Trails-to-the-Past-Minnesota-Olmsted-biographies

Biographies

History of Olmstead County Minnesota

Written by Joseph A. Leonard 1910

IHRKE, CHARLES -----chairman of the board of supervisors of Oronoco township, is a native of the state of Wisconsin, his birth occurring near Fond du Lac, December 3, 1866. His parents, John and Frieda Ihrke, were married in Germany, but at an early date came to the United States and for years followed farming near Pine Island, Minnesota. There the father died in 1901, his wife having passed away many years previously. Mr. Ihrke was married three times, and by his first wife had the following children: Fred S. a farmer in South Dakota; Minnie (deceased); John, farming in Goodhue county. To his second marriage was born one child, Henry. To his third marriage were born two children, Albert on the old Ihrke homestead, and Mary, now Mrs. Mary Ebert, of Zumbrota, Minnesota.

When a young man Charles Ihrke worked for several years as a farm hand at wages of $20 a month. By careful saving of his earnings he was enabled in 1893 to purchase on time the 260-acre Godell farm in Oronoco township. This has long since been paid for, and on it Mr. Ihrke has erected one of the finest farm houses to be found in the neighborhood. He also has built spacious barns and outhouses, and altogether his farm is considered one of the most prosperous in the county. Mr. Ihrke has experienced all the hard times of the farmer in debt and justly takes pride in having surmounted all obstacles. His acres are in diligently cultivated and at present Mr. Ihrke and family have an automobile and all necessities for comfort. He has served on the township board of supervisors for eight years, being chairman of same the last two years.

In 1893 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Goetsch, daughter of Mr. A. Goetsch, of Wabasha county, and to them have been born the following six daughters: Meta, Valeria, Melinda, Frieda, Leona, and Ella. The family all affiliate with the Lutheran church, of which body Mr. Ihrke has been a trustee for many years.

IRELAND, WILLIAM W. -----was born in Tompkins county, New York, June 29, 1845, and is a son of Hiram K. and Lucy (Hill) Ireland. The Ireland family traces its origin back to 1086 and the battle of Hastings, when Sir John de Ireland left Normandy, France, and joined William the Conqueror in England, and for his bravery and service was given a grant of land and a castle “Hale Hall,” yet standing. The grandson of Sir John married in 1200 Abena, daughter of Lord Holland. Another grandson married Margharet de Courcey, daughter of Lord Kenwick. Sir Gilbert Ireland, of this family, was once a member of parliament. Another Ireland married Gascoigne, one of the descendants of the Marquis of Salisbury. Thomas Ireland, of this illustrious family, came to America in 1640 and was one of the original owners of Hempstead, Long Island, under the patent of Governor Kieft, dated 1644. His son Thomas was born at Hempstead in 1647 and died at Oyster Bay in 1701. His son John was born at Oyster Bay in 1687. His son John, Jr., was born at Oyster Bay in 1713 and died at Huntington, Long Island, in 1793. The Ireland family contributed three soldiers to the Colonial army: Thomas Ireland, who served in the Third Ulster regiment under Col. Levi Pawling; Joseph Ireland served in the First regiment of minute men of Suffolk county under Col. Josiah Smith; Amos Ireland served in the Fifth regiment, New York troops, under Col. Lewis Dubois. Four coats of arms were granted to the English branch of the family, one of which is as follows: Armour et pax legend: “Crest dove with olive branch and fleur de lis.”

Hiram K. Ireland arrived in Rochester, Minnesota, October 1, 1856, and William W. recollects asking his father when they arrived at the hill, “Where Rochester is?” The town then had only a few log houses. Hiram K., a builder by trade, engaged in that occupation and built the first frame house on the east side. He also built the most of the houses erected during the next few years. He became one of the first aldermen of Rochester and was prominent in all public affairs.

