Houston County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (7 of 9 so headed), 1882

Magnus Anderson "Schar," a native of Norway, was born in Christiania on the 25th of February, 1832. He came to Canada in 1854, and soon after to Houston county, taking a claim of one hundred and sixty acres about one mile east of where Houston village now stands. In those primitive days Mr. Anderson ground his corn in a coffee mill and was obliged to take his wheat fortytwo miles to the nearest mill. Some years after, he, in company with Peter Nelson, purchased land in Money Creek, and devoted considerable time to raising live stock. In October, 1861, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Christina Olson. The partners then divided their farm, our subject taking the eastern half, located in sections twenty -four and twenty -five. His children are Sarah, Martha, Otto, Sylvester, and Joseph. He is a member of the Lutheran church and also fills one of its offices. He has been Town Supervisor several terms.

Cyrus O. Berry is a son of Nathan Berry who was born in Fayette, Maine, on the 7th of October, 1807. He married Miss Lydia Bosworth, who died after coming west, in June, 1853. They located in Winnebago, Wisconsin, in 1847, and came to Money Creek in 1855. He subsequently married Miss Lydia Gere, and in 1857, they moved to Dodge county, where Mrs. Berry died on the 17th of August, 1875, and the following year Mr. Berry returned to this place where his death occurred on the 28th of August, 1881- Cyrus G. was born on the 12th of January, 1829, in Maine. He came to Winnebago, Wisconsin, in 1846, where he resided eight years, being six miles from the nearest neighbor, and twelve from a store. In 1854, he made a visit to Maine, but returned west the same year and located in Money Creek. In 1856, he married Miss Jane Lemon, who died the following year. The maiden name of his present wife was Mary Leigh, whom he married in 1859. She has borne him six children; Mary E., Cyrus N., Edward, Lydia, Jennie, and Eugene.

Noah F. Berry is a native of St. Albans, Maine, born in the year 1832. He came to Wisconsin in 1847, and thence to Winona, Minnesota, in 1853, where he was engaged as carpenter on the first hotel built in that city. In 1854, he located a farm in Money Creek, which was his home over a year, after which he moved to Dodge county and resided several years. In November, 1857, he was joined in matrimany with Miss Emily E. Beals, of Money Creek. Mr. Berry soon after went to Kansas, remained six months and returned to Dodge county and thence to this place in 1860. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company K, of the First Minnesota Volanteer Infantry, participating in the battles of Bull Ron, Ball's Bluff, and several others, He was taken sick in September, 1862, and sent to the hospital, from which he was transferred to the Invalid Corps on the 1st of December, 1863, and discharged on the 22d of May, 1864. He then returned to Money Creek, and in 1871, moved to Lake Benton, where he resided until August, 1881, when he returned to this town and has since made it his home. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have been blessed with five children, only two of whom are living, William C, a lad of sixteen, and Walter N., aged eleven years, both now attending school.

Christopher Chenay is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, born in the year 1823. He served two years in the British army, from which he was discharged for disability. In 1848, he came to Canada and at once enlisted in the Queen's service for the suppression of the Rebellion. Daring his residence there he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Harrington in the year 1851. In 1853, they came to Minnesota, locating a farm about four miles south of Hastings. In 1858, Mr. Chenay purchased a farm in Henderson, Sibley county, upon which he lived a few years and still owns. He enlisted in Company C, Brackett's Battalion in 1861, was ordered upon the Indian expedition the following spring, and in the fall was sent south and participated in many battles, received wounds at both the battles of the Wilderness and Sugar Creek. After serving his time and receiving a discharge, he re-enlisted in 1864. Coming home on a furlough, he was sent west to the Black Hills with Sully's campaign against the Sioux. In 1863, his wife died, leaving two children, one son who is now foreman in a saw-mill at Minneapolis, and a daughter, Margaret, now married to Mr. Jeffreys.

Christian M. Christianson is a son of Martin Christianson, one of the early settlers of this place, who was born in Norway on the 16th of July, 1823. He came to Chicago in 1853, where

Christian was born on the 4th of August of the latter year. They came to Money Creek in the summer of 1854, and took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-six. Mr. Christianson built his house on the bottom land which the Root River overflowed, and one morning found himself surrounded with water and was obliged to remain in the house until assistance came to him. The maiden name of his wife was Randina Gulbrandson. She has borne him thirteen children, six of whom are living; Christian, the eldest, resides on a portion his father's farm, Dina, Martha, Millie, Sophia, and Josephine. Christian, the subject of this sketch, made his home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred the 2d of February, 1881, his wife being Miss Tina Thompson, of Yucatan. They have been blessed with one child, Elma Josephine. Mr. Christianson has filled the office of constable three terms and is at present a member of the board of Supervisors.

