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

Biographies

History of Olmstead County Minnesota

Written by Joseph A. Leonard 1910

HEALEY, RICHARD -----one of the earliest settlers of Farmington township, was born in England, February 3, 1833, where he spent his youth and obtained his education. When eighteen years old he immigrated to the United States and for one year resided at LaGrange, Indiana, and for a short time thereafter at Marion township, Minnesota. He then took up government land on section 30 of what is now Farmington township, Olmsted county, at which time Rochester was a small hamlet of a few log cabins and Indian tepees. He continued to reside on his farm until 1892, when he retired and moved to Rochester, bought a home on Prospect avenue, and there died in February, 1901. His funeral was conducted by the Rev. Frank Doran and was, by reason of his upright life and wide acquaintance, largely attended by a concourse of friends and relatives. In 1858 he married Miss Mary J. Parson, who survives him, and they were the parents of two sons and one daughter, George M., of Haverhill township; William F., and Mrs. Emma Holt, of Rochester. Mr. Healey was a Methodist in religion, as are his wife and children.

William F. Healey, son of Richard and Mary J. (Parson) Healey, was born December 24. 1865, on the old Healey homestead in Farmington township, Olmsted county, Minnesota. As a boy he attended the stone school house yet standing near the George M. Healey home, which is still used for educational purposes, and when old enough assisted his father with the work of the home farm. After reaching maturity he bought 195 acres of land adjoining the old homestead upon which he has since resided, and while operating this he also looks after the home property of 200 acres, which is rented. In politics he is independent, but instead of seeking political recognition at the hands of either of the two major parties he prefers to attend strictly to his calling of farming and stock raising, at which he has been unusually successful. He is one of the progressive men and modern farmers of the county and was one of the organizers of the Ringe Co-operative Creamery Company.

He married, on November 30, 1892, Miss Helen Matilda Heins, a daughter of John J. and Anna (Zelmer) Heins, and they are the parents of two daughters, Geneva M., born May 5, 1898, and Nina Isabelle, born May 1, 1901. Mrs. Healey was born in Newton township, Marquette county, Wisconsin, February 27, 1866, and was brought to Olmsted county a young girl by her parents. Mr. Heins died in 1887, and Mrs. Heins September 29, 1903. Both are buried at Rochester. They were the parents of Mrs. Mary Juhnke, of Russell, North Dakota; Joseph L., a farmer of Oronoco township; Mrs. Jennie Healey, wife of George M. Healey, of Haverhill township; Mattie, died at Rochester in 1908; Mrs. Emma Leonard, of Hinckley, Minnesota, and Helen Matilda, the wife of the subject of this sketch.

HEALY, JOHN -----one of the pioneer farmers and stock-raisers of Olmsted county, was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and was there educated and reared to early manhood, but in 1850 immigrated to America, and first located at New Orleans. He secured employment on steamboats which plied the Mississippi River and while thus engaged became familiar with the country along the course of that river. In 1858, eight years after coming to this country, he came to and settled in Olmsted county, Minnesota, and first worked as laborer in the towns and farms. In 1860 he rented land and for three years farmed thereon, but then purchased a tract of 200 acres, which was in a wild, uncleared state, and on this farm spent thirty years actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Healy became well known throughout the county and was considered one of the substantial farmers of the community. He and wife, Margaret, were among the county’s earliest settlers and took an active part in the growth and development of this portion of the country. On March 7, 1889, Mr. Healy passed away, leaving considerable property and an honest, unblemished name.

HEALY, PATRICK -----son of John Healy, was born in Olmsted county, February 27, 1864, and spent his boyhood days attending the district schools and assisting his father on the home farm. After completing the course in the high school at Chatfield, he returned to his father’s farm and there remained until his thirtieth year. With the death of the elder Healy, Patrick inherited from his father’s estate 200 acres of choice land, and has since made many improvements to the property, and is carrying on mixed farming and stock raising. He cultivates about 150 acres and his land is of the best in this section.

November 13, 1893, he married at Chatfield Miss Mary Crowley, daughter of Edward and Catherine Crowley, who came to this country and settled in Chatfield township, Fillmore county, in 1856, and became prominent farmers and citizens. To Mr. Healy and wife four children have been born, named Harold, who died in 1908; Patricia, Edward and Mary all of whom are in school.

HEBACH, PHILIP -----a deceased pioneer farmer and stock raiser of Marion township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, was born in Germany, October 10, 1817, and was there educated and reared to early manhood. Early in life he decided that greater chances for success could be found in America, and accordingly he left his native country and immigrated to the United States. He first settled in New York state and for eleven years was engaged by a New York banker as carriage driver and gardener. In 1858 he decided to seek a new home on the broad and rolling fields of the West, and came to Olmsted county, .Minnesota.

Here he bought 160 acres of land in Marion township, improved and cultivated same, and when death halted his career on May 16, 1903, he was one of the most successful and progressive farmers in the community. Aside from his farming interests he was largely engaged in the raising of fine cattle, and at this he was also unusually successful.

Before coming to this part of the country Mr. Hebach was married in New York state to Miss Katherine Karl, who was born in Germany, November 12, 1825, and they, with their one daughter Anna, born in Olmsted county, lived many years happily together. Mrs. Hebach was reared and educated in her native country and when a young woman came to this country and joined her parents, who had immigrated previously and settled in New York state. In his political views Mr. Hebach was a life-long Democrat, and socially he was identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1903 he was summoned to the Great Beyond, a man greatly beloved and respected by all who knew him, and a devout member of the Catholic church.

