Wabasha County, Minnesota - Chapter 94: Early Settlers - Continued, 1884 (part 4 of 6)

T. J. Wadleigh, the furniture man of Plainview, Wabasha county, was born in Unity, New Hampshire, March 4, 1821, of Henry T. and Hannah S. , of old English stock. His father served in the war of 1812, through which his constitution was irreparably undermined. One of nine children, T. J., at the age of si.xteen, was bound apprentice to learn the cabinet and joiner trade for three years, at Croydon, New Hampshire. His opportunities for early education were meagre, and at nineteen years he commenced as a jobber for others, in which line he continued until the fall of 1840. At this time, December 13, he was married to Fatima S. Powers, of Orange, Vermont, and for one year successfully ran a gristmill, returning to his trade until, in 1846, he built the hotel at Northlield, and for three years next succeeding worked as car builder for the Vermont Central railroad. In 1850, with his family, consisting of wife and three daughters, he emigrated to Hamilton, Canada West, and continued in the same line for the Great Western Railroad Company for four years. In 1 855 he settled in Greenville, took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and changed, selling to T- A. Thompson, in 1856, and buyiug that now owned by David Messer. Selling this he bought and worked one of eighty acres, which he exchanged for another adjoining, Thos. Todd's, on the east. In the spring of 1865 he went to Rochester, Minnesota, where he remained until 187-1 ; tlien to Eyota, where he commenced the furniture business and continued till 1877, when he removed to Plainview, and occupied what is now known as the old Wilcox store, and in 1878 built and removed to present site. Arthur, the only son, and now partner in the firm of T. J. Wadleigh & Son, was born April 4, 1857. To the subject of this sketch, known universally as a good man, six children were born, all but one of whom are now living and married.

Chester Hall (deceased) was a native of Massachusetts, born October 16, 1818. His parents were Benjamin and Polly Hall. His earliest years were spent with his parents on a farm in St. Lawrence count}'. New York, and at tweh'e years of age he entered a foundry, and became master of the moulders' trade. Subsequent to this, at various periods of his life, he followed blacksmithing, gunsmithing and cabinetmaking. When thirty-two years old he married Louisa Chase, of Jeftei-son county, New York. After two years' residence in Wisconsin, he came in 1864 to Dodge county, this state, and took up farming. In May, 187-4, he became a resident of Zumbro township, and was some time employed at blacksmithing at South Troy. When his health gave out he took up his residence with his younger son, at whose residence he died, November 25, 1883. Mr. Hall was a Close Communion Baptist, and a republican, as are his sons. His wife passed away June 22, 1875, aged forty years. Their youngest child, Ida P., married Henry L. Weaver, and resides at Minneapolis. The eldest, Jerome, was born August 5, 1853, and was mostly reared in Minnesota. July 6, 1875, he married Miss lona Howard, and since 1877 has resided on section 15, where he has eighty acres of land. His children were born as follows : Etta L., June 30, 1876 ; Hattie M., April 13, 1878 ; Charles A., December 3, 1881. Benjamin Austin, second son of Chester, was born February 14, 1857, and resides on section 22, where he has forty acres. He married Mattie Scrubey in January, 1878. Their children were given them as below : Chester F., November 4, 1878 ; Nina E., Christmas, 1881 ; Frances I., January 2, 1883.

Charles A. Pehl, mason, was born in Sweden, April 13, 1839, and ;-emained in that country nineteen years. He received a fair education in his native tongue, and since his arrival here has fitted himself for business by private study. He first settled in America at Rock Island, Illinois, where he engaged as a laborer, and subsequently learned his trade. In 1872 he went to Red Wing, and came thence to Mazeppa in 1875. Here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eva BLick, to whom he was married on June 20, 1875. They have two children, Josephine and Charles. Mrs. Pehl is the youngest daughter of Elam Black, elsewhere mentioned in this work. Mr. Pehl is an adherent of the republican party. He was reared in the Lutheran church, and now cherishes its faith.

Ole Chixbeeg, blacksmith and wagonmaker, Lake City, was born in Sweden in 1S4S, and was reared to the trade of blacksmith by his father, who was a skilled worker in iron. In 1871 he left his native home and sailed for Amei-ica, having in view the bettering his condition in life and a better remuneration for his labor. His first work in this country was on a farm, where he readily learned the customs and language of the American people. Later he worked with a construction company on a Minnesota railroad. Inl87ihe went to California, and worked at his trade nearly two years in the Sierra Xevada mountains, after which he returned to Minnesota and permanently located in Lake City, and opened up business for himself In 1876, in this city, he was mai'ried to Miss Anna Coleman, also a native of Sweden. They have two children, Alfrida Axelin and Harry Sigfrid, living, and one deceased. Mr. Chinberg is a reliable, trustworthy business man, and a credit to Lake City.

M. Jacoby, general merchant, corner of Main and Pembroke streets, entrance on both, fronting seventy-five feet on Main and twenty-three feet on Pembroke. Business occupies one floor and basement and employs three persons. This house was started in 1877 by Lindem, Satori & Co. Mr. Jacobi bought out Sartori in 1879, subsequently purchased the other interests, and became sole proprietor in 1882. M. Jacoby is a native of Luxemburg, Germany ; was in school there until the family came to America in 1874, settling on sections 4 and 5, T. 110, R. 11 W., where his father died September 10, 1882, the old homestead remaining in possession of one of the sons. M. Jacoby entered the drygoods house of Lucas Kuehn, of this citj^, in the spring of 1875, and remained thereuntil he purchased an interest in the store he now owns. December 31, 1878, he was married to Miss Rosa Funke, of Glasgow township. Tiiey have two children : Emma, born December 22, 1879 ; Lizzie, born September 5, 1881.

Caleb C. Emeet, stock-dealer, has been a resident of Mazep]3a -since 1874, during which year he built a meat-market on First street, above Walnut, and a residence west of the river. He now has a partner who manages the market, and Mr. Emery is con. stantly occupied in buying and shipping stock. The subject of this matter was one of the pioneers of Olmsted county, having taken up land in Oronoco in September, 1855. From that time he was engaged in farming there until his removal to Mazeppa. He was reared on a farm in New Hampshire, having been born in the town of Holderness, that state, on January 4, 1834. His parents, John Emery and Sarah Fifield, were natives of the same state. He received a common-school education, and on reaching his majority set out to make himself a home in the west. In February, 1865, Mr. Emery enlisted in the 1st Minn. Heavy Art., and was stationed at Chattanooga till the close of the war. He has always been a democrat ; served some time as assessor in Oronoco. On May 8, 1867, C. C. Emery and Helen M. George were united in marriage. Mrs. Emery is the only daughter of Col. James and EhodaT. George, also pioneers of Oronoco. Col. George commanded the 2d regiment in the war of the rebellion, and was a well-known and popular man in Olmsted county and the state at large. Mr. and Mrs. Emery's five children were given to them as follows : Clara E., January 21, 1869 ; James George, April 25, 1870 ; Khoda J., April 26, 1872 ; Mary E., September 10, 1876 ; Helen E., January 9, 1878.

Robert Henry Foss, stock-dealer. Lake City, was born at E.ye Beach, near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, January 29, 1849. His father, Joel N. Foss, is of Scotch descent, and was born in the same state, as was his wife, Adeline Locke, of Puritan stock. In July, 1857, our subject came to Minnesota with his parents, and was reared on a farm in West Florence, Goodhue county. His education was furnished by a limited course in the log schoolhouse of that region. He became a resident of Lake City in 1874, and has ever since been engaged in the purchase and sale of horses and other stock. Has real estate in Minneapolis and Moorhead and in Pepin county, Wisconsin. In July, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen A., daughter of Eobert Gray, elsewhere sketched in this book. They have three children, christened respectively, Bernard, Clarence and Virginia. Mr. Foss is a thorough and consistent republican. He was five successive times elected constable of the town of West Florence.

Chaptee Xcvi

Me. Moeris C. Eussell, editor " Sentinel," Lake City. After repeated solicitation on our part, Mr. Eussell kindly consented to furnish us the following brief though very interesting account of his experience on the northwestern frontier, or early days in Minnesota, which at the same time illustrates the experiences of very many of our worthy pioneers, both living and dead, and is given as a sample of the brave spirits who redeemed this grand commonwealth from a state of nature, and spread out its fields of golden grain, bred cattle on its thousand hills, and reared its numerous cities, towns and villages with their prosperous churches, colleges and schools. He says:

