Fillmore County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (10 of 11 so headed), 1882

Rebecca Afbnhurt was bom in Holland in 1834, and lived there until twenty -two years old. She came to America in 1856, and located in Wisconsin, where she was married the same year to Gbret Apenhurt. They lived in Wisconsin twelve years, then moved to Forestville. Mr. Apenhurt was a farmer and also a painter. He died in the latter place on the 13th of November, 1881, aged fifty years. Mrs. Apenhurt is the mother of six children, five of whom are living. She is a member of the Reform Church. Her farm of one hundred and sixty acres is mostly improved.

George Bar was bom in Germany in 1831. He lived with his parents, and in 1843, came to America with them, to Tioga county. New York. He atiended school in Germany, and learned the tailor^s trade in New York City, at which he worked while in that State. He removed to Minnesota in 1856, and settled in Forestville, section twenty-three, where he is still engaged in farming. He was married in this place in 1860, to Miss Ann West. They have six children; Edgar, tweiSty-one years old; John, nineteen; George, sixteen; Bencher, thirteen; Lucy, eleven; and Gruly, eight. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors several terms, and is now Chairman of the same.

J. H. BoNESTEBL was bom in New York in 1831, where he lived until 1855, and finished his education there, also taught school and was engaged in lumbering. Then came to Forestville and taught school and lumbered for two years. In 1858, he married Miss L. A. Abbott. He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living. He has been a member of the Town Board several terms, Collector two years, and Treasurer three years. In 1865, he enlisted in the army in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company K, and was mustered out at the close of the war. He resides on section twenty.

James L. Colby was bom in Vermont in 1814, and remained with his parents until seventeen years old, attending the common schools. He moved to New York in 1831, and engaged in farming for two years, then learned the carpenter trade and worked at it twenty-one years. Then he moved to Indiana, following the same business for one and a half years, and in 1856, came to Forestville, section thirty-three. He was married in New York to Miss Elmina A. Lewis. They have had five children, four of whom are living. He was appointed first Postmaster of Cherry Grove, 'in 1859, held the office thirteen years, and was re-appointed this year. He has been one of the Town Board several years.

Moses Farnsworth was bom in New York in 1819. He lived with his parents and attended school until sixteen years old, then engaged in farming until 1843, when he moved to Illinois and worked at the carpenter trade eighteen years. He was married in the latter State in 1844, to Miss Ann Smith. They removed to Forestville, section twenty, in 1861, and he has since been engaged

M. J. Foster is a native of Pennsylvania, bom in 1823. He lived at home and attended school until eighteen years old, then moved to Ohio where he was mining two years, thence to Illinois, where he worked in the lead mines four years. He returned to Ohio in 1848, and two years later married Miss Eliza J. Biddle. In 1854, they came to this county, Forestville township, section twelve, where he kept a hotel for fifteen years, and in 1870, moved to section ten, where he now resides on a farm. In 1857, he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected in 1864. He has been Justice of the Peace twenty-two years, and Chairman of the board of Supervisors two terms. He is the father of six children; J. W., Catharine, Sarah E., John, Mary, and Josephine. His wife died with a cancer in 1871, forty-two years old.

R M. Foster was bom in Pennsylvania in 1821, in which State he lived and went to school imtil twenty-two years old. He removed to Ohio in 1843, and remained there ten years. He came to ForestviUe in 1853, and followed mercantile business until 1869, when he sold out and went to farming, at which he is still engaged. Be was married in 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Kenslow. They have ten children, five boys and five girls, all living. He has been Justice of the Peace several years, also a member of the board of Supervisors, and is now County Commissioner. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

1827. When twenty years old he came with his parents to America, lived in New York until 1855, then removed to Forestville and engaged in farming, which he still follows. He was married in 1873, and has four children. He has been a member of the town and school boards for several terms. He has three hnndVed and ninety acres of land, two hundred and seventy-five acres of which is improved, with a fine briok house and good bam.

1828, and reared on a farm. He was married in 1856. The same year they came to America and located in ForestviUe, Minnesota. They have been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Grabau owns a fine farm. There is a brick schoolhouse on his land, and his children are well educated.

John Gill was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1824. He moved with his parents to Pennsjlvania in 1825, and remained there until 1839, receiving a common school education. He subsequently moved to Ohio, and engaged in brickmaking. He was married in the latter State to Miss Jane Riddle, a native of Ohio. In 1856, he came to Minnesota and engaged at brickmaking and farming, which employment he still follows. They have been blessed with nine children. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors two terms.

