought a home in Minnesota soon after his marriage. He located a claim in Oakland and remained until 1872, when he removed to this place and started in the lumber business, afterward opened a grocery store, and three years later sold out and engaged in buying grain and general produce. In 1878, he was appointed Postmaster; has held the principal town offices, and is at present Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have five children.

EDWARD E.. BUDLONG, a native of Columbia county, New York, was born on the 22d of May, 1829. At the age of rive years his parents removed to the western part of the State, where they remained until 1844, then removed west and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. Edward was united in marriage, in 1854, with Miss Almira Skinner, a native of Essex county, New York. In 1856, they moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, remaining during the summer, and in the fall came to this county, settling in the town of London. In 1864, they came to Shell Rock, and have a fine farm of two hundred and thirty acres. Mr. Budlong takes an interest in all public matters and has held different local offices. He has a family of three children.

ELDAD BARBER, one of the old and respected citizens of this place, was born in New York on the 21st of December, 1835. His father being a lumberman, he followed the same until the age of eighteen years, when he went to Hartford, Connecticut, and learned the wheel-wright trade. In 1857 he moved to Iowa, and a year later to Minnesota, where his father took the claim Eldad now owns. His parents have both died since coming here. Mr. Barber takes a general interest in the welfare of this place, and has held several offices of trust.

WILLIAM BEIGHLEY, a native of Pennsylvania, was born on the 23d of November, 1824. He was employed at various occupations and grew to manhood at his home. In 1851, he married Miss Emily Gordon and settled on a farm near his father's. He sold out and came west in 1855, locating first in Iowa, but soon after came to this township where he was among the first settlers, taking a claim in April, 1856. In 1865, he purchased his present farm in section twenty and now has it well improved.

JACOB BEIGHLEY was born in Pennsylvania on the 5th of March, 1829. In 1856, he came west and became one of the pioneers of this place, staking out a claim in section thirty-three, now owning a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, all improved. He was married the year after coming here to Miss Susanna M. Miller, also a native of Pennsylvania. The union has been blessed with one child, Ruth E. Mr. Beighley owns a warehouse on the B. C. E and N. Railroad, about three minutes walk from his residence, and deals extensively in grain and general produce. His home has always been open to ministers of any denomination and in an early days was used for religious services. As there is no hotel within five miles it is also a convenience for travelers, and none have ever been turned from his door unfed or uncared for.

S. P. BEIGHLEY, one of the pioneers of Shell Rock, was born in Butler county. Pennsylvania, on the 12th of July, 1833. At the age of nineteen years he began to learn the trade of tanner and currier, which he followed several years. He was married in 1854, to Miss Louisa M. Miller. Two years later they came to this place and settled in the southern part of the township, where they have since made their home. In 1862, Mr. Beighley enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, served in the Indian Massacre, then went south and remained in service three years. After receiving his discharge he returned to his home and has since devoted his time to tilling the soil. He has a family of ten children, all of whom reside in this township.

A. H. BARTLETT, one of the first settlers of this place, was born in New York on the 28th of September, 1829. At the time of his birth his parents were living in a saw-mill, their house not having been completed. His father died in 1833, and when A. H. was eight years old the family moved to a place twenty miles from their former home, where he attended school. At the early age of sixteen years he began teaching, and subsequently entered the Arcade Academy in Wyoming county, remaining two years. In 1852, having for some time been troubled with a lung disease, he was advised by the physician to take an overland trip to California, and after a period of one hundred and seventeen days he reached Placerville, where he remained two and a half years. In 1854, he returned to New York, where he had previously married Miss Anna D. Peet. a native of the same State. In the latter year they came to Iowa, and in 1856, to this county, and Mr. Bartlett platted the town site of Shell Bock. In an early day he read law, and in 1860, was admitted to the bar. He was a delegate to the last Territorial Legislature in 1857, and also the first State Legislature. He has been Judge of Probate several terms and takes an interest in all local affairs. He is the father of four children; Sam, Ida, Jay, and Eva.

