In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1905) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Child's history of Waseca County, Minnesota : from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904, a record of fifty years : the story of the pioneers (1905), History of Steele and Waseca counties, Minnesota : an album of history and biography, embracing sketches of the villages, cities, and townships : educational, civil, military, and political history : (1887)
Benedict S. Lewis was born in Cortland County, N. Y., December 20, 1839. His parents, in the year 1851, removed to Columbia County, Wis., and in the latter State, B. S. received the most of his education, although well grounded before he left his native State. He attended the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, and Union College, State of New York, graduating from the latter in 1864. After that he taught school for about two years, and then began the study of law at Madison, Wis., with Gregory & Pinney, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. For about a year he practiced his profession at Lodi, Wis., but in 1868 came to the then young village of Waseca, and commenced the duties of his chosen profession, and has been identified with the history of the bar, of this county ever since. July 7, 1869, B. S. Lewis and Mary Eaton, a native of Wisconsin, were united in marriage, and they have been the parents of three children: Harlow E.; Esther Irma and Mary E. In 1884, in addition to his otherwise large practice, Mr. Lewis was made attorney for the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad for this and several adjacent counties. He is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Fi'ee and Accepted Masons, and of Waseca Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons. Close attention to his business and to the interests of his clients, has won for him an enviable reputation, both as a man and as a lawyer, and he enjoys the respect and esteem of all.
Eugene B. Collester was born in Gardner, Mass., December 20, 1847, and received his early education in the excellent schools of his native city. He entered Amherst College, from which he graduated with honors in 1873, and later moved to New London, Conn., where he became principal of Bulkeley high school, and remained in that capacity until 1880, when he came to the city of Waseca and entered upon the practice of law, he having read for that profession previously. April 6, 1875, he and Sarah Jane Hollande, a native of Connecticut, united their destinies in marriage, and they are the parents of one child, Alice M., born September 26, 1877. In the spring of 1887, Mr. Collester was elected mayor of the city of "Waseca, and now fills that onerous office. He is a member of Tuscan Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of Comee Lodge, No. 25, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A comparatively young man, blessed with a liberal education and great native talent and energy, he is one of the rising attorneys of this part of the State and has a bright future before him.
W. D. Abbott, of the firm of Sawyer, Abbott & Sawyer, is one of the prominent attorneys of Waseca. He is a native of Clinton Falls, Steele County, Minn., and is the son of Asa J. and Mary (Piper) Abbott. He was reared on his father's farm, attending the district schools when his help was not required at home. Entering the Pillsbury
Academy of Owatonna, he graduated therefrom in 1879, and then attended the Carleton College. In September, 1883, he commenced reading law with Sawyer & Sawyer, of Owatonna, and applying himself diligently to his studies was duly admitted to the bar, in Steele County, June 5, 1884. He remained in that city until March, 1886, when became to Waseca, and opened the present office of the firm, the other members of which remained in Owatonna. October 7, 1886, he was united in marriage with Lorena M. Adams, of Kice County, this State. Mr. Abbott is a member of Waseca Lodge, No. 44, Knights of Pythias, of which he is the present chancellor commander.
A. J. O'Grady, an attorney of Janesville, came to that village in May, 1878, opened an office and has remained there ever since. He is a native of Ireland, born in July, 1847, but came to this country with his grandparents, in 1849. They located in the State of New York, where they lived until 1855, when they moved to Wayne County, Pa. In 1858, they came west and settled in St. Mary, Waseca County, where the old people died. A. J. resided with them until January, 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, under Col. J. H. Baker, and was with the corps commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith, until his discharge Ausjust 19, 1865. Then returned to Waseca County, and in 1876 commenced to read law, and March 23, 1878, was admitted to the bar, and then came to Janesville, hung out his shingle, and commenced the practice of his profession.
As printed in History of Steele and Waseca counties, Minnesota : an album of history and biography, embracing sketches of the villages, cities, and townships : educational, civil, military, and political history : (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
B. S. LEWIS, ESQ.
He married Miss Cliristine Anderson, also a native of Sweden, about 1856, while living in Indiana. He remained in that state until 1860, when he came to Otisco with his family and made his home on section 16. Here he purchased one hundred sixty acres of land, which he still owns. Some fifteen years ago Charles became so afflicted with rheumatism that he quit his farm and bo'ught him a home in Waseca where he has since resided with his family. John A. Johnson married Miss Anna Larson, of Idaho. She was born in Sweden in 1869, and came to America while young. They are the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters. He owns one hundred sixty acres of land in section 16, and his residence is surrounded by one of the finest groves in the state. He has been town supervisor for a number of terms and is prominent in the public affairs of his town.
This gentleman was born in Courtland county, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1839. He was of Welsh descent, and his father was a clergyman. His parents came West to Columbia county, Wis., in 1851, and he came with them. He received his education after leaving the public schools, at Union college, N. Y., and at the State University of Wisconsin in Madison. He read law with Gregory & Pinney, of Madison, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He came to Waseca in 1868, where he practiced law the remainder of his life very successfully. In addition to nis local business he was the retained attorney of the M. & St. L. railway company from 1884 until the close of his life. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Eaton, of Wisconsin, July 7, 1869, and four children were born to them, one son and three daughters — Harlow E., Esther, Irma, and Mary B. (deceased). Esther is the wife of Mr. Guy W. Everett, of the firm rf Everett, Aughenbaugn & Co., of Waseca. Irma is the wife of James M. Hanley, Esq., a prominent attorney of Mandan, N. D. Harlow E. is connected with the milling business of Mapleton, Blue Earth county, Minn., and is doing a prosperous business. He married a daughter of Hon. M. R. Everett, a lawyer and banker, and for a number of years a state senator, of Waterville, Minn.
Mr. B. S. Lewis died of bronchial consumption May 16, 1891, after many years of suffering. Judge Buckham and all the members of the bar of Waseca county attended his funeral in a body. Mr. Lewis was a very thorough student of law and an able attorney, always true to the interests of his" clients. He was public spirited and took an active interest in the welfare of his adopted city.
As printed in Child's history of Waseca County, Minnesota : from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904, a record of fifty years : the story of the pioneers (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: James E. Child R. O. Craig (b. 1834)
Their biographies name B. S. Lewis: Harlow S. Lewis (b. 1872) Edward Bennett (b. 1839)
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.