HEFFRON, MARTIN -----is an excellent example of the self-reliant and progressive businessman and of exceptional citizenship. He was born in the city of New York on April 2, 1848, and is the son of Patrick and Margaret (O’Brien) Heffron. The father was of Irish nativity and came to this county about the year 1864. He was a successful contractor and builder and erected many houses of all kinds in this vicinity. He was a great reader of all kinds of books and papers and was therefore a man of unusually wide intelligence and information.

His son, Martin Heffron, was surrounded with exceptional advantages, which had a marked effect on his character through life. His parents early taught him the merit of strict economy and sterling honesty, and his early adoption of these principles has added not a little to his high reputation and excellent character. He lived on a farm and had only the advantages of country schooling, but he made the most of his opportunities. His parents were poor, and he had to go two miles to school, but with diligence succeeded in securing schooling sufficient for the active duties of life. While yet a young man he passed the required examination and taught school nine terms. Under his father he learned the art of contracting and building, and believing that business to be more remunerative than anything else he could do, he took it up and has made it a specialty, and in later years has added to it the art of architecture,-all giving him advantages that have resulted in a high reputation for good work artistically performed. In early life he served as deputy clerk of the district court. In 1889 he accepted a position with the Charles W. Gindele Company, of Chicago, and for five years was employed on government work. Since then he has been engaged in business for himself.

He has ever taken much interest in public affairs and soon became prominent locally. He was elected to the city council and later was chosen for the honorable and responsible position of Mayor of Rochester. He served two terms as alderman and one term as mayor, greatly to his credit. He is a Democrat and a Catholic and a member of the Elks, Workmen, Knights of Columbus and Hibernians, in which latter he has held various official positions. On November 14, 1899, he married Margaret McElligott, and they have one child.

HEINTZ, PHILIP G. -----is one of the substantial businessmen of Rochester. Born at Winona, Minnesota, on November 5, 1863, he is one of four children, two now living, born to the marriage of Philip and Mary (Schmidt) Heintz, both parents being natives of Germany. The father came with his family to America at the age of thirteen years, and for many years resided at Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he learned the wagonmaker’s trade. He there married, and in 1858 moved to Winona, Minnesota, but in 1869 came to Rochester, and here he and wife have since resided.

Philip G. Heintz has made Rochester his home since six years old. He received his education in the public, high and private schools of this city, and in 1879 started out in life for himself as a clerk in the drug establishment of George Weber. For six years he thus continued, then became a partner of his former employer, under the firm name of Weber & Heintz. The added increase of business extended the firm through the Drs. Mayo, with whom they had long maintained intimate business relations, led to the incorporation under the laws of Minnesota of the Weber & Heintz Company in 1908. The members composing the corporation are: Arthur B. Hall, Cornelius M. Judd, George Weber, George C. Weber and Philip G. Heintz, and the capitalization is $50,000. Arthur B. Hall is the president of same, and Philip G. Heintz is secretary and treasurer. Mr. Heintz is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of Osman Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at St. Paul. In politics he is a Democrat, but is also independent, the only office ever having been held by him being that of the non-political one—president of the Rochester Park Board. December 2, 1891, he married Miss Ann Leuthold, and to this union one son has been born: Howard W.

HENRY, FOREST -----of Dover, son of John R. and Asenath Henry, old pioneers of Olmsted county, was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, September 28, 1856. His ancestors originally came to America from Holland and settled in the famous Mohawk valley, in the State of New York, where, with other of their fellow countrymen, they talked the Dutch language almost exclusively for several generations. John R. Henry was named after his father and this has been a family name as far back as the records have been kept. In all walks of life the family have been distinguished for their sobriety, industry, loyalty to country and uprightness of conduct.

The father of Forest Henry came West to Wisconsin about the year 1855 and two years later settled in Olmsted county, Minnesota, establishing a home at that time in Dover township. This location was on section 28, and Mr. Henry retained the ownership of this property until his death. His wife was Asenath Farrell, to whom he was married in 1848, but she was known also by the name of Nichols, a family from which she was directly descended, one of her ancestors being Governor Nichols, of New York, and another General Nichols. together with his four sons. who participated in the battle of Bennington during the Revolutionary war. The children born to John R. and Asenath Henry were named Albert B., Cassius M., Frank and Forest.

Forest Henry the immediate subject of this biography, came to Olmsted county in infancy with his parents, was here educated in the district schools and has always made this locality his home. He was graduated from the high school at St. Charles and also took a short course in Carlton College. For fifteen winters, from the time he was seventeen years old, he taught in the village and district schools and followed farming during the summer months. In 1888 he sold his first farm of eighty acres and bought 320 in Elmira township, which for the succeeding ten years he devoted entirely to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Henry was not content merely to farm after the prevailing custom of the times. He subscribed liberally to the current literature on modern agriculture and, putting the scientific knowledge thus gained to his practical training, he became a successful exponent of practical, scientific, up-to-date farming. In 1898 he received the appointment of traveling lecturer from the State Agricultural Department, a position he has ever since filled, and while serving as such in the West also lectured extensively in New York State and in New England. The duties of this position have not interfered with Mr. Henry’s work as a practical farmer. He is one of the large land owners of the county as well as one of its most progressive citizens. He has contributed numerous articles to the press on the subject of modern, scientific farming and stock raising, and is an associate editor of the Iowa Homestead, the Wisconsin Farmer and the Agriculturist. For several successive years he has been appointed by the governor to represent the State at the Farmers’ National Congress, and was also chosen by the committee as one of the speakers at the first Conservation Congress held in the State during the winter of 1909-10.

