A History of Emmett, Renville Co., MN Bios Included ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher Submitted: Janusry 2005 ========================================================================= Excerpted from: "HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY, INCLUDING THE EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS OF MINNESOTA" BY REV. EDWARD D. NEILL, -AND — "HISTORY OF THE SIOUX MASSACRE" BY CHARLES S. BRYANT. MINNEAPOLIS: NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1882. RENVILLE COUNTY. CHAPTER LXXXIV EMMETT Emmett was set apart for organization September 7, 1870. and the first election was held September 21, 1870, at which time twelve votes were cast and the following officers elected: L. A. Brooks, chairman, John Warner and William Powers, supervisors: Patrick Coulahan, clerk; H. E. Wads worth, treasurer; William Powers and L. A. Brooks, justices; C. Pickthorn and James Daley, constables. The first settlers came in June, 1869, and were L. A. Brooks and H. E. Wadsworth, on section 32, G. L. Dodge, section 20, and William Powers. The fall of the same year, John Warner, Patrick Coulahan, James Daley, Charles Pickthorn and Wesley Wiley, took claims and settled. The Methodists held meetings in 1871, at private houses, and in 1875, a society was organized. Services are now conducted weekly by Rev. J. Lamberson, in the school-house in the village of Renville. The Evangelicals held services at private houses from 1872 to 1881, when the church was completed on section 18. Troy, where they now attend. The Catholics and Norwegian Lutherans have held religious services at private houses and school buildings. The first school was taught in the winter of 1870-1, in L. A. Brook's house, by Charles Peneman. There are now five schools in the town. The first child born in the town was William, a son of James and Eliza Daley, born February 20, 1870. The first death was that of Christian Nacke, who was frozen to death, January 7, 1873. He was found near section 14. Wadsworth P. O. was established in July, 1875, and H. E. Wadsworth appointed postmaster, the office being located at his house. In 1876, the office was removed to the house of L. A. Brooks, who was appointed postmaster; in 1879 the office was discontinued. The village of Renville was surveyed in September, 1878, on land owned by the Hastings and Dakota Railway Company and J. M. McKinlay in the south-west quarter of section 5. The present boundaries contain about 400 acres on sections 5 and 8. It was incorporated and the first election held March 15, 1881, at J. T. Brooks' office in the village with the following result: J. B. Boyd, president; O. Quamsoe, P. Williams and B. F. Heins, trustees; J. T. Brooks, recorder and W. F. Baade, treasurer. The village has a population of about 275, and consists of the following business houses: three general stores, two hardware stores, one millinery and one drug store, one meat market, two hotels, two blacksmith shops, one harness, one shoe, one wagon and paint shop, two saloons, a lumber yard, one real estate and loan office, one lawyer, two physicians; two elevators, capacity about 45,000 bushels. The Renville Station News was established in the fall of 1879, by D. C. Wadsworth, and issued weekly until the spring of 1881, when it was discontinued. Renville P. O. was established in January, 1879, and the office located at J. B. Anderson's drug store, he being appointed postmaster. It was afterwards removed to W. F. Baade's store and he appointed postmaster. BAADE W. F. Baade was born in 1840. He served four years in the army of his native country, Germany. Immigrated to Minnesota in 1868; worked two years in a brewery at Winona, then opened a store in Flora, Renville county; in 1879 he erected a building for his mercantile trade at Renville. He has served as town treasurer and postmaster. Mr. Baade married in 1869, Miss Albertina Otto; Anna, William and Melvina are their children. BENSON David Benson, native of Norway, born in 1841, was educated in the common schools and an agricultural college. From 1867 until 1871 he lived in Rochester, Minnesota; was employed as clerk in a store; after traveling in the south one winter, he located in Mower county, this state, but came in 1873 to Emmett. Mr. Benson was a member of the state legislature in 1873-'4-'5 and '7. Married in 1871, Carrie