Harvey Chapel was born in Tioga county, New York. When he was nine years old he moved with his parents to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in 1856, Harvey came to Money Creek, where he bought government land on which he remained six weeks and then returned to his home in Wisconsin, He came here again the following year, but after harvest again returned to Dodge county where he was married to Miss Julia Wydboff, in 1858. The following year they came to their farm in this place, erected a log house in which they lived three years. Mr. Chapel then moved his family to Wisconsin and was enrolled in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry r but before entering the service was attacked with measles which terminated in a lung trouble, and this obliged him to abandon the service. After about three years absence he returned to his farm, and in 1870, moved to the village which has since been his home. Mr. Chapel now owns, beside his original farm and village property, about two-hundred and forty acres, sixty of which joins the village. He has been Constable for twelve years, County Commissioner one term and has held school offices most of the time since coming to the town, also is an active member and officer of the Masonic Lodge. His children are William Henry, Thomas, Jessie, Richard, Benjamin, John, Julia Anna, James and Mabel.

father was an early settler in that county, where he died on the 8th of November, 1869. Edward came to Money Creek with his mother and brother in 1870, and resides with his brother, Alonso, who was born on the 28th of October, 1839. His mother makes her home in section seventeen on a farm owned by her son Harvey.

Moses Emery, a native of Orleans county, Vermont, was born on the 10th of April, 1848. His parents came to Minnesota in 1855, taking land in Rushford, Fillmore county, where they remained until 1860. In the latter year they sold their farm and came to this place, purchasing land adjoining the village. Moses served eleven months in Company K, of the Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in 1864, and soon after, returning home entered the public school at Winona. After completing his education he clerked for a year in Rushford, then a year for Bisset k Carrol in the store he now occupies, and finally in the store of Wood & Vance. He was engaged as traveling agent for several years, first for the Toledo Woolen Mills at La Crescent, then for Pratt & Hall, Chicago, and later for Miller & Co., of the latter place. In 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Webster, daughter of the proprietor of the Toledo Woolen Mills. The same year Mr. Emery purchased the mercantile establishment of N. Vance, to which business he has since given his attention, his being the only store in the town. One child, Leslie, has been born to the union.

C. S. Fitch is a native of Dutchess county, New York, born on the 21st of December, 1815. During his residence in that State he held the oflioeof Justice of the Peace over six years, besides other offices of responsibility. He was married to Miss Harriet Sayve, whose father was a soldier in the war of 1812, the ceremony dating the 23d of October, 1839. In 1852, he moved to Portage county, Ohio, where he held the office of Supervisor one year, and remained until 1863, when he came to this place. He purchased a farm upon which he lived until coming to the village in 1880. Mr. Fitch has always taken an active interest in politics and is the only qualified Justice of the Peace in the town, having held the office about nine years, and that of Supervisor one year. He is superintendent of the Sunday school and treasurer of the Masonic Lodge. Two daughters have have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fitch; Mary, now

William H. Fishell, was bom in Sandusky county, Ohio, on the 13th of March, 1850. His parents moved to Iowa county, Michigan, and preempted land on which William resided until coming to this place. His father died on the 27th of March, 1877, and his mother in March, 1879. Mr. Fishell was joined in matrimony, in September, 1877, with Miss Lizzie L. Taylor. The fraits of this union are two children, Ella May, and Estella B. In the fall of 1881, Mr. Fishell disposed of his land in Michigan and moved to Money Creek, arriving on the 17th of November, and has since made it his home.

Silas Jackson dates his birth in Lanes ville, Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1846. At the age of eighteen years he left school, and with thirtyeight Ohio volunteers, who were too young to enlist, went to Pittsburg and acted as nurse under his brother, Madison, who was assistant surgeon at that place. Silas returned home after the battle of the Wilderness, in which his brother was killed, but soon enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio, Militia; was engaged in a skirmish at Berlin Heights and was with the regiment when Morgan was captured. After receiving his discharge he returned home and began the study of medicine with an eclectic physician, then moved to Canada, and at the age of twenty-one years commenced the practice of medicine. In 1876, Miss Minnie Elliott, of Canada, became his wife. She has borne him one child, Edwin. After a severe illness, which obliged Dr. Jackson to discontinue his profession, he moved to Minnesota and located in Yucatan, in November, 1880, but the following year came to Money Creek, where he has since lived.

