Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (3 of 9 so headed), 1882

The pioneers George Powlesland, John Merkle, and John N. Boster, are so frequently referred to and their sketches so interwoven with the township history, that nothing of importance remains to be said under this heading.

Thomas Bayne is a native of England, born in the city of Westminster in 1814. His father was killed in the Napoleon wars, and wheu Thomas was thirteen months old he was sent to the Bsyal Military Asylum on the Isle of Wight, remaining until the age of five years, when he was transferred to a similar institution at Chelsea. At the age of thirteen years he was sent to the Boyal Military College at Sandhurst, where he* enlisted as musician and served thirteen years, The college then being reduced he was discharged, but soon after enlisted in the Navy, on board the "Blenheim,'' which was the first vessel that went to China at the time of the opium disturbance. In 1835, Mr. Bayne was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Sewry, the result of which union was three children, only one of whom is now living. Mrs. Bayne was born in Sandhurst, England, on the 10th of October, 1819. After coming to this piece she taught school for a time, being the first teacher in the town. They came to America in 1850, resided in Galena, Illinois, about three years, then came to Houston county and settled in Brownsville, coming to Crooked Creek about 1853. Since his residence here he has held several local offices and was one of the signers to the petition for a

State organization. He was also instrumental in the organization of Crooked Creek township. Though past the meridian of life, Mr. Bayne is still active, and possesses a very remarkable memory.

J. M. Graf was born in Baden, Germany, on the 11th of November, 1845. At the age of two years he came to America, locating in New Albany, Indiana, from which place he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, thence to Minnesota in 1859, selecting a farm near Brownsville. When fifteen years of age he run a threshing machine, which occupation he continued for sixteen successive falls. In 1872, he was joined in marriage with Miss Caroline Foahard. They have had five children, four of whom are living. After a residence of two years in this town, they returned to Brownsville in 1874, then traveled through Missouri in search of farming land, but returned again to Brownsville and thence to Freeburg, where Mr. Graf purchased a half interest in a grist-mill. On the 27th of December, 1876, the mill burned, and the following summer our subject, in company with Garret Hurley, rebuilt it, running the same until September, 1880, when Mr. Hurley sold his interest to Mr. Graf, who has since operated the mill. Since coming to Freeburg, by industry and perseverance Mr. Graf has acquired a thorough knowledge of the milling business, giving satisfaction to customers and making it lucrative for himself.

Fkanz Hurdelbrink is a native of Germany, born in Osnabruck, Hanover, on the 17th of June, 1824. His father was a blacksmith, which trade Franz learned when young. In 1850 he came to America, landing in New Orleans in December, thence to St. Louis, and finally came to Houston county, locating in Crooked Creek in 1857. On the 26th of October, 1858, Miss Henrietta Riebe, of Crawford county, Wisconsin, became his wife. Of nine children born to this union, eight are living, the eldest, now married, lives in Crawford county, and the others are still at home. Mr. Hnrdelbrink, though a good mechanic, has devoted his time to the cultivation of his farm since coming here.

John Mulleb, one of the oldest settlers of this town, having come in 1856, is a native of Baden, Germany, born in the year 1816. He was joined in marriage with Miss Theresa Leffer in 1837, the fruits of which union were eight children, seven of whom are living; Mrs. E. Irieburg, residing at Brownsville; Rachel, who is married and resides at Chippewa Falls; Valentine, who married Bertha Arndt in 1875, has three children and resides at with his father; Mary, married and living in this town; John, William, and Elizabeth still reside with their parents. Mr. Muller and sons occupy one of the finest dwellings in Houston county. It is a two story brick structure, with cellar under the entire building, also have a fine stable, toolhouse, spring-house, granary, broom factory, etc. The farm contains nine hundred and twenty acres, which was once a wilderness, but by industry and perseverance is now a fine, productive farm and an elegant home.

August Neumann was born in Pomerania, Prussia, on the 6th of April, 1852. He received his education and learned the shoemaker trade at Stargard, coming to America in 1870. He came to Houston county the same year, locating in Brownsville. In 1873, he removed to Crooked Creek which has since been his home. On the 27th of May, 1879, Miss Louisa Mann became his wife. She was born in this county on the 26th of September, 1859. One child was born of this union, on the 3d of January, 1880, a daughter, named Bertha.

William Oxford, one of the oldest living settlers in the town, is a native of South Hampton, England, born on the 1st of April, 1825. On the 9th of April, 1849, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Mary Wakefield of his native city. They came to America the same year, remaining in Boston, Massachusetts, for a time, where Mr. Oxford was engaged as coachman. In 1851, they came to Allamakee county, Iowa, and the following year to Crooked Creek. Mr. Oxford, in company with Mr. Powlesland started from Iowa with an ox and a horse team, lost their way and were obliged to return, but making a second attempt they finally reached the cabin of Mr. Powlesland whioh he had previously erected. Mr. Oxford drove the first team to Brownsville, coming on the Indian trail, in the spring of 1853. Immediately after arriving in Crooked Creek he erected a log house in which he and his family resided for some time. The first year they raised buckwheat, turnips, corn, etc., and as the grist-mill 'was about sixty miles away they ground their buckwheat in a coffee-mill, sifted it through Mrs. Oxford's veil, - and lived on the flour for a time. In 1858, Mr.

Oxford built a saw-mill in which he sawed the lumber for his present fine residence, and operated the same till about four years ago. He has held several terms of office since his residence here; has been Superintendent of schools, besides filling town offices. Of nine children born of this union, five are living: Henry, now in the pineries; Mary J., now Mrs. Peter Bodwin, residing in Mayville; Charles W., in Montana; Lucy, now Mrs. Joseph Till; and Sarah, now Mrs. Humer, residing with her parents.

John Palmer was born on the 23d of May, 1812, at Albridge, Norfolk county, England. He was reared in Homersfield, Suffolk county, and on the 14th of May, 1833, was married in the latter place to Miss Maria Sampson. They moved to Woolwich, remained seven years, and came to America, landing in New Orleans in 1853. After a short residence in the latter place they moved to Missouri, and in 1856, to this place, taking a claim in July of the same year, on which they have since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have had nine children, seven of whom died in infancy. This couple have, by industry and economy, made a comfortable home, which they are enjoying in their old age, respected and beloved by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

Phillip Palmer, who was born on the 28th of November, 1817, is a native of Homersfield, Suffolk county, England, which was his home until the age of twenty-five years. On the 25th of October, 1842, he was joined in marriage with Miss Phillis Huarry, of Albridge, Norfolk county. They moved to Woolwich, remaining eleven years, after which they came to America. On the 29th of January, 1855, Mrs. Palmer died, near St. Louis, Missouri, leaving five children; Elizabeth, now residing in Washington Territory; George, in Brownsville; Harriet, in Missouri; Alice, in MaDkato; Elijah and George are in Brownsville running a saw-mill. Mr. Palmer came to this county in 1860, settled in Brownsville, and five years later purchased his present farm, on which he moved and has since lived.