Blue Earth County, Minnesota

Biographies

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JOHN R. SWEARINGEN. The standard by which to judge a community is the character of its prominent citizens. Progress is rarely, if ever, the result of chance, but always the execution of well-laid plans based on a thorough comprehension of the laws of business. It is only by keeping in view the lives of men who are ever associated in the busy marts of commerce that we can judge of the importance of development and the possibilities of progress. Thus it is that from the commercial more than the literary or political side the most valuable lessons of life are to be extracted. In this connection, as a gentleman whose business qualifications have proven of the best, as indicated by the numerous enterprises he has brought to a successful issue, a brief biographical sketch is given of John R. Swearingen, president and manager of the Montana Sash and Door Company of Billings, Montana. Mr. Swearingen was born on his father's farm in Blue Earth county; Minnesota, February 1, 1861, and is a son of Abraham and Amy (Allen) Swearingen.

As a young man Abraham Swearingen moved to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, from his native state of Illinois, and took up a homestead among the pioneers of the state. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in a Minnesota regiment and went to the front, but at the time of the Indian uprising he returned to Minnesota and took an active part in subduing the hostilities. He stood in the third tier of soldiers when thirty-eight Indians were hung for their depredations in Mankato. On securing his honorable discharge from the service, after a brave and meritorious service, Mr. Swearingen returned to his farm and developed one of the valuable properties of his locality. Subsequently he became interested in the manufacture of brick and finally disposed of his farm and moved to West Union, Iowa, where he identified himself with the furniture business and later with the lumber business at Perry, Dallas county, Iowa, but about fifteen years ago retired from business activities. Mr. Swearingen, who is now in his eightieth year, is an honored member of Perry Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He was married in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, to Miss Amy Allen, a native of New York State, and she died in 1908, at the age of sixty-eight years, having been the mother of two children: Allie, who died at the age of six years, and John R.

John R. Swearingen attended the common schools of Blue Earth County, Minnesota, and West Union, Iowa, and at the latter place was also a student in Professor S. S. Ainsworth's private school. When only fifteen years of age, and while still pursuing his studies, the youth displayed marked business ability in the flour and feed line, and when he was sixteen years old he secured a position with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad as bill clerk. While acting in this capacity he learned telegraphy, and at the age of eighteen was made operator and agent at Oelwein, Iowa, for the same railroad, being the youngest agent on the line at that time. Deciding that there was no future for him in the railroad business, after three years in the service Mr. Swearingen resigned and accepted a position with Burch & Kenyon, who were engaged in the lumber business, and with whom he continued for about three years. At the end of that time he decided that he had mastered the details of the business sufficiently to engage therein on his own account, and accordingly established himself as a lumber merchant at Perry, Iowa, where he continued to be located from 1883 until 1901. The latter year marked his selling out and the disposing of his string of yards through Iowa, and his next-connection was with the firm of the Huttig Manufacturing Company, of Muscatine, Iowa, who made sash, doors, etc., and Mr. Swearingen was made vice-president.

In 1906 a business was established in Billings, and on February r, 1911, this latter business was reorganized under the firm name of the Montana Sash and Door Company, with a capital stock of $500,000, Mr. Swearingen being president and manager and R. C. Cardell secretary. The Billings Company is doing a large and lucrative business throughout the Yellowstone valley and has handled numerous contracts of an extensive nature. Under Mr. Swearingen's able management the business has grown steadily, and it is now considered one of the substantial industries of the city. In fraternal circles he is well known in Masonry, belonging to Ottley Lodge, No. 44, A. F. & A. M., of Perry, Iowa; and Gerard Commandery, K. T., No. 56, and Palmyra Chapter, R. A. M., also of that city, he being one of the organizers of the commandery, and he also belongs to Des Moines Consistory, S. R., and Za Ga Zig Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines. He is a member of Billings Lodge, No. 394, B. P. 0. E., and is vice-president of the Billings Club. In political matters he is a Republican, but has not actively entered the political field.

While a resident of Oelwein, Iowa, in 1881, Mr. Swearingen was married (first) to Miss May Redfield, who died in February, 1883, leaving one daughter, Mabel, a graduate of St. Catherine Hall, an Episcopal school at Davenport, Iowa, and now the wife of Arthur Peddecard, of Perry, Iowa. Mr. Swearingen's second marriage occurred December 20, 1888, when he was united to Miss Florence Cardell, who was born at Malcolm, Iowa, daughter of Leander and Emma L. (Chapman) Car dell. Leander Cardell was born in Warren, Vermont, in 1835, was educated in Vermont, and during, the gold excitement, went to California, making the trip around the Horn. After spending three years in California as a miner he returned to his native state, but subsequently removed to Iowa and became a pioneer farmer and stockraiser of Poweshiek County, There he resided until 1880. In that year he removed to Perry, Dallas County, where he engaged in the real estate and loan business until 1895 and then retired from business activity. A prominent Republican, he took an active interest in political matters, rose to a high position in the ranks of his party and served as a member of the Iowa state legislature. He was a faithful member of the Congregational church in the faith of which he died in 19o7, when seventy-two years of age. He married Emma L. Chapman, a native of Ohio, who survives him, and they had a family of five children, three of whom died in infancy, while the survivors are: Robert C., secretary of the Montana Sash and Door Company of Billings, and Florence, who married Mr. Swearingen. Mr. and Mrs. Swearingen have one daughter, Irene, who in 1909 graduated from the National Cathedral, an Episcopal Institute of Washington, D. C., taking the highest honors ever secured by a student up to that date.

A History of Montana – Volume I: Helen Fitzgerald Sanders

The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York :1913

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Pages 1729 - 1730

BRUCE ANSON CUMMING. In the field of farm loans and real estate, a line of business which demands great ability and comprehensive knowledge of values, Bruce Anson Cumming has made a decided success of his operations at Lewistown. He has achieved and enviable position in business circles, not alone because of the brilliant success which he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. He has demonstrated in his career the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, but the outcome of clear judgment and experience.

Mr. Cumming was born on his father's farm in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, September 24, 1879, a son of William and Isabella A (Treanor) Cumming, natives of Canada. William Cumming was born in 1834, and on first coming to the United States as a young married man settled at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, but subsequently moved to Minnesota, where he became a pioneer of Blue Earth County. There he took up wild land, established his home, and in time developed a substantial and productive farm, upon which he died in 1909, at the age of seventy-five years, after having completed a useful and honorable career. He was first a whig and later a republican in politics, but did not desire public office. Mrs. Cumming, who was born in 1840, survives her husband and resides on the old Minnesota homestead. Of the family of four sons and three daughters, six children are living. The parents were God-fearing people and church members, and the children were reared to lives of honesty and industry.