Knutson; their children are Belle, Benjamin, Louise, Clara, Mary and Anna. BENNISON George Bennison, born in 1827, is a native of Yorkshire, England, where he lived until twenty-four years of age; since then he has been a resident of the United States. After farming in Murray county, Ohio, seven years he removed to Illinois, and since 1870 has lived in Minnesota; he is employed in farming on section 6 of Emmett. Miss Mary Coyle was married in 1851 to Mr. Bennison: William is their only child. BROOKS J. T. Brooks, who is a native of Wisconsin, was born in 1854 in St. Croix county, where he attended school. When fourteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Emmett, and this town has since been his home. He has filled the offices of notary public, justice of the peace and town clerk. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Sarah A. Read, who has borne him four children: Henry, Minnie C., Gertrude and the baby. BROOKS Loren A. Brooks was born June 18, 1825, in the state of New York. In 1835 he went to Michigan, and when twenty-one years old removed to Illinois; worked there five years at farming and mining, then migrated to Wisconsin, where the enlisted in 1862, in Company D, Third regiment; served on the frontier and afterward went south. Since June, 1869, his home has been in Emmett, where he has been town clerk seven years, beside holding other offices. Married November 15, 1851, Elizabeth Thomas; Jesse T., Lucy E., Flora E., Cora A., Estella E, and Ethel M. are their children. CHILDS Samuel D. Childs, born in 1842, in New York, moved, with his parents in 1850, to Wisconsin. He enlisted there in 1861, in Company A, Eighth infantry; re-enlisted in 1864, participated in very many severe engagements and served through the entire war. Until 1868 he was in Dodge county, Minnesota, then came to Renville county, and was the first settler in Norfolk. Prom 1876 until 1880 he worked at the wagon maker and carpenter trade in Beaver Falls, now has a shop in Renville. Married in 1866, Laura Sherwood; the children are Leah M., Melvin B., Arthur J., Martha, Elsie and Elinor. CLAY Dr. W. Clay was born in 1854, in Chicago, Illinois. About four years later he went with his widowed mother to New York but one year after removed to Minnesota. Mr. Clay attended the high school at Plainview and began the study of medicine there in 1877, with Dr. J. P. Waste. Two years after, he entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and since graduating from there in 1880, has been in practice at Renville. Dr. Clay taught school some while studying medicine. DORMAN John M. Dorman was born in 1814, in Rockbridge county, Virginia. From four years of age until 1836 his home was in Highland county, Ohio; his education was common school and academical. He began teaching in 1840; continued several years; also studied law in Indiana was admitted in 1846 and until 1852 was in practice in that state. In 1852 he returned to Ohio: practiced at Hillsboro until 1859 when he was elected prosecuting attorney of Highland county: he was elected city justice of Hillsboro in 1861: served two years. During the rebellion he held mass meetings and acted as recruiting officer. He began practicing at St. Peter Minnesota, in 1865 and was soon elected borough attorney: removed to New Ulm and opened an office: was twice appointed county attorney and was once elected attorney of Brown county. In 1870 he removed to Beaver Falls, was chosen county attorney and court commissioner of this county to both of which offices he was subsequently re-elected; has also served as justice. Practiced in 1877- '8 at Granite Falls, but since 1881 has been village attorney of Renville. Married in 1846, Miss A. Stagg who died in March 1860; their son M. B. is in the United States navy; the other children are Edna F., John K , Emma and Anna. FREUDENTHAL Heinrich Freudenthal, who was born in 1837, remained in Germany, the land of his birth, until the year 1871; at that date he became a resident of the United States. He was a soldier seven years in his native country, and for sixteen years followed the life of a sailor. Mr. Freudenthal was married in 1866; his wife, Sophia T. Prea, born in 1843, is also a native of Germany; their children are John, Wilhelm, Ernst, Henry, Louise, Bernhardt, Frederic and Gustaff. GORDON Franklin A. Gordon, native of Illinois, was born February 