Blue Earth County, Minnesota Biographies

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Blue Earth County MN
Genealogy and History

Biographies

Abner Bausman
Abner Laycock Bausman was born in Etensburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1834. He was son of Adam Bausman of Pitts, Pennsylvania, who was born in Pitts, Pennsylvania, 1799. His father came from Bingen on the Rhine. His mother, Caroline Laycock, was born in 1808. She was the daughter of Gen. Abner Laycock, United States senator from Pennsylvania, during Jackson's administration. He was born in Virginia, having obtained a liberal education for that period. Dr. Bausman entered the dental profession in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He came to Minnesota in 1856, where he preempted a claim in Blue Earth County. He then returned to the east. The next spring he came up the river on the "Northern Bell," arriving at Minneapolis May 22, 1857, and opening an office on Helen street.
He at once became connected with the religious and social life of the young metropolis. He joined the First Baptist church, and was elected a trustee. He was one of the originators of the Athenaeum Library Association. Was superintendent of the first colored Sunday school in Minnesota for eight years. Was instrumental in establishing the Homeopathic Medical school at the university. He was married to Fanny R. Abraham, daughter of Hon. Jonathan P. Abraham, on the 25th of November, 1863. Four children were born, two died in infancy, the others are now living. Bertha, now Mrs. Frank H. Page, of Springfield, Mass., was born Sept. 17, 1864, and George A., of this city, was born April 23, 1874. His wife died Aug. 19, 1876.

January 16, 1879, he was married to Rebecca Webster Fenby of St Louis, daughter of the late Col. Richard Fenby, formerly of Baltimore, Md. Of this union three children were born; Richard Fenby, born Nov. 5, 1879; Alonzo Linton, born Oct. 27, 1883, and Marrian Douglas, born June 21, 1886 - all of whom are now living. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers, 1901 - Sub. by FoFG]

AARON N. DUKES.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and son of William and Matilda (McKim) Dukes, the father born in Maryland, and the mother in the State of Ohio. On the father's side he is descended from English ancestors, his grandfather, Isaac Dukes, emigrating from England to the United States in an early day and settling in Maryland.. William Dukes in early life moved to Randolph County, Indiana, where for a number of years he was alternately engaged in merchandising, milling and agricultural pursuits. He subsequently disposed of his interests in that part of the State, and in 1846 moved to Miami County, locating near the village of Gilead, where he lived until he removed to a beautiful farm adjoining the city of Peru, several years later. He was a prominent farmer and stock raiser, and deserves mention as one of the successful men of his adopted county. His death occurred in the year 1878. His wife, Matilda Dukes, was the daughter of William and Jarte McKim, who came to the United States from Ireland about the beginning of the present century. It is related that on the voyage to the new world, the vessel on which they sailed encountered a terrific storm, which for a time threatened the complete destruction of all on board. The sails were riddled and torn by the fierce gale, and in order to mend them Mrs. McKim spun threads on a little spinning wheel which she was bringing over with her, the Captain holding the wheel and Mr. McKim holding the chair in which she sat. By this means the sails were repaired, and in due time the vessel was enabled to proceed on its course in safety. William McKim settled near Chillicothe, Ohio, but subsequently emigrated to Randolph County, Indiana, where he lived until his removal to Miami County, about the year 1855. He was a farmer by occupation and died in the county in 1862. His wife survived him about eight years, departing this life in 1870. Mrs. Dukes, the mother of our subject, died at her home near Peru in 1874. The following are the names of the children born to William and Matilda Dukes, viz: A. N., Levi, Lydia, wife of Oliver Wilson, Jane, wife of John McRea, Mary, wife of Mr. Parmley, Emma, wife of James Pugh, John, and Priscilla, wife of Dr. Frank Black. Aaron N. Dukes was born on the 27th day of October, 1834; accompanied his parents to Miami County in 1846, and has been one of its most successful and highly esteemed citizens ever since. He attended the public schools during winter seasons, where he acquired a good practical education, and when out of school improved his time working on the farm, early acquainting himself with the details of that useful occupation. He remained with his parents until his seventeenth year, at which time he abandoned agricultural pursuits and accepted the position of salesman in the mercantile house of E. H. Shirk, Peru, in which capacity he continued one year, effecting a co-partnership with his employer at the end of that time, in a general store at the town of Gilead. After remaining in the latter place about two years he disposed of his interest; and in 1856 removed to Mankato, Minnesota, where until 1862 he was engaged in merchandising, milling and dealing in real estate, retaining his connection with Mr. Shirk in the meantime. He returned to Peru, Ind.. in the latter year and from that date until 1865 was a partner of Mr. Shirk in the general mercantile business, their house during that period being one of the largest and most successful of the kind in Northern Indiana. He withdrew from the firm in 1865, and in partnership with J. H. Jamison engaged in the grocery and pork packing business, which branches of industry were conducted with financial profit until 1868, Mr. Dukes purchasing his partner's interest that year. Two years later he sold out and purchased what is known as the Holman farm, adjoining the city of Peru, a part of which he subsequently laid off in town lots, known as Dukes' first and second additions. In the meantime he began dealing in real estate, a business he carried on quite extensively until 1881. In 1877 he was appointed assignee of the Ulrich wagon works of Peru, the duties of which position required the greater part of his time, until the satisfactory arrangement of the business in 1881. In the latter year he was appointed receiver of the Indiana Manufacturing company of Peru, one of the largest manufacturing enterprises of the State, to which he has since devoted his entire attention. Mr. Dukes took an active part in the Sioux war of Minnesota in 1862, having been for some time in command of the military post of Mankato. His has been a very active business life, throughout which he has discharged his duty with commendable fidelity, proving himself worthy the confidence of his fellow citizens and competent to fill responsible positions intrusted to him. He is a Republican in politics, and a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, with which he has been identified since about the year 1854. In September, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Thompson, daughter of Rev. James Thompson, the projector and one of the founders of Wabash College, at Crawfordsville. Mr. Thompson was a man of deep piety and scholarly attainments, and was actively engaged in the work of the Master for over half a century. He died in Minnesota in the year 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Dukes have been born two children, to-wit: Elbert, born in 1860, and William, born in 1862, died in 1871. ["History of Miami County, Indiana: From the earliest time to the present ..." By Brant & Fuller, Chicago; 1887; BZ; Submitted by a FoFG]

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