MN AHGP Archives-Dakota Co. 1881 Bios-mendota Twp
Mendota biographies from the 1881 History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings

Joseph Auge was born in Canada East, in 1836. When about twelve years old, he came with his father to Mendota, Minnesota. His first employment was for J. B. Faribault, and while in his employ, he acquired the Sioux language. He accompanied the Jim Fisk expedition to the gold mines of Montana. Subsequently he learned the blacksmith's trade, under his brother George, in St. Paul. His early education was acquired in Canada, and after coming to St. Paul, studied in the office of his brother-in-law. Married May 19th, 1861, Miss Louise A. Dupuis, a niece to the Sioux chief, "Little Crow," and settled in Mendota. Mr. Auge is able to speak the English, French, German and Sioux languages. Was appointed United States inspector of customs at Pembina, which position he occupied one year, then returned to Mendota. Here he has served as justice of the peace and school clerk. His family consists of his wife and ten children. He is now engaged in the liquor trade.

Julius E. Batta was born in Germany, February 1st, 1849. He received his early education at the common schools, finishing his studies at the gymnasium. When about eighteen years of age, he came to America, proceeding westward from New York to Minnesota, and afterward traveled through Wisconsin, Missouri and Arkansas. Returning to Germany in 1869, he was drafted into the German army, and passed through the Franco-German war of 1870; was on the field at the battle of Metz. He returned to the United States during the summer of 1871, and settled in Sibley county, here remaining until his removal to Hastings in 1875. The next year he located in Mendota; having had some experience in gram speculation, he began as a grain buyer, and since 1877, has been wheat-buyer and agent for the Millers' Citizen Association, of Minneapolis. Married at St. Paul, in 1875, Miss Hulde Mendiville. Hermon, Julius, Eliza and Fred are their children.

Ferdinand Burow was born September 13th, 1841. Immigrated to America in 1866, and came to St. Paul, via New York. Came to Mendota township in 1869, settling on a farm owned by A. Northolfer. He purchased the farm on which he now fives, from Gen. H. H, Sibley, it being unimproved land. It has been well cultivated and has received also some first-class improvements, under the management of Mr. Burow. He visited his native country in 1857, returning to his Minnesota home early the following spring. Married in 1870, Miss Amelia Post, a native of Prussia. Ludwig, August. Albert and Annie, are their children.

Rev. Charles Arthur Sicard de Carufel, pastor of St. Peter's church of Mendota, was born in the province of Quebec, August 4th, 1836. He attended college from seven to seventeen years of age, afterward entered Nicollet college, pursuing the theological course four years. During the time, however, seven months were passed as private secretary to Bishop Thomas Cooke. He was ordained by this bishop June 9th, 1859. Was the assistant at St. Anne de La Parade until 1861; then assistant at St. Justin until 1862; also parish priest at St. Louis de Blanford until 1870; was parish priest of St Roman of Winslow until 1871; for five years was parish priest of Pointe-du Lac. He came to Oswego, New York in 1876, and was two years parish priest of St Louis, of Oswego. Came to Mendota in 1878 and has since that time been priest of St. Peter's church, and until 1879, had charge of Inver Grove mission.

Henry E. C. Dehrer was born November 5th, 1846. Came to this continent with his parents during infancy and passed his childhood in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he came to St Paul, Minnesota, with his parents. Subsequently he moved to Inver Grove township, where he resides. Was here married to Henrietta Sass, in 1871; she has borne him four children. Bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Mendota township in 1876, and settled on it the ensuing year. He has been chairman of supervisors three years and school treasurer four years.

Michael Dupuis was born in La Prairie, Canada East, 1810. He learned the trade of boot and shoe maker in his native place and afterward worked at it in New York and other cities. Returning to Upper Canada he was for a long time the foreman in a tannery, and boot and shoe manufactory, etc. In 1855, came to Minnesota and the same summer opened a boot and shoe shop in Mendota, which business he has since pursued. Miss Mary Dark, a native of Upper Canada, became his wife in 1849. Eleven children have been born to them; the living are: Henry, Mary, Charlotte, Edward, Gosept, Albert, Frank and Orman.

John F. Guiney, a native of this state, was born in Eagan township, Dakota county, September 18th, 1860. Moved to Fort Snelling with his parents, during infancy, and two years later accompanied them to Mendota. During his boyhood days he attended school and has since been principally engaged as an employee on the railroad. At one time he assisted in building some of the elevators on the H. and D. railroad as far as Bird Island; is now section boss on the and M. division of the C., M. and St P. railway at St. Paul Junction. He still resides in the village with his parents

M. Haggerty is a native of Ireland, born in 1842. Received his early education in the schools of his native country, and when about twelve years old, went to France, and finished his course of studies at the University of Paris. He was after professor of languages in one of the government lyceums of that country. Came to America in 1870, landing at New York, and during the fall of the same year, came westward, locating in Mendota. Here he served as principal of the school until 1877, then studied law at the University of Iowa, receiving his diploma the next year. After returning to Minnesota, he was admitted to the bar by an examination at Hastings. He taught school in Inver Grove township one term, also one term at Burnsville, then came to Mendota, and resumed his duties as teacher in the schools. Married in 1879, to Miss Alice Kearns, who was born in 1860. .

