A History of Hector, 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 LXXXIII. HECTOR This town was, when organized in June 1874, called Milford, but as there was a town by that name in the state, it was changed to Hector, after a town in New York, from which many of the settlers came. June 30, 1874, the first election was held and the following officers chosen: W. H. Graham, chairman, J. N. Chase and G. W. Colwell, supervisors; J. J. Clark, clerk: William Perkins, assessor; James Cammings, treasurer; John Baker and J. B. Perkins, justices; N. C. Rale and Allen Parks, constables. Among the first settlers were W. H. Graham, John Baker, James Cummings and J. J. Clark, who came in 1873 and settled in the north-eastern part of the town: J. B. Perkins came in 1874 and located on section 34. Meetings were held by the Methodists, conducted by Rev. Potter, who organized a society: meetings are held in the village school-house, with Rev. Geo. Geer as pastor. The first school was taught in the winter of 1875, at J. B. Perkins' house by Julia Graham: there are four school districts in the town. Plainfield post-office was established in 1875, with J. B. Perkins as postmaster: he kept the office at his house until it was discontinued in 1878. Hector post-office was established in 1875, and located at John Baker's house: he held the office until the fall of 1878, when it was moved to the village and located at the store of W. D. Griffith, who has since been postmaster. The village of Hector was surveyed in September, 1878, on land owned by the H & D. railway and J. M. McKinlay, in the north-east quarter of section 29. The present boundaries include the south-east quarter of section 20, the south-west quarter of section 21, the west half of section 28, and the east half of section 29, comprising 960 acres. It was incorporated by act approved February 23, 1881, and the first election was held March 11. 1881, at which were chosen as village officers: W. D. Griffith, president; C. H. Nixon, O. F. Peterson, and B. W. Schonweiler, trustees; H. Simmons, recorder: M. Abbott, treasurer: A. Strom, justice; James Chapman, constable. The village has a population of about 250, and has the following business houses: five dry goods and grocery stores, two drug stores, two hardware stores, one millinery, one furniture and one jewelry store, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one harness shop, a shoe shop, a paint shop, two meat markets, one livery stable, one lumber yard, three hotels, four saloons, two elevators, capable of storing 60,000 bushels of grain; the professions are represented by one lawyer and one physician. A newspaper, the Renville County Union, was established in June, 1881, by the Hector Publishing Company, is issued weekly, and has a good circulation. ABBOTT M. Abbott was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1837. He came to Minnesota in 1856 and after farming two years in Le Sueur county, returned to Indiana; in 1861 came again to this state and enlisted at Cannon Falls in the first Minnesota and served two and one-half years; was in twenty-four engagements. In 1866 he located at Lexington, Le Sueur county, and was engaged in merchandise business there and at Willmar and Dassel; since 1877 has been in business at Hector. In 1864 Mr. Abbott married Miss A. N. Nichols, who died at Dassel Minnesota in 1872. Lottie M. Forder became his wife in 1874; he is the father of eight children, five of whom are living. AMES J. B. Ames, native of Maine, was born in 1851. In 1865 he came with his parents to Northfield, Minnesota, and in 1872 went to Iowa and lived two years at Fort Atkinson; returned to Minnesota and engaged in milling at Minneapolis; moved to Hutchinson and in December 1881, came to Hector; is dealing in grain. Married at Hutchinson in 1874, Henrietta Stockings, who was born in Indiana in 1854; they have three children. BAKER John Baker was born in Pendleton county, Virginia, May 18, 1820; in 1831 learned the trade of saddler and harness maker. In 1873 he came to Minneapolis and the following fall located on the farm where he now lives, on section 2. In 1843 he married Miss Matilda Moore, who has borne him five children; Lucius C., Oscar H., Flavel M., Sherman D. and Osis R. BLOEMENDAL H. G. Bloemendal, native of Holland, was born in 1838; learned the trade of baker; was also in the army for a time. In 1869 he came to this country and lived in Illinois three years, then moved to Jackson county, Minnesota; soon after removed to Renville county and to the farm he now owns on section 34. Hector. In 1862 he married Anne E. Hagen; one child, Henry Conrad. CLARK H. W. Clark was born in St. Lawrence, Minnesota, in 1859, and when about twelve years old moved to Fort Ridgely; he remained there until eighteen, then learned telegraphy and worked for the St. Paul and Pacific railroad one year, then came to Hector. After