Winona County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (2 of 4 so headed), 1883 (part 2 of 2)

H. D. Peekins, dealer in lubricating and illuminating oils, 20 East Second street. Mr. Perkins is one of the pioneer business men of Winona, having been in active business in this city for a little over a quarter of a century. He is a native of Chatauqua county, New York, and was there in business for the New York & Erie railway company, and, on his own account, for ten years before coming to Winona in 1856. In May. 1857, he opened a grocery store on West Front street, in what was then known as the Washburn warehouse, where the two saloons now are, just above the city waterworks. The following year he removed to the foot of Center street, remained until October 1859, when he took H. C. Haskiu, his brother-in-liiw, into partnership with him and removed his business to the south side of Second street, where S. W. Morgan now is. Mayl, 1803, he moved into a one-storv frame buihiing which he liad put up on lot No. 3, East Third street, which he had recently purchased. This building was destroyed by the great tire of 1862, after he had occupied two months and five days. A temporary location was obtained, and just thiity days from the date of the tire business was resumed at No. 3, in the new building they had erected. April 7, 1869, Mr. Perkins sold out his interest in the grocery to his partner, and opened an oil house, in which business he has now been engaged for over thirteen years. Sales from 1,000 to 1,200 barrels annually. Though not an aflSliated member of the order, before coming to Winona, Mr. Perkins had passed all the chairs of the I.O.O.F., including the encampment, and had represented his lodge at the grand lodge session of 1852, in Buffalo, New York. He is a member of the board of trade of this city, though not actively concerned in its management. He has one son, born in Winona in May, 1859, and now associated with him in business.

G. F. Hubbard, retired, is a native of Swanton, Vermont. In 1841 he went to Boston, Massachusetts, and was in the dry-goods trade there until his removal to Winona in 1856. Was in active business ag a dry-goods merchant in this city from 1868 to 1875. The other years of his residence here he has been princijjally engaged in looking after his own personal estate and money loaning. In 1862 he commenced the erection of what is known as Hubbard's block, a block of four stores, brick with stone basements, the whole frontage 140 feet on Second street, just west of Main, and in 1865 the last store rooms of the block were completed. In No. 4 of this block, Mr. Hubbard conducted his dry-goods business during the eight years he was in trade in this city. Married in 1864 ; in 1875 Mr. Hubbard was wintering in the south for his health, his family being in Chelsea, Massachusetts, when his only children, two boys, aged eleven and four years, were suddenly cut off by diphtheria. Not of robust constitution, the northern winters are quite trying to Mr. Hubbard's health, and his winters are frequently spent in milder clinuites. Of these sojourns he preserves pleasant mementoes in the shape of sea-mosses and ferns in preparing which he is quite an artist. He is one of the prominent members of the Congregational society of this city, his connection with that denomination dating from his removal to Boston in 1881.

Charles N. Wakefield (deceased) was born in Saco, York county, Maine, February 8, 1830, was educated at Thornton Academy in his native place, and at North Yarmouth Academy, and was ready to enter upon his classical course at Bowdoin College, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and intermitted his studies and was in merchandise at Saco for some time before coming to Winona in 1856. He was never in trade in this city, but was employed with real estate and loan mattei's, at first in a small way, the last twelve years of his life to quite a considerable extent. Was one of the early judges of probate for the county, holding that office from spring of 1867 to January, 1869 ; was justice of the peace by appointment in 1865, and held that office by election from 1866 to 1868. He was appointed deputy by E. A. Gerdtzen, clerk of the district court, and so remained until Mr. Gerdtzen retired from that office in 1878. The friendship between these gentlemen fostered during the years of their association in the clerk's office was continued thereafter, and though never in business together, they occupied the same office until the sudden death of Mr. Wakefield, June 6, 1882, of apoplexy. The estate of Mr. Wakefield, largely accumulated during his residence in this city, was something in excess of $50,000, consisting in great part of mortgages, business and residence property in the city, and farming lands in the county. The ' ' Wakefield Block, " the walls of which were not in place when the foundations of his own life were so suddenly moved, remains a monument to his spirit of enterprise, and his confidence in the future prosperity of the city which had been his home for more than a quarter of a century. The ''block" is on the corner of Center and Fourth streets, a beautifully ornate three-story brick structure with stone foundations, dressed stone caps, sills and trimmings and iron cornice, the whole valued at about $12,000. The first floor, covering an area of 4,000 square feet, is without exception the finest storeroom in the city. Mr. Wakefield never married, and his property passes into the hands of an only brother and two sisters, all residing in the east. Personally the deceased was a man of kind disposition, pleasant and polished in social intercourse, though not seeking society, a steadfast friend, strong and unwavering in his convictions and of great tenacity of purpose.