Alonzo Hamlin was bom in Vermont in 1830; lived in his native State until the age of twenty years, where he attended the common schools and finished his education at Arlington Seminary. In 1850, he moved to New York, where he was engaged in farming for several years, then came to Minnesota and still follows the same employment. He was married in New York in 1851, to Miss Naomi Carpenter. This union was blessed with six children. Mrs. Hamlin died in Forestville in

Chables Hansen was born in New Hampshire in 1828. When he was three years old his parents removed to Chenango county. New York, and thence to Erie county. He attended school and was reared as a farmer. At the age of eigliteen years he was engaged at wagon-making, and in 1855, removed to Forestville, where he worked at the carpenter trade two years, then engaged in farming, which occupation he now follows. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, all improved. He was united in marriage in this State with Miss L. R. In galls, a native of New York. The result of this union is one child, Mary A., seventeen years of age. He was a member of the first Republican Convention of this State, and also of the Constitutional Convention in 1857. Was Justice of the Peace six years.

George Hot was bom in Canada in 1819, where he finished his education and followed the milling business until forty years old. In 1840, he married Miss Emily McCalister. He removed to Forestville in 1857, where he has since been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Hoy had two children, and the latter died in 1862. He served in the army throe years. The maiden name of his

H. B. Hensinkveld was bom in Holland in 1847, and lived with his parents in his native country until eight years old, then came with them to America and located in Wisconsin. He attended school and was reared on a farm. In 1868, he removed to Forestville, where he was married, in 1871, to Miss J. Mensink. This union has been blessed with five children, only one of whom is living. Edith died in April, 1873; Annie, Mark, and Elmer died of scarlet fever in April, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hensinkveld are members of the Reform Church.

P. H. Ingalls is a native of New York, bora in 1831. He lived with his parents until twenty -one years old; attended school and finished his education at Aurora Academy, Erie county. He then worked at the carpenter trade until 1852, when he came to Wisconsin, remaining six months, and thence to Washington county, Minnesota, where ' he worked at his trade for nine years. He came to Forestville in 1861, and engaged in farming, to which employment he has since given his whole attention. In 1874, he was joined in marriage with Miss Martha Newell. They have two children ; Florence B., aged seven years; and George Ross, aged four years.

G. J. Mensing was bom in Holland in 1823, where he lived until twenty-three years old, then came with his parents to America and located in Saratoga county. New York. In 1847, he married Miss Henrietta Van Vleck, a native of the latter State. He was engaged in farming ten years, then came to Michigan, remaining six years in the same employment, thence to Wisconsin, which was his home two years. In 1862, he removed to Forestville, where he is still engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Mensing have had three children ; A. V., aged thirty-four years; Henry B., thirty -two years, and Asenath Maria, thirty years. His wife died in April, 1882, at the age of sixty -eight years and nine months.

H. B. Mensing was bora in Saratoga county, New York, in July, 1849. His parents moved to Michigan while he was an infant. In six years they removed to Wisconsin, remaining two years, then to ForestviUe, where he completed his education and is now engaged in farming. In 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Nash. The union has been blessed with three children.

Felix Meighen was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1812. He received his education in that State and taught school one year. In 1845, he was joined in marriage with Miss Eliza Jane Foster, the ceremony taking place in Steubenville, Ohio. In 1847, they removed to Illinois, where he was engaged in the lead mines until 1855, then oame to Forestville and has since been engaged in mercantile business and farming. Mr. and Mrs. Meighen have had a family of eight children, seven of whom are living; Susan, Catharine, Maria, Thomas J., Eliza J., Martha E., and Joseph P. He has been Postm;i8ter since 1868.

J. L. MicHENEB was bom in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1819. He lived with his parents until twenty years old; attended school and worked on a farm. He removed to Indiana in 18B9, and was engaged at farming and fruit growing. In 1840, he married Miss Mary Blackledge, who was a native of Ohio, They had four children, three of whom are living; Rachel A., Charles R, and D. K. J. Otis was killed when twelve years old by a runaway team. In 1856, they came to Forestville, section thirty, and engaged in farming, which he still follows. His wife died of consumption in 1866, aged fifty- three years. The name of his present wife was Mrs. Lucia, whom he married in 871. Thay have one child, Harvey, aged three years. Mr. Michener was County Commissioner from 1872 to 1879. Has been Town Clerk aud Chairman of the board of Supervisors several terms. He was a Oarrisonian Abolitionist from his boyhood, was "couductor" of the "undergound railroad,*^ and assisted many fugitive slaves to Canada. He has always been a pioneer in all reforms, no matter how unpopular. He has been a zealous advocate of temperance all his life, liberal in his religious views, but charitable toward those who differed from him, and has refused at all times to join any church organization.

WELiiiAM M^uKenzie was bom in Monroe county, New York, in 1816. Three years later he moved to Ohio with his parents, and remained there until twenty -six years of age. He was first married in the latter State in 1834, to Miss Jane Kilbom, with whom he remained but ten years. They had five chiidren. In 1842, he removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming and building until 1863, when he came to Forestville, and has since lived on a farm. He was married in Wisconsin in 1847, to Normanda Kicks. They were blessed with four children, and Mrs. McKenzie died in March, 1871, aged fifty-two years. The maiden name of his present wife was Sarah Ann Hamlin, whom he married in 1872. They have one child.