Mr. Henry has been repeatedly urged by various committees and individuals to let his name stand for the State legislature and also for Congress, but has preferred thus far to devote his time to the cause of agriculture. His reputation as a high authority on agriculture is well established—not only throughout the Northwest but throughout the whole country as well. A prominent agriculturist of the East said of him: “I have been with Mr. Henry by the week and heard him lecture on many subjects, and can say that he is one of the most accurate men I ever met.” The State Department of Agriculture made this comment: “Of all that Mr. Henry has said on the platform and in our publications, we have never had to take back one word.” In politics Mr. Henry is a Republican; in religion a Methodist.

On March 9, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie W., daughter of Richard Lloyd and Annabelle Cotterell, and to them have been born two sons, John R. and James A., both of whom have completed the course of study in the State School of Agriculture.

HICKOK, MARSHALL a well known and highly respected citizen of New Haven township, was born March 21, 1839, at Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Carter and Catherine Hickok. His mother dying when he was quite young, the father removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, in the early forties, and there the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, receiving but the limited education afforded by the public schools.

He assisted his father in farm work, and on September 15, 1859, married Miss Maggie Pressley. In 1860 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and began farming, but the threatened disruption of the Union led to his enlistment at Fort Snelling, on January 28, 1862, in Company H, Fifth Minnesota volunteer infantry. With his command he participated in over thirty engagements, great and small, including Shiloh, Corinth, Tuscumbia, Iuka, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the Red River campaign, Memphis, a campaign through Arkansas and Missouri to the Kansas line, then back to Nashville via. St. Louis, New Orleans, Dolphin Island, Mobile bay engagements, through Florida and thence back to Montgomery, Alabama, where he was honorably discharged September 6, 1865. In the engagement at Nashville his regiment lost 106, out of a total of 460 men engaged. After peace was declared Mr. Hickok returned to Olmsted county and resumed farming.

Mrs. Hickok died May 5, 18-, leaving one daughter, Maggie, now Mrs. Lewis, of Idaho. Mr. Hickok remarried, his second wife being Adelia Maynard, and to this union the following children have been born: Carrie, now Mrs. Vines, of Canada; Carter, a farmer of New Haven township; Ruby, now Mrs. Nichols, of Spokane, Washington; Edwin, Marion and Frank, the last named three residing at home. Mrs. Hickok died in 1888, and is buried in the cemetery at Pine Island. Mr. Hickok is a Republican and has served New Haven township as constable for about twenty years. He is a member of the James Mowrey Post, G. A. R., and for many years has represented his post as a delegate to the state encampments.

HICKS, JACKSON V. ------a veteran of the Civil war and one of Kalmar township’s well-known citizens, was born May 20, 1836, in Ontario county, New York, and is the only living child of a family of eight born to Elias and Eliza (Witherspoon) Hicks, who were of English ancestry. Elias Hicks was a native of the state of New York, and died at Elkhorn, Wisconsin, in 1885, his wife having passed away forty years previously. He came to Wisconsin in 1837 and settled in Walworth county. He was a man of unusual force and character, a Universalist in religious belief, a farmer by occupation and, as a Democrat of the Jackson school, was elected to the Wisconsin state legislature.

Jackson V. Hicks remained under the parental roof, assisting in the farm work and attending the district schools, until eighteen years old, when he started out to make his own way in the world. He worked as a farm laborer at $12 a month until he had saved $27, then for a time engaged in various occupations and eventually began buying and selling real estate and dealing in livestock.

In 1862, when rebellion threatened the disruption of the Union, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to duty in the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in the fighting in and around Memphis, the engagement at Helena, Arkansas, at Yazoo and the siege of Mobile. For six months he was sick in the hospital and after his recovery was with his regiment at New Orleans, and was finally honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, in August, 1865.

December, 1859, Mr. Hicks removed to Olmsted county, Minnesota, buying a farm in Salem township, where he lived until 1886. He then moved to Byron, where he still resides. Besides his beautiful home in Byron, he is the owner of other property in the village and well improved farms in the immediate neighborhood, and is regarded as one of the public spirited men of the community.

Mr. Hicks was married twice, first to Miss Sallie Maria Short, by whom he had two children, Myron E., a resident of New Mexico, being the only one living, and Cora, who died when two years of age; and second, on December 1, 1897, to Miss Eliza Emma Sinclair, daughter of Dudley Sinclair, of Kalmar township. Dudley Sinclair came to Olmsted county in 1855, pre-empted land from the government and was very conspicuous as a stanch supporter of Prohibition. He was a very public spirited man and took an active part in all movements that would be of benefit to his town or county. He was regarded as an able speaker and debater and favored all that tended to the betterment of home and country.

Jackson V. Hicks, in his political views is, like his father before him, a Jacksonian Democrat, and is also active in all prohibition movements. He is an active member of Custer Post, No. 44, of the Grand Army of the Republic. During President Cleveland’s administration he served two terms as postmaster of Byron and fourteen years as mayor of Byron. He is also a director in the State Bank of Byron. In religious views Mr. Hicks is a Universalist, and is regarded by all who know him as one of the men interested in any movement for the good of country, county and home.

