|
Redwood Falls Biographies |
James
Aiken, a native of
Ohio, was born in 1851, in Summit county. When five years of age he
accompanied his mother to Wisconsin, where he attended school, and
when only twelve years of age he began learning the printer's trade.
He afterwards went to Kansas, where he was employed in state
printing most of the time. In May, 1880
he came to Redwood Falls, and bought the Gazette, which he is still
publishing.
Rev. R. E. Anderson,
born February 1853, is a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania.
His boyhood was passed on a farm, after which he entered college and
graduated in 1875; also graduated in 1878 from the Western
Theological Seminary. His first pastoral charge was in Mansfield; at
the end of one year he came to Minnesota, and after preaching a
short time at Madelia he removed to Lake Crystal. Since July, 1881
Mr. Anderson has been in the ministry at Redwood Falls.
A. W. Bager
was born in 1852 in Wisconsin, where he acquired his education and
learned blacksinithing. After spending one year at La Crosse, and
the same length of time at Albert Lea, he went back to his native
town and stayed two years. In the spring of 1877 he opened a shop at
Paxton Station, removed thence to Redwood Falls,
and shortly after went to Dakota, but soon returned. Mr. Bager was
married in 1875 at Albert Lea; his wife was Katie A. Long. They are
the parents of three children.
S. E. Bailey,
born in 1828, is a native of Sullivan county, New Hampshire. After
leaving school he engaged in farming in that state until 1860, at
which date he came to Minnesota; farmed two years at Lake City; then
removed to Prescott, Wisconsin, where for seven years he kept a
hotel and livery. From 1868 until 1879 he was farming again, at
Redwood Falls, and since that has been proprietor of the Bailey
House. Married in New Hampshire in 1852, Miss Emeline, daughter of
Cyrus Carpenter. Clara J., Jesse F. and Harry H. are their children.
Judge H. D. Baldwin was born July 1827, in Ira, New York. He
began the study of law with G. W. Miller, but in 1858 removed to
Minnesota and continued his study at Wilton, Waseca county; in the
spring of the following year he was admitted to practice. For
several years he filled the office of county attorney and judge of
probate. Since the spring of 1871 he has been in practice at Redwood
Falls. He was appointed judge of probate by the governor and has
since been twice elected. In April, 1882, he was appointed judge of
the ninth judicial district by Governor Hubbard. Angelina O. Marvin
became his wife June 30, 1852, at Lysander, New York. They are the
parents of six children.
D. L. Bigham was born in 1844, at Hamilton, Ohio, and lived
on a farm, also in Hamilton for a time. In 1859 he went to Woodford
county, Illinois; worked at farming there till 1864, when he entered
Miami University of Ohio and graduated in
1866. Engaged in grocery and feed business at Minneapolis until
coming in 1868 to Redwood Falls, where he has since been employed in
the lumber business and farming. At different times he held offices
of county surveyor and superintendent of schools. He married in
1867, Anna Stimson. One child is deceased; the living are Gelma,
William B., Mattie, Lydia A., Addie and Darwin.
George W. Braly was born in 1835, in Vermont and in 1853
graduated from a normal school of that state, after which he engaged
in mercantile and produce business. Mr. Braly came to Redwood Falls
in 1871 and in 1873 started the Redwood County bank. He was
appointed register of deeds in 1873 and elected in 1874; has been
president of the village council, and in 1880 was elected
representative for the 37th district.
Charles E. Burhans was born in 1825 in New York, where he
received his education and followed farming until about twenty-seven
years of age. Removed to Wisconsin and entered the hotel business;
kept the first livery at Merrillan, Jackson county; also worked at
farming. In 1874 he migrated to Birch Cooley, Minnesota and bought a
farm, which he sold one year later and began buying stock; since
1880 he has been located at Redwood Falls. In 1846 he married Lydia
Simmons who died in February, 1877, leaving three children; Orvis
M., Ira W., and Pauline. The second wife was Miss Marietta McCabe.
