Waseca County, Minnesota - Biographical Sketches - Reminiscbnses Op Early Days, 1905 (part 6 of 6)

W. H. Vinton was born at Ellington, N. Y., in 1847. He married Emma Garver in 1872. She was born in Billingsville, Ohio, in 1845. They have one daughter, Julia, born in 1874.

Mr. Charles N. Norton

of the "Wilton group of four," was born in the village of Wilton, November 2, 1865. He is the only son of Mr. H. P. Norton, who built and operated the first blacksmith shop in Wilton. The family came to Waseca in 1868. Charles was reared in Waseca and educated in our public schools. Upon leaving school he entered the service of the American Express company and continued therein for twenty years. The last twelve years of this service he was traveling auditor in Western Minnesota and South Dakota, with headquarters at Mankato, Minn., and Huron, S. D. He married Miss Mattie Simpson, of Mankato, March 28, 1894. She was born in December, 1871. They have been the parents of two children, the older of which died some years ago. Mr. Norton has retired from the express business entirely, and devotes his attention to the management of the large estate belonging to his father and himself.

The Honorable Charles A. Smith

This gentleman was born in Wilton, June 12, 1866, and came to Waseca with his parents in the fall of 1870. He received his education in the public schools of Waseca, and finished with a business course at Minneapolis. He worked for some time in the Waseca coffin factory, but had to abandon it on account of his health. He worked off and on at the printer's trade in the Radical office for several years prior to his father's death. Since then he has been engaged in the management of his own and his sister's estate. He held the office of mayor of Waseca for six consecutive terms from 1898 to 1904 inclusive. He was deputy county treasurer from 1889 to 1901 under Dieudonne, and for six months under Krassin. He is one of the four boys that were born in Wilton and are now living in Waseca.

Mr. Walter S. Brown

manager of the extensive dry goods, grocery and boot and shoe store of H. A. Brown & Son, of Waseca, is a native Minnesotan. He was born at Rochester, Minn., May 10, 1S70, and received his education In the public schools of that city. His father, H. A. Brown, was one of the very early settlers at Rochester, Minn., having invested in property there in 1855, and settled there permanently in 1856. H. A. Brown built the second frame building erected in that town, and engaged in the mercantile business. Walter, upon leaving school, entered the mercantile business. In 1889 he married Miss Maud A. Toogood, of Rochester, who died at Waseca in 1896, leaving three children.

Walter came to Waseca in 1891, and with his brother, R. W. Brown, commenced business under the firm name of H. A. Brown & Sons. They erected the large, double store where they have since done business. Some years ago R. W. withdrew from the firm and since then Walter has managed the business. Walter married his second wife. Miss Mary Kurkowski, of Waseca, in 1900. Her parents were among the early settlers of the city of Waseca and highly respected. The name of the present firm is H. A. Brown & Son; it enjoys a, lucrative trade.

Mrs. Viola Patch

This lady and her husband were residents of this county for a number of years, but now reside at Motley, Minn. The parents of Mrs. Patch - Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Pease - came to this county in 1862. Mrs. Patch writes that Mr. Pease was born in Ohio, May 1, 1813, and from there moved lo Illinois at an early day. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary J. Turner, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1829. Mary J. Turner first married Oscar P. Baton, with whom she lived in Chicago until his death. Soon after his death, she removed to DeKalb county. 111., where she met and married Mr. Pease in 1859. In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Pease moved to this county by horse team and lived in St. Mary, not far from Wilton. Mrs. Pease had at that time two children, Wm. Eaton, now a resident of Woodville, and Mrs. Patch, who was born in Illinois Aug. 27, 1860. Soon after their arrival here, Mr. Pease's horses were stolen, but subsequently he recovered them. At the time of the Indian outbreak, in 1862, the family went to Faribault, but shortly afterwards returned to this county. About 1865, they settled on a farm on the township line between, Otisco and Woodville, where Mr. Pease died Feb. 10, 1894, and where Mrs. Pease died Feb. 20, 1903.

There was one little .incident in their lives worthy of note. It was while all the country was flooded with water in the early part of 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Pease made a trip from their farm to Wilton, having Viola with them. When they arrived on the east side of the Le Sueur river they found the bottom lands covered with water and water running over the road, but they made an attempt to cross. When well out into the water, the oxen went with the current a short distance and finally the wagon struck a snag, and there was danger that the family and the oxen would be drowned. A number of men, among them Buel Welsh, who saw the accident, went to the relief of the persons in peril and finally saved them and the oxen from drowning. Mr. Pease was unable to get his wagon out until the waters subsided some weeks later.

Captain R. Miller

This gentleman was born in Burg, near Trarbach, on the Mosel, Rhine Province of Prussia, July 17, 1843. His parents came to America in 1848 and made their home in Fond du Lac county. Wis., where they resided until the breaking out of the Rebellion. R. Miller was one of the first of our patriotic young men to enlist for the defense of the Union. He joined the First Michigan Vojunteer cavalry June 15, 1861, and served until Sept. 13, 1865, when he was mustered out. He was a member of Company B, and served in the Army of the Potomac under Generals Banks, Geary, Pope, McClellan, Burnside, Jnooker, Meade, and Grant, and under Corps Commander P. H. Sheridan, Brigadier Commander Custer, Division Commander Kilpatrick.

He was wounded in the cavalry fight at Buckland Mills, Va., Oct. 19, 1863, and was taken prisoner at Trevillion Station, Va., June 11, 1864. He was paroled Feb. 24, 1865, and mustered out of the service in September, 1865.

After the Rebellion he opened a retail store at Lomlra, Dodge county, Wisconsin, and continued the business until 1872, when he came to Waseca, arriving in February. Here he engaged in the sale of general merchandise, and followed the business for twenty-seven years. He was the efficient cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Waseca from the time of the death of Mr. Swenson, in 1898, to the close of the year 1902.