HISEY, DANIEL -----(deceased) was born in Ohio May 28, 1834, and in that state spent the greater part of his early life. He received there a common school education and that training in business and in good conduct that characterized all his subsequent life. In 1856 he came to Olmsted county and first located on section 17, Eyota township, but after making important improvements he sold out to good advantage and bought a larger tract of unimproved land in Orion township, and began to improve the same. On April 21, 1859, he married Catherine, daughter of Jephtha and Marian Cline, both of whom were of direct German descent. Her mother was a Plank, from one of the early families of this county. When Daniel and Catherine took possession of their wild and unimproved place, they first built a small shanty which they occupied for two years. They then built a substantial log house, in which they lived until 1901, when the present building was erected. The little shanty first occupied was small and rude, but it was sufficient to shield them from the dreadful storms of winter. The log house was much better and was a good one, even where log houses were common. Both Daniel and Catherine worked hard. because they were looking for better days, when they could have a large tract under cultivation, could be out of debt and have money to spare for better comforts and surroundings. This worthy couple cannot be praised too highly for their steady and industrious lives and for their good conduct generally. In all things husband and wife worked together and were happy in their long struggle for a home and competence. After a steady residence of over forty-four years in the county the husband and father finally passed away on July 28, 1898, leaving behind an excellent name and a loving family and many faithful friends who mourned his departure. He was a most excellent man, kind in his family, loving to his wife and earnest and sincere in all of life’s duties.

After his lamented death his widow continued the improvements to the farm that had been commenced by her husband. Assisted by her son Frank she added to the buildings, enlarged the barn, built new sheds, and last but not least erected the fine modern residence now occupied by her. She is now somewhat retired from the active duties of life, though she still continues to take keen interest in the improvement of the old place. Being an excellent business woman, she directs how farm affairs shall be conducted. Her long life has, as a whole, been a happy one, and she is now well preserved, with full possession of her faculties and is a lady anyone will be glad to converse with. She is kind hearted, liberal and generous and possesses a soul that looks beyond the confines of this sordid world to higher and better things. When the final summons comes it will find her well prepared. To Daniel and Catherine were born four children, as follows: William J. A. died October 7, 1863, aged three and a half years. John D. A. died September 7, 1862, at the age of seven and a half months. Mary J. married Frank E. Manning, a farmer and neighbor, and they have the following children: Ella M., Minnie C., Walter M., Jay I., Jake H., Guy A., Avis M., Edith B., and Clifford F. Frank M. married Antonette Tesca and they have three children: John William, Lewis Lester and Paul Henry. Frank and his family live with his mother Catherine. Their home is on 180 acres on section 16, Orion township, and their post office is Chatfield.

HOFFMAN, AUGUST C. -----engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Rochester, was born on section 2, Farmington township, Olmsted county, May 21, 1871, a son of Charles A. and Fredericka (Meyer) Hoffman. His father was a native of Posen, Germany, and was there educated in the public schools, but in 1856, when 17 years old, he immigrated to America and located in Olmsted county, Minnesota. After spending two years as a farm hand he pre-empted land from the government in section 2, Farmington township, and thereon engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. He was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the county, and his farm had to be cleared and grubbed, but he set to work with a will, and little by little added to his holdings until he became the owner of over 300 acres of fine farm land. In 1904 he and wife retired from the active cares of life and came to Rochester to pass their remaining days. Here Mr. Hoffman passed away on September 7, 1906, but his widow still survives him and resides at 114 East Fifth street. Mr. Hoffman’s body was laid at rest in Oakwood cemetery. Mrs. Hoffman was born in the province of Meckelburg, Germany, and came to America when yet a young lady. To her marriage with Charles A. Hoffman the following named children were born: Emma, the wife of E. F. Benike, of Clark county, South Dakota; Sarah, wife of Hans Rottigorn, of Willow City, North Dakota; A. C., of Rochester; Edward, of Rochester; William, Clark county, South Dakota: Tillie, wife of Rev. George W. Ruhl of Nortonville, Kansas; Henry A., of Farmington township; Albert; and Agnes, residing with the mother in Rochester.

Until 24 years old August C. Hoffman remained on the home farm, attending the public schools and assisting his father, and then engaged in farming and stock raising on his own account in Haverhill township. In 1906 he disposed of his interests, however, and removed to Rochester, where he secured a position in the office of Griffin & Company, real estate and insurance brokers. He was later made a member of the firm, in 1908 was elected vice-president thereof, and has acted in that capacity ever since. This concern is the local representative of the following companies: The Caledonia Insurance Company, of Scotland; the Calumet Insurance Company, of Chicago, Illinois; the New Hampshire Insurance Company, of Concord, New Hampshire; the Royal Exchange Insurance Company, of England; the American Accident United Surety Company. Mr. Hoffman, aside from his connection with the above concerns, deals largely in Western farm and raw lands and in Rochester city property. He also owns a hotel at Junction City, Wisconsin, which he rents, and is a stockholder in the Peerless Wheel Company, of Rochester. His firm has become widely known throughout southern and central Minnesota, and he has handled much of their outside business, giving him a wide acquaintance in insurance circles.

On January 15, 1896, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Emma Klingspoon, daughter of Louis and Anna (Pirics) Klingspoon, who was born near Pine Island, Minnesota, October 20, 1873, and to them have been born Elmer, June 6, 1897, in Haverhill township, and Florence Hilda Emma, same place. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a Republican, and although he has never held office, is greatly interested in local affairs. He has been successful in business ventures and is one of the progressive citizens of the county.