23, 1852, in Coles county. When twenty-three years old he moved to Iowa county, Wisconsin, where he worked at farming six years; passed one year in Iowa previous to 1872, the date of his coming to Emmett. Mr. Gordon was employed in teaching and farming until in 1878 he began harness-making. He has held the offices of justice and town treasurer. Married in 1876 Alice M. Green; children: Grace E., Charles E. and the twins, Martha and Mary. HANSEN Ole Hansen, who was born in 1847, is a native of Norway, and the son of Hans Stremson. The latter was born in the year 1825, and his marriage occurred in Norway in 1847, with Rena Olson. In 1872 the family immigrated to the United States; Mr. Hansen worked two years in Wisconsin, and upon coming in the spring of 1874 to Emmett, took a farm of eighty acres; the children are Ole, who owns eighty acres on section 4, and Samuel. HEINS B. F. Heins, born in 1846, is a native of Germany, where he lived five years. Immigrated to Iowa and made that state his home until 1878, then came to Emmett and began the tin and hardware business; he is in partnership with P. W. Heins. He is a member of the village council, and has held the office of town treasurer. In Scott county, this state, in 1873, Miss Esther Sampere was married to Mr. Heins; Edna E. is their only child. NELSON Knudt K. Nelson, native of Norway, was born in 1858, and when five years of age came to this country with his father's family. He owns 160 acres of land in Dakota, but is keeping a meat-market in Emmett. The father of Mr. Nelson located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, in 1863, but in 1871 removed to Sacred Heart, Renville county. He was the father of ten children: Carrie, Knudt, George, Christie, Nels, Gustave, Julia, Sophia, John and Charlie. OLSEN S. N. Olsen, son of Rev. Nels Olsen, was born in Kendall county, Illinois, and when six years old moved with his parents to Iowa. In 1857 he went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and three years later to Dakota county; lived eight years there, the same length of time in Kandiyohi county; he worked at the trade of carpenter; spent two years more in Dakota county and in 1878 came here. He is constable and deputy sheriff. Married in 1874 Miss O. Knutson; one child: Adeline S. OLSON Ole N. Olson, born in 1836 in Norway, came at the age of eleven years to America. He lived in Illinois seven years and returned to that state after passing three years in Iowa and two years in Minnesota. Enlisted in company D, 36th Illinois; served from July, 1861, to September, 1864; at the battle of Stone river he was severely wounded. Upon being discharged he came to Minnesota; has lived in Dakota, Kandiyohi and Renville counties. Married on Christmas, 1864, Julia Johnson; the children are Julia and Jane. PARSONS F. P. Parsons, native of Connecticut, was born in 1854, in Winsted. The family migrated, in 1858, to Wisconsin; four years later to Iowa, and in about two years returned to Wisconsin, where he learned telegraphy. He worked a few months in each of several places, then lived for five years at Faribault, after which he became station agent and operator at Renville. Jennie Shipley was married December 25,1879, to Mr. Parsons; John M. and William P. are their children. PERDERSON Lars Pederson was born in 1849 and in 1871 left the land of his birth, Norway, to become a resident of America. He located at St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1872, but removed about a year after, to Fillmore county. Since 1878 he has been working at his trade, that of blacksmith, in Renville. At Chatfield, this state, in 1875, he married Regina Swenson; their children are Samuel, Peter E. and Leon C. POWERS William Powers, a native of Ireland, was born in 1838. From 1856 until 1868, his home was in Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in lumbering. He was united in marriage in that state, with Agnes Daley. After residing one year in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, he came to Emmett. For eight years he has held the offices of supervisor and justice. Mr. and Mrs. Powers have seven children: George, Mary, William, Leo, Eliza, Joseph and Andrew. SLOAN B. F. Sloan, native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1848 in Crawford county. From 1854 until 1863 his home was in La Salle county, Illinois; for several