acting as operator one year was at Glencoe one year, then took charge of the station at Hector, as agent. CROMBIE R. S. Crombie, was born in Richmond county, Canada, in 1862. He lived on a farm until twelve years old, then began clerking for his brother; three years after, he returned home and in 1880 came to Minnesota, and a short time after went to Rapid City, Dakota, and engaged in mining and government surveying. In July, 1881, came to Hector and engaged in lumber business. DAVITT Michael Davitt was born in Kentucky, in 1858. Came with parents to St. Paul and from there to Sibley county, where he grew up. In the spring of 1881 he came to Hector and engaged in saloon business, firm of Davitt & O'Donnell. He married Lizzie Callahan at Bird Island, in May, 1881. DOLVEN O. A. Dolven was born in Norway in 1837. At the age of fourteen he started with his parents for America, but before reaching their destination they were shipwrecked, and his parents were both drowned. He located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and in 1862 he moved to Brush Prairie, McLeod county; in the fall of 1880 moved to Hector, and is engaged in hotel business and selling farm machinery. His wife was Sophia Anderson, whom he married in 1860; they have had eleven children, six of whom are living. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Dolven enlisted in the First Minnesota heavy artillery, and was mustered out in 1865. DOUGHERTY J. J. Dougherty was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1838, and at the age of seventeen moved to Burlington, Iowa: in 1858 he came to Minnesota, and was a farmer in Carver county until 1878, then moved to Hector township and lives on section two. In 1877 he married Anna Duffy; they have three children: James, Frank and an infant. He served in Company L, Second Minnesota cavalry, from 1863 until the close of the war. EBERT William Ebert was born in Germany in 1827, and learned the trade of shoemaker. In 1850 came to the United States, and worked at his trade in New York city four years, then located in Sibley county. Minnesota: in 1878 moved to section 21, Hector township. May 6, 1862, at St. Paul, he married Margaret Higgins, who was born in Ireland in 1836. FOSTER M. B. Foster, native of Michigan, was born in 1843. Received his education at the State University, and taught for two years; in 1872 he moved to Minnesota, and taught school in Wabasha county four years, in Glencoe two years, and has since lived on a farm on section 26, Hector. Catherine Tolwell became his wife in Michigan in 1871; they have four children, Adelle, William B., Thomas I. and Robert M. GRADY L. T. Grady was born in Sullivan county, New York, in 1852. Came with his parents to this state in 1857, and lived in Henderson, Sibley county, until 1879, then moved to Hector, and built the store on Main street which he now occupies with a stock of general merchandise; in 1881 he bought out Mohan, his partner, and has since conducted the business alone. GRIFFITH W. D. Griffith was born in New York city in 1848, and came to Minnesota with his parents in May, 1853. After living in Hennepin county eleven years, he returned to New York city: he was in the lumbering business in the state of New York, and in August, 1866, located at Hutchinson, McLeod county, Minnesota; worked at carpenter's trade, and in 1878 came to Hector and engaged in general merchandise; sold out, and in 1880 opened a stock of stationery; has been postmaster since October, 1878. Married at Hutchinson in 1873 Ruth A. Ells; Harold, Ada and Ida are their children. ISAACSON A. Isaacson was born in Norway in 1834, and came alone to the United States when he was 14 years old; lived in Dodge county, Wisconsin and engaged in business there until 1859: went to California and was mining one year; returned to Wisconsin and was in merchandise business in Dane county, until 1877, then removed to Glencoe, Minnesota: kept a hotel there three years then came to Hector, and opened a store of general merchandise. Married in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1858. Jane Jones: their living children are Carrie, Albert, Daisy, Fred, Gladis and Frankie. LEASMAN George W. Leasman was born in Green county, Wisconsin, in 1852. He removed with his parents to McLeod county, Minnesota, in 1872, and after farming there for a time, came to Hector, Renville county, and settled on section 22; has been town treasurer one year, assessor four years, and in 1880 was elected constable. His father, Charles Leasman, is a native of Germany. LEVICY S. C. Levicy was bom in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1847. He remained at home until 1869, then went to California, and for three years was freighting and mining. In 1872 he returned to Ohio, and in 1878 moved to Indiana, and in the spring of 1881, came to Minnesota: in August, located at Hector; for the past ten years he