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Brown County |
Biographies
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Brown County |
Florence Andrews Clayton
CLAYTON, Mrs. Florence Andrews, opera singer, born near Le Sueur, Minn., in 1862. She is the ninth child of Rev. Mr. Andrews, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Minnesota. At that time Le Sueur was well out on the western frontier, and most of the settlers of that region abandoned their homes and crowded into St. Peter during the Indian outbreak. The Andrews family stuck to their farm near the little village. Two of the older sons entered the army of defense against the Indians and were in the battle of New Ulm. Both Mr. Andrews and his wife were natural, though untrained musicians, and all of their ten children, known as the Andrews Family, inherited musical ability. In 1876 Miss Andrews, then fourteen years of age, went upon the stage with her brothers and sisters for their first year with the "Swiss Bells.'' They played in Minnesota and adjoining States, making trips southward as far as the southern border of the Indian Territory. She has since then been continually before the public, except for longer or shorter vacations. She became the wife of Fred Clayton, of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1883, who is also with the present Andrews Opera Company. They have two sons. The musical culture of Mrs. Clayton has been received mostly by instruction from and association with some of the most competent vocal artists of the country, while she has been traveling and working with them. She has thus obtained that thorough and practical knowledge of her art which can be secured in no other way. Her repertoire consists of forty operas, tragic and comic. She is not only an excellent vocalist, but also a fine actor, with a natural adaptation to dramatic parts. Her voice is a contralto.
(American Women Fifteen Hundred Biographies Vol. 1, by Frances Elizabeth Willard & Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow)
Jacob P. Current is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Brown county of 1864, and has since been identified with its agricultural interests and with the work of development and progress in this section of the state. He is a native of Henry county, Indiana, born September 29, 1835, and is a son of James and Mary (Powers) Current, both of whom were natives of Virginia. His father, a blacksmith by trade, could do almost any kind of work with edged tools. He was born in 1809 and died in 1895. His wife is still living, at a very advanced age. He was of the fifth generation of a family of Scotch-Irish origin that was founded in America by three brothers, who were Irish sailors. Having located in Virginia they secured twelve hundred acres of land and became well known planters of that state.
Mr. Current of this review was reared in Indiana, and spent his summer months in work upon the home farm, while in the winter season he attended the district schools. In 1857 he went west, visiting Iowa and Nebraska. In 1860 he went to Colorado, where he worked for several months in the mines and then returned to the state of his nativity. Since 1864 he has been a resident of Brown county, Minnesota and secured a claim, which he at once began to operate. He did an extensive business as a surveyor and retraced the government lines of the greater part of the land in the nortwestern part of this county, also followed the profession in Nicollet and Redwood counties. Probably no one is more familiar with the early history of this section of the state and with the development and progress than have since been carried on than he; and in all the work of improvement he has borne an active part. He is an industrious, enterprising business man and has devoted his energies to the manufacture of sorghum molassses, to general farming and surveying. He owns a valuable property of three hundred acres, and the place is in a high state of cultivation, which indicates his careful supervision and earnest labor.
Mr. Current was married in 1872 to Miss Elizabeth Krier, daughter of John Krier. She died in 1873, leaving one daughter, Una, at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Current is a Democrat, and has filled various public offices of honor and trust. He served as supervisor of his township, and is filling the office of postmaster at Home postoffice. Widely and favorably known he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers of the county, and it is with pleasure that we present the record of his life to our readers.
Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden
William Dey, postmaster of Golden Gate, is a successful merchant of that place and is one of the worthy and reliable citizens of that Scotland has furnished to Minnesota. He was born in the "land of hills and heather", August 8, 1850, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Bruce) Dey, both of whom were reared in Scotland. The father is now deceased, but the mother is yet living. They had ten children, four sons and six daughters, all of whom yet survive.
William is the second in order of birth, and in his native country he was reared and educated, attending the parish schools until sixteen years of age. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Allison Honeyman, daughter of James Honeyman. He then turned his attention to the dairy business, which he carried on for three and a half years. On the expiration of that period he determined to try his fortune in America, and in April, 1882, he landed in New York city, whence he went to Ohio. In the fall of that same year he came to Golden Gate, Brown county, Minnesota, and purchased the merchandise stock of H. Wearing. He also spent four and a half years on a farm north of Golden Gate, and owns and operates eighty five acres of land, which yields him a good income. He also carries a large and carefully selected stock of general merchandise, and his well appointed store receives from the public a liberal patronage. In business he is systematic and methodical, and his honorable dealing commands the confidence of all.
In 1886, Mr. Dey was appointed to the position of postmaster of Golden Gate and has since held that office. He is also clerk of the town. He served as notary public, and for nine years held the office of district treasurer. Prompt and faithful in the discharge of his official duties, he has won the commendation of all concerned and is widely known as a trustworthy citizen. Socially he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also A. F. & A. M.
Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden
Lars Frederickson
Lars Frederickson is entitled to rank with the prominent early settlers of Brown county, Minnesota, he having established his home at his present location in Prairieville township as early as 1868, and here for nearly three decades he has lived and prospered. He made the acquaintance of many of the early settlers of the county as well as those who came later. and few there are throughout this section of the country who are better informed as to its history or better known by its people than is Lars Frederickson.While not an American by birth, he is one by adoption and is thoroughly identified with its interests and in harmony with its institutions. Mr. Frederickson was born in Denmark, August 30, 1845, his parents being Fredrick and Christene (Oleson) Petersen, natives of that country. His father was a brickmason and a first class mechanic, and as such worked in both the old country and this. He died in Brown county, Minnesota, at the age of sixty eight years. His widow survives him, still lives in this county, and has reached the venerable age of eighty five years. Their family comprised nine children, four sons and five daughters, whom they brought up to the habits of industry and honesty and who are now occupying useful positions in life. Lars grew up in his native land, recieved a fair education there, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Denmark until 1866. That year he sailed from Copenhagen to Hull and thence to Liverpool, where he took passage on the noted steamer City of Paris, which carried him in safety across the Atlantic and landed in due time at Castle Garden, New York. From New York City youn Frederickson made his way across the country to Chicago, Illinois, where he landed without money, his passage to that place having consumed all the funds he had. However, he had plenty of courage and a strong and willing hand, and he soon secured employment on a farm, where worked fifteen months, recieving good wages. From Illinois he came to Minnesota, at this time accompanied by his parents and his wife and child, and in Brown county at once selected his present location and established his home in primitive style. His first house here was a sod one, three feet of earth being scooped out and the rafters made of poles; but in this rude house they lived happily and comfortably, and cheerfully extended hospitality to whomsoever came their way, no matter whether stranger or friend. He was here during the "grasshopper" days and suffered greatly from that pest; but, notwithstanding the discouragements he met he stuck to his claim with a persistence almost unparalleled in this part of the country, he being the only settler on the Burns and Sleepy Eye road who remained. He kept cows, made butter and raised calves, and finally better times came on and he prospered and bought other land, and at one time he had four hundred and forty acres. He has, however, sold off some of his land in order to help his children get comfortably settled, and now his home farm comprises only one hundred and eighty acres. This farm is one of the best improved ones in Brown county. The sod house long since gave place to a better one and his present modern residence was erected at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars. The large barn measures fifty six by one hundred and eight feet, a modern windmill is a noticeable feature, and the fine grove of eighteen acres is said to be unsurpassed by any other in the county. Formerly, Mr. Frederickson raised large quantities of grain and stock, principally hogs and cattle, but of recent years his operations have not been so extensive. At one time he kept a dairy of twenty cows. He is now giving some attention to fruit growing, having an orchard of five acres planted to a variety of apples, plums, etc.
Mr. Frederickson was married in Denmark in 1866, to Miss Maria Sorensen, daughter of Jasper and Martha (Nelson) Sorenson, all natives of Denmark and now residents of Brown county, Minnesota. She is one of a family of three daughters and is a most estimable lady. Their union has been blessed in the birth of five children, of whom the following are living: S.C., who married Miss Hannah Larson, is one of the prosperous young farmers of this township and the owner of eighty acres of choice land; N.P., a jeweler of Minneota, Lyon county, Minnesota; Martha, wife of Thomas Peterson, of Brown county, has one child, Clifford; and Anna, wife of Adolph Anderson, of this county. Their youngest child, Hannah, died at the age of nine months.
Mr. Frederickson is a man well posted and one of broad and liberal views. He was reared a Lutheran. Politically, he formerly gave his support to the Republican party, his first vote having been cast for General Grant. Now, however, he is a third party man and believes that the platform he has chosen is the one best suited to the greatest number of people. In various local capacities he has rendered effcient service. For eight years he was chairman of the township board and also for years he served on the school board.
Such is a succinct review of the life of this respected citizen.
[Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Transcribed by Gary Boomgaarden]
OTTO W. HAGEN, the one-third owner and cashier of the State Bank of Sleepy Eye, was born in Silesia, Germany, on the river Oder, August 10, 1851. His parents, Jules and Sophia (Schmidt) Hagen, were both natives of Germany, being born near the place where our subject was born. His father, a blacksmith by trade, died when he (Otto) was four years of age. His mother
again married, and her second husband squandered all of their means. The grand father of our subject took part in the battle of Waterloo, and was with Napoleon on his famous retreat from Moscow, Russia. He held the office of captain of a companY, and finally died in his native land. The father of our subject was compelled to support himself from the time he was able to work, and followed his trade in Germany until 1855, when he came to America and followed it here until 1870, most of the time in Dodge county, Wisconsin. He was the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all living. He and wife are now living at Sleepy Eye, coming here in 1891. He has been retired from business for a number of years. Otto W. was but four years of age when they came to America, and was educated in the schools of Wisconsin, attending Horicon high school. He first began business as a clerk in a drug and grocery store at Horicon, and continued there for a number of years. Part of the time he was interested with his father in general merchandise at that place. During the years 1873-4 He was engaged in the drug trade in Chicago as prescription clerk. He returned to Wisconsin in 1875, and remained there until April 15, 1877, when he came to Brown county, Minnesota, and for six years was employed by the Eagle Roller Mill Company of New Ulm, holding the position of secretary and cashier. In 1884 he resigned his position there and accepted one in the employ of F. H. Dyckman, as cashier of the State Bank of Sleepy Eye, of which Mr. Dyckman was then owner. In May, 1888, the bank was incorporated, and Mr. Hagen was given a one-third interest in the business. Mr. Dyckman. the president, removed to Orange, New Jersey, where he now resides. Mr.Hagen is also president of the State Bank of Morgan, Minnesota, which he assisted in organizing in November, 1893. The bank, under the firm name of F. H. Dyckman & Company, are agents for the Scottish-American Mortgage Company (Limited) of Edinburg, Scotland, and also other foreign companies. They do a business of over
$1,100,000 annually for foreign companies, and have over one-half a million dollars now loaned in Minnesota. In 1881 Mr. Hagen married Miss Bertha Sentzke, who was born at New Ulm, Minnesota, September 4, 1861. Her father, Leopold Sentzke, was killed by the Indians in August, 1862, while defending the townof New Ulm against their attack. He was among the first settlers of Minnesota, coming here about 1858. His name appears on the monument erected to their memory at New Ulm. His wife is still living. Mr. Hagen is the father of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom one son, Walter C, is now living, and is attending school at Faribault, Minnesota, and one daughter, Martha O., is now at home. Mr. Hagen is a member of Keystone Lodge, F. and A. M., and also of Albert Chapter, R. A. M. He has never taken any active part in politics, but is an ardent Republican, casting his first vote for General Grant.Memorial Record of SW Minnesota - Transcribed by Gary Boomgaarden
J.H.P. Hoy, the genial and enterprising representative at Evan of the Sleepy Eye Milling Company, is a gentleman well worthy of personal mention in this biographical record. He has held his present position as superintendent and buyer for the above named company for eleven years, ever since their elevator was built at this place, and has bought all the grain handled there, amounting to between thirty and thirty five thousand bushels per year. The capacity of the elevator is eight thousand bushels.
Mr. Hoy is one of the early settlers of Minnesota. He came to this state twenty eight years ago, and during the past eighteen years has maintained his residence in Brown county. Not unlike many of the best citizens of the county, he looks to Denmark as the place of his birth and the home of his ancestors. He was born on Zealand Island, near the city of Copenhagen, in July, 1845, son of Peter Hoy, an honest and respected farmer and a worthy member of the Lutheran church. His venerable father is still living there, was born in 1818, and is now nearing the octogenarian line. The mother of our subject died at the age of forty eight years. She left two children, namely: Rasmus Jacobson, who was by her first husband, and was for years an employee of the Great Eastern Railroad Company at Calcutta, India; and J. H. P., whose name adorns this page.
J.H.P. Hoy was reared in Denmark, attended school there until he was fourteen years of age, recieving a good education in his native tongue, and after leaving school spent his time in farm work. In 1866 he crossed the Atlantic to America, and his first stopping place was at Racine, Wisconsin, whence he went over into Michigan, spending two years in the pine woods and in logging on the Muskegon river. The year 1868 marked his arrival in Minnesota. In this state his first location was at Rochester, and later he went to Mankato, at both which places he worked in a mill. From Mankato he came in 1876 to Brown county and purchased eighty acres of government land, which he subsequently sold, afterward buying the one hundred and sixty acres of land he now owns and occupies. This farm is a valuable and well improved one. The residence was built at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars. The barn is thirty four by forty feet in dimensions, cost five hundred dollars, and the other improvements are all modern and first class. Here, Mr. Hoy carries on general farming and raises horses, cattle and hogs, a dairy being one of the important features of his farm.
Mr. Hoy was married at Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of twenty four years, to Miss Christena Holm, born in 1845 near Hadersberg, Schleswig, Germany, who came to Minnesota when a girl. They are the parents of two children, William and Henry. William was born in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1870, and is now in the creamery business at Sanborn, and Henry, born in Mankato, Minnesota, in 1873, is on the home farm. The latter married Miss Maggie Hoy, a native of Denmark, and they have two littl children, Ella and Arthur.