HOFFMAN, HENRY -----residing on section 7, Cascade township, is a son of John and Jacobina (Martin) Hoffman, both of whom were natives of Germany. They immigrated to the United States and were married in Wisconsin, August 26, 1849, and there lived until 1865, when they moved to Kalmar township, Olmsted county, Minnesota. Here they endured the hard work and privation of pioneer times, but gradually accumulated property and eventually became influential and prosperous. They commanded the respect of all who knew them. Mr. Hoffman died in 1904, and Mrs. Hoffman in 1906.

Henry Hoffman, as a boy, worked hard on his father’s farm, and during the winter months attended the district school. His life has been passed in agricultural pursuits, with the exception of eight years, from 1897 to 1905, during which time he was the proprietor of a successful creamery, and he is the present owner of 153 acres of choice land in Cascade township.

He was born in this county, April 1, 1866, and on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1895, married Miss Edith Farnham, daughter of Albert Farnham. Two sons and two daughters have blessed this union, as follows: Madge, December 17, 1898; Richard H., July 31, 1900; John H., January 7, 1903; Isabelle, October 27, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are highly regarded in the community as excellent citizens and neighbors.

HOFFMAN, HENRY A. -----of Farmington township, who has an extended acquaintance in this and Wabasha county by reason of his active efforts in the behalf of good roads, was born February 8, 1881, on the farm where he long resided. His father was Charles A. Hoffman of German parentage, one of the well known early settlers of the county and County Commissioner.

As a boy, Henry A. Hoffman attended the district schools and a private German school and helped in the work of the home farm; later, as a young man, he lived for a time in Rochester, North Dakota, and other places, but he has always considered Olmsted county his home. The greater part of his life has been passed on the old homestead, which consists of 311 acres on Sections 1 and 2 of Farmington township, all well improved and stocked. Mr. Hoffman is recognized as one of the progressive, up-to-date men of the county, his influence being always on the side of advancement, good government and all that tends to the betterment of the community. In politics he is a Republican, and at the solicitation of his many friends he per mitted his name to be brought forward as a member of the State Legislature.

In 1906 he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Prigge, who was born at Lewiston. Minnesota, August 23, 1884, a daughter of Henry J. and Anna (Stillwagen) Prigge, and to them has been born one son, Hilman Henry Carl, the date of his birth being March 2, 1907.

Mr. Hoffman has served as school director, and for the past three years has been treasurer of the Lutheran Church, of which he is a member. Mr. Hoffman has sold his large farm and the personal property thereon and has (September, 1910) taken up his permanent residence in Rochester, where he will engage in the real estate and insurance business, being associated with his brother, A. C. Hoffman, who is widely known as an insurance man. Henry A. Hoffman was nominated as one of the Olmsted county’s two representatives in the State Legislature at the September 20, 1910, primaries by a handsome majority. This nomination is equivalent to election.

HOGENSON, TOBIAS -----cashier of the First National Bank of Stewartville, and a man prominently identified with the banking interests of Olmsted county, was born at Rock Dell, Minnesota, May 4, 1869, being a son of Peter and Sonoya (Bryneldson) Hogenson. The father came to America and first located in Illinois, but after a year moved to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, and remained there engaged in farming until 1860, when, in company with several others, he marched overland by ox team to California. After about three and a half years spent there with fair success he returned to Wisconsin via the Isthmus of Panama. In 1864 he came to Minnesota and located in Rock Dell township, Olmsted county, where he bought a tract of land and engaged in farming, and so continued until his death, January 19, 1904, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a man beloved and respected by all who knew him. He took much interest in all public movements calculated to advance the interests of the community. He served in various local positions, among which was that of county commissioner, with ability, distinction and honor. To him and wife twelve children were born, of whom Tobias was the eleventh.

He was educated in the district schools and finished with a course in Darling’s Business College, Rochester, from which he was graduated in 1888. For seven years thereafter he taught school during winters and farmed the old place in summers, after which period he devoted his whole time to farming and stock raising. From 1900 to 1906 he occupied a position with the First National Bank of Stewartville, and then became cashier of the First State Bank of Stewartville. After a few months he became cashier of the First National Bank of Stewartville. He is thus connected at present. The bank has a capital of $25,000 and does a general business of banking proper and insurance. The officers are: C. E. Fawcett, president; C. L. Wooldridge, vice-president; Tobias Hogenson, cashier; Minnie Klein, assistant cashier; Homer Wooldridge, assistant cashier.

On July 2, 1890, Mr. Hogenson married Thora, the daughter of Torger Tandberg, an early settler of Spring Grove, Minnesota, and to this union the following children were born: Selma (deceased), Selma (2), Alma, Tobias Palmer, Helen and Minnie Esther. Mr. Hogenson in his fraternal or social relations is identified with the Modern Woodmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Masonic order, of which latter he has reached the thirty-second degree. He is also associated with the American Yeomen. He is a Republican and a Lutheran. He is a member of the board of education.

HOLDREDGE, CHANCY S. -----is now living retired and at an advanced age in St. Charles, Minnesota. For many years he was a prominent figure in the eastern part of Olmsted county, where he built an immense landed property and an excellent name and reputation. His life has been filled with hard work and stirring events. but through it all shine honesty, industry and self-respect.