" I was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1840. My father was Samuel Eussell, and my mother was a Miss Matilda Eaymond, whose brother, A. W. Eaymond, owned large iron mines and blast furnaces, over which my father, although owning a large farm in the vicinity, was, most of the years I was at home, the manager for my uncle Eaymond. The Eaymonds were from Connecticut stock, although the branch which were within my knowledge came from New York State into western Pennsylvania; and mjr uncle A. W. Eaymond, and his large family of sons and daughters and their descendants, are all alive at this writing, and all live near each other in Venangd county, the old gentleman at Franklin, the county seat. My father was one of a !amily of seven sons, all born in this country, although my grandparents on my father's side came from the north of Ireland. My father married twice, his second wife being a Miss Susan Smith, from Bangor, Maine, who came into western Pennsylvania as a school teacher. I am the youngest child of the first famil}', being the twelfth child and seventh son. My mother died when I was an infant, and I do not recollect her. I was raised, up to the time I left home at fourteen, by my stepmother, who is one of God's noble women, and who still lives in Jefferson, Iowa, with her youngest daughter, though very feeble and aged. By his second marriage my fatlier liad nine cliiklren - twenty-one in all. Up to my fourteenth year I went to the ohl hig schoolhouse three months each winter, where I learned to read in the New Testament, and could spell most of the easy words in Cobb's spelling-book ; also gained a trifle of knowledge about geogi-aphy, and could ' cipher ' a little before leaving home, but never ' learned grammar ' any. This comprised all the book-learning I ever had in school, and constituted my collegiate course, if I except a year spent in the Franklin 'Spectator' office as a 'printer's devil.' From ten to fourteen I worked on the farm, in the ore mines, and about the iron furnace, one year as ' under clerk ' in my uncle's large supply store, where the hundreds of miners, furnace men, woodchoppers, teamsters and charcoal artists, who carried on the colliery department, bought all the supplies of every kind for themselves and families. All labor was employed by ray uncle for half cash and half out of the furnace store. I never knew, however, of very much cash changing hands, but the ' furnace store ' was a big thing as a mart of trade; men who had large families, as nearly all of them had, to support by chopping white oakwood - as an illustratration - for forty cents per cord, never had much " cash" due them on settlement day. My business capacity and my education fltted me admirably for my part of the duties - /. d., drawing the endless jugs of molasses, fish-oil, measuring out tar, sweeping the store, replacing broken glass in the gristmill and the many other buildings about the ironworks, and doing ten thousand things which the higher operators about the place could not do without smearing their hands or their linen. About March 1, 1S5-1, I succeeded in getting father's consent to go to Mmnesota Territory, at that time a remote region, difficult of access, and of which but little was known in the east. Four years before, in 1850, my two eldest bi-others, Aaron and Edward, had gone to that territory, and in 1852 were followed by my brother Samuel, and brother-in-law, F. M. Ward. After two months of untold hardships, privations, suffering and adventure, a green and used-up youth landed in St. Paul from the steamer Plamburg, the boat having, during all her voyage, been but little less than a floating palace of death. She had several hundred passengers, who died off by scores with cholera, their remains being buried in greater or less numbers at every wood-pile and landing. Those not sick spent their time in gambling and carousing night and day. AVe buried half-a-dozen one dark rainy night in the lonely wilderness where we took on wood, placing them all in one shallow hole in the wet ground, by the weird light of tar torches. At another landing, I remember, among the dead carried ashore were eight members ot one family. This was at La Crosse landing, where they were laid side by side on the ground, seven boys and the father, and we left the only surviving member, the wife and mother, sitting among the dead, wringing her hands in agony and despair. Most of the principal towns now on the river were located about this time, or not long previously, but were composed of only a few wooden structures, scattered about over their respective sites, with not enough in a line to indicate which way the streets ran. There were "prairie-seas" spread out on every hand, which, with the wild Indians and their numerous villages, were sights emphaticalh' new and picturesque in the eyes of a boy who had never seen either before, nor even a railroad nor steamboat before starting on this long, tedious and eventful jouraey, which alone would make an interesting volume if fsiithfuUy written, with all its incidents, sights and experiences.

"St. Paul was a singular-looking, rough-and-tumble sort ot a town. The central portion was reached by a set of rough, wooden stairs, leading from the steamboat landing up the side of the hill, upon reaching the summit of which one landed almost in the front yard of the Central House, one of the leading hotels of the town. The Merchant's was a frame affair, on its present site. The amusement center was the old People's Theatre, a square, ugly-looking structure, made of slabs set up endwise. The autocrats of the territory were the government oificials first, the steamboat officers next, and the Indian traders and ' sample-room' proprietors third. In those days all the rivers were navigable. The Minnesota river was navigable for large boats some three or four hundred miles above its mouth most of the season, and as the Minnesota valley was just beginning to attract immigration, the steamboat business boomed for several years, when, about the time it began to permanently ' dry up," railroads came into the country and relieved the exhausted streams of the traffic they no longer could discharge by reason of the absorption and evaporation caused by settling and opening up the countr}' and its surface. The first legal execution in the territory took place that year. The 'subject' was a Sioux Indian, who was hanged for shooting at a white man, and killing the woman who was seated beside him in the wagon. The murder took place in the woods in the Sand Creek bottom, Scott county, near where Jordan is now located. The man shot at bj- the Indian was a German named Jacob Schroder, but the name of the woman wlio was killed I do not remember. I knew Schroder personally many years after, and the last I knew of him he resided in Shakopee, where he probably still lives, if be lives at all. This and the two following seasons I ran on the Minnesota (then called St. Peter) river, on diflPerent ones of the early steamboats, the Montello and the Tola (which belonged to my two elder brothers), the Globe, and Time and Tide (which belonged to Capt. Louis Roberts, an early settler of St. Paul, who died only six or seven years ago, and was a noted character), on the Black Hawk, Greek Slave, Clarion and others. These first boats carried up into the great valley of the Minnesota the early settlers and their goods, the government supplies to Fort Ridgely, and the annuity goods to the Indian agencies at Red Wood and Yellow Medicine. At times the water was too low for the steamboats to run above the rapids, when the freight and passengers would be transferred to flatboats, whicli were ' polled ' up the river, a distance of two hundred miles, by French 'pollers,' at a speed of about twenty miles a day. This portion of my early -day experiences - my flatboat experience for three years through a country swarming with the wildest of wild Indians, the Sioux, eight years before the terrible outbreak and massacre of 1862 - was the most romantic and eventful time in all my frontier life, its stirring incidents, if properly recorded, being sufficient in number and thrilling enough in character to constitute a volume. The most noted men of that time whom I can now recall were : Gov. Alex. Ramsey, Gen. Sibley, Maj. Joseph R. Brown (Sioux Indian agent), Willis A. Gorman, Samuel Pond (the venerable missionary), Maj. Murphy, Messrs. Borup and Oaks, Wm. Constance, and the prominent 'river men,' while the greyhaired old Col. Abercrombie, of the regular army, was in command at Fort Ridgely. Ot course there were men in all the scattei-ing communities along the Mississippi river, further south in the territory, who were then, and since have been, prominent men, but of whom I knew but little in those early times, save by reputation. I and my brothers tlatboated the first piano into the Minnesota valley that ever found its way up that river above Shakopee. It belonged to Col. Stoever, now of Henderson, and it was consigned and ' delivered in good order and condition ' to anew landing called Kasota, not far above St. Peter. The boat crew, after the strange instrument had been landed safely, all drew an extra pint of whiskey from the government barrels of that article that were on board, and drank to 'the health of the first piano and its jolly, rollicking owner.' This reminds me that the crews always used to levy upon the government whiskey, which always constituted a fair proportion of every cargo, for their supply of 'firewater.' They would tap a barrel whenever they ran short, draw out two or thi-ee buckets full of whiskey, and replace it by a similar quantity of river water. We used to deliver at the fort and at the agencies a good many barrels of tolerably weak whiskey ; some of it wouldn't have hurt the nerves of a child. At the close of the third year I returned home and spent the winter, returning to the northwestern frontier again early in the spring, this time all the way by river, making probably one of the longest continuous river journeys ever made in this country ; nearly the whole length of the Alleghaney river, to Pittsburgh, thence the length of the Ohio river to Cairo, up the Mississippi to St. Paul, thence ascending the Minnesota river to Redwood agency, in all between three and four thousand miles. During the years intervening between my return and tlie outbreak of the war of the rebellion, save one summer spent in Iowa, and one year in the newspaper business at Belle Plaine, Minnesota, I ran on the upper Mississippi, St. Croix and Minnesota rivers, clerking, piloting, etc. ; spending the winters in the heart of the big woods, on the Minnesota river, where my brothers had a settlement, engaged in cutting steamboat wood and getting out various kinds of timber, among the rest the timber for the St. Paul bridge, which we four brothers cut and banked in the winter and rafted to St. Paul in the spring. "We were to take our pay in city bonds, which our St. Paul agent, after considerable trouble, collected for us ; but before he had turned them over to us he became involved in some scandal, and when about to be arrested he, having our bonds in his pocket, ran to the new bridge and jumped into the river far below, from the highest span, and neither he nor our money was ever heard of again, excepting a skeleton found a few years afterward in the river above Hastings, which was su]>posed to be that of the rascally suicide. Gray. On one of the long, tedious rafting trips with this timber from the Big Woods to St. Paul, the raft became windbound on the lower Minnesota river, by strong headwinds common in the spring, and the crew, of which the writer was a member, came near starving to death. We subsisted for a week or over on nothing more than roots, bark, etc., gathered along the shores, and a small box of spoiled herring.

Parties who had gone to St. Paul by land at last came to our relief up the i-iver in canoes, bringing provisions. The first meal consisted of cheese, bread, etc., and a pint of whiskey each. The repast had a very revivifying effect, and the hilarity that followed we attributed to the cheese. I was personally and thoroughly acquainted with all the leading as well as subordinate chiefs of the Sioux nation, including Little Crow - the leading spirit in the massacre of 1862 - Standing Buffalo,. Blue Blanket, old Shakopee, Cut Nose, Other Day (the friendly Indian who saved sixty-two whites during the massacre), Little Dog and many others ; also all the thirty-eight who were hanged on one scaffold at Mankato. All these chiefs have often spent a night beneath the friendly roof of our Big Woods cabin in those early days, and partaken at our rude table with us. I also knew Hole-in-the-Day, the great chief of the Chippewa nation, and many of the principal chiefs of the Winnebago nation, Big Bear being a particular friend of the writer. Of the latter tribe I saw, at one time, four hundred canoe loads, with an average of five to the canoe, all in one body. I also witnessed the last great and bloody battle that took place between the Sioux and Chippewa nations, who have been the bitterest enemies from time immemorial. It occurred in the open river bottom on the north side of the Minnesota river, not far below Shakopee, and was attended by all the shameless and nameless atrocities common in Indian warfare. The Chippewas, after a most determined battle of several hours, were cut to pieces and put to flight.