Fred. Heckel was born in New York city, in 1843. Here was his home, until he enlisted in June, 1861, in the Sixty-sixth Regiment, New York. Was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam and Bull's Run; served until June, 1864, then returned to Rockland county, New York, as a farmer. During the spring of 1877, came west, and settled in Mendota township. The first year, he assumed control of a farm for Dr. F. B. Smith, of St. Paul. Opened the B. T. French farm of eighty acres, which will soon be improved under his management. Married, in 1870, Miss Mary Paddu, a native of Ireland. Their children are: Maggie, William, Edward, Louis and Frederick.

Octave Le dair was born in Canada, about thirty-five miles below Montreal, in 1836. When a lad of twelve years came to Mendota with his brother Philip. The first few years of his western life he was in the employ of Alexander and David Faribault, driving cattle and teaming. He subsequently acted as scout for a hunting expedition to Lac qui Parle, the party being composed of people from New York. Until the completion of the railway from Fort Snelling to Faribault, he was principally engaged as an Indian trader, visiting Redwood and Yellow Medicine. Was one of the first brakemen on the railway mentioned, and at the very commencement of his career, sustained severe injuries, having nine bones broken. Continued railroading about ten years, and has since opened a store, meat market and saloon, and is now residing at Mendota. Married Miss Margaret Dupuis, who has borne him fifteen children, twelve of whom are living.

Constant Le May was born in Canada, about forty-five miles from Quebec, December 8th, 1827. On attaining majority, he went to Missouri, and on up the Mississippi to St. Paul. He entered the employ of the fur company, of which General H. H. Sibley was agent, in which he continued four years. He selected his present farm and built a shanty. After the land came into market, he secured 160 acres, which has since been his home. His estate comprises 265 acres. In 1865, he was married to Miss Felicite Lembert, who died February 20th, 1881. He has seven living children.

Carl Neubauer, a native of Prussia, was born October 24th, 1830. Came to America in 1857, and the next spring came to St. Paul, Minnesota, remaining two years. He engaged in farming in Eagan for H. H. Sibley, and in Mendota for Dr. Steele, of St. Paul. Purchased his present farm of eighty acres, in section 35, in 1867, settling on it the following year. Miss Amelia Staige became his wife, April 22d, 1872, and has borne him seven children: Bertha, Louis, Sebalt, August, Ida, Augusta and Julius.

Edward Perron was born in Canada, about thirty-six miles below Montreal Came to St. Louis in 1851, thence the following spring to St. Paul. Returning to Canada in 1855, he married Miss Louisa Conneyer, and two years later moved his family to Mendota village. After farming some time in Mendota, he moved to Eagan township, and for six years had charge of a farm for H. H. Sibley. Moved to his present farm in Mendota township in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Perron are the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Adolph, Alexander, William and Mary.

James Travers was born in Chicago, October 11th, 1855. While yet a child, he moved with his parents to St. Paul, where he lived until 1870. Coming thence to Mendota; he engaged in railroading for a short time, and has worked for the government at the carpenter's trade chiefly since, remaining most of the time at Fort Snelling. Helped in building Fort Custer during the summer of 1877; visited Cheyenne, Wyoming, during the spring of that year, with his brother-in-law, Omer E. Woods, of Mendota. Was employed at Fort Assiniboine during the summer of 1879, then returned to Mendota. In March, 1881, he took charge of the hotel at Mendota, of which he is now proprietor. Married Miss Josephine Woods in 1878. They have one son, James.

Clement Vondell, one of the early settlers of Mendota, was born in Lower Canada in 1828. His father Louis was a farmer in that country. Clement came to St. Paul in 1848, thence to Mendota. During the first few years spent west, he was in the pineries, also teaming for the government He settled on his present farm in Mendota township some time before the land was salable. Here he has since resided. Married in 1851. to Mary Bebeau, who died in 1880, leaving thirteen children: Kate, Clement, Mary, Louis, Christine, Charles, Jeanette, Ellen, Addie, Lena, Philiman, Minnie and Josephine

Omer E. Woods was born in Eagan township, Dakota county, Minnesota in 1866. Moved with his parents, Gregory and Lucy Woods in the spring of 1857, and has resided here through life. His education was acquired at the public schools. He has been engaged principally in railroading, and is at present, section boss on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway at St. Paul Junction. In 1877, made a trip to Wyoming territory, returning the same year. When a boy, was in service on the barge laden with the first railroad engine up the Mississippi. Miss Julia Travers became his wife June 9th, 1880.



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