Wabasha County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 1 of 2)

Ira 0. Seelet, retired farmer, was the first to make a claim and build a house in Mazeppa township. Mr. Seeley's parents were of Vermont birth. His father was christened Ajax T., and his mother, born Painter, was called Delight. In 1815 this couple lived in the town of Luzerne, New York, at which time and place the subject was born. While he was yet an infant, the family removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm till sixteen years old, receiving a limited education at the log schoolhouse of that new region. From the age above named till he came to this state he followed carpenter work. After six years' residence at Berlin, Wisconsin, he came with his family to this county, in 1853. In June, 1854, he set out with three companions to explore the western portion of the count}'. In the fall of this year he made a claim on the present site of Mazeppa, and built a log pen to signify a claim. During the winter he piloted several exploring parties to the new region, and built a log house, to which he removed his family in April following. This was the tirst actual settlement in the township, and was not made on his original choice, but on section 5, on the bank of Trout brook, where Daniel Mack now dwells. In 1869 this place was exchanged for one at that time owned by Mr. Mack, inZumbrota township, nearMazeppa. In 1881 Mr. Seeley removed to Appleton, Minnesota, his present home, where most of his children live. He was elected to the first state legislature by the republicans, and also served several years as chairman of Mazeppa town board. He was a democrat uj) to the opening of the civil war. His marriage occurred in 1836, the bride being Miss Sarah Loveland, a native of Ashtabula. She died in 1868, leaving eight childi-en, who still survive. The eldest will be spoken of below. The fifth, Emma, married F. L. Bonney and resides in Smyrna, New York. The sixth, Nellie (Mrs. John McClellan), lives at Mazeppa. She was the first girl born in the town. All the others, named in order below, reside in Appleton : Elizabeth A. (Mrs. O. F. Davis), Kobert, Elvira (Mrs. Whifield Greenleaf), Albert and Elmer C. Albert is postmaster at Appleton.

Majob Francis W. Seeley, postmaster at Lake City, is the eldest son of I. O. Seeley, born at Ashtabula, Ohio, April 12, 1837, and was, therefore, but sixteen years old when he came with his parents to Wabasha. His educational privileges had been limited, but after joining the regular army he prepared himself by assiduous study for the life of a useful soldier and citizen. He enlisted in February, 1855, in Sherman's battery, 3d Art., then stationed at Fort Snelling, and served till the opening of the civil war, as a noncommissioned officer, on the western frontier. On September 19, 1860, he was breveted second lieutenant by President Buchanan, and on February 4 fQllowing was made second lieutenant in the 4th Art. ; May 14 thereafter he was promoted to first lieutenant, and served as adjutant-general of the department of Florida, where he was then stationed. July 11, 1S63, he was made captain, 4th Ai-t. He is the only officer, below the grade of field officer, mentioned by Greeley in his history of the rebellion. May 30, 1863, he was promoted to be a brevet captain, and July 3 following major, for "gallant conduct in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg." Both promotions were confirmed by the senate. In the first-named memorable battle his battery fired the

At the conclusion of the battle (Chancellorsville) of Sunday, Captain F. W. Seeley's battery, which was the last battery that fired a shot in that battle, had one officer and forty enlisted men killed and wounded, and in the neighborhood of sixty horses killed or disabled ; but being a soldier of great pride and ambition, and not wishing to leave any of his material in the hands of the enemy, he withdrew so entirely at his leisure that he carried off all his wounded men and even the accoutrements from his dead and disabled horses! - See Vol. 1, page 9. Report of the committee on the conduct of the war, 1865.

In his official report of the battle of Gettysburg, Maj.-Gen. A. A. Humphre3's says : '"Seeley's battery, 'K, 4th U. S. Art.,' was placed at my disposal. * * * The firing of Seeley's battery was splendid, and excited my admiration, as well as that of every officer who beheld it. His loss in men and horses was heavy, including himself, twice severely wounded." Maj. Seeley was twice wounded on this occasion, and was ultimately forced by the efiects of his injuries and exposure to resign his commission, which he did on August 31, 186-4. Besides the battles above named, he participated in the following engagements : Battle ot Santa Rosa Islands, Florida ; bombardment of Forts McRae and Barrancas, Florida ; siege of Yorktown ; battles of Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and others. After leaving the army he returned to Wabasha county and engaged in farming for three years, but was forced to give it up on account of physical disability, the result of his wounds. He was elected to the legislature in 1868. In March, 1S73, he was appointed by President Grant to the charge of Lake City postoffice, and has continued to serve the people in that capacity since. He was one of the original members of the Odd-Fellows lodge here. In theological matters he is very liberal. August 5, 18G3, he espoused Miss Emily C. Loveland, of Ashtabula. Thpy were given a daughter in 1866, and christened her Frances E.

Hon. Hugh P. Willson, of Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, was one of the first settlers in Wabasha county, whither he came in the fall of 1854, from Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Willson was born December 3, 1819. His parents were Hugh and Hannah (Allen) Willson. His educational advantages wei-e very limited ; he attended school but about fourteen months all told, but being of a studious disposition he early began the self-imjiosed task of educating himself without the assistance of teachers. In this he was remarkably successful as gaining a fair knowledge not only of the common branches, but also of the higher sciences, history and literature. He engaged in farming in his native county until 1854, when, in the fall of that year, he came to Wabasha county and took a claim near Kellogg. Here he remained until the spring of 1857, when he came to Greenwood prairie, and located a pre-emption claim on section 11, in Elgin township, the place now owned by Russel Marshall. The next fall he bought land in Plainview village, which he afterward platted, as an addition to the village, as East Plainview. Mr. AVillson was justice of the peace for six years, during which time he acquired a taste for legal studies ; in 1866 was admitted to the bar, opened a law oflice in Plainview, and continued the practice of law here until February, 1881, when he left Plainview, and went to Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, where he engaged in the real-estate and loaning business. Judge Willson was the first judge of probate for Wabasha county. In politics is a democrat. He was married, May 22, 1851, to Sarah E. Cole, in Pennsylvania, who died January 23, 1873, leaving two children, namely, Frank A., of Pembina county, Dakota Territory, and Mary, of Grand Forks. Frank Willson was the first white child born in Wabasha county, south of the Zumbro river.

Capt. John Samuel Walker was born in New Albany, Indiana, January 4, 1832, of American parents. He left Indiana in the fall of 18-41, and went to St. Louis, Missouri, and remained about ten years, engaged in various employments. He then came direct to Wabasha, and engaged in the lumber business as a laborer first, then, in the year of 1856, commenced piloting on the Mississippi and Chippewa rivers, and has continued in same business even since with good success. His education was obtained mostly after he came to Wabasha, from a private teacher, Jno. McKee. He was elected constable, and has served as deputy sheriff of the county. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. in his own town, and also of the Orient Encampment in Wabasha. He was married in the spring of 1855, first to Miss Theriee Campbell, second to Elizabeth Birtch, May 6, 1856. They are the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Walker is one of the oldest if not the oldest pioneer in Head's Landing, and if his biography was thoroughly written up, including his travels and experiences while "roughing it" on the Chippewa and Mississippi rivers, from the almost uncivilized times of 1856 to the present day, it would fill a large

Charles Fredp;eick Eogers, mayor of Lake City, is descended from an English family that settled in Virginia about two hundred years ago. He was born at Barnstead Parade, New Hampshire, November 17, 1831. Charles Harris Eogers, the father of this subject, was a native of New Jersey, and married Abigail S., daughter of Kobert Copp, of New Hampshire. The father was two terms a member of the New Hampshire state senate. In 1849 Charles F. Rogers set out to carve his fortune, having been fitted for the battle of life by a common-school education. After seven years spent as clerk and bookkeeper at Lowell, Massacliusetts, he went into the clothing trade in Boston. Subsequently he spent two years in business in Nashua, New Hampshire. In the spring of 1857 he came west and occupied three years as a clerk in Columbus, Wisconsin. On November 1, 1860, at the latter point, he was united in matrimony to Miss Alice R., daughter of Horace C. and Julia A. Cooper. In August of that year he opened a drygoods store in Lake City, in partnership with Mrs. Rogers' father. In the year 1862 he went into the agricultural implement business in connection with the drygoods business. He conducted a successful business here in this line for thirteen years, but kept the implement business up until 1880, and retired to engage in other and lucrative pursuits. He is at present a stockholder and director of the First National Bank, and is well known for business integrity and acumen. Also stockholder in the First National Bank of Wabasha, and vicepresident. He was elected mayor of the city in 1883 ; was the candidate of the republican party for state legislator in 1878. He was one of the original members of the Masonic lodge here, having become connected with that order in Columbus, Wisconsin ; is a regular supporter of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Rogers is a member. The latter is an accomplished lady, and a leader in social and church affairs. Three daughters have been given to grace the handsome home of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, and christened Helen Julia, Alice Josie and Etta May. They are all becoming musicians.