"For aught I have ever known to the contrary, I was the first white boy that became a permanent resident of the territory and state who had neither parent or guardian with him. The summer before referred to as having been spent in Iowa, I again entered upon an apprenticeship at the printing business, in the ottice of the 'Tipton Advertiser,' Judge Spicer, editor. The summer was pretty badly broken up, however, owing to the fact that I became a member of a militia company, the Tipton Guards, commanded by that old Mexican veteran Capt. Hammond, in which, owing to my 'main strength and awkwardness,' I presume, I was made a sergeant. During the summer we served through what was known as the ' Iowa Horse Thief War,' immediately following the conclusion of which we were ordered to the frontier to quell the Indians who had broken out in what passed into history as the 'Spirit Lake Massacre.' Before reaching the bloody ground, however, the order was countermanded, much to cm- relief. After tliis, I resigned from the compau}-, and also threw up my position of ' printer's devil ' in the ' Advertiser ' oflSce, and returned to Minnesota - two wars in one summer being more than I had contracted for, even 'in my mind.' At eighteen, in company with Horace Baxter, another boy about my own age, and the only brother of Col. L. L. Baxter, now of Fergus Falls, I leased the ' Enquii-er ' office at Belle Plaine, and after conducting it a year sold our lease to Judge J. L. Maedonald, now of Shakopee, and Baxter and myself went to Portage City, Wisconsin, with a view of buying out the ' Badger State ' office at that place. Before negotiations were closed, however, my gallant and gifted young partner was killed near Kilbourn City by falling between the cars. After this I traveled several months through various western states, in order to perfect myself in the art of printing, bj' 'getting the styles' in various localities, when I returned to Minnesota and was employed in the old 'Pioneer' office most of the time until the war of the rebellion broke out. I walked to Fort Snelling from Belle Plaine, - at which latter place I resigned my position of first lieutenant in what soon afterward became Co. A, 4tli Minn. Inf., because the company voted not to join any regiment that was likely to be ordered south. When the vote was announced, in my boyish and enthusiastic rage I tore my sword from its scabbard and flung it through the air ; it fell point first, and I turned impetuously away, leaving it sticking in the prairie, and, as before stated, walked without stopping fifty miles to the fort, arriving just in time to get into Co. K, 2d Minn. Inf, with which I served nearly a year in Kentucky and Tennessee, and was finally discharged on account of disability received in the line of duty, and from being over-zealous in seeking out and performing hard duty, and consequent exposure in the inclement weather of a southern winter in the field. I would say here, however, that the 4th Minn. Inf soon followed the Second south, and no braver men nor better soldiers ever wore the blue of patriotism than the members of the Fourth, and the menabers of Co. A afterward had the privilege of seeing and doing far more for their country than did their pettish lieutenant who threw his sword away at Belle Plaine. Upon my return to Minnesota, although in feeble health, I was just in time to go as a volunteer scout for Gen. Sibley in the Sioux war, consequent upon the awful massacre that deluged the Minnesota valley with blood, and during which probably two thousand helpless men, women and children were put to^ the scalping-knife and tomahawk along our western border. Five of ns, mounted on powerful horses, Sheriff Frank McGrade, of Scott countj, Garry Du Bois (recently returned from the 1st Minn. Inf., disabled, like myself), two fanner brothers, named Kearney, and myself, were ordered to go all through the country north of the valley and ascertain the true conditions of things, and join Sibley and his army at St. Peter and re|)ort, he moving up the south side of the river, hastening to the relief of Fort Ridgely, New Ulm and other points. This scouting expedition was a memorable experience, and braver and nobler men never lived than the four who accompanied me. When we started from Carver, on this expedition, we numbered forty horsemen, but in that first terrible night's ride through the dark woods all had turned back save we five before midnight. We, however, kept on, and scoured the whole country through to Hutchinson, swinging around througli the prairie country, and reporting to the general as directed. We met no hostile body of Indians, fortunately for us, but saw much of their devilish work. Very much worn out, with five ruined horses, we returned home in safety. Since that time I have followed the printing and publishing business continuously, three years in Nashville, Tennessee, the remainder of the time in Minnesota. I established and conducted for five years the first newspaper on the Northern Pacific railroad, east of the Rocky Mountains, the 'Brainerd Tribune.' I am now, and ex]iect to be, a resident of one of the prettiest little cities, richest counties and proudest states in all the sisterhood, Lake City, Wabasha county, Minnesota."

Peter Reding, Lake City, was born in Sheldon, Wyoming county. New York, April 6, 18i5. His parents, Henry and Mary C. (Weber) Reding, were natives of Luxemburg, Germany. They came to Red Wing in 1867, and died there. The subject of this sketch passed his early life on his fatlier's fiirm, and received a limited education in English and German. After spending two years in the Pennsylvania oil regions, he came to Minnesota in 1868. For six years he dwelt in Belvidere, Goodhue county, and then purchased the northeast quarter of section 8, Chester, which he still owns. This he dwelt on and tilled for nine years, and removed to Lake City in the fall of 1883 ; is now conducting a saloon on Washington street. On September 1, 1872, he was married to Miss Kate Glasner, who was born at Port Washington, Wisconsin, of German parents, and is ten years her husband's junior. Their children were born and christened : March 31, 1876, Isabel ; April 5, 1880, Jacob Peter. All the members of the family are communicants in the Catholic church. Mr. Reding was elected by his democratic friends for three successive years as constable of Chester, and seven years as supervisor.

Clarence E. Finch, Lake City, born at Darien, Connecticut, commenced business life as clerk in town clerk's oflice, postoflice and country store of that town at an early age, for John S. Waterbury, who still conducts the same offices and business. Afterward engaged as clerk in a New York city retail drj-goods store, with John S. Lane, a brother-in-law of his Connecticut employer, and remained in this position about two years. Later was salesman in the shawl and cloak department of the wholesale drygoods house of Lathrop, Luddington <fe Co., of New York city, for one year, and from there engaged with H. B. Clafiin & Co. (the largest wholesale drygoods house in New York) as general salesman. After remaining with this house about one year, went to St. Paul in pursuit of health. Being greatlj' benefited by the climate, concluded to make a residence in St. Paul. He east his first vote there in the interests of the republican party, and has adhered closely to the same doctrine ever since. After a short residence in St. Paul, engaged as salesman with the old and well known drygoods house of D. "W. Ingersoll & Co., of that city, this firm being customers of the New York houses that Mr. Finch was previously engaged with. After a term of about three years with this firm, he engaged in the wholesale tea, coflf'ee and spice business as traveling salesman for the firm of Granger & Hodge, of St. Paul, this change of business being made in pursuit of better health ; two years later was admitted as partner in this concern, and remained another year in the business. During the last year's connection with the tea and coffee house, Mr. Finch was offered a partnership in a new wholesale drygoods house of St. Paul, just commencing business. At the same time was tendered a large salary for a terra of years by Auerbach, Fincli & Schefter, wholesale drygoods, of St. Paul, which offer was accepted, and engagement fulfilled. In 1876 he returned to New York and re-entered the old house of H. B. Claflin & Co., as general salesman. In the spring of 1877, while connected with the New York house, Mr. Finch brought a general stock of drygoods and groceries from New York to Lake City, and established his present business, bringing Mr. E. R. Cartwright, of New York, to conduct the business until he concluded his arrangements with H. B. Claflin & Co. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Finch came to Lake City to personally superintend his business, which has steadily increased in keeping with his previous successes, and has since been known as the "New York cash store." The store building Mr. Finch bought in 1875, on speculation froni H. B. Claflin & Co., therefore his establishing a business in Lake City could be considered accidental. The building is the only white or cream brick structure in Lake City, and the first brick building built in the town. The brick were brought from Chaska, on the Minnesota river, and it was built by Mr. James C. Stout in 1806. It is one of the very best built buildings in the town, having been only slightly scorched by the two destructive fires of Lake City. The building, 25x80, is two stories and basement, and usually crammed full of goods from roof to cellar, with a general stock of drygoods, carpets, oilcloths, house furnishing goods, crockery, glass- ware, groceries, etc. Mr. Finch buys his goods mostly in New York, from first hands, and strictly for cash. Having received his business education with the best business houses in this country, he enjoys the reputation of being one of the best judges of goods and closest buyers west of Chicago. He believes in the " one pi'ice cash system, small profits and quick sales." His forefathers were of the revolutionary stock, English origin, and he still retains an interest in the two old homesteads in Connecticut, descending from both his father's and mother's side, one of which has been in the family about one hundred and fifty years, deeded to them from the government, and within an hour's ride of New York city. He was reared in the Episcopal church, commencing his business life at his home in Connecticut. Worked for a whole j'ear, according to the custom of that country, for one dollar a week, and at about the age of thirty, before entering business on his own account, was paid a salary of five thousand dollai'S a year. He still has the identical first week's salary, in the shape of a gold dollar, in his safe. Besides Mr. Finch's interests in Lake City and Connecticut, he is extensively interested in St. Paul and Minneapolis real estate, and seems to have been successful in all of his undertakings, excepting the taking of a wife, being still a bachelor.