For years the subject of our sketch has taken an active part in the public affairs of his locality, filling most creditably a number of official positions. For ten years he was township assessor, also he served as justice of the peace and a member of the school board, and has been a delegate to both county and congressional conventions, he being an ardent supporter of the Republican cause. He belongs to the A.O.U.W., No. 67, and is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. Well informed, a pleasant converser and always approachable, Mr. J.H.P. Hoy has made many friends and recieves that confidence and respect which are due him.[Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden]
John W. Kolbe, as president of the Cobden Co-operative Creamery Company, of Cobden, is at the head of one of the prominent business enterprises of Brown county, Minnesota. This company was organized in the spring of 1895. a three thousand dollar plant was erected and put in operation, and soon the creamery was ranked as one of the best in this section of the country, a reputation it maintains. Mr. Kolbe was one of the prime movers in organizing the company, and it is largely due to his efficient management that the enterprise has attained its present success. For more than a quarter century he has been identified with the interests of this county. During the civil war he served under the stars and stripes and aided in the preservation of the union; and as a Union veteran, a pioneer settler and an enterprising citizen, his life history is of special interest in this connection, and is as follows.
John W. Kolbe is a native of Hessen, Germany, born June 7, 1841, a member of an industrious and respected family, his parents being Werner and Elizabeth (Krause) Kolbe, who came to the United States in 1865 and settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota; both are now deceased. Their family was composed of seven children, whose names are as follows: Henry, Morten, Dora, Julia, John W., Elizabeth and Rinehardt. Two of the sons, Henry and John W., were participants in the late war, and Henry was accidentally killed shortly after the war, his death occurring in Goodhue county in 1860, the result of an accident with a threshing machine.
The subject of our sketch was reared and educated in his native land, attended school until he was fourteen years old and then learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked in Germany until he was twenty. At that age he thought to better his condition by a location in the New World, and accordingly crossed the Atlantic to this country, embarking at Bremen and landing at New York after a stormy voyage of seven weeks. In New York city he obtained work at his trade on Water Street, where he remained one year, after which he came west to Goodhue county, Minnesota. At Redwing, Minnesota, in February, 1865, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company I, with which he went south, and was stationed at Chattanooga, Tennesee, until the close of the war. Having recieved an honorable discharge, he returned to his home in Goodhue county, Minnesota.
In 1869 he took claim to one hundred and sixty acres of government land where he now lives near Cobden, and to this tract made subsequent addition, until now his farm comprises three hundred and seventeen acres. For about seven years he lived in Sleepy Eye, where he dealt in farm machinery and grain, and during his residence at that place made the acquaintance of many of the early settlers of the county, Since locating on his farm he has devoted his energies to its cultivation and improvement, and with excellent results, his broad acres producing fine crops, his rich pastures dotted over with well kept stock, and his comfortable residence, substatial and commodious barn, modern windmill and fine grove all giving evidence of prosperity. An important feature on his farm is his dairy of twenty cows, the milk from which is taken to the Cobden creamery.
Mr. Kolbe was married in 1867, in Steele county, Minnesota to Miss Henryetta Leseman, whose life was happily blended with his for only a few years, their union being severed in 1873 by her untimely death. She left three children, John, Emma and Henryetta. The present Mrs. Kolbe was formerly Miss Thesse Mainzer. She is a daughter of John Mainzer, of this county, and is a woman whose admirable disposition and many excellent traits of character have endeared her to all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. Their union has been blessed in the birth of nine children, their names being as follows; Rinehardt, Henry, Lydia, Hannah, Ed, Arthur, Ella, Eda and Benjamin W.
In this time of political divisions and excitements Mr. Kolbe remains firm in the support of the Republican party, with which he has always affiliated, and is regarded as one of the leaders of his party in this locality. He has served as chairman of the township board for years and also for years he has been a member of the school board. At various times he has served as delegate to conventions, ever performing faithfully and intelligently whatever duty devolved upon him. A veteran of the late war, he is, of course, identified with the G. A. R., his membership being in Wesley Greene Post, No. 71. Also he is a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 67. Religiously he is a Methodist, a steward in the church, and prominent and active in all good work.[Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden]
Mrs. Amy Larrabee is one of the pioneer ladies of Brown county, and is still living on the old homestead where she took up her residence more than a quarter of a century ago. In the development of a community the pioneer women bear a part, which, though quieter, is none the less important than that of the husbands and fathers. In their home life they exercise an influence that does much in shaping the development of a community and promoting its substantial growth. Mrs. Larrabee, as one of the representatives of this class, is well deserving of mention in the history of southwestern Minnesota.