William W. attended the first term of school held in Rochester in a log school house with only one room. and finished his education in Bryant & Stratton’s Business College, Chicago, in 1864-5. He was appointed mail clerk upon returning to Rochester, and was soon promoted to assistant postmaster, which position he held until 1870, the year his father died. He then engaged in the book and stationery business and continued the same until 1898, when he retired from active business. He is the owner of several farms and a tract of eighty acres bought of the Southern Minnesota Fair Association, just south of town in the city limits.

In January, 1882, he married Miss Annie, daughter of Asa and Mary (Morrill) Kelly. of Chicago. To this marriage no children have been born. Mrs. Ireland was born in Passadumkeag, Maine, February 8, 1853. Her first American ancestor was John Kelly, of Newbury, England, who settled at Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1665. The great-grand father on the Kelly side served in the Colonial army during the Revolution. Mr. Ireland is a Mason and a Republican. He is a trustee of the Congregational church and has served as delegate to several church conventions. Mrs. Ireland is now president of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Congregational church. They have no children and occupy a luxurious home at Dakota and Zumbro streets.

JOHNSON, CHARLES M. -----resident manager at Rochester for the Western Elevator Company, was born on a farm in Steuben county, Indiana, September 7, 1850, a son of Jesse and Emily (English) Johnson, natives of New York state and Pennsylvania, respectively. Both parents were descended from old Colonial families. The father first located in Indiana, but later, in 1854, removed with his wife and two children to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he bought land and for years engaged in farming. He is still living in the enjoyment of good health with his children, his wife having passed away some years ago. Of the nine children born to them, seven are yet living.

The oldest of these, Charles M., the subject of this review, received his education and was reared to early manhood in his native county. When eighteen years old he started out in life for himself, renting a farm near Osage, Iowa, and continuing thus for two years. He then farmed on rented land in Fillmore county, Minnesota, but subsequently removed to Watertown, South Dakota, where he secured land from the government, and for two years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1884 he disposed of his interests there and came to Rochester, where he was employed as grain buyer by Anderson Whiting. He remained thus occupied for two years, and then became connected in a like capacity with S. Whitten & Company. At the death of Mr. Whitten, the concern was purchased by Mr. G. Woodworth and Mr. Johnson remained with him for a period of thirteen years. Then the Western Elevator Company bought out Mr. Woodworth’s interests and Mr. Johnson has acted as resident manager for this corporation ever since. He buys and sells grain to the extent of many thousands of dollars yearly, and also does an extensive business in coal. He is a member of the school board, is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Presbyterian church. In the year 1907 he was elected an alderman of the city of Rochester, Minnesota, and served two years. He was re-elected to the same position for two years more, thus serving the city for four years in succession.

On July 29, 1877, he was married to Miss Annie, daughter of John Anderson, an early settler and. prosperous farmer of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and to them one son, Alvin E., has been born. Mr. Johnson is a successful and progressive businessman and is regarded as one of the public spirited citizens of the county.

JOHNSTON, WILLIAM -----was born August 29, 1838, in Cumberland county, England, and is a son of John and Mary (Newton) Johnston, who came to the United States in 1850 and for a short period resided in the state of New York. They then moved west to Illinois and located near the city of Elgin, and there resided six years engaged in farming and stock raising.

In 1856 William came with his father to Olmsted county and located in Kalmar township, where he purchased 160 acres in section 23, and there continued to reside until 1885, when he located permanently in Byron. He is one of the oldest settlers of the county, and well recollects when Rochester had only a few dozen inhabitants. He has ever been prominent in the locality where he lived, and has always had the respect of his neighbors. He has held the various township offices, and has otherwise shown his interest in public affairs. He is an Episcopalian and a member of the Workmen of America. He is a Democrat, but cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. On February 24, 1870, he married Mary Jackson, a daughter of Joseph Jackson, a native of England. Four children were born to this union: Clarence Joseph, Cora Bell (deceased), William and Jennie.

