Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (6 of 9 so headed), 1882

Biographical sketches

William Reed Anderson, one of the pioneers and first officers of this place, was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 2d of July, 1827. When he was an infant his parents moved to Springfield in the same State, where William re- ceived his education. He also learned the carpenter trade there and remained until 1855, when he came to La Orescent. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Methodist church and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was married to Miss Susan 0. Arnett in April, 1856, who has borne him two children.

A. H. Bratton is a native of Newport, Herkimer county, New York, born the 29th of August, 1829. He attended the Whitestown Seminary and the Albany State Normal school from 1850 until 1854, when he made a trip west. He soon returned home, however, and in 1856, came to Minnesota. The following year he purchased a farm in this place, and, with the exception of a number of visits to his native State, has since lived here, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Miss Elizaberh K. Orr became the wife of Mr.'Brayton on the 19th of January, 1868. Seven children, five of whom are living, have been born to this union. Mr. Brayton is at present Chairman of the board of Supervisors and has held other local offices.

Daniel Cameron, one of the oldest residents of this place, was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, New York, on the 2d of April, 1825. He was reared on a farm, attending the schools of his native place until entering the academy at Fairfield, Herkimer county. In 1846, he came west, and in company with his brother, Peter, located in La Crosse, where they were engaged in the lumber business and trading with the Indians. In 1848, they returned to New York, where Peter died, and in 1855, Daniel came again to La Crosse and thence to La Crescent, and subsequently settled on his present farm, a portion of which is now included in the village. Mr. Cameron was Chairman of the first board of Supervisors, and in 1864 and '65, was State Senator. Besides his several farms in this county, he owns real estate in La Crosse.

D. C. Cameron is a son of Alexander Cameron, one of the active citizens and politicians of Kalamazoo, Michigan. D. C. was born in the latter ter place on the 14th of March, 1841, and after attending the graded schools entered the Kalamazoo Theological College, remaining five years. In March, 1860, he came to La Crescent, and the following winter was engaged in teaching school, making his home with his uncle Daniel Cameron. Fe enlisted in the First Wisconsin Battery in

August, 1861, and served four years, not missing a fight in which the battery participated. After receiving his discharge he returned to this place, and was engaged in various pursuits. He was united in marriage with Miss Harriet L. Pidge of Hokah, the ceremony taking place on the 2d of December, 1867. Four children have blessed this union, three of whom are living. Mr. Cameron was elected County Superintendent of schools in January, 1877, since which time he has held the office with much credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituency.

J. C. Day is a native of Fayette county Pennsylvania, born on the 30th of January, 1822. His parents moved to Indiana county where J. C. was reared and attended school. In 1843, he left home, having in his possession but a few dollars; worked his way to Bock Island, Illinois, and thence to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the pineries. In 1847, while on his way to Pittsburgh, he enlisted in the First Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Company E, serving till the close of the Mexican War. He then went to Pennsylvania, remaining until 1855, when he came to Minnesota and located a farm in what has since been known as Day's Valley, near Mound Prairie. In 1857, he came to this place, and with the exception of a few years, has since resided here. In 1859, he made an overland trip to Pike's Peak, and in 1864, made another to Virginia City, Montana. He filled several local offices here in an early day, was a member of the first State constitutional convention, and also of the first State Senate. For the past few years Mr. Day has had charge of the ferry at this point.

Michael Farbelij, a native of Cork county, lieland, was born the 16th of June, 1816. He came to Canada and took part in the Rebellion of 1836 and '37, then came to the States, locating in Vermont, where he was engaged in farming until 1855. In the latter year he was married to Miss Bridget Lynch. They came to Minnesota, settled in Pine Creek valley, and a few months later moved to the farm now owned by Pat Finn, but subsequently removed to their present farm in section eight. Mr. Farrell now owns two hundred and eighty acres of land and some fine stock. He has a family of four children.

commenced learning the mill-wright trade,at which he was engaged in his native county until 1852. He then came to Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1856, to this place, and immediately commenced the ereo tion of a mill. Mr. Groff was united in marriage with Miss Ann Eliza Plant, of Dubuque, Iowa, on the 18th of October, 1856. Of five children born to them, four are living. The subject of this sketch has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for the past twenty years. Since 1859, he has been a member of the milling firm of Groff Bros., & Co.

Theodore Groff, a member of the above firm, commenced learning the miller's trade when seventeen years old. In 1854, he came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he found employment in a mill until coming to this place in 1856. Besides his interest in the mill he has charge of the farm connected with the same, and owned by the company. On the 8th of July, 1873, Miss Julia Theyson became his wife. The fruits of the union are two children.