Mr. Miller and Miss Julia A. Snider were united in marriage Feb. 26, 1867. Mrs. Miller is a native of West Virginia, born in 1848. Her parents and grandparents were born in Virginia, and at the time of Mrs. Miller's marriage her parents resided at Grafton. Captain and Mrs. Miller are the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters. Of the daughters, two are married - Mrs. E. A. Everett and Mrs. E. W. Ward. John Miller, the eldest son, has charge of the New Richland flouring mill. The second son, Harry, is an active partner in the Lakeville flouring mills at Lakeville, Minn. Hugo, the youngest son, is with his father in Louisiana.

R. Miller

La. This company furnishes water for the irrigation of thousands of acres of rice lands and receives its income from a share of the rice crop produced. James Quirk and E. A. Everett are largely Interested in the enterprise.

Captain Miller aided in organizing Company K of the Minnesota National Guards and served as captain and drill master of the company for some time.

Mr. Edward Castor

son of Mr. Jacob Castor, was born at New Ulm, Sept, 26, 1S57. His father was born in Germany, Oct. 6, 1831, and settled in New Ulm in 1856. At the time of the Indian massacre, in 1862, his father was mistaken for an Indian and killed by his friends. It was at the second battle of New Ulm, August 23, in the evening. Jacob had been fighting Indians all day. Towards night, while the rain was falling, he took a basket of bread from his bakery, and, throwing a blanket over his shoulders, started to carry the provisions to some people whose houses had- been burned and who had no provisions of their own. It was just twilight, the rain was falling, and some of the armed men in a building with port holes mistook him for an Indian and fired upon him while he was trying to make himself known to them. He was wounded and fell, but arose and was about to enter his own house when he was again shot. He died the next morning of his wounds. It was indeed a sad death. In 18G7, Edward's mother married Conrad Zeller, since deceased. Mrs. Zeller and one daughter still reside in New Ulm.

Edward came to Waseca in the fall of 1875. Having learned the trade of jeweler, he was employed by John F. Preston, of Waseca, for whom he worked two and one-half years. In 1878 Mr. Castor opened a jewelry establishment of his own. He married Miss Rose M. Wollschlaeger, Jan. 2, 1882. She is a daughter of Mr. August Wollschlaeger, and was born Feb. 20, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Castor have three sons and one daughter. Robert J., who Is in the jewelry business with his father, was born Oct. 12, 1882; Florence C, was born July 9, 1884; Arthur E. J. was born Aug. 26, 1888; and Harry A., Feb. 26, 1895. Mr. Edward Castor is an expert workman and a reliable business man. He keeps a good stock of jewelry and musical instruments.

Mr. Michael Sheeran

of St. Jlary, one of the prominent men of that township, was born In Ireland in the year 1840. He came to America in 1860, and to Waseca county in 1862, after having lived in Michigan about two years. He made an extensive tour of Minnesota and returned that fall by way of Ashland on Lake Superior, to Michigan. He worked in the copper mines of Michigan until 1865 when he again came to Minnesota. This time he bought land on the Winnebago reservation, section 18, St. Mary, paying therefor $2.60 per acre. He later worked for some time in Faribault. Feb. 19, 1867, he married Miss Mary Dardis, of Blooming Grove, daughter of Mr. John Dardis of that township. She is also a native of Ireland and was born in 1843, coming to America in 1859 with her parents and settling in Blooming Grove in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Sheeran have four sons and five daughters living, one daughter having died. Mr. Sheeran and his sons have taken up a large tract of land in North Dakota to which they have already secured title. He is still living on the old farm where he settled in 1867.

The Reverend O. A. Mellby

Pastor O. A. Mellby was born in the parish of Hurdale near Christiania, Norway, Jan. 9, 1843. He worked on his father's farm and attended the parish school until his eighteenth year, when he entered a Latin school in Christiania. After having finished the college course, he went to the Royal University, where he graduated as bachelor of theology in 1872. Already having as a student received a call as pastor of Le Sueur river and northern Waseca congregations in this county, he was ordained in the cathedral as a minister of the gospel by Rt. Rev. J. L. Arap, archbishop of Christiania, in October; in November of the same year he started for America. Arriving at New Richland in December, he found everything in a primitive state, - a small log church and no parsonage. He had to live with a farmer in a very small house the first winter, which was a very severe one. For many years he served seven congregations in Waseca, Steele and Blue Earth counties. He had to be on the road much of the time and experienced many hardships. Three pastors are now working in the same field. His present charge consists of Le Sueur river, New Richland and Berlin churches. The progress of these churches is marked by magnificent church buildings, supplied with fine bells and pipe organs, and a very convenient and commodious parsonage for the free use of the pastor. In 1867 he was married to Miss Sigrid Grunot of Christiania. They have had eight children, of whom five are living: Carl August, doctor of philosophy and professor at St. Olaf college, Northfleld; Agnes Theodora, preceptress at the same institution; Oscar Fredrick, M. D., of Warren, Minn.; Marie Elizabeth, music teacher at home; and Gisle Bernhard, photographer, of Waseca, Minn.

Mr. Harvey S. Smith

Both the father and grandfather of this gentleman settled in this county in 1855, and Harvey was born in Woodville, March 7, 1X59, his father being Alfred C. Smith, deceased. He attended his district school, is a graduate of the Waseca high school and of the Mankato State Normal school. He taught in the public schools of the state twelve years. He commenced carrying the United States mail on route No. 3, from Waseca, July 20, 1903, and is still so employed. He owns his grandfather's old farm in Blooming Grove, and one of his brothers is carrying it on. The buildings - house and barn - are among the oldest in the county. The frame barn was built as early as 1858, and the frame house as early as 1863. The frames of both are made of heavy timbers put together by mortise and tenon and fastened together with wooden pins. The buildings on the farm, though aged, are well preserved, and Harvey is justly proud of the old homestead with its historic surroundings.