Mrs. Larrabee was born in Vermont, August 30, 1822, a daughter of William and Bettie (Clauson) Humphrey, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont. She was was reared and educated in the Green Mountain state, and in 1847 gave her hand in marraige to Alva S. Larrabee, who was born in New York, in 1816, on the grounds once occupied by the old Indian chief Tecumseh. With his parents he removed to Vermont, where he acquired a good academical education, and with his father learned the trade of shoemaking. After his marriage he removed to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, and located on a farm, which he cultivated in connection with the business of tanning. In 1861 he removed to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he remained until 1864, when he came with his family to Brown county and purchased a farm on the bank of the Cottonwood river, comprising two hundred acres of choice land. Lying along the river and skirted with a good forest, it makes a most desirable stock farm. Mr. Larrabee successfully carried on general farming and stock raising up to within a short time of his death, which occurred in October, 1892. He was then in his seventy seventh year.
The characteristics of Mr. Larrabee were such as would commend him to the respect and confidence of all. He was devoted to his family and home, and was ever true to the duties of citizenship and public life. He held the offices of justice of the peace, township clerk and school director, and was ever faithful to the trust reposed in him. In politics he was a stanch (sic) Republican, and took an active interest in the success of his party.
Mr. Larrabee was a son of Benjamin Larrabee and connected with an old American family that was founded in America by three brothers, natives of France. He was also an own cousin of ex-Governor Larrabee, of Iowa. By his marriage to Amy Humphrey six children were born; Eric A., a farmer; Edward H., who keeps the old homestead; A. A., manager of the agricultural implement store of Klossner & Mueller, of Sleepy Eye; Edna, wife of L. R. Richardson, of Selma, Cottonwood county, Minnesota; Bert H., a pharmacist of Sleepy Eye; and Laura D., deceased. Mrs. Larrabee has also twenty grandchildren. She is still well preserved both mentally and physically, and is now living in her comfortable home, one of the substantial residences of the township, surrounded by her children and many friends.
Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden
J.P. Madsen, who resides on section 16, Prairieville township, Brown county, Minnesota, is regarded as one of the best farmers in the county and is the owner of one of the finest farms within its borders. Although now only in the prime of life, he is entitled to be ranked with the old settlers of the township, he having accompanied his parents here in 1868, when a boy.
Like many of the prominent and enterprising men of Brown county, Mr. Madsen was born in Denmark, not far from the city of Copenhagen, April 13,1856. His father, Madsen Jensen, was born in the same place, and in 1868 emigrated with his family to America, settling in the vicinity where our subject now lives and being among the first to locate here. He, however, was not destined to enjoy his new home for long, for in August of that same year he was called to his home above, leaving in this then thinly settled district his widow and four children, namely; Ellen Mary, J.P., Carrie Maria and Nels C. The last named is now a prominent business man of Lake Prestion, South Dakota. The widowed mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Nelson, lived to the ripe old age of ninety three years, dying in 1895. At the time of her death she was one of the oldest residents of Brown county.
J.P. Madsen was a boy of twelve years when he arrived in Minnesota, and with the other members of the family he passed through all the hard times incident to the grasshopper siege and the hailstorms and cyclones which discouraged not a few of the settlers through this part of the state. His early advantages for an education were indedd limited, but through home study, close observation and actual contact with the world he acquired a broad fund of useful information, and is today one of the most intelligent and well informed men of his locality; and in his farming operations and business ventures he has been uniformly successful. He located on his present farm in 1879. Here he has two hundred and seventy two acres of choice land, highly cultivated and with excellent improvements. His residence, the finest one in the township was erected at a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars, is beautifully located on a natural building site, with a fine grove near by, and is furnished and kept up in a manner that at once suggests good taste as well as prosperity. His barn is twenty six by fifty feet in dimensions, built at a cost of five hundred and fifty dollars, and he also has substatial and convienient granary, stables and other buildings, the whole farm being a model one in every respect.
Mr. Madsen married Miss Carrie Maria Christiansen, a native of Denmark and a daughter of Henry Christiansen. Their happy union has been blessed in the birth of the following named children: Jerry E., Adolph, Viola Eleanor, Clifford Victor, and an infant son named Stanley A.
Politically, Mr. Madsen is thoroughly in harmony with the Republican party in the principles it advocates. He is a member of the Lutheran church and the A. O. U. W., and as a neighbor and a citizen he is held in high repute by his fellows.
[Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota" Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden]
Martin Penning, one of the leading and successful farmers and stock raisers of Brown county was born in the province of Lunenburg, Germany, September 29, 1839, and is a son of Mathias and Anna (Hoffman) Penning. His father sailed, in 1846, with his family for the United States, reaching New York after a voyage of forty six days. He at once resumed his westward journey by land and at length reached Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, where he secured a tract of land and carried on farming until 1868, although he was primarily a blacksmith by trade. In that year he came to Brown county, Minnesota, where he purchased a farm, which he successfully operated until his death in October, 1889, in the eighty fifth year of his age. His wife survived him some time and passed away April 7, 1896, in her eighty seventh year. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living, namely; John P., Martin and Peter, all of whom are farmers of Brown county; John J., who resides in Sleepy Eye; and Kate, widow of August Steffan.