JOHNSTON, WILLIAM AUSTIN ----- was born at Ladoga, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, March 28, 1862. His father was Robert Bruce Johnston, who was born at Greenoch, Scotland, in March, 1818. The father was left an orphan at the age of eleven years and was then apprenticed to a ropemaker. After completing his apprenticeship he crossed the Atlantic ocean to Canada and landed in Montreal for a short time. He had one brother, William, and one sister Betsey, who came to this country and settled in Canada. About forty-five years ago the brother William went to South America, and is supposed to have died there. The sister Betsey died in Montreal.

The mother, whose maiden name was Rosetta Robbins, was born in Copenhagen, Lewis county, New York, September 25, 1830. She and her husband settled on a tract of land in Viola township in 1870, and at first owned 160 acres in sections 2 and 3. Here they made their permanent home and became well to do and prominent citizens. William A. has one sister at home—Miss Emma M. Johnston, who was born in Copenhagen, New York, July 6, 1851. The father, mother, brother and sister constitute the entire household and are comfortable and happy. The orderly manner in which the premises are kept, and the spacious and elegant home are silent but eloquent reminders of the fine characteristics of these worthy people.

JONES, FRED -----was born in Kalmar township, Olmsted county, February 4, 1865, and is a child of Thomas and Elizabeth (Murdent) Jones, who were early settlers of this county. The father was a native of England, but at the age of twenty-two years crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States, and first located on a tract of eighty acres in section 16, Kalmar township. He afterward increased his holdings until at the time of his death he owned a total of 160 acres of excellent, well-improved land. He became well known throughout the county, and was regarded as one of the best farmers and one of the most useful citizens. He was twice married, and had by his first wife a family of eight children -—-James, George, Thomas, John, Willie, Charles, Fred, and Sarah. By his second marriage he had seven children—Lilly, Lura (deceased), Dinah, Pearl, Julia, Arthur (deceased), Roy (deceased).

Fred was reared on his father’s farm and was educated at the old log school house near the home place. He remained with his parents until he was 21 years old, and afterwards lived more or less with his father until the death of the latter. During all this time he steadily added to his worldly possessions, until he acquired a handsome property.

On May 11, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Babcock, and to this union seven children were born, five of whom are now living, as follows: Metta, born September 5, 1887; Ray, born September 24, 1888 ; Amber, born April 3, 1890 ; Elsie, born June 10, 1891 ; Willis, born February 20, 1895. Ray has started out for himself and is now in Montana, and has a claim near Glendive. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are in comfortable circumstances and happy in the excellent home life they are leading. Mr. Jones is a Republican, but does not take a pominent part in politics.

JOSLYN, CHARLES ADDISON ----- president of the Rochester city council, was born in Brockport, Monroe county, New York, April 30, 1838, a son of Isaac and Minerva (Peters) Joslyn. The progenitors of the family in America were three brothers, who were soldiers in Cromwell’s army and came to his country in the English ship “Increase.” Isaac Joslyn, the father of our subject, was a merchant and stock-buyer in New York, which line of business he followed through life.

His son, Charles Addison, received his scholastic training in Brockport Academy, now the State Normal School, but when sixteen years of age left school, and for several years worked in a hardware store. He then entered the employ of Seymour Morgan & Company, the first manufacturers of self rakes, etc., and traveled for them and their successors, D. G. Morgan & Company, of Brockport. New York. for a period of eighteen years, his duties as salesman and collection agent taking him all through the grain raising states. He then resigned to go with the Champion Harvester Company, but after one year thus employed entered the hardware establishment, at Rochester, Minnesota, of A. D. Vedder, and here remained for five years. During that time he acquired considerable property interests in the city, and has since devoted his time to his holdings here. Mr. Joslyn is a staunch Jeffersonian Democrat, is positive and consistent in political affairs, has served as city engineer one year, alderman two terms, has been delegate to eight state conventions and has twice been summoned as a member of the United States jury at St. Paul. He was especially active in the nomination of Dr. W. W. Mayo as state senator, and in the spring of 1910, in a city strongly Republican, was elected president of the city council, carrying every ward.