Charles E. Hinckley, furniture dealer, Lake City, is a direct descendant, through his matenial grandmother, of Gov. Bradford, famous in early New England history. He was born June 1, 1850, in the town of West Point, Stephenson county, Illinois, to L-a Bradford and Martha Elizabeth Hinckley, natives of Vermont and New York. His father went to Illinois a young man and was married there. He secured land, taught school for some time, and finally settled at Lena. Here the subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the village schools. After managing his l^ither's farm for three years he took a commercial course of one year at Madison, Wisconsin. In October, 1875, he became a resident of Lake City and engaged in the furniture trade with Samuel Butturff", now in Marshall county. Two years later he went into his present partnership with Andrew Koch, under firm name of Lake City Furniture Company. In the great fire of April, 1S82, they suffered a loss of four thousand dollars on their stock. They then built the store which they occupy, on the south side of Washington street. Two stories are occupied and a large stock is carried. The monthly sales are about one thousand dollars. January 4, 1SS3, Mr. Hinckle}^ was united in marriage with Miss Susan J., daughter of E. R. and C. M. Eanney, of Vermont and New York. Mrs. Hinckley is a native of Minnesota, having been born in the town of Lake, where her parents still reside. Mr. Hinckley is a member of the I.O.O.F., and has been connected with the Baptist church since sixteen years of age. He is a republican and an outspoken temperance advocate.

"William E. Mueeat, implement dealer. Lake City, is one of the early residents of IVIinnesota, having come in 1853 to Winona. He was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1839. Philander and Harriet Murray, his parents, were natives of Genesee county, New York. The family is of Scotch origin, many generations ago. Orrin Murray, the grandfather of this subject, was born and reared in New York. The parents of W. E. Murray died when he was a child, and he came west, as above related, in the care of an elder brother, Erastus H. The latter bought and finished the Winona House, and his sign was the first ever hung out in Winona. In 1860 our subject went to Eochester, whei-e he dealt in agricultural machinery till 1870. At this time he became owner of a custom-mill at Frontenac. He shortly sold out and traveled as collector for a wholesale machinery house three years. In 1875 he opened a .grocery store at Lake City, and next 3'ear went into his present business with a partner. In 1878 G. E. Bartron became a partner in the business, and the firm is doing an excellent business. Mr. Murraj' has been twice elected alderman of Lake City, and was elected in 1876 to the state legislature. February 7, 1870, he led to the altar Miss S. Emma Gates, a sketch of whose parents appears elsewhere in this volume. Two children have blessed this union, aged at present as here noted: Sarah, twelve, and Edith, six years. While in Eochester, Mr. Murray was initiated into the Masonic order and still retains connection with the lodge there. Mrs. Murray is a communicant in the Episcopal church, and her husband's faith is in sympathy with hers.

Eiciiaed E. Damoude, a prosperous Plainview merchant, was born in Waupun, Wisconsin, December 18, 1848. His parents were Eichard and Jane (Edmonds) Damoude. When the great civil war was raging fiercest his youthful patriotism caused him, although but sixteen, to importune his parents for permission to offer his services to his country, and in May, 1864, he enlisted for one hundred days in the list Wis. Inf This regiment during its brief existence was stationed at Memphis, being assigned to the r7th Corps. Very little fighting was seen by young Damoude during the three or four months he was in the arniv, as that jaeriod was only marked by one important event, the raid of the rebel Forrest. At the exjjiration of the one himdred days our subject returned to Wisconsin, and learned engineering in the steam-sawmills belonging to Daniel Shaw, Esq., of Eau Claire. For two years, from 1868 to 1870, he had charge of the engines in Woodruff, Taift & Go's sawmills at Chippewa Falls. He next engaged in farming near King City, Missouri, but a cyclone which destroyed the bulk of his personal property, during the third year of his sojourn here, so disgusted him with Missouri that he left his farm for sale and came to Minnesota, located in the pretty little village of Plainview and engaged in teaming and running a steam thresher for four or five years. In 1878 he entered the employ of McLaughlin ik Lynch, of the same place, dealers in agricultural implements. Was two years with this firm and three years with Lynch, successor to said firm. From January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1884, he was a member of the firm of Meachum & Damoude, and is now the sole proprietor of a very large business. He was married to Miss Hattie Beucus, a native of Wisconsin, at Fox Lake, in that state. May 22, 1870. They have two children : Lottie, born in King City, Missouri, January 25, 1873, and Charles C, born in Plainview, December 25, 1874. Mr. Damoude is a republican in ]iolitics, and a prominent member of the Odd-Fellows fraternity of Plainview.

Justed H. Clear, shoemaker, son of Bavarian parents, Henry and Margaret Clear, was born in Buffalo, New York, on the last day of July, 1854. When he was three months old his parents moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin, where he was brought up. He attended the schools of that city till fifteen years old, when he began to learn the trade he has followed ever since. He was emplojed four years in a shoe factory at Jefferson. In jSTovember, 1875, he became a resident of Minnesota, working six months in Rochester. In May, 1876, he bought the business of J. S. Huntley and settled down in Mazeppa. Next year he moved into the building he now occupies as shop and residence, corner of First and Maple streets, and a year later purchased the propeity. On February 4, 1878, he was married to Mary Trout, born of German parents at Rio, Wisconsin. They have one child, born July 27, 1882, and christened Fannie. Mr. Clear was reared in the Roman Catholic church, to which he still adheres. He is a republican, and often has a voice in the councils of that party.

Geoege R. Barteon, dealer in agricultural tools, Lake City, has been a resident of Minnesota since 1855. David and Phoebe J. Bartron, his parents, were born in Pennsylvania, of French and German descent, and the subject of this biography was given to them July 15, 1844, in Wayne county, that state. The family settled in Hay Creek township, Goodhue county, at the date iirst above mentioned, and Mr. Bartron now owns the original homestead. The fatlier and mother afterward removed to Welch township, in the same county, where the former died in 1883, aged seventy-nine, and the latter still resides, aged seventy-four. Our subject remained on the farm until the fall of 1876, and then came to Lake City and opened an agi-icultural warehouse. Two years later W. R. Murray became associated with him, and the firm has continued the business with marked success. While very liberal in religious theories, Mr. Bartron is a supporter of the Episcopal church, where his wife and children attend. His wedding occurred November 8, 1 866, the bride being Miss Maria D., daughter of W. J. Jacobs, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this book. Four children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bartron, and have been severally christened George W., John D., Sarah J. and Harry J.