has been engaged in teaching and now has charge of the school at Hector. In 1877 he married Elizabeth Moore. Mr. Levicy enlisted in the 170th Ohio infantry in 1864, and served through the war. MARSH Samuel Marsh, native of England, was born in 1835. In 185f>, he emigrated and located at Alton. Illinois, and in 1863, removed to Minnesota; lived in Wabasha, county, two years then came to Renville county and lived in the town of Preston Lake, on a farm: after a time moved into the village of Hector. Married Elizabeth Lebanon in 1858: of their nine children, eight are living. MARSHALL W. B. Marshall was born in Scotland, in 1844, and lived in the city of Kenross until 1853 then came with his parents to the United States and lived in Rock county, Wisconsin, four years, then moved to Dodge county. He learned the trade of carpenter and followed same in Wisconsin; came to Hector in 1878, and has since bought and shipped grain. He was married in 1873, to Emiline Sebring, who was born in 1858: they have four children: William, Frank, Helen and Edward. MORRIS E. D. Morris was born in New York in 1857; lived in the village of Cobleskill until 1879, then came to Red Wing, Minnesota, and worked at his trade, printer, in the “Advance" office. After eighteen months there he came to Hector, and on the first day of June, 1881, issued the first number of the "Renville Union." Under his able management the paper has gained a large circulation and is an influential organ in the county. NILES James S. Niles was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1822; learned the trade of cabinet maker and worked at that and carpenter work in Indiana until 1854, then settled in Olmsted county, Minnesota; in 1857 he engaged in furniture trade at Rochester and while living there was one of the first aldermen. In Eyota he was in the furniture business three years, grocery one year, and then settled in Boon Lake, Renville county, on a farm; in 1880 he came to Hector and has since run the American Hotel. He was elected county commissioner in 1877; also served two years as deputy treasurer of Renville county. His first wife was Sarah Pendy, whom he married in 1845; she died in Rochester; in 1860 he married Emeline Matteson; he is the parent of eleven children; eight are living. NIXON C. H. Nixon was born in Boone county, Illinois, in 1840, and came with parents to Minnesota when 17 years old. In 1861 he enlisted in the 3d Minnesota, Company K., and served three years. In 1868 he located in the town of Cairo, Renville county, and farmed until 1875, then opened a store at Fort Ridgely; three years later, moved to Hector, and built a store and carries a large stock of general merchandise. Was married in this county in 1869, to Margaret Lebarron; their children are Joseph, Eva and Harrison. O'DONNELL P. O'Donnell was born in Ireland in 1847, and at the age of ten came to America with his parents who settled in Ohio. In 1868 he came to Sibley county, Minnesota, and in 1878 removed to Hector. In partnership with Michael Davitt, he runs a saloon. PERKINS J. E. Perkins, a native of Minnesota, was born at St. Anthony, Hennepin county, in 1855. He grew up there; from 1874 until 1879 lived on a farm in section 31. Hector township, Renville county; during the latter year he engaged in the butchering business in the village of Hector, in company with his brother, L. J. Perkins. His father, J. B. Perkins a native of North Carolina, is living in McLeod county. PETERSON O. F. Peterson was born in Indiana in 1852 and lived in the village of Milford until 1858, then went with parents to Illinois. In 1878 he went to Red Wing, Minnesota, and in the spring of the following year started business in Hector. The firm of Nelson, Peterson & Co. deal in hardware, machinery and furnitures and in connection have a harness shop. Emily Johnson became his wife at Red Wing in 1878. PRELWITZ August Prelwitz, native of Europe, was born in 1842. At the age of ten he came to America and lived in Wisconsin. Enlisted in Janesville in the fall of 1861, and served eighteen months in an infantry regiment. In the fall of 1863 he moved from Wisconsin to McLeod county, Minnesota, and after farming there nine years removed to Renville county and located on section 28; was one of the three first men in Hector township. ROWLEY J. S. Rowley was born in Franklin county, New York, in 1839, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1873 he went to Hastings, Minnesota, where he worked at his trade, then removed to Hector and settled on section 32, on a farm; moved to the village in the spring of 1881, and does carpenter work. Ellen Freeman became his wife in 1865; they were married in Jefferson county, New York; she died at Belleville, in that state. In 1872 he married Annie Fillmore; is the parent of seven children; six are living. SCHONWEILER B. W. Schonweiler was born in Iowa in 1856, and at one year of