The fifth in order of birth of his parents' chidren. Bruce Anson Cumming attended the public schools of Blue Earth County, Minnesota, the Dixon Business College and the Illinois Normal School, and in Igo' secured his first employment, as assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Minnesota Lake, Minnesota. After about three and one-half years in that capactiy he removed to Hope, North Dakota, where he was bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Hope, a position in which he also had charge of the bank's general insurance business. After about three years he went to Blabon, North Dakota, and became cashier of the Blabon State Bank. This position he also held for about three years, but in the spring of 1911 came to Lewistown, where he established himself in the farm loans and real estate business, in which he has since continued with much success. His office is situated at No. 305 Montana Building. Mr. Cumming is essentially a product of the growing, progressive Northwest, aggressive, enterprising and energetic, alive to the fast-appearing opportunities and strict in his conception of business ethics and principles. He is a republican in his political adherence, and while residing at Blabon served as school treasurer and township clerk. He first became a member of Occidental Lodge No. 27, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Hope, North Dakota, but after centering his activities at Lewistown demitted and became a member of Lewistown Lodge No. 37. He belongs also to Lewistown Lodge No. 456 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On February 17, 1913, Mr. Cumming married Miss Edna M. Woodrum, and to this union there have been born two sons and one daughter: Mark Clinton, Donald William and the infant daughter.

Montana, Its Story and Biography

American Historical Society, Chicago, 1921

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Pages 103 – 104

HARRY H. AUSTIN is a member of the Big Timber bar, and came to Montana after fifteen years of a successful practice in his native State of Minnesota. He was born in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, December 27, 188r. His paternal ancestors were .from Scotland. His grandfather, Reuben Austin, was born in New York State in 18o9, and when about middle age he moved west and became a pioneer farmer in Rock County, Wisconsin. During the '7os he went out to Minnesota, and again did pioneering as a farmer in Blue Earth County, where he died in 1900. Orville H. Austin, father of the Big Timber lawyer, was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1837. He spent his early life in Rock County, Wisconsin, where he married and where he followed the business of carpenter and builder. In 1876 he moved to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, followed his trade there, but since 1900 has lived retired at Minneapolis. He is a very staunch democrat in his political affiliations and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Orville H. Austin married Loretta Earl, who was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, in 1846. Charles, the oldest of their children, was a telegraph operator and died in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, in 1893. Viola, whose home is in Minneapolis, is the wife of Dr. E. C. Anderson, who is well known to the medical profession in Montana, having practiced at Billings, Anaconda and Missoula, and from the latter city joined the Medical corps of the army, rose to the rank of major, and his last professional services with the army were rendered at New York :City. Frank L. Austin is cashier of the Thompson State Bank at Thompson Falls. Sanders County, Montana. Della is the wife of John Costin, a mine operator in the Iron Range of Minnesota at Virginia. Joseph Earl is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law Department and is practicing law at Chisholm, Minnesota. Winnie, the sixth of the family, died in infancy, and the youngest is Harry H.

Harry H. Austin acquired his early education in the -public schools of Good Thunder and Mankato, Minnesota, graduating from the Minneapolis High School in 1902 and then entered the law department of the University of Minnesota. He received his LL. B. degree in 1905. He is a member of the legal fraternity Delta Chi. Mr. Austin began his practice at Chisholm, Minnesota, in 1905, and developed a fine business as a lawyer there. He served as city attorney, also as a member of the school board, and still has property in Minnesota. He came to Big Timber in December, 1918, and is already busy with a general civil and criminal practice, his offices being in the Masonic Building. He helped organize the Sweetgrass County Good roads Association and is its secretary and treasurer. He is also a member of the Big Timber Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors. He is a republican in politics, and a member of the State Bar Association of Minnesota, and is affiliated with Chisholm Lodge No. 1334, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1909, at St. Paul, he married Miss Clyde Pennington, a daughter of Wellington and Bertha (Reed) Pennington. Her father, who was in the livery business, died at St. Paul in 1910. Her mother now lives in New York City. Mrs. Austin is a graduate of the St. Paul High School and the State Normal at Winona, Minnesota. To their marriage were born three children: Don, born August 23, 1910 ; Barbara, born April 5, 1913 ; and Joseph, born June 24, 1918.

Montana, Its Story and Biography

American Historical Society, Chicago, 1921

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Pages 117

JOHN R. SWEARINGEN. An influential and highly respected citizen of Yellowstone County, John R. Swearingen, of Billings, president of the Montana Sash & Door Company, has achieved distinction in the business life of the city, and by reason of his ability, tact and integrity has gained a leading position in industrial manufacturing and-mercantile circles of this section of the state. A son of Abraham T. Swearingen, he was born February 1, 1861, in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

His paternal grandfather, John Swearingen. was a native of Illinois, and in the Prairie State grew to a vigorous manhood. Casting his lot early in life with the pioneers of Minnesota, he settled in Martin County, and there established the first flour mill erected west of Dubuque. He continued a resident of that county until his death at Fairmont at the venerable age of ninety-two years. On the paternal side he came of Dutch ancestry, the Swearingen’s from whom he was descended having emigrated from Holland to America in colonial days.

He married a Miss Brown who was also a native of Illinois.

Abraham T. Swearingen, a native of Illinois, was born in Champaign County in 1829. He attended the pioneer schools of his day, and while vet a boy was initiated into the mysteries of farming as then carried on, very little machinery being then in use. Going to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, when a young man, he began life for himself as a farmer, and in the pioneer task of putting his land under cultivation met with good success. In i8So he removed to West Union, Iowa, where he started in an entirely different line of business, opening first a furniture store and later becoming a lumber dealer at Perry, Iowa. In the latter industry he met with good results, and continued a resident of Perry until his death in 1915. During the Civil war, almost immediately after its out: break, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and with the exception of the time he returned to his home to defend his family from the last Indian outbreak in that locality served until the surrender of Lee on April 9, 1865. A republican in politics, he was ever loyal to the interests of his party. He married Amy Allen, who was born in New York State in 1834, and died at Perry, Iowa, in 1914, at the good old age of eighty years. They had but one child. John R., of whom we write.