Harvey held the office of justice of the peace for several years and is now school district clerk. He married Miss Eugenia Owens, of Mankato, August 28, 1900. She was born in Steuben county, N. Y., March 5, 1872, and came to Minnesota with her parents in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son a year and a half old. Mr. Smith's father and mother were the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom are living, namely: Mary, Lovica, Harvey S., Willis, Luceba, Nellie, Jennie, Clara, Celia, and Jasper.

Doctor Fred A. Swartwood

Dr. F. A. Swartwood is a native of Minnesota, born at Cannon City, Rice county, Minn., Dec. 8, 1860. His father, Hon. Henry A. Swartwood, is a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Minnesota in 1857, settling at Cannon City. Dr. Swartwood attended the public schools of his district, took a four-year elective course at Carleton College and graduated from th3 medical college at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1886. He and Miss Ida M. Poe were joined in marriage Nov. 20, 1886. They moved to the city of Waseca the same fall, where they have since resided. Mrs. Swartwood was born in Rice county in 1863. They have two children: one daughter, Madeline, and one son, Harold. The doctor has had an extensive practice since his first year and has been interested meanwhile in other business enterprises. He was the first president of the Waseca Savings and Loan Association; is president of the Waseca telephone company; is a stockholder of the W. J. Armstrong wholesale company of Waseca; owns a farm of seven hundred and twenty acres in Kandiyohi county; was for one term a member of the Waseca board of education; served as president of the Waseca Commercial Club in 1903, and took an active part in securing the paving of Second street. He has been postmaster of Waseca since the first year of President McKinley's administration. For many years he has been very active in party politics, and has often furnished -inspiration" for the local papers of his party. He is temperate in his habits and capable of performing an immense amount of labor.

Mr. John J. Isker

6, 1847, and came to America about the year 1865. His mother was born in Saxony, Germany, Sept. 22, 1852, and came to America when about seven years of age. John's parents were married in Buffalo county. Wis., in 1872, and came to Minnesota about 1881. The father, being a clergyman of the German Evangelical church, has moved from place to place since. From 1886 to 1900 the family resided at Mankato, and John J. attended the Mankato high school from which he graduated in 1899. After graduating he taught school in Cottonwood county three winters. The family came to Waseca in 1900, and soon after John commenced the study of law with ex-Mayor Moonan, of Waseca. He took the state examination and was admitted to the bar in September, 1903. He at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Waseca. He was appointed city clerk of Waseca in the spring of 1904, and elected to the same office in the spring of 1905.

Mr. Serenas Howard Farrington

Editor Farrington, of the Waterville Advance, was born Oct. 31, 1859, in Otisco, Waseca county, Minn. He was reared on a farm, but learned the printer's trade on attaining his majority. He has been editor and publisher of the Advance for twenty years. He married Miss Nellie Berner, at St. Charles, Minn., Oct. 15, 1884. She was bom at Manchester, Wis., Feb. 25, 1862. They have living one son, William S., and two daughters, Mary Helen and Minnie Etta. One daughter. Myrtle, died in infancy. Mr. Farrington was school director at the age of twenty-one, in Waseca county. Since residing in Waterville he has been village recorder four years, member of the school board six years and for three years president thereof; was appointed postmaster Jan. 19, 1899, and served five years. He is a member of the Waterville lodge. I. O. of O. F.; of the K. P. lodge, being past C. C; of the Sakatah Masonic lodge No. 32, now serving as its Master; and is King of Royal Arch Chapter No. 56. Mr. Farrington owns the only paper published in the village and is doing a good business, and serving well the village of his choice.

Mr. John Fairley

This gentleman hails from Scotland, being a native of Lanarkshire. He came to America in 1862, and lived near Janesville, Rock countj', Wisconsin. He spent five years in that state and then came to Wilton, in this county, in the spring of 1867. He was accompanied by his brother, Hugh, and settled on what was known as the Baker claim, in section number 15. He served as clerk of school district No. 91 for twenty years. He married Miss Bessie Henderson, April 1, 1869. She is also a native of Scotland, having been horn in Sterlingshire.

James Erwin Child

The family name of Child, or Childs, as some write it, is English without any doubt. History agrees with tradition in that respect. Josiah Child, born in 1G30, was for many years at the head of the East India Comijany. Charles II. made him a baronet and his son became Earl of Tylney, but with him the peerage expired and the name sank to the common level. Since then every Child has been called upon to "paddle his own canoe."

According to the family record as handed down from father to son, Elijah Child stands at the head of this branch of the Child family in America. He, in company with two brothers, came from Old England to New England in Colonial days, some years prior to the American Revolution. It is said that he married a Welsh woman, but the writer has never been able to get her father's name. Elijah first settled in Connecticut on the banks of the river of that name, and engaged in the flour or gristmill business. He afterwards moved to Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, where he again engaged in the milling business on White river. Elijah served for a time in the Continental army, but was obliged to return home on account of illness. Shortly after the War of the Revolution, he lost nearly everything by a flood, his mill dam giving way, and he and his family were reduced to moderate circumstances in his declining years. Elijah's children, seven in number, were all boys: Stephen, David, Abner, Artemas, Daniel, Simeon , and Blias. Daniel, J. E. Child's progenitor, was born Nov. 10, 1777, In the state of Vermont. There he grew to manhood and was bred a miller. When twenty years of age he married Rebecca Howe, who was seventeen. She was born April 13, 1780, of Irish parents. Daniel followed his trade as miller at Royalton, Vt., until about 1824, when he moved to the town of DeKalb, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Here he bought a small farm which he carried on until his death, which occurred in 1849,' his age being seventy-two years. Daniel and Rebecca had eight children whom they named fts follows: Delani, Avery, Hannah, Zabina, Clarinda, Martha, Simeon and Eliza.