John ISTellson was born in Sweden, in 1821, coming to America in 1856. His parents were farmers, and he worked on his father's farm and among his neighbors. He mai-ried in 1846 Miss Sarah

Lewis, by wlioin he had three children, all of whom died before he left Sweden. In 185(» he settled and built himself a shanty on the present site of the village ot Minneiska, where he has since remained progressing with the village. He was early to answer the call of his atlopted country for defenders, enlisting in the 10th Minn., serving two years and eleven months, being with his regiment under (ren. Sibley to the west and participating in all of the engagements of this command.

Christian Lineteman was born in Germany in 1832, and worked farming until his twenty-fourth year, when he came to this country, going direct to the then village of Winona. He obtained employment in the first lumber-yard ever opened there, continuing to work in the same and in the neighborhood for about ten years. He purchased a farm in Mt. Vernon in 1863, which he has occupied ever since. He married, in 1876, Miss Catherine Eggers, by whom he has had four children, all of whom are living. He is a republican and a member of the Lutheran body. He has filled the position of township treasurer and other offices, and bears the reputation of being a thoroughly reliable, straightforward citizen.

David Nisbit was born in Madrid, New York, January 28, 1841. He received a limited common school education, never having had any o})portunities of attending select schools of any kind. His youth, for fifteen years, was spent on a farm in St. Lawrence count3% New York. Then his father moved to Saratoga, Winona county, Minnesota, and David ran a breaking team for four seasons, when his health failed him, and for several years he was unable to leave the house. As soon as he recovered sufficientl}' he commenced selling machinery. He followed this business two years and then went to selling fruit-trees. In 1872 he went to Rushford and bought a livery-stable, and took charge of it until 1875, when he sold out, and went back to the farm and kept an apiary for several years. In the spring of 1880 he bought a farm in Pleasant Hill township and has since been improving it. He was married to Dyantha Hesslegrave, August 24, 1876. They have two children, David Earl, born March 8, 1877, and Ray Ellsworth, born March 31, 1881.

Samuel W. Spalding was born in Eaton township, Lower Canada, March 16, 1829. He received a common school education in the State of New York, where his father moved about the year of 1834. When twenty-two years old Mr. Spalding went to sea for two years, but tiring of the ocean he quit that business and went to Lockport,

IlliiKns, where lie worked one year. He then went to Houston county, Minnesota, took a claim on Root river, built a claim shant}^ and lived there one year all alone, with no amusement but the ague, with which he suffered most of the time. He sold his claim on Root river and went to La Crescent and took a claim and lived on it one year. He then sold out and came to Pleasant Hill and bought a claim of eighty acres, with small shanty. He built an addition to the shanty, cleared and broke ground until the fall of 1856. He then went to Illinois, and January 15, 1857, he married Sarah J. Hatch, of Dwight, Illinois, and returned to his farm in Pleasant Hill, and has since been improving and adding to the same, till he now has 160 acres of good farming land. They have only one child : James F., born October 18, 1858, and married to Olive M. Clark and living on Sec. 3, of Pleasant Hill township.

Gates & Wardner, general merchandise, Masonic block. This business, as at present conducted, was established in 1878, and the building occupied by them was erected two years later in common with E. S. Johnson & Co. and the masonic bodies of the city. The salesroom fronts twenty-six feet, has a depth of eighty feet, with *a good stone foundation and basement under the whole. Business employs two salesmen. The members of the firm are M. H. Gates and E. S. Wardner. M. H. Gates is a native of New York, from which state he came to Winona county in the spring of 1856, settling in St. Charles, where he opened business with a general stock of goods and continued in trade about six years. From 1862 to 1866 he was engaged in farming, about three and a-half miles from St. Charles, and since the latter date has been in trade in this city. Mr. Gates was mayor of the city during 1879-80, two terras, and is a member of the present city council. He is married and has six children, one of them clerking in his father's store, one, a daughter, teaching in the city schools, and two others attending as pupils. Mr. Gates is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 49, A. F. and A. M., and of Orient Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., both of St. Charles, and a member of Home Commandery, No. 5, of Rochester, this state.