Mr. Penning of this sketch, accompanied his parents to America and in Wisconsin attended school. He afterward went to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm and attended school. Afterward he returned to Wisconsin, and in 1862 enlisted in Company C, Thirty fourth Wisconsin Infantry, under Captain G.J. Wilmot. The regiment went to Columbus, Kentucky, and there Mr. Penning was attached to a heavy artillery, being in charge of one of the guns. He afterward did guard duty in Memphis, Tennessee, for three months, and in August, 1863, he was honorably discharged.
Returning to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. Penning then engaged in a wholesale liquor store until the summer of 1865, when he came to Brown county, Minnesota, and with the capital he had aquired through his own industry purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. This was then an undeveloped region with few settlements and with but little prospect of rapid improvement, but in true pioneer style he began life in the west. His home was a hewed log cabin, sixteen by twenty six feet, in which he lived for twenty years. Earnestly he labored to get a start and soon paid off the indebtedness on his farm, but the grasshoppers afterward took all of his crops and the outlook seemed very discouraging. He did not lose heart, however, but with renewed energy began the task of securing for himself a good home and comfortable living. In addition to general farming, he embarked in stock raising, making a specialty of hogs and cattle, and from this enterprise he realized a handsome profit. He has now a landed estate of two hundred and seventy acres in a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Penning has been ably assisted by his estimable wife, who has indeed proved to him a help meet. He was married in 1867, to Christina, daughter of Anton and Maria (Hepple) Schmuker, of Brown county. She was born in Germany, was educated in he native tongue but after coming to America, at the age of twenty one years, mastered the English language and is an intelligent and cultured lady. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Penning was blessed with four children, but the sons, Robert and Oscar, are both deceased. The daughters are Rosa, wife of Frank Schnobrich, of New Ulm; and Emma M., at home.
In 1884 Mr. Penning erected on his farm an excellent barn, thirty four by sixty feet, with a good stone foundation and a seven foot basement. It is the best barn in the township and attests the enterprise and progressive spirit of the owner. In 1886 he erected a handsome two story residence of modern style and the home is tastefully furnished. The farm in its appointments is up to date in every particular. He has made a specialty of the cultivation of plums and small fruit, and has one of the finest plum orchards in southwestern Minnesota, containing over thirty varieties. He is recognized as one of the leading horticulturists in the state, is a member of the State Horticulture Society, and at its annual meetings his opinions, culled from practical experience, are eagerly welcomed. He follows the most progressive methods in all departments of his work and is well numbered among the leading farmers of his county.
Mr. Penning is a member of Keystone Lodge, No. 94, F. & A. M., of New Ulm, and of Wesley Green Post, No. 71, G. A. R. He is a broad minded man, public spirited, and is true to all the duties of life as he was to his country in the hour of peril when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battle fields.
Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden
F.C. Schutt, Cobden Minnesota, is an all around business man and farmer, prominently identified with the best interests of his locality, and enjoys the confidence and good will of all. He is probably best known as the superintendent, manager and buyer at Cobden for the Sleepy Eye Milling Company, which trusted position he has filled during the past ten years. His identity with the county covers a period of seventeen years.
Like many of the prominent and influential men of Brown county, Mr. Schutt is of European birth. It was in Mecklenburg, Germany, in the year 1840, that he first saw the light of day, and there he was reared and educated, attending school until he was fifteen. At twenty one he bade farewell to the scenes of his childhood and his native land, and from Hamburg set sail for America, landing in due time at New York city. From New York he immediately came west to Milwaukee, where, unfortunately, he was soon afterward taken sick, and for a year was unable to work. Upon his recovery he went to Chicago, and at Maywood, a suburb of that city, he secured the position of superintendent and manager of the work of laying out new streets, ditching, grading, etc., which occupied his attention for the next three years. Later he was for a time shipping clerk for the Waterbury Clock Company of Chicago, which position he held until the great fire of 1871. He was an eyewitness to that great conflagration. After the fire he returned to Maywood and near that place became interested in agricultural pursuits. Disposing of his interests there, he came to Minnesota and settled at Golden Gate, Brown county, and in 1884 moved from that place to his present location near Cobden, where he has a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one of the most desirable in the township. Here he has good buildings, a nice grove, and everything conveniently arranged for carrying on agricultural pursuits successfully.
Durin his ten years experience in the grain business as the representative of this well known firm, Mr. Schutt has annually handled no less than fifty thousand bushels of grain, and his dealings have brought him in contact with most of the people of this part of Brown county. Another important enterprise with which he is connected is the Cobden Co-operative Creamery Company, which he helped to organize and of which he is the efficient secretary, J.W. Kolbe being president. This creamery is one of the best in the county. The plant cost three thousand dollars, and the past year the company did a twelve thousand dollar business.