John Gillespie, one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of Ireland. In 1851, he came to America and was engaged in farming in Vermont for a few years. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Sadlier on the 15th of September, 1853. They came to La Crescent the following year, and for a short time kept the boarding house owned by Peter Cameron. Mr. Gillespie purchased his farm in 1855, and has since made it his home. He is the father of seven children.

H. D. Gurlet dates his birth in Oswego county, New York, on the 12th of January, 1836. He spent his early days on a farm, learning from his father the trade of a blacksmith, and after the age of fifteen years was employed in that occupation in different parts of the State, In 1855, he came west, residing in Rock county, Wisconsin for a time; then returned to New York where he married Miss Mary P. Whitney on the 28th of April, 1857, They then came to Illinois, thence to La- Crosse, Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1858, to this village. The following spring Mr. Gurley opened a blacksmith shop here which he still continues to occupy.

Lewis Lilly is a native of Massachusetts, born in Ashfield, Franklin county, the 13th of April, 1827. When an infant he moved with his parents to Ohio, where he remained until the age of eighteen years. He then came to Walworth county, Wisconsin ; was engaged in farming there and in Dane county until 1850, when he made a trip to California, remaining in the mines in that vicinity two years. After his return to Dane county he married Miss Margaret E. Emly, the ceremony taking place the 20th of September, 1855. They have had three children, two of whom are living. They moved to this place in 1865, since which time Mr. Lilly has accumulated land to the amount of 1,180 acres in this and Winona counties, and is extensively engaged in stock raising.

Walter McArthur is a native of Scotland, born in November, 1820. He was reared on a farm and received a limited education, his father dying when Walter was three years old. He afterward resided with his grandmother until eighteen years of age. In 1848, he came to America and was employed by farmers in New York. He was united in marriage with Miss Jane Cameron in 1855. They immediately started for the West, and subsequently located in this town, in section nine. His wife died in 1858, after which he visited New York, remaining two years. He then returned to this place, purchased more land, and now owns a fine farm of two hundred and ninety acres. In February, 1861, he married Miss Catharine Schulz. Mr. McArthur has held numerous local offices and is at present Chairman of the board of County Commissioners. In 1873, he was elected to the State Legislature.

Thomas Minshall, one of the early settlers and Postmaster since 1857, is a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, born on the 4th of January, 1824. When he was eight years old his parents moved to Ohio, and in 1840, to Bonaparte, Iowa, where his father operated one of the first woolen mills in that State. Thomas was engaged in mills at St. Charles, Illinois; then male a visit to his old home in Ohio, but returned to Bonaparte, and in 1849, moved to Illinois, where he owned a woolen factory and also a drug storey which he carried on six years. In 1849, he was united in marrige with Miss Catharine Towler, who has borne him five children, only two of whom are living. They came to this place in 1856. Mr. Minshall is engaged in the drug business, and during his residence here has held a number of local offices.

February, 1822. He went to the schools near his home, then entered the Theological Seminary at Autun, where he was ordained in December, 1846. He attended, for several years, the Seminary of Meximieux (Ain) near Lyons, where he made his classical studies. He remained in his native country until 1864, when he came as a missionary to America, locating in Wisconsin with his residence at Marinette and Peshtigo. During the fire in the latter place in 1871, he lost all his personal property and barely escaped with his life. He has since published a book entitled "The Finger of God," in which he gives a graphic account of the disaster. From 1874 to '78, he presided over a parish at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin; then came to his present charge, which includes Ridgeway, Winona county, and Houston, Hokah, and La Crescent in this county.

W. E. Potter was born in Connecticut, on the 4th of March, 1822. He was reared in Massachusetts, and at the age of twenty-one years entered a cotton factory. After remaining a few years in the employ of the firm, he purchased a cotton mill in Charlton, and continued in the business five years. In 1850, he moved to Troy, New York, thence to Iowa, in which places he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1855, he moved to Wisconsin, and to La Crescent in 1862; has held several local offices, and in 1870 and 76, was a member of the State Legislature.

David Richardson, one of the pioneers of this town, is a native of Roxburgh, Scotland, born the 25th of December, 1821. He came to Canada with his parents in 1834, and five years after enlisted in the Queen's service, serving till the close of the rebellion. He then came to the United States, and after a residence of a short time in Vermont, moved to New York and entered the Fairfield Academy, after which he taught school. On the 17th of February, 1848, he was married to Miss Catharine B. Cameron. In 1853, they came to Wisconsin, locating in La Crosse, and the same year Mr. Richardson took a claim in this place. The following year he, in company with Peter Cameron, put a stock of general merchandise in the house of the latter, which was the first "store" in the town. In 1854, Mr. Richardson brought his family here and in 1857, purchased his present farm. He enlisted in the Third Minnesota Light Artillery in 1863, and after two years service was promoted to Second Lieutenant of the First Min-

