Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 72, 1905

Chapter 72

county commissioners' work - the first national bank of waseca - charter commission of waseca and new charter - paving second street, waseca- a murderous assault upon john rockney - a golden wedding - died : gustav schildknecht, patrick dolan, mrs. john powers, eri g. wood, samuel remund, milo baldwin, mary j. pease, mary hackett, g. c. runnerstrom, mary dinneen, richard proehl (killed), edward moylan, jr., james w. cleland, patrick kenehan, james doyle, patrick Mcdonough, simon brown, mrs. a. kaibel, gilbert olson

The county commissioners met on Tuesday, Jan. 6, this year, and organized by electing Herman Weckwerth, chairman. The county publishing was awarded to the Journal-Radical of "Waseca.

The county board, at its meeting held May 8, appropriated $225 to the town of New Eichland, to be expended for puttting in abutments on bridge between sections 23 and 24 in said town ; $100 to the town of Blooming Grove, to be expended for putting in abutments on bridges between sections 1 and 36 and sections i and 9 in said town; $25 to William Frank to help in erecting a foot bridge across the LeSueur river in section 35, St. Mary.

At the board meeting of ^lay 28, it was ordered that the sum of $500 be appropriated for building the Blooming Grove and Waseca road, upon condition that the sum of at least $500 be raised by the property owners along the line of road to be built and an additional $500 be raised for the same purpose from other sources, to be expended during the summer of 1903, it being understood that said road is to be built under the supervision of a competent engineer, to be agreed upon by the parties interested; that $500 be appropriated for some one road leading out of New Richland, to be expended in the year 1904, on like conditions as contained in preceding order ; that $500 be appropriated for some one road leading out of Janesville, to be expended in the year 1904, on like conditions as contained in first preceding order.

The bid of A. Y. Bayne & Co., of Minneapolis, for the construction and completion of six steel bridges, according to plans and specifications, for the sum of $2,118.30, was accepted.

The First National Bank

The first National Bank of AVaseca opened its doors for business Jan. 1, 1903. It was the successor of the old and successful "Citizens' State Bank of Waseca," organized in Jul.v 1892, as successor to the bank of C. Hardin & Sons, which commenced business about 1872 in»AVaseca. The first stockholders of the First National were E. A. Everett, L. A. Sloss, Jos. HiMiderson, John ;MeKinzie, Otto Hanson, Hans Lavesson, Clias. E. Lavesson, F. E. Booth, A. A. Crane, (' P. Sommerstad, J. B. Sullivan. Paul Flcmming, J. J. Sullivan, J. E. lladden, John L. Hanson, Joseph Fromlath, AV. A. Henderson, and James E. Child. The first directors were A. L. Sloss, Otto Hanson. J. B. Sullivan, E. A. Everett, J. E. Jladden, James E. Child, and Wm. x\. Henderson.

The first officers of the new bank were E. A. Everett, president, James E. Child, vice-president, J. B. Sullivan, cashier, C. P. Sommerstad and Gene Miller, assistant cashiers. The paid up capital stock amounted to $50,0(l(t.

Report of the condition of the First National Banlv of Waseca, at Waseca, in the State of Minnesota, at the close of business, January 11th, 1905.

Charter Commission, New Charter

Early in the season, steps were taken by the citizens of Waseca to have a charter commission appointed whose duty it should be to frame a "Home Rule Charter," as provided 1)y the state constitution and by legislative enactment. Petition therefor was duly made, and on the first day of ^lay, 1903, Judge Buckham filed his order appointing James E. Child, B. B. CoUester, D. S. Cummings, P. B. Andi-ews, E. A. Everett, Anton TJuyer, Peter McGovern, Dennis .McLoughlin, John Moonan, Fred IMahler, Charles Leuthold, Louis A. Larson, Charles A. Smith, P. A. Swartwood, and R. P. Ward. Judge Collester, at the time being state senator, declined to serve, and Prof. L. Bliss was appointed in his place and served as one of the commission. The commission sat at intervals throughout the summer and fall, and submitted a charter to the voters at the spring election. The charter, while it I'eceived a ma.iority of all the votes east, did not receive foursevenths of the vote and was defeated. It was again stibmitted in amended form on May 10, 1904, and duly adopted. The labor of framing the charter and securing its adoption was considerable, and the task was, as is generally the case, a thankless one.