Henry D. Chollar, native of New York, was born August 25,
1846, in Cortland county, but after two years of age he lived at
Homer, and attained an academic education. When but seventeen years
old he entered the United States navy; after a time he was made
paymaster's clerk which position he held until discharged in 1865.
Remained at his old home until coming, in March, 1868, to Winona,
Minnesota; from that date he was employed by a boot and shoe house,
as traveling salesman until 1878, when he began his present lumber
business. Ella C. Hall became his wife in June 1868. They have three
children.
Walter S. Clayson, a native of Wisconsin, was born in 1844,
in Milwaukee. In 1869 he moved to Rice county, Minnesota, and lived
there about six years. Since the fall of 1879 he has lived at
Redwood Falls; he came here at that date and began mercantile
business. Mr. Clayson was married in 1868; his wife was Miss Lottie
P. Horton. They are the parents of three children.
George F. Crooks was born in 1849, in Canada. After leaving
school he learned blacksmithing, and worked at his trade in Redwood
Falls, where he located in 1875; he has been a partner of Mr. Wassen
and has also worked in his shop as journeyman. Mr. Crooks owns the
first brick building erected in the town. At this place in 1878, he
was united in marriage with Maggie M. Penny.
E. Cuff was born in 1846, in England, where he learned the
trade of miller; his father and four brothers were millers. In 1866,
he emigrated for America; had charge of mills in Milwaukee two
years; put the foundation under the mill at Albert
Lea; worked some at farming and lived four years at Northfield. From
1876 until 1879 he rented a mill at Redwood Falls, then built the
one which he owns and is now operating. He was married in England in
1853, to Miss Mary White. Of their eleven children eight are living.
A. Dolvin, native of Ohio, was born January 26, 1817, in
Harrison county. Mr. Dolvin is a mechanic but has been engaged in
farming since coming to Redwood Falls in 1871. In 1845, he was
united in marriage with Miss Jane Beard. They are the parents
of three children, two of whom are living.
W. F. Dougherty was born in 1855, in Newburyport,
Massachusetts. When two years old he came with his parents to
Minnesota; he graduated at Winona, at the age of sixteen and
afterward spent two years in school at Hanover, Massachusetts. After
leaving school he returned to this state and was station agent at
Chester until 1878, then engaged in wheat buying, but since August,
1881, he has been in charge of the elevator of Van Dusen & Company,
of this place.
William P. Dunnington was born May 27, 1833, in Morgantown,
Virginia, and when he was four years old the family moved to Ohio,
where he was given an academical education. In 1858 he went to
California; enlisted, September, 1861, in the 2d regiment of
cavalry, of that state and was in service three years. Returned to
Ohio, which was again his home until 1865, then came to Wabasha
county, Minnesota. He was married June 4, 1868, to Maria L. Warner.
From 1871 to 1875, he was in mercantile trade; was then elected to
the legislature and at the close of the session, Governor Davis
appointed him clerk in the state insurance commissioners department.
In July, 1876, the president made him register of the United States
land office at Redwood Falls, and that autumn he removed here; in
July, 1880, he was re-appointed to the office.
Franklin Ensign was born October 11, 1840, in Allegany
county, New York. In 1845, he accompanied his parents to Dane
county, Wisconsin, which then became their home. He enlisted in
1861, in the 8th Wisconsin, light artillery; participated in
numerous battles and was mustered out in August, 1865; was in
service nearly four years. After the war he settled in Minnesota and
has been engaged in farming and school teaching; has been a resident
of Redwood county for eight years. In 1880, Mr. Ensign was elected
clerk of the court; in politics he has always been a thorough
republican.
George L. Evans, a native of Wisconsin, was born in 1857 in
Berlin, where his education was attained. He migrated to Minnesota
and settled in the spring of 1878, in Underwood, Redwood county,
where he resided two years. Mr. Evans clerked for a time in the
auditor's office, and in 1881 he was elected register of deeds.
