Fillmore County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (9 of 11 so headed), 1882

Biographical sketches

Thomas Burnham, a native of England, was born in 1849, brought up on a farm, and received an education in the high school near his home. After leaving school he was clerking in Loudon for three years. He came to America in May, 1870, located in Lanesboro, and was engaged in buying and shipping grain. He was married in the latter place to Miss Lizzie Jacklin, who was bom in England, but came with her parents to Wisconsin when young. They have been blessed with one child, Florence Lillian. Mr. Burnham moved from Lanesboro to Spring Valley, thence to Wykoff in April, 1879, and has since continued in the grain business.

J. Blanohard, one of the pioneers of this place, is a native of Windsor county, Vermont, born in 1833. He was reared on a farm, and received an education near his home, coming to Minnesota in 1856. He located a farm in section thirty-two, upon which he still lives, having about one hundred and fifty acres of choice land. Mr. Blanchard was married in this township to Miss Sarah A. Ham, a native of New York, bom in 1843. They have seven children; Edwin J., aged seventeen years; Solon D., fifteen years; Jennette A., twelve years; Etta May, ten years; George, eight years; Florence M., four years, and Ashley, one iind a half years. Mr. Blanohard taught the first school in district No. 96, after coming here. He has held the office of Justice pf the Peace six years, and Assessor one term.

Oscar Bierbauer is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and removed witii his parents to Maukato, Minnesota, when one year old. He attended the schools of that place until the age of fifteen years, when he went to Milwaukee and completed his education. After leaving school he was employed as book-keeper from 1873 to 1879, then came to this village and bought the grist-mill which was built by L. Kimball in 1858, and which he still conducts. His parents were born in Germany and now live in Mankato, also a brother, Herman, and three sisters, Emma, Abna, and Eugenia. Emma married Prof. E. Bettinger, and Ida, his oldest sister, is the wife of Prof. J. L. Buetow, and resides in Milwaukee.

James Bowers, deceased, wns born in Ireland, and there received an education and grew to manhood. He came to America in 1843, and located in Philadelphia, where he was married in 1851, to

Miss Esther Gelkinson, who was also bora in Ireland in 1821, and came to America with her parents when eleven years old. The result of the union was ten children, of whom eight are living; James, Sarah, Mary, Robert, Anne, Thomas, George, and William. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers came with their family to Minnesota in 1856, and located a form in section twelve of this township. He died on the 13th of March, 1881. The farm con- I tains two hundred acres, having good buildings and a fine orchard.

A. R. BuRKDoiiij is a native of Iowa, born in Marion, Linn county, in 1852. He received his education at the common schools of the latter village and Waterloo, and graduated from Westera College, of Iowa, in 1877, teaching school and farming during vacations until the age of twentyone years. In January, 1876, he was married at Solon, Johnson county, Iowa, to Miss Annie P. Nickolson, who was born in the latter State in 1853. They have one child, a son of four years. In the spring of 1878, Mr. Burkdoll located in Chatfield and engaged in teaching and book-keeping. He removed to the village of Wykoff in the fall of 1881, and the following spring established the "Wykoff News," of which he is editor and proprietor. His father, Abraham Burkdoll, was a native of Indiana, and while in the army con-, tracted disease of which be died at the age of forty-five years. His mother, Elizabeth (Smith) Burkdoll, was also bora in Indiana, and died in Marion, Iowa, at the age of thirty -five years.

WiiiLiAM G. Banks was born in 1838, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he received a common school education and grew to manhood. He enlisted at Pittsburg in the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company H, and served from 1863 till the close of the war. After leaving the army he came to Minnesota, resided a short time in Fillmore county, then returaed to his native State, and for six years was an oil operator. He was married in 1866, to Miss Nancy J. McDermott, who was born in that State in 1846. They came to this place in 1875, and Mr. Banks built the store in which he is now engaged in general merchandise. He is the father of four children; DoUie, Marcus, Charley, and Mattie.