Mr. Schutt's political affiliations are with the Republican party. He has always taken an active and enthusiastic interest in party affairs, is regarded as one of the wheel horses of his party in this part of the county, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to local office. For several years he has been township clerk, and he has also served for years as a member of the school board, his public service like his private business affairs recieving prompt and careful attention. Religiously, he is identified with the Evangelical Association.
Mr. Schutt was married in Maywood, Illinois to Miss Minnie Tosch, an amiable and intelligent lady and a member of a good family. They have ten children, five sons and five daughters, viz.: Anna, Theodore, Herman, Martha, Charlotte, Ed, Lizzie, Adolph, Hubert and Clara; also they have two children deceased.
Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota (Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden )
Hans P. Tharkeldsen.
In the subject of this review is found another one of the honored and prospered farmers of Brown county, Minnesota, who dates his birth in Denmark and owes his present success to his own honest toil and good management. Since 1870 he has resided at his present location on section 16, Prairieville township, the little town of Evan being his post office address.Mr. Tharkeldsen was born in the province of Schleswig, Denmark, in the year 1843, the son of poor, honest and industrious parents, and one of a family of three children. He attended school in the old country until he was fourteen, recieving a fair education in his native language, and was employed in farm work there until he was twenty one. At that time he sailed from Hambur for America and was thirteen weeks in accomplishing the voyage to New York. The heavy storms impeded and changed the course of the vessel, which had to retrace its way in order to get into the tradewind, and of the three hundred and thirty three passengers on board thirty five died and were buried at sea. From New York the subject of our sketch directed his course westward to Racine, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm eight months. Next he went to Iowa and secured employment on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, where another eight months were spent. From Iowa he went up into the pine regions of Michigan, on the Muskegon river, and in 1870 came from there to his present location in Brown county, Minnesota. Here he secured eighty acres of government land, with a small house on it, fourteen by eighteen feet in dimensions, and to his original holdings has since added until now he is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres of choice land, all well improved. The residence he now occupies he built in 1888, at a cost of one thousand dollars, its location being on a gentle elevation and with a fine grove near by. Also he has a good barn and other farm buildings. He carries on general farming, and, like many of the enterprising men of this section of the country, is interested in the dairy business. Also he is a large stock holder in the Evan Co-operative Creamery and is president of the company, this being and enterprise highly beneficial to the locality.
Mr. Tharkeldsen has been twice married. His first wife was before marriage Miss Stine Jensen, and by her had four children, two of whom are living, Mary and Ida, both accomplished and refined young ladies. Miss Mary is a graduate of the Mankato Normal College, with the class of 1893, and has for several years been a popular and successful teacher, while Miss Ida has had a musical training and is proficient in her art. Their mother died in 1880. The present Mrs. Tharkeldsen was formerly Miss May Anna Saransen, she, too, being a native of Denmark.
In local affairs and especially in educational matters, Mr. Tharkeldsen has always shown a commendable interest, freely giving his support to all measures and movements which he believes are intended for the welfare of his community. In his political views he is independent, and religiously he is a consistent member of the Lutheran church. In the prime of life, of unbounded generosity and always frank and cordial, he is very popular, having many friends and acquaintances.
[Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota (Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden]
H.L. Tosch, of Cobden, Minnesota, is the superintendent and buyer at this place for the Eagle Roller Mills Elevator Company, of New Ulm, and ably represents their business. He was appointed to this position in April, 1895. The Eagle Roller Mills Company is one of the most substatial and enterprising firms in Brown county, its business at Cobden alone reaching no less than fifty thousand dollars per annum, much of its success here being due, no doubt, to the efficiency of Mr. Tosch, whose valued service is recognized and highly appreciated by the firm.
Mr. Tosch has resided at his present location since 1883. He is a native of Prussia, born May 21, 1850, and a son of Fritz and Henrietta (Raimus) Tosch. His mother died in Minnesota. In their family were six children, he being the second born, and as his father was a farmer, he was reared to agricultural pursuits. Until he was fourteen he attended the common schools of his native land, acquiring a fair education, and while yet in his teens emigrated to America, sailing from Hamburg and landing at New York city after a stormy voyage of seven weeks. From New York he came west to Illinois and settled at Norwood Park, near Chicago, in 1866, where he was engaged in farming until 1883, when he came to Minnesota and bought a farm near Cobden, five miles west of Sleepy Eye. Here he owns on hundred and fifty acres of good land, nicely improved with comfortable, residence, substantial barn, modern windmill, grove, etc.; and in connection with his farming operations he keeps a dairy of twelve to fifteen cows, and is a stockholder in the Cobden Creamery Company.