H. C. Parrott &Co., manufacturers of spring and lumber wagons. This business, at present the leading manufacturing industry of St. Charles, has been in successful operation about twenty-four years, during which time it has gi'own from comparatively small beginnings to its present proportions. Their location is on the east side of Whitewater street, the main street of the city, and adjoining the tracks of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad on the south. Their lot fronts 145 feet on Whitewater street and runs to the rear about 300 feet. Upon this lot they have erected the following buildings : one brick blacksmith-shop, 30 X 75 feet ; a two-story machine-shop, 38x75 feet; a two-story wood-shop, 36x50 feet; a one and a-half story wagon and carriage repository, 40 X SO feet, a warehouse 20 X 50 feet, and paint-shop, 40 X 70 feet. These buildings are exclusive of sheds for stock and tlie engine-room in which a twenty-five horsepower Atlas engine supplies motor for the labor-saving machinery of the several departments. The operations of the manufactory employ about twenty-five hands, and the annual manufactured product, including repairs, about $35,000, for wliich a market is found in southern Minnesota and Dakota. Business which had been gradually increasing, reached its maximum in 1878, since which date until the present season there had been a gradual decline. The orders received for the first three months of 1883 and the increasing demands for their goods foreshadow an increase of fully twentj^-five per cent for the year 1883 over any former year of their operations. TKe present members of the firm are H. C. Parrott and Henry Talbott. H. C. Parrott is a native of Oxford, England, from which country he came to America in 1853, settling in Port Sarnia, Canada. Came to Winona county in 1856, and was variously employed until 1859, when he established his present business which he conducted alone one year, then associated with himself Charles Ellsbury and Henry Talbott. In 1865 Mr. Ellsbury retired from the firm and the business has since been conducted as at present. Mr. Parrott has been a member of the city board of education almost continuously for the past fifteen to twenty years, and has also served his fellow-citijjensas head of their municipal government, having been twice mayor of the city. He is also an acceptable member of Rising Sun Lodge, A. F. and A. M. and Orient chapter, R. A. M.

Jacob Feigert, farmer, is a son of Frederick Feigert, who emigrated to America from Hamburg, Germany, in 1837, and settled in Elba in 1856. Jacob Feigert was born in Hamburg on February 24, 1831. He was reared on a farm in Tuscaraugus county, Ohio, attending the common school about a year in all. He was married January 18, 1853, to Sophia, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Pennsylvania ; she was born in Ohio, February 20, 1833. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Feigert came with his father to Elba ; they purchased 120 acres of land on Sees. 13 and 14. The elder now lives in the town of Rolling Stone, this county. In 1866 the subject of this sketch bought eighty acres of land on Sec. 21, where he has since dwelt. By subsequent purchase he acquired eighty acres more, adjoining the first. He now resides in a large and handsome dwelling, and is one of Elba's independent farmers. He is a democrat in politics ; was elected town supervisor in 1868, and also served one year by appointment subsequently. Mr. and Mrs. Feigert are Presbyterians. They have twelve living children, having lost three. Here is the record of births, marriages, etc : Catharine, born October 7, 1855, mari-ied Alexander King and lives in the village of Elba ; Margaret, bom May 12, 1857, married Albert Myers and dwells at Flandreau, Dakota ; Jacob, born December 20, 1859, resides with parents; Elizabeth, born April 20, 1861, married James McCabe (now deceased), resides in Eyota ; Mary, born September 17, 1862, married Isaiah Frey, now living on Sec. 21 ; Sophie, born March 24, 1864 ; William, born January 12, 1867 ; Henry, born July 17, 1869 ; Lucy, born February 18, 1871 ; Albert, born December 12, 1872 ; Edward O., born August 24, 1875 ; Annie C, born November 18, 1877.