After leaving the public schools of Blue Earth County, where he was born, John R. Swearingen continued his studies at West Union, Iowa, taking a preparatory course under the tuition of Prof. S. S. Ainsworth, head of a private school. When but sixteen years old he entered the service of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad Company, with which he remained six years as telegraph operator. In 1879, at Perry, Iowa, he embarked in the lumber business, beginning in a very humble position in the yard and gradually worked his way upward until he had managed the details of the business. In 1882 Mr. Swearingen bought the yard in which he had formerly been employed, and for twenty years carried on a substantial business as a dealer in lumber. Selling out in 1902, he was associated with the Hang Manufacturing Company at Muscatine, Iowa, for four years, serving as its vice president. In 1906, still retaining his connection with the company, he came to Billings, Montana, as manager of its branch house, a responsible position that he filled most ably and satisfactorily. He subsequently organized the Montana Sash & Door Company, which was incorporated January 20, 1911, with the following named officers: J. R. Swearingen, president, and R. C. Cardell, secretary and treasurer. This company is carrying on an extensive and remunerative business in sash, doors and interior finishing material, and does all kinds of mill work, either plain or decorative, its plant and offices being advantageously located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Broadway. From this plant its products are shipped .to all parts of Eastern Montana and Northern \Nyoming, its trade being large and constantly growing. Mr. Swearingen has other property interests a,. of value, owning a commodious residence, 301 Clark Avenue, and at Judith Basin has an immense ranch, containing 1,350 acres of good land** He has been actively identified with various other enterprises, but his present business has reached such proportions that it requires his entire time and attention, and he has been forced to dispose of his other interests, although he is one of the directors of the Billings Gas Company. Politically Mr. Swearingen is a strong republican.

Fraternally he is a member of Perry, Iowa, Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Almyra Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Perry Commandery, Knights Templar; of Zagazig Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and of Des Moines, Iowa, Consistory, being a thirty-second degree Mason, Socially he belongs to the Billings Golf and Country Club.

Mr Swearingen married first, in 1881, at West Union, Iowa, Miss May Redfield, who was born in that town in 1861, and died at Oelwein, Iowa, in 1882, Their only child, Mabel, a graduate of Saint Catherine’s Hall at Davenport, Iowa, married A Peddecord, a traveling salesman, residing in Perry Iowa. Mr Swearingen married for his second wife, at Perry, Iowa, in 1886, Miss Florence Cardell, a daughter of Leander and Emma Cardell, and of this union one child has been born. Irene, wife of George Arnott, Jr., of Billings, a well known attorney. Mrs Arnott is a woman of culture and refinement, who has had excellent educational advantages, having been graduated from the National Cathedral at Washington, District of Columbia.

Montana, Its Story and Biography

American Historical Society, Chicago, 1921

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Pages 202-203

ALBERT DALLUGE The subject of this sketch is one of the versatile and broad-minded citizens of Otter Tail county, where he has established his family in a comfortable home, the foundation of American happiness, the country which he, like many others of his native land, has adopted as his permanent home. Unlike many of our rural citizens, Mr. Dalluge has never allowed his methods and habits to become fixed, or his ideas to follow a rut. He keeps himself informed as to what is going on. in the outside world.

Albert Dalluge, farmer, Fergus Falls township, Otter Tail county, was born on August 3, 1869, in Germany, and is a son of Julius and Caroline (Oehlke) Dalluge. His education was received in Germany, coming alone to America in 1882. His first employment in this country was in a harvest field, after which he worked in the timber, and was later associated with his father on a farm. On March 18, 1914, Mr. Dalluge bought his present splendid farm, consisting of two hundred and forty-four acres, his special attention being directed to general farming and stock-raising. Prior to the purchase of his present homestead, he farmed with his father for nine years, and in 1903 he went to Brown County, Minnesota, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres, which he sold in 1913. Politically, Mr. Dalluge is a stanch Republican, while his religious sympathies are with the German Lutheran church.

Julius Dalluge, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on September 21, 1838, in Germany, and was united in marriage with Caroline Oehlke, who was also born in Germany. They came to America about 1883, locating in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where they have since resided. .

Albert Dalluge was united in marriage with Minnie Lehman, by whom he has bad the following children: Walter, Eleanor (who became the wife of John Sorensen), Mahala, Paul and Clarence.

By his upright principles and his interest in the welfare of his fellow man, Mr. Dalluge is regarded as one of the worthy and honorable citizens, whose character is beyond question.

History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, Volume I: John W Mason, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 139

BURTON H. MATHEWS. Born in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, June I, 1874, Burton H. Mathews, a prosperous farmer of Maine Township, is the son of Washington and Ellen (Drake) Mathews, who were natives of Ohio and Wisconsin, respectively. Mr. Mathews' father was born in Ohio, March 10, 1832, and his mother in Wisconsin, February 4, 1844. Washington Mathews was a farmer all of his life. He farmed in Ohio and in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Late in life he sold his farm and, for a time, operated a supply store in a small town. Washington Mathews came to Otter Tail County, Minnesota, in 1885, and purchased forty acres in Maine Township, where he lived for ten years. This farm was located in section 33, the same section in which his son's (Burton) farm is now situated. While visiting in Canada with his daughter, Mrs. Bessie Bunse, Mr. Mathews died in September, 1909. His wife had died more than two years previously, June 17, 1907. They were the parents of four children, of whom one, Leroy, is deceased. The living children are: Burton H., the subject of this sketch; Blanche and Bessie.

Burton H. Mathews was educated in the graded schools of Maine Township after coming to Otter Tail county. Eleven years ago he purchased a farm of eighty acres, where he now lives, but the place is rented to Charles Turman. Mr. Mathews purchased this farm for six dollars an acre and, at the time, it was all wild land. Forty acres 'of the farm, however, has been cleared. Shortly after purchasing the farm, Mr. Mathews built a new house. The buildings are all new and well painted and reveal the thrift of the owner. Mr. Mathews is unmarried. He is well known throughout this section of the county and is well liked by all who know him.

History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, Volume I: John W Mason, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 406 – 407

WILLIAM J. HENDERSON. Born in Canada, April 13, 1864, William J. Henderson, a prosperous farmer of Inman Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, is the son of Frank and Sarah (McKnight) Henderson. Mr. Henderson's father was a native of Ireland and his mother of New York State, born at Albany. The former came to Canada from Ireland and after his marriage in Canada, moved to Blue Earth, Minnesota, in 1.865, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1879 he came to Otter Tail County and settled in Elmo Township, taking a homestead in section 30. He died on this old homestead farm in 1904, at the age of sixty-five. His wife died about 1900, at the age of fifty-five. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, Jennie, William. Marietta and Marion (twins), Frank, Sarah, Anna and David.

William Henderson was reared on a farm in Blue Earth County. Minnesota. He was educated in the public schools of that county and accompanied his parents in 1879 to Otter Tail County, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1896 Mr. Henderson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 21, of Inman Township. He is a general farmer and stockman and has been very successful.

In 1891 William J. Henderson was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, who was born in Wisconsin and who is the daughter of George and Harriet (Hodgson) Park. They came to Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, June 7, 1871. Mrs. Henderson's father died in 1900, but her mother is still living, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Henderson have nine children, all of whom are living, Alice, Frank, William, John, Sidney, Olando, Reuben, Nellie and Guy.