OziAS Wilcox, born in 1824, died January 1, 1876. Mr. Wilcox' father was a harnessmaker, and resided at Crown Point, New York, where our subject was born and spent his earlier years. When he was about fifteen he went to Perry, Lake county, Ohio, and became a sailor on the lakes. From 1852 to 1854 he was in California, from which country he returned with a small capital, which he invested in the forwarding business, with headquarters at Fairport, in copartnership with his brother, B. O. Wilcox. Owing to ill health, he soon resumed the life of a sailor, in charge of one of his own ships. After a year of lake life he found his health still greatly impaired, and pursuant to the advice of his physician came to Minnesota. This was in the spring of 1856. He bought forty acres of Hugh Wiley, along the eastern side of the southeast quarter of section 8, in Plainview, and erected a store and dwelling in one building (the same is now used by the Plainview Bank), and also took up a homestead-claim south of the village. Mr. Wilcox at once assumed a leadership in the aifairs of the new town, and up to the time of his death exerted a beneficial influence in all public matters touching the interests of Plainview, where he engaged successfully in the mercantile business until the close of his life. In his early life Mr. Wilcox had few educational advantages, and acquired but a poor common-school education ; he, however, had studious tastes, and aspired to gain a broader knowledge of literature and science than the masses find suflicient. All the leading literary periodicals and journals of the day were his constant reading. He was married to Martha Stearns, daughter of Asaph Sterns, of northern Ohio, December 15, 1854. This lad}', who survives her husband, was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, February IS. 1828, and now resides in Minneapolis. Four children are now living : Helen J. (wife of Dr. G. E. Picker), Northfield ; Asa F., medical student in Philadelphia; Cassius C, Aberdeen, Dakota Territory, and Frances L., attending school in Boston, Massachusetts.

Amzi Bkai.nakd Watis Noeton, of Plainview, was born in Chenango county, New York, October 3(t, 1818. His father, Amzi Xorton, was of Connecticut origin, and though a blacksmith bytrade, was of a decidedly literary turn of mind, and established quite a local celebrity as a poet. His poetical efforts were chiefly of a religious character, and were jnit forth to further the Millerite cause, in which Mr. I^orton was a firm believer. Our subject's mother was nee Huldah Barstow, whose lineage dates back to some of the old troopers of the revolution. The family removed to Tioga county. New York, while Amzi was yet a child, and here he spent liis youth and received a common-school education. At the age of lourteen he became a clerk in John Stednian"s store, at Richfiird. 7S

He afterward bought out Stedman and ran the store for a time alone, then sold out and accepted the naanageinent of a store at West Dryden, New York, then a year each in West Virgil and Xew Jersey. His next move was westward, to McHenry county, Illinois, where in 1847 he and Josiah Dwight opened a general store at Woodstock. Here he continued in business until the spring of 1857, when he came to Wabasha county and opened a store in Plainview, in conjunction with William Kimbedy. In 1859 he built the store now occupied by Corn well & Son for a hardware store, and took his brother in as partner. He was deputy postmaster under postmaster Yale, and postmaster four j^ears under President Johnson's administration. He went out of the mercantile business in 1870, and has since devoted the most of his attention to the collection business and the official duties of justice of the peace, which position he has filled almost continuously for the past twenty years. Mr. Norton has been thi-ice married, his first wife being a Miss Clara Church, of Castile, New York, by whom he had two children, namely, Clarabelle (Mrs. E. A. Pomeroy), of Plainview, and Edith, "in 1864 Miss Sarah Sanchfield became his second wife, by whom he had one child, Grant, a student in the Eochester Commercial School.

WiLLiAji Clakk, farmer, of Plainview township, was born in the Allegheny mountains, Hardy county, in the State of Virginia, April 23, 1825. His father, Hendricks Clark, ovmed a mill and distillery. In 1835 the family removed to Canton, Ohio, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1844, when in his twentieth 3'ear, our subject went to Indiana, where for eight j-ears he did farm work summers and taught school winters near Goshen. In 1852 Mr. Clark crossed the plains to California, performing the entire journey from Omaha to Sacramento on foot. He tarried in the mining-camps of Downieville, on the Yuba river, for one year, and spent another year farming near Benicia before returning to the states. On May 12, 1856, he located his claim on section 18 in Plainview. To his original quarter-section he has made additions and now owns four hundred acres of fine land just west of Plainview village. Mr. Clark's father was a Quaker, and sought to bring up his children in the waj' they should go. but his son William was not always tlie most tractable boy, and when ten or twelve years old used to devote more time to hunting, fishing and nutting than to Sunday schools ; but notwithstanding his wildness there was no innate wickedness in his heart, while his mind was endowed with those literary tastes which rendered him a tine student.

Edwaed Feanklin Hopkins was bom at Manchester, Maine, September 3, 1849. At the age of five years his parents, Wm. H. Hopkins and Rhoda M. moved to Readtield, Maine, where in 1858 his tather died, leaving a good property to the widow and tlie two small children, of which Edward was the younger. The following year the mother moved with the family to Boston, Massachusetts, where for two years the children received the benefits of a tine school. In April, 1860, they came to Minnesota, arriving at Lake City late in the evening. The following morning Mrs. Hopkins became Mrs. Standish, by being joined in wedlock to Eev. E. A. Standish, of Mazeppa, the wedding taking place at the residence ot DeWitt C. Sterry. Edward A. Standish was a Methodist clergyman, and a direct descendant ot Capt. Miles Standish, of the May- Flower. Mrs. Hopkins had not seen Mr. Standish for about twenty years, until the arrival in Lake City. Tliey had known each other in their eai-lier days. They came at once to Mazeppa and occupied the Standish homestead. The war breaking out soon after this, Mr. Standish's sons. Merit G. and Miles E. joined the Ist and 3d regiments respectively, Minn. Vols., leaving Edward, the only remaining boy, at home to work the farm. Several years of hard labor for Edward followed. At the close of the war he was placed in school at Red Wing, and afterward at Haraline University. He rapidly developed a' taste for learning. He afterward went to Rocklord, Illinois, and took a full course in a commercial school at that place. After this he went to Lake City and clerked for C. F. Young, and has followed this business ever since, being at the present wi'iting engaged with E. L. Ford & Co., of Mazeppa. On December 20, 1875, he was married to Josephine Sutherland. They have two children, Hattie and James Shirley. Besides his duties in the store, he has also an insurance business, and is notary public. He has also been engaged for several years in breeding and raising for market fine hogs. His sales of fine animals during 1S82-3 amounted to over fifteen hundred dollars.

Patrick McDonough died in the town of Greenfield, Marcli 19, 18S3, aged seventy-eight. He was born in Tiernay, County Galway, Ireland, and married Ann Lee, of the same parish, who died there. She was the mother of nine children, two of whom are living. Mr. McDonough afterward married Nappy Sullivan, who died in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1851, three years after the removal of the family to America. Three children were given to the second Mrs. McDonough, biat all are now deceased. After some years' residence in Cincinnati, and two years on a farm in Mason county, Kentucky, Mr. McDonough came to Greenfield, and settled on section 31, where he continued to dwell during the remainder of his life. Himself and family were all reared in the Roman Catholic church. The youngest child, Mary, is now the wife of Larry Calhoun, and resides in Wabasha.

Miles McDonough, son of Patrick, whose sketch appears above, was born in the same parish in 1832. His education was supplied by the parish school before he came to America with his father. He was four years employed on Ohio and Mississippi river steamboats, most of the time as watchman. He came to Greenfield with his father, and was his most valuable assistant. Is now the proprietor of six hundred and eighty acres of land, of which three hundred are improved. His products are diversified, embracing both grain and domestic animals. In 1S83 his crops included eighteen hundred and twenty-five bushels of wheat, eight hundred and fifty of barley, eight hundred of oats, and forty tons of hay. In 1S67 a lai-ge and handsome frame house was built, and is now occupied by the family. Mr. M. has been five years school director, and was elected town supervisor in 1S79-80-1-2. Ann Flaherty, to whom he was wedded in 1857, is a native of Lettermullin, same county as her husband. They have nine children living. Mary Ann, the eldest, is now Mrs. Edward Drury, and dwells in Wabasha ; Xora, Agnes, Edward, Maggie, Katie, Michael, Lydia and Maud are at home. Patrick Henry, the third child, died at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, October 13, 1879. This was a youth of great promise, and had nearly completed the third year of his study for the priesthood at the time of his demise. He was born February 7, 1.862, and his early life was passed on his father's farm, and the rudiments of his education were acquired at the common school. He soon developed a rarely intellectual character, and his life was eai'ly set ajjart tor the holy calling from which death snatched him. He was a very studious youth, and was a leader in all his classes, and his death was universally regretted by the church in this country.

Patrick McCarthy (deceased) became a permanent i-esident of Greenfield in 1855, and died there in 1870, aged fifty-six years. Mr. McCarthy was born in the parish of Castle-Connell, County Limerick, Ireland, and was reared on a f;xrm there. On reaching manhood he set out for Amei-ica, and spent some years in railroad work in New York and at Galena, Illinois. He came up the Mississippi in the spring of 1854, and took up land near what is now Lake City. This he sold in a few weeks, and went back to Galena. Here he was married during the same year to Miss Ann Eyan, who still survives him. Mrs. McCarthy was born in the parish of Marugli, County Limerick. When this couple came to Greenfield they settled on section 26, where they dwelt ten years. Some more land was then acquired by purchase on section 27, where the husband died and the widow now 'resides with her youngest son. Mr. McCarthy' served some years as town supervisor, and was treasurer of his school district for the first fourteen years of its existence. He was always a democrat, as are his sons, and all were baptized in the Catholic church. At his death the fatlier left four hundred and fortyone acres of land, which has been equitably divided between the widow and heirs. All the children living were born in this township, James, the eldest, March 5, 1S60. He was studious in his habits, and became a proficient penman. In 1880 he went to Chicago, and found employment witli the Chicago & Northwestern Eailroad Company as waybill clerk. His faithfulness and ability have been appreciated, and he has steadih' advanced to his present position as head collector in the city. John, the second son, was born June 15, 1861, and has spent all his life here on tlie farm. His education was supplied by the common schools of the town, and although equally as capable for business as his brother, has chosen to be his widowed mother's stay. Elizabeth, the youngest child, dwells at home, and is now teaching school at Theilman.

