Wallace Van Guilder

Wallace Van Guilder, of Stanton township, was born in New York state June 28, 1843, son of Phenner and Jane Van Guilder, natives of New York state, where they were engaged in farming until their death. Wallace Van Guilder received his education in the common schools of the state, and worked in a state factory for several years. When the war broke out he enlisted, in July, 1862, in Company B, lath Vermont Volunteer Infantry, served in the Army of the Potomac and took part in all the battles of the campaign, including the battle of Gettysburg. He was discharged in Vermont in 1864. After his return home, on receiving his discharge from the army, he decided to come west, locating in Cannon Falls, where he worked in the hotel for a time, after which he rented a farm in partnership with his cousin, and engaged in farming. He went back later, to New

York, and worked for one year for an old comrade, after which he again returned to Cannon Falls and purchased 182 acres of land in Stanton township, where he has been engaged in general farming for twenty years. He was at one time also engaged in ball playing, being a professional. He played with the Minnehaha club, of Northfielcl, Minn., which held the championship of Minnesota until they disbanded in 1868. All the improvements on his land and buildings have been made by himself, and about 120 acres is under cultivation. He is now retired and his stepson rents the farm. Mr. Van Guilder was married in November, 1869, to Aribell Poe, daughter of Richard and Margaret Poe, by whom he had three children: Milton A., living in Stanton;

Julia, who married Dr. Houston, now of Montana, and one child who died in infancy. His wife died, and later he married Mrs. Matilda Saylor, who had three children by her first marriage, Elizabeth, Frank, now deceased, and Lester, the latter of Avhom rents the farm. Wallace and Matilda Van Guilder have one son, Jesse, who is attending the State University, where he is preparing to practice dentistry. Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican, but has never sought or held any public office. He affiliates with the George McKinley Post, No. 92, G. A. R., of Cannon Falls. Mr. Van Guilder’s uncle and grandmother were victims of the Indian massacre near New Ulm, Minn.

Francis Goudy, Sr., one of the large farmers of Stanton township, has been assessor of his township for about thirty-five years, and has also served a long period as school clerk. Pie comes of good old stock, his ancestors being of that sturdy and devoted race who people the northern part of Ireland. Born in County Down, in that country, August 3, 1838, he came to America in the dawn of his early manhood and settled at once in Stanton township. He worked four months as a farm hand, then rented a farm a short time, and subsequently made his first start as a land owner by purchasing eighty acres. On this land he built a log cabin, and lived in it five years. From this small beginning has grown his present prosperity. He now owns 563 acres of tillable land, aside from several tracts of timber. He has made all the improvements on the place, which is eight miles from Cannon Falls village and four miles from Stanton village. Aside from general farming, he engaged in dairying and owns some excellent stock. Mr. Goudy faithfully adheres to the Republican party, and affiliates with the Masonic lodge at Cannon Falls. lie was married in 1865 to Bridget McWeeney, who has proven a good wife and mother. To this union has been born a goodly number of sturdy children. They are AVilliam R., A. P., Francis, James A., Marie M., Nathaniel, Robert J., John T., George II. and Elizabeth A., all of whom are at home. Annie, the fourth child, is dead. Mr. Goudy Avas one of the organizers of the Stanton cheese factory and was secretary and manager of the same for about ten years of its first existence. He also assisted in organizing the Stanton Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company, in 1895, of which company he Aims elected treasurer and still holds that office.

Andrew Felien owns a fertile farm of eighty acres in Stanton township, Avhere he is rearing a family of ten sturdy children. He was born in Sweden April 22, 1860, son of AndreAV and Kate (Johnson) Feline, Avho lived and died in the old country. In 1882, at the age of tAArenty-two years, Andrew left the shores of his native land and made his first venture in America as a rvorkman in St. Paul. He also labored for a short time in Spring Garden, but a short time later came to Stanton. When he first came here he worked about five years as an employee of Johnson Miller. Subsequently lie rented Mr. Miller’s farm, but three years later went to Dakota and tilled the land there seven years. About a dozen years ago, he came back to this township and purchased the farm which he now owns. Plere he has made many improvements on the house and buildings, and has erected a fine windmill. He makes a specialty of dairying and sells milk to the Cannon Falls cheese factory. Politically he is a Republican, and is now serving as treasurer of his school district. He was married in 1887 to Emma Denning, daughter of Sidney and Annie Denning, who came to this county before the war. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Feline are: Cora, Kattie, Arthur, Lulu, Florence, Clara, Lawrence and Clarence (twins), Edward and Ernest. All the children are at home, and those of suitable age attend school.

As printed in History of Dakota and Goodhue counties, Minnesota / (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.