On September 17, 1859, Mr. Joslyn was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Graves, of Brockport, New York, and to them the following named children have been born: Charles Ezra, expert accountant, of Chicago; Isaac, foreman of egg department in establishment of W. J. Eaton Company, Rochester; Sarah, now Mrs. Date, teacher of sixth and seventh grades of Holmes school, residing with her two children in the home of her father; Dayton, traveling salesman for a Chicago surgical instrument manufacturing concern; and Susan, twin sister of Dayton, died in infancy. Mrs. Joslyn passed away eighteen years ago in Rochester, and now lies at rest beside her daughter in the family lot. Mr. Joslyn came to Minnesota June 5, 1860. Mr. Joslyn and family have resided in their present home for forty-one years. The children have grown, as they were reared, to honorable and useful lives, and Mr. Joslyn has always contributed from his time and means to the support of any enterprise for the betterment of the community.

JOSSELYN, LEVI B. -----for years engaged in the farm implement business at Rochester, and one of the old and highly respected citizens of Olmsted county, was born in Buffalo, New York, April 13, 1832, a son of Elanson and Maria (Bowman) Josselyn, natives of Vermont and Canada, respectively. As a young man the father followed the mason’s trade, but about the year 1828 he went to Buffalo, New York, and for several years engaged in the grocery business. In 1855 he emigrated with his family to the broad and rolling fields of Illinois, but one year later he came to Olmsted county arid pre-empted land in section 1, Cascade township. This was six miles north of the village of Rochester, and his farm was divided by the township line of Haverhill and Cascade, the home being in the latter. Here Mr. Josselyn experienced many of the hardships incident to the lives of the early pioneers, but by hard work he prospered and when death beckoned him in 1876 his loss was mourned generally throughout the county.

The early boyhood days of Levi B. Josselyn were spent in Buffalo, New York, and he was there educated in the public schools. He for a time was associated with his father in the grocery business, and when the family came west to Illinois he remained for one year in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In September, 1856, he came to Olmsted county and resided on the home farm until 1885. He then removed to the city of Rochester and purchased the establishment of Mr. S. B. Clarke, for a time continuing with a partner and then conducting the business alone. Mr. Josselyn has remained thus occupied ever since and carries a complete and up-to-date line of buggies, wagons, pumps, windmills, gas engines, harness, etc.

He has been twice married; first to Miss Mary Walker, in 1861, who died in 1870, by whom he had these children: Frank S., farming in Olmsted county; Alanson C., farming in Marion township, and Gertrude E. deceased; second, in 1871, to Miss Mary Clark, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born George P., since 1898 in business with his father, and Fred L., in the First National Bank at Rochester. Mr. Josselyn is a member of the Methodist church and has served as township supervisor, clerk of the township and county commissioner. He takes an active interest in all that tends to the growth and development of home and county, and is greatly respected by his fellowmen.

JOYCE, DR. GEORGE T. -----one of the rising medical practitioners of Olmsted county, was born in High Forest township, this county, January 25, 1870, a son of James and Anna (Holland) Joyce, who were natives of Ireland and were there educated in the public schools, but were married in Minnesota. They arrived in America at an early date and, coming to Minnesota, located on a farm in section six, of High Forest township. Here they engaged in agricultural pursuits and became prominent and influential citizens. Mr. Joyce was one of the founders of St. Bridget’s parish and was a devout supporter of the Catholic faith. His death occurred in 1889 and he was buried in St. Bridget’s cemetery. His widow still survives and resides on the old homestead.

After attending the district schools of his native township, Dr. George T. Joyce spent two years in attendance at the Normal school in Rochester. Early in life he decided to take up the study and practice of medicine, and after a two years’ preparatory course at Des Moines, Iowa he spent four years at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, graduating therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1904. He also attended the University of Illinois. He immediately returned to Olmsted county, located at Rochester and has since been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession. He is a member of the State, American and Southern Minnesota Medical societies, and is medical director for the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus. He was also one of the charter members of the Knights of Columbus, at Rochester. At the present writing Dr. Joyce is serving as alderman from the First ward and is a member of the Utility Board. Politically he is of the Democratic faith and in religion is a Roman Catholic. In 1906 he was married to Miss Josephine Baier of Olmsted county, and one daughter, Evelyn, has been born to them.