John S. Leete, deceased, was born in Dutchess county, New York, in the year 1833, but moved with his parents when quite young to Green county. When he was fourteen years old his mother died, and at the age of twenty-two he came to Minnesota and located a farm at Pleasant Hill. On the 10th of February, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Olive Vance, of Money Creek, and soon after exchanged his farm in Pleasant Hill for one near the village of Money Creek, where he resided ^nd was a successful farmer for about eleven years. He was a prominent member of the M. E. Church, holding the offices of Class-leader, Recording

Steward, and Sabbath-school Superintendent for several years. His health failing, a change of climate was advised. He first went South and thence to Pueblo, Colorado, where he died in December, 1874. Mrs. Leete returned to Minnesota with her husband's remains/which were interred in the cemetery at Money Creek.

Jotham Holland was born in Townsbend, Vermont, on the 22d of August, 1831. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining at home until the age of twenty -one years, when he engaged in mercantile business. In 1856, he moved to Minnesota and settled at Quincy, Olmsted county. In 1858, he married Miss Fannie M. Newton, of Pennsylvania, who bore him three sons. The two eldest died before attaining the age of four years, and the youngest is now a student at Gray's Seminary at Townshend, Vermont. Mr. Holland was employed as a clerk in a store a St. Charles, Winona county in 1863, but soon after enlisted in Company C, Brackett's Battalion. Was under Gen. Sully in his campaign against the Indians, and participated in several battles, receiving his discharge the 23d of May, 1865. He soon after purchased a farm in Warren, Winona county, upon which he lived five years, then went to Boston, but two years later returned to Winona county where his wife died in 1877. He was employed as clerk in a store until 1878. In the latter year he was united in marriage with Mrs. Olive Leete, widow of John S. Leete, mentioned in the preceding sketch. Mr. Holland has since been engaged in farming in Money Creek township.

John G. Mubphy was born on the 26th of July, 1851, in New York. His parents moved to Elmira, Wisconsin, in 1854, then to Sabula, Iowa, where his mother died in 1857. They soon after moved to Clermont, the subject of our sketch attending the Fayette Seminary, and afterward continued his studies at Lisbon, Wisconsin. He then moved to Freeport, Illinois, where his father was engaged in milling and the grocery business. In 1865, Mr. Murphy left his home, and was employed at the tinners trade in Jackson, Iowa, for a year, then returned home and began learning the millers trade in his father's mills. In 1870, he moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, then to Austin, Minnesota, afterward to Minneapolis, and from thence to Brownsville. There he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bacon in February, 1878. They have one child, William A., born in

July, 1878. In December, 1880, they moved to this town where Mr. Murphy leased the Money Creek Flouring Mill for one year, then purchased a half interest, and now has entire charge of the mill, his partner, Mr. Phelps, being engaged in the sale of live stock.

James Notes was born in Canaan, Hew Hampshire, on the 27th of January, 1829. At the age of seventeen years he went to Boston, remaining there until 1853, when he came to La Crosse, Wisconsin. In April, 1856, he came to Money Creek, and on the 17th of the following August was married to Miss Cynthia M. Gile, a daughter of Charles K. Gile. Mr. and Mrs. Noyes resided for three years on a farm formerly owned by William Bates, and then removed to their present home. They have been blessed with three children; Ada E., Frank W., recently married and principal of the La Crescent public school, and George E.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Gile, parents of Mrs. James Noyes and among the first settlers of Money Creek, came to this town in October, 1854, bringing with them the first horse team in the place.

They had seven girls, two of whom were married before coming to Minnesota, and two boys, the latter marching to their country's defence during the rebellion, never to return, and the remains of two of the daughters also lie in the Money Creek cemetery.

The other daughters are married and reside in different parts of this state and Wisconsin. The parents now reside in Todd county, Minnesota. Mr. Giles' mother, a widow named Mahalia Richards, more commonly known as "Grandma Gile" died on the 19th of August, 1855, and was the first death in tha town.