Zabina, father of James E., was born Nov. 22, 1808, in Vermont, and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed to learn the carpenter and joiner trade. At the age of twenty, having one year more to serve, he bought his time of "Boss" Dustin, and went to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he worked as contractor and builder. He married Miss Orrilla Rice (originally Rolce), of Jefferson county, N. Y., Beb. 14, 1833, and they settled in the town of DeKalb. Orrilla was a native of Jefferson county and was born March 2, 1810, being one of the younger children of Eneas Rice by his second wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Parmenter.,

Both Eneas and Sarah were natives of Connecticut. Eneas was of Scotch parentage and Sarah of English stock. Rice was a Revolutionary soldier and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777. He was the father of nineteen children and died at the age of seventy-five years. Grandfather Parmenter was also a soldier of the Revolution.

Zabina and Orrilla were the parents of seven children: James Erwin, born in Jefferson county, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1833; Simeon Potter, born in Medina, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1835; Sarah Minerva, born in Ohio, Aug. 23, 1837; Reuben Parmenter, born in DeKalb, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1840; Julia Maria, born in DeKalb, N. Y., Oct. 26, 1842; Stephen Rice, bom in Trenton, Dodge county. Wis., July 2, 1848; and John Benton, born near Appleton, Wis., Aug. 14, 1S54. John B. died in his native town Nov. 21, 1861. Zabina moved with his family in 1834 from his New York home to Medina, Ohio, by horse team. Ohio was then a new country. There was a severe drouth and extremely hard times about 1836-7, and the family returned to DeKalb, N. Y., in the fall of 1837. They remained there on a farm until ±844 when they again moved to Ohio - this time to the town of Perry, Lake county. The next spring, leaving his family in Perry, the father pushed on to Wisconsin, where he worked during the season and sent for his family in the fall. The mother and children, late in the fall, took boat at Pairport and after a stormy passage landed in Sheboygan, the last days of November, 1844. The father had already selecteda claim, in Dodge county. Wis., five miles south of Waupun, and in January, 1845, moved his family thither. He remained in Dodge county - a part of the time in the town of Herman - until 1853, when he removed with his family to Outagamie county, near Appleton, Wis.

James E. taught school in Herman, Dodge county, In the winters of 1851-2, 1852-3 and 1853-4. In October, 1854, he made a trip into the Oconto pineries where he worked on the river and in camp until Dec. 19, when he returned to Dodge county and there made arrangements for a winter trip to Minnesota, as elsewhere related in this work. He married Miss Justina Krassin April 19, 1856. She is the youngest daughter of Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Gadske) Krassin, deceased, and was born near Posen, Prussia, March 3, 1834. She came to America with her* married sister, Mrs. Gottlieb Prechel, in August, 1853. Her parents and brothers followed soon after. Her family owned a small farm in Posen, but concluded to sell it and come to a coimtry where they could get more land for less money.

Nine children have been born to James and Justina, three of whom died in infancy. The living are Capt. Walter Child, of Superior, Wis.; Stephen M., of Jackson county, Minn.; George E., of Kenmare, North Dakota; Annie E., now Mrs. Prank A. Wood; Orrilla Justina, now Mrs. George H. Goodspeed; and Dora M., now Mrs. Mark D. Ashley, of Jackson. Minn.

he entered upon the practice of law in Wilton. In the fall of 1863, he commenced newspaper work, and with the exception of about four years spent on a farm in Jackson county, from 1881 to 1885, has made newspaper work his ^ principal business. He was chairman of town supervisors, school district clerk, county attorney, member of the legislature in 1861, and justice of the peace while on his farm in Wilton. He was deputy United States marshal in 1863-4, and had charge of the draft in several towns of the county. After that he served as county attorney, judge of probate, superintendent of schools, municipal judge of Waseca from 1890 to 1892, member of the state senate in 1872, member of tne house of representatives in 1874, and again in 1883. The latest work of his life thus far is ihe production of this history - labor more pleasant than profitable. He has served as president of the Waseca charter commission since its appointment and organization in 1902.

Mr. Fred W. Mahler

senior member of the hardware firm of Mahler and Habein, of Waseca, was born In Neinburg, Province of Hanover, July 27, 1857. He landed at New York May 6, 1874, and arrived at Meriden on the 11th of the same month. For seven years he worked as a farm hand in Steele and Waseca counties. He then purchased what was known as the old Parmelee place in W^oodville. He married Miss Sophia Beese, of Deerfield, March 11, 1881. She was born in Waukesha county, Wis., Jan. 6, 1861, and came to Minnesota with her parents when she was five or six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Mahler at once made their home on their farm, which they improved and cultivated until March, 1898, when Mr. Mahler bought the half interest of Mr. W. H. Roesler in the hardware business of Goodman and Roesler. In 1900 he bought Mr. Goodman's interest also, and carried on the business alone until 1903, when Mr. William Habein bought a half interest. The firm name Is now Mahler and Habein. They do an extensive business. Mr. and Mrs. Mahler are the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters. The elder son, George B., was bom August 1, 1884, and is now clerk in the store. Mr. Mahler was town assessor of Woodville for three years and is a member of the charter commission of Waseca.

Harlow S. Lewis

Mr. Lewis, a Waseca boy, son of the late B. S. Lewis, Esq., was born July 10, 1872. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in the milling business and has followed that business ever since with the exception of two years when he was engaged in the banking business at Madison Lake, Minn. While at Madison Lake he was mayor from January, 1898, to July, 1898, the only public office he has ever accepted. He married Miss Grace L. Everett of Waterville, Oct. 12, 1898. She was born in Waterville, Minn., Dec. 19, 1874. They have two sons: one born April 4, 1901, the other

May 15, 1904. In 1903, Mr. Lewis bought an Interest in the Mapleton mill, and since April of that year, has been general manager of the business of the Mapleton Milling Company. Recently the capital stock of the company was increased to $100,000, and Mr. Lewis Was chosen president and general manager. He is a young man of marked business ability.