Dr. Charles W. Crart is a native of northern New York, and is descended from a line of Scotch-English ancestors, who settled in the Empire State early in the present century. The doctor's paternal grandfather, Nathan Crary, was born in Scotland, came to America in 1779, being then fifteen years of age, and settled in Connecticut, where he remained for more than a quarter of a century. A few years before the war of 1812-14, Mr. Nathan Crary removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, locating in Pierpoint, where he died in 1851, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Nathan Crary married Lydia Arnold, aunt of the late Stephen A. Douglas. She was a native of Brandon, Vermont, and survived her husband about five years. To them were born a large family of children. Of these, John Wesley Crary, father of Dr. Crary, was one. He was bred a millwright, settled in Potsdam, and carried on a very extensive business along the borders, building the first mills ever erected at Ottawa, then By-town, the capital of the Dominion of Canada. Dr. Crary's lineage on his mother's side was purely English. The family had long been residents of the Empire State, when John Wesley Crary married into it. His Wife's name was Mindwell P., daughter of Judge Lemuel Holmes, of Frank- lin county, New York, and a captain in the war of lS12-li. Mr. J. W. Crary is still living at St. Paul, Minnesota, with his youngest son. Dr. W. II. Crary, of that city, and is in the enjoyment of perfect health. His wife died in Redwing, this state, February 24, 1877, at sixty-six years of age, leaving to her husband and children the memory of a life than which no nobler or more unselfish has been lived among women. To J. W. Crary and his wife were born three sons and one daughter. The eldest of these children was Charles Wesley Crary, the subject of this sketch, who was born at Potsdam, New York, May 6, 1835, and shortly afterward removed with his parents to the old farm on which he was raised, one and a half miles southeast of town. Charles W. Crary received a thorough academic training in the old St. Lawrence Academj', in his native town, from which he graduated in 1855. That same year he entered upon the study of medicine in the office of Carrol C.' Bates, M.D., one of the most celebrated surgeons of northern New York. In the fell of 1858, young Crary, having completed his studies at the Albany Medical College, graduated M.D., and receiving his parchments from that institution, located for practice at Fort Covington, New York. The following year. May i, 1859, Dr. C. W. Crary married Miss Mary P. Porter, also a native of Potsdam, born January 4, 1837, and a graduate of the academy, class of 1856. Miss , Porter's father, Orlin Porter, was a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church ; her mother, Pamelia Porter (ne'e Allen), was a direct descendant of the old Ethan Allen stock of Verraon t. The doctor and his wife number a long line of clei-gymen among their ancestors on both sides of the house. Dr. Crary having mai-ried, continued in pi-actice at Fort Covington, luntil the call came for additional troops in the fall of 1861, when within twenty-four hours' time he enlisted a full company of one hundred men, and tendered his services to the government. These enlistments were upon the express condition that Dr. Crary would remain with the company during its term of service. The company was accepted by the governor of the state, Dr. Crary was commissioned captain, and his command became Co. H, 98 regt. N. Y. Vols. The regiment was ordered to Washington, and in the following spring took the field under McClellan. Capt. Crary was with his regiment until May 31, 1862, when he was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, and sent to Annapolis, Maryland. Was in hospital there thirty days and was then sent north on sick leave. Returned to his regiment at the expiration of sixty days, and being incapacitated for marching by tlie injury he had received, was released from his promise to remain with his company, and tendered his resignation as captain of Co. H, to accept the assistant-surgeoncy of the 11-ith regt. X. Y. Vols. He was soon afterward ordered to the department of the Gulf, under Banks, and reported at Port Hudson. He was in all the engagements fought by that command, ten in number, and served as medical purve3'or of the corps (the 19th) until it was ordered to the Shenandoah valley in the summer of 1S64. That same fall he was promoted surgeon, and assigned to duty with the 185th regt. N. Y. Vols., then before Petersburg. The doctor was subsequently breveted lieutenant-colonel in the medical department, for honorable and meritorious services in the field, and during the last six months of his service was acting brigadjB-surgeon of the 1st brigade, 1st division, 5th Army Corps. The war having closed, Dr. Crary was mustered out of the service at Syracuse, New York, July, 1865. after having been on active duty for neai-ly four years. During this time he was present in seventeen hotly-contested general engagements, besides numerous skirmishes. The chief of tliese actions were the battles of Fair Oaks, Port Hudson, Pleasant Hill, both of the Winchester fights. Hatcher's Pun, Gravely Pun and Southside Railroad. The same year that he left the army, Dr. Crary settled in Malone, New York, where he was enjoying a very considerable practice, which he relinquished to accept the post of contract-surgeon U. S. A., at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, his brother-in-law, Maj. A. S. Kimball, being quartermaster of that department. He had been in Fort Gibson about eighteen months, when, in the spring of 1868, the smallpox broke out among the Indians at Cabin creek, some sixty miles up the Grand river from Fort Gibson. Having been recommended for that work by the agents of the Creek, Cherokee and Seminole Indians, Dr. Crary threw up his contract at Fort Gibson, and made special terms with Gen. Parker, commissioner for Indian aifairs, to vaccinate all the Indians in the Creek, Cherokee and Seminole nations. Receiving due authority from AVashington, and having made all arrangements with the medical department to forward him a fresh supply of non-humanized vaccine-virus every seven days, Dr. Crary entered upon his work. All the details of this service were thoroughly mastered and reduced to a system before it was commenced, and once entered upon it was not relinquished until under his own hand thirty thousand Indians had been vaccinated. The doctor was accompanied for weeks together while upon this duty with Mrs. Crary, camping out as they journeyed from station to station, at which the Indian runners had assembled detachments of the tribes in readiness for the doctor's coming. During the five months spent upon this service, the doctor and his wife only received the kindest and most hospitable treatment at the hands of the tribes among whom they sojourned. In 1869 Dr. Crary removed with his family to Philadelphia, remained thirteen months attending clinical lectures at the Blocksley and Pennsylvania hospitals, received his parchments from Jeflerson Medical College in the spring of 1871, and shortly afterward located for practice in the city of St. Louis. The five years spent in this city were very prosperous ones, and during their continuance the doctor built up a lucrative practice, and enjoyed the confidence of the profession, as was evidenced by his being made a permanent member of the American Medical Association, at its session in St. Louis, in 1S73. Having become a pronounced homoeopathist in 1875, the doctor formerly relinquished his relations to the old school of practice, and entered upon the newer and more progressive one, in which he has been signally successful. Owing to pecuniary reverses, the result of unsuccessful political aspirations, Dr. Crary resolved to remove trom St. Louis, and being charmed with the scenery of this lake region, located here in 1876. During the eight years of his eminently successful practice in this city, Dr. Crary has won for himself hosts of friends, and four years since (1880) received the compliment of an election to the presidency of the Minnesota State Honxeopathic Institute, which position he filled with acceptability. A perfect gentleman in manners, genial in nature, generous to a fault, a fine horseman, a true friend, and a man among men, Dr. Crary - with his smiling face, and bis two hundred and thirty pounds avoirdupois - is justly considered the heavy-weight of the medical fraternity of Lake City. To Dr. Crary and wife have been born four children, of whom only one survives, the eldest, Minnie P., born at Potsdam, New York, May 21, 1860.

C. E. Heejian, meat market, also dealer in live stock, hides, pelts, tallow and lard ; market stand and office on south side Main street, four doors east of AUeghaney street. Mr. Herman established himself in business in this city in 1876, on the opposite side of Main street, purchased the property he now occupies in 1878, and removed to the present location upon the completion of his shop in 1882. His property fronts two hundred and ten feet on Main and extends to the alley in the rear, a depth of one hundred and fortyfive feet. On the west twenty feet of this property his shop is built, a substantial two-story brick, 20x60 feet, with stone basement, sills and caps ; the basement floor of brick and cement. The basement is used for cutting, salting meats, and winter packing, being specially arranged foi- that purpose. The main floor is used for market-room, oflice and cold-room, this latter by a special device of the proprietor's, being virtually a summer packing-room, well ventilated, with a uniformly low temperature, in which meats will keep perfectly fresh for a month. The floor of the market-room is laid ypon doublebraced joists throughout, and is practically able to stand any weight that may be put upon it. The curing-house, in the rear, has a capacity of about two hundred hams ; the cold-room accommodates about twenty carcasses, and the ice-loft overhead holds about twenty tons ; the ice-house (lot 2, block 14) has a storage capacity of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred tons, the supplying of this commodity being also a part of Mr. Hermann's regular business. The stables and sheds are in the rear of the market, the slaughter-house and yards in Pepin township, three miles from city, and the business keeps from two to three men and three horses constantly employed. They slaughter about five head of neat cattle, and from three to ten head each of sheep, calves and hogs per week. The upper story of the shop is the dwelling of the proprietor. Ceilings downstairs are thirteen feet, overhead eleven feet. C. E. Herman was born in Dresden, Saxony, learned his trade in his native city, came to America in 1870, locating for a time in St. Louis, then, after traveling quite generally ovei the United States, came to Minnesota in 1874, and settled in this city in 1876. He was married April 6, 1876, in Chatfield, Minnesota, to Miss Mary Shaab. They have two children : Theodore, born January 31, 1880 ; Mina, born November 14, 1882.

T. S. Jellison & Son, druggists and dealers in paints, oils, etc., north side Main street, two doors west from Pembroke. This business is of comparatively recent establishment, the present proprietors having been in the drug trade in this city only since November, 1881, at which time they bought out John Moran, who had succeeded John Schmit, who brought a small stock of drugs to this place from Lake City about three years since. The business under the former proprietors was not prosperous, but since it has been in the hands of Jellison & Son it lias been well stocked up, a commodious salesroom occupied and a flourishing trade built up. The building, of which they occupy one floor and basement, fronts twenty-tive feet on Main, and has a depth of eighty-five feet. Business has increased over one hundred per cent since occupying the present stand, and a force of three persons are employed in its management. This house is also doing an extensive trade in pianos, organs, musical instruments and merchandise. Their sales of pianos and organs from October 6, 1882, when they established this branch of business, to July 24, 1883, aggregated sixty-seven; sales for the thirty days ending July 24, 1883, being five pianos and twelve organs. They handle the Hallett piano and Kimball organ principally, but are not confined to any particular manufactory, as they hold no agency, but, purchasing for cash, buy and sell to suit the demands of the trade, always keeping a full supply in their wareroom. C. C. Jellison, who manages this branch of the business exclusively, is a native of Indiana, made his acquaintance with the musical trade in the house of Baldwin & Co. He came to Durand, "Wisconsin, in 1S7T. and was for a time engaged as a steamboat clerk, his health ha%-ing become impaired by too close attention to oflice work. Soon after he came to Wabasha county, as bookkeeper for Drury & Kirns, lumbermen at this place and St. Louis, and still manages their afl'airs at this point, his oflice being in the rear of the drug and music store.

F. H. BcRDicK, agent for Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company at this point since 1876. From 1876 to 1879, the first three years of Mr. Burdick's agency at this place, he was without an assistant, performing the work of ticket-seller, freight agent and depot superintendent alone. Since then, particularly since the completion of the Wabasha and Chippewa Valley divisions of the road, the increase of business at this point has become so marked and rapid that a force of eight persons is required to perfoj-m the work of this oflice and the branch station at East Wabasha. Mr. Burdick is a native of Rock county, Wisconsin. He received a common and high school education in his native state, and commenced service as a railway agent and telegraph operator at Castalia, Iowa, in 1870, and was for five years at Cresco. Iowa, in charge of the company's business at that point, before coming to this city in 1876. Mr. Burdick married Miss L. J. Niles, of Cresco, Iowa, November 28, 1875.