H. D. Everett, born May 27, 1829. is a native of the state of
New York. In the spring of 1858, he moved to Wisconsin and entered
hotel business at Ripon. Enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin cavalry in
1864, and served until discharged at expiration of term. Since 1878,
he has been engaged in business at Redwood Fails as proprietor of
the Commercial Hotel. In 1853, his marriage with Caroline F. Mather
occurred in New York. Two of their children are deceased and five
are living.
Birney Flynn was born July 25, 1831, in Canada, but in 1833
moved to Ohio, and has been an orphan since seven years of age. In
1841 he removed to Racine, Wisconsin, and afterward lived in
different parts of the state; acquired an academic education, and
for a time was employed in farming and lumbering; also taught
penmanship in Milwaukee and Chicago until failing health
necessitated a change of employment. Located at Redwood Falls,
October 31, 1864, and the year following engaged in real estate
business, in which he has been eminently successful. In 1865 he was
elected clerk of the district court, which office he held four
years; was elected probate judge in 1867, and for the past three
years has served as justice of the peace. Mr. Flynn's marriage with
Josephine H. Cole took place November 13, 1858, at Deltor,
Wisconsin.
C. W. George, who was born in 1842, is a native of Germany.
When thirteen years of age he came with his father's family to
America, located in Washington county, Wisconsin, and finished his
education at Lincoln's Commercial College. At Portage he enlisted in
the 11th Wisconsin infantry, but in 1862 was discharged because of
disability. Came to Minnesota in 1864, and was in the grain business
at Winona and New Ulm until in 1880 he began dealing in lumber. Miss
Mary Wagner, of Winona, became his wife in 1870. They have one son.
German P. Greene, a native of New York, was born in 1815. He
migrated in 1866 to Minnesota and settled in Renville county; Mr.
Greene now owns the farm which was formerly the property of Major
Brown, whose house and barn were burned by Indians only a few hours
after the escape of the family, who had been notified of the
outbreak by Lorenzo, a friendly Indian. Mr. Greene was married in
New York in 1841; his wife was Miss Mary A. Root. Eight of their
children are living.
William B. Herriott was born January 25, 1834, near
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Graduated in 1854 at Jefferson College;
read law with Judge Sterrett, and in 1857 was admitted to practice.
In 1860 he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Dr. G. S. Hays, of
Allegheny City, and in 1867 they removed to St. Paul, which was
their home four years. Came in 1871 to Redwood Falls, and from 1873
to 1880 he owned and edited the Redwood Gazette. In 1876 he was
appointed receiver of the United States land office of this place,
and reappointed in 1880. Mr. Herriott is a member of the bar of this
state, but has never practiced here. For a number of years he has
been president of the board of education.
Fred. V. Hotchkiss was born in 1837 in Indiana. Came to
Minnesota in 1852, and began farming in Winona county; in 1856 went
to Minneapolis to work for his brother; afterward visited Colorado,
and for a time lived in Missouri. Returned and enlisted in Company
K, Second Minnesota; was wounded at battle of Mill Spring; Mr.
Hotchkiss was in 1863 elected by his company to the roll of honor;
in 1864 he was honorably discharged. He engaged in blacksmithing at
St. Paul until 1869, and has since then continued the business at
Redwood Falls. For a number of years he was president of the village
board and chairman of the board of county commissioners.
W. La Du, native of New York, was born in 1838, and lived in
that state until 1866, when he located at Rochester, Minnesota;
after farming a short time and clerking in a store two years, he
removed to Lac qui Parle, where he was employed in farming; was
station agent about two years, then came to Redwood Falls to take
charge of the elevator. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss
Myra Nichols.
Joseph Lichtwarck, born in 1837, is a native of Germany. He
learned butchering while living in that country. Upon coming to the
United States in 1863 he located at New Ulm, but in 1870 removed to
Redwood Falls; after being interested in a meat market here eight
years he sold and has since been in the saloon business. Mary
Pfeiffer became his wife in 1866 at New Ulm.
