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

Sleepy Eye


Thomas Allison was born in Illinois in 1825; he grew to manhood on a farm and in 1857 left his native state for Olmsted county, Minnesota. Made a claim where Sleepy Eye is now located, in 1864. In 1872, in company with W. L. Breckenridge, laid out the town site of Sleepy Eye. and has since been here to witness its growth and prosperity. Married in 1851, Eliza Kelly; she had three children. By this marriage two children have been born.


Frank J. Barton was born in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, in 1857. When about seven years of age accompanied his parents to Jefferson county, New York; remained until 1867; removed thence to Mankato, Minnesota, and finally to Brown county; he located on a farm in Prairieville township, but in 1881 came to Sleepy Eye. Married in 1880, Miss Hattie Green. They have one child.


Carl Berg, a native of Germany, was born in 1847. Came to the United States in 1856 with his mother, and for nine years lived in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. In 1866 came to Brown county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming. For the past seven years he has been in Sleepy Eye as manager of the Minnesota House. Married in Brown county in 1870, Miss Theresa Hageman. Of the six children born to them three are living.


John P. Bertrand was born in Germany in 1845. Came to America when ten years of age, and in 1857 settled in Minnesota. When twenty years old he began an apprenticeship of two years with Leonard Bothmund in the harness trade. For six years he continued his trade in New Ulm, and in 1878 came to Sleepy Eye. At New Ulm, in 1877, his marriage took place with Miss Elizabeth Kioes. Two children have been born to them.


B. H. Bingham was born in Canada East, and in 1859 left his native place, with his parents, who located in Franklin county, Vermont. In 1863 he came to Minnesota and settled in St. Charles, then to Sleepy Eye in 1872. Here he was among the first to engage in trade; his business was hardware and lumber. He experienced misfortune in 1879, losing his store by fire, which, however, did not cause much financial embarrassment. Miss Jennie N. Baker became his wife in 1874, and has borne him three children.


A. Blanchard was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. When but four years of age he came with his parents to Winona county, Minnesota, and remained with them on the farm until 1876; then became interested in the grain trade at Minnesota City, and in September, 1881, located in Sleepy Eye, engaged in the same trade. Married Miss Grace F. Kennedy.


Thomas E. Bowen, editor of the Weekly Herald, was born October 13, 1849, at Blossburg, Pennsylvania. Came with his parents to Minnesota in 1855, and with them resided on a farm in Nicollet county, until sixteen years old; was then sent to school at Mankato; his father also moved there in 1877, and was afterwards elected sheriff of Blue Earth county. Thomas entered the State Normal School and graduated in 1870. He subsequently taught and was principal the following year of the schools at Lake Crystal; in 1875 and '77 was principal of the schools at Sleepy Eye. Removed to Sleepy Eye in March, 1878, and in February, 1879. established the ''Herald". He bought the "Gazette" at Sleepy Eye in 1880, which is now consolidated with the Herald. On the 1st of November. 1877. at Sleepy Eye, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. White.


Henry Burk, a native of Ireland, was born in 1830. Came to America in 1850 and settled in Oneida county. New York; two years later went to Ann Arbor. Michigan, for five years: removed to St. Paul, and one year later to Belle Plaine, where he lived seven years. Took an active part in the suppression of the Indians at the time of outbreak. For the past fifteen years has given his attention to locomotive engines and now has charge of the water engine at Sleepy Eye. Married in 1856. Bridgett Plunkett, Oliver. Thomas, John, Joseph, Francis, James, Mary and Anna are their children.


Jens P. Christenson was born in Denmark, in 1857. Came with his parents to the United States in 1803. After remaining in Chicago, about six months, their house was destroyed by fire. Coming thence to Freeborn county, Minnesota, he remained about three years, then in 1866 came to Brown county. Lived on a farm until 1877, then came to Sleepy Eye and engaged in the machine trade. Married in 1879, Miss Carrie Madson.