He was born in Herkimer county, New York, on July 1, 1822, and received his education at the log school house of the adjacent district. Quitting school at the age of sixteen years, he began work at farming, which occupation he had followed during the summers before quitting school. He lived with and worked for Samuel Bacon previous to his twenty-first year. In 1846, when he was twenty-four years old, he came west and located in Dodge county, where he bought forty acres of wild land, which he improved and later added to it a tract of eighty acres, all of which he improved and brought to a high degree of cultivation. In 1860 he sold out and bought a farm of 120 acres in Quincy township, of which about 100 acres were “grub land.” This farm he also cleared and grubbed and put under cultivation and improved with good buildings. As time passed he continued to add to his landed possessions until in the end he owned a total of 2,200 acres. He was industrious and made the most of his investments and had a large family to care for and assist him. He has given to his children a total of 560 acres in Dakota and in Fillmore county, Minnesota. He is at present the owner of 1,700 acres, which he rents on easy terms to his descendants. It was under his direction that all the improvements on his large farm were made. His success in amassing property has been very pronounced. He was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the county.

He is a Republican and during his active career served as road commissioner and path master. He was for many years treasurer of the board of education and is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at St. Charles. He has been married twice: First in Herkimer county, New York, to Lydia Melissa Newton in 1846. She died in 1854 after presenting him with three children. His second marriage occurred August 27, 1855, in Dodge county, to Miss Betsy Cook, daughter of Henry and Eliza Cook, who were of English descent. Her father died in 1870 and her mother in 1898, at the age of eighty-six years. To his second marriage nine children were born. His children are as follows: Harriett, who is deceased; Fannette, who married Ira Kingsley, a farmer of Cottonwood county; Elizabeth, the widow of James Spencer. now residing in Dakota; Rosetta, who married John H. Perrett and died in 1905; Annabelle, who died at the age of four years; Albert A., who died at the age of twenty-four years; Herbert Eugene, a farmer of Olmsted county; Wallace Adelbert, a farmer in Dover; Earl Harris, a resident of California; Henry Wilbert, who died in infancy; Roscoe Chaney. a farmer on his father’s farm; Harry J., who died at the age of seven years. All the members of the family are thrifty and well-to-do and all have the respect of their neighbors. In 1905, when Mr. and Mrs. Holdredge celebrated their golden wedding, there was a large attendance. A daughter from Dakota, who was present, has since died. Mr. Holdredge is an excellent example of the old pioneer, to whom so much is due from the present generations.

HOLMES, MARCELLUS G. -----who for years has most satisfactorily occupied the position of superintendent of the water works at Rochester, was born at Lomira, Dodge county, Wisconsin, February 27, 1851, a son of Frank Holmes, of Genessee, New York, and Mary J. (Griffin) Holmes, of Brandon, Vermont. The progenitors of the Holmes family in this country were two brothers, one of whom located on a farm in Connecticut, while the other followed the sea. All trace of the latter was lost. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Lester Holmes, early located in Genessee, New York, and there passed his life engaged in farming. Frank Holmes, the father of Marcellus G., settled in Wisconsin about 1849 and remained there eight years. He then came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and engaged in the lumber business in New Haven township. He built a sawmill on the Zumbro river, and continued in that line of business until 1864, at which time he removed to Rochester and followed contracting and building. In 1870 he embarked in the manufacture and sale of windmills and pumps, and continued thus until 1887, when he retired from the active duties of life. Until 1900 he made his home in Rochester, but then moved to Minneapolis and remained there the rest of his days. He passed away May 24, 1906, greatly beloved and respected by all who knew him. To him and wife the following five children were born: Marcellus G., subject; Flora, deceased; Waldo, killed on C. & M. railroad; Mamie, now Mrs. J. W. Farnsworth, of River Falls, Wisconsin, and Edwin, of Seattle, Washington.

The oldest of the above named children, Marcellus G. Holmes, received his education in the public schools of Olmsted county, and after his schooling was completed remained some three years on the home farm. He then spent nine years in the pump business with his father, and the succeeding fourteen years assun1ed charge of the water supply and pumps of the eastern division of the Northern Pacific railroad. Later he was connected with Fairbanks, Morse & Company, at St. Paul, as foreman of construction of city and town water works, remaining thus employed seven years. He was then offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Rochester Water Company, and has since filled this office in a most credit able manner. The plant is located at the junction of the Zumbro river and Bear creek, and uses two Worthington pumps, each having a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons of water every twenty-four hours. The stand pipe, located on College Hill, about a mile from the water works, is 190 feet high, and, with a capacity of 240,000 gallons, gives a maximum pressure of 185 degrees, with a possibility, in case of fire, of a much greater pressure. Rochester claims, and justly, too, as fine a water works as any in the state.

On November 29, 1876, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Kate Estella Batchelder, of Genessee county, New York state. She was a daughter of Leonard Anson and Lovicia (Daniels) Batchelder. Her father was a Civil war veteran and, after spending four years and nine months in the service of his country, came to Rochester and engaged in mason work until his death in October, 1905. To Mr. Holmes and wife the following children have been born: Menta, Jay H., Pearl, Neil and Kirk. the latter deceased.

HOLTON, HALVIR E. -----born in Salem township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, December 2, 1856, is a son of the old pioneer, E. A. Holton, and his wife, Maken. E. A. Holton was a native of Norway, his birth occurring in 1822, but at the age of twenty-two, in 1844, he left the land of his nativity, encountered the perils and discomforts of a voyage across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel, and came to the United States. For eight years he lived in Dane county, Wisconsin, engaged in farming, and while there, in 1852, he married Maken Knute. In 1855 he moved with his family to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and pre-empted a farm from the government, on section 27, in Salem township. One year prior to this date the first white settlement had been made in the township. The county was new and in a wild state. Mr. Holton, ably assisted by his wife, bravely set to work, built a cabin, endured the heat of summers and the bitter cold of winters, cleared and improved, and gradually prospered. There were sixteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holton, of whom twelve are now living. Mr. Holton was of that courageous type of pioneers well calculated to successfully battle with the primal conditions. He worked hard, denied to himself many comforts that his family might enjoy, and his sterling character and uprightness of conduct caused him to be widely esteemed and respected. He was one of the founders of the congregation of East St. Olaf’s, and his death, in 1898, was followed by his burial in the cemetery connected with that organization.