Paving Second Street

The years 1902-3 were among the wettest in the history of the state, and the highways were so nearly impassable evi'rywhere that "good road" arguments appealed very strongly to all our people. Early in the season of 1903 the people of Waseca agitated the question of paving Second street, and as early as August, the common council had decided to have the work done. The contract was entered into Aug. 9, 1903, and the work was completed before winter commenced. Ever since, that street has been in fine condition.

A Murderous Assault

From the Herald: " One of the most bloodthirsty assaults ever committed in this county was made Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 1903, at Pat McCarthy's saloon, in this city, by one Gilbert Storle, of this city, upon Mr. John Rockney, of Woodville. It appears from the best information obtainable that Storle or Olson (.he answers to both names) owns a small farm adjoining Mr. Rockney's place. One day last fall, Rockney's cattle got into Storle's hay stacks. Storle demanded exorbitant damages, according to Rockney, and they were unable to agree as to the amount Rockney should pay. About two weeks before the shooting on Friday, Storle commenced to quarrel with Rockney and drew an old revolver, snapping it at him several times. He could not make the revolver work, so Rockney escaped and got away from him. Last Friday, Mr. Rockney and his daughter Clara, came to Waseca, and very soon after their arrival Storle came to them and commenced to abuse Rockney, the latter all the time trying to avoid him. Rockney went to several places and Storle kept after him. Rockney, being a cripple in one foot, became alarmed for nis safety, and told his daughter to see Marshal McDonough and ask him to disarm Storle. In the meantime Rockney went into the saloon and was followed in by Storle. The marshal, upon being informed of the situation, at once started for the saloon, but before he got there and without any talk, Storle drew a self-cocking, 32-calibre revolver and shot Rockney three times in quick succession. One bullet struck the left side of his face on the lower jaw, another hit him just back of the lower lobe of his ear on the right side, and the third took effect in the back of his neck - the last shot being fired after Rockney had fallen to the floor. Just as the third shot was fired, Marshal McDonough arrived and arrested Storle. He drew his revolver on the marshal and resisted arrest, but the mar- ;shal soon disarmed him and, with the assistance of A. W. Dibble, took him to the county jail, where he made renewed resistance to being locked in. That Storle was insane or crazy drunk was plain. That there was "method in his madness" is believed by many, and that he an unsafe man to be at large is evident."

Soon after tlio shooting and before an examination of the offender, information was filed in probate eourt charging Storle with insanity, and, npon examination, he was committed to the Rochester insane asyhini where he is still held.

A Golden Wedding

Golden weddings are not so numerons as to exelnde them from the notable events of loeal history. Hence this note: On March 3d, 1853, in St. Lawrenee county, New Yoi-k, Miss Cephronia A. Fetterly and Mv. Angus ^Vert were united in marriage. They came to AVaseea in 18(!S. On March ,i, 1903, they commemorated the fiftieth anniversai'y of their wedding. Their family, consisting of six daughters and two sons, were all at their Waseea home to eelebrate the happy day. In the morning, from 11 o'clock until 1 o'clock p. m., a breakfast for the children and relatives, and in the afternoon, from 3 :'-!0 to 6 o'clock, a reception to one hundred or more friends furnished the entertainment for the day. The rooms were decorated with yellow flowers - the gold color scheme being carried out. There were yellow roses, dafilodils, carnations and tulips. The occasion was one of nuich enjoyment. The venerable couple are still with us and in the enjoyment of good health.

Those Who Departed In 1903

.\.fter a long and severe illness of cancer of the bowels, and several operations perftu-med at the j\Ia>o Hospital, at Rochester, Minn.. 'S\v. (iuslav Sehilknecht passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. :20. about '2 o'clock. Mr. Schildkneelit was born in Germany, ^larch 7, 1848. He came to Waseca some twenty -five years before his death, and M'as married to ]Miss Grapp, sister of A. Grapp, in 1881. They have two children, Gustav and Lena. Deceased was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge of this city, and also of the Rebekahs. Both these societies had charge of the funeral services.

Mr. Patrick Dolan, one of the very early settlers of Iosco, died Sunday morning, Feb. 1, 1903, of old age. He was eighty-six years old. At the age of twenty-three he came to the United States, landing at Boston, where he remained for seventeen years, working at the mason trade. Here it was that he met and married Miss Ellen Hubert, who preceded him to the grave by about five years. Mr. Dolan came to Waterville in the spring of 1857 and took a claim in Iosco, on which he lived until his death. He was a very energetic man and had accumulated quite a fortune. He had held in his lifetime many places of trust in his town, and was a model citizen, and a kind and loving husband and father. He left surviving him five sons and five daughters.