Mr. Henderson has served as township clerk of Inman Township for nineteen years. He was also clerk of the school board for twenty years. The Henderson’s are members of the Methodist church.

History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, Volume I: John W Mason, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 253 – 254

E. G. MARSTON, a pioneer of May, 1884, was born in Canada in 1861, but when only four years old was taken by his parents to Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He grew to manhood on a farm in that state, then came to Washington and took as a homestead one hundred and sixty acres of land on Pleasant prairie and also purchased a tract of railroad land. Since then he has been engaged in farming continuously—making a specialty of dairying. He has a fine farm, well improved and stocked with high-grade cattle and hogs. He also has a nice orchard of about eight acres. As a citizen, Mr. Marston has occupied a leading place in his community, having held the offices of justice of the peace and road supervisor and having always taken a lively and intelligent interest in the affairs of local concern in the neighborhood. He is well liked and highly respected by the people in his vicinity. He was married in Spokane county, in 1885, to Elizabeth Terry,. of .Minnesota, and they are parents of three children, W. Ray, Edson Leon and David Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Marston are members of the Pleasant Prairie Methodist church.

An Illustrated History of Spokane County, State of Washington : Rev. Jonathan Edwards

W H Lever, Publisher, 1900

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 498

HERBERT W. DART, a pioneer of 1879, was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, in 1849. When he was quite young his family moved to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he learned the miller's trade and was employed in that line of work until 1877. He then went to the Black Hills, Dakota, was with the scouts and in the saw-milling business there for a year or more, after which he moved to California, then up to Seattle, thence to Walla Walla and from there to Spokane, traveling on horseback. He took a homestead on Pleasant prairie, but after making final proof moved to a point subsequently named Dartford in his honor, on the Little Spokane river, eight miles north of the city of Spokane. Here he erected a mill and operated it as a saw mill until 1895, then changed it to a flour mill, its present capacity being seventy-five barrels per day. He also owns a half interest in the Cable Roller Mills at Post Falls, Idaho, which have a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five barrels per day. Mr. Dart is one of the oldest mill men in this county and the first miller who ever worked for wages in Spokane. He has seen much of the early development of this region and has been a not inconsiderable factor in that development himself. He is, perhaps, one of the most widely known men in this county, especially among the older residents, and he is highly esteemed and respected by all. He was married in 1891 to Mila Sellye, a native of Minnesota.

An Illustrated History of Spokane County, State of Washington : Rev. Jonathan Edwards

W H Lever, Publisher, 1900

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 516

JOHN B. McDONALD, deceased, a pioneer of 1882, was born in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, January 2, 1845. He was the first white child born in that county. His father was an officer in the United States army and in 1830 had been sent into Wisconsin to keep the Indians quiet. Mr. McDonald resided in the neighborhood in which he was born until nineteen years old, receiving a public school education, then started to do for himself. He visited New York state and Vermont, and finally entered the service of the United States government, his duty being to take horses to the front for the use of the army. He was present in Washington at the time of Lincoln's assassination, and was detailed for a short time to guard the city limits in order, if possible, to prevent the escape of the assassin.

A little later Mr. McDonald went to Baltimore, where he was taken sick with fever and ague, and practically laid up for two years, but at intervals he was able to do a little at the business he then followed, namely, putting in lightning rods for the protection of buildings. In 1867, he returned to his old home in Wisconsin and farmed a year, afterwards going to

Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He followed farming there one summer and in the fall purchased a threshing machine and engaged in that industry. A serious accident befell him, however. His foot was caught in the cogs of the power, laying him up for two years completely and making him permanently lame. In 18,71 he bought railroad land, and for a while &- lowed farming and teaming, but eventually sold out and engaged in selling farm implements, wagons, etc., for an eastern firm. Two years later, he was called home to take charge of his father's farm, and he was engaged in agricultural pursuits there and at Fond du Lac for the next four years, but in 1878 he removed to Petaluma, California.

After farming there also for a number of months Mr. McDonald started via Portland, for this valley, but, owing to the Indian outbreak, wintered on the Lewis River, where the next spring he engaged in the dairy business. Shortly afterwards, he moved to a place thirty miles from The Dalles, and here Mr. McDonald worked in a sawmill until 1882. He then tried farming again, but lost everything by grasshoppers.

In the fall of 1882 he reached Walla Walla, the point he had started for so many years before, and the next spring he took a homestead on Eureka flat. He was a farmer in that neighborhood until 1891, when he moved into the city of Walla Walla for the benefit of his children. He died on March 27, 1893.

Mr. McDonald was for many years one of the leading men in his part of the county serving in almost all the local offices and once refusing the nomination for county commissioner. He was married in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, February 27, 1873, to Miss Eliza L. Sharratt, a native of Wisconsin, who assisted her husband by teaching and in every way in her power to acquire the competency they enjoyed before his death. She is now the owner of one thousand one hundred and twenty acres of land in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. McDonald became parents of five children: John H., an attorney in Walla Walla, who has the honor of having served in the Philippine war as a member of the First Washingtons; Elsie M., now Mrs. Edward H. Bradbury; Jessie E., a student in the Washington Agricultural College, at Pullman; and Lila G., a student in the public schools, also William F., who died at the age of eighteen. The family affiliate with the First Presbyterian church of Walla Walla, and Mrs. McDonald also belongs to the Woody Glen Circle, Women of Woodcraft, and to the Order of Washington.

An Illustrated History of Walla Walla County, State of Washington : Professor W D Lyman

W H Lever, Publisher, 1901

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 425 – 426

HENRY C. BEISE, D. M. D. Dr. Henry C. Beise, well-known dentist at Windom, former councilman and now a member of the school board of that city, who has been practicing his profession at Windom since 1896, is a native son of Minnesota, born on a farm in Medo township, Blue Earth county, this state, December 16, 1872, son of August and Sophia (Lader) Beise, the former a native of Germany, born on October 13, 1835, and the latter of New York City, born in 1842, both of whom later came West, locating in Wisconsin, where they were married, and thence to Minnesota, becoming pioneers of Blue Earth county, their last days being spent in the village of Mapleton, that county.