Feed C. Loucks, well driller, is a son of William and Susan L. Loucks, of ISTew York, and was born in South Grove, Walworth county, Wisconsin, April 20, 1S53. In 1865 his father removed to Fillmore county, in this state, and still resides there. Here Fred was reared on a farm, and received a good common-school education. In 1876 he began the business of drilling wells and dealing in pumps, making his headquarters at Spring Yalley. In 1877 he removed to Mazeppa, and is now engaged in tlie sale of windmills and pumps. He has recently jiurchased ninety-five acres of land lying near the village, in Zumbrota and Chester townships, but continues to reside in Mazeppa. On September 18, 1879, he was married to Carrie, daughter of Jacob StuU, of Mazeppa. They have one daughter, christened Edith Pearl, born July 1, 1882. Mr. Loucks' religion is the golden rule. His political principles are those of the republican party.

Anthony Casper, merchant, was born near Strasbourg, in Alsace, April 6, 1841, and came with his parents to Buffalo, New York, when eleven years old. Here he attended the English common schools about six months in all, his early years being mostly devoted to toil. After reaching maturity he earned one hundred and fifty dollars, which he invested in cows, and started his parents in the dairy business, still conducted by his mother there, his father having died. In 1865 he opened a grocery store in Buffalo, with a capital of three hundred dollars. A year later he took in a partner. In 1870 he bought out his partner, and continued the business six years alone. He became a resident of Chester in the spring of 1877, at that time purchasing one hundred acres of land on the northwest quarter of section 4. On this he erected the large hotel and store that he occupies, with barns and other outbuildings. He sells over fifteen thousand dollars' worth of goods per year, and his trade is steadily increasing. He has added forty acres to his landed domain, and now tills the whole with the assistance of his sons. Through his efforts a postoffice was secured at Belle Chester, and he was appointed to its charge, his commission dating April 30, 1S79. Up to July 1, 1881, he carried the mail from Lake City, and after that the government supplied the office. He has also served as justice of the peace for four years, and is still incumbent of the oifice. Mr. Casper visited this state in 1870, and was so pleased with it that he determined to remove tliither as soon as possible. He is an enthusiastic democrat. Himself and family are communicants of Belle Chester Catholic church. He was married in 1865, to Eva Eeding, boi-n in Sheldon, New York. Their children were christened respectively, Anthony M., Joseph H., Edward Louis, Mary O., John T., Martha M., Eva Antoinette. Two beside the above named died in infancy.

Peter Mustv, farmer, is a native of Belgium, born in 1831. His father was John and his mother Barbara (Schmidt) Musty. In 1846 all left their native land, and settled in Wyoming county, New York, where the mother soon died. This subject remained on the farm with his father till 1868. He was married in December, 1856, to Ann Eeding, a native of New York, of German parentage. In the spring of 1877 he came with his family to Wabasha county, and bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Chester, where his home is now, on sections 21 and 28. He has a beautiful farm on which he built a large and handsome house in 1881. Large barns were on it at the time of his purchase. He is a democrat, and the family is enrolled in Belle Chester Koman Catholic church. There are ten living cliildren, as follows: Lena (Mrs. John Schuler, Chester); rest at home, viz: Catharine, Mary A., Nicholas, Anthony J., John, Barbara, Henry, Michael J. and Hubert S.

Peter Hail, merchant, was born in Jutland, Denmark, July 25, 1845. He was the second of six children born to Loren and Anna M. Hall. His youth was passed on his father's farm, receiving a good common school education, and attendingtwo years the Aarhuus Latin School of Aarhnus. In 1867 he left his native land and came to Milwaukee. A year later he went to La Crosse, and shortly after bought a farm in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. The next six years he spent traveling about the western country, and in 1877 he located at Theilmauton, erecting the business room referred to elsewhere, and has since been doing a prosperous and promising business in general merchandise. He was the first to locate at Theilmanton, and has a good stock, valued at about four thousand dollars. He was appointed postmaster in 1878, which position he now holds. In 1869 his parents followed him to this country, and have since been living in Otter Tail county, this state. July 30, 1876, he married Matilda N. Harncane, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born three children, James M., Ann Eliza (deceased) and Ann Eliza. Is a I'epublican. He was elected justice of the

J. E. Young, head miller, "Wabasha, since 1877. Mr. Young is a native of Indiana, and was bred to the milling business in Spencer, in that state. He came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1860, and was in the mills there until coming to this city in 1877. Four years of that time he was second miller in the mill of Eastman & Gibson, and was for another period of four years head stoneman in the Empire and in the Pillsbury B. mills. Mr. Young was married at Minneapolis February 22, 1869, to Miss B. L. Cyphers, of that city. They have one child Susie A. Youpg, born April 17, 1871.

J. H. Laket, superintendent ot the Chippewa Valley and the Wabasha divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, general offices at the Union depot on the main line of the road at Wabasha. Mr. Lakey was superintendent of construction of the Wabasha division, and has had charge of its management since ground was broken for its construction in October, 1877. He was appointed superintendent of the Chippewa Valley division November 15, 1882. Mr. Lakey is descended from an old central New York family, who settled in Palmyra, Wayne county, in that state, over one hundred years ago. Mr. Lakey learned his trade as a blacksmith, at Lyons, the county seat of his native county, and coming to Chicago in 1848, was there employed in making car-springs for the cars of the old Galena road, the first that were ever made in Chicago. In the following year, 1849, Mr. Lakey was in the employ of Baltimore & Ohio railroad, at Cumberland, Maryland, which was afr that time the western terminus of the road. In February, 1854, Mr. Lakey returned to Chicago, and entered the service of the Galena & Chicago railroad, then operating a road from Chicago to Scales Mound, one hundred and forty-two miles westward from the lake. This road subsequently became a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern system, and in the employ of that company Mr. Lakey continued twenty-three years, at Turner Junction, where the road branches from the old Galena route, and running westward crosses the Mississippi at Clinton, Iowa, and traversing that state reaches the Missouri at Council Blufls. Mr. Lakey was in charge of the shops of the company at Turner Junction, and had general care of the rolling stock along the line. The old engine "Pioneer," which so recently attracted the notice of all visitors at the railway exposition in Chicago, was the first engine to run out of Chicago, in 1848, and appeared at that city in 1882, substantially as she was built in 1836 for the New York Central Kailway Company, by Balwin, of Philadelphia. She was doing duty between Rochester and Buffalo, New York, when Martin Van Buren and Daniel Webster made their first trip westward, and drew the train that brought them over the road. Mr. Lakey remained in charge of the shops at Turner Junction iintil he came to "Wabasha in the fall of 1877 to superintend the construction of what was then known as the Midland railroad, now the Wabasha division of the Chicago, Milwaukee i*v: St. Paul.

M. ScHRAM, proprietor and publisher of the "Mazeppa Tribune," is a native of Prussia, Germany. In 1853, when ten years of age, he came with his parents to America and settled in Chicago, when he went to learn the printer's trade of Jule Hays. Before his apprenticeship was completed the war of the rebellion broke out, and in 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 3d Board of Trade regt., when he served his adopted country three years. On being mustered out in 1865, he returned to his case and completed liis apprenticeship. In 1868, for the purpose of gaining extended information in connection with his profession, he commenced his travels, which continued through a number of years. In 1877 he came to Mazeppa (with his family), arriving on October 28, with a determination of making it his home and establishing a permanent business ; having, at the time of arrival, a cash cajntal of three dollars, and a much used outfit for a printing office, which he had purchased in Ripon, Wisconsin, for one hundred and twelve dollars, and the whole of which could be carried in an ordinary sized grip. One can easily imagine the trials and difficulties besetting a person in the endeavor to establish a business with three dollars, that requires cash or credit to a considerable amount. But his case, like innumerable others, proved the old adage : Where there's a will there's a way. Mr. Schrani now has a neat and as well an appointed office as can be found in am' village. His paper is full of news items, and his selections exhibit care, judgment and a thorough knowledge of the requirements of his patrons. On November 11, 1870, Mr. Schram was married to Miss Anna Lundlinger, of Chicago, by whom he has had five children, three of whom are living, Anna Gary, Michael John and Laura. Mrs. Schram carries on the millinery business and enjoys a good trade. Mr. Schram is marshal and constable of the village of Mazeppa.

Abbot Smith, is descended from a Scotch fiimily that emigrated to Massachusetts about 1700. The ancestors of Maria Edes, who was espoused by S. A. Smith, came from England and settled at Ciiarlestown previous to that time. The Abbots, paternal progenitors of S. A. Smith, came in 1636. The latter, who was a Unitarian minister, died in 1865. His son had every educational advantage. In 1877 A. E. Smith graduated Irom Harvai'd University with the degree of A. B. The following year he located in Lake City and opened a loan office. In April, 1883, he was admitted to practice before the state supreme court, and is now giving attention to law, loan and collections. He is a member of the Phi-Beta-Kappa society, of the Unitarian church, and of the great republican party.

Milton D. Sjiith was born in Chautauqua county, New York, June 6, 1834. His father, Milo Smith, removed his family to Michigan in 1839, and the following year to St. Joseph county, Indiana. Here Milton had the advantages of a country school, and spent his youth. In the autumn of 1855 he came west in search of a place to build him a new home and fortune. He found the desired spot in a quarter-section of Minnesota fertile lands, viz : the N.W. ^ of Sec. 35 in the township of Plainview, and hastened back to his old Indiana home to acquaint the lady of his choice, and make arrangements for the removal of his personal effects hither in the spring. January 6, 1856, he was married to Margaret Leininger, daughter of a St. Joseph county farmer, and as soon as spring opened, with his young wife, came to resume possession of his new home. From the first, prosperity attended the life of the young pioneer and his bride. His fortune grew apace, and in 1879 he bought the E. B. Eddy place, one of the finest residences in the neighboring village of Plainview, and removed to town. His broad acres now aggregate seven hundred and twenty, situate on sections 25, 26 and 35, all in the township of Plainview. Mr. Smith has been the recipient of local public Iionors, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a republican in politics. Six children have been born to him, as follows, viz : Helen (Mrs. F. Leininger), of Plainview ; William H. (in the grocei'y and cigar business), Plainview ; Martha F. (Mrs. Fred. McArthur), of Ordway, Dakota Territory ; and Harry D., Irving and Bessie, living at home.

