Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (4 of 9 so headed), 1882

Jacob Broker is a native of Germany, born on the 25th of September, 1832. He remained on a farm in the "Old Country" until coming to Canada in 1852. In 1855, he came to Houston county, located a farm in Union, and for three years was employed by the farmers in that vicinity, then settled on the land he had previously taken. On the 23d of October, 1858, he was married to Miss Eliza James, a daughter of one of the pioneers of the county. Of nine children born to this union, six are living. In 1871, Mr. Becker purchased his present farm, upon which James' additions are located. He was Chairman of the board of Supervisors for five years, and is at present Town Treasurer, having held the office three terms.

Henry E. Brooks is a native of England, born in Cambridge on the 10th of February, 1852. In 1860, his parents came to Ogdensburg, New York, and thence to Saline, Michigan. Henry made the latter place his home, but attended the high school at Detroit, and after graduating learned the trade of a miller at Saline. In 1872, he removed to Minneapolis, and the following year to Winnebago City, thence to Lanesboro, Fillmore county, and in 1874 to this place, where, for five years he had charge of the Crescent Mill. He was united in marriage with Miss Rodah A. Mc- Spadden, daughter of W. G. McSpadden, one of the pioneers of Houston county, the ceremony dating the 26th of March, 1875. The fruits of this union are two boys. In 1879, Mr. Brooks became a partner in the ownership of the Grampian Merchant Mill, which interest he still retains.

O. C. BbxjLROod was born in Norway on the 13th of October, 1824. He learned the shoemaker trade in the city of Christiana, and in 1844, he came to America. After a residence of several years in Wisconsin, first in Milwaukee and then at the old Fort Winnebago, (now Portage) engaged at his trade, he went to California. Remained two years and returned to Wisconsin, opening a grocery store in Preston. In 1862, Mr. Bellrood enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Company E, serving over three years, during which time he was confined five months in the Andersonville prison. On his return from the army he resided in La Crosse, Wisconsin, until 1874, when he came to this town and has since been engaged in the boot and shoe business, in which he has a good trade and carries a fine stock.

Julius Burkart is a native of Germany, born in Rottweil, Wurtemburg, on the 8th of April, 1847. When young he learned the furrier s trade, at which he was employed in the <401d Country" until coming to America in 1865. He resided a year in New York City, thence to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and a few months later to this place. For six years he conducted the Root River brewery, which is about two miles east of town, then came to the village and -opened his present billiard hall and sample room. On the 12th of August, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Palen. They have had five children, four of whom are living.

Charles L. Guenther dates his birth the 21st of March, 1844, in Prussia. At the age of nineteen years he commenced learning the blacksmith trade, to which he devoted his time till coming to America. In November, 1871, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Augusta Flasisohauer. After leaving their native land in 1873, they came directly to Houston county , locating in La Crescent, which was their home for four years, Mr. Guenther being employed at his trade. In 1877, they came to this place, and our subject opened his present blacksmith shop, to which he has since given his whole time. Six children have been born to them, four of whom are living.

Mabk Habgbeaves, a native of England, was born in Stafford county, on the 24th of December, 1838. When he was eight years old his parents came to America and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father superintended the stone work of the court house in that city. In 1854 they moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and the following year to Minnesota, locating at Mound Prairie, where they were among the first settlers. Mark, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the First Wisconsin Light Artillery, served three years and three months, and participated in the battles of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, Arkansas Post, Seige of Vicksburg, and many others. After receiving his discharge he returned to his home and assisted in the farm labor until entering the employ of the railroad company, in which occupation he remained till 1874. In the latter year he was elected Sheriff of this county, holding the office four years, during which time he resided in Caledonia. During his residence in Mound Prairie, he filled several of the local offices. The maiden name of his wife was Delia E. Ostrander. She has borne him five children, four of whom are living. In 1879, he came to this place and has since been engaged in the agency business. He is at present filling the office of Justice of the Peace of the village of Hokah.

David Hocsb is a native of New York, born on the 4th of September, 1824. When he was about seven years old his parents moved to Canada, but in 1837, returned to New York, where David attended the public schools. In 1839, they moved to Michigan, thence, a few years later, to Stephenson county, Illinois, where our subject was engaged in farming and carpenter work. On the 3d of July, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane.C. Shoemaker. In the spring of 1853, they came to Houston county, and were the first to locate in what is now the town of Union. In 1856, his wife died leaving two children, but one of whom is now living. The maiden name of his present wife was Weltha L. Pond. She has borne him eleven children, eight of whom are living. In 1870, Mr. House moved to this place, and the following February, opened a drug and grocery store, which business he still continues. He was a member of the first board of Supervisors, and for several years was Assessor, besides holding other local offices.