Mrs. John N. Powers, one of the pioneers of Waseca county, died at her home in Waterville, Feb. 8, 1903, of Bright 's disease. Mrs. Powers' maiden name was Anna Connor, and she was a sister of the late IMatthew F. Connor, of Wilton. With her. parents, she was among the pioneer settlers of Wilton - enterprising, industrious, honest, worthy. Deceased was born in Ireland, came to America with her parents in December, 1846, settled in Illinois where they remained until 1857, and then came to this county and resided in Wilton. She married Hon. John N. Powers in 1868. Her husband died about two years before her death. Eight children survive her. She was a noble woman and performed well her part in life.

"The Angel of Death summoned from our midst, about 5 o'clock a. m. of Tuesday, February 10, 1903, one of the noblest and best of our citizens, Mr. Eri G. Wood. None knew him but to honor and respect him. Mr. Wood was taken ill of pneumonia, week before last, and after a manly struggle of several days gave up his spirit and joined the great majority on the other side. He was born March 17, 1832, in Franklin county, state of New York. He was the son of Nathaniel Wood, who came West and settled in Iowa as early ai 1845. There Eri grew to manhood, and in 1855 married Miss Mary L. Stevens, who died in July, 1901. He came to Woodville with his wife in 1856 and made his home where he has continued to reside till the time of his death. He was a quiet, unpretentious, unambitious man, of much more than ordinary ability, and one of the pioneers for whom the township of Woodville was named. The township was organized April 5, 1858, and the first town meeting was held at his house. May 11, 1858. Mr. Wood served as one of the first judges of election, and was elected the first assessor of his township. The modesty and honesty of the man appeared in his first dealings with the public. The town record shows the following bill against the town for services, etc.:

His son, Loren G., was the first white child born in Woodville - the date being August 5, 1856. The first religious services held in the town- ship were held at his residence hy Rev. Moreland, in 1857. He united with the M. E. church in early life and was ever a consistent member. He was the father of seven children, six of whom survive him. Mr. Wood was a prominent Chapter and Master Mason, and also a member of the I. O. of O. F., of this city. In all of these organizations, he held for several terms the highest stations. He was also a useful member of the board of education of Waseca for many years. His first step in Masonry was taken in Wilton Lodge No. 24, January 5, 18G5. He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, January 15, the same year, and made a Master Mason February 2, 1865. His advance was not only rapid, but thorough. He became a member of Tuscan Lodge No. 77. December 11, 1868, and remained a consistent member to the day of his death. He first became Worshipful Master of Tuscan Lodge January 23, 1873, a position which he filled till January 13, 1876. In politics, he was originally an abolition, prohibition republican, then he affiliated with the prohibition party from 1872 till 1896, when he supported Mr. Bryan. Strictly speaking, he was a conscientious independent in ' politics."

Mr. Samuel Remund, of Blooming Grove, breathed his last, Sunday morning, Feb. 8, 1903, at 8:10, aged seventy years and twelve days. He was born at Oberamt Laupen, Canton Berne, Switzerland, Jan. 26, 1833. He died of dropsy. In 1855, he married Miss Anna Jueni, and the same fall came to America, landing in New York at Christmas time. They immediately came West by way of Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa. They did not tarry long in Dubuque but left there Jan. 15, 1856, for Blooming Grove. They were detained at Dunleith by sickness and did not arrive in Blooming Grove until the eleventh of February. In company with him came his parents, his brothers John, Rudolph, and Albert, and his sister Lina - his brother .Christian, having moved to Blooming Grove. June 28. 1855, furnished them shelter until they were able to build for themselves. Samuel made his claim on section nine. His first wife became the mother of ten children, and died Feb. 23, 1871, beloved by all who knew her. In the fall of 1871, he married Miss Elizabeth Neuhart, of the same town. She gave birth to two children, dying at the birth of the second, the child also dying, Feb. 6, 1874. This left Mr. Remund with ten children, the oldest still in her teens. He again married in the fall of 1874. Mrs. Ersulena Rover, whose maiden name Avas Schneke, became his third wife, and was a kind, good mother to the motherless children. She nobly and faithfully performed the duties which she had assumed until Jan. 9, 1899, -when she, too, passed away from earthly scenes. She died as the result of an operation for cancer. Her death was sincerely mourned by her husband and children. October 20, 1900, he was again married; this time to ;Mrs. Anna B. Goelz, whose maiden name was Koch, and who survived him. Ten of his children also survive him.