D. T. Clary was born in Ireland in 1842. When about ten years of age he accompanied his parents to America. After remaining some time in Connecticut and Massachusetts, removed to Avon Springs, New York, and in 1856, to Wisconsin. Completed his education by graduating from Eastman's Commercial college in New York; he then engaged with the National Bank Note Printing company. In 1861, located near New Ulrn and engaged in teaching school and farming. He has been county superintendent of schools since 1879. His marriage with Abby Kugan took place in 1872. They have two children living: Agnes C. and Paul D.


David W. Coulthard was born in Canada and from there came to Minnesota in 1855, locating first in Shakopee. Enlisted in 1862 in the army of the Cumberland and was mustered out of service in 1865: served as a non-commissioned officer in the Second Minnesota battery. In 1878 he located in Sleepy Eye and engaged in the farm machinery trade. Married in 1867 Annie McMullen who died in December of that year. His second marriage was with Mary Huntsman in 1870. They have two children living.


William Duncan was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, January 21, 1846. When five years of age accompanied his parents to Bartholemew county, Indiana, and twelve years later went to Clay county, Illinois. In 1866 came to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and engaged in farming until 1870 since which time has been in the machine trade. Married in 1876. Miss Cornelia Hatch, a native of Vermont, who bore him four children: three are living. Mrs. Duncan died in 1876.


F. H. Dyckman was born in Orange, New Jersey, November 11, 1858, and is of American and Scotch parentage. He began his business career in New York city, in the Merchants' Bank. From there he came to Minnesota and established a banking house in the winter of 1880-'81 at Sleepy Eye. and is largely interested in a money loaning corporation of Scotland, and loans money throughout the entire state,


H. G. Eaton was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1841. When ten years of age removed with his parents to Green Lake county, and there remained ten years thence to Rochester, Minnesota. Enlisted in the spring of 1865 in Company G, First Minnesota battalion infantry and served until the close of the war. He was in the grain trade at Rochester, eight years and three years at New Uhm. Finally settled in Sleepy Eye in charge of Van Dusen & Company's warehouse. Married in 1867, Lydia J. Kendall. Of their four children one is living.


Prof. C. E. Ferguson was born November 14, 1854, at St. Thomas, Ontario, where he attended the public and high schools. Removed to Hamilton, Ontario, in 1875, and attended the Hamilton college, graduating in 1877. He spent three years in the university at Toronto, then spent one year traveling through the west. In July, 1881 located in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and accepted the principal ship of the public and high schools.


John P. Franz was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1855. Came to Minnesota in 1878 and settled in Sleepy Eye. His father came from Germany in 1850 and settled in Beloit and in June, 1878, came to Sleepy Eye and engaged in the liquor trade. Mr. Franz was married in his native town in 1878 to Miss Henrietta Hoffmaster.


Isaac Gallagher was born in Westmorland county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. In the spring of 1856 he came to Wisconsin, and engaged in teaching school and farming. Enlisted in Company D, 14th Wisconsin, and was discharged on account of wounds received. After recovering he re-in-listed and was honorably discharged October 9, 1865. Followed farming and teaching in Goodhue county until 1878, since which time has been a resident of Sleepy Eye, where he has served as justice of the peace. He is interested in the real estate and insurance business. Married in 1865, Catherine McEwen. Four children have been born to them; two are living.


August Gauerke, a native of Germany, was born in 1848. Came to the United States with his parents in 1852 and with them settled on a farm in Washington county, Wisconsin. In 1872 came to Brown county, Minnesota, locating in Sleepy Eye, and engaged in the mercantile trade with T. H. Mitchell. His marriage with Miss Bertha Vadler took place in 1871. They are the parents of four living children.


William Gebser, born .in New Ulm, Brown county, Minnesota, in 1860, is a son of F. W. Gebser, who was a book-keeper. William was educated and grew to manhood in New Ulm, and learned the trade of cigar-making. In 1878 removed to Sleepy Eye, and began the sale and manufacture of cigars, and by giving strict attention to his trade has gained a good patronage.