Peter Nelson, one of the early settlers in this place, is a native of Norway, born on the 14th of January, 1833, near the city of Christiania. In May, 1853, he came to Canada, remained fifteen months in Sherbrooke, one hundred miles from Montreal, and five months in the State of Maine, coming thence to La Crosse where he was engaged as clerk in a drug store for a time, coming to Money Creek in July, 1856. Soon after coming here he and Magnus Anderson purchased a farm and erected a dwelling in which they did their own house- keeping until the marriage of the latter in 1861. Mr. Nelson then boarded with them for a time, but since 1863 has occupied bis present

Elam D. Northrop, one of the leading politicians of this county, and a resident of Money Creek since the spring of 1857, was born in Schoharie county, New York, on the 21st of January, 1821. He learned the carpenter trade when quite young, and followed that occupation in Albany and New York City. During his residence in the former place he was unite \ in marriage with Miss Mary Adams, who died in Money Creek in 1865. Mr. Northrop is one of the leaders of the republican party in this county, taking an active part in every campaign. He was the first Justice of the Peace under the State organization, has filled all the local offices and represented the county in the legislature in 1875 and '76. The maiden name of his present wife was Tabitha Butcher, whom he married in 1867. By his first marriage he had three children; John, Edward, and George.

Knud Omodt, one of the early settlers in this town, is a native of Norway, born on the 14th of March, 1839. He was engaged as shepherd in the mountains of his native country until coming to Amerioa at the age of fifteen years. He came with his parents who located in Money Creek in the spring of 1854. In 1861, Knud commenced life for himself, having since built his present fine brick residence and owns a well improved farm containing good out-buildings. Mr. Omodt was joined in matrimony with Miss Emma Thompson, of Winona, on the 23d of June, 1874. Three children, Amanda, Ferdinand M., and Arnold have been born to this union. Mr. Omodt has filled the offices of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, and was Clerk for his school district for eight years.

Tosten Olson was born in the eastern part of Norway in November, 1833. He was married at the age of twenty-five years to Miss Margaret Anfenson. They came to America and directly to Houston county, locating a farm in section twenty-six, Money Creek, upon which they have since resided. Their children are Liva, Ole, Charlie, Ellen, Annie, Emma, and Anton.

Nathan S. Perkins, deceased, was born in Rochester, New York. When he was young his parents moved to Sullivan county, where Nathan learned the tanner's trade. He afterward went to . Ulster, and for twenty-five years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was united in marriage, on the 16th of October, 1836, with Miss Nancy Gillett, of Sullivan county. They came to Money Creek in 1864, and purchased a farm in section thirty from whioh Mr. Perkins furnished timber for the building of the Southern Minnesota railroad. On Sunday, the 22d of June, 1864, while attempting to cross the Boot River to attend the church at Houston, he was drowned. Not returning home at the usual time, the family became alarmed, and after a long search succeeded in finding the body. His children are Edgar A., who resides on a farm in Todd county; Benjamin F., residing in this place; Eugene G., conductor on the Southern Minnesota railroad and resides in La Crosse; George G. has charge of a stationary engine in Virginia City, Nevada; Darius L., engineer on the Southern Minnesota railroad and lives at La Crosse; and Norman, who was born on the 10th of January, 1839. He learned the blacksmith trade, at which he was engaged until 1861, when he enlisted in the One-hundred and fiftysixth New York Volunteer Infantry, serving four years. In 1869, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Helen L. Barlow, and returned to his home in this place in February, 1870. He was engaged as mail agent on the Southern Minnesota railroad for a few years, and now holds the position of postal clerk on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad. He has three children; Jessie B., Ella M., and Boss B., who reside with their mother and grand-mother on the old homestead.

David W. Robinson is a son of Stephen Robinson, one of the prominent pioneers of this place, born in Kennebec county, Maine, on the 20th of September, 1809. He learned the brickmaking trade at Albion, at which he was employed in different parts of the State. On the 15th of January, 1829, he married Miss Betsey Felker, of Somerset county. Mr. Robinson came to Minnesota and took a claim a few miles from Red Wing, returned to Maine, and on making his second trip west met an old friend, who persuaded him to accompany him to this place, and being pleased with the country Mr. Robinson decided to remain. David was born in Kennebec county, on the 26th of Octobea, 1844. He came here with his parents, and in 1861, enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, Company K, participating in the Indian campaign. During a blizzard, in which seven of the company were frozen to death, he had one of his feet frozen, on account of which he receives a pension. In

December, 1873, he was joined in marriage with Miss Lillie Johnson, of Pleasant Hill, the fruits of whioh union are two children, Nellie A., and Morton J. Mr. Robinson owns a fine brick house, situated a short distance south of his father's, and a well improved farm. His brother, Taylor, lives just north of his father; a sister, who is the wife of Frank Perkins, resides in the house Mr. Robinson, Sr. built when first coming here, situ ited just over the line in Winona county, and a brother, Henry, resides with his parents on the old homestead.