Florence Sullivan, Mazeppa, was born in Madison county, New York, June 25, 1853, and was but three years old when he came to Minnesota. His education was furnished by the common schools, and he remained on the farm till of age. He was married in 187^8 to Eachael Woy, born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Mrs. Sullivan's father, Enos Woy, was one of the pioneers of Wabasha county, and now resides at Providence, this state. Mr. Sullivan was engaged in farming till 1881, when he settled in this village. He is a member of Mazeppa lodge, I.O.O.F., and in politics is a democrat. He was reared in the Eoman Catholic church, but does not now give allegiance to that sect. Two children have been born to him, christened as follows : January 19, 1879, Lillian ; January 17, 1883, Frances. Mr. Sullivan's father, Michael, was born in the Parish of Dinmaer, County Kerry, L-eland, in 1830. When of age he came to JSTew York, and was there married in 1852, to Ann Hogan, a native of County Carlow, Ireland. He settled near Mazeppa in 1856. He subsequently removed to Chester, where he now lives.

Andrew D. Van Buren, farmer. Lake City, is a son of William and Elizabeth E,ose Van Buren, and was born at Kingston, Ulster county, New York, in 1820. His parents and grandparents were ' also born and buried there. He is a lineal descendant of the same illustrious Holland ancestor as was the statesman Martin Van Buren. Though he disclaims to any honor won for the name by that eminent personage, yet is proud of him as a distant relative. Early in life he learned the trade of blacksmith and followed the same till his removal to Wisconsin in 1S54. There he settled on a farm near Madison and engaged in farming till the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. B, lltli Wis. Vol. Inf., and served till the close of the war. Soon after the charge on Fort Blakely he was discharged and returned home. In 1869 he removed to Pepin, Wisconsin, where he bought a farm, on which he resided till 1877, when he sold, came to Lake City and purchased his present home near the lower end of Oak street. Besides his residence here he owns a farm in the township of Lake. He was married in 1841, at Kingston, New York, to Miss Abbie S. Dresser, a native of Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. They have two children, L. "Augusta, wife of G. W. Sanford, of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Mary E., wife of James E. Sweet. Mr. Sweet was born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 181-1. In 1856 he came with his parents to Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1866, on April 9, was married to Miss Mary E. Van Buren. In 1868 he removed to Pepin, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1879 he purchased a pleasant little home on the shore of the beautiful Lake Pepin, near the lower end of Oak street, and has a fair prospect for a pleasant life.

WiLLiAii E. ReuscHj merchant. Lake Cit}', was born in Hanover, Germany, June 14, lSi5. When he was but nine j'ears old, his father, Joseph Keusch, died, leaving to be reared on a farm bj' his mother. He received a good common-school education in his native language, to which he has added, by reading and observation, a comprehensive knowledge of the English in this country. He was married February 6, 1S70, to Miss Emma F. Miller, who was born in the city of Hamburg, September S, 1837. She was also left an orphan at the age of four years, by the death of her father, and was raised in Lutheran Protestant hospital. On February 17, 1875, he sailed from the city of Hamburg on board the steamship Pomerania, commanded by Capt. Swenson, for New York, where they arrived on March 2. He came direct to Minnesota, and settled in Frontinac, where he engaged in trade till October, 1876, when he removed to Lake City. Here he opened a grocery store and conducted a successful business till the great fire of April, 1882, when his property was consumed, though partially insured. Ou the 22d of the same month he purchased a two-story brick store, in size 20 X 82 feet, in block 25, fronting on Center street, and at once put in a stock of groceries and liquors, where he is now doing a fair business. Early in the spring of 1882 he sent to the old country for his brother, Joseph C. Eeuscli and family, who had arrived and took up quarters with him the night of the lire, thus losing all their household goods, and leaving them destitute of everything but friends in a strange land. Mr. Reusch is a fair dealing man and merits a fair share of the public patronage.

Gabriel Chalmers, farmer, is a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, where he was born November 11, 182S. His parents were Gabriel and Margaret (Mundle) Chalmers, to whom were born twelve children, Gabriel being the eleventh. When he was ten years of age he accompanied his parents to Lanark countj% Ontario, where he lived with his parents until twenty-one, when he went to Oswego county. New York. Here he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it there eight years, returned to Canada and pursued his calling until his removal westward. In 1878 he located on the farm in West Albany, which he now occupies, being known since the early settlement of the township as the "Lone Tree" quarter- section. He was married July 4, 1853, to Mary Morris, of Somersetshire. Seven cliildren liave been the fruit of this union, four ot whom are living: Edward J., John M., Charles H., William H. Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers are Presbyterians. In politics he is republican. He is a prosperous farmer and an intelligent citizen.

Ezra Feller, the genial proprietor of the only hotel in Plainview, was born in Duchess county, New York, where he lived until at eleven years of age his parents removed with him to Wayne county, Indiana. In 1860 he went to Oconomowoc, Waukesha county, Wisconshi, and employed his time from 1869 to 1878 at farming. For two years next succeeding he started and ran successfully the Plainview Livery Stable, which he removed to its present site in the rear on assuming the position, for which he is so admirably adapted, as proprietor of the hotel, which he purchased of A. Y. Felton, March 1, 1881. The house is quadrangular in form, measures 100x300 feet, and is noted tor its scrupulous cleanliness and painstaking, businesslike attention of all interested in its management. Uncle Ez., as Mr. Feller is familiarly called, has had two wives ; the second still living proves an invaluable auxiliary in the inner working ot the hotel, and is admired for her particular care in the welfare of her partner, and in his success in business.

John Behrns, Millville's enterprising landlord, and agent for the "Piano" reapers and mowers, was born in Germany, in 1880, the third son of Gabriel Behrns. An eighteen-year-old lad, Mr. Behrns spent four years in Chicago as his first struggle with the world. Four years after he left Chicago he came to Wabasha county, and became one of Oakwood's first settlers. About 1870 he founded Bremen. From this time on he was buying, selling and trading in land until 1878, when he came to Millville and started his present hotel. It is nicely situated near the depot, and was one of the earliest business places in Millville. In 1882 he took the agency for the "Piano" twine binder. He has always been one of the leading men of the township, and held its principal offices, of which mention is made in the general history. He kept one of Millville's early stores. He has been a member of the Odd-Fellows. He married Ludiwika Koping, a native of Germany, in 1856. They have five children.

A. J. Myers, agent Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, Mazeppa, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York State, in October, 1851. At two years of age he came west with his parents, to Wis- consin, where he Hved two years. His parents then moved to the State of Minnesota, stopping for a time at Saratoga, from which place they went to Lake Sheteck, Minnesota. Here they were driven from their home by the Indians, during the Indian outbreak of 1862, and fled for safety to Mankalo. Shortly after reaching Mankato, his mother died from the eftects of exposure, consequent on their flight from the Indians. This was a sad epoch in the life of young Myers, as his father had lost everything by the Indian outbreak, and had no means of providing for his family but his bare hands, and threw him almost wholly on his own resources. He proved equal to the occasion, however, as, though but eleven years of age, he commenced fighting the battle of life' on his own account. For a number of years he made his way by working on farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen years he went to learn the trade of furniture finisher. He then worked at the jewelry business two years, but the confinement not agreeing with his health, he was compelled to quit it. Up to this time of his life his advantages for schooling had been so limited, that they were hardly worthy of note. But he was of that kind not to be kept down, and while working at the jewelry business he devoted his spare time to study and improving his mind by midnight oil. In this way he fitted himself for business, and became so proficient with the pen, that subsequently he taught writing and penmanship several terms. After quitting the jewelry business he engaged in selling sewing machines and organs, and ultimately engaged in the insurance business, but having married and settled in life, his almost continual absence from home was unpleasant, and he determined to enter some other field ; accordingly in 1878 he made application for the position he now fills ; but here he was beset with difficulties. He had sufficient education, was a fine penman, but was without experience. He believed, however, he had capacity for the position. In an interview with Mr. Lakey, the superintendent, he frankh- stated all these fiicts, and was accepted. During his first year as agent he learned the art of telegraphing from an operator employed at his expense, since which time he has been independent and competent in every department. Mr. Myers is a member of the Masonic order, and is junior warden of the lodge. In December, ] S7S, he was married to Miss Minnie E. Buell, of Hyde Park, whose father was one of the earliest settlers of Wabasha county. They have two children, Frederick B. and Arthur L.