F. H. Bartlett was bora in Orleans county, Vermont, on the 19th of June, 1818. He was reared there, and learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he was engaged in his native State many years. In 1843, he married Miss Sarah Kilbom, the ceremony taking plaoe in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett oame to Minnesota in the spring of 1856, and located in this township, in section twenty-two. Mrs. Bartlett died on the 18th of December, 1881, leaving two sons; Elmer, who was bom in 1846, and lives on the old homestead engaged in farming and baying grain, and Elma C, bom in 1852. Mr. Bartlett has held a number of local offices since his residence here.

Charles W. Cbain was bom in Steuben county, Indiana, in 1838, and moved with his parents to MoHenry county, Illinois, when two years old, where he received a common school education. In 1854, the family came to this township where Charles grew to manhood and was married in November, 1860, to Minerva BundeU, the Rev. M. D. Reeves, officiating. Mrs. Grain was born in Coles county, Illinois, in 1839, and is the mother of eight children, four of whom are living; E. A., Deputy Postmaster; Irvin W., Elvira R., and Ruel J. Mr. Crain was elected Constable in 1859, Justice of the Peace in 1870 and 76, and has since held the office. He was appointed Notary Public in 1873, and Postmaster on the 24th of Febmary, 1879. He is clerk of the Wykoff Freewill Baptist church, formerly the Freesoil Freewill Baptist church, which was organized in Febmary, 1858; also of the Root River Freewill Baptist Quarterly meeting, organized in 1863, and of the Wykoflf school district No. 104, since its organization in April, 1876. Mr. Crain has been engaged in buying grain and selling farm machinery since 1874.

F. v. CoEiiLN was bom in Prussia in 1835, and oame to America in 1854, locating in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the hardware business. Mr. Coelln brought his family to the village of Wykoff in 1878, and opened a hardware store on Gold street which he still conducts.

Joseph L. ChandijEB was born in Canada West, in 1827, and removed to Jackson, Michigan, at the age of Seventeen years. About a year later he came to Jackson county, Iowa, attended school and learned the miller's trade. He was married in Clayton county, Iowa, in 1862, to Miss M. C. Preston, a native of Lake county, Ohio. They moved to Spring Valley in 1863, carried on a farm nine years, then retumed to Jackson county, Iowa, where Mr. Chandler was engaged in the manufacture of flour for three years. He then retumed to this county and bought the grist-mill owned by Harrison & Rossman, which he has since operated, his farm being in section nine. In January, 1865, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company H, and served till the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler are members of the M. E. Church. They have had five children, only one of whom is living; Elmer R., aged seventeen years. Mrs. Chandler^s parents reside with them; her father was bom in 1807, and her mother in 1815. They too are members of the M. E. Church.

John D. Dain was bom in Canajoharie, Montgomery county. New York, in November, 1840. He attended the district schools of his native place and graduated at the Academy situated there, after which he was employed in a drug store for many years. He enlisted in Company E, of the Forty-third New York Volunteer Infantry at President Lincoln's first call for troops in August, 1861. He passed through an eventful career of three years, most of the time with the army of the Potomac; was then honorably discharged and returned home and again engaged in the dmg business. He was joined in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bums, who was born in Rome, Oneida county, in 1840. The marriage ceremony occurred in the latter plaoe in 1865. The issue of the union is one child, Maggie E., sixteen years old. Mr. Dain moved with his family to Fillmore, Minnesota, in 1868, and opened a store for the sale of drugs, medicines, p«ints, oils, etc., and has remained there doing a successful business. He has held the office of Clerk, Treasurer, and Justice of the Peace for many years, and has been elected to the latter office again, recently.

A. Drew is a native of Orleans county, Vermont, born in 1837. He was reared on a farm, and when ten years old removed with his parents to Irasburgh, where he received his education and grew to manhood. He was married in 1856, to a daughter of F. H. Bartlett, now of this place. They moved to Ohio and subsequently to this township. Mr. Drew was engaged in faraaing until 1877, then came to Wykoff village and opened a hotel which his son, Charles H., now manages. His wife died in 1877. They had four children, two of whom are living; the youngest, Gertie, is four years old.