' Georcse W. Hall (deceased) became a resident of Wabasha in 1S57, engaging in the sale of furniture. He was boj-n in Perry county, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1824. His parents, Moses and Catharine Hall, were natives of the same state. He was reared on a farm, and engaged in the grocery trade in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1854. Sarah Butturif, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Butturfl", of Pennsylvania, was born in Cumberland county, same state, February 28, 1825. The latter was united in marriage with Mr. Hall February 6, 1849, and still survives him. After three years of trade in Iowa our subject came to Wabasha, and opened a furniture store in partnership with Mrs. Hall's brother, Samuel Butturif. In 1860 he took up a homestead in Glasgow township, on which he dwelt three years. Being in delicate health, he sold out and returned to Wabasha. Here he was some time a clerk in Weatherbee's store.

For some years after this he kept a meat-market. He built one house in South Wabasha when lie first came here. He afterward bought and impro\'ed others. At his death, Maj- 7, 1S70, he was possessed of two adjoining residences on Alleghaney street, now owned by his widow. Mr. Hall was a member of the Masonic brotherhood. Having little education himself, he appreciated the value of schools, and was active in fostering them'. He was a contributor to the support of all churches, but the Episcopal was his favorite. He was a firm adherent of the democratic party in politics. The third child and only daughter, Anna, married John A. Canfield, of Kellogg, and is now deceased. The sons, in order of birth, are: Henry W., Greenfield ; William Parker and George W., Prairie View, Kansas.

Eli.iah Stout (deceased) was born in Middletown, New Jersey, February 23, 1806. John and Martlia Stout, his parents, wei-e also natives of New Jersey. The former served the colonies as a soldier in the revolutionary army, his pretty wife in the meantime attending to affairs at home. One day while she was engaged in boiling soap a passing British officer attempted to kiss her, and received a dab of hot soap in his face for his pains. In early life Elijah Stout went to New York city and engaged in mercantile life. At one time he had two stores in operation there. In 1827 he was married here, the bride being Julia A. , only daughter of George Cooper, Esq. Tliirteen children were the result of this union, six of whom are now living. The mother died in J 850 at Middletown. whither Mr. Stout returned in 1831. He had three stores in Monmouth count}', and held the office of assessor from 1831 to 1856, over twenty years, and was judge of the county court over two terms, resigning that office to come west in 1856. July of the latter year found him a resident of Lake City, where his talents and enterprise were needed. He at once took part in the efforts being put forth to establish a city on a moral and business foundation. He was among the first to advocate measures for the general welfare, and was always called upon to preside at public meetings. When the poor or sick needed aid or relief his hand was always ready to minister. When he first came here he served two years as justice of the peace, and afterward till the time of his death as assessor. In politics he was alwa3's a democrat, and never forgot his christian dignity while party strife raged. During the late civil war he was among the foremost and truest supporters of the government. He was a life-long member of the Baptist church, and was among the very few who organized a society here in 1857. He was both an Odd-Fellow and a Mason, and none were more ready to aid in acts of benevolence and charity. He possessed a singularly sympathetic nature, and having once made a friend, held him through lite. He was almost invariably requested to conduct the funerals of friends or neighbors. His faith in Christianity continued to the end, and he passed away January 24, 1881, after an illness of nearly three months. In 1854 he married Caroline M., widow of Judge John Murphy, of Xew York, and mother of Henry C. Murphy, the well-known attorney of New York city. Mrs. Stout still survives, and is resident in New York. Two daughters of Judge Stout were drowned here in June, 1858, under most distressing circumstances, as related elsewhere. Timothy, the second living son, died at Marshall, this state, in the fall of 1883, aged forty-nine years. He served as captain of Co. I, 2d Minn, regt., during the civil war, and was wounded at the battle of Mill Spring. John resides at Minneapolis, Edward in Texas, Caroline (Murray) at Long Branch, Eliza J. (Williamson) at Duluth, and George and James C. in Lake Citj'.

George C. Stout, merchant. Lake City, is the eldest son of Judge Stout, and was born in the State of New York. When quite 3'oung, his parents settled in Middletown, New Jersey, and he was reared in that village, receiving the benefit of its advanced schools. He was married in Middlesex county, the bride being Miss Adelaide Perrine, a daughter of Judge John Perrine, of Middlesex county court ; the latter came of a long-lived family, having reached the age of eighty-six when he died, in January, 1884. Mrs. Stout's maternal grandmother lived to be over one liundred and one. Mr. Stout became a resident of Lake City April 15, 1857, and has dwelt here continuously since. He engaged in mercantile business, and in 1870 began an exclusive clothing and furnishing goods trade. In 1876 G. M. Dwelle became a partner, and on January 1, 1884, J. C. Hassinger entered the firm. The business is prosperous, and is conducted in a building owned by the firm, corner of Washington and Center streets. It is a double brick, two stories high, and was built in 1S82. The structure that stood here April 1, 1882, was totally consumed by fire on the night of the 22d of that month, inflicting a loss of twelve thousand dollars on Stout & Dwelle. There was a partial insurance, and next morning the senior partner started east after a new stock of goods. The present store was at once erected, and stands as a monument to his courage and persevei-ance. His religion is the golden rule, and liis political princij^les are championed by the republican party. He is at present one of the city council. Three children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Stout. George, the eldest, is in business in St. Paul. Frances and Ada P. remain to grace the pleasant home of their parents.

Hon. Patrick Henry Rahilly, the most extensive farmer and stock-raiser in Wabasha county, if not in soutliern Minnesota, resides in Mount Pleasant township, on his immense farm of twelve hundred acres. Mr. Rahilly was born on a farm near the city of Limerick, Ireland, March S, 1834, and is ]3erhaps the most successful man who ever came to Minnesota a youth and without means. His childhood, till the age of ten years, was spent on the farm, after which he was placed at school in the city of Limerick, where he received a classical education, though his collegiate course was but partially completed, as his father, Mathew Rahilly, decided on emigrating with his family to the United States, in the sixteenth year of our subject's age. Tliey sailed from the city of Limerick on May 2, 1849, and landed in Xew York in the month of June. The family sofin after settled in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where the father still lives, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In his eighteenth year young Rahilly left his parental roof with a determination that, if honest industry and faithful application to business had its reward, he would not only make a home for himself but a name among his fellowmen. His first two years was passed in Cayuga county. New York, as a farm hand, where he early acquired a thorough knowledge of handling and dealing in live-stock. After serving his time, including the stipulated month's notice to his employer, he went west to Chicago, in 1854, whither he had been attracted by circulars scattered through the east by the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Not finding tlie desired opening there, he pushed on to Milwaukee, and from there by stage to Dunleith, where he boarded a river steamer bound for St. Paul. While on this his first tri]) up the Father of Waters, the uncivilized appearance of the country, the sight of numerous squads of half-dressed and less than halfcivilized Indians, and the thoughts of the old eastern home, surrounded by its many blessings and advantages, caused unbidden tears to flow. On reaching Wabasha prairie (now Winona), he disembarked, and soon after made his way west to the new town site of Rochester, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he at once found employment with the Hon. W. D. Lowery, who was then opening up a larfije farm, as well as conducting a mercantile interest, to which was soon after added a banking business. In time, Mr. Lowery saw in his employe the honor and ability that merited a better position than that of a common liand, and, for the mutual benefit of both parties, placed him in the bank as superintendent, and also made him an equal partner in the farm interests. In August, 1860, Mr. Eahilly severed his connection with Mr. Lowery, and on the 23d of the same month, at Winona, was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Norton, a native of County Galway, Ireland, and a daughter of James Norton, who came with his family to America in 1848. Mr. Eahilly's first and final move after marriage was to his quartersection of land in Mount Pleasant township, on Sec. 22, T. 3 1, E. 13, pre-empted by him in 185S. Here he built a temporary residence, and, in the strict sense of the word, started according to his means, and from that day to the present writing has continued to prosper. Acre to acre, farm to farm has been added, till one unbroken farm now numbering twelve hundred acres surrounds his first purchase, on which now stands one of the finest and most substantial brick residences in the state, outside of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It was erected during the summer of 1880, on the site of an elegant one destroyed by fire in March of that year. His entire farming interests are all conducted by himself, with the aid of hired help, keeping a large number of hands during the summer season, and overseeing all branches of his extensive business the year round. It was not until late years that Mr. Eahilly allowed himself to be drawn into politics. The public iiad for some time seen in him the executive ability and independence to wisely direct state aftairs, and in 1874 prevailed on him to accept a nomination to the state legislature. He was put on the ticket of the democratic pai-ty and elected by a flattering majority. He was three times subsequently elected to the same position, and once to the state senate. In 1875 he was placed in nomination and run by his party on the state ticket for auditor, but his party being in a hopeless minority, he was defeated, though in tliis and adjoining counties he ran ahead of his ticket. To Mr. Eahilly the young men of today may safely be pointed as an example to follow - a man who has made his way from incipiency to manhood's ripest years. In business, as in war, there are constant promotions of the successful operator, and each promotion is a victory won, for " Peace hath her victories no less tlian war." The smaller acts of life, the finer threads of principle, are the index to what life is or may be. Mr. Rahillj' has an interesting family of five children, who are receiving the educational advantages of the St. Paul, Milwaukee and Massachusetts schools and colleges. Their names, in the order of their birth, are : Jennie I^, Mary A. , James M. , Catliarine A. and Margaret. One son, John T., died very suddenly of cerebrospinal meningitis, caused by a fall while in attendance at the Lake City schools, in the twelfth year of his age.

