Washington County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (11 of 11 so headed), 1881

Biographical sketches

John D. Apmaun is a native of Germany, born in 1820. He was educated in his native country, and at the age of seventeen, apprenticed as a carpenter, serving three years. He was then called into the military service of his country for eight years, but after serving five years was granted a release, subject however, to be recalled. He traveled as a journeyman mechanic through the provinces of Germany and Holland. In 1851 , he married Miss Gisine Evers, and the next year they crossed to America, locating at Galena, Illi¬ nois, after a journey of fifty-two days. Soon after they removed to Iowa, spending a number of years in farming and at his trade. He came to Stillwater in 1861, and in 1870, moved to his present farm. He has a very fine house which he planned and built. Mr. and Mrs. Apmann have four children: Mary, Annie, Lizzie and John.

Sebastian Bloomer, a native of Switzerland, was bom in 1850. When a small child, he came to America with his parents. After a brief stay in Chicago, they came farther west to Stillwater, locating at Baytown. Here he was educated and made his home with his parents until the spring of 1878, when he bought a farm in this township of one hundred and fifty acres. This farm is pleasantly located with good buildings, and on which Mr. Bloomer has since resided. His wife was Miss Matilda Wolf, whom he mar¬ ried in 1 878. They have one son and one daughter.

Hiram Calkins was bom in Cayuga county New York, 1815. At ten years of age, he accompa¬ nied his parents to Genesee county, where he re¬ mained until coming west. His earlier educa¬ tion was obtained in the common schools, finish¬ ing with a course at Wyoming Academy, after which he taught school. In 1838, he came west¬ ward to the territory of Wisconsin, then embrac¬ ing Iowa and Minnesota. After a long journey performed in such ways as he could at that early day, he reached and settled in Delavan township, on a farm, remaining four years. He then went to Exeter, thence to Warsaw, where he practiced law, also occupying the offices of judge, district attorney, school superintendent, etc. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, First Wisconsin Cav¬ alry, and was discharged on account of disability in 1864. The same year, he was appointed United States land office receiver at St. Croix Falls where he remained until 1869. He located in Stillwater township in 1872 on a fruit farm, and market gar¬ den. Ilis marriage to Miss Phebe Rood took place in 1838.

Frederick J. Curtis is a native of Ireland, born 1818. His younger days were passed in the land of his nativity and at the age of twenty-five came to America. lie had previously learned the trade of boot and shoe making, and after his arrival in New York, he followed his trade in the employ of Right Reverend Bishop Hughes, at the Man¬ hattan ville convent. He spent some time in New Orleans and St. Louis, afterward locating at Still¬ water. He has since been engaged in the pur¬ suit of his trade, also dealing in horses. In the spring of 1859 he moved to his present farm of three hundred and sixty acres, having about two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation, Mr. Curtis has held several public offices; was deputy sheriff two years, one of the first police of the city of Stillwater, town treasurer and school director at the present time. He married Miss Bridget Fenton in 1849, who has borne him thirteen child¬ ren. The living are: Elizabeth, Daniel, Mary, Thomas, Maggie, Ellen B. and James.

Albert Foss was born in New Hampshire, 1822. In his infancy his parents removed to Maine and here his youthful days were spent. During tlip fall of 1865 he came to Stillwater, and five years later he purchased a farm in the township. In 1865 he enlisted in the engineer corps, serving un¬ til honorably discharged in September of the same year. Returning to 8tillwater he married Miss Mary Clara, the same year, and soon after they removed to their farm. In 1868 Mrs. Foss died. His present wife was Mrs. Caroline Kimburk who has borne him one daughter, Ilermie.

Ilans Hanson was bom in Denmark, 1842. He attended school until the age of fifteen. In 1863 he came to America; after tarrying a short time at Racine, Wisconsin, he proceeded to Stillwater, where he engaged in lumbering on the St. Croix river. He made a visit to his native country in 1870 and returned the year following. He was chiefly engaged after his return as contractor for the rafting of logs, etc. lie settled on his present farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Still¬ water in 1880, and is making many improve¬ ments. In 1871 he married Miss Christine Nel¬ son. Their children are Anne B., Albert C., Jen¬ nie C. and Frederick.

William Heifort is a native of Prussia, bom in 1829. When a young man he learned the miller's trade and engaged in the pursuit of his trade in his native country. In 1854 he crossed to the new world, and about two years later located at Stillwater, and for a number of years worked in the saw and flouring mills at that city. During the spring of 1866 he removed to his farm in the township, which he had purchased the preceeding fall. He has been quite prosperous, and now has a farm of three hundred and fifty acres.