Lars Hanson was born in Denmark, in 1848. On coming to America in 1865, he made his home in Illinois for three years. Came to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, in 1865, and after farming five years, accepted the position of baggage master at the depot. On the 8th of May, 1876, he was appointed postmaster. Married Miss Mary A. Christenson in 1872. They have four living children.


Francis Ibberson was born in Cambridgeshire, England. In July, 1849, he came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin; came to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, in 1873, and is engaged in "the drug business, and is also interested in farming. Married Maria Coopley, in New York City, who arrived there from her native country, in 1850. Eight children have been born to them, of whom five are living.


Edwin P. Illsley was born in Nova Scotia, in 1859. He came to the United States in 1874, and located in Dover Center, Olmsted county, Minnesota. He removed to Brown county in 1880, and began working at the trade of blacksmith, in Sleepy Eye, where he still remains. Married in 1880, Miss Georgia Ellsbury.


Paul C. Jacobson was born in Denmark, in 1854. Came to America in 1862, and located in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. In 1869 came to Brown county, Minnesota, and remained on a farm seven years, then went to New Ulm. One year later located in Sleepy Eye, and has since been interested in farm machinery business. Married in 1880 to Miss Mary Roy.


Ole H. Jertson was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, July 28, 1853. After learning the trade of carpenter, he worked at that business in his native place until coming to Sleepy Eye in 1876. Since locating here he has continued his trade. Married in 1877, Mary Arverson. Hans, born in March, 1879, is their only child.


Hans C. Johnson is a native of Denmark, and came to the United States in May, 1880. Soon after, he located in Sleepy Eye, and engaged in the tailoring business with C. S. Peterson. Married in his native country, Miss Mary D. Hanson, who has borne him five children.


C. E. Johnson was born in Franklin county, Vermont, in 1844. At the age of twenty years he came to New Ulm, Minnesota: made that place his home until the spring of 1881, engaged as a hotel clerk. Locating in Sleepy Eye, he started in the saloon business, where he still continues. Miss Lizzie Richards became the wife of Mr. Johnson in 1872. They have three living children.


Thomas P. Keegan was born in Massachusetts in 1850, and there grew to manhood on a farm. Came to Minnesota in 1867, and located in Brown county; until the 1st of January, 1880 he remained on a farm, then came to Sleepy Eye and engaged in the mercantile business in company with John H. and J. W. Keegan. Married in 1880, Miss Lillie Fitzgerald.


F. Koelme, a native of Germany, was born in 1848. Came to America in 1870, and located in New Ulm, Minnesota, where he was clerk in a hotel four years, then managed the Northwestern Hotel for three years. Coming to Sleepy Eye, he managed the Union House two years, then engaged in stock trade until 1881, when he purchased the block on the corner of Main and Fifth streets. Married in 1853 Augusta Dettbenner. They are the parents of four children.


Louis Landon was born in the state of New York in 1841. Moved to Wisconsin and remained until 1872, then came to Minnesota, and located in Sleepy Eye in 1878: engaged in the hotel business. Enlisted in 1862 in the 18th Wisconsin, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Married Miss Barbara Kinnear, who has borne him four children, of whom three are living.


J. J. Legge was born in Jackson county, Iowa, July 20, 1854. His father sold the farm in 1867 and moved his family to West Point, Iowa. In spring of 1868 Mr. Legge removed to Davenport, then to Bellevue. and in the fall of 1870 went to college at Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, and studied classics. Went to Chicago in 1875; in 1880 located in Sleepy Eye, and started a drug store.


Daniel Liddell was born in Canada, and came to the United States when seventeen years of age. Lived in Michigan two years, and came thence to Washington county, Minnesota, in 1868; in 1873 he located in Brown county, and engaged in farming until the fall of 1880, then came to Sleepy Eye. Here he has since been interested in the livery business. Married in 1873 Anna F. MacNider. They have one living child.