L. H. Nash is a native of New York, bom in 1842. He lived with his parents in that State until he was fourteen years old, and then removed with them to Forestville, where he attended school and worked on a farm. In 1864, he enlisted in the army and served till the close of the war. In 1866, he was joined in marriage with Miss P. E. McKenzie. They have been blessed with seven children, six of whom are living. He was a member of the board of Supervisors one term.

Martin Quinn was bora in Ireland in 1836, and came to America in 1849, locating in New York, where lie finished nis education. He moved to Wisconsin m 1856, and engaged in farming. He was married in 1862, to Miss Bridget O'Connor, also a native of Ireland. They have eleven children, all living at home. In 1863, they removed to Forestville, where he is still engaged in farming. Mr. Quinn has been a member of the board of Supervisors several terms, and Town Clerk one term. He has three hundred and twenty acres of land, nearly all of which is improved.

E. W. Kexford was bom in Canada in 1837, where he attended scIkk)! and was reared on a farm. In 1855, he removed with his parents to Forestville, Minnesota, where he finished his education and engaged in farming. In 1861, he enlisted in the army, served three years, then was taken prisoner aud subsequently paroled. He went with Gen. Sibley at the time of the Indian outbreak, but afterwards returned to the army and served out his time. He was married in 1866, to Miss Alzuma Merritt. They have one child, Minnie A., eleven years of age. He has two hundred acres of land, all of which is improved. Mr. Bexford has been a member of the board of Supervisors several terms.

Almas Rexpord was born in Canada in 1836, where he attended school. In 1855, he removed to Illinois, where he went to school another year, then came to Forestville and engaged in farming. He enlisted at the time of the Indian outbreak, and re-enlisted in 1863, in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, serving till the close of the war. He has been engaged in farming since 1865. In 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes A.

John W. Siketnk was bom in Holland in 1838, and came to America in 1857, locating in Rochester, New York, where he worked seven years in a nursery. He was married in the latter place to Henrietta Wessels. In 1865, he removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming; five years later he came to Minnesota, and is still a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Sikkink have been blessed with eight children, all living at home. They are members of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Rev. W. C. Sweet was bom in Otsego county, New York, in 1814, and moved with his parents to Lisle, Broome county. New York, when three years of age. His father died in the latter town in 1817. In 1836, W. C. was married to Miss Eunice C. Sly, and they removed to Cortland county, where he graduated trom the Cortland Academy and entered the ministry, being ordained in 1838. He served as a minister of the Baptist denomination until 1879, coming to ForestviUe in 1876. His first wife died in 1879. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom are living. In the same year he married Miss Hellen A. Rexford. He is now engaged on a small farm, and is in comfortable circumstances.

John C. Swebinq is a native of New York, bom in 1848. He removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 1856, where he received a fair education. He was employed with his father three years at the carpenter trade, after which he went to Milwaukee and followed that occupation for one year. He then came to Fillmore county and located a farm on section twenty-four, ForestviUe township, where he is now living. In 1878, he was married to Miss Alice Y. Nash, and they have two children; Eva Irine, bom on the 26th of August, 1879, and Wilbur H., bom the 5th of July, 1880.

to Indiana at the age of three years. He received his education in that State. ' In 1865, he removed to ForestviUe, this county, where he engaged in. farming and has since foUowed the same. He was married in 1872, to Miss Diana Baldwin. They have one child, Frank, eight years old.

John Wikkerink was bom in Holland in 1822, and reared on a farm. In 1845, he was married to Miss Clara Prencin. In 1854, they emigrated to America and located in MUwaukee, remaining there seven years, then removed to Fond du Lao county and engaged in farming. They came to Minnesota in 1867, and located in ForestviUe, where he stUl conducts a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wikkerink have been blessed with nine children, four of whom are living.

AiiViN West was bom in Orange county, Vermont, in 1811. He was married in 1838, to Miss Lucia Waterman. ' He is a shoemaker by trade, and in 1843, removed to JanesviUe, Wisconsin, where he was engaged at his trade. He built the first house in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and also kept the first hotel in that place. His wife died in 1853, aged forty-one years. They had two chilohildren, both ot whom are now dead. His present wife is a native of Canada, and they were married in 1856. They removed to ForestviUe, Minnesota, the same year, located on section fifteen, and engaged in farming. They have three chUdren; Fred. A., Fannie £., and Jennie E. He has been Town Clerk and Assessor twenty-two years, and Treasurer eighteen years.

John W. WiiiBRicHT was bom in Prussia in 1823. He was married in 1851, to Miss Gnstava Litguy. In 1855, he emigrated to America and located in ForestviUe, Minnesota, on section fifteen, where he has three hundred acres of land, most of which is improved. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbrioht have had six children, five of whom are Uving. They are members of the Lutheran Church.