Fillmore 10Wn8Hip

schools of his native plaoe until 1842, when he came to America with his father and brother, his mother having died when he was fifteen years old. Thej^settled in Philadelphia, and in 1852, came to Minnesota, locating near Fciribaolt in Rioe county. Mr. Donn came to this township in the spring of 1866, and located a farm in section four, upon which his widow now lives. She was bom in Queens county, Ireland, in 1831. They had five children, four of whom are living; Edward, Mary Eliza, and Ann. Mr. Dunn died in August, 1872. Mrs. Dunn superintends the farm, which contains two hundred acres of choice land with a fine residence.

D. J. ESaiiBSTON is a native of New York, bom in Holland Patent, Oneida county, in 1842. He attended the graded schools of his native plaoe, finishing his education at Hobart Hall, after which he was engaged in clerking. In June, 1863, he came to Minnesota and clerked in a store at Ghatfield for four years, then removed to Fillmore village, opening a general mercantile store, but in 1872, moved his business to Wykoff where he has since had a good trade.

Mabvin EoiiESTON was bora in Floyd, Oneida county, New York, but removed with his parents to Holland Patent when quite young. At the age of sixteen years he leamed the trade of a carriage and omamental painter, and after leaving Whitestown Seminary, where he graduated in 1861, he engaged in clerking for a year. lu the summer of 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fortysixth New York Volunteer Infantry, Company D He was promoted from a Sergeant to Second Lieutenant, and a month later to First Lieutenant, and after the battle of Gettysburg, to Regimental Quartermaster, then Brigade Quartermaster, and finally, for meritorious conduct to brevet-Captain. After leaving the army he came to Chatfield, clerked for two years, then moved to the village of Fillmore and engaged in business with his brother, D. J. Egleston. He was married in the latter place in 1869, his wife being a native of New York. They have five children ; Lillis S., Willis J., Oliver J., Marvin J., and Harriet L. Mr. Egleston, in company with his brother, opened a general mercantile store in Wykoff in 1871, but dissolved partnership in 1877, since which time the former has carried on the business alone. He was a member of the Legislature in 1871 and '72.

in 1853. He emigrated to America with his sister Maggie, in 1865, and first located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he engaged in a brick yard for a short time, afterward working on a farm, and then in a garden near the city. From there he went to Iowa, but came back to LaCrosse and worked in a boiler manufactory, and in 1868, attended school. In the fall of the same year he removed to Onalaska where he worked on a farm and in a hotel until 1870, then engaged in lumbering. About this time he made a tour of several western States, but finally settled in La Crosse where he worked in a brewery four years, then came to Wykoff, Minnesota, and erected a substantial two story business block, where he may be found at present conducting a prosperous harness shop. Mr. Fitzthum was married in the spring of 1876, to Miss Lena Grates, a native of Germany, bom in 1855. She came to America with her parents at the urgent request of her oldest brother, Leonard Grates, and located at Chaska, Minnesota.

' Michael Gabby, one of the foremost farmers of Fillmore county, is a native of Ireland, where he was bom in 1825, and there received his education and leamed the blacksmith trade. He was married in 1848, to Miss Mary Glynn, who was bom in Ireland in 1827. They came to America in in 1852, located in Clayton county, Iowa, and in 1855, came to this township and settled in section two, which is still their home. The farm contains three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred and twenty of which are improved; it has a good house and a fine lot of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Garry have had thirteen children, twelve of whom are living; Anne, Ellen, Mary A., Susie, Emma, Harriet, Michael, Josephine, Fannie^ Augusta, Theresa, and Estella.

C. M. HoBNB was bom in Oneida county, New York, in 1842. He attended the graded schools of his native place and completed his education at North Bay, then engaged in boatir g on the Erie canal for fifteen years. He was married in 1862, to Miss Isabella Chisholm, who was bom in 1844. They have two children, Harvey and Jennia Mr. Home was in the grocery business at Grassport, New York, two years, then kept a hotel in Onondaga county, and in the spring of 1875, came to Iowa and resided on a farm one year. He then removed to Wykoff and opened a saloon, but two years later sold out and engaged in a cigar man- ufaotory. He was subsequently employed as clerk in the store of Marvin Egleston three years, then engaged in the hardware business under the lirm name of Banks & Home, and has sincj continued in the same.