Ilenry A. Jackman was bom in Washington county, Maine. At four years of age he accom¬ panied his parents to New Brunswick, where he received his education. lie returned to Maine at the age of twelve, where he remained until com¬ ing west in 1849, locating at Stillwater. Three years later he purchased his present farm, on which he has since lived. He has also been en¬ gaged in lumbering, for the past six years, being in company with his son-in-law, Russell Pease. Mr. Jackman has been identified with many of the county offices, also in the territorial legisla¬ ture, in 1855 and 1856. He was county commis¬ sioner eight years, and has also held many local offices. In 1870 he was appointed prison warden, in which capacity he served four years. Ilis wife was Miss S. Blanchard, whom he married in 1848. Her mother aged eighty-three resides with them. They are the parents of three children, Mary E.. James E. and Alice.

Frederick C. Jarchow is a native of Germany, bom in 1832. During his younger days he lost his father by death, and at an early age he and his brothers were obliged to begin the battle of life by hard labor. They finally collected enough of their earnings to enable the eldest, Joachim, to cross the seas to America, which he did in 1854. He soon found work, and by his industry and economy soon saved enough to send for his broth¬ ers, Frederick and Theodore. The year follow¬ ing the three brothers were enabled to send for the remainder of the family. In the spring of 1658 Frederick came west to Minnesota, locating at Rush Lake, now called Rush City. Here be made his home until 1863, then removed to Wash¬ ington county, engaging in the quiet occupation of farming in Baytown and Lakeland. lie then located at Stillwater, being in the employ of the saw-mills. He settled on his present farm in Stillwater township in 1871, having ninety acres, also one hundred and ninety-nine acres in Marine township. Ilis marriage with Miss Dorothy Voss occurred in 1855. Their children are Albert, George, August, Emiel and Dorothy.

Edwin R. Jones was born in Indiana, April 6th, 1839. When a lad of eight years he moved with his parents to Rock county, Wisconsin. Here and in St. Croix county he received his education, but was unable to complete his studies on account of almost total loss of his eyesight. He, however, recovered his sight afterwards. His time was taken up in farming in St. Croix county, until 1876 when he purchased his present farm in Stillwater township, from Rev. William T. Boutwell. In 1880 he erected his present residence, which is a nicely proportioned house with ample interior compartments. April 7th,

H1S7Vky Of Washington County

David P. Lyman, one of the earliest pioneers of Stillwater township, and of the eighth genera¬ tion of the Lyman family ,descendents of Richard Lyman Esq., who came over from England in 1631, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1822. When ahoy he moved with his parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, and in 1844 came to Marine, Minnesota. The following year he engaged in the lath manufactory, in 1846 he moved to his farm in Stillwater township, where he has since resided. At Farmingdale, Illi¬ nois, in 1850, he married Anna J. Hanna. Their children are, David H., Arthur A., Mary J., Oscar C., and Maggie II. Mr. Lyman has been justice of the peace many years.

C. Storrs Lyman, a brother of the early settler, David P. Lyman, is a native of Vermont. lie came west to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1833, and ten years later started for the St. Croix Val¬ ley to see the country, etc. He came by boat as far as Point Douglas, then was compelled to walk to Marine, only calling at Stillwater on the way. Selecting lands in the north-eastern part of Still¬ water township he returned to Illinois, and in 1846 moved with his family to the farm. Mr. and Mre. Lyman have had fourteen children, eleven of whom are still living. lie was left a widower by the death of his wife, February 20th, 1878.

Cornelius Lyman, son of C. Storrs Lyman, is a native of Illinois, born August 28th, 1844. He moved to Stillwater with his parents in 1846, where he remained with them until he engaged in the service of his country. He enlisted in 1864 in Company C, Brackett's Battalion, serving un¬ til honorably discharged at Fort Snelling, May, 1866. He then returned to civil life and now has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Still¬ water township. October 31st, 1870, he was mar¬ ried to Miss Ellen Burns, a native of Stillw'ater. Four children have been born to them, Frank D., Katie, Cora and Margaret.

Horace C. Lyman, son of C. Storrs Lyman, was born in Illinois, in 1839. During his infancy he came with his parents to Marine, Illinois, and when a child of seven years accompanied them to Stillwater, where he attended school during that summer, being under the control of Miss Judd.