August Beise received his schooling in his native land and was fourteen years of age when his parents, Henry Beise and wife, came to the United States with their family in 1849, settling in Dodge county, Wisconsin. Henry Beise, the grandfather, homesteaded a farm in that county and there established his home; later he came to this state and bought a farm in Winona county in 1866, continuing, however, to hold his land in Wisconsin, and became a substantial pioneer of Winona county, where he spent the rest of his life, his last days being spent in the village of Lewistown; his widow later moved to Good Thunder, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, 'and resided there until her death. August Beise grew to manhood in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and there he homesteaded a tract of land, which he presently sold to advantage and bought another farm in that same county. He married there Sophia Lader in 1859, who was born in the city of New York, daughter of Jacob and Mena (Lutz) Lader, the former of whom was born in France on February 22, 1812, who came to this country, locating

in New York City, but after about two years' residence there came West and homesteaded a farm in Dodge county, Wisconsin, later, in 1866, coming to Minnesota and settling in Blue Earth county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Jacob Lader entered a homestead claim in Blue Earth county and there established his home, becoming a substantial pioneer farmer. His wife died in 1869, two years after settling in the new home, and he thereafter made his home with his daughter, Mrs. August Beise, in Medo Township, that same county, until his death, in 1899.

It was in 1866 also that August Beise and wife moved from Wisconsin to Blue Earth County. They first bought a quarter section in Lyra Township, where they lived for about three years, at the end of which time they moved over into Medo township and bought another quarter section, on which they lived for five years, when they bought an adjoining farm of three hundred and twenty acres, where they lived until 1900, in which year they retired from the farm and moved to the village of Mapleton, where their last days were spent, Mrs. August Beise dying on July 7, 1904, and August Beise, December 24, 1915. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh in order of birth, the others being as follow : Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; Amelia, wife of John, Frey, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Edward, who is living on and operating the old Beise home farm in Medo township, Blue Earth county; Ida, who lives at Mapleton, in that same county; Emma, wife of C. L. Sulrud, of Halstad, Norman county, this state; Dr. Charles J. Beise, who died at Mapleton, at the age of forty-two years; Judge George W. Beise, former county attorney of Stephens county; this state, and now municipal judge of Morris, that same county; Dr. Rudolph Beise, of Brainard, this state, and Minnie A., wife of 0. Lovsines, of Halstad, Minnesota.

Henry C. Beise was reared on the home farm in Medo township, Blue Earth county, receiving his elementary education in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, supplementing the same by one year in the high school at Mapleton, after which he took a three-year course in the Mankato Normal School, after which he began teaching school, but after' one year's experience in that vocation in Norman county, turned his attention to the study of dental surgery in the office of Dr. L. C. Cruttender, of Northfield, under whose preceptorship he was prepared for entrance into the dental department of the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1896. Thus admirably equipped for the practice of his profession, Dr. Beise opened an office at Windom, June 15, 1896, and has ever since been very successfully engaged in practice there, being one of the best known members of his profession in this part of the state. The Doctor is a Republican and has given close attention to local political affairs, having served as a member of the city council, and is now a member of the city school board. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen of America and in the affairs of these organizations takes a warm interest.

On December 22, 1897, the year following his arrival in Windom, Doctor Beise was united in marriage to Blanche Johnson, of that city, daughter of Seth S. and Margaret (Evans) Johnson, pioneers of Windom, the former of whom, for years engaged in the flour and feed business in that city and later in the agricultural-implement business, and who died in 1900, since which time his widow has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Beise. To Doctor and Mrs. Beise three children have been born, Clark, born on October 13, 1898; Margaret, July 12, 1901, and Dorothy, April 22, 1905. Doctor and Mrs. Beise are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the Doctor is a member of the official board and one of the trustees. He has taken much interest in the affairs of Methodism in Minnesota and was a delegate to the general conference of that church in Minneapolis in May, 1912.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 146 – 148

EMERY HAYCRAFT. Emery Haycraft, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer, living at Madelia, where for some years he was engaged as the local agent for the Standard Oil Company and where he is now engaged in the fuel business, is a native of Macoupin county, Illinois, born on March 9, 1858, son of Isaac and Sarah P. ( Jolly) Haycraft, natives of Hardin county, Kentucky, who later came to Minnesota, locating in Blue Earth county, whence, later in life they moved to Madelia, where Isaac Haycraft spent his last days and where his widow is still living.

Isaac Haycraft, who was a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, June 28, 1829, son of the Rev. Samuel J. and Elsie (Rhoades) Haycraft, the former of whom also was a native of that same county, son of James Haycraft, whose father also was James Hay-craft and whose father also was James Haycraft. The Haycrafts are said to have come from England to America about the year 1740, settling in Virginia and emigrating thence to Kentucky about 1775 or 178o, settling near Elizabethtown, Hardin county. In that county, as is well known, Abraham Lincoln's parents lived and there Abraham Lincoln was born. In some of the histories of Abraham Lincoln, the Haycraft family is mentioned as a family of more or less importance in the county. Samuel Haycraft, a cousin of the Rev. Samuel J. Haycraft, above mentioned, and who was clerk of Hardin county for fifty consecutive years, is mentioned in these histories as having issued the marriage license to Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, for his second marriage to Sally Bush Johnson. Stephen P. Haycraft, a brother of Isaac Haycraft, settled in Madelia in 1865. He owned a large part of the townsite of Madelia and several additions to the village are known as Haycraft additions and one street is named Haycraft street. He died in 1913.

In 1837 the Rev. Samuel J. Haycraft and his family moved from Kentucky to Macoupin County, Illinois, where he continued in the gospel ministry the rest of his life. Isaac Haycraft was about eight years of age when his parents moved from Kentucky to Illinois and he was reared to manhood in the latter state, as a young man beginning to farm for himself. On October 28, 1848, he married Sarah P. Jolly and in April, 1861, came to Minnesota and after a short residence in Dakota county moved to Blue Earth County, settling near Madelia. While there he enlisted for service during the Civil War as a member of the Second Minnesota Cavalry, with which command he served for about three years. In 1864, while he was in the army, his family moved to Madelia and eighteen months later, upon the completion of his military service, returned to Blue Earth County, where the family home was established on a homestead farm of eighty acres in Lincoln Township. In the fall of 1892 he and his wife retired from the farm and returned to Madelia, where Isaac Haycraft spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1914. His widow is still making her home in Madelia. They were members of the Baptist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were ten of these children, of whom four died in infancy, the survivors being as follow : Mrs. Hattie A. Rhoades, of Montevideo, this state; Emery, the subject of this biographical sketch; Mrs. Eugenia S. Rhoades, of Madelia; Isaac G., of Solway, this state; Mrs. Liva Dodge, of Truman, this state, and Julius E. Haycraft, of Fairmont. The last named was postmaster at Madelia for twelve years; was state senator from the district composed of Watonwan and Martin counties for the four-year term from January, 1911, to January 1, 1915, and is now practicing law at Fairmont, senior member of the law firm of Haycraft & Palmer.