The Timlin Group

This group, published in this work, is the only one of five generations of which the author has a record. Mrs. Patrick Burke, Mrs. Michael Haley, Mrs. John Timlin, Mr. F. J. Timlin and Master A. Donald Flaig, constitute the group. The first three came from Pennsylvania to Minnesota in 1858 and have since resided in Iosco. John Timlin, with his parents, brothers and sisters, came to Minnesotafrom "Wisconsin in 1868, and settled in Iosco. F. J. Timlin was born and reared in Iosco, and A. Donald Flaig, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Timlin, was born in Seattle, state of Washington.

Herbert Cleveland Hotaling

editor and proprietor of the Blue Earth County Enterprise, was born at Mankato, Minn., Aug. 5, 1865. He received his education in the public schools of Mankato and at the Mankato state normal. At the age of sixteen years, he entered the employ of the late John C. Wise, publisher of the Review at Mankato, as "printer's devil." At the age of twenty, he performed his first journalistic work in the publication of the "Third District Messenger," a monthly paper devoted to temperance. Always an active temperance worker, he Joined the Prohibition party, and at the age of 23 years, attended the state convention and had the honor of being chosen its secretary. As a journejman printer he worked in the following offices for a time: the Janesville Argus, the North Star, at New Richland, and the Waseca County Herald. He also edited and managed the North Star at Lake Mills, la., for a short time. In 18S8, he founded the Mapleton Enterprise, one of the successful county papers of the state. June 26, 1889, he married Miss Janie L. Mann, an educated and accomplished lady of Brownton, McLeod county, Minn. Mr. Hotallng is at present clerk of the Mapleton board of education, president of the public library association, a director of the Mapleton bank, of the Mapleton Milling Co., of the Mankato Citizens Telephone Co., president of the Euclid Avenue Land Co., of Seattle, Wash., and was for a long time village recorder of Mapleton. He attributes his success in life to the fact that he nas never used intoxicants or tobacco and has attended strictly to the work he found to do.

Prof. V. 6. Pickett Hon. I. C. Trowbridge

He attended country school at first, graduated from the Albert Lea high school, took a course at the state university and graduated therefrom in 1896. He commenced teaching as principal of the fatewartville, Minn., schools; taught one year at Long Prairie and six years at Janesville. He took charge of the Waseca schools in September, 1904. He married Miss Zada McMillen of Albert Lea, in 1898. She died at Janesville in. 1903 without issue. Professor Pickett has traveled in America quite extensively. Last year he visited many of the Southern states, Northern Mexico and also Western Canada. During his vacation In 1905 he traveled in Eastern Canada and through many of the Eastern states, spending considerable time in the large cities. He is enthusiastic in his work as an educator and seems to be very successful in his chosen vocation.

Hon. Ira C. Trowbridge

The most prominent figure in the early history of Waseca was Mr. Ira C. Trowbridge, who, according to his own statement, was born in Lyle, Broom county, in the state of New York, March 16, 1823. He was the son of Henry and Betsey (Lockwood) Trowbridge; they being among the early settlers of that section. He learned the tanner's trade with his father, and remained in his native state until he was of age. About that time he came west as far as Chicago, and engaged as clerk in a boot and shoe store. There "he remained until the spring of 1846, when he located in Woodstock, 111., and opened a boot and shoe store of his own. In the early fall of 1846 he returned to Lyle, and was married to Miss Judith Church, who was born Sept. 28, 1826.

He did an extensive business both as a merchant and real estate dealer in Woodstock; but after a time, as we are informed, he met with some reverses of fortune, and in 1866, made a trip to this county and secured an option on the farm of Mr. Meyers, the present city of Waseca. He came here with his family early In 1867. He labored unceasingly for everything that he thought would build up Waseca and promote his own interests.

To say that he was sometimes mistaken as to methods is no more than to say that he was human. That he met with fair business success is evident from the large property interests which he left to his family at the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 3, 1893.

He was a man of nerve and iron will and allowed no man to thwart his plans without suffering for his temerity sooner or later. Many of his plans were wise and many of his public acts were highly praiseworthy.

As soon as the cars arrived in 1867, Mr. Trowbridge obtained lumber and erected a large temporary hotel for the convenience of the incoming throngs that were to build Waseca. In this enterprise, Mrs. Trowbridge will be remembered with a kindly feeling by the many who found her a kind and obliging hostess, although suffering from ill health.

engineer of the W. & St. P. railroad, and the latter his first assistant, both of whom became scns-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, the first year of the city's growth.

[This sketch of Mr. Trowbridge was mislaid by the author, and that is why it does not appear in its appropriate place among biographical sketches.]

Mr. Charles Leuthold

resident manager of the extensive clothing store of Leuthold Brothers, of Waseca, was born in Kasson, Minn., August 16, 1868. His life business has been that of merchant clothier. He is one of five brothers, all of whom are engaged in the same line of business. The Leuthold Brothers now own fourteen clothing stores, located in different towns, and their joint custom is sought for by all wholesale dealers and manufacturers. Their joint purchases constitute a valuable asset in their business. Mr. Charles Leuthold married Miss Josie E. Preston, daughter of S. H. Preston of Waseca, Nov. 30, 1894. They have a very fine home in the eastern part of Waseca, and are the parents of three daughters and one son. In 1887, Charles carried on a store in Winnebago City, and in 1888 came to Waseca with his stock of goods. He has never sought or held any office but accepted a membership on the charter commission of Waseca and has been an able and efficient member of that body.

