MN AHGP Archives-Brown Co. 1882 Bios--Home Twp.
Brown County biographies from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota

Home Twp.


C. E. Brown was born January 20, 1830, in St. Lawrence county, New York. When quite small he moved with his parents to Canada, then to northern Illinois, and was there engaged in the lead mines. At the age of seventeen years he removed to Decorah, Iowa, remained until reaching majority. In 1851 he came to Minnesota and took a claim near Rochester, on which he lived until 1861, then moved to the town of Leavenworth, Brown county; in 1872, located on his present farm on section 33, Home township. Married in 1863, Miss Sarah Allen. Four of the eight children born to them are living.


T. C. Cumings was born February 8, 1832, in Walpole, New Hampshire. He spent his childhood with his grandparents in Herkimer county, New York, there remaining until 1854; coming thence to Minnesota, he located near where Rochester has since been built; the city now includes his claim of 160 acres. He came to the town of Home in June, 1878, where he owns a farm, also the ferry known as the Fort Ridgely ferry. Married in 1844, Betsy Hope, who was born in Herkimer county, New York, and died in November. 1863. They had a family of six children: two sons and two daughters are living.


William Cutting was born in Suffolk county, England, December, 1823. When eight years of age he accompanied his parents to Canada West, but in 1857 he removed to Minnesota and located in Henderson; came to his present farm of 160 acres in 1869. Married in 1849, Eliza N. Clancy, who was born in Canada. They have had nine children, seven are living. The eldest son, John, is a native of Ontario, Canada, but has lived in this state the greater portion of his life; has received a good education, and for the past six or seven years has been quite successful as a school teacher. His marriage with Miss Maggie McGowan took place in 1877. They have one child. Since 1878 they have been on a farm of his own on section 32. He has been town clerk several terms.


Elisha Davis was born in 1819, in Oneida county, New York. He learned the shoemaking trade and pursued it in his native place until 1851, then settled in Auburn, Wisconsin. In 1866 he came to Mankato, Minnesota, and the next year settled in Home township, Brown county, on a claim of 160 acres. Married March 6, 1842, Martha Best or, who was born in Trenton, New York. Twelve children have been born to them; ten are living.


Frederick Gerboth, a native of Germany, was born June 11, 1841. Came to America in 1850 with his parents, and until 1860 lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he learned the machinist's trade; on leaving there he came to Court-land, Nicollet county, Minnesota. In October, 1861, enlisted in the First Minnesota battery; was honorably discharged in Georgia, 1865. Returning home he spent 1866 in St. Paul, then engaged in engineering in New Ulm three years. After having a store for about eight years in Iberia, he settled in 1877, on a farm on section 27, of Home. Married in 1866, Carrie Grimmer, of Germany. Clara, Edward, Lulu and Fred are their children. The father of Mr. Gerboth was killed by Indians at his farm in 1862.


D. A. Gibbs was born near the village of Delhi, Delaware county, New York, December 21, 1843. In October, 1861, he enlisted at Delhi in the j Eighth New York independent battery; re-enlisted in the same regiment and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. Returning to his native place, he remained until moving to Minnesota in 1866; came directly to his present farm of ninety acres on section 4, of Home township. Married in October, 1866, Miss Isabel H. Loomis, who was born in Springville, Pennsylvania, and died November 25, 1880. Charles B. and Kelley D. are their children.


L. A. Glatigny was born in Paris, France, May 10, 1848. Came to America in 1858 with his parents and settled with them in Henderson, Minnesota. After a residence there of eight years, removed to Sleepy Eye, then settled on a farm of 200 acres on section 20. Mr. Glatigny has been twice married; to his present wife, who was Emily Beliveau, on the 8th of November, 1880.


De Foris Greene was born near the village of Watertown, New York, November 18, 1837. Accompanied his parents in 1850 to Wisconsin; learned the trade of carpenter, at which he has since worked. In January, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 16th Wisconsin infantry; participated in many of the heaviest battles, and was honorably discharged near the close of the war. He returned to his former home in Wisconsin, and in 1867 came to Minnesota, first to Blue Earth county, where he worked at his trade. Came to his present farm of 178 acres in 1868. Married in 1869 Miss Lucinda Bunce, born in Janesville, Wisconsin. Seven children have been born to them, one son and six daughters.