Emery Haycraft was but a child when his.parents came to Minnesota from Illinois and he was seven or eight years old when they located on the homestead farm in Blue Earth County. He completed his schooling in the Lincoln township schools in that county and as a young man, following his marriage in 1882, started farming on a farm nearby his father's place. There he made his home until 1892, in which year he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Madelia, where he ever since has made his home and where he and his wife are very pleasantly situated. From 1896 to September, 1915, Mr. Haycraft was engaged as local agent for the Standard Oil Company at Madelia and since the latter date has been engaged in the fuel business.

In September, 1882, Emery Haycraft was united in marriage to Jennie Sargent, who was born in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, a daughter of William and Sophia (Matthewson) Sargent, who moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota and settled on a farm in Fieldon township, Watonwan county. Mrs. Haycraft was the third in order of birth of the six children born to her parents, the others being Mary, who married J. W. Pond, Randall, Mrs. Adelaide Hewett, Franklin and John. To Mr. and Mrs. Haycraft three children have been born, Edwin R., who married Sue M. Wedge and has two children, Berryl and Rollo; Harry, who married Anna Reese and has one child, a son, Gordon R., and Vernon, who married Emma Bargland and has one child, a daughter, Verna Emma. Mrs. Haycraft is. a member of the Baptist church and she and her husband take an earnest interest in the general movements having to do with the betterment of the community at large.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 205 – 207

LAMONT HOWARD TACKELS. LaMont Howard Tackels, one of the prominent farmers of Antrim township, is a native of Watonwan County, having been born here on December 17, 1879. He is the son of Martin Van Buren and Frances H. (Zimmerman) Tackels. Martin Van Buren Tackels was born in Michigan on August 13, 1840, while Frances Tackels was a native of Waterloo, New York, having been born there on December 29, 1846. William Zibmnerman, the father of Mrs. Tackels, was born in Pennsylvania. He later moved to Waterloo, New York, and then to Edgerton, Wisconsin, where he died in July, 1879. His life had been devoted to the cultivation of the soil.

Horace H. Tackels, the grandfather of LaMont Howard Tackels, was of English descent. He married Samantha Webster and they lived for a time on a farm in Michigan. They later moved to a farm near Edgerton, Wisconsin, and then to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he owned a farm in Pleasant Mounds township. He served for two years in the Civil War. Horace H. and Samantha Tackels were the parents of the following children : Minerva, deceased; Martin Van Buren, Hattie, Sylvia, deceased; Mart, and Charles, deceased.

Martin Van Buren Tackels was educated in the common and high schools of Michigan and Wisconsin. He and Mrs. Tackels are. the parents of the following children: Kittie Eleanor, Mettie Grace, and LaMont Howard. Kittie Eleanor was born on March 7, 1866. She is the wife of W. D. Hadley, of Martin County, Minnesota. They have one child, Frances Gertrude. Mettie Grace was born on March 4, 1872. She is the wife of W. L. Hackney. They have two children, Harrold LaMont and Francis Martin. LaMont Howard, the subject of this sketch, ,married Helen Killmer, and to this union three children have been born, Mettie Eleanor, Edith Evelyn, deceased, and Marion Helen.

While in high school, LaMont Howard Tackels held positions on the Madelia Messenger and on the Times. He is progressive and well-informed.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 279 - 280

W. J. McCARTHY, M. D. Dr. W. J. McCarthy, of Madelia, one of the best-known physicians in this part of the state, is a native son of Watonwan county and has lived there practically all his life, being thus thoroughly conversant with the growth and development of this region since the days of the pioneers. He was born on a pioneer farm in Antrim township, Watonwan county, March 2, 1868, son of John and Margaret (Thompson) McCarthy, early settlers in that section of the county, who are now living comfortably retired in their pleasant home at Madelia.

John McCarthy was born near the city of Belfast, in the north of Ireland, August is, 1840, son of Edward and Esther (Casement) McCarthy, both natives of that same section of Ireland, the former of whom, a shoemaker, died when his son, John, the eldest of his four children, was six years old. When not yet twenty-two years of age, in May, 1862, John McCarthy left his native land and came to the New World, landing at Quebec. The next year he came into the Northwest and settled at Westfield, Wisconsin, where he married Margaret Thompson, and in 1864 came to Minnesota, locating in Wabasha county, whence, in 1866, he came over into this part of the state and pre-empted a homestead tract, at the same time taking a timber claim in section 12 of what presently became Antrim township, Watonwan county. That fall he assisted in the organization of his home township and secured for it the name of Antrim, in honor of the county in which he was born in Ireland. He took an active part in early civic affairs, was the first clerk of Antrim Township and later served for some time as supervisor. John McCarthy was a good farmer and his affairs prospered from the very start. He lived on his homestead farm for fourteen years, at the end of which time, in 188o, he sold his place to advantage and moved over into Lincoln township, Blue Earth county, where he bought a farm of four hundred and seventy-nine acres and there established his home, remaining there for thirty-four years, or until 1914, in which year he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to Madelia, where they are now living and where they have a beautiful home. During his residence in Blue Earth County, Mr. McCarthy also was active in public affairs and for years was chairman of the local board in his home township. He took an earnest interest in the cause of the schools and his children were given every opportunity to acquire a good education, four of them being graduates of Carleton College. Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy are members of the Presbyterian Church and their children were reared in that faith. There are twelve of these children, all living, of whom Doctor McCarthy is the third in order of birth, the others being as follow : E. F., who is living on the old home farm in Blue Earth county; Robert H., who is living on his own farm; James N., also a farmer, who makes his home at Madelia; Garfield, on the old home farm; Oscar, also on the farm; Richard, who was graduated from Carleton College and is now engaged as an assayer in the mines at Butte, Montana; Esther, at home with her parents; Bessie, also at home; the Rev. Samuel McCarthy, a graduate of Carleton College, now pastor of the Congregational church at Chamberlain, South Dakota; Rachel, at home, and Margaret, a graduate of Carelton College, who is now a member of the faculty of the Normal School at Bellingham, Washington.

Dr. W. J. McCarthy is a student as well as a physician and is ever keeping abreast of the wonderful advancement that is being made in modern medical science. He was well equipped by preparatory study for the practice of his profession and from the days of his youth his studies were pursued with his ultimate profession in view. Upon completing the course in the public schools of Antrim Township, he entered Carleton College, from which he was graduated in 1894. In the fall of that same year he matriculated at the medical department of Northwestern University at Chicago and was graduated from that excellent institution, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1897. This admirably equipped for the practice of his chosen profession, Doctor McCarthy returned to his home state and located at Madelia, where he opened an office and where he has been practicing ever since, long having been regarded as one of the leading physicians of this part of the state. He is a member of the County Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and takes an earnest interest in the affairs of these several professional organizations. Doctor McCarthy is "independent" in his political views and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. For two years he served as mayor of Madelia and in other ways has done his part in the civic life of the community. He was president of the school board for twelve years and a member of board for three years more.