William W. Holdbn, M. D., a native of Saratoga county, New York, was born on the 15th of May, 1853. He was reared to agricultural pursuits until the age of nineteen years, when he commenced the study of medicine, entering the Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, in 1873, and graduating two years later, during which time he was also employed in a drug store. He was united in marriage on the 30th of May, 1874, with Miss Hattie Wilcox. In 1877, he came to this place and has since established a large practice. Zella is the only child.

Henry J. Hekzog was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, of German parentage, on the 8th of April, 1851. He resided at home on the ~farm and attended school until the age of seventeen years. In 1868, he entered the Business College at Milwaukee, remained six months and returned to Washington county, where he was employed as clerk in a store. In 1870, he came to Houston county, and for about eight years was engaged in stores at Mound Prairie. He was united in marriage with Miss Celina Sheldon on the 18th of December, 1876. From 1878, until coming to this place, he was engaged in farming and school teaching, also filled the office of Town Clerk four years during his residence in Mound Prairie. In December, 1881, he came to Hokah, since which time he has been proprietor of the Union house. Mr. and Mrs. Herzog have been blessed with two children.

C. E. Joys, one of the leading business men of this town, is a native of Norway, born on the 19th of April, 1847, in the city of Christiania. His father was a merchant, which occupation our subject was taught as soon as old enough. In 1867, he came to America, and located in Milwaukee, where he was engaged as clerk for a short time, then moved to Michigan, and had charge of the financial affairs of an extensive lumbering firm. Miss Clara L. Bowers became the wife of Mr. Joys in November, 1875, the fruits of which union were two boys one of whom is living. In the latter year he came to Hokah and opened his present mercantile establishment, in which he keeps a $7,500 stook of goods and has as good a trade as any in the county.

William James, deceased, was one of the first settlers in this town, and laid out in an early day what has since been known as "James' Addition." He was a native of Germany and came to America, locating in Illinois in 1842. He remained ten years and then came to this place, taking a claim in section thirty-four. In 1854, he removed ta section five, the present residence of his son-inlaw, Jacob Becker, and laid out a portion of his farm in town lots. He enlisted soon after the outbreak of the war, and on his way south was accidentally shot. Mr. James had four daughters, three of whom are living in this county and one in Iowa.

Levi T. Lyon is a native of New York, born in Delaware county, on the 31st of January, 1832. At the age of seventeen years he went to the western part of the State and learned the carpenter trade, returning to Delaware county about 1852. While there he rented an iron foundry which he operated for a time, and also gave some attention to his trade. He was joined in matrimony on the 4th of July, 1852, with Miss Margaret Dunn. They soon after came to Wisconsin, where Mr. Lyon was engaged as carpenter and millwright. In 1858, he moved to McGregor, Iowa, where remained nine years and then came to this town. For several years after coming here he was employed by the railroad company, but for the past few years has been engaged in the drug and grocery business. Two children have been born to him, but one of whom is living.

Archie Muer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, of Scotch parentage, on the 4th of February, 1850. When quite young he learned the cooper trade, at which he was engaged in his native place until the age of twenty-one years. He then removed to La Crosse, and from thence to Racine, where he remained a year. On the 5th of December, 1871, he was married to Miss Zuleku Cleveland. They resided four years in Neillsville, Wisconsin, then came to Winona, where Mr. Muir entered the employ of Doud, Son & Co., of that place, in 1876. Three years later he was given the general management of their business at Hokah, having discharged his duties with much

Febdinand Sobek is a native of Austria, born on the 19th of April, 1846. He learned the tailor trade at which he was engaged in his native country until coming to America in 1867. He came direct to Wisconsin, first locating in Milwaukee, then in Hartford, and a few months later in Prairie du Chien, from which place he moved to Dubuque, Iowa. In 1870, he came to this place and opened a shop with a very small capital, but by industry and economy has increased his business from year to year, until now he has a large trade and keeps a first-class merchant tailoring establishment. On the 9th of June, 1874, Mr. Sobek was joined in marriage with Miss Kate Boehm, the fruits of which union are two children.

H. H. Snube, one of the active business men of this town, was born in Canada West on the 23d of December, 1841. His father died when our subject was quite young, and when fourteen years of age he came with his mother to Illinois, where he remained until coming to Hokah in 1865. For a few years he resided with his brother, engaging in farm labor, then entered the employ of the railroad company, and two years later, formed a partnership with W. F. Weber in the hardware business, to which he has since given his attention. The maiden name of his wife was Lilla A. Weber, who has borne him four children. In 1880, Mr. Snure was ejected to the State Legislature, and in November, 1881, tendered his resignation, to accept that of County Treasurer, in which office he began his duties in March, 1882.