Mr. Milo Baldwin, of Freedom, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 22, 1818, and died at his home in Alma City, January 29, 1903. AVhen he reached his majority, he engaged in the painting business in New York. He followed this occupation for a short time, and then removed to j\Iedina county, Ohio, where he followed farming for six years, and then went to Indiana, where he engaged in both farming and cabinet making. ]\[r. Baldwin then removed to IMinnesota and settled in Freedom, where he lived until his death.

]Mrs. ^lary J. Pease, of Woodville, who was stricken by paralysis on the 13th of February, died Sunday evening, February 22, 1903, at 9 o'clock p. m., aged seventy-four years. Two children, both married, survive her - Mr. Wm. F. Eaton, who resides in Otiseo, by her first husl)a7ul, and ]Mrs. Yicila Patch, residing at .Motley, in this state, ilrs. Pease came to this county with her husband about 1862. I\Irs. Pease was an energetic, business woman, and ai'cuiuulated quite a property. She was prompt in the payment of all demands, and enjoyed the entire confidence of the community in business matters.

ilr. G. C. Runnerstroni, of Otiseo, died ^Monday night, April 6. He was born in Sweden in 1826. He was married to !Miss Christina Johnson, by whom he had five children. Three children survive him: a son, G. R. Runnerstroni, of (^tisco; a daughter, !Mrs. John Blowers, of the same town, and one other. 'Sir Kunnerstrom settled in "Wilton as a butcher in 1863, and opened a meat market, Avhich he conducted for some time. He finally sold his market and moveil to Otiseo, where he carried on farming. He had not been a well man for thirty years prior to his death.

"Mrs. Mary Dinneen, wife ot Jolm Dinneen, died at lier home in tliis village Tuesday, May 5, 1903, at 2.30 p. m., after a long Illness of kidney and liver disease, aged seventy years. Deceased was born in Ireland and came to this country with her parents when a young girl, first settling in St. Lawrence county, New York. Here she was married to Mr. Dinneen. Shortly after their marriage, the young couple came to this county, first locating on what is now Henry Bluhm's farm in Vivian and afterwards taking a homestead in Byron. About seven years ago Mr. Dinneen built a residence in this village and from that time they have lived here. Mrs. Dinneen had been in feeble health since she left the farm, and since last September had been confined to the house. From January last she has been unable to leave her bed. She was a good Christian woman of generous impulses and charitable disposition."

A man killed liy drinking intoxicants, was the announcement on June 26, 1903. Richard Proehl, of Byron, accompanied by his wife and daughter and his brother-in-law, who resides near Mapleton, Minn., drove into Waseca with Mr. Proehl's team and the brother-in-law's buggy. Mrs. Proehl, her daughter and her brother took the train for Rochester, Minn., to visit her mother, who had undergone an operation in the hospital there. ]Mr. Proehl drank rather freely through the afternoon and evening, and late in the evening started for a visit in Iosco. When he reached the M. & St. L. crossing near Mr. Wyman's place, instead of crossing the track, he turned his team north on to the railroad track and drove along the track, one horse inside the rails. xV ilrs. AYobschall, whose home is close to this crossing, observing the conduct of the man, and knowing that the 10 o'clock passenger was almost due, instantly telephoned to the M. & St. L. depot the situation. Messengers Avere hastily dispatched, but they were too late. The on-coming train, as it neared Charles Ward's residence, struck the horses, throwing one of them a considerable distance and killing it. The other horse was pushed along and literally ground up. The carriage also was badly broken. The unfortunate man was instantly -killed, his head being crushed, his left arm broken twiee, and one leg also broken twice.

Young Edward IMoylan, of St. ]\lary, received an injury by a fall from a load of hay in the fall of 1902. From that time he had been very poorly; better at times, then worse again. Sunday, July 12, he came to the honu-> of his sister, IMrs. Charles ilc- Loone. of Waseca, and, feeling very weak, he decided to remain for a few days. This weakness grew in intensity until Tuesday morning, July 20, 1903, when his death occurred from heart failure. Edward was born Feb. 11, 1874, in St. ]\lary township, and

James W. Cleland was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1847. His father was a Pi-esbyterian minister and came West in 1862, living about a year in Steele county, and then settling in Wilton, Waseca county, where he purchased a farm. His children were reared on this farm, one by one leaving it when old enough to enter college, until finally only James was left with the old people. James had married, meantime, in the fall of 1877, Miss Amanda Connor, of Blooming Grove, who had been successfully engaged for several years in teaching school in the coimty. After the death of Rev. Cleland and his wife, the old home farm was sold and the present home of the family, on the west shore of Clear Lake, was purchased. ;\Ir. Cleland had a stroke of paralysis in the fall of 1899, but rallied from it and was able to be about the house until the winter of 1901, when he slipped on some ice, fell and injured his hip. From that time he was practically helpless. On July 15, 1903, he received another stroke of paralysis, which proved fatal. He was the father of seven children, four of whom survived him - Edgar, Spencer, Jay, and Ralph.