Henry Hall, a native of Ireland was bom in 1821, and came to America at the age of seventeen years. He first located in Livingston county, New York, where he attended school and learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed several years in Mount Morris. He was married at the latter place in 1846, to Miss Mary H. Pelton. who died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving one son, Irwin H. He married his present wife in Bristol, Ontario county, in 1852. This union has been blessed with one child, William L., bom in 1860, and lives with his parents. Mr. Hall moved from New York to Wisconsin in 1851, and ten years later located in this place, in section one, where he now lives. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and remained in the service until the spring of 1865, when he \i^as discharged for disability. He owns two hundred and sixty- five acres of choice land and has a fine residence. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are both members of the M. E. Church of this place.

Jacob Hostetlbr, one of the early settlers of this section, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1825, and received his education in his native State. He engaged in farming, and in 1848, came to Wisconsin and resided one year. While there he married Miss Amelia B ropes, who died at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving six children. Mr. Hostetler was farming in Iowa for three years, and in 1853, located in Fountain township, where he resided until 1876. In 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Melvina Ellis, a native of Green county, Wisconsin. They have two chilreu. In the fall of 1876, Mr. Hostetler moved to the village of Wykoff, and is living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his labors.

H. G. JoRRTS was bora in Ixonia, Wisconsin, in 1856. When he was quite young his parants moved to Sturgis, Michigan, thence to Poland, Indiana. H. G. attended school there and also at Brazil in the same State. After finishing his education he taught school three years, then came to Minnesota in the spring of 1877, and was traveling in difierent parte of the State for eight months. He clerked in a drug store in Owatonna a few years, and in the spring of 1882, in company with James Phillips, opened a a store in Wykoif, keeping a full line of drags, painte, etc. His father, Peter Jorris, was born in G^ermany, and now resides in Poland, Indiana, a minister of the Gosi^el.

P. R. Jorris was bom in Water town, Wisconsin, in 1851, and is a son of Rev. P. Jorris of that place. He removed with his parents to Sturgis, Michigan, in 1863, and left the parental roof one year later to attc^nd school in Milwaukee. In 1869 and '70, he attended the Normal School in Terre Haute, Indiana, completed his education in 1872, in the Reformed University at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, then taught the parochial school at .Terra Haute one year and at Huntington, Indiana, the same length of time. In 1874, he engaged in the lumber business for Mr. John Paul, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the capacity of traveling and collecting agent on the line of the Southern Minnesota rtfilroad. He remained in that employment until 1877, then took charge of Mr. Paul's lumberyard in Wykofif, in which business he is still engaged. He also has an interest in a cigar manufactory at Wykoff, the firm name being Jorris Gut. Mr. Jorris married Miss Mary D. Wilkinson in 1875, who has borne him twp children, one of whom is living, Archibald Rodell, aged five years.

Oliver Jonks was bom in 1821, in Onondaga county. New York, where he was reared, and learned the tanner trade of his father. In 1844, he, in company with his brother, C. G., bought out their father s tannery, which, in 1860, was burned but soon rebuilt, they conducting the same until 1856. Mr. Jones was united in marriage in Erie county in 1843, with Miss Lillis S. Atwood. They have had eight children, five of whom are living; Belle R., Orange A., Hannah E., Eva, and Lucy A. Mr. and Mrs. Jones moved with their family to Minnesota in 1856, and located in Chatfield, but three years later bought a farm in this township which has since been their home. Mr. Jones devotes his whole attention to the farm and stock raising, having fourteen hundred acres of land.

G W. Knight was born in Oxford county, Maine, in 1821, and reared on a farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Clara N. Foster in 1850. The same year they removed to Troy, New York, and three years later to Green county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Knight was engaged in clerking and fanning. In 1856, they came to this county, reBided in Sumner township for a time, then moved to their present farm. Mr. Knight has been Chairman of the board of Supervisors. They have had six children, five of whom are living; Clara E., bom in Troy, New York, married George B. Sage and lives in Dakota; George L., bom in Green county, Wisconsii', in 1853; F. F., also bom in Green county, is now engaged in farming in Dakota; F. J. was bom in Filknore in 1857, and now resides in Lake county, Dakota; and £. A., the youngest, was bom in this place in 1859, he also is in Dakota. Mr. Knight has some choice land, a fine residence and good out buildings, and is devoting his time grain and stock raising.