Peter Majewski is a native of Germany, and came to America in 1868. After remaining a short time in Illinois, he came on the 13th of January, 1869, to Nicollet county and settled on a farm. Came to Sleepy Eye in the spring of 1873, and engaged in the furniture business. Married in the spring of 1874 Miss Augusta Zieske, who has borne him two children.


T. M. Marcellus, M. D., was born in Canada West in 1852. Came to the United States in 1866, and for twelve years lived in Northfield, Minnesota; for three and one-half years was a student in Carleton College. Attended medical lectures at Michigan University, and graduated in March, 1878; since July of that year he has been practicing his profession in Sleepy Eye. Married Miss Marion Wheeler, in Northfield, in 1879.


Lawrence Mauch was born in Wisconsin in 1855. In 1868 came to Brown county, Minnesota, and commenced the hardware trade in Sleepy Eye in 1878. He is associated with Daniel Moll, under the firm name of Moll & Mauch. They keep a large stock of heavy and shelf hardware. Mr. Mauch is classed among the best business men in the place.


Thomas H. Mitchell was born in Wisconsin in 1850. His parents were born in England, and came to America in 1848, locating in Wisconsin, where they still reside. Mr. Mitchell came to Sleepy Eye March 1, 1880, and started a general merchandise store, which was the fifth store of the kind in the place. Married in 1877 Miss Jessie, daughter of Rev. G. N. Annes. They have one child.


Hans Mo, a native of Norway, was born March 17, 1850. There he received a good education, after which followed book-keeping. Came to America in 1872, and settled in Byron, Minnesota, where for six years he worked at clerking. Coming to Sleepy Eye he was clerking in a drug store until April, 1881, then took charge of S. D. Peterson's machinery depot. Married in 1877 Anna Johnson.


W. M. Murfin was born October 7, 1841, in Adams county, Ohio. He taught school in Sciota two years. Enlisted in 1863 in Company E, First Ohio heavy artillery, and was discharged in 1865. Soon after, he settled in Rochester, Minnesota, and engaged in the grain trade until 1867; then continued the trade in Waseca until 1870, and until 1872 was depot agent and dealer in grain in Claremont. Locating finally in Sleepy Eye, he, in company with his brother, engaged in general merchandise trade. Removed to Kansas City in 1878, but returned in 1881, and is now one of the firm of Murfin Brothers & White. Married in 1869 Le Vema S. Ireland. Charles H. and Leroy are their children.


Charles S. Peterson is a native of Denmark, and in 1879 left that country for America. Soon after he reached Sleepy Eye, and at first engaged as clerk in a dry goods store. In 1880 he opened a merchant tailoring establishment, in which he has a good trade.


Mason W. Phelps was born in New York in 1827. Came to Minnesota in 1866 and located near Fort Ridgely, Nicollet county, on a farm; removed thence to New Ulm, and to Sleepy Eye in 1879. Here he opened the Exchange Hotel, of which he is still the proprietor. In 1848 was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia A. Weever. They have one child living.


A. P. Poaps, M. D. was born August 11, 1859, in Montreal. After receiving his early education in that city, entered the Kingston Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, which he attended during 1877 and '78; then entered the Bellevue Hospital, of New York, and graduated in the spring of 1881. In August of that year he located in Sleepy Eye and is now enjoying a fair practice.


William H. Post was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 1840, and while a child went with his parents to McHenry county,Illinois. In 1852 he came to Nicollet county, Minnesota, and his father took a claim of 160 acres. Enlisted in 1861 in Company H, Fourth Minnesota; was discharged for disability at St. Louis, after a service of one year. In 1865 made a claim in Birch Cooley, on which he lived eight years; then started a drug store at Redwood Falls; remained until coming to Sleepy Eye in 1880. When eighteen years of age was employed at the Lower Sioux Agency as interpreter. Was married August 4, 1865, to Marietta Frazier. Julius D., Laudin E., and Lulu E. are their children. Mrs. Post died in 1879.