James G. Linn is a native of Ohio; he was born November 15,
1847, at Portsmouth and was educated in that city and Jackson. In
January 1873 he enlisted in the United States navy, and in May, 1865
was honorably discharged. Mr. Linn came to Minnesota in 1876 and
began dealing in lumber at Blooming Prairie, but since the fall of
1879, has been in the grain business; he is with W. P. Brainard and
located at Redwood Falls.
Henry Lys was born in 1845, in Switzerland, where, after
leaving school, he passed three years at the locksmith's trade. In
1865 he came to America and settled in Wisconsin; followed black-smithing
until 1872, then passed one year in Mankato, and has since lived in
Redwood Falls; he is associated with S. Merritt in the foundry
business. In Wisconsin, in 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss
Anna Jorges. Their children are Anna, Mary, Henry, George and Frank.
A. E. McCarty, who was born in 1841, is a native of
Pennsylvania, but while he was a babe the family removed to
Illinois, and that state was his home until 1855, when he went to
Wisconsin and there learned blacksmithing. He went to Faribault
where he remained about six years, and then, in 1862, enlisted in
the 30th Wisconsin infantry; was in service until the war ceased,
when he returned to Faribault. Since 1867 he has been in the livery
business at Redwood Falls. He was married in 1875, to Miss M. S.
Hamblen.
J. A. McConnell, born in 1840, is a native of Baltimore. When
he was sixteen years old he accompanied his father to Minnesota, and
St. Paul became their home. Mr. McConnell has been a number of years
in the hotel business, but is now located at Redwood Falls engaged
in running a meat market. He was married in 1870 at Lake City; his
wife was Maggie Fluno. They are the parents of two boys.
James McMillan, native of Canada, was born in 1839; his home
has been in Minnesota since coming here in 1860 with his parents. He
first located in Houston county, where his marriage took place with
Miss Ella I. Mason, in 1864, and the year following they came to
Redwood Falls, where he built the McMillan Hotel, now called the
Exchange. In 1871 he sold his interest in the hotel and after
engaging in hardware trade one year, opened his general store; he is
the oldest business man in the village. Mr. and Mrs. McMillan have
one son Ormie W., and an adopted daughter, Ida Carothers.
Samuel Merritt was born in 1830, at Plattsburg, New York.
Attended school at Silver Creek, also the academy at Fredonia, and
began life for himself when only thirteen years old. He worked three
years at the trade of moulder which he learned at Buffalo. After
visiting the Southern states he spent three years in Brazil, then
the same length of time in Ohio and the rest of the time until 1868,
he lived in Illinois; was in Iowa eleven years and since 1880 has
been in the foundry at Redwood Falls. Married in Illinois in 1854,
Miss C. Mark. They have one child, Jesse.
Mathew Offerman, native of Germany, was born in 1814.
Immigrated to Iowa in 1858 and in 1860 visited the South, after
which he resided until 1867, in Chicago; then spent two years at
Faribault and since 1869 has been at Redwood Falls engaged in saloon
business. Miss Mary K. Stadler was married in March 1868 to Mr.
Offerman. They have one son.
James Robinson, native of New York, was born in 1840 in
Livingston county. From that state he enlisted in 1862 and was in
service four years. Mr. Robinson passed eight months in rebel
prisons. In 1866 he removed to Michigan, and thence to Redwood Falls
in 1872. He was elected in 1877 to the office of register of deeds
of Redwood county. The marriage of Mr. Robinson and Miss Adelle
Chapman took place in 1877; have one child.
Dr. John Brown Smith was born October 30, 1837, in Canada.
When seventeen years old he came to Minnesota and lived in different
parts of the state until enlisting, August 1862, in Company G, 10th
Minnesota: was mustered out in July, 1865. His regiment was
stationed at Mankato when the Indians were executed, and also
assisted in removing the sixteen hundred to the Black Hills. After
the war he returned to Le Sueur county, and afterward lived in
Northfield and St. Paul. He gave much attention to the study of
medicine while in St. Paul, and in company with Dr. Deering started
a help institute and a bathroom. He went east and attended medical
lectures and also published medical books and papers in New York and
Massachusetts. While in the latter state was confined one year in
the Northampton jail for refusing to pay poll tax; and while in
jail, he in company with other prisoners, published a paper called
"Innocence at Home." In June, 1880, he came to Redwood Falls, and
has since given his attention to writing and publishing. Married at
Northfield, Minnesota, in 1867, Ellen H. Goodel who graduated in
medicine at New York city. They have one child, Lindsay G.