Doctor McCarthy has a most competent and admirable helpmate in the labors of his exacting profession, Mrs. McCarthy, who, before her marriage, was Lella Clark, a daughter of John Clark, taking her part, together with the Doctor, in the various social and cultural activities of Madelia and ever interested in such measures as are designed to advance the common good hereabout. Doctor and Mrs. McCarthy have two sons, Donald and Richard. They are members of the Presbyterian Church and take a proper interest in the various beneficences of the same. Doctor McCarthy is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the blue lodge at Madelia; of the chapter at St. James and of the Commandery at New Ulm. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 280 - 282

JOHN PEDVIN. It is not every man that can become a good locomotive engineer. Some lack the courage, the keen eye, the steady nerve and the prompt decision, as well as other characteristics, necessary to the successful engine driver. John Pedvin, of St. James, Watonwan county, seems to possess such attributes, for he has made good on the road.

John Pedvin was born in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, December 15, 1863, and is a son of Daniel and Jane (Moore) Pedvin. The father was a native of the Island of Guernsey in the English Channel, his birth having occurred on April 9, 1820, and the mother was born on February 24, 1828, in London, England. They were married in England in 185o, and they came to Minnesota in 1852, locating near St. Peter, later moved to Rapidan, Blue Earth County, and in 1868 to Watonwan county, where the father took up a homestead of eighty acres in Riverdale township, later buying eighty acres more. He developed a good farm and finally made a visit to his old home in Guernsey Island, where he married his second wife. Coming back to America he spent some time at St. James and at Beatrice, Nebraska, but went back to Guernsey Island, where his death occurred in 1906. His first wife, the mother of John Pedvin, died on June 27, 1878. Nine children were born, namely : Daniel, born in England, December I, 1852, died on May 28, 1903; Jane, August 23, 1855; Thomas, July 19, 1857, died on February 25, 1895; Rachael, November 20, 1859; Elizabeth, October 7, 1861; John, subject of this sketch; Julia Ann, September 24, 1866, died on November 13, 1896; Frederick W., February 2, 1868, died on October 8, 1907; Evaline Carrie, September 18, 1870. Daniel Pedvin was a Republican, and he held a number of local offices. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.

John Pedvin was reared on the farm in Riverdale Township and he received his education in the district schools there, walking four miles daily to school. He began life as a farmer, owning a good place, which he finally sold, and entered the railroad service in 1882, in which he remained until 1885, when he farmed again for two years, returning to the road in 1887 and has worked continuously on the road ever since. He was fireman on the Omaha railroad until September 1, 189o, when he was promoted to engineer and he has had charge of an engine ever since. He lived eleven years at Sioux City, but the rest of the time since 1887 he has lived in St. James, returning here in 1897. He built a residence here, in which he lived until 1913, when he sold it and built an attractive modern residence, where he now lives.

On July I, 1884, he married Carrie Olson, a native of Washington county, Minnesota, where she was born on August 16, 1866. She is a daughter of Adam and Isabel (Wright) Olson. He was born in Sweden, January II, 1834; she was born in England, February 18, 1828. Adam Olson came to Minnesota when a young man. He served in the Union army during the Civil War. He was married in this state and lived in Washington County until 1878, when they moved to Riverdale Township, Watonwan County, where the father bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which is the amount of land he still owns. He purchased more land, but sold it later. He is now living retired in St. James. Mrs. Olson died on March 1o, 1895. They were parents of four children, namely: Oliver Andrew, who lives in Noonan, North Dakota; Carrie, wife of the subject of this sketch; Adam, who died in March, 1888, when twenty years old; Eva Isabel lives in Noonan, North Dakota.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pedvin, namely: Esta Luella, born in 1885, died in- St. James in 1887; Laura Isabel, February 12, 1891, is a graduate of St. James high school.

The farm which is owned by the father of Mrs. Pedvin is the one on which the Younger brothers were captured after the famous Northfield bank robbery. Mr. Olson has been twice married, his second wife being known before marriage as Anna Nasman, and to this union one son, John, was born on January 2, 1900.

Politically, Mr. Pedvin is a Republican. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Free Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 286 – 288

CHARLES LARKIN. Charles Larkin, a successful farmer of Fieldon township, was born on February 4, 1875, in Blue Earth County, the son of Timothy and Catherine (Heren) Larkin.

Peter Heren, the maternal grandfather of Charles Larkin, was a native of Ireland and came to America late in life, after the death of his wife. His daughter, Catherine, the mother of the subject of this sketch came with him. They located for a time in Jersey City, New Jersey, after which they moved to Wisconsin and later to Watonwan County.

Timothy Larkin was a native of Ireland and came to the United States when fifteen years of age. He lived for a number of years in the east and there married to Catherine Heren, whose father, Peter Heren, after this made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Larkin. The family moved first to a farm in Wisconsin and later came to Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Thirty-five years ago, they purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where Charles Larkin now lives. He and his family were members of the Catholic Church. Timothy Larkin died on September 19, 1901. Mrs. Larkin survived him until December 22, 1908.

To Timothy and Catherine Larkin were born the following children: John; Thomas; Edward; Gilbert and William, both deceased; Charles and Mary.

Charles Larkin was married on February 4, 1914, to Edith Rooney, of Blue Earth county, and the daughter of Thomas Rooney and wife, pioneers of that section.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 288 – 289

JOHN BISBEE. From the rugged Pine Tree state has come John Bisbee, one of the leading citizens and successful agriculturists of Madelia, Watonwan County. He was born in Oxford county, Maine, April 16, 1839, and is a son of. Jones and Rebecca (Robinson) Bisbee, both natives of Oxford County, Maine. John and Sarah (Pilbrook) Bisbee, the paternal' grandparents, were also natives of that state, where they spent their lives on a farm. Charles Bisbee, the great-grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He devoted his life to farming. The founder of the American branch of the family was Thomas Bisbee, who came from England about 1635 and established his home in Massachusetts. He was a large landowner in England and he bequeathed his property to his grandchildren. He became a member of the Massachusetts Assembly. The maternal grandparents, Increase and Abbie (Parlin) Robinson, were both natives of Maine. He was a farmer and mill-owner. He purchased large tracts of land in Maine. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents of the subject of this sketch grew to maturity in their native locality, there attended school and were married. The father devoted his active life to general farming, becoming one of the wealthiest men of his community.

He was a man of influence and was highly respected. He was a Democrat all his life. His death occurred in 1875.