years he was a clerk. March, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Second Pennsylvania cavalry; was transferred to the Second United States light artillery; honorably discharged in August, 1865. He was disabled three months by a wound in the foot. For a time Mr. Sloan was engineer on the Toledo and Warsaw railroad. Came to Minnesota in 1871 and in 1880 started his meat market in this place. SMITH John F. Smith was born in 1842 in France but has been a resident of the United States since coming here at the age of two years with his parents. He lived in Wisconsin where he was engaged in farming and mining. Enlisted in 1861 in Company H, Seventh Wisconsin. Was in service four and one-half years; he was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. Mr. Smith visited California, but returned and since 1870 has lived in Renville. Married in 1866, Maria Crooks: their living children are Samuel A., William H., Mary J. and Bertha A. SPAULDING W. D. Spaulding was born in 1848, in Michigan. The family migrated in 1853, to McGregor, Iowa. While residing in that state he attended the common schools, also learned telegraphing and was employed as operator in different places. In 1878 he came to Renville and embarked in the drug business. Mr. Spaulding married in 1879, Miss Nettie Farley; they have one child. STEVENS E. C. Stevens, native of New York, was born in 1830, in Lewis county, where he learned the trade of carpenter. He moved to Columbia, Ohio, afterwards to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Was mayor of that town one term. He built there the first warehouse on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. Mr. Stevens came to Renville in 1878; built an elevator in company with Mr. Griffin and is now engaged in buying grain; also conducts a farm of 640 acres. Married in 1853, Amanda Rogers; one child: George. STRAND A. T. Strand who is a native of Norway was born in 1856. Since the year 1864 he has been a resident of the United States. From Columbia county, Wisconsin he removed to Emmet county, Iowa; his home was in that state twelve years. In 1877 he came to Minnesota; afterwards traveled some in Dakota; is now assistant postmaster and clerk for W. F. Baade. WALSER John Walser was born in 1852, and while living in Austria, the land of his birth, he learned the trade of painter. In April, 1870 he moved to Reed's Landing; afterwards went to Menomonee, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire aud Red Wing. Since 1880 Mr. Walker has kept a paint shop in Renville, and is doing a good business. WESTBY J. Westby, who is a native of Norway, was born in 1856, and in 1877 came to the United States. First located in Iowa, then went to Winona, Black River Falls, Chippewa Falls and Minneapolis, after which he removed to Freeborn county, but in 1878, came to Renville. He has worked at the carpenter trade; is now in the saloon business. WHITE John H. White, born in 1821 in New York, went when twenty-eight years old, to Wisconsin, where he served a deputy sheriff, three years. He kept hotel five years at Harrisville, that state. From 1860 until 1863 he was farming in Olmsted county, Minnesota, then removed to Beaver Falls; was deputy sheriff there two years. He passed some time in Iowa, but since 1881 has been proprietor of the Renville House of this place. Married in 1849, Lucy Clark, who died in 1865; his second wife was Mrs. Phoebe Butler. WILCOX George D. Wilcox, born in 1831, is a native of Washington county, New York. The family went to Virginia and lived about eighteen years; had a farm and cheese factory; subsequently removed to Michigan. In 1864 he enlisted in Company A, 3d Infantry of that state: was in service eighteen months. After farming two years in New York he came to Minnesota; went from Flora to Sacred Heart, where he lived twelve years: is now keeping hotel in Renville. Married Adeline Dixon in 1855; Silas A. is the only living child: Matilda Wilbur, married in 1867, is his second wife. YOCK William Yock, who is a native of Prussia, was born in 1826, and was reared as a farmer. He immigrated to the United States in 1856; for seventeen years his home was in Dodge county, Minnesota; he worked five years in a brick yard. Since 1873 he has lived at his farm in Renville; 160 acres on section 14. Mr. Yock was married in 1850, to Sophia Wegward; have four children.