Calvin Dickinson Yilas, M.D., was the first physician to locate in Lake Citj', and today is among its foremost and successful practitioners. His birth dates May 1, 1822, at Antwerp, Jefferson county, New York. His parents, Nathaniel Vilas and Betsey Dickinson, were born in New Hampshire, and the former enjoyed a government pension during his latter years, on account of services during the war of 1812. For many years the father operated a large tannery, which he built at Sterling Center, New York, and liere our subject laid the toupdation of a more complete education. After attending two courses of medical lectures at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and a course at Woodstock, Vermont, he graduated at the latter place in 1846. In December of this year he married Mary C, daughter of William and Mary C. (Wright) Ford. Mrs. Vilas is four years her husband's junior, and was born in Antwerp, and reared in Sterling, New York. Dr. Vilas began the practice of his profession at Red Creek, Wayne county. New York, and subsequently spent a year in Oswego county. Thence he emigrated to Racine county, Wisconsin, and located in the town of Caledonia, where he continued in the practice of his profession nine years. In September, 1866, he removed to Lake City, where he permanently located, and soon built up a lucrative and successful practice, wliich has for many years occupied almost his entire time and attention. Despite the cares of his large practice, the doctor takes time to foster and encourage educational interests and the public schools. During his residence in Wisconsin, he served one year as superintendent of schools, and has been on the school board in Lake City the last six years, and was unanimously for the full term in the spi-ing of 1884. Politically he has always stood by the republican party. His living children are: Walter N., practicing medicine at Racine, Wisconsin; Elbert E., at Clark, Dakota; George W., at St. Paul, Minnesota; Carrie M., died, aged seventeen years.

Rev. William Gaedam, rector of St. Mark's church, Lake City, was born in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, October IS, 1S51, and was educated there in the common branches. In 1872 he entered the Headingley College, at Yorkshire, England, where he pursued the study of the classics, mathematics and theology. In 1875 he became a student at the Lincoln Theological College, and at tlie same time became an undei--graduate of the University of London. At the end of two years he was ordained deacon, and, the following year, priest in the Lincoln Cathedral, England, by the Rt. Rev. Christopher Wordsworth, bishop of Lincoln. His first ministerial work was curate of Bourne Abbey church. Lincolnshire, England, where he remained from 1877 to 1879. At this juncture he found himself prostrated with a nervous breakdown, and in October, 1879, came to America with a view to improving his health. In the fall of 1880 he was called to the rectorsiiip of the St. Paul's church at Plymouth, Wisconsin, whence he came to Lake City in May, 1883. He was married December 27, 1881, at Milwaukee, by Bishop Welles, to Miss Mary Chase Smith, a great-granddaughter of Bishop Chase, and daughter of the noted railroad man, H. N". Smith, of Milwaukee. Mr. Gardam's father, James B. Gardam, who is a scientific chemist, now resides at Cleveland, Ohio.

DwiGHT Feedeeick Beooks, physician at Minneiska, was ushered into this world June 10, 1849, at Redfield, New York. His parents, Sheldon and Jeanette Brooks, were natives of the same state. Both his father's father and mother's lather were participants in the war of 1812. At the age of seven years our subject came to Beaver, Winora county, Minnesota, where he remained till 1862, at which time he took up his abode at Minneiska. Up to this time his education Jiad been received at the common schools ; but now he pursued the studies of Latin and Greek, under the tutorship of Mr. W. B. Bunnell, a noted educator at that time. Soon after this he placed himself in the medical department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, but graduated in medicine at Long Island College Hospital, in 1876. Since that time he has been not only following his profession, but is largely' engaged in commercial pursuits. In 1876 Mr. Brooks was chosen as delegate to attend the American Medical Association at Philadelphia, and has remained a permanent member ever since. He is also a member of the Minnesota State Medical Society and of the Wabasha County Medical Society. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Anna G. Keyes, of AVinona, and have two children.

Harry K., born in September, 1876, and Dwight S., born in March, 1878. Mrs. Brooks is a member of the Congregational church. Dr. Brooks' parents, who were many years residents of Minneiska, removed to Winona, where the former died in the spring of 1883. He was well known there as one of the noble men of that county's early settlement.

Thomas Talman Jenks, Lake City, whose grandfather with two brothers came from England and settled in Connecticut and New Hampshire just previous to the outbreak of the war of the revolution, was born in Lamoile, Vermont, July 4, 1823. His parents were Jeremiah amd Hepcibeth (Talman) Jenks, and were natives of Lyon, New Hampshire; the latter a descendant of a Holland family who emigrated to the colonies about the middle of the last century. Mr. Jenks, like his father, was reared a farmer, and followed that as a business till his advent into Minnesota in 1856. The same season he built a shingle mill at Central Point. Six years later he bought a planing mill located at the foot of Dwelle street, and soon after converted it into a shingle factory, and time converted it into a tenement, which has long since passed out of existence. He was married at Elmore, Vermont, December 14, 1845, to Elmira Bailey, a native of the same state, born April IS, 1827. To them were born six children, three of whom are living, whose names in the order of their birth are: Lucelia A., born in Massachusetts, September 7, 1846, now the wife of John W. Northtield; Francis H., born in Vermont, April 18, 1848, and Elwin T., born in same state, September 10, 1853. The three deceased were : Eugene A., Emma A. and Ada, aged eighteen months, seven years, and fourteen years, respectively.

Jerky Dadt, farmer, Greenfield, is among the early residents of Wabasha county, having come to Wabasha in 1855. In 1856 he settled on his present farm. His residence is on section 35, and he has a large farm, part of which lies in Watopa township. Mr. Dady was born in Castle Grogery, County Kerry, Lx'land, and was reared on the farm that had been for many generations in possession of his ancestors. His education was supplied by rate schools, and remained there until thirty years old. He then married Nora O'Donnell, a native of the same parish, and together they set out to make a home in America. For several years he was employed in railroad construction in Vermont, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. From the latter state he came to Minnesota as above related. He has been industrious, and has thereby secured a competence. In public affairs he has always sustained the Democratic party, as have his sons, and all the members of his family are in good standing in the Roman Catholic church at Wabasha. There are live children, resident as follows : Eugene, Wan-en, Minnesota ; Mary (Mrs. Maurice Durgan), Black River Falls, Wisconsin ; Nora (John Drysdale), Kellogg ; Michael, AVabasha ; John, at home. The latter is the prop of his parents in their old age, and is a rising young man. lie is now serving the third successive term as town clerk.

Michael U. Dadt, Wabasha, son of the above last-named subject, was born in Greenfield, October 7, 1S55. He was reared there, and attended the common school. When eighteen years old he took up blacksmith work in Kellogg, and has followed it ever since. Became a resident of Wabasha in 1879; worked some time in a machine shop, and is now em])lpyed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company as blacksmith and repairer. In 1879 he married Fanny Hudson, who was boi-n in Pierce county, Wisconsin, of Scotch and English parents. They have a son, born June 18, 1880, and christened Charles.

Abner Tibbitts, who is mentioned as among the first to locate where Lake City now stands, was a native of tlie State of Maine. He came to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1853, and there married, and in 1855 came to Lake City. Here Messrs. Abner Dwelle and Samuel Doughty gave him an interest in the new town site just being platted by them. He was a man of good address and possessed of excellent argumentative qualities, hence very useful in booming a new town. This ability, well used, was perhaps the principal consideration received for the share he became possessor of in the real estate here. He was a man of aggressive characteristics and filled a few positions of trust to the state and nation. In 1878 he went to New Mexico, where lie is now filling a position in a custom-house.

De. p. a. Jewell (deceased), once a prominent resident of Lake City, was born in the State ot New York and was educated in the classical course at Obei'lin, Ohio, and graduated from the medical department of the Ann Arbor University. During the war of 1861-5 he was appointed to the hospital service in Washington, and there did the government eflScient service. He was married August 20, 1863, at Morris, Illinois, to Miss Catharine Underwood, a graduate of the Female Medical College, of Philadelphia, and sister of J. M. Underwood, of this city. He came to Lake City in 1868, and established the nursery which now bears his name. The doctor and his noble wife were only spared to their fellow citizens a very few years, and now repose in Lake City's beautiful cemetery. They left an unblemished name, but no posterity.