"Another of the noblest of our pioneer settlers, P. Kenehan, has gone to his long rest. Intelligent, modest, unassuming, honorable, industrious and liberal minded, he was respected and held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was born in Ireland March 17, 1823, and emigrated from his native land March 18, 1849, landing in New York May 1, 1849. He afterwards came West, first to Geneva, Wis., then to Peoria, 111., next to Lacon, in the same state, and finally to Wilton, in this county, in 1856, where he has ever since resided. In the early days he held the office of town supervisor for many years and was always an honorable and efficient officer. In the Indian outbreak of 1802, he became a member of the company of "Home Guards" at Wilton, and was very influential in helping to prevent a panic among the people at that time. He married Miss Bridget Martin, October 24, 1849, and became the father of nine children, three of whom died in infancy. While attending the funeral of his friend, M. Gallagher, on the 24th ult., at the St. Mary church, he had a stroke of apoplexy, resulting in paralysis. After lingering a few days he departed this life Oct. 10, 1903."

Another of the eai'ly and euterprisini;' pioneers of ^Minnesota joined the i;rea,t majority on the other side. Oetol)er 13, 1903. at the advaneed age of eighty-five years. ^Ir. James Dovle resided with his son, Raymond Doyle, of Freedom, at the time of his demise, ilr. Doyle was born July 6, 1818. at Tinahely, County AVicklow. Ireland. When nineteen years of age, he left Ireland and spent the eight following years traveling and working in Scotland, England, and Continental Europe. lie came to America in 1847, living in Niagara county, New York. He was married at Providence, Rhode Island, in May, 1851, to Miss Catherine I\[cCormick. He came West the following year to Logansport, Ind., and in the fall of 1853 resided temporarily at La Crosse, Wis. In the spring of 1854, he began farming at La Crescent, Houston county, Minn., and spent the following thirteen years there. In 1867, he sold his farm there and came to Waseca county, where he resided continuously until his death. His wife died April 4, 1901, and from that time he made his home with his son, Raymond, on the old homestead. After the death of his wife, to whom he was devotedly attached, his health gradually failed until he passed away.

On Monday, Nov. 15, 1903, occurred the death of i\Ir. Patrick IMcDonough at his home in Wilton after an illness of about a year. His funeral was held in St. IMary, and he was followed to his last resting place by a large number of relatives and friends by wliom he was held in high regard. His wife died some years ago. Their family circle contained twelve sons and daughters, all of whom survived the father, and one of whom, J\r. l\Ic- Donough, was, for a number of years, eity marshal of Waseca.

Mr. Simon Brown, formerly of St. Mary, later of Woodville, died on Wednesday night, Dec. 8, 1903. ilr. Brown was among the early settlers of St. I\Iary, and was noted as a quiet, industrious, peaceable farmer. He had been ill for some time of cancer of the stomach, that dread disease which, of late years, has carried so many to the grave. He was nearly sixty-two years of age.

Mrs. A. Kaibel, of Waseca, died very suddenly of general paralysis, Dec. 9, 1903. She was born in Concoleva, West Prussia, in 1839. At the age of fifteen, she came to America with her parents and settled in IMarquette county, Wisconsin. In 1855, she married Martin Buscho. In 1862, the family came to this county and have resided in or near Waseca since that time. After' the death of ]\Ir. Buscho, in 1870, she married Ur. Kaibel.

Gilbert (Jison Kin, of Iosco, died on Sunday, Dec. 20, 1903, of stomach disease. Deceased was one of our most industrious, temperate, and honorable citizens, and was held in high esteem by a large circle of relatives and acquaintances. He had been quite a sufferer for several years from rheumatism, but his last illness and the cause of his death M'as stomach trouble, thought by some to have been cancer. For some weeks prior to his death he was a great sufferer. He was a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, having served in (Company K, Fifth regiment, ]Minnesota infanti'v. He left surviving him his aged companion and twelve children. He was some sixty-nine years of age. His family were left in comfortal)le circumstances.