In the fall they moved their little house with them to their farm. Mr. Lyman is still unmar¬ ried and resides on his farm, which he began im¬ proving in 1864 and on which he built his resi¬ dence in 1870.

Charles Macey is a native of Canada East, bom in 1821. He was made an orphan when thirteen years old, then made his home with a farmer, Mr. Jenny, until reaching his majority. He then started for St. Louis, being obliged to go by canal, steamboat and railroad. Ilis money was all ex¬ pended before arriving at his destination. He found employment near Alton, Illinois, and re¬ mained until the next spring, then entered the employ of the American Fur Company, in whose service he remained until 1848. He was then employed by another fur company for two years. During this time he experienced many adventures and accidents, having been compelled many times to hunt his own food. In 1845 he came to Fort Snelling, thence to Stillwater. The next spring he selected his present farm and on it built a small house in 1848. He located on it in 1850 and has since tilled the soil summers and engaged in teaming winters. His farm con¬ sists of one hundred and seventy-three acres. He married the present Mrs. Macey in 1854, who has borne him eleven children, ten of whom are liv¬ ing, four sons and six daughters.

William II. Newman, is one of Minnesota's sons, born in Stillwater township, January 29lh 1857. His father, Mr. Liberty Newman, settled on the old homestead in 1852, where he lived un¬ til his death in 1876. William, being the oldest son, continues his father's estate, which com¬ prises one hundred and forty acres in Stillwater and two hundred and nine acres in Grant town¬ ship. December 12th, 1878, he married Miss Mary J. Ramsden.

Andrew Richmond was bom in Ireland, 1843. He was reared and educated, under the guidance of his parents until sixteen years of age, when he came to America, landing in Canada in 1860. The following year, he removed to the United States, locating at Peoria, Illinois, where he ac¬ quired a knowledge of brass moulding and finish¬ ing. He became a resident of Stillwater in 1866 resided in the city until his appointment as over¬ seer of the poor farm in 1867. With the excep¬ tion of one year, he has been overseer since

Mr. Richmond owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres. May 3d, 1864, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah Baine, who has borne him two children; George A. and Edmund J. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have, by their untir¬ ing zeal, won the respect of all and established a reputation to be proud of, having proven them¬ selves worthy of their trust.

Alva D. Roe is a native of New York, bom in Dutchess county, in 1825. Here his early days were passed, being reared by his mother, his father having died during his infancy. lie re¬ ceived a common school education, finishing by a course at the Troy Conference Academy, of Ver¬ mont, with a view to entering college. He finally decided to enter the study of law, which he did and was admitted to the bar in New York. He returned to his native place and practiced law five years. He then, with his wife, conducted a school in New England about ten years, and in 1863, that estimable lady departed this life. The year following he attended a course of lectures at the Union Theological Seminary, in New York city, and the next year was licensed as an evangelist, and then entered the service of the Home Missionary society. In 1866 he came to Minnesota, and located at Afton, Washington county, where he presided over the Congrega¬ tional churches at Afton and Lakeland, until 1880, then removed to his farm, which he had previously purchased. He served as county superintendent of schools for several years. He is giving his time and attention to the study and cultivation of small fruits. Ilis present wife was Miss Sarah Burgess, whom he married in 1866. They are the parents of eight children.

W. W. Rutherford was bom in Steuben county, New York. Here he lived until reaching man's estate, and received his education. He came to Stillwater in 1852, and the next year purchased a farm in that township, on which he remained until May, 1868, at that time moving to his present place, situated on the Marine road. He is now dealing in ornamental fruit and shade trees, also shrubbery of all kinds. He married Miss Mary A. Wilcox, in 1831, who died in 1868, leaving six children: Eva, Edward W., Zonie, Cora, George W., and Francis.

J udson A. Smith is a native of Maine, bom in 1820. He afterwards moved with his parents to different parts of the state. After receiving thorough instruction in the blacksmith's trade, at the nge of twenty-five started westward. He became a resident of Stillwater in 1864, where he made his home until he settled in Stillwater as a farmer in 1871, having one hundred and fifty acres, which he purchased a year or two previous. While living in the city he was a black¬ smith, being in partnership with Mr. York. His marriage with Maria Ome took place at Still¬ water, May 20th, 1855. Their children are: Ed¬ ward K., Willis J., Mary E., and Judson A. Jr.