Henkt G. Cox, of Saratoga, is one of the early settlers and most substantial citizens of the vicinity. He traces the family history back to the time when four brothers, Benjamin, his great-greatgrandfather, George, John Davenport, and another whose name is forgotten, came from Warwick, England, and settled at Hardwick, Massachusetts. These were stout, hearty, robust specimens of the hardy English yeomanry. The great-grandfather was a captain in the revolution, and Benjamin, the grandfather of Henry, was a waiter to his father. After the war he removed to Barnard, Windsor county, Vermont, where Aurin, the father of Henry, was born. They were among the earliest settlers in the place. His father was one of six children : Gardner, Nancy, Benjamin, Allen, Aurin and Lyman. His grandfather was a farmer and carried on the business of a cooper. Aurin Cox, the father of Henry, was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He learned the trade of a millwright with Joshua Tainge, at Barnard, Vermont. This he followed for a number of years until he lost his health, when he bought a farm near Barnard, Yerraont, where he lived for the remainder of his days. Here Henry, the eldest of the family, had a severe trial carrying on the farm and making a living for the family. His mother was Hortense P. Chamberlain, of Royalton, Yermont, to whom his father was married in 1828. Henry is the eldest of a tamily of seven children : Esther, Edna, Mary Jane, Aurin, Julia and Edna were his sisters and brother. Here on the fai-m lie grew to manhood and received a common school education. In 1850, at the age of twentj-one, he left the parental roof and went to Pierrepont, St. Lawrence county. New York, where he worked in a starch factory for his uncle, Gardner Cox, for near five years. December 25, 185-4, he married Miss Justina Stevens, of Parishville, New York. She was the daughter of Henry Stevens, a millowner of that place. They are the parents of one child, Henry Stevens Cox, born December 25, 18H6. In March, 1855, Mr. Cox came west and stopped for awhile at Rock Ishind, Illinois, 1)ut on account of prevalence of cholera he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and commenced work in the employ of Osgood & Co., where he remained for a year. Thinking to better his fortunes he came west in 1856 and settled on Sees. 7 and 8, in Saratoga township, where he has ever since carried on farming. He owns a splendid farm here and another in Martin county, Minnesota. He is a republican in politics, and his belief in religion is "to do all the good you can and as little harm as possible." Mr. Cox built a neat and comfortable frame residence in 1857, which he still occupies. Mrs. Cox died October 29, 1881, and lies buried at Saratoga burying-ground.

William H. Morrill, farmer, Saratoga township. Mr. Morrill's farm consists of 233 acres of land in Sees. 3 and 4, and its several parts were pre-empted by John Emerson, John B. Brown and Lysander Kately, the whole coming into Mr. Morrill's possession by purchase at various times between April, 1859, and 1866. Mr. Morrill had, however, been a resident of the county for two years prior to securing his present location, his first farm consisting of a forty-acre lot on Sec. 34, St. Charles township, ])urchased of Charles H. Alden, in May, 1857. Mr. Morrill's farm, crops and stock, the season of 1882, were as follows : Bushels of wheat per acre, 17 ; of oats, a small ci-op ; barley, 35 ; corn, 50 ; hay, two tons per acre ; 15 horses, 27 cattle and 12 hogs. William H. Morrill, is a son of Hon. David Morrill, now living in Canterbury, New Hampshire, aged eighty-four years, and long recognized as one of the representative men of that state. William H. is a native of the old Granite State and came to Winona county from the east in 1856. April 26, 1860, he married Miss M. M. Foster. They have two children : the eldest. Miss M. B. Morrill, is teaching school in a school district in

Saratoga township, and the youngest, Willie D., is at home with his parents. Mr. W. H. Morrill enlisted February 11, 1865, in Co. K, 1st Minn. Heavy Art., Capt. Hammond commanding company, was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, March 1 following, and was on duty upon the fortifications there until ordered nortli and mustered out at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, October of that same year. Mr. Foster had two brothers who gave themselves to the service of their country. Alonzo Foster, who enlisted in Co. A, 2d Minn. Inf., who served with that regiment until the close of its service, re-enlisting as a veteran, and participating in Sherman's march to the sea, and was finally mustered out at Fort Snelling when the war closed. The other brother, L. B. Foster, was a captain in the 26th Ohio, was several times wounded, and after suffering untold tortures and permanent disability of eighteen years through spinal disorder, the result of wounds in battle, died in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Morrill are ])rominent members of the Minnesota Anti-Secret Society Association, and communicants of the Congregational church at St. Charles.

Jerry Moran, son of Daniel Moran, was born in the county Tipperary, Ireland, February 2, 1846 ; came with his father to the United States of America in the yeai- 1853, and settled in Connecticut, and from there proceeded to Minnesota in 1856, and settled in the town of Wilson. His mother's maiden name was Margaret Dwana ; his father died in Minnesota in September, 1877, at the age of eightyfive years ; his mother died the year following, at the age of seventytwo. There were eleven children in the family, two died in Ireland, two in Connecticut and one in Minnesota. Jerry, the subject of this sketch, has held the offices of district treasurer and supervisor of the town, owns a splendid farm of 160 acres, is a farmer by profession, a democrat in politics and Roman Catholic in religion.