Halvir E. Holton spent his boyhood days on the home farm with such schooling as the district afforded. In 1877 he began renting land and farming for himself, and thus continued for twenty years. For the succeeding three years he operated a meat market in Rochester, then sold out and bought a farm of 160 acres in section 33, Salem township, where he has since resided. In 1885 he married Anna Knudson, whose people were old settlers here, and to them three children were born, named Minnie, Julia and Carl. The mother died and now lies at rest in East St. Olaf’s Cemetery. In 1894 Mr. Holton wedded Miss Petra Larson, a native of Norway, and the following three children have been born to them: Alfred, Edward and Hellen.

Mr. Holton, by industry has accumulated a considerable amount of this world’s goods. He is a stockholder in the Zumbro Creamery, the Farmers’ Lumber Yard at Hayfield, the Farmers’ Insurance Company and the Farmers’ Telephone Company. In politics he is a Republican and has served three years as school director. He is a member of the East St. Olaf’s Church, and is one of the progressive, enterprising men of Olmsted county.

HORN, JOHN -----has for many years been a resident of the city of Rochester. He is a native of Lynn, Norfolkshire, England his birth occurring June 7, 1841, and a son of John and Elizabeth (Rivett) Horn. The name “John” has been the given name of a male member of the Horn family for the past seven generations. When four years old our subject was brought by his parents to America, and he received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin.

Early in life he became associated with his father in the lumbering business and continued thus until war was declared between the North and South. He then enlisted in Company F, Eighth Illinois Veteran Cavalry, under command of Captain Edward Russell, and participated in a total of forty battles, the more important of which were, perhaps, Antietam, Fair Oaks, Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Culpepper and Chantilly. After serving three years, nine months and fifteen days, he was honorably discharged by the War Department of the United States government.

He then returned home, and for some time engaged in the lumbering business in Wisconsin and Michigan, after which he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota. He first located on a farm in High Forest township, but after several years there came to Rochester. He subsequently engaged in well drilling and is at present the owner of other places aside from his own home on S. Beaver street. Mr. Horn has always espoused the policies of the Republican party.

In 1867 he married Miss Sarah E. Newton, born June 27, 1842, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Calvin and Hannah (Bacon) Newton, of English and Scotch descent, respectively. To them have been born: Nannee, February 16, 1868, died July, 1869; Merritt G., October 6, 1869, operating a hack line in Rochester; Cecil Earle, May 24, 1877, in well-drilling business at Rochester; and Grace, March 24, 1884, now Mrs. Suffern, of Rochester. Mr. Horn is a member of the G. A. R., having served as its junior vice-commander, and Mrs. Horn, in 1886, was one of the organizers of the Rochester W. R. C., and has been very active in its affairs ever since.

HORTON, TRUMAN B. -----one of the early residents of Stewartville and a man well known and highly respected in all portions of Olmsted county, is a native of the state of New York, his birth occurring in Oneida county, April 4, 1847. He was the oldest child in a family of seven born to the union of Lyman H. and Phoebe (White) Horton, both of whom were born and reared in that portion of the state. The Horton family is of old colonial stock, coming to the American continent long before the Revolution. The grandfather of Truman B. located at Green Lake, Wisconsin, in 1856. He subsequently removed to Minnesota and located in High Forest township, on the Rochester road. He was thus one of the first settlers in this part of the state. In 1862, while with his sons on a visit to Wisconsin, he was taken suddenly and seriously ill and died away from home. Until 1861 Lyman H. Horton remained a resident of New York state, but at that date he removed to Minnesota and settled in High Forest township and there bought land and resided until his death.

Truman B. Horton spent a portion of his boyhood days in Oneida county, New York, but in 1861 he was brought by his parents to this county and grew to manhood on the old homestead in High Forest township. He continued on the old place until his marriage, when he went to Stewartville and became connected with the old Stewart mill there. For several years thereafter he engaged in carpentering, which trade he had mastered in his earlier years. In March, 1901 he was appointed postmaster by President McKinley, and has since been reappointed by Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. In his political views Mr. Horton is a strong Republican, and at all times takes deep interest in the success of his party ticket. He affiliates with the Congregational Church. He is a Mason and takes much interest in lodge affairs. He is the founder of Stewartville Lodge, No. 203.

HUFF, GABRIEL B. -----is one of the self-made representative men of Olmsted county, and is an example of what a young man can accomplish with courage, pluck and perseverance. He was born October 10, 1830, in the province of Ontario, Canada, a son of Job and Sarah Huff. The genealogy of the family in America is traced back to about the time of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower. Job Huff was a farmer in this country, but moved to Canada, where he died in 1832, his widow surviving him until her death in Prince Edward county on October 24, 1892, at the age of eighty-four years.

Gabriel B. Huff was left fatherless when but two years old and his subsequent early life was filled with hardships, self-denial and incessant labor. His opportunities for an education were very meager, but this, in a measure, he has since remedied by study and extensive reading. When twelve years old he began learning the carpenter’s trade, and following the completion of his apprenticeship worked at that occupation and at farming until 1849, when he went to New York state. He there worked at such employment as he could find, but, believing that the West afforded better opportunities for his advancement, he moved to Marquette county, Wisconsin, in 1852.