JOYCE, MARTIN J. -----was born in this county and is the son of James and Anne (Holland) Joyce. James Joyce, the father, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1826, and came to the United States in 1856. After locating elsewhere for short periods he came to Olmsted county in 1859 and pre-empted a homestead in section 6 of the Panhandle of High Forest township, and here made his permanent home. On his journey to this county he crossed the Mississippi river at McGregor (McGregor’s Landing), Iowa, and upon taking possession of his land cleared first a small plot, which was planted to potatoes and beans. He brought one cow with him, but his living at first consisted largely of wild game. In that early day all trading on a large scale was done at Winona, and usually the few neighbors would by agreement form caravans and go together in order to assist each other on the trip. Often they were gone for a week. during which time the women and children were left alone to care for the farm, stock, etc. In 1861 James Joyce married Anne Holland, who was born in 1838, her parents being pioneer settlers of Rock Dell township. During the Indian excitement of 1862 Mr. Joyce and wife took refuge against possible danger in the village of High Forest, where the settlers for miles around gathered for protection. Gradually as time passed the farm was cleared and put under a high state of cultivation until it was one of the best in the township. As the children grew up they were set at work to assist in raising grain and livestock. In time the family became surrounded with conveniences, comforts and were as happy as could be expected.

To James and Anne Joyce were born ten children: Peter, who went west in 1885 to seek his fortune in the Dakotas, tried farming but later learned the butcher’s trade; Mary, now the wife of Thomas R. O’Connor, a successful farmer of Pleasant Grove township; John, who married, has three children and is an up-to-date farmer in Mower county; James, who assisted in conducting the farm after the death of the father, which occurred February 13, 1889; in 1893 James bought the Pat Holland farm in section 6, township 104, range 15, and in 1894 he married Miss Elizabeth Montague, whose parents came from Canada and settled in Mower county at an early date; he is a prosperous farmer and has placed many dollars’ worth of improvements on his place; Agnes, now the wife of Samuel Kent, a leading farmer and shipper of Norfolk, Nebraska, was graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Lourdes and later from the Winona state normal, and for many years a successful teacher in the schools of Minnesota; Martin J. Joyce, now conducting the home farm, under whose supervision the log house and straw shed gave place to modern, well-equipped frame buildings, until now this farm—for beauty and productiveness—is one of the first country homes in Olmsted county; Anna Loretto, graduated from the Young Ladies’ Seminary of Winona and took a teacher’s course in the state normal school, was for several years a successful teacher in the schools of Minnesota and South Dakota; Francis, after finishing his junior year in the Stewartville high school, took a course in the Winona normal, taught one year in the schools of the county, then entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, graduating in the class of 1904; he is now enjoying a lucrative practice in Chicago; in 1906 he was married to Miss Celeste Cavanaugh, of Chicago; George attended the Howard and Chapman Industrial School and after finishing his course there he took preparatory work in Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, entered the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated with honors in the class of 1904; coming to Rochester, he entered into a partnership with Dr. Charles T. Granger; this partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in 1907 and Dr. Joyce located on South Broadway, where he has a large and successful practice; he was married to Miss Josephine Baier in 1906; Leo finished from the Faribault schools, took a post-graduate course there, then entered Gallandet College, Washington, D. C.; after finishing his course in this school he accepted a position in Devi1’s Lake, North Dakota, resigned after three years and is now in the office of the Rochester Daily Bulletin.

This family is one of the most prominent in the county. Its members are up-to-date in all things, are all ambitious and are all of good habits and character. They seem to be determined to get to the top and be among the leaders in progress, education, influence and enjoyment.

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