E. D. Kellogg is a native of Warren county, New York, were he was bom in 1833, and reared to agricultural pursuits. He removed from that State to Minnesota in the fall of 1855, and immediately located a farm in section one of this township, which has since been his home. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors for two years, being Chairman a part of the time. In the fall of 1859, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth Crowell, a native of Ohio. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living; Ann E., Judson, Francis A., Alfred D., Russell, Mary E., Harry, and George P.

L. G. KiLBORN is the son of A. G. and Mary Ann (Stevens) KDbom, who were early settlers in this county. L. G. was bom in Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1847, came with his parents to Chat field in 1858, and there received his education,, graduating from the High school. After leaving school he'engaged in clerking, was in the Post-office three years, and also in mercantile houses. In 1871, he became manager of an establisment at Wykoff. His wife was born in 1851, in Chicago, where the marriage ceremony took place in 1874. They have had two children; Rowley G., aged seven years, and Julia J., who died in December, 1881, aged nineteen months.

Chables a. Lipe was the second white child born in Fillmore county, his birth occuring in Preston in 1857. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Southern Minnesota Railroad company ; was telegraph operator at Lanesboro a year and a half, then station ap:ent at Preston three years, since which time he has held the same position at Wykoff. He was married near Preston in 1882, to Miss Hattie J. McGowan, who was

Lewis Mantob was bom in Franklin county* Massachusetts, in 1806, but removed with his parents to the head of Seneca Lake, Steuben county, New York, where he receivejl his education, and afterward learned the carpenter trade in Avon, Livingston county. He was married in the latter place in 1828, to a daughter of Judge Norman Davison. They moved to Michigan and Mr. Mantor was engaged at his trade and in the manufacture of lumber. His wife died in 1838, and was buried in the Ashfield Cemetery. In March, 1856, he came to this place and has built a large share of the dwelling houses and stores in the village, continuing in the business until 1876, when he opened his present furniture establishment in which he has a good trade.

P. M. MosHER, one of the early settlers here, was bom in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1844. He removed with his parents to Iowa in 1855, and the year following came to this place, where he attended the graded schools, afterward the High school at Chatfield, and finished his education in the Commercial College at Chicago. He then returned here and engaged in clerking in different mercantile houses until 1877, when, in company with Mr. Robbins, he opened a general merchandise establishment and has since continued in the business, the firm name being Bobbins & Mosher. Mr. Mosher wflff united in marriage, on the 15th of December, 1866, with Miss Marion Durfey, a native of Ohio. They have been blessed with five children; Halcie P., Lucian M., Winifred, Grace, and Hars ey. Mr. Mosher has held the office of Town Clerk and Postmaster and in 1877 and 78, was a member of the State Legislature.

C. H. Morse was bom in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, in 1850, and received his education in his native place. He came to Minnesota in 1869, engaged in the harness business at Blue Earth City, and in 1874, moved to this place, continuing the same employment until 1881, when, under the firm name of Morse & Robbins, he opened his present store, keeping a full line of drugs, painte, oils, etc. He has been Town Clerk for the past three years. His wife was formerly Miss Jennie A. McKisson, who has bome him two children, Edith L. and Nellie A.

born in 1826, and came to America at the age of eighteen years. He first located in Tompkins county, New York,' where he attended school for a time. He came to Minnesota in 1856, and was one of the first, settlers in this township, locating a farm in section fifteen, where he still lives. He married the widow of William Norton, of Tompkins county, !New York. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are now living; James H., a farmer in this county; John, residing in Dakota, and Annie, who is married and lives in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford have had four children, two of whom are living ; Charles A. and Susie A. Mr. Pulford served in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company E, enlisting in 1862, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

W1LLIA.M PuiiFOBD was also bom in England in 1846, and came with his parents to America when three years old. They resided in Tompkins county, New York, until 1856, when they removed to this place and located in section fourteen. William attended school here, and learned the miller trade, at which he was engaged several years. In 1871, he was married to Miss Ellen Garry, a native of Ireland, bom in 1854. They have had three children, two of whom are living. In the fall of 1862 Mr. Pulford enlisted at St. Paul in the First Minnesota Cavalry, and remained in the service until the close of the war.