In 1860 he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and bought a homestead of eighty acres on Section 8, in Dover township. By hard work and economy he was enabled to add to this until at one time he was the owner of 320 acres. In 1908 he sold the most of his realty and has since lived from the proceeds derived from the sale of this property. During the Civil war he served from the date of his enlistment, February 29, 1864, to the date of his discharge, May, 1866, as a member of Company C, Brackett’s battalion. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Eyota.

In politics he is a Democrat and has occupied the positions of chairman of the board of supervisors, clerk and director and trustee of the school board.

April 9, 1851, he married Miss Sarah Jane Beadle, a native of Ontario, Canada, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Beadle. They have had four children born to them: Millard H., a farmer of South Dakota; Ida Ann, the wife of Joseph Uhl; Sarah J. married Norris Dunlap and died December 8, 1896; and George B., a farmer in Montana. Mr. Huff was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Sarah J. Huff, subject’s wife, died at Dover, November 29, 1897, at the age of sixty-six years. She was born September 15, 1831.

HUGHES, CHARLES W. -----is a native of Eyota township and was born January 26, 1874, being a son of John and Harriet (Neal) Hughes, who were born in Wales and England, respectively. Both families—the Neals and the Hughes—came to the United States at an early day, and settled first in Ohio. John and Harriet Hughes came to Olmsted county in 1854, and were thus among the very first settlers. They became well known and enjoyed the respect and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Mrs. Susan Lloyd, residing in Eyota township; John, who died in 1889; Frank, who married Grace House and resides in Eyota, Minnesota; Mary and Harriet live at Waterloo, Iowa; Charles W., the subject of this sketch: Mrs. Clara Matteson, who resides in Eyota village; Mrs. Effie Johnke, who resides in Elizabeth, Colorado; Mrs. Annie Seymour, who resides in this state; Ella, who resides in Eyota, and Cora, who also resides in Eyota.

When Charles W. was eighteen years old he engaged in farming on his own account, and this occupation he has continued down to the present time. He has steadily forged ahead until he now has a fine property, all well improved, with good buildings and other farm equipment. He is modern and scientific in all his farm movements. He owns 325 acres and carries on operations on a large scale. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is making money. He is a Mason and in politics is a Republican. He was township assessor for three years.

On January 3, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice May, the daughter of William and Henrietta (Carl) Bear, and they have the following children: John William, born January 15, 1903; Charles Max, born January 19, 1908. William Bear, father of Mrs. Hughes, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1837, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Kesler) Bear. Henry and Catherine came to Olmsted county in 1854 and resided here until 1893, when Henry died at the age of seventy-nine years. Henry had the following brothers and sisters: Jacob, Catherine, Samuel, John, Joseph, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Nancy, Barbara. The grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Bricker) Bear, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but removed to Ohio, where they were pioneers. The grandparents, Adam and Catherine Bricker, were natives of New York, and also pioneers of Ohio. Samuel Bear was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1859 William Bear married Miss Henrietta Carl, daughter of Hiram and Susanna (Bodkin) Carl, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and came to Olmsted county in 1877. William and Henrietta had the following children: William, who married Fannie Mattison, and resides at Los Angeles, California, has two children, Henrietta and Grace; Hiram married Miss Minnie Smith, and resides in St. Charles; George died in infancy; John Burt married and resides in Oklahoma, has four children—Alice, William, Amy and Marguerite; Mrs. Charles W. Hughes, residing in Eyota township. Mrs. William Bear died March 8, 1898. Mr. Bear is one of the old pioneers and prominent settlers and citizens of the county.

HYSLOP, JOHN—The death of John Hyslop in 1897 marked the passing of one of Olmsted county’s earliest pioneers. He was a Scot by nativity, his birth occurring September 9, 1829, in Lochratton, and he was a son of Robert Hyslop, a farmer of that country. He was educated in the public schools of his native country and there reared to early manhood, but at the age of twenty-one he decided that better chances for success could be had in America, and accordingly immigrated to this country. For a time after his arrival here he remained in New York and New Jersey, and then, in 1855, came West to the rough and unsettled fields of Minnesota, in search of home and fortune. He secured 160 acres of land from the government in Marion township, and from that time he resided in Olmsted county. About one year previous to Mr. Hyslop’s advent in this county, the first settlement had been made, and as yet little had been done in the way of cultivation, but he possessed the sturdy disposition characteristic of the Scotch race, and went to work with a will, clearing, grubbing and farming. and in time became one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. Gradually, as his means permitted, he added to his real estate holdings, until, with 320 acres in Dodge county, he became one of the largest land owners of southern Minnesota.

On April 13, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy F. Kelly, who was born in New Hampshire, November 3, 1840, the daughter of Joshua Kelly, a deceased pioneer family of Marion township, and to them a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, were born, as follows: Robert; Mary, now Mrs. Dr. McKittrick, of Burlington, Iowa; John; Jeanette, wife of J. B. Neel, of Minneapolis; George, deceased; Emma, wife of E. A. Erickson: Henry, deceased; James, deceased; Lucy. In his political views Mr. Hyslop was originally a Republican, later a Populist. He always took an active interest in public affairs, and served two terms as a member of the State Legislature. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and when death halted his career at the age of sixty-eight years, he was greatly be loved and respected by his fellowmen. His memory will long linger in the hearts of his many friends and relatives.

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