Mrs. Phidelia Greene, whose maiden name was Phidelia Royce, was born October 30, 1817, in Champion, New York. In March, 1838, she was married to Chester Greene. He came to Minnesota in 1864, and to the farm on which his family is now living in 1868. The farm consists of 160 acres, of which thirty are timber and seventy-five under cultivation. He was instrumental in the organization of the township of Home, and held the office of justice of the peace, also other offices. His death occurred November 10, 1876; he left a widow with a family of six children, all of whom are married excepting the youngest son, Frederic B., who lives at home.


Ferdinand Heimerdinger, a native of Germany, was born September 30, 1850. Came with his parents to America in 1854, and to Minnesota in 1856; located first at New Ulrn. His father, John Heimerdinger, helped to build the first steam mill at New Ulm, under the supervision of the Chicago Turner Society. During the Indian war of 1862 he enlisted, and was on duty during the fight at New Ulm. Came to his present home in 1867; has a farm of 160 acres and a flouring mill. He erected a small one first in 1870, which was the first flouring mill in Home. He married in 1840 Miss Ragina Merst, who died June 11, 1868. His sons, Ferdinand and Henry, have charge of the mill and the farm; both have learned the milling trade. Ferdinand married in 1879 Miss Anna Hoffman, and has one child.


Robert B. Henton was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1832. Came west with his parents in 1842, and in 1856 located in Sigel, Brown county, Minnesota. During the Indian war they were driven from their home, which was nearly destroyed. He joined a party who went out to rescue any who might be in peril, and on returning, August 19, was attacked by the Indians, who killed all but six. Mr. Henton was an able worker during the entire conflict, and afterward went to Wisconsin. Returning in 1864, he enlisted in August, in Company A, 11th Minnesota; was discharged at the close of the war. Since 1869 he has lived in Home, where he has a farm of 178 acres. He has been chairman of the town board, arid has for six years served as clerk. In 1856 he married Miss Margarett Thomas, who has borne him seven children; six are living.


H. M. Hills was born May 23, 1835, near Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1842 he accompanied his parents to Rock county, Wisconsin, and remained on the farm until thirteen years of age; after that time was dependent upon his personal exertions for a livelihood. Returning to Massachusetts he remained until 1858; attended school during the winter months, and made a specialty of the study of civil engineering. In January, 1865, enlisted in Company A, 46th Illinois veteran infantry; was mustered out in 1866. Went to Freeport, Illinois, and soon after came to his present farm; he has about 170 acres. Married in 1858 Miss Maria R. Scovill, who was born in New York. Seven children; five are living.


Francis M. Kennedy was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 7, 1837. He remained in his native place until the age of eighteen; completed his studies in the high school at Warren. Came with his parents to Minnesota in 1856, and located in Nicollet county on a farm. In March 1863, at Fort Ridgely, enlisted in Company B, first mounted rangers; was in General Sibley's expedition across the plains; was honorably discharged after a service of nine months. Came to his present farm of 160 acres in 1868. Mr. Kennedy married in 1864, Miss Jerusha Post, who was born in Ohio. They have two sons and four daughters.


Charles Kisner, a native of Prussia, was born in 1837. Came to America in 1860, and settled in Champaign county, Illinois; four years later removed to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and in 1867 settled on section twenty-eight of Home township, and made claim to a quarter section of land. He has been treasurer of school district 30, also constable. Married in 1867, Augusta Tassmer, a native of Prussia, born in 1847. Ida, Albert, Emma, Henry, Lydia, Ellen and Eddie are their children.


Alva S. Larrabee was born in Addison county, Vermont, February 17, 1816. In 1839 went to Lester, Vermont, and was engaged in the tanning and shoe making business. Married in 1840, Marion Enos, who bore him one child, and died in 1842, after which he came west and spent about two years, then returned to Vermont. In 1847, married Amy Humphrey. They- went to Winnebago county, Wisconsin; he engaged in fanning and in the shoe trade until 1861, then resided three years in Freeborn county, Minnesota; in 1864 made a claim on section 34 of Home, of 160 acres and has since added 40 acres. Has held the offices of assessor and justice of the peace. They have six children.