age came to Minnesota and lived in Wabasha county until the fall of 1880, then started in the merchandise business at Hector; the firm is B. W. and J. A. Schonweiler. J. A. was born in Iowa in 1854, and is now conducting the store at Kellogg. Wabasha county, Minnesota, owned by the firm. He was married in 1878 to Mary Ann Mahan, and has two children. SMALLEY Dr. W. Smalley, native of Vermont, was born in 1849. At the age of eighteen he moved to Massachusetts, and one year after went to Kansas; attended Normal school, then taught for a time, before commencing the study of medicine; graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University, and began practice at Nemaha, Kansas; from there he came to Hector in 1881. Married Josephine Kirk in Kansas in 1880; is practicing and conducting a drug store at Hector. SMITH G. C. Smith was born in 1849 in Germany. At the age of three years his parents took him to St. Louis, Missouri, and he there grew up and learned the trade of machinist; worked in various places until 1870, then became employed by the Winona and St. Peter railroad as engineer; served one year, then another year in a carriage factory as foreman; moved to Iowa; returned to this state and worked in a plow factory at Austin. Was a railroad contractor for some time and January 1, 1882, began keeping the Sherman Hotel at Hector. In 1872 he married Mary A. Gillett: Alice J. and Margaret M. are their children. STOCKMAN Henry Stockman, native of Germany, was born in 1821, and learned the trade of shoemaker; in 1851 came to the United States and until 1859 lived in Cook county, Illinois; moved to Shakopee, Minnesota, and kept a boot and shoe store until 1871, then moved to Norwood; in 1879 came to Hector and engaged in the lumber business, which he sold in 1880. He married Dorothy Beneke; Henry, Edward, Annie and John are their living children: two have died. STROM A. Strom, native of Norway, was born in 1820; learned the trade of carpenter and in 1853 emigrated ; worked at Chicago four years, then located in Butternut Valley, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. In 1878 he moved to Hector and the following year came to the village and started a drug store. In 1855 he married at Chicago, Marion Oleson; they have five living children: Thora, Owen A., William B., Allie and Cordelia. THEILE Louis Thiele was born in Germany in 1829 and learned the carpenter trade. In 1857 he came to this country and two years after, came to Minnesota and located in Flora, Renville county, where, in 1862, his wife and child were killed by the Indians. In the fall of that year he enlisted in the Sixth infantry and served until the end of the war. He farmed until 1868, then kept hotel at Beaver Falls until 1871, then lived on his farm until 1877; engaged in mercantile business in Camp township until 1880, then removed to Hector and deals in general merchandise. His first wife was Elizabeth Haak, married in 1859. Laura Larson became his wife in 1864. He has seven children living. THOMPSON O. T. Thompson was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1858, and lived on a farm there until 1878, then moved to Glencoe, Minnesota, and two years later to Hector, and keeps a billiard hall and saloon; the business was started by the firm of Pepper and Thompson, but the first named sold his interest in the spring of 1881 to his partner. VANNICE B. R. Vannice was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1842 and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1852; taught school and clerked in a drug store; in 1871 moved to Hastings, Minnesota, and was in the drug business four years, then in insurance and collections until the fall of 1880, when he came to Hector. Is a member of the firm of White and Vannice, insurance and real estate agents. Married at Hastings in September, 1873 Ella R. Day; Ulrich Harold and Annie Ethel are their children. WHITE G. H. White was born in Green county, New York, in 1843; was raised on a farm and attended the Ashland Academy. In 1880 he came to Hector and is village justice and general builder. In 1862 he married Catherine Thomas, who has borne him three children; two are living. WHITE W. C. White, native of New York, was born in 1846, and in 1852 moved with parents to Dodge county, Wisconsin; finished his education at the Wisconsin State University and in the fall of 1872 removed to Shakopee, Minnesota, and taught in the graded school one year; was principal of the Henderson schools two years, and in 1875 was admitted to the bar in Sibley county. In 1876 was elected county superintendent of Sibley county for two years and was justice of Henderson four years. In 1879 came to Hector and engaged in the practice of law; is a member of the firm of White & Vannice. Eva A., daughter of Hon. C. D. Parker, of Wisconsin, became his wife in 1872. Charles P., William E., Ella and Ethel are their children.