Commercial Hotel, corner ot Main and Bailly streets, H. Oswald, proprietor. This house, the property of Lncas Kuelm, was about one-half its present size when Mr. Oswald took possession, in 1879, with the understanding that it should be immediately enlarged and the whole put in first-class condition. As it now stands, the hotel fronts one hundred and twenty feet on Main street, seventy feet on Bailly, with ample office, billiard room, bar, sample-rooms, kitchen, dining-rooms, parlors and famil}' rooms on the first floor, and wellarranged guest rooms on the second ; of these latter tliere are thirty-two. The dining-room facing on Bailly street is 30 X 40 feet, and the table and service such as befit a first-class hotel. The situation of the house is pleasant, at the east end of the principal street of the city, with a charming river view, and such gorgeous sunsets as the sun dips behind the bluffs in the west, as are seldom seen in any land. All the appointments of the house are first-class, and the populai'ity of the management is evidenced bj* the fact that the house is always full, and cots a nightly necessity. A good omnibus line runs to all the trains and day-boats, and travelers arriving in the city at any houpfind no difficulty in reaching the hotel. The business of the house is thirty per cent in advance of corresponding period of 1SS2. Mr. Oswald is a native of Saxony ; came to America in 1866, and three years later settled in Dnluth, where he was engaged in tobacco manufacture. He was living at Red Wing for three years, before comnig to this city, in 1879, to assume charge of the Commercial Hotel. Mr. Oswald married Miss Selma Beckert the year before he left Europe for America. They have but one child living, Brunhilda, born in this city October 5, 1882.

Oelo B. Mcnger, merchant, is a native of Addison county, Vermont, but nearly all his life has been spent in Minnesota. He was born in Orwell, September 28, 1855. His father, J. M. Munger, was a native of the same state, and his mother (Mai vina L. Beldin) was born in Johnstown, Wisconsin. In 1857 J. M. Mimger settled in Washington county, this state, on a farm. Here this subject was raised, attending the common school till fifteen years old, when he began firing on a railroad engine. Three years later took up millwright work. In June, 1881, he was employed on the Mazeppa mill, and again in September, 1882. While here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Isabel Taft, to whom he was married December 27, 1881. In March, 1883, he bought an interest in the stove and hardware stock here, and is now manager of the business of Taft &

Miinger, his partner being A. J. Taft elsewhere sketched in this work. He has one son, Walter Lawrence, born October 7, 1882. He is a republican, and a member of the Masonic order.

J. T. McGovEEN, county attorney, office on Main street, over Swartz's store. Mr. McGovern is a native of Amboy, Illinois ; from 1873 to 1876 pursued his studies at St. Michael's College, Toronto, Ontario, and also at St. Joseph's College, in Dubuque, Iowa. He read law in the office of Allison (now United States senator from Iowa) & Crane, of Dubuque, and entering the law department of the Iowa State University, graduated fi'om that institution, class of 1880, and was admitted to practice in the circuit court at Dubuque. Mr. McG-overn then entered the office of Pollock & McXulty, of that city, to acquire practice in the drafting of instruments and papers, and i-emaining there until his removal to this cit}' in August, 1881. Here he entered into practice as a member of the law firm of Van Horn & McGovern, which continued until Mr. Van Horn's removal to Dakota, in 1882. In the fall of 1882 Mr. McGovern was nominated by the democratic county ' convention as their candidate for county attorney, and duly elected. His term of office exjiires December 31, 1885.

Ed. a. Paradis, editor and proprietor of the Plain view " News," though not one of the pioneers of Wabasha county, is nevertheless m some respects a pioneer, having done pioneer newspaper work in Illinois in 1870 and in Kansas in 1873. Mr. Paradis was the son of J. B. Paradis, a contractor and builder, whose father was a wealthy landed proprietor and manufacturer of Lacadie, Canada, where he was born on July 6, 1850. The family soon after removed to Kankakee county, Illinois. Ed. being the youngest of the family of thirteen children, was deprived of the educational advantages enjoyed by his brothers, by the financial failure of his father in 1857. At the age of nine he was cast upon the world to earn his own living. This he did by doing farm work at first. At tlie age of sixteen he adopted his father's trade, that of a carpenter. He soon found employment with the American Bridge Co., of Chicago, and remained with it until 1870, when he joined liis brother, J. B. Paradis, in establishing the Momence (Illinois) "Reporter," their capital stock being, all told, forty dollars. This venture was a success, and in August, 1873, he joined J. S. Paradis, another brother, in a similar enterprise at Clyde, Kansas, where they started the Clyde " Local Reporter." Owing to grasshopper raids success did not attend this undertaking, and in April, 1875, with an empty purse, Mr. Paradis found himself an humble compositor in St. Paul. In the fall of 1876 he found himself once more on his feet, and became one of the proprietors of the "National," a French and English newspaper. Financial reverses again came upon him, and the following August he came to Plainview. In August, 1878, he became a half owner of the Plainview "News," and bought the remaining half-interest of his partner, H. J. Byron, April 1, 1882, since which time he has continued sole proprietor of the sheet. In religious matters Mr. Paradis may be set down as a Freethinker. He was married to Miss Jennie Hammil in St. Paul, October 9, 1877.

J. P. Waste, M.D., came to Plainview in September, 1865, from Ohio. Previous to this he served as assistant surgeon in the 193d Ohio Inf. for eight months. After attending two full courses of lectures from 1860-4 at the Michigan University, he graduated at the Cleveland Medical College. Dr. Waste was born at Greenwich, Washington count}', New York, February 17, 1837. He received the advantage of an early public school and academic education. He is a Freemason of high standing, and is also a member of the I.O.O.F., having held the position of noble grand for one term, and financial secretary for two years. During the year 1871-2 he was elected state senator on the republican ticket. He is a member of both state and county medical societies. In 1867 he was married to Miss Helen S. Higgins, of Mayfield, Ohio, who subsequently presented him with two sons and two daughters. One son, Willie, is deceased and buried in Plainview Cemetery. The doctor is a gentleman high in the esteem of the community, having for several years ofhciated as trustee of the Methodist church.

Hon. William Edwaed Wording, banker, Plainview, Minnesota, was born in Castine, Maine, January 21, 1812. In 1836 he graduated from Colby University, and the same year became professor of Greek and Latin in the Hampton Literary and Theological Institute, which position he occupied till 1841, when he went to South Carolina and accepted the principalship ot the Chersaw high school. While residing in Chersaw he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1845, and practiced there for two years. In 1847 he removed to Kacine, Wisconsin, and opened a law oiSce. From 1850 to 1862 he was judge of the Kacine county court. From 1862 to 1870 Judge Wording was one of the commissioners appointed under the act of congress, approved June 7, 1862, entitled "An act tor the collection of direct taxes in insurrectionary districts within the United States, and for other purposes " ; and under its provisions and the instructions of President Lincoln, dated September 16, 1863, besides selling to soldiers and sailors in the army and navy of the United States, as well as civilians, many tracts and parcels of land, bid in by the United States for the non-payment of the direct taxes assessed upon them under said act, in conjunction with his colleagues, assigned homesteads at the nominal price of one dollar and a half per acre, to twenty-five hundred heads of families of the African race, and set apart a large number of plantations to be rented for the support of schools ; which last-named lands, under a subsequent act of congress, were sold and the proceeds invested in government bonds for the same purpose. The title of the government under the original tax sales of course was contested after the war by the former owners, but the same was finally confirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States. (See case of De Keville vs. Small, 98 U. S. Reports, page 517.) Of course it is not the place here to disouss the policy of these acts, but it may be remarked, nevertheless, that upon the abolition of serfdom in Russia not only was provision made for schools among the serfs, but homestead lands were also assigned them at a low price, and the wisdom ot such policy is now apparent in the results : vagrancy is almost actually unknown there. Since July, 1880, Judge Wording has been connected with the Plainview Bank, and has made Plainview his home. His matrimonial Kfe dates from July 17, 1839, when he espoused Catharine Lawrence, of Laconia, New Hampshire.

John P. Wagner, merchant, was born in Sheldon, Wyoming county, New York, March 8, 1853. His parents, John and Mary Wagner, were born in Belgium and Luxemburg respectively. They settled in Goodhue county, this state, when this subject was but five years old. He was reared on a farm and attended the common schools. In 1880 he engaged as clerk in a general store at Lake City. In the summer of 1883, in partnership with John Weimar, he built and stocked a store at Belle Chester. He is a member of Belle Chester Catholic church, and a democrat. May 22, 1883, he was married to Maggie Tuck, born in New York.

John M. Weimak, merchant, has been a resident of Minnesota since he was two years old. His parents, John and Lucy AVeiraar, now reside at Red Wing, where they located at that time. He was born near Cobleatz, Germany, December 4, 1864. His early life was spent on a farm near Red Wing, his education being 'completed by a year at College in Milwaukee. In 1S75 be opened a general store, with a partner, at Red Wing ; subsequently spent three years on a form. In 18S3 built a store at Belle Chester in partnership with J. P. Wagner. He was married December 20, 18T9, to Josephine Tuck, native of New York, of French descent. They have two sons, born as follows : John N., March 2, 1882 ; Albert, June 15, 1883. All are communicants in Belle Chester Catholic church. Mr. Weimar is a democrat; was six years clerk of his school district while a resident of Belvidere.

John Asuer, farmer, was born in Banfishire, October 18, 1835, being the second of four children born to Alexander and Jane Fiudlay-Asher, both of whom died in Scotland. The elder Asher was a farmer, and our subject lived on the homestead till 1880, when he came with his family to West Albany township, and located on tlie farm of two hundred acres which he now owns. He was married December 4, 1863, to Margaret Asher, of Aberdeenshire. To this union have been born eleven children, of whom nine are living, viz: Alexander, William L., Isabella J., George W., James I., Margaret A., Mary D. D., Bathia P., Janett W. Mr. Asher is a republican, and, with his wife, belongs to the United Presbyterian church.