Samuel Stickle, whose ancestors were natives of Holland, was
born in 1833, in Rockaway, New Jersey, where he obtained an
academical education. In 1859 he removed to Wisconsin, and about two
years after entered Company G, 11th Wisconsin Infantry, and served
as sergeant until the close of the war. In 1868 he removed from that
state to Minnesota; for two years was employed in teaming between
Redwood Falls and St. Peter, then entered the drug trade, and for a
number of years past has been engaged in bookkeeping. Mr. Stickle
has been court commissioner, justice of the peace and marshal.
Married in 1857, Mary E. Belt.
Dr. C. S. Stoddard was born in 1846, in Kane county,
Illinois. When he was eleven years old the family came to Minnesota,
and at seventeen he enlisted in the 2d Minnesota cavalry; served one
year. He was early left an orphan and was obliged to work in order
to obtain the education he wished. Studied at Hamline University,
also at the university at Aurora, Illinois, where he graduated,
1871, then spent some time at a university in Kentucky. After
teaching one year he entered Bennett Medical College, from which he
graduated in 1874, and until 1879 practiced at Shakopee; since that
date he has been at Redwood Falls. Dr. Stoddard married in 1875,
Laura B. Gossard.
John Strawsell, born in 1832, is a native of France, but has
been a resident of the United States since six months old, when his
father's family immigrated to Ohio and settled on a farm. Removed in
1865 to Minnesota, and in 1875 came to Redwood Falls and engaged in
the hotel business; he is proprietor of the Redwood House. Laura A.
Partlow became his wife in 1856 and has borne him nine children. Two
are deceased.
Jared J. Tiffany, a native of New York, was born in 1841, in
Oneida county, where he was reared on a farm. In 1866 he migrated to
Minnesota, and locating in Rice county, engaged in farming, and
remained there eleven years. He removed in 1877 to Redwood Falls,
where he is dealing in agricultural implements. Mr. Tiffany's
marriage took place in the year 1870; his wife was Miss Mary C.
Miller.
John H. Thomas was born in 1841 in Maine. When seventeen
years old he left his native state and traveled extensively in the
south and west. He came to Redwood Falls in April, 1861, when there
were no improvements except a few temporary buildings, and it was he
who did the first blacksmithing in the place. Enlisted November 2,
1861, in Company I, Third Minnesota, but in April, 1862, was
discharged because of disability. Since October 1881 he has been in
partnership with John A. Peterson. Mr. Thomas married in 1870, Miss
Anna Longbottom. James William is their only child.
Rev. J. M. Thurston was born in 1825, in New Lisbon, Otsego
county, New York. After graduating at the age of nineteen, he was
employed three years by the American tract society as colporteur in
Kentucky; then went to Wisconsin and labored as missionary nine
years; his health becoming impaired he removed to Minnesota and
continued his work for a time at Garden City and in Le Sueur county,
but finally retired to a farm; as his health was partly restored he
resumed missionary labor. The Maple River Baptist church was
organized under his direction and he was its pastor nine years.
Since 1878 his home has been in Redwood Falls. Married May 2, 1855
to P. A. Smith. Of their five children, three are living: Lucius M.,
Annie E. and Irving; they have an adopted daughter, Sarah J.
O. B. Turrell, native of Connecticut, was born in 1834 at
Danbury, and in 1842, accompanied his parents to New York. He
removed in 1857 to St. Paul, where he engaged in real estate and
banking; from 1872 until 1877 he was president of the National
Marine bank; since that time he has been farming in Redwood county;
owns about 16,000 acres of land and has 4,600 acres under
cultivation. In 1857 he married Harriet Smith. Robert and Luella are
their children.