Gregory & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in crockery and glassware, JSTo. 35 East Second street. This business was established in 1862, in the block east of that where now located ; remained there until 1867, was then removed to the north side of the street, between Lafayette and Center, where business was conducted until 1872, when a move was. made to the south side of the street, two doors east of present location, to which business was removed in 1882. Here they occupy three basements for heavy storage and packing, aggregating 6,000 feet of flooring; a salesroom 22x120, with an elevator in the rear and a storeroom overhead, 50x130 feet, with side shelving, staging, galleries and every appliance for economizing space. The house employs a clerical force of three, two traveling salesmen and ten hands. Business extends west to the Missouri river, north to Lake City, to Fargo on the North Pacific railway and eastward to the Wisconsin river. Yearly sales are considerably in excess of $50,000. The house is represented on the Winona board of trade. The members of the firm are A. S. Gregory, Geo, W. Gregory and E. S. Gregory. Mr. A. S. Gregory, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Frorae, England, born February 15, 1S20. In 1827 he came to America with his father, who was a manufacturer of woolen goods. In 1856 Mr. A. S. Gregory removed to Winona county, settling in Stockton, where he |)urchased the old frame sawmill on the water-power there, which had been erected by J. II. Hurd the previous year. This Mr. Gregory converted into a flouring-raill, the first built in the county, which he operated until 1860, when he sold out to Mr. H. Sherry, and two years later opened his crockery business in this city. Geo. W. Gregory is a native of Massachusetts, and removed to Wisconsin from his native state in 1852. Five years later Mr. Gregory removed to Winona and was in the drug and book house of Bingham, Benson & Co. until 1862, when he left this city for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Remaining there one year, he returned to Winona and entered the crockery house of A. S. Gregory, as a partner in that business. E. S. Gregory, son of A. S. Gregory, the founder of the firm, has been connected with the house for the past five years.

Nathan Harris, son of Alpheus and Rebecca Harris, was born in King's county. Nova Scotia, February 22, 1813 ; was educated in the common school ; came to the United States in 1845 ; landed in Boston, and from there went to New Hampshire, where he was married September 22, 1846, to Miss Martha W. Fuller, daughter of Cajjt. Edward and Patty Fuller, her mother's maiden name being Patty Upham. They emigrated to Minnesota in 1856 and settled in the town of Wilson. Have had three children : Lucilla, the eldest, was born November 25, 1847, and died May 15, 1872. at the age of twenty-five. She is spoken of by all who know her as a very amiable and highly accomplished young lady, the only girl, and the ])ride of the family; Edward F. was born March 28, 1850, and Orlando U. was born May 2, 1854. Mr. Harris owns a nice farm four miles from the city of Winona, in Pleasant valley, besides other lands. Mrs, Harris' father, Capt. Edward Fuller, served in the war of 1812 ; was captain of a company ; came to Minnesota with Nathan Harris ; died in 1865, and is buried in the cemetery in Pleasant valley. Nathan belongs to the Congregational church, is a democrat in politics.

Francis Faeanswoth, farmer, is another old settler whose career is a good example of what industry, integrity and perseverance will accomplish. Coming into the township in 1856 with little or no capital except excellent health and a strong right arm, he has accumulated considerable property and one of the handsomest homes in the county. He is a native of Massachusetts, being born at Medford in 1826 ; his family moved into Michigan in 1846 and he came with them. He marrfed in 1848 Miss. Sarah Cobb, and remained in Michigan farming until the spring of 1856, when he came to Whitewater, where he has been a resident ever since. Few men enjoy the respect and esteem i^f the community in a greater degree than Mr. Faranswoth.

John Laemkuhl, farmer, was born in Germany in 1806. He was brought up as an agricultural laborer, and worked at his occupation until he was fifty years of age, when he emigrated to America, arriving in 1856, coming direct to Kollingstone, where he purchased the farm he now occupies. He was married in Germany in 1853, to Sophia Brown, and two sons and two daughters have blessed their union. Mr. Laemkuhl, by frugality and industry, has accumulated considerable property, and is much respected by his neighbors. He is a Lutheran, and is independent in politics.