Thomas Pulford, one of tlie early settlers of this place, was born in England in 1848, and came ' with his parents to America when three years old. They resided in Tompkins county, New York, a ' few years, and came to Minnesota in 1856, settling in section fourteen in this township. Tliomas purchased a farm in section sii^teen in 1871, and has since made it his home. He was married in November, 1872, to Eliza J. He es, a native of Illinois, born in 1851. They have three children; Hattie May, William F., and Rosa M.

J. H. Phillips, M. D., was bom in St. John, New Brunswick, and moved with his parents to Chicago in 1857. He Attended school in that city and graduated from the Rush Medical College, after which he practiced his profession in Chicago for a time. In June, 1878, he came to the village of Wykoff, and has since built up a good practice, also keeping a drug store under the firm name of Jorris & Phillips. He was married in August, 1878, to Miss Alice Vanosdel, who was bom in

J. A. Rutherford is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born in 1853. When he was nine years old his parents moved to Mower county, Minnesota, and located near Austin. His parents both died before J. A. was fourteen, and he then went to Austin and learned the blacksmith trade, at which he was engaged in St. Paul for several years^ and afterward in other cities. He was married in Wykoff, in the fall of 1876, to Miss Annie O'Hara, a native of New York. They have three children ; Rosa, Harry, and Leo. Mr. Rutherford settled in Wykoff in July, 1877, and opened a blacksmith shop, in which he has since done a good business.

Marcus Robbins was bora in Wardsborough, Windham county, Vermont, in 1808. He removed with his widowed mother to St. Lawrence county, Now York, when about nine years old. After finishing his education he leamed the trade of a moulder, at which he was engaged for a time, also in merchandise and buying and selling stock, and in the real estate business. He was joined in marriage, in 1835, to Miss Fanny Hubbard, who was bom in St. Lawrence county in 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins came with their family to Minnesota in September, 1859, and located in Jordan township, where they resided until coming here in November, 1873. He is engaged in farming, having about twelve hundred acres of choice land, and also deals in real estate. He was County Commissioner in 1870, and has held the offices of Justices of the Peace and Assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have had six children, five of whom are living, all bom in St. Lawreuoe county, New York; Marcus J., who was bom in 1836, is now living in Jordan township, practicing law; Calvin H., a sketch of whose life follows this; Hortense, whose birth occurred in 1844, is married and resides on a farm in Jordan township; Fred, was bora in 1849, and is of the firm of Robbins & Mosher, in the village of Fillmore; and Herbert, bora in 1852, is also of the latter firm. In 1853, while a resident of New York, our sttbject was appointed by President Pierce, Deputy Collector of Customs in the district of Oswegatchie, holding the position for six years.

Calvin H. Robbins, M. D., a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, was bora in 1840. He attended school in that State until coming here with his parents in 1859, then entered the Chatfield schools, and afterward took a course in the Medical College at Ann Arbor, Micliigan, completing his studies at Keokuk, Iowa. In 1866, he came to the village of Fillmore and began the practice of his profession. The same year he married Miss Hosilia E. Mosher, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, born in 1848. They have four children; Marcus P., Hortense R, Fanny E., and Gertrude. Dr. Bobbins moved to the village of Wykoflf in 1875, and beside his professional duties is engaged in the drug business. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1876, and has held local offices.

Jacob Rau was bom in G^ermany in 1831, and received a thorough common school education in his native country. He came to America in 1 852, and to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1858, where he resided until 1877, when he came with his family to this place. Mr. Ran's life has been spent mostly in mercantile pursuits.