John Bisbee was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools. He began teaching when eighteen years of age, continuing several terms. He went to Massachusetts, where he clerked in a store about one year, after which he spent the summer on a fishing expedition down the Gulf of St. Lawrence; then attended Auburn Academy, where he finished his education. He then accepted a position in a wholesale boot and shoe store in New York City, in which establishment he remained two and one-half years. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he returned to his home in Maine, taught school and engaged in farming until 1865, when he came west and located at Garden City, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he bought land, also taught school for some time. He clerked in a general store four years, after which he came to Madelia, where he secured employment in the store of Boynton & Cheeney, for four and one-half years. He then associated himself with Mathias Olson and opened a large general store, which they continued for twenty-five years, Mr. Bisbee finally selling out to his partner in 1891.

The work that Mr. Bisbee considers the most important in his career is what he has done the past fifteen years, during which he has put forth his efforts to produce an apple especially adapted to Minnesota and the Northwest, and he has become a noted horticulturist. He has developed a valuable orchard of two thousand apple trees, well suited to this climate. Since leaving the store he has devoted his attention to horticulture and agriculture and has met with pronounced success all along the line. He has a commodious and modernly appointed home in the edge of the village of Madelia, where he owns a well-improved and valuable farm of two hundred acres. He also owns five hundred acres of valuable land about five miles from Madelia, all under excellent improvements. He has erected all the buildings on his home place, the land being entirely unimproved when he located on it about forty-two years ago.

Mr. Bisbee was married on May 23, 1863, to Ardelia Small, of Wilton, Maine. She is a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Merrill) Small, natives of Maine, in which state they spent their lives on a farm. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bisbee, named as follows: Melvina F. married E. C. Warner, who is president of the Midland Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; J. Oscar, who married Annie Tierney, of Madelia, runs a livery business at Madelia; Samuel S., who married Margarette Turnem, has charge of refining and shipping in the Linseed Oil Company; Edgar C., who married Mattie Arnold, is vice-president of the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; Albert J., who married Lulu Wiles, is head bookkeeper for a threshing machine company in Minneapolis; Mabel A. married J. W. Palmer, farmer, Madelia township; Arthur L., who married Ethel Patterson, is traffic manager for the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; Frank J., who married Marie Englebrecht, is a superintendent in the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis; Maurice S. assists his father in the management of his farm; Elmer, who was graduated from the civil engineering department of the University of Minnesota, is developing an old mine in California; Everett H. is assisting his father in the management of his farms; Carroll E. is also with his father on the home farm, and Ardelia, who married J. M. Lowe, superintendent of the New York Mill, property of the Linseed Oil Company of Minneapolis.

Mr. Bisbee has lived to see and take part in the wonderful transformation of the country about Madelia, whose interests he has ever at heart and sought to promote in every legitimate way. He is one of the influential and highly esteemed men of the county. He is a Mason, at Madelia, and he and family belong to the Presbyterian- church.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 400 – 402

GUSTAV MISSLING. Gustav Missling, a progressive, young farmer of Amboy Township, Cottonwood County, proprietor of a farm of nearly two hundred acres in the vicinity of Jeffers, is a native of Minnesota and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in Rapidan township, Blue Earth County, January 14, 1881, son of Augustus and Augusta (Franz) Missling, the former a native of the state of Wisconsin and the latter of Germany, who are now living retired in the town of Good Thunder, in Blue Earth county, this state.

August Missling was reared on the farm on which he was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and when a young man came to Minnesota, settling on a farm in Rapidan Township, Blue Earth County, where he lived until his retirement from the active labors of the farm, he and his wife now living at Good Thunder, where they are very comfortably situated. They are members of the German Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There are five of these children, all living, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Robert, Lena, now Mrs. Yeager; Otto and Edward.

Gustav Missling was reared on the paternal farm in Blue Earth County, receiving his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, and remained there until his marriage in 19o7, when he started farming on his own account, renting the farm on which he now lives and where he ever since has made his home. In 1909, two years after taking that place, he bought one hundred acres of the farm and later bought the remainder, now being the owner of one hundred and ninety-six and seventy-five one-hundredths acres of fine land, which he has improved and brought under profitable cultivation. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Missling has given considerable attention to stock raising and has done very well, being recognized as one of the substantial farmers of that community. He is a Republican and takes a proper interest in local political affairs, but has not been an aspirant for public office.

It was in 1907 that Gustav Missling was united in marriage to Anna Graf, daughter of Fred Graf, of Blue Earth County, Minnesota, and to this union three children have been born, Harold, Earl and Valuria. Mr. and Mrs. Missling are members of the German Lutheran church and take a warm interest in church affairs as well as in all local good works.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 409 – 410

HARRIS MITCHELL. The history of the past decades proves that the agriculture of the United States, if not actually on the decline has not made the strides forward that it should have, and the result of this affects the producer and consumer alike in one respect—a rapid increase in the high cost of living. One of the wide-awake farmers of Madelia Township, Watonwan County, is Harris Mitchell, who was born in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, March 27, 1863, and is a son of T. J. and Anna C. (Harris) Mitchell. The father was born and reared in the northern part of Scotland, from which country he came to America when a young man, locating in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he bought a farm. He was the son of John Mitchell, a farmer, who spent his life in Scotland. T. J. Mitchell married after coming to Minnesota. He spent his last days in retirement near Los Angeles, California, where his death occurred in September, 1910. His widow is now living in Potterville, California. To these parents the following children were born: W. J., Anna C., Harris, Luella and Cyril.

Harris Mitchell grew up on the farm where he worked when a boy during the crop seasons, and he received his education in the public schools in Blue Earth county, also attended the Curtis College, or Minneapolis Academy, for some time, after which he returned to the farm and lived at home until he was twenty-nine years of age, when he married Fannie Estes, to which union three children have been born, Harold, Eldon and Cyril. He became owner of a good farm of about two hundred acres in Blue Earth County, where he farmed until he sold out and moved to Watonwan county, locating in Madelia, engaging in the ice business for two years, then moved to the country, buying the cherry farm, which he sold a few years later and purchased the place which he now owns. In 1913 his barn burned, containing a large quantity of hay and grain, but he rebuilt a large substantial barn the following year. His place consists of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has placed all the improvements, including the planting of many box-elder and soft maple trees. He built a good residence in 1913. He believes in modern methods and pumps his water with a gasoline engine; has a large silo and other up-to-date improvements. In connection with general farming -he handles annually from six hundred to twelve hundred Western sheep, and large numbers of hogs, especially Duroc-Jerseys.

Mr. Mitchell belongs to the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was reared, his father having been quite active in the work of the same during his life time.

History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota ,Volume II : John A Brown, Ed

B F Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916

Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham – Page 473 – 474

Site Updated: 19 June 2006

Martha A Crosley Graham

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