Silas Gerome Sjiith, carpenter and builder, is one of the pioneers of this county and father of the first white child born in Highland township. His grandfather, Jared Smith, was a native of Maine, was a farmer and settled at Pompey Hill, Oswego county, New York. Here was born and reared Israel Smith, the father of this subject, who followed blacksmithing from sixteen years ot age. He married Eliza Richer, who was born in West Monroe, same county. Silas G. Smith was born September 13, 1833, at the same place as his father. For seven years he worked with his father at his trade, and never went to school after he was ten yeai-s old. At twentyfive he began carpenter work, having previously been employed for some time as filer and sawyer in a mill. After losing all his possessions by fire, he determined to seek a home in the New West, and came to Wabasha county, locating on land in Highland in the the fall of 1854. In the spring of that year he married Ellen S. Jacott, who died May 17, 1876, leaving two children. Jnlia Ann, the eldest, born January 20, 1857, is the wife of Julius B. Lewis, in Wabasha. Silas Jerome resides with his father, and was twenty years old March 5 last. Mr. Smith made his home on his farm until 1875. August 31, 186-i, he entered Co. A, 3d Minn, regt, as a recruit. He. was placed on detached service, and remained at Duvairs Bluft" most of the time till discharged, July 28, 1865. Since 1875 his home has been in Wabasha, where he owns two lots on the levee. In May, 1877, he married Isabel A. Robinson, who is a native of Oxford, Massachusetts. Despite his meager schooling Mr. Smith has contrived to secure a good fund of general information, and is an intelligent citizen. In political matters he atfiliates with the democratic party. He was two years constable in Highland, and subsequently served as deputy county sheriff. He has been connected with a Baptist church which now indicates his religious faith. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Congregational church in Wabasha. Mr. Smith is a member of the Equitable Aged Union. He has been engaged since his residence here in millwright work, and house, boat and pontoon building. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway pontoons at Read's Landing and Prairie du Cliien show his handiwork ; also one at Lacon, Illinois.

Patrick Feaxcis Ryai^, teacher, was born near Elmira, New York, October 18, 1856. His parents, Patrick C. and Johanna Rj'an, were born in Limerick, Ireland, and came to America in 1848. For several years tlie father was employed in railroad construction, and settled in Greenfield township, where he now resides, in 1857. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common school in Greenfield and in the Wabasha city schools. He has been employed on a steamboat, on river lumber fleets, and on the railroad. During the winter of 1883^ he had charge of the Minneiska school, the term completing his thirty-sixth month of teaching. He is highly regarded by school superintendents, and his services are in great demand. For some time his home has been in Wabasha. He is a member of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union, and has represented this county in the state and national conventions of that body. He has also acted as delegate in several democratic county conventions, and was secretary of the Wabasha Hancock Club in 1880. Mr. Ryan is a young man of more than ordinary ability, and the writer is glad to note that his talents are likely to be fully appreciated by his fellow-citizens.

John McDonald (deceased) was born and reared in Sligo, Ireland, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. He became a resident of Wabasha in 1S56, and after working for Oliver Cratte some time, he purchased and operated a shop on AUeghaney street. His death occurred May 7. 1879, after a long illness. His age at this time was about sixty years. Previous to coming here he spent several years in Lexington, Kentucky. In March, 1862, he married Miss Mary Agnes Cavanaugh, who was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1844. On account of his long illness, Mr. McDonald's estate was encumbered with debt, but his widow has become independent by industry and good management. She has a nice home on the corner of Second and AUeghaney streets, and is educating lier children well. There are four children, christened John, Katy, Louis and Molly Agnes. The firstborn, Joseph, died at six niontlis of age. All are members in' good standing of the Roman Catholic church.

Lewis De Camp, carpenter, Wabasha, is a son of David and Sarah De Camp, all born in Harrisburg, Giles county, Virginia - this subject on January 12, 1821. His grandfather was a native of North Carolina, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, as was his father. Lewis De Camp was raised on a farm, and at twenty-five learned the carpenter's trade. He had previously spent some years in driving a six-horse freight team. In 1854 he went to Iowa City, Iowa, and engaged in farming, and came thence to Wabasha three years later. His home has ever since been here, and carpenter-work has received most of his attention. He now has considerable practice as a horse-farrier. He has eighty acres of land in Wisconsin, and two lots where his home is in Wabasha. In 1845 he married Adelia Duncan, native of his own county, as were her parents, Landon and Sarah Duncan. Five children made complete their family circle : Eliza Jane (Mrs. L. Malin), resides at Eead's Landing ; Mary (Blanchard), Massachusetts ; Ira, sketched below ; Ale.xander and Thomas reside with their parents. Mr. De Camp finds spiritual comfort in the faith of Universalism, and has always been an adherent of the republican party.

Ira De Camp, Mississippi pilot, of Wabasha, was born in Hari'isburg, January 26, 1850, and is the third child of Lewis De Camp, whose record is found above. He attended the city schools till fifteen years old, and then went on Mississippi lumber rafts. For the last five years he has been a steamboat pilot, for which occupation fifteen years of life on the river have amj^ly fitted him. He has built two houses on Main street, one of which he occupies, the other now in process of completion (March, 1884). He is a member of the E. A. U., and of the Episcopal church. His political support lias always been given to republicanism. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Addie Benedict, daughter of James K. Benedict. Mrs. De Camp was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and came here when young. Two children have been given this couple, and christened Ora and James Lewis.

Joseph E. Faveow, merchant, was born at Champlain, Clinton county, New York, in 1827. His father, Louis Favrow, came from France to join the American army in the war of 1812, and settled in this country. He married Josephine Duval, who became the mother of our subject. The latter's early life was passed in his native town, where he obtained the rudiments of an education. When fourteen he entered an iron foundrj', and spent several years as a moulder. In 1S54 he went to Rockford, Illinois, and engaged in the livery business. In the fall of 1S56 he became a resident of Lake City, and at once opened the first hotel there. This was called tiie "Lake City House," and stood on the corner of Washington and Center streets, until destroyed by the great fire of April, 1882. He after- ward kept a liveiy stable, and was iive years in the butcher business. After this he engaged in merchandising, and removed his stock to Donnelly, this state, in 1880. For the past three years he has been postmaster of that thriving town. He was four years a member of the Lake City common council, and some time an active member of the school board. His political action has ever been with the republican party. He still holds his connection in all the degrees with the Masonic order in Lake City, and yet holds property here. In 1862 Mr. Favrow enlisted for three years in Co. G, 8th Minn. Vols., and served two years on the western frontier, participating in the battle of Stony Ridge, Dakota, and in several other slight engagements with the Indians. The remainder of his term was passed with the western army in fighting rebels, taking a hand in the battles of the Cedars (near Murphreesboro) and Kingston, North Carolina, and was discharged at the close of the war. In 1862 Mr. Favrow espoused Miss Ellen Conway, daughtei- of Michael Conway, one of the pioneers of Central Point. Mrs. Favrow is thirteen years her husband's junior, and was born near Ogdensburg, New York. Two children are included in Mrs. Favrow's family. The eldest, Franklin Fayette, is with his parents. Ida May is now in attendance at the Lake City schools.

Jacob Bdsh, mason, Wabasha, was born at Moscow, in the District of Montreal, Canada, February 1, 1830. His great-grandfather came from France, and settled in Canada. His father, Zabattias, was born and reared in the same locality as himself. His name has been changed since he came here, and as he had no education, he is unable to give the original French spelling. His early life was spent on a Canadian farm. For some years he was employed in ironworks on Lake Champlain, and he found various employments in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In 1852 he came west, and spent a year on a farm at Columbus, Wisconsin. He came to Wabasha in 1853, and found employment with the fur traders. He claimed land, and afterward sold out. In 1861 he enlisted in the U. S. Vols., Co. G, 5th Minn. regt. Served in the western army ; in the siege of Corinth, Buell's expedition, battles of Tuscumbia, Chattanooga, second Corinth, luka, siege of Vicksburg, battle Guntown, Red River expedition, battle Nashville, siege and capture of forts about Mobile. At Nashville he received a flesh-wound from piece of an exploding shell. In all he was an actor in thirty-two battles, besides several skirmishes, and was discharged from service in September, 1865. He returned to "Wabasha, and has chiefly been employed in mason-work since. He was a member of the G.A.R., while a lodge existed here. He was reared in the Catholic ehnrch, and adheres to the democratic party. In 1855 he married Susan Montraill, who was born in Mendota, this state, and died in November, 1880. Of her twelve children ten survive her. Josephine, the eldest, now wife of David Pugh, resides in Greenfield ; Isabel (Mrs. William Edwards), Oliver, Lucy (Frank Hoffer) and Emih' reside in Wabasha. The rest are at home, christened as follows : Jacob, James, Gracie, Susan, Addie and Frank.

Lawrence Calhoun, lumberman, Wabasha, is a native of Ireland, born in Dublin, August 15, 1826. When he was a year old his parents, Thomas and Mary (Hackett) Calhoun, came to America, and soon settled at Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in mining. His youth was spent in the cit}' of Galena, and in 1845 he came uj^.the Mississippi and was employed during the summer on the Chippewa river survey. The following winter he was eraplo^-ed in lumbering by Allen & Boss at Chippewa Falls, and nearly all his life since has been spent in lumbering. In the early days he ran a keelboat on the Chippewa and Mississippi, and often shared his supplies with the Indians, who, in turn, often shared their game with him and always remained friendly. In the winter of 1849-50 he carried the mail on his back between Chippewa Falls and Wabasha, making weekly trips. For the past twelve years he has been employed by the Mississippi Logging and Boom Co., and has dwelt in Wabasha, where he has a fine home on Second street. For nine years previously he lived at Read's Landing, and while here, one day, Mrs. Calhoun drove ofl' a saucy Indian with her mop. Mr. Calhoun's marriage occurred in 1858, the bride being Mary, widow of Thomas Sullivan, who died in Highland in 1856. Mrs. Calhoun is a sister ot Miles McDonough, elsewhere sketched in this book, and was born in the same place. She is the mother of ten living children, as follows : Anna (Mrs. M. A. Cummings). Minneapolis ; Maria (born July 8, 1856, in Highland), Brainard, Minnesota ; Mary E. (John Gorman), Kellogg ; the others are at liome, viz : Sarah, Lydia, Minnie, Maggie, Katy, George, Aurelia and Clara. Rosella, the ninth child, is deceased.