John Siman was born in Germany, but when eleven years old came to America, locating in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he learned the miller's trade. In 1863, he came to Martin county, Minnesota, but soon after moved to Winnebago City, where he purchased a mill and afterward built another, operating both for several years. Subsequently he traded the latter for his present mill, which he remodeled, put in new machinery, and increased its capacity. He married Miss Ann Smart, of English parentage. She has borne him four children, Andrew, who now owns a half interest in the mill at Winnebago formerly owned by our subject, Allie, William, and Harry.

Russell H. Thurber, deceased, was a native of Franklin county, Vermont, born on the 11th of June, 1825. He %came with his parents to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1845. In 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret M. Beals, of Walworth county, and soon after moved to La Fayette county, in the same State. In 1852, he removed to La Crosse, and thence, in the spring of 1854, to Money Creek. He had for several years been employed as a millwright, and continued that occupation here for some time. His health failing he removed to Winona in 1861, and engaged in the sale of farm machinery, continuing in that business until his death on the 27th of August, 1866. Mrs. Thurber remained in Winona until 1875, when she purchased property in Waseca and now resides there. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thurber; the eldest, William R., in La Fayette county, Wisconsin, on the 5th of April, 1852. For a number of years he was employed, first as brakeman and then conductor on the Winona and St. Peter railroad, but was acidentally killed by a collision at Minneapolis on the 8th of September, 1881. The youngest, George H., was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the 30th of August, 1853. He was also employed

Mrs. Thurber's father, William Beals, was a soldier in the war of 1812, passing through untold hardships being at one time three days without food. He was a prisoner of war at Quebec for over a year. His death occurred in Green county, Wisconsin, in October, 1854.

Peter Tupeb is a native of New York, born in Herkimer county, on the 1st of September, 1823. When be was quite young his parents moved to Albany county, and thence to Saratoga county. Since the age of fifteen years Peter has depended upon himself for his own support, and when twenty oared for both his parents. His father died on the 21st of April, 1852. In 1846, Miss Maria Lasher became the wife of Mr. Tuper. She died on the 10th of November, 1848. In 1849, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Maria Carter, whose father served in the war of 1812, and also the revolutionary war, living till the age of one hundred and five years. In the fall of 1856, they came to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and remained until the spring of 1861, when they moved to Money Creek, where Mr. Tuper purchased a farm of William Sinclair and has since made it his home. In January, 1864, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Battery, served with Sherman through the campaign from Vicksburg to the sea, and was discharged on the 2d of July, 1865. Mr. Tuper has held an office most of the time since his residence in the State, is at present Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; is also a prominent member of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Tuper have four children, three daughters and one son. Amanda, the eldest, is married and resides in Iowa; Lovina, the second, is also married and lives in Wisconsin; Jane and Henry are yet unmarried and reside with their parents.

William A. Vance is a son of A. Vance, who was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, on the 14th of October, 1812. He moved to Groton where he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he was engaged in his native State until coming west. His wife was Miss Lucinda A. Tucker, a grand- daughter of Col. Robert Johnston, who served in the Revolutionary war, and was among the early settlers in Vermont. William was born in Barnet, Vermont, on the 5th of April, 1843. He came to Money Creek with his parents in 1865, butsoon returned east and was engaged in different occupations, remaining in Boston two years. In Maroh, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Gray, of New Brunswick, who is now deceased. The maiden name of his present wife was Abbie Symes, of Ryegate, whom he married on the 12th of J an nay, 1875. She has borne him three children, Hattie B., Ethel May, and Minnie Gray. Mr. Vance has held the office of Supervisor and district Clerk, and in 1880, took the census of the town. He is also a member and Superintendent of the Sunday school of Money Creek. He has a brother, George L., now residing in Joliet, Illinois, who served for a time in the quartermaster department at Washingion; another, David E., enlieted in a Vermont regiment, served three years, was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, and now is engaged in the practice of law at Winona, and a sister, who is the wife of D. C. Dyer, of Houston.