T. A. CLOW is a native of Canada, born on the 23d of October, 1843. His father is a minister and in 1861 moved with his family from Illinois to Minnesota. After a few years A. F. moved to Winona county, thence, three years later, to Olmsted county and in 1863, took a homestead in Blue Earth county. The same year he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, Company H, and after his discharge returned to his farm. He was married in 1856, to Miss Caroline M. Paine and they have a family of four children. Mr. Clow came to this township in 1877, opened a blacksmith shop and now has a good business. He is the father of four children; one son having died in April, 1875, aged seven years and three months.

V. GILLRUP, one of the oldest and successful business men of this place, was born near Copenhagen, Denmark, on the 29th of May, 1840. In 1862, he came to America, arriving in New York City and soon after enlisted in the First New York Volunteer Eng., Company G, serving three years. After his discharge he came to Watertown, Wisconsin, and engaged in the mercantile business for two years, then in Albert Lea a short time and from there to Shell Bock, where he was one of the first to open a substantial mercantile business. He was married in 1872, to Miss Lilly I. Carter, a native of Wisconsin. They have had five children, four of whom are living; Hattie, Frank, Harry, and Walter. Burt, aged five years, died in February, 1882.

O. C. C. HOWE is a native of Allegany county, New York, born on the 23d of November, 1823. He learned the millwright trade when a young man and in 1852, came west to Iowa. He built a saw-mill which he conducted and also farmed until 1864, then came to this township and bought his present land. He is engaged principally in stock raising. Has held most of the local offices and is a staunch democrat.

DANIEL S. HOYT a native of Ohio, was born on the 3d of March, 1847. At the age of six years he moved with his parents to Iowa and two years later to this State, locating first in Fillmore county and in 1862, came to this township, where they were among the first settlers. His father died in 1878, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Daniel came into possession of the homestead at the death of the latter and his mother resides with him.

CHARLES T. KNAPP was born in Medina, Medina county, Ohio, on the 1st of November, 1820. He was married in 1838, to Miss Mary Hamilton. In 1851, they moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, and four years later came to Minnesota, settling in Freeborn county, and Mr. Knapp was the first to use a breaking plow in Albert Lea township. His first wife died in 1870, leaving five children; Betsey E. M., Jane J. A., Chloe, and Margaret E. He afterwards married Miss Jane Wilsey, who died in 1875, leaving three children; J. H., Ada, and Ida. The maiden name of his present wife was Catherine Bates whom he married in 1877. The same year he moved to this township and opened a meat market in Glenville.

WILLARD F. MARVIN, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, on the 13th of May, 1825. He resided in his native State until 1846, when he removed to Illinois, and soon after to Wisconsin. In 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Huldah Wilcox, a native of New York. They came to Shell Bock in 1857, and pre-empted land in section eighteen, which has since been their home. They have a family of five children; Nancy, Curtir, Cynthia, Viola, and Clara.

MORRIS MARSHALL, one of the old and respected citizens of this place was born in Monroe county, New York, on the 8th of October, 1830. At the early age of sixteen years, he enlisted in the Mexican War, serving in Company F, of the Eighth United States Infantry for a period of sixteen months. He sailed for the scene of action, and landed at Vera Cruz, on the 5th July, 1847; joined the command of Franklin Pierce and went to Pueblo, participrting in many hard fought battles. After his discharge he came home, and in 1849 came to Wisconsin but soon returned to his native State. He removed to Jackson county, Michigan, where he was engaged in farming several years. There he was joined in marriage with Miss Joliett Scofield. In 1862, they cams to Minnesota, and settled on their present farm, which is well cultivated. They have a family of seven children.

PETER J. MILLER was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of September. 1807. He grew to manhood in his native county, and learned the art of coverlet weaving. In October, 1829, he married Miss Sarah Cribbs, and for several years was employed in the above occupation. In 1836, he moved with his family to Mercer, Mercer county, in the same State, and engaged in carpet weaving until the Rebellion. In 1866, he came to Minnesota, and purchased "Pilot Grove" farm in Shell Rock township, which has ever since been his home, his house being the first built in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters.