DR. M. M. DAVIDSON. Matthew McDougall Davidson was born in Breckville, Canada, Dec. 19, 1857, anl came to Waseca July 23, 1884. He attended school in his native town and took a dental course in Milwaukee, Wis. He has practiced dentistry constantly since he became a resident of this county. His father, Alexander Davidson, was born in Coldingham, Scotland, June 3, 1822. His mother, Ellen McDougall, was a native of Moffit, Scotland, born May 13, 1825. She died some two years ago. His father is still living. Dr. Davidson married Miss Minnie Howard, of Tomah, Wis., Sept. 17, 1890. They have had two children: a daughter that died in infancy, and a son, Howard McDougall, born August. 15, 1S97. They are members of the M. E. church and prominent in the social life of Waseca.

John M. Wollschlaeger

JOHN M. WOLLSCHLAEGER, register of deeds, was born Sept. 19, 1858, at Lichtenau, Germany, and came to America with his parents in 1871, locating in Waseca the same year. The next year while playing on a horsepower with other boys, he nad one foot injured so severely that he has been crippled for life. He was a faithful student at our public schools and learned harness making of his father. In the spring of 1890 he was elected city assessor of Waseca, and in the fall of 1890 he was nominated by the Democratic party for register of deeds and elected by a large majority. He has been elected at each subsequent election by large majorities. At the last election his majority was 672, while the majority against his party averaged 625. Mr. WoUschlaeger married Miss Louisa Ida Neidt, of "Waseca, April 18, 1900. She died of cholera morbus July 17, 1901, without issue. He is very correct as a copyist and keeps his records in fine shape.

A. Lincoln

of Morley, Michigan, who was born in that state Oct. 10, 1853, came to Minnesota in the fall of 1875, arriving in this county October 17. He resided in Waseca county until July 4, 1883, when he married Miss Matilda Hollander, of Wilton, and settled in Mankato where they resided until 1897, when they moved to Morley, Mich., where they bought a farm upon which they now reside. Mrs. Lincoln was born in Indiana in 1856, and came to Wilton with her parents about 1860. She is a daughter of the late Florian Hollander.

William H. Taylor

one of the early settlers in Blooming Grove, was born in England, Feb. 12, 1845, and came to America with his parents when eighteen months old. Tne family first settled in New Orleans where they remained until 1850 When they moved to Missouri. Soon after they located in Illinois and in 1857 came to Waseca county when the father bought a farm in Blooming Grove. William H., upon attaining his majority, bought a farm in Byron. Soon after he married Miss Emma E. Barnes, whose parents were among the early settlers in Wilton township. Mrs. Taylor is a native of Nunda, McHenry county. 111., and was born Nov. 8, 1849. They spent several years farming in this county and then sold their farm here and moved to a sheep ranch near Saco, Montana, where they have met with good fortune and are meeting with marked financial success in sheep farming. They reared a family of children some of whom are married.

Governor John A. Johnson

There was an uprising of the people in 1904 - not an organized, permanent movement, but an intuitive, spontaneous protest against machine politics. The gold and corporation combines that manipulated the socalled Democratic national convention drove many Democrats from the polls and others to the support of the Republican candidates. The lumber barons and boodlers of the Republican party of Minnesota controlled the state convention and the masses repudiated them by going to the support of Hon. John A. Johnson, of St. Peter. Democrats in Wisconsin supported Republican LaFollette, Republicans in Missouri voted for Democratic Folk, and Republicans in Massachusetts elected Democratic Douglas. All over the country there was an unorganized, independent movement in repudiation of the party slavery which for years had held the masses enthralled" to combined greed and dishonesty. The people of Minnesota made no mistake. Governor John A. Johnson is a native son of Minnesota, born in the midst of poverty in pioneer days. By the efforts of his brave, noble mother and his own exertions, he arose from the depressing surroundings of his infancy and made for himself a bright home, with a fairly lucrative business. With every surrounding influence to induce him to join the dominant party of the state, he remained loyal to the honest sentiments of his own brain and conscience and attained local prominence in a community where his chosen party was in a hopeless minority. The people recognized his honesty, his ability, his devotion to fundamental principles, and more than all else, they expressed their condemnation of the timber and other thieves of the state. To American boys the life of John A. Johnson is an object lesson. Born one of the poorest of the poor, deprived from infancy of a father's protection and care, he arose to the highest official position In the state. What he has done another American boy may do. And the spirit of the American people in conferring honors upon men like Abraham Lincoln and John A. Johnson is admirable and commendable and speaks volumes for our nation notwithstanding the demoralizing influence of "graft" which works from everlasting to everlasting in all countries and among all peoples. All honor to John A. Johnson and to the independent Republicans who thus rebuked their unworthy leaders. May Governor Johnson forever remain worthy of the confidence of the American people.

Miscellaneous Mention

Christian Melchior, of St. Mary, is one of tnose who made early settlement m this county. He came from Germany and landed in New York. Soon afttr he came to this county where he worked as a farm hand two or three years when he married Caroline Arndt, who came to Waseca county in 1855 with Mrs. Krassin. They at once settled on a farm in section thirty where Mr. Melchior now owns a farm of 235 acres. They are the parents of two daughters, one of whom, with her husband, Mr. Oswald Baer, resides on the farm and keeps house for the family. The other daughter, Mrs. C. Dobberstein, resides in Waseca. Mrs. Melchior was very unfortunate. She beca'iie ill some time after her marriage and finally became blind and insane and has for years been ^n inmate of the Rochester asylum.

John Sell, a native of German>-, arrived in Waseca county in 1S57, first working as a farm hand and afterwards purchasing a quarter section of Indian Reservation land on section 31, in St. Mary, which he still owns. He married Miss Amelia Arndt, who came to Waseca county with her sister, Mrs. Martin Krassin, in 1S55. They remained on their farm a few years ago when they rented it to their son, Rudolph, who still carries it on, and they moved to Waseca where they have a nice home in Broughton's addition.