Granville F. Prescott, was born in Wisconsin, in 1857. He grew to manhood in the city of Winona, Minnesota, and at the age of fourteen years began learning the trade of blacksmith, with C. F. Prescott. Came to Sleepy eye with his parents, when the village was first started and is still here enjoying a lucrative trade. Married in 1877, Miss Sarah Youngmann, who has borne him one child.


A. Rinke, a native of Germany, was born in 1846. Came to the United States with his parents in 1860 and located in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1870 he came to Brown county, Minnesota and engaged in the manufacture of wagons; locating in Sleepy Eye in 1871, he continued his former trade until 1876, then engaged in the mercantile business with T. F. Talbot. Married in 1873, Miss Mary Mandal. They have three children.


Peter P. Roiler was born in Iowa in 1861. Came with his parents to Minnesota and settled in Belle Plaine; remained on the farm until fourteen years of age, then attended school at Shakopee and St. Cloud. After leaving school he engaged in the farm machinery trade in St. Cloud and St. Paul, then embarked in the sewing machine business at Mankato. Located in Sleepy Eye in 1879 and has a good trade in sewing and farm machines.


C. Salkowske, a native of Germany, was born in 1844. Came to America and settled in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and three years later came to Brown county, Minnesota. After engaging in farming for two years, he went to western Minnesota as a missionary. In 1866 he located in Sleepy Eye and began the grain business; continued one year, then started in the general merchandise trade. Married Miss Heine in 1868.


Andrew J. Sanderlin was born in Tennessee, in 1823. Removed to Ohio in 1844; six years later went to California, and in 1855 came to Minnesota, locating at Hastings. In 1857 removed to Rice county, thence in 1870 to Colorado. After a residence there of five years he returned to Minnesota and began farming in Steele county. Located in Sleepy Eye in 1878 and engaged as a barber. Married Miss Barbara Wertzler, who has borne him three children. Mr. Sanderlin was in the Mexican war.


H. B. Sandmeyer was born March 17, 1853, in the province of Westphalia, Germany, After obtaining a high school education, he came to the United States in 1876 and entered upon his theological studies at St. John's college, Minnesota; was ordained priest by Bishop Grace, of St. Paul. The next year was assistant priest at New Ulm and from there went to his missionary field which included all places as far west as Watertown, Dakota. He is at present stationed at Sleepy Eye as parish priest.


John B. Schmid was born in Germany in 1852. Came to Brown county, Minnesota, in 1868, and gave his attention to music. In 1879 located in Sleepy Eye and has since engaged in the hotel business. Married in Brown county, Miss Mary Adam who has borne him four children.


Silas D. Scudder was born in India in 1859. His parents were of American birth, and went to India as missionaries, and while there their son was born. On returning to America his parents left him in Germany to complete his education. He graduated at the age of seventeen years. Arriving in America he entered the Bank of Montreal in New York city. In December. 1880, he came to Sleepy Eye, Brown county, Minnesota, and began the banking business.


William Sencerbox was born in Scott county, Minnesota, in 1856, and is a son of J. W. Sencerbox, who resides at Shakopee. William grew to manhood in Shakopee and there received an education. He learned the trade of jeweler with C. R. Newel, and after completing his trade came to Sleepy Eye in 1880; here he has since engaged in the jewelry business.


George W. Somerville was born in Ripley county, Indiana, in 1857. Came with his father to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1874. Graduated from the high school of Rochester, in 1876, then for one year read law with H. G. Butler. Entered the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in 1877. In June of the same year he located in Sleepy Eye and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.