Mr. Tosch was married at the age of twenty two years, at Norwood Park, Illinois, to Miss Minnie Schroder, a member of a good family, and, like himself, of European birth. They have had four children, three of whom are living, William, Augusta, and Martha. Their daughter Amelia, a charming and accomplished young lady, died at the age of nineteen years. She was a favorite among her young friends and in the home circle and her early death was a source of great sorrow to all who knew her.
During his residence in Brown county Mr. Tosch has been honored with election to township office, and has rendered acceptable service in the same. His political affiliations from the time he became a voter have been with the Republican party. In religious matters he is prominent and active, being identified with the Evangelical Association and an official in its local organization. Also he is president of the Missionary Society connected with this church here. Genial and courteous in manner, and with the happy faculty of ingratiating himself with all with whom he comes in contact, he has made and retains hosts of friends both in his business dealings and otherwise.
[Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota -Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden]
M.C. Tower
Riverdale Farm, in Eden township, Brown county, Minnesota, is one of the most delightful rural places in this county, and its propietor, Mr. M.C. Tower, is one of Brown county's best known and most highly respected citizens.
Mr. Tower is a native of the Empire state. He was born in Wyoming county, New York, March 27, 1841, the son of English parents who came to America in early life. Bela Tower, his father, was born in Manchester, England, and was just entering manhood when he made the Atlantic voyage and sought a home in the New World, his location being in New York. In Wyoming county, that state, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Woodard, like himself, a native of Manchester. some years after their marriage they removed to Erie county, where they passed the rest of their lives and died. He lived to the advanced age of eighty two years and she was seventy six at the time of death. Both were devoted Christians, differing somewhat, however, in their creeds, he having been a Presbyterian and a deacon in the church for many years, and she a consistent Methodist. To them were born nine children, five sons, and four daughters, namely: Alonzo N., Warren J., Merritt X., George M., Alerick W., Phoebe, Amerette, Emily and Savilla.
His father was a farmer, the subject of our sketch was reared to farm life in his native state, recieving his education in the common schools and at home being surrounded by a refined and Christian influence, honesty and industry being instilled in him in his boyhood days. Thus he grew up, and on reaching manhood was well equipped for the battle of life. He was married in Strykersville, Wyoming county, New York, and in 1864, to Miss Maryetta Curtiss, an amiable and accomplished lady, and previous to her marriage a teacher in the schools of Wyoming county. She is an only child of Freeborn H. and Laura (Cutler) Curtiss, both natives of New York, the former of Scotch-English descent and the latter of English. Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss are now residents of North Java, New York.
About the time the civil war closed Mr. Tower was seized with a desire to "go west" and in 1865 we find him locating in Wabasha county, Minnesota, where he made his home one year, at the end of that time coming farther west and settling in Redwood county, across the county line from his present location, where he improved a good farm. In 1873 he bought the farm upon which he now lives, moved here in 1875, and has since maintained his residence here, sparing neither time nor means in the improvement of his land and the beautifying of his home. This farm comprises four hundred and forty acres of choice land and is utilized chiefly as a stock farm, its broad, rich pastures rivaling the bluegrass regions of Kentucky. for years Mr. Tower has made a specialty of fine stock and is at present directing his attention more particularly to dairy cattle of the best breeds, having expended a large amount of money in securing his stock. Formerly he was largely interested in breeding improved Clydesdale horses. His long experience in the stock business and the close attention he has given it have made hime an authority on the subject, and he is recognized as such throughout the county, his opinion and advice always being valued by others in this line of business. The residence at Riverdale Farm is a commodious two story building, beautifully situated on a natural building site, with attractive surroundings, and with furnishings the bespeak both the culture and refinement as well as the wealth of the owner and his family. In his farming and stock operations Mr. Tower is ably assisted by his son Fred, who is a partner in the firm and has been trained to the business and is familiar with it in its every detail.
Mr. Tower has been a Republican until recently, when he espoused the principles adopted by the Populists and is now in favor of reform. He has frequently been urged to accept local office, but has always declined the honor, his own private affairs demanding his whole time and attention. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Source: Memorial Record of S.W. Minnesota - Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden
Milton G. Wylie
WYLIE, Milton G., merchant; born, Brown Co., Minn., Mar. 25, 1867; son of John and Belle (Hogle) Wylie; educated in district schools of Polk Co., IA.; married at Clarkson, Mich., 1890, Millie M. Wolfe. Engaged in farming in Polk Co., IA., until 1886; then in lumber woods of Northern Michigan until 1888; was connected with Stanton, Sampson & Co., and later with Daniels & Ives, and Monroe, Rosenfield & Co.; associated with others and in spring of 1906 bought stock of latter firm, and has since been president of The Moore-Wylie Co., furnishing goods. Director Marvel Waist Co. Prohibitionist. Baptist. Office: 180 Jefferson Av. Residence: 24 Prentis Av. [Source:"The Book of Detroiters. Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis, 1908 - Sub. by Chris Walters]
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