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Moved to Winona Co 1855, preempted 160 acres, married, increased farm size to 225 acres, still living on land 1913. From Hist Winona Co, 1883 (Chicago, H.H.Hill & Co) Grandfathers Jacob Straw & David Gehr were natives of Westmoreland Co, PA, thhe latter was in the War of 1812. Both were farmers. H.H. started as clerk in general mdse store in Sagerstown PA at age 18, stayed 2 years. Went to Dubuque Co, IA, worked on a farm for 1 yr. Moved to Winona Co in May 1855, entered claim in Sec. 