CHRISTOPHER OLSEN, one of the pioneers of this place, is a native of Norway, born near Christiania, on the 20th of June, 1817, and when sixteen years old began to learn the blacksmith trade, He was married in 1840, to Miss Nellie Evenson, who has borne him two children. In 1853, Mr. Olsen came to America, engaged at his trade a short time in Montreal, Canada, then moved to New York City, and later to Virginia, thence to Iowa first living in Dubuque, and afterward in St. Ansgar. In 1856 he came to this place, locating in sections thirty-one and thirty-two, where he built the first blacksmith shop in the township, and has since carried on the same in connection with his farming.

JOSEPH R. PAGE was born in Lycoming county. Pennsylvania, on the 13th of September, 1838. When he was five years old his parents moved to Indiana, and located on a farm in La Porte county, where Joseph grew to manhood. In 1866, he married Miss Matilda Minuinm, who was born on the 26th of January, 1841, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. They have six children: Joseph S., born on the 24th of March. 1867; Ada A., the 11th of December, 1868; John J.. the 19th of July, 1870; True R, the 31st of July, 1872; William A., the 29th of January, 1875: and Hugh D., the 21st of October, 1879. Mr. Page is a highly respected citizen, a member of the Baptist church, and always takes an active part in the welfare of the town.

THOMAS PORTER, an early settler of this township, was born in Canada, on the 6th of December, 1829. He was married in 1S55 to Miss Almira Smith, and they have a family of ten children: Albert, Bennett, Arvilla. Georgiana, Cynthia Maria, Carrie Viola, George I., Rolan, Alice Minnesota, and Amy. Three are dead: Kilburn, who died on the 14th of June, 1882; William H., the 15th of October, 1862; and Morella, the 13th of April, 1876. Mr. Porter moved from Canada to Minnesota in 1859, and settled on land in section thirty. Shell Rock, which has since been his home, his farm containing two hundred and eighty acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation.

W. H. RATHMELL a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Lycoming county, on the 5th of May, 1820. He attended school in the town of Williarnsport, and at the age of fourteen began learning the harnessmakers trade, at which he was engaged several years. He was joined in matrimony with Miss Ann Page, in 1844. Mr. Rathmell was for several years Captain of a steamer on the Pennsylvania Canal. In 1850 he went to California, but two years later returned and settled on a farm near La Porte, Indiana. After a residence of about twenty-five vears in the latter place, he came to Iowa, and in 1871 to Shell Rock. He bought a tract of land containing over five hundred acres, and it is now well improved. He erected the first warehouse, as well as some of the finest buildings in the place, having since sold most of his real estate, and for the past nine years has made a business of loaning money. He has raised a family of three children: Mary, Sarah J., and H. C., the latter being located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

JOHN E. SKINNER was born in Essex county, New York, on the 6th of September, 1838. When fifteen years old he moved with his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1855 came to Minnesota, but soon returned to Wisconsin. He made another trip to this State in an early day. remained during one winter, and returned to his home in Wisconsin. In 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company G, taking part in several important battles, and served three years. In 1865, he came again to Minnesota and settled in this township. He was married the following year to Miss Jane Gardiner. who has borne him four children. Mr. Skinner has held several offices of trust since his residence in this place.

ANTHONY C. TROW, one of the pioneers of Shell Rock, is a native of New Hampshire, born in New London, Merrimac county, on the 14th of July, 1833. At the age of seventeen years he began working for himself, when not needed at home. In 1855, he came west to Iowa, and the following spring to Minnesota. Alter traveling over a portion of the State in May, he located in Shell Bock, and has since been one of its residents, owning a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, well improved. He came in company with his brother, and they experienced all the hardships of a pioneer's life, using burnt corn for coffee, and grinding corn meal in a coffee-mill.


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