Joseph Stelzig is a native of Germany, born in Austria on the 25th of December, 1844. In 1857, he came with his parents to America, locating in La Crosse county, Wis., where he learned the blacksmith trade and remained about ten years. Miss Dorothy J. Schafer became his wife on the 4th of November, 1872i In 1874, they moved to Hokah and Mr. Stelzig engaged in the blacksmith business in company with James McLaughlin. After a continuation of about three years the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Stelzig, purchasing the interest of his former partner, has since conducted the business alone. Mr. and Mrs. Stelzig have had four children, three of whom are living.

tural pursuits, coming to the States when young. After a residence of a few years in Illinois he came to this village in 1863. In 1866, he joined the engineer corps of the Southern Minnesota Kailroad Company, was engaged as fireman the following year, and three years later, as engineer, which position he retained until 1877. In the latter year he settled in this town and opened his present sample room.

Dr. Hamilton B. Train is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, born on the 26th of April, 1825. During the year 1847, he studied medicine in Wisconsin, then located in Fond du Lac, where he was engaged in preaching the gospel. His health soon failed, and he was obliged to abandon the ministry, after which he attended the Appleton University for a short time. He then returned to Fond du Lao, where he was united in matrimony with Miss Angelina Clark, the marriage dating the 27th of March, 1850. In 1856, he came to Minnesota, and the following year to Hokah, since which time he has given his attention to the practice of medicine. Their union has been blessed with four children, two of whom are living.

Edward Thompson, the first settler in what is now Hokah, and one of the first in the county, is a native of Canada, born only a short distance from the falls of Niagara. His parents moved to London, Middlesex county, where Edward received his education. In 1842, they removed to Winnebago county, Illinois, which was their home for several years, Edward learning the machinist trade, after which he was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. On the 11th of July, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan M. Jenks, who died on the 19th of September, 1862. In 1851, while looking for a mill site, he passed through Iowa into this county, just west of the present village of Caledonia, following the Indian trail until he reached the South Fork of Root River. There he and two others hewed out a walnut canoe, in which they came down the river to the Mississippi, reaching the present site of Brownsville at night. They stopped at a cabin owned by Job Brown, but finding no one at home, were obliged to sleep on the frosty ground. On the return of Mr. Brown, at his suggestion, Mr. Thompson staked out a claim at the mouth of what is now known as Thompson's Creek, where Hokah village now stands. He immediately erected a shanty, built a saw- mill, and commenced the improvement of the Hokah water power, upon which he has since spent thousands of dollars. Mr. Thompson has always been identified with county as well as local interests. In 1854, he traveled many miles through this and adjoining counties, circulating a petition for the building of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, of which he was appointed master mechanic in 1865, resigning the office in 1870. He was the first County Treasurer, first Postmaster at Hokah, and Justice of the Peace of the old territorial precinct, besides filling many other offices. In 1873 and '74, he was a member of the State Senate from this district He is one of the oldest Masons in the State, and a charter member of Hokah Lodge, No. 17. His present wife was Mrs. Orinda Hulburt, and they have three children. Mr. Thompson had six children by his first marriage, only four of whom are living.

Susan M. Thompson, deceased, the former wife of the subject of our last sketch, died on the 19th of September, 1862,at the age of thirty-three years. In October, 1851, she came with her little family to this then uninhabited region, to encounter the care&jburdens, privations, and roughness of pioneer life, which she endured with a cheerfulness, and bravery that won all hearts, and endeared her to every one whose good fortune it was "to share her hospitality. For twelve months she was the only white woman in Hokah, but with buoyant hopefulness she met every requirement, and when she passed to the "Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood," there were lonely and aching hearts, keenly feeling the individual and collective loss to the whole community.

S. P. White, who has been identified with the milling interests of this place for the past four years, was born in Rochester, New York, on the 26th of September, 1821. When he was an infant his parents moved to what was called the "Eastem Township," in Lower Canada, just across the northern line of Vermont In his boyhood he attended the public school in his town, and afterwards graduated at Derby Seminary, Vermont. In 1848, he came to Wisconsin, locating in Madison, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, real estate, money loaning, etc. In the latter place his marriage with Miss Lydia M. Bodwell took place in 1849. In 1875 they moved to Lansing, Iowa, where Mr. White was engaged in the operation of a flouring mill, which he conducted until coming to this place in 1878. He has since been in company with his brother, the firm name being S. P. & E. V. White.

W. F. Weber, a business man well known throughout the county, is a native of Germany, born in Prussia on the 12th of January, 1824. His father died in the '-Old Country," and in 1838, Mr. Weber and his mother came to America. They located in Dayton, Ohio, where W. F. learned the shoemaker's trade, and was afterward employed as joururneyman for six years. In 1856, he moved to Iowa, and the following year came to Hokah and opened the first shoe shop in the place. In 1868, he sold his shoe store, and in company with D. L. Clements, opened a general mercantile house, continuing in the business several years. His present partner is A. J. Snore, with whom he is engaged in the sale of hardware, grain, and all kinds of produce. Since 1868, Mr. Weber has been Postmaster, has also been Chairman of the board of Supervisors for the past sixteen years, County Commissioner for four years and was in the State Legislature one year.