Frank N. Stewart was born in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, January 12, 1856. In 1863, graduated from the Geneseo seminary. Removing to Winona, Minnesota, he acted as assistant train dispatcher at that place; in 1878, carne to Sleepy Eye and has been train dispatcher of all Watertown and Redwood Falls trains. Married on the 30th of September, 1881, Miss Clara Grant, of Rochester.


George Stevenhofer, a native of Switzerland, was born in 1853. Came to the United States with his grand-parents when but four years of age and settled in Indianapolis, Indiana. Removed to Wisconsin in 1859; remained in Sauk county until 1876, then removed to Waseca county, Minnesota, and in 1880, to Sleepy Eye, where he is employed as clerk in a drug store.


S. Stoemach was born in Switzerland in July, 1842; came to America as a young man and homesteaded in Wisconsin seven years. In 1876 came to Sleepy Eye and has continued to make his home here; married Marilla Nietsheu in 1877; four children.


Thomas F. Talbot was born in London, England, in October, 1844. When about nine years of age he came to America with his parents and remained on a farm in Wisconsin until coming in 1860, to Minnesota. He served in Company C, 6th Minnesota, and was discharged in 1865. In 1872, he located in Sleepy Eye and embarked in the mercantile trade; formed a partnership with Andrew Rinke, in 1878. Married in June, 1864, Miss E. V. Eraser. Three children have been born to them; one is living.


Joseph Troutmann, a native of the old country, came to the United States in 1855 and settled in Chicago, and one year later went to New Ulm, Minnesota; was one of the pioneers of the county. He located in Sleepy Eye when there were but two buildings in the place, and erected a meat market. Here he has since continued and is doing a fine trade. During the Indian massacre Mr. Troutmann experienced several narrow escapes.


Dr. Jacob W. B. Wellcome, was born in New Portland, Maine, June 4, 1825. At the age of sixteen he entered Burnham's high school and remained three years, then studied medicine. He received a diploma, and in 1856 went to Wisconsin; practiced there until 1858, then came to Minnesota, and the next year located in Garden City. In 1862 he was appointed examining surgeon for the draft, with his office at Mankato; in 1863 was first assistant surgeon, in the place of Dr. W. W. Clark, who was ill; was surgeon of the hospital seven months; in 1872 was appointed surgeon for pensions and held the position four years. Dr. Wellcome assisted in forming the first medical society in the Minnesota Valley, and has been its vice president and secretary. For two years was surgeon for the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company; he is a member of the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he attends the lectures. He was at Garden City at the time of the Indian outbreak, and with other physicians cared for the wounded and dying.


W. R. White was born in Canada, in 1826, and came to the United States in 1839, locating in Vermont. Went to DeKalb county, Illinois, and remained two years, then spent seven years hi Bad Axe. Wisconsin. Came to Minnesota hi the spring of 1868, and in 1874 located hi Sleepy Eye. He has since engaged in various pursuits, and, in company with his son, is now managing the Loreno House. Married Miss Judith Chester, in 1848. They have seven living children.


Harper M. Workman, M. D., was born in Circleville, Ohio, May 14,1855. He graduated in medicine from the Chicago Medical College, in 1878. In 1881 he located in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and is here practicing his profession.


J. N. E. Wolfe was born in Knox county, Indiana, in 1839. There he remained until 1880, engaged in farming, merchandising and hotel keeping. Came to Sleepy Eye at that time and was employed by Van Dusen & Company until April, 1881, then engaged in the meat trade. Married in 1867, Lydia Hutchings. They have two living children.


John C. Zieske, a native of Prussia, was born in 1842. Came to America in 1854 and settled on a farm in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. Enlisted in Company H, 18th Wisconsin, and served until July, 1865. Coming to Minnesota, he settled in Nicollet county; in 1873 he located in Sleepy Eye, and began soon after in the harness trade. Mr. Zieske represented his district hi the legislature in 1881. Married in Minnesota in 1867, Miss Mary Strassburg. Of the six children born to them, only three are living.

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