Edward Schmitt is one of the early settlers of Otisco and settled on sections 17 and 20 about the year 1857. His worthy wife died many years ago and his only child is the wife of Mr. Rudolph Jacoby. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Jacoby, their sons, and Mr. Schmitt, live on the old homestead adjoining the villase plat of Otisco.

Dr. Fred W. Frail, dentist, is a native of Waseca county. He is married, has no children, and is the second oldest dentist in Waseca. He is the only son of Sam Proechel, the well known blacksmith of Wilton, for a number of years, and later of Waseca.

Mr. O. S. Bagne, on section 12, town of Iosco, settled in this county in 1856, as a boy. He is prominently connected with the Palmer creamery.

George Irvine, now manager of the Farmers Elevator at Waseca, located in Woodville in 1886. Mrs. Irvine, his wife, came to the county with her parents in 1862.

Julius Sell settled in St. Mary at an early day and married Miss Julia Krassin. He was thrown from a sleigh while driving home in the winter of 1886-7 and killed. His wife died a short time after, leaving three daughters, Emma, Edith and Lizzie. Emma married Henry Kuk, Edith married John Kuk and Lizzie married Herman Hillman. The three families now reside near Redwood Falls, Minn.

Mr. Ed Hayden, an old resident of Alton, is one of the prominent farmera of the county. He was an active member of the Farmers Alliance, and a strong advocate of the Peoples party movement. He has a farm of 160 acres on section 13.

Hon. Hial D. Baldwin was one of the early settlers of the county. He located at Empire (Iosco) about the year 1858, and opened a law office. He was elected chairman of the board of supervisors of Iosco in 1859 and was ex-officio a member of the county board. In the fall of 1859 he was elected county attorney, and was re-elected for two terms more, serving until Jan. 1, 1864. He was defeated for judge of probate in 1864 by seven votes, and as a candidate for representative in 1866 he was defeated by Hon. Wm. Brisbane by five votes. He located in Wilton with his family in 1860 and remained there until 1868 when he settled in Waseca. When East Janesville was platted in 1869 he built the first hotel there. He soon after sold it to "Uncle" Frank Johnson and removed to Redwood Falls where he now resides. His life has been a checkered one financially, ranging from extreme poverty to affluence. His liberality and generosity have been proverbial. His love of speculation has been his besetting error. As elsewhere related he was one of the first to open a bank in Waseca and one of the first to fail In business; At Redwood Falls he has been successful. He served a term as judge of the district court and has accumulated quite a property. He and his family are successfully engaged in the banking business at that place.

Hon. S. M. Owen, editor of the Farm, Stock and Home, though not a resident of Waseca county, is so well and so honorably Imown by his writings to our people, that his name is worthy of mention in this connection. Though not an ofl;ice seeker or an office holder, his influence for good government in this state is wide spread. His honesty, sincerity and wide range of information on all subjects make him and his journal great factors in the educational uplifting of the people. His labors in behalf of agricultural residents of Minnesota entitle him to high standing in the affections of all our people.

George Tallon is one of the substantial men of Waseca. He is a native of Ireland, and in early life became a seafaring man. In that capacity he visited very many portions of the world. Early in the history of this state he located in Winona where he engaged in wheat buying. He located with his family in Waseca more than a quarter of a century ago and has been employed as a grain buyer ever since he located here. For over twenty years he was prominent as one of the school directors of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Tallon are intelligent and highly respected residents of Waseca, and prominent and influential members of the Catholic church.

Mrs. Eliza Sutlief, widow of the late Asa G. Sutlief, departed this life at 11 o'clock Sunday forenoon, Sept. 10, 1905, at the age of seventy-nine

As this volume, already much larger than the author at first anticipated, draws to a close, the writer cannot resist the desire to mention the merits of Hon. Frank A. Day, of Martin county, who recently brought honor to Minnesota by ably representing its governor at the launching of the war ship Minnesota, at Newport News, April 8, 1905. On that occasion he made a splendid address of which the following are short excerpts. He opened by saying:

"The first object which meets the eye of the visitor in the doorway of Minnesota's state historical library is the steering-wheel of the old United States frigate Minnesota, launched on the Potomac just fifty years ago. That was three years before Minnesota was admitted into the Union as a state. The territorial delegate, Henry M. Rice, who had persuaded congress to give the name Minnesota to one of the six new frigates then being constructed, carried water all the way from the Minnesota river with which to give the new vessel a proper baptism."

Continuing he further said: "The engines and boilers and small screw propeller, considered somewhat of an innovation in those days, constituted one-fourth of the vessel's entire cost. Not content to rely upon steam for power, the vessel spread 2,400 feet of sail, and by the combined aid of steam' and sail was able to attain a speed of twelve knots an hour. On the day of its launching it was pronounced by the leading Washington newspapers as a very leviathan upon the waters; its displacement was just one-fifth that of the vessel we have launched today. Its armament was the heaviest of any battleship of any nation up to that time; its guns showed a tonnage just one-sixth that of the batteries which the new Minnesota is to carry. *

"The old Minnesota had a history which the new Minnesota may well emulate Its first commander was the famous Dupont, commander of the East India squadron. It bore the first tidings of American civilization to China and Japan, and was mown as the greatest war vessel that had yet visited the Eastern world. When the Civil war broke out in 1861, the Minnesota became the flagship of the Atlantic squadron under command of Flag Ofilcer Stringham. On May 13 it was anchored down your harbor here at Fortress Monroe. On May 14 it participated in the capture of three schooners. Inside of ninety days it took part in the capture ot ten vessels, one of which, the Savannah, bearing a commission from Jeff Davis was the first war vessel captured from the Confederate forces.