W. C. Tyler is a native of Wisconsin: he was born on the 23d
of December, 1851, at Green Bay; was educated in the public and high
schools. Since 1874 he has been engaged in railroad business; he
became station agent at Redwood Falls in August, 1878, and is still
filling that position. The marriage of Mr. Tyler and Miss Mary Parks
took place April 11, 1877 at Milwaukee. They have one son and one
daughter.
Alfred Wallin was born in 1836 in Oswego county, New York.
When he was a child he went with his parents to Michigan, and at the
age of fifteen years, to Chicago, where he learned the trade of
currier, and until twenty-one years old was with his father in the
leather business. After spending one year at the Elgin Academy, he
entered Ann Arbor law school; also real law with Hon. Gilbert C.
Walker. Was admitted to the courts of Michigan and Illinois, and
practiced until entering the army in 1864. Settled in St. Peter in
1865, and practiced there seven years; served one term as county
attorney of Nicollet county. Mr. Wallin was republican candidate for
judge of the Ninth judicial district but defeated by the democratic
candidate, E. St. Julien Cox. In 1872 he returned to Winona and
formed a partnership with Hon. O. B. Gould, but since 1874 has
followed his profession at Redwood Falls. Married in 1868, at Elgin,
Miss Ellen Keyes; one child, Magdaline.
J. B. Wasson is a native of Genesee county, New York. After
leaving school he engaged in lumbering two years, and then learned
black-smithing, at which he worked three years in Pennsylvania, and
afterward seven years in New York, then ill health compelled him to
abandon business for a time. Removed to Redwood county and located
on a farm near the Lower Sioux Agency; is now engaged in
blacksmithing in company with A. W. Bager. Mr. Wasson has been twice
married; in 1877 Jennie B. Grimmer, his present wife, was married to
him. They have two children.
Robert Watson was born June 9, 1838, in Decatur county,
Indiana. In 1854 he removed to Houston county, Minnesota. Enlisted
in 1861 in the First Wisconsin artillery; served three years; in
November, 1864, Governor Morton commissioned him second lieutenant
of 25th Indiana artillery; served in various official capacities on
the staff of General R. S. Granger. In 1867 he came to Redwood
Falls, where he has been town clerk, assessor, and since April,
1872, postmaster. Mr. Watson's marriage with Miss Harriet, daughter
of Royal Mayhew, state treasurer of Indiana, occurred September 12,
1865, at Indianapolis. They have two boys and three girls.
Alpheus A. Wilson, native of North Carolina, was born
November 17, 1841, in Guilford county. In 1850 he moved to Indiana,
and in 1861 enlisted in the 36th regiment of that state; at the
battle of Pittsburg Landing he was shot through the right arm and
both thighs. September 26, 1864, he was discharged. He migrated in
May, 1865, to Mankato, and in July, 1867, came to Redwood Falls. Mr.
Wilson was elected county treasurer in 1879. He has 169 acres in
Paxton, known as Crow Creek farm. Married, February 1, 1870, Jane L.
Fay.
Robert A. Wilson was born in 1850 in Canada, and in 1865 the
family settled in Wabasha, Minnesota. In 1869 he removed to Brown
county, and in 1871 came to this place; worked at painting and also
taught singing school, and in 1874 began clerking in the store of J.
McMillan: since the spring of 1880 he has been in the dry goods
business. Miss Frankie Cheney, one of the first lady teachers of
this place, was married in 1874 to Mr. Wilson. Leland is their only
child.
I. M. Van Schaack, born in 1838, in Green county, New York,
obtained an academical education and also graduated at Bingham's
Commercial College. Enlisted in 1862 in the Fifth New York
artillery; was promoted to first lieutenant and served until war
ceased; also served three years in the regular army as orderly
sergeant. After being employed in New York two years as clerk, he
came to Redwood Falls in 1872, and until 1875 was farming; since
then he has been auditor of Redwood county. Married in 1877 Miss C.
A. Cheney. |
| |
|