J. O. Sawyer is a native of Windsor county, Vermont, born on the 12th of May, 1822. At the age of of fourteen years he left his home and came to Wisconsin, and was employed by farmers in Walworth county where he finally purchased a farm and made his home. He married Miss Lucy B. Cobb on the 1st of January, 1846. They soon after moved to Dane county and thence to Madison, where Mr. Sawyer was engaged in the livery and stage business. In 1856, he sold the stock and route to the Wisconsin Stage Company, and took charge of their staging west of New Lisbon, with headquarters at La Crosse. Two years later he engaged in carrying the mail from La Crosse to points west of that place, being in company with the Northwestern Stage Company, making his headquarters at La Crescent. He opened his present hotel in 1871. Of five children born to him, one is living, Benjamin J.

Johannes Tuininga, one of the oldest living settlers of this town, is a native of Holland, born the 29th of July, 1813. He served for six years in the war of his native country, and in 1853, came to America. The ship in which he sailed was wrecked off the coast of the Bahama Islands, and Mr. Tuininga lost everything but the clothes himself and family had on. He was obliged to borrow money with which to complete his journey. Arriving in this place he immediately took land in sections five and six, and has since devoted his entire attention to its cultivation. He owns a good farm and a pleasant home.

Mathew Webster is a native of England, born in Yorkshire on the 14th of October, 1828. When young he learned the woolen weaver's trade, at which he was engaged until coming to America in 1855. He located in Hayesville, Ohio, then in Blooming ton, Illinois, where he was employed at his trade for a few years. He afterward moved to Lincoln, and in company with his brother, built, and for six years operated a woolen mill. He was married in Bloomington in November, 1861, to Miss Martha Thompson. They came to this place in 1865, and Mr. Webster, in company with his brother and Mr. Fletcher, built the Toledo Woolen Mills. His two partners had charge of the same till 1878, when the subject of this sketch purchased the interest of the other two, and has since operated it. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have four children, two boys and two girls.

Chapte Lix

This town is on the south of Union, west of Crooked Creek, north of Winnebago, and east of Caledonia, and is the southeast of the four central townships of the county. It is a government township with the exception of sections twenty-four, twenty-five and thirty-six, and one half each of sections twenty-three, twenty -six, and thirty-five, which help to make up Crooked Creek.

Crooked Creek valley extends up into this town, coming in at sections twenty-three and twentysix, and extending northwest to section eighteen, where the' head of the valley gets well elevated. Another depression comes up through section twenty-six, carrying a small branch which makes its appearance in section twenty-nine. There is another little stream rising in section nine, which finds its way into the creek in section sixteen. Away from these valleys the land is what may be called table land, but is denominated ridge land by the inhabitants, and supports many good farms.

There are no villages in the township, except Caledonia, which is mostly in the town of that name, but laps over into Mayville on sections eighteen and nineteen. The topographical characteristics of the town are not unlike that of the others in the county.

In the northern part the ridges are broader than elsewhere. The eastern central portion is mostly made up of high, abrupt bluffs and narrow ravines.

Crooked Creek flows eastward through the central part of the township, deflecting toward the south as it leaves to enter the town of Crooked

Creek. Along this stream are high bluffs with narrow ravines coming in at the sides. At a certain elevation, rock crops out in a shelf like way. These ravines seem altogether out of proportion to the size of the affluents of the main creek, and further west* would be called "gulches," and perhaps have sulphurous names attached to them.

The southwest part of the town is rolling and embraces a strip of prairie land, with some brush land, as it is called, and some timber, particularly in section fourteen and the immediate vicinage. Nearly the entire northeast part is well timbered. The soil is of a clayey character, except in the prairie region where black loam prevails,

Early Settlement

Edward Buckley came to Minnesota in 1855, and settled in section nine, and two or three years afterwards removed across the line into Union, but soon afterwards returned to this town and settled on section four where he still remains. Mr, Cashman settled in section four about the same time. Martin Rohan located on section eight and afterwards on section five. Thomas Kennedy and his brother James came together, and established themselves on section five. This was, in the spring of 1855.

Thomas Moriarty came upon section eight in the spring of 1855, and afterwards went to Fillmore county, where he recently died, Mr. Mo- Curdy, an old soldier, went on to section eleven, but after some years spent there he sold out In the autumn of 1854, Jerry Hooley settled on section nine, where he remained until 1868, when he returned to Illinois.