"On August 26 1861, from your harbor here out through Hampton Roads the old flagship Minnesota led the Atlantic squadron, bearing the troops and artillery of Gen. Ben Butler, south of Hatteras and Clark. In that two days' bombardment the Minnesota stood on the inside finng line at the head of the squadron, and its heavy main battery, consisting of two 10-inch guns and fourteen 8-inch guns, was the prime factor in compellmg

"But the greatest engagement in which the old frigate Minnesota took part - indeed, the greatest naval battle of the Civil war, If not the most epochal naval engagement in the world's history - you yourselves witnessed here in your own harbor on May 8 and 9, 1862. On the 8th you saw the famous ironclad "Virginia, formerly known as the Union frigate Merrimac, emerge from Norfolk, across the bay, and, steaming directly into the fire of the Union batteries, attack the Cumberland and Congress off your shore; and you saw the Minnesota hasten to the rescue of the doomed vessels.

"You know, also, why it was that on the morning of the 9th the fate of the Minnesota was not that of the Cumberland. You saw the ancient 'cheese box on a raft,' the little historic Monitor, product of that patriotic genius, Capt. John Ericsson, steam to the rescue of the Union flagship Minnesota and go out to meet the ponderous Virginia, five times her size, and you witnessed the greatest naval duel of ancient or modern times - that which sealed the fate of the Confederate cause on the sea and changed the naval armaments of the world.

"The new battleship Minnesota which you launched into Hampton Roads to-day could easily meet and vanquish single handed the combined Union and Confederate squadrons of 1862. What more significant testimony to the industrial, commercial, maritime and political transformation of America in the brief period of forty years! * * »

"From the battleship Minnesota of 1855 to the battleship Minnesota of 1905 is a lar cry. It marks an era in the history of the state, nation and world. In shipbuilding, it marks the transition from the age of wood to the age of steel. In Minnesota, the half-century records the growth from a frontier territory of 20,000 souls to a great commonwealth of 2,000,000 people."

Hon. Frank A. Day was born in Wisconsin, 1S55; settled at Fairmont, Minn., in 1874, and entered upon newspaper business; was elected to the house of representatives, in 1878; to the senate in 1886, 1890, 1894; delegate to republican national convention in 1S92; was a bimetallist and supported W. J. Bryan in 1896; is married and has four children, and is at this writing private secretary to Governor John A. Johnson, and chairman of the state democratic central committee.

It Is said that all things must have an end and certain it Is that all history writing must come to a stop somewhere, and hence the close of this last life-work of the autnor. In going over the printed pages, as I have been compelled to do, many matters of some interest are found to have been omitted for want of space. Soon after the work of typesetting commenced it became evident that I had prepared more "copy" than could be crowded into six liundred pages, and tlie work of copy pruning and condensation commenced; and, like tlie poor woman whom the Angel of Death called upon to designate which one of her twelve should he taken, it was difficult to choose which items should go into oblivion. Suffice it to say that no effort has been spared to make the work as complete and perfect as possible with the means at command. Some people, it has been learned, fail to appreciate the value of a correct history of their county, and therefore neglected to furnish facts peculiarly within their own knowledge. It is not for me to say how well or how imperfectly the work of writing the history has been done. The book must speak for itself. A sincere effort on my part has been made to make it a truthful and impartial history. In looking back over the history of this grand county one can but feel pride and satisfaction at the great progress made and the high standing it has attained. The first settlers found an inland wilderness, without habitation, without navigable waters or railroads, and surrounded by savages. What a change! Many, very many, of the old and honored pioneers have passed away, and it is not egotistical to say that there may remain no record save this history that they ever lived and labored here to help make this county what it is. Let it be remembered that it was in our day - the fifty years covered by this record - that the greatest battles were fought for ure preservation of self-government and the perpetuity of civil and religious liberty, and it will be for those who follow us to perpetuate the great heritage of the revolutionary fathers. The revelations of the last fifty years are as miraculous as any recorded in biblical history. Electricity, now the greatest force known to man, has wrought wonders in the last fifty years, and is destined in the near future to revolutionize the industrial and commercial activities of the world. To the unknown people who shall come after us and who, in their great advancement in the methods of government, the sciences, the arts, inventions, discoveries. In the mastery of the powers of nature, in virtuous and happy living, may look back upon us, perhaps, as a rude, ignorant, semi-barbarous people, we bid a genial, kindly welcome to our "happy hunting grounds" - to a county that for fifty years has never suffered a total loss of crops.

"And now, dear friends, farewell for many a day; If e'er we meet again, I cannot say. Together have we traveled o'er long years. And mingled sometimes smiles, sometimes tears;

City Of Waseca

Wright, C. A. Wert, Lindsay Wallroff, H. H. Wert, A. Wolf, W. R. Wolter, L. H. Walter, A. O. Wheelock, Wm. Wobschall, G. E. Werner, Michael Washotten, Rev.

Village Of New Richland

Batchelder, E. J., M. D. Berg, S. A. Byersdorf, A. Brown, C. W. Christensen, E. E. Christianson, C. A. Grain, Andrew Christensen, C. E. Drake, F. D. Dinneen, Daniel Ferguson, A. Gilbertson, J. O. Gilbertson, C. O. Gorgen, Gile Gardson, M. 0. Gorgen, J. H. Hunt, J. F. Huseby, G. Hanson, Torger Heckes, Fred Holgrimson, Ole Harrington, Fred Harrison, A. J.

Spillane, Charles W. Schindler, Max Swift, John Sunde, O. O. Scott, Samuel Samuelson, Martin Sybelrud, A. C. Sunde, P. O. Sievert, Ed Steinhaus, W. Schwenke, E. M. Tyrholm, J. A. Tyrholm, X. O. Thompson, Ole Vilsmeyer, H. E. Wickman, X. H. Wagner, C. A. Witcher, C. A. Wagner, F. J. Wightman, J. H. Wightman, Samuel Wightman, E. R. Zenk, R. A.