Emeby Bathbobn was born in New York in 1831, and received his education in Livingston where he grew to manhood, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1858, he came to this place and located a farm in section thirty -one upon which he lived twenty-two years. He was joined in matrimony in 1871, with Eva Erauser, a native of Germany. Mr. Rathbom enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company C, on the 11th of October, 1861, served three years and was honorably discharged. While in the army he contracted a disease from which he has never fully recovered. In 1880, Mr. Bathbom removed to his present farm in section twenty-nine. He is the father of two children, Emery P. and Lenora M.

Hebman Steppe claims Germany as his place of nativity, his birth occurring in 1846. He received a good education and learned the trade of a cabinet maker in his native country, and afterwards served in the German and French armies. In 1871, he came to America, directly to this county, and located in Carimona township, where he engaged in the furniture business. He was united in marriage in 1872, with Miss Bertie Siebert, a native of Buffalo, New York. They have had four children, three of whom are living; Amelia A., Bertie and Mary. In June, 1877, Mr. Steppe moved with his family to Wykoff and opened his present fine furniture store, and has since done a good business.

Gboboe F. Stewart was bom in Galena, Illinois, in 1845, and removed with his parents to Delaware county, Iowa, when two years old. In 1857, they came to this township and settled in section twelve where George grew to manhood and bought the farm. He was married in Chatfield to Miss Emily Tyson. They have had three children, two of whom are living; Ethel L., aged nine years, and Edwin F., aged four years.

Thomas J. Stevens was bom in Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He came with his parents to Spring Valley in the spring of 1857, and there attended school and learned the miller^s trade, at which he was afterwards engaged in this State, Nebraska, and Kansas. On the 25th of May, 1865, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Boberts, a native of Ohio. She was a lady of amiable qualities and fine chiistian deportment. She died at the age of twenty-eight years; leaving five children; Arthur L., Henrietta A., Jefferson L., Ernest E., and Bertha L. His present wife was Marena A. Jenkins, a native of Pennsylvania, the marriage taking place in March, 1877. They have two children, Elizabeth S. E. and Alice L. Mr. Stevens resided in Nebraska and Kansas a few years, but finally returned to Fillmore county, being satisfied that the advantages are as great here as further west. He has leased Joseph L. Chandler^s flouring mill, which he is now operating.

Fbed Shebman was bom in Oawego county, New York, in 1852. He removed with his parents to Minnesota when seven years old and located near Bochester, where he received his education and learned the harness maker's trade. He was employed in that business in Winnebago City two years, and then was engaged in farming five years. He came to Wykoff in 1879, and has since devoted his time to the machinery trade, doing a good business. He was married at Preston in 1879. His wife is a native of Canada.

Geoboe Sheppabd, one of the early settlers in this vicinity, was bora in Germany on the 27th of November, 1818. He came to America with his parents in 1827, and located in Coluinbia county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and learned chair making and painting. He was married in the latter State to Miss Hannah Yost, in 1844. Two years later they moved to Cumberland county, Indiana, and in 1856, to Dodge county, Wisconsin, coming to Fillmore county six months after and locating on the present site of the vilhige of Fillmore. Mr. Sheppard was engaged in the manufaotnre of lumber a few years, then in various occupations, and subsequently moved to Jordan, returning to this township in 1874. " His farm, which contains two hundred and sixty acres, is situated in sections nine and ten ; he has a fine brick residence and good bam and other buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Bheppard have had seven children, five of whom are living; Albert, Harvey, Emeline P., William, and Edwin. Mr. Sheppard has filled several local offioes since his residence.

W. J. Stewart was born in Wisconsin in 1843, and moved with his parents to Delaware county, Iowa, when two years old. They came to this township in 1857, and W. J. was reared to farming pursuits and learned the carpenter trade. In 1862, he enlisted in tlin Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company K; served three years and was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. Mr. Stewart was joined in matrimony in 1867, with Miss Adelia Ann York, a native of Racine county, Wisconsin. He resided on a farm until, 1881, when, in company with Mr. Smith, he opened a blacksmith and wagon making establishment, the firm name being Smith & Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are the parents of five children; W. G., J. F., Vernon G., G. F., and Mary E.