The first settler in the northwest part of the town was Charles Klein with his wife, five daughters, and four sons. John Mann located on section four. Gasper Molitor arrived here from

Germany in 1856, and bought a claim in section seventeen. John Meade came when this was a thinly settled country, and secured a claim on section nineteen. John 0. Herron was one of the earliest settlers in Mayville, and planted himself on section fourteen. He had previously lived in several different parts of the country, but still resides on the old claim in Mayville. Mr. P. Kelly was perhaps a still earlier comer. J. J. Bernhardt came to Mayville in 1856, and located on section twenty -one where he now lives. T. J. Murphy came in October, 1854, and, at government price, bought 160 acres. A>t a later day he bought where he now lives, on section twenty-eight.

Nicholas Neu pre-empted a claim on section twenty in 1857, and paid the government price, but afterwards sold and procured a place on section nineteen, in 1866. He came from New York, and stopped over one winter in Chicago. Winston Taylor also came from New York, and arrived here in 1855.

During the four or five years after the opening of thfs section for settlement it rilled up quite rapidly, mostly with immigrants from the "Emerald Isle," and the "Faderland."

Town Organization

The town was duly organized in 1858. The first town officers were : Supervisors, John Snowden, James Kennedy, and Henry Wilcher; Clerk, H. M. Phelps; Assessor, John Schminden; Treasurer, James Connolly; Justices of the Peace, James Kennedy and John Schminden; Constables, William Schminden and Peter Klein.

In the early history of this town there seems to have been no very startling events. Those who colonized it came with the honest purpose of securing homes, in which they succeeded.

The first school inaugurated in town was in the residence of James Stapleton, and was presided over by Mrs. Stapleton, about the year 1857. It was what may be called a subscription school.

District No. 90. - In the fall of 1858 or '59, a district was organized, and school taught in available houses until 1865, when a sohoolhouse was built on section four.

District No. 43. - The organization of this district was about 1858 or '59. The first school was in the house of Charles Murphy, and was under the instruction of Miss Mary Murphy. The first schoolhouse was built about 1859. The first Trustees were: Henry Wiltgen, James Connolly, and T. J. Murphy. The present Trustees are J. J. Reinhardt, T.J. Murphy, and Peter Klees.

District No. 34. - In the year 1876, a district was organized from No. 90, and a new house built on section eleven. The first teacher here was Edward Crow, of La Crescent. The school is maintained about seven months in each year.

The present town officers of Mayville are: Superiors, J ames Kennedy, Chairman; J. J. Reinhardt, and William Cahill; Clerk, Patrick McCauley; Treasurer, Peter Ernster; Assessor, Nic. Boden; Justice, James Kennedy; Constable, John Wiltgen.

John E. Pope, a native of Chautauqua county, New York, was bora on the 16th of February, 1836. He received his education in his native State, and in 1854, came with his father, J. Pope, to Minnesota, taking land in section thirty-six, Caledonia, and section thirty-one, Mayville. John remained in Caledonia until his marriage with Miss Betsy Woodward, whose nativity is the same as his own, the nuptials dating the 23d of October, 1859. Soon after marriage Mr. Pope went to Mississippi on account of failing health, taking his wife with him and remaining about a year and a half. The war being fairly begun he found no little difficulty in getting away, an order having been issued to allow no northern man to leave the country until after the war. But by strategy and the assistance of friends, he managed to escape and return to his home in Mayville, where he soon after built the residence he now occupies. He then began the practice of medicine which he continued until about seven years ago, when he was stricken with disease, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. Eva L, and Charles L., the fruits of his marriage, are still living at home.

James Kennedy, one of the organizers and first Supervisors of May ville, was born in the county of Wexford, Ireland, on the 4th of June, 1827. He was reared on a farm, and oame to America in 1852, settling in Freeport, Illinois, where he was employed on the railroad until 1855. He then oame to this place and located in section five. Mr. Kennedy was one of the organizers of his school district, and one of its first officers; has also held several terms of town office. He was married in July, 1861, to Miss Mary Molany, who is a native of Ireland. They have had six children, five of whom are living at home.

John Meade was born in Limerick county, Ireland, on the 31st of March, 1824. He came to America in 1840, and resided in Pennsylvania several years. While there he was united in marriage with Miss Bridget Fiynn, of Ireland, the event taking place in February, 1847. They came to Minnesota in 1853, and secured a claim in this then sparsely settled region. The first seasons were dry and Mr. Meade was obliged to go two miles after water. Brownsville was the principal trading post, the roads were irregular and regardless of lines or surveys, but by perseverance Mr. Meade has overcome these early embarrassments and now owns one of the best farms in this region. His wife died in 1860, having borne him four children. In 1862, he married Mrs Bridget Davy, who died the following year. His present wifo was Mrs. Ellen Sexton, whose birth place was Clare county, Ireland, the marriage taking place the 27th of October, 1867. Their home was formerly a part of Mayville, but now included in the village limits of Caledonia.