Ira Canfield was born in Tompkins county. New York, January 14, 1822. His parents were Herman and Unice Smith Russell. His father was a carpenter and joiner in his earlier business life, but latterly followed farming. Mr. Canfield was reared a farmer and has always followed it as a means of livelihood. January 1, 1843, he was married to Julia Ann Orway, by whom he became the father of five children, named respectively Hattie, George, Charley, Stella and Julia. From New York Mr. Canfield removed to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1852, where Mrs. Canfield died September 12, 1856. In the autumn of this year he came to this county and settled at Troy. Some time after coming here he was married to Miss Rebecca Dunkinson, by whom he has no children. He is a democrat in politics, and has held the ofiice of constable for Saratoga township for five years.

Ware, New Hampshire ; his father, Hiram Nicholls, was also born in Ware, as was his mother Sarah Dearborn. April 4, 1831, is the date of birth of the subject of this sketch. After attending the district school of his native town till sixteen years of age he entered a clothing factory, where he was employed as pressman, and this occu])ation he followed for nine years. He was married January 9, 1854, to Harriet M. Philbrick, who was born in Ware, December 11, 1834; her father, George Philbrick, was a native of New Hampshire, and her mother, Mariali Burnham, was born in England. In May, 1856, Mr. Nicholls came to Elba, and purchasing 100 acres of land on Sec. 10, engaged in farming ; his family arrived the following November. Mr. Nicholls was possessed of more than the average ability, and soon took a prominent part in the management of public affairs. He was an adherent of the democratic party on political issues. He was town clerk ffom 1860 to 1868 inclusive, except in 1862 ; was assessor for the ten years succeeding 1869, excepting 1872. In 1860 he was appointed postinaster at Elba, but resigned two years later. In 1867 Mr. Nicholls sold his farm and bought a half-interest in a flouring-mill at Chatfield, removing to that place in September ; after a year's residence there he returned to Elba and engaged in farming on Sec. 5. Here he died March 1, 1880, and the following year his family removed to Fairwater, whei-e they now reside. Mr. Nicholls' religious faith was universalism, a belief also embraced by his family. His four children all reside together with their mother. Their names and dates of birth are as follows : Benjamin F., June 1, 1859 ; Clinton A., September 24, 1862 ; Hattie s'.. May 26, 1868 ; Charles H., August 17, 1872. Nicholas Roberts, farmer, became a citizen of Elba in 1856, when he purchased 40 acres of land on Sec. 10. In August of that year he married Miss Josephine Klein, of this town, from whom he was afterward divorced. They had one child, Albert, who was born May 17, 1857, and is now living in the adjoining town of Quincy, Olmsted count3^ Mr. Roberts was born in Luxemburg, February 24, 1831. His f^ither was a farnoier, and he lived the youth of a German farmer's boy. At twenty years of age he emigrated to America, and spent five years in the State of New York, where he was employed in rutming a sawmill engine. Removing thence, he came to Elba, as above noted. He afterward bought 120 acres of land on Sec. 4, where his present home is located. His farm lies on the upland prairie, and is handsome and pro- ductive. He was married April 18, 1865, to Elizabeth Neiheiser, who was born in Wittel, Prussia, August 10, 1842. They have four children, and are all members of the Roman Catholic church. The names and dates of birth of the children are as follows : Mary Louisa, February 26, 1866 ; Peter, January 8, 1868 ; Mary, April 13, 1871; John, April 10, 1874.

James Tierney, farmer, was born in County Galway, Ireland. His father, Mark Tierney, was a farmer and gave his son a common school education. On arriving at majority, young Tierney emigrated to America ; he spent his first year in the country in a woolen factory at Millville, Massachusetts ; the next three years were spent in New York city. He was married there in 1852 to Mary Rodigan, who was born in County Galway in 1833. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Tierney came to Winona and worked for some time on the Winona & St. Peter railroad, then in process of construction. He afterward rented land, which he tilled in the town of St. Charles, and in 1858 bought 40 acres on Sec. 35 in Elba; twenty years later he purchased 120 acres on Sees. 26 and 35, and now has a tine farm. Mr. Tierney is a democrat, and a member of the St. Charles Roman Catholic church, as are all his family. He has eight living children, as follows: Mary E., born September 2, 1853, married John King and lives in Ripley, Dodge county ; Martin, born November 5, 1855; John, Thomas, Catharine E., Margaret, Etta and Dora.