Thomas Wood, farmer, is one of the most intelligent and progressive of Watopa's farmers, and is prosperous accordingly. He came into Indian Creek valley, a comparatively poor man, in

1865, and is now the proprietor of five hundred and twenty acres, of which one hundred and fifty are under cultivation. The rearing of stock occupies a part of his attention, and considerable grain is also produced. Mr. Wood was born June 25, 1819, in Disser-Surges, County Cork, Ireland. He was reared after the manner of Irish farmers' sons, and educated in the national schools. When he had reached the age of twenty-nine he set out from Liverpool for America on the sail-vessel Hartley Boston, landing in New Orleans after a voyage of two months. Thence he came up the Mississippi to Galena, and spent some time in farihing in Illinois. In the spring of 186-4 he came to this county and bought a farm in Mount Pleasant, which he sold as soon as the crop was removed. After spending a winter in Iowa, he returned and settled on Indian Creek, on section 27, where he continues to reside. In all his travels and labors he has been attended by a most worthy and faithful helpmeet. Eliza Buttermore was born in the same parish three years later than Mr. Wood, and was man-ied to him in 181:0. Both are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Wood is a temperate man in both precept and example. He has always supported the republican party, and his only public service has been that of sciiool treasurer. Five children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Wood, of whom only two are living. The first and second born, Maiy Jane and John, died at one and two years of age respectively. Eobert H., the third, died at the age of twenty-six, while serving his third term as town clerk. The living are Thomas Edwin and William Joseph, at home. The former was elected town treasurer in the spring of 1881.

Edgae T Eollixs, of the Town of Elgin, is the son of Orvis V. and Mary O. Kollins, who were among the early settlers of the town, and was born in this town on October 27, 1860. In his early years he received a common-school education, and at the age of nineteen he obtained the appointment of teacher of a school in the town of Salem, county of Olmsted. Here he "wielded the birch " for one term, afterward teaching for one term in the Evans district of his native town, working on his father's farm during the summer season. During the spring of 1880 Mr. Rollins was appointed station agent and telegraph operator at Elgin station, from the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, which position he held for two years and a half, when he resigned, and since that time he has not been actively engaged in any business. While acting as operator at Elgin station, the disastrous cyclone of July

21, 1883, occurred, and it was Mr. Eollins who sent the first telegram that conveyed the news of this terrible event to the outer world. On September 23, 1883, Mr. Rollins was united in marriage with Miss Rose M. Bentley, of the town of Viola, Olmsted county. Mr. Rollins is noted as an excellent telegraph operator, and a 3'oung man of much promise and ability. He is a member of Elgin lodge. No. 115, A.F.A.M., in which lodge he was made a Master Mason about one year ago.

Geoege Faer^ve, farmer, of the village of Elgin, resides in one of the handsomest and most substantial frame dwellings to be found in this section of the country, situated on the southwest quarter of section 27, where he conducts his farm. He is a son of Calvin and Almira H. Farrar, and was born in Moretown, AVashington county, Vermont, May 31, 1833. In his earl}' youth our subject worked on his father's farm in his native state, attending the common schools of the district during the winter. During the month of September, 1853, when twenty years of age, he determined to strike out on his own account, and went weat as far as Beloit, Wisconsin, where he hired out by the month to a farmer in whose employ he remained for eleven months, when he pushed farther west to' St. Charles, Minnesota. In the spring of 1855, in company with <Teorge and Curtis Bryant and Henry H. Atherton (the latter of whom had accompanied our subject from Vermont, and shared his fortunes with him), he left St. Charles to seek his home yet farther west, and about April 7, 1855, arrived in that part of Greenwood Prairie now known as Elgin, where he determined to locate. Mr. Farrar is therefore not only one of the original four pioneers of the town, but he is also "boss carpenter" of the first log house ever erected in Elgin, and afterward kept the first hotel started in the town. In the fall of 1855 he filed on the E. i of the S.W. i of Sec. 17, in the timber-land. He had also previously taken a claim consisting of an eighty on section 26, and an eighty on section 27, about April 8 or 9, 1855, which was jumped by Leonard Laird, in the spring of 1856, during Mr. Farrar's absence in the east, where he went December 6, 1855, returning to the prairie trom his native state during the month of May, 1856, his brother Waldo, who was afterward killed while serving his country as sec(md lieutenant ot Co. I, 1st regt. Minn. Inf , at the battle of Gettysburg, coming with him. The first marriage of residents of the new town of Elgin was that of George Farrar to Miss Emeline Bryant, daughter of

John and Lavinia Bryant. The ceremony was performed at Winona, Minnesota, August 13, 1S56. Tlie issue of tins union consists of two sons, Will E. and Frank F., both of whom assist their father on his farm in the summer, and teach school during the winter months. Mr. Farrar has frequently been called upon by the people to represent them in different political othces in his adojited town, having held the offices of supervisor, chairman of board of supervisors, town treasurer and constable, besides having received from the state the appointment of captain in the 9th regt. Minn. State Militia, on January 28, 1863. Besides being one of the pioneer settlers of the town, Mi-. Farrar justly deserves mention as one of the pioneers in religious matters and temperance work. He was connected with the first religious society organized in the town, has always contributed largely to the cause of Christianity, and is now one of the influential members of the Methodist Church South, which he and his wife joined during the winter of 1877-8, while he has. ever been a most active and effective worker in the great temperance cause, identified with and holding offices in the various societies formed in the town from early days to the present time. He is now P.W.C.T. of Elgin lodge, No. 76, I.O.G.T., besides being a member of the Masonic fraternit}-, and holding the office of J. D. in Elgin lodge, No. 115, A.F.A.M. Mr. Farrar suffered great damage by the destructive cyclone of .July 21, 1883, liis barn and outbuildings being completely demolished, and causing him a loss of fifteen hundred dollars.

John W. Beyant, senior member of the firm of J. W. Bryant & Co., grain and coal dealers of the village of Elgin, and proprietors of one of the two elevators located in that village, is not only one of the most enterprising, but is also the youngest man at the head of any business firm in the place, besides being the only one of Elgin's sons conducting business for himself at the place of his birth. Mr. Bryant is a son of George and Polly Bryant, and was born in the first log house ever erected within the limits of what is now the village of Elgin, on the KW. J of Sec. 27, on October 15, 1858, his father, who is now judge of probate of Day county, Dakota, being one of the first pioneers of that town. Our subject in his early years received such education as the common schools of his native town afforded, and when only fifteen years of age, without the knowledge of his parents, he applied for and obtained the position of teacher of the school situated in district No. 77, then known as the Johnson district, where he taught for two terms, atter which he entered the high school at Winona and pursued his studies there for one year, when he returned to his old school, where he again "wielded the birch " for three successive terms. At the age of nineteen years he accepted tlie position of general clerk and bookkeeijer for the firm of Bryant Bros. & Johnson, general merchandise and grain dealers, of Elgin, which position he filled until June, 1880. During the month of July, 1880, he bought out the partnership interest of A. K. Johnson in the grain business, of Bryant Bros. & Johnson, and afterward became senior member of the firm, which assumed the name of J. W. Bryant & Co. On February 3, 1881, Mr. Bryant was united in marriage to Miss Pamelia E. Richardson, who, like himself, was born in the town of Elgin. Mrs. Bryant is the daughter of H. G. and Julia Richardson, of this town, and with her husband resides in a commodious and substantial frame dwelling, situated on the same quarter-section where the old log house once stood in which her husband was born. Mr. Bryant has never sought for political preferment, being a thorough business man and believing that his path of duty lies in a strict and thoi-ough attention to this, with the exception of the exercise of that duty we all owe as conscientious voters. He is a member of Elgin lodge, Xo. 115. A.F.A.M., in which lodge he holds the oifice of S. W.