Isaac Martine was born in New York city, April 1, 1824. Went to Monroe county, where he grew to manhood and was educated. Removed to Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1847. Enlisted in 1861 in Company F, Second Wisconsin infantry; was honorably discharged in December, 1862. Returned to Racine county, but in 1866 came to Minnesota and soon after settled on his present farm of 173 acres in Home. Married Amy M. Close in 1845, who died in August 1855. His second marriage was with Miss Elizabeth M. Werring, in 1866. Walter N., George H., and Isaac S. are their living children.


Colin McKenzie, a native of Scotland, was born in 1842. Came to Canada in 1849. Made a claim of 160 acres on section 17 of Home township in 1867. to which he removed and on which he has since resided. His parents came in 1868 and still reside with him.


Fowler Middleton was born near Warsaw, Indiana, July 14, 1853. Came with his parents to Minnesota in 1865, directly to the town of Home and located with them on the farm which he is managing at present; he also owns a farm of 60 acres. His mother resides with him. Married in 1880, Mrs. Current, whose maiden name was Mary Labert. At the time of their marriage she had a daughter, Ella.


James N. Montgomery was born January 10, 1836, in Ontario. There he remained until 1867, then came to Home and took a claim of 160 acres on section 8. He has been supervisor one term and chairman of the board one term. Married April 13, 1847, Jennet McDermid, who was born in Canada June 1, 1822. John T., James, Hugh A., Susanna L., Catherine J., Margaret. J., Duncan A., Martin P. and an adopted daughter, Amanda L. Erwin, are their living children.


Martin Penning, a native of Luxemberg, Germany, was born September 29, 1840, and when five years old came to America with his parents. Lived in Wisconsin until 1865, then made a claim of 160 acres on section 35 of Home township. Enlisted in 1863, in Company C, 34th Wisconsin and after a service of ten months was discharged. October 13, 1869, he married Cresendia Smucher. She was born in Germany, September 3, 1844, and has borne him four children; Rosa and Emma are the living. Robert and Oscar died in 1880.


John E. Pickle was born in Lower Canada February 9, 1840. At the age of seventeen years he came to Dover, Olmsted county, Minnesota, with his parents. Learned the trade of blacksmith, which he has followed most of the time since. In February, 1861, enlisted at St. Paul, in Company B, independent battalion; was in service on the frontier and honorably discharged at Fort Snelling in June, 1866. On returning he came to his farm on section 29 of Home, where he also has a blacksmith shop. Married in November.1861, Nancy M. Lee who was born in Jefferson county, New York. Of the seven children born to them only two survive, Della A. and Celia A.


C. H. Potter was born Jefferson county, New York, April 17,1830. At the age of eighteen he began to earn his own livelihood. In 1854 came to Green county, Wisconsin, and located on a farm near Ripon. Came to Minnesota in 1864 and settled first in Blue Earth City, removing in 1869 to his farm of 129 acres in Home. Married in February, 1858, Adeline Greene, who was born in Lewis county, New York, September 4, 1840. Orin C., Charles G. and Frank W. are their living children.


Henry Romberg, a native of Germany, was born in 1837. Came to America in 1856, located in Milwaukee, thence removed to Washington county, Wisconsin, and followed farming also in Waukesha county. In 1866 came to Minnesota and made a claim of 160 acres on section 33, Home township. Married in 1867, Dora Knoke, who was born in Germany in 1841. Five children have been born to them of whom four are living.


Horatio Werring was born in Cornwall county, England, February 24, 1849. With his parents he came to America in 1853 and settled on a farm in Wisconsin. Came to Minnesota in 1856 but did not locate permanently until 1866, then made a claim on section 32 of Home. He now has a store of general merchandise at Golden Gate which he started in 1877; has also had the post-office in his store since his location here. Married in January, 1873, Miss Ellen McGowan. They have two children. His father was drowned in the Minnesota river, near West Newton, in June, 1871. His mother still resides on the farm on section 32.


Truman Wheeler was born in Malone, Franklin county, New York, in May, 1829. There he lived until twenty years of age, then spent three years in Massachusetts and in 1852 returned to his native town. Enlisted in 1862 in Company H, 142d New York infantry, and served until May, 1865. He then returned again to Malone, and in April, 1866, started for Minnesota; in August of that year located on section 34 of Home, making a claim of 160 acres. Married in 1851, Miss Polly Bond, who bore him nine children, of whom eight are living. She died December 11, 1871. His second marriage was in September, 1879, to Mrs. Delila Head.

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