C. F. ScHATZ was bom in 1859, in Doilge coimty, Wisconsin, where he received his education and resided until the age of sixteen years. He then came to this place with his parents, and was employed at various occupations until 1881, when he opened his present restauntnt, and is doing a good business. In 1881, he was joined in marriage with Miss Minnie Johnkee. The union has been blessed with one child.

W. H. Smith was born in Potsdam. St. Lawrence county. New York, on the 9th of May, 1834. He was reared on a farm, and removed with his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1847. WhiJe there he learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1858, returned to his native State, coming to Minnesota in 1862. He was married in New York, in 1859, to Miss Janette Manley. Mr. Smith was engaged at his trade in Chattield until the fall of 1875, when he came to the village of Fillmore and opened his present blacksmith shop. Mr. and Mrs. Smith haVe had eight children, seven of whom are living; Martin E., George H., Kitty L., Jennie M., Belle S., Serena, and Linn L. Mr.

Simeon Thoeni is a native of Switzerland, bom in 1851. There he received his education and learned the trade of a wagon-maker. He came to America in 1871, was engaged at his trade in La Crosse, Wisconsin, one year, then in Buffalo, Min - nesota, until June, 1879, when he came to Wykoff and continue! I in the business until the spring of 1882, when he opened a billiard hall.

Cutler Thompson is a native of New York, born in 1830. He was reared on a farm, and came to Minnesota in 1855, settling at Chatfield. He oj)erated a saw-mill there for Judd Crissey until the spring of 1861, when he bought his present place in Fillmore, formerly known as the Pond & Lee place, on sections foutand five. There was a saw- mill on this place, and Mr. Thompson has operated it and cultivated the small farm attached to the property, and also runs a feed mill. He was married in Chatfield, in 1858, to Miss Lodema Clark, who \^as bom in Vermont in 1840. They have had six children, five of whom are living; Anne, William C, Celia S., Sarah C, and Hattie G. He has always taken an active part in town afiairs and educational interests.

Fred. Wendorf was born in Germany in 1843, and learned the blacksmith trade in his native country. He emigrated to America in 1869, and located in Granville, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged at his trade a few years. In 1871, he was joined in marriage with Miss Sophia Erdman, the ceremony taking place in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. They came to Wykoff in 1872, and Mr. Wendorf worked at his trade until 1878, then engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, wagons, buggies, etc. His wife died in February, 1881, leaving four children; John, Matilda, Otto, and Amanda. The maiden name of his present wife was Mary Dettloff. Mr. Wendjrf has baeji a member of the Village Council of Wykoff, and is now Justice of the Peace.

Samuel Walker is a native of Ireland, bora in Armagh county in 1819. He came to America in 1842, locating in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade, that of cabinet-maker. He was married there in 184d, to Miss Elizabeth McCalon, who has since died. His second wife was Agnes, a sister of the first. She was a native of Ireland, and died the 14th of December, 1880, in this place. Mr. Walker is the father of three children, two having died when young; those living are H. T., now a farmer in this county; W. J., living with his father; and J. J., born in Dubuque, Iowa, and also lives at home. Mr. Walker brought his family to Iowa in 1856, and to Fillmore village in December, 1862, and has since devoted his time to the manufacture of furniture. la 1866, he moved to Spring Valley, continuing in tiie latter business, under the firm name of Weisbecl; & Walker, until purchasing a farm in this townsljip, in section fifteen, which has since been his home. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors one term.

Michael Webek, a native of Pnissia, was bom in 1838, and brought up in a village. He emigrated with his brother, Nicholas, to America in 1851; came directly to Minnesota, but was enga<2;ed at the blacksmith' trade in different States until 1869, when he was married to Miss Addie Short, and lived in Carimona township a few years, then came to Fillmore village and was employed at his trade. He afterward owned a blacksmith shop in Wykoff one year, then moved to Spring Valley, and a year later returned to the village of Fillmore, where he has since resided and conducted a blacksmith shop. Mr. Walker served in the army, enlisting in the spring of 1863, in the First Minnesota Cavalry. He served till the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge, and was mustered out at Fort Snelling. His wife was born in New York in 1851. They have had five children, three of whom are living; Lillie, Flora, and Kosa.