William T. Adams, M.D., son of Samuel and Mary A. Adams, was born in the town of Lee, Oneida county. New York, August 7, 18i9. Up to his thirteenth year the subject of this sketch attended the district schools in his native county, when he entered the high school at Utica, New York, where he remained two years. In October, 1864, the doctor's parents removed to Flainview, Minnesota, and he followed them to that place in June, 186.'5. From this time until 1869 the doctor worked with his father at the printer's trade, attending school part of the time winters. During the summer of 18T0 our subject taught school in what is known as the Jerry Baldwin district, northeast of the village of Plainview. In September of the same year the doctor entered Carleton College, at Northfield, Minnesota, where he remained during the fall and winter. The doctor had heretofore determined to study medicine, and had arranged to enter tlie office of Dr. N. S. Teft't, of Plainview. Upon his return from Northfield, during the spring of 1871, he entered the employment of A. Y. Felton as deputy postmaster in the Plainview postoffice, which position he held for a year and a half, in the meantime devoting all his spare time to the study of medicine. During the ftill and winter of 1872-3 the doctor attended his iirst course of lectures at Kush Medical College, at Chicago, Illinois, and in the fall of 1873 he entered the employ of Dr. J. J. Stone, as prescription-clerk in his drug-store at Wabasha, Minnesota, where he remained for nearly a year, and in the fall and winter of 1874-5 he attended his final course of lectures at Kush Medical College, graduating in the month of February, 1875, having earned his own education since he attended district school in his native state. After returning to the employ of Dr. J. J. Stone in Wabasha, where he remained for a period of ten months, our subject settled in Elgin village, and entered upon the practice of his j»rofession there, March 28, 1876, where he now resides on a good property of his own on Main street. Besides his medical practice, the doctor has charge of the Elgin drug-store, which is conducted under the firm name of Landon, Burchard & Co. Dr. Adams was married in Plainview, Minnesota, on August 29, 1875, to Miss Xellie A. Gibbs, daughter of the late Dr. F. C. Gibbs and Mrs. Sarah Gibbs, the latter of whom now resides in Plainview. The issue of the marriage is as follows : Grace, born September 9, 1877, died April 26, 1881 ; Carl Chauncey, born June 3, 1883. The doctor has never sought for political honors of any nature whatever, but looks after the educational interests of the community in which he resides, as school director of district Xo. 57.

Henry W. Gilman, of the village of Elgin, son of John and Lydia Gilman, was born in the town of Anson, Somerset county, Maine, on January 18, 1842. His father was a farmer by occupation, and owned a 'arm in the above town, upon which the subject of this sketch worked during the early years of his life, attending the district schools in the winters. In the fall of 1862 Mr. Gilman enlisted as a private in Co. A, 28th regt. of Maine Vol. Inf. Mr. Gilman served with his regiment under Gen. N. P. Banks, and was engaged in the siege of Port Hudson, being present at its surrender, July 8, 1863. After this Mr. Gilman was sent to the hospital at Baton Kouge, Louisiana, and in the fall of 1863 he was honorably discharged from the service on account of sickness, holding at the time the rank of sergeant. In the month of June, 1864, Mr. Gilman went to California, remaining about six months in the Santa Clara Yalley. and from there he went to the Canyon City gold mines, situated in the northeastern part of Oregon, and was there engaged in mining operations until the fall of 1865" when he returned to California, and farmed it on the coast, about fort^'-five miles south of San Francisco. Here he remained about one year, when he returned to Farmington, in his native state. During the year 1867 Mr. Gilman, in conjunction with his brother, conducted a hotel at New Sharon, Franklin county, Maine. On January 18, 1868, Mr. Gilman was married to Miss Annie O. Porter, daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth Porter, of Farmington, Maine, who now reside in Elgin. After Mr. Gilman's marriage he went out of the hotel business, and iarmed it in Farmington until the fall of 1871, when he entered the employ of the Androscoggin Railroad Company, with whom he remained until the latter part of 1873, when he came with his family to Elgin. Mr. Gilman has followed the occupation ot a farmer since he has been here, but for the last three years he has been principally engaged in the business of buying and shipping horses to Dakota and the Ked River country. Mr. Gilrhan now owns a good property on Main street in the village, upon which he resides. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Gilman was elected one of the supervisors of the town of Elgin, and at the expiration of his term refused to serve longer, as his business would not then permit him to do so. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Gilman was elected one of the trustees of school district No. 57, which position he now holds, having been clerk of the board ever since his election. Mr. Gilman is a member of Elgin lodge. No. 115, A.F.A.M., in which lodge he now holds the ofhce of J.W. His family consists of two children, Fred Y., born May 16, 1871, and Lizzie Edith, born August 18, 1872. In the summer of 1880 Mr. Gilman, accompanied by his family, paid a visit to his native place in Maine, being absent three months. While there he saw his mother for the last time, she having died September 22, ISSI.

Dorr Dickerman, of the village of Elgin, was born in the town of Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont, on March 12, 1855. He is a son of Lewis and Emily Dickerman, and was brought up on his father's farm in his native state, receiving his early education at the district schools of the county, which he attended in the winter months. When he had arrived at the age of twenty-three, our subject struck out for the west, arriving on March 30, 1878, at Eglin, Minnesota, were he commenced working for his cousin, Ezra Dickerman, as a farm hand, remaining in his employ until the fall of that year, when he .went to Rochester, Minnesota, entered a select school and com- pleted his education there in the spring of 1879. During the summer season of 1879 our subject returned to Ezra Dickerman's farm in his former capacity, and during the season of 1880 he worked the same farm with him on shares. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Dickerman went into the liardware, tinware and stove business in the village of Elgin, in conjunction with Elijah and Alonzo Ordway, under the firm name of Ordway, Dickerman & Co. He remained in business until March 15, 1884, when he retired from the partnership, having sold out his interest to his copartners. On March 15, 1882, Mr. Dickerman was united in marriage with Miss Mary Senrick, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Senrick, all residents of Elgin. The ceremony took place at Rochester, Minnesota. The issue of the marriage consists of two daughters, Emily, born October 27,

the village of Elgin, known as lot No. 6, block 7. Although never seeking political preferment, Mr. Dickerman was run by the people on an independent ticket for the office of town clerk on March 13,

1883, and elected over his competitor, the regular nominee. In politics Mr. Dickerman is a democrat, as his father and grandfather were before him. Since the above sketch was written Mr. Dickerman has transferred his property in the village to his cousin and former employer Ezra Dickerman, and has bought the farm of the latter, consisting of the W. ^ of the N.AV. J of Sec. 4, and the south 50 acres and the east |- of the north 30 acres of the E. i of tlie N.E. J of Sec. 5, in tha town of Viola, where he will shortly move and carry on farming.

Hon. AVilliam H. Feller, of the township of Elgin, who since the war of the rebellion has been prominently identitied in the history of Wabasha county, was born in the town of Milan, Dutchess county, New York State, on October 25, 1821, being the son of David and Elizabeth Feller, who, like himself, were native-born Americans. During the summer months of his early life he worked on his father's farm in Dutchess county, and in the winters he learned the rudiments of education at the common schools of tlie county. In 1841 he was offered and accepted the position of clerk for the firm of Tyler & Kent, freighters, at Barrytown, Dutchess county. New York. Marcli 3, 1842, Mr. Feller married Miss Helen M. Best, of Pine Plains, in his native county, and was engaged in farming until the spring of 1844, when he started a country store at

Eed Hook, in the same county, which he conducted until the spring of 1852, and in the fall of 1853 he removed with his family to 'Manchester, Ontario county, J^ew York, being engaged in farming from the time he gave up his store at Red Hook until the spring of 1860, when he again moved to Oconomowoc, Waukesha county-, Wisconsin. In December, 1861, Mr. Feller received a commission from the war department at Washington, as sutler of the 2Sth regt. Wis. Yols., and served with his regiment during the war until it was mustered out of the service at Madison, Wisconsin, during September, 1865. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Feller and his family came to Elgin, where he purchased the farm on which he yet resides, consisting of the K i of KE. i, and the S.E. i of N.E. i of Sec. 33, and the S. i of S.E J of Sec. 28. Mr. Feller has frequently been called upon by the people to represent them in various position's of trust and responsibility, besides having also been sought for by the United States government to fill important offices. In the spring of 181:5, when little over twenty-three years of age, he was elected justice of the peace of Dutchess county. New York, and in 1849 he was re-elected to that office. In the fall of 1850 he was elected member of assembly from the third assemblj' district of Dutchess county. New York, on the whig ticket, although the district was strongly democratic, taking his seat on January 1, 1851. In the spring of 1867 he was elected chairman of the board of supervisors of the town of Elgin, while at other times he has held the offices of assessor and supervisor of that town. In April, 1869, Mr. Feller was appointed receiver of the United States land office at Duluth, Minnesota, which office he held for the full term of four years, when he was immediately appointed register of the same office, which position he resigned after he had filled it for three years, the resignation, which was to take effect January 1, 1876, not being accepted by the department until the following month. At the Ml election of 1S7S Mr. Feller was elected a member of the house of representatives from the third district of Wabasha county, and he is now chairman of the board of supervisors of the town of Elgin. Mr. Feller is a member of Elgin lodge. No. 115, A.F.A.M., and a republican in politics.

Thomas J. Bolton, a prominent business man of Plainview, was born in Logan, Ohio, November 12, 1843. The death of his father occurred when Thomas J. was but nine years old, and the year following his mother removed with her family to Cleveland. In 1855 they came to Wabasha county, and our subject spent two years as a cabin-boy on a river steamboat. About the year 1S61 he entered the drug business at Wabasha with Jas. Crowley. In December, 1865, This firm decided to open a branch store in Plainview, and Mr. Bolton assumed the management of the same. This was the first drug store ever established in Plainview. A store was erected for their business. Two years later they sold out to Mr. Felton, and Mr. Bolton returned to Wabasha and resumed his place in the old firm, but soon after sold out and went to Eyota, where he opened up a pioneer drug store on his own hook. The winter of 1873^ he sold his Eyota store and returned to Plainview. He now owns about two hundred acres of land in Plainview township, and is a partner with Geo. S. La Kue in the drug business. His farm is situate on the site of Greenville, and he uses one of its old store buildings for a sheepshed. He was for a time agent for Laird & Norton, lumber dealers, of AVinona. Mr. Bolton is at present dealing in agricultural implements. He has had some experience as a publisher, having issued a regular advertising sheet for several years while engaged in the drug businsss, both in Plainview and Eyota. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Plainview. In politics he is republican, and has been chairman of the town board ; is also a member of the Masonic brotherhood, and of the Order of Odd-Fellows. Ella, only child of Hon. A. P. Foster, of Plainview, became his Mife on September 1, 1S69. They have four children : Alonzo G., Miller T., Mary L. and John.

Ehixaldo W. Chapman, a Plainview farmer, was born in Lima. Jefterson county. New York, June 5, 1835. He was the youngest son of Asa Chapman, a farmer. His education was obtained in the district school. He continued to reside at home until he had nearly attained to his majority. In the meantime he had learned the carpenter trade, and being also of a speculative turn of mind, had profitably handled his small earnings, and was now enabled to purchase a fifty -acre farm in the southern part of his native county. Good luck attended him, and he engaged in buying stock and poultry for the New York market. He was drafted in 1863, but paid for a substitute and the following year volunteered his services to fight the Union battles, and was mustered into the 186th N. Y. Inf., and was in active service in the army of the Potomac until the close of the war, his regiment participating in all those hard-fought battles in which that army engaged immediately preceding the fall of Petersburgh. In consequence of impaired health, the result of exposure while in the service, he has been placed on Uncle Sam's pension rolls. He resumed business in Oswego, New York, where he ran a grocery store for a few months, and for the two years following he was in the stock and poultry business. In 1869 he came to Minnesota and bought from John Allen, of Elgin, a farm on section 21 in that township. This place he greatly improved, and erected thereon line buildings. In 1882, ill health induced him to go to Elgin village to reside. At the time the cyclone visited that unfortunate town he was living with his family, consisting of a wife and two step-daughters, Edith and Hattie Dillon, in the second of one of the ill-fated houses. The family were at dinner when the tornado approached, and were all buried beneath the ruins of their home. They escaped, however, with onl}' bruises, and esteem their good luck in this to providential interposition. Mrs. Helen Dillon nee Goodenough, of St. Lawrence, New York, the relict of Albert Dillon (a comrade in arms of Mr. Chapman), became Mrs. Chapman, November 23, 1868. Since the destruction of his Elgin home, Mr. Chapman has resided in Plainview village, where he has purchased several village lots in Thompson's addition, and on which he is erecting a fine house. Mr. Chapman and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church ; has been steward and trustee.

RoswELL Newton White, late farmer of Plainview, was born in Westchester county. New York, January 21, 1809. When fourteen years old he was apprenticed to a carpenter at New Eochelle, New York. This trade occupied his life fbr the next nine years, and served to assist in the development of a fine artistic talent which he possessed. At the age of twenty-three he turned his attention to engraving, and without any previous training he solicited a job at wood engraving fi'om a New York house, which was reluctantly given him. His work was promptly done and well. It was approved, and from that time on he found plenty to do in this line. The New York Bible Concern and Harper Brothers employed him during the eight years that he continued to reside in the metropolis, and he was esteemed one of the best wood engravers of his day. In 1839 he established a home in McHenry county, Illinois, and opened an office in Chicago, where he obtained work from McCornuck, H. P. Murray, and others. Seventeen years he resided in Illinois, but in the spring of 1S56 he caught the western fever, and also further induced to seek a change by ill health, he came to Greenwood prairie and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres on section 11. Here he established liis home, and spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. He died April 3, 1883, leaving a wife and four children surviving. Mrs. White was Jane Osborn, the daughter of John Osborn, of New York city. The children are: Annie (Mrs. Furlong), of Cass county, Dakota; Jane (Mrs. Griffing), of Boston, Massachusetts; Emelie E. White, of Crescent City, Florida; and a son,

Charles O. White, who was born in McHenry county, Illinois, October 3, 1851. His parents removed to Minnesota when Charles was in his fifth year. He has led tiie usual life of the farmer boy. He received a common school education. He learned the carpenter's trade, and for several jea,rs followed it in Plainview, and two years in Florida. He married Avalin Melendy, of Plainview, for his first wife. Four years later her death occurred, and on March 1 he was married a second time, Miss Nettie Melendy being his choice, by whom he has one child, Eliie. Mr. White resides on the old homestead.

EuFUs C. Wright was born in Bakerstield, Franklin county, V^ermont, February 3, 1836. His father, David Wright, and mother, Clara Hodgkins, were natives of New England, and sprang from New England stock. His early life up to sixteen years of age was spent upon his father's farm, with such advantages as the usual country schools of that day offered. At that time, being ambitious of obtaining a better education than had thus far been offered, he gained the consent of his father to work and obtain the means of attending the academy of his native town, where he attended several terms, also a similar institution in a neighboring village, working and teaching meantime to defray expenses. Now, being about twenty-one years of age, and desirous of seeing more of the world, he came west, and traveled about one year with a brother, who was lecturing at this time ; but not being satisfied with this, he purchased an outfit himself, giving descriptive lectures upon the science of astronomy, traveling most of the time in the southern states, which was during those excitable, times just preceding the war of the rebellion. But as the approach of the coming storm came near, the south grew too warm for him, and he came north - not leaving, however, until after Lincoln had been elected president. The breaking out of the rebellion found him in Ohio, and soon after the first battle of Bull Eun he was on his way to New York with a company of Ohio boys to join the Union army ; was there mustered into the

65tli N. Y. Vol. Inf., commanded b}' Col. John Cochrane. He was with McClellan in his Peninsular campaign, participated in the battles of Williamsburgh, Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill, being wovmded in the two last battles - at Malvern Hill severely in right shoulder and lung, - taken prisoner, had a month's experience in the pi-isons of Richmond ; from there paroled and taken to hospital at Chester, Pennsylvania ; was from there discharged from the service in December, 1862, and remained out about one year, when he re-enlisted in the lOtli Mass. Eattery, and served under Grant in the army of the Potomac until the close of the war, having been in most of the leading battles from the Wilderness to final surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House. He was a second time discharged from the service at Boston Harbor in June, 1865, having served in all about three years in the army. After a rest of a few months he again came west, remaining most of the time in Wisconsin, variously employed, usually teaching during the winter months, until July, 1869, he came to Minnesota. His last year in Wisconsin was spent in St. Croix county. Arriving in Plainview the last days of July, 1869, with its bountiful crops almost ready for the reaper, he decided to remain here awhile, assisting in securing crops during the fall, and in the winter teaching the school in the district in which he now resides. Being so well pleased at this time with the beauty and natui-al fertilit}- of the soil of Greenwood Prairie and surrounding country, he decided to remain longer and turn his attention to farming, which he did. He was married March 26, 1871, to Miss Ettie Wood, who had but recently come from Schoharie county, New Yoi'k. from whei-e several of her family had come before her, and become early settlers of Plainview and vicinity. In 187-1 he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres of Stephen Struble, situated about three miles northeast from the village of Plainview, and is now engaged in diversified agriculture. He is in politics republican, liberal in religious views. Belongs to Masonic fraternity and the Grange. Has been assessor of the town since 1881.

Theodore Bowen, one of the principal farniei-s ot Lake township, settled there in 1861, buying eighty acres of land. The subject of this sketch was born December 17, 1838, in Onondaga county, New York. His parents' names were Isaac and Lucy Bowen. His youth was spent on the farm and at the common schools. After arriving at maturity he was wedded to Augusta Monroe, of Oswego county.

New York, and they have two children : Isidore, now Mrs. C. T. "Webster, of this township, and Estelha. In September, 1861, Mr. Bowen enlisted in the 184th regt., N. Y. Vols., and served till the close of the war. In 1871 he was elected town treasurer, which office he held for nine years consecutively, and has also been treasurer and director of school district No. 6 several terms. While the Baptist church represents his religious views, his wife is a Methodist in belief.

William Sydney Webstee, one of the leading farmers of Lake township, received his birth near Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1845. His father (William) was a native of that state, while his mother (Christiana) was a German by birth, emigrating to this country in 1830. Our subject was a natural-born farmer, so after receiving a common-school education, worked on his father's farm till he became thoroughly acquainted with what was to be his lifework. During the winter ihonths, when work was not pressing, he got out lumber from the woods near by, which he sold to the Scranton mines. At length, in 1870, he came to this county and bought eighty acres of land, where he now resides ; but by econoniy and thrift he now is the possessor of four hundred and eighty acres of land situated on sections 32 and 33. He married Mary Shaw, daughter of George and Jennie Shaw, of this township. They have one child, Jennie Ann. Mr. Webster and wife are members of the Methodist church at Lake City.

George Freeman Hancock, fiirmer, is the eldest child of Freeman and Louise Hancock, who were born in Massachusetts. George was born in 1818, in Berkshire county, of the same state. When our subject was four years old, his parents moved to Oswego county. New York. Here he attended the district school, and worked upon the farm. In 1840 he married Alvira Shattuck, at Granby, New York, and began farming for himself For several winters he worked in the woods getting out lumber for dealers along the Oswego river. In 1858, alter disposing of his property, he emigrated to this county, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he now lives. Mr. Hancock has been justice of the peace, and assessor for about ten years. At present he is clerk of school district No. 90. The republican party represents his politics. The names of his children are : Elizabeth Adel (deceased), Sarah, now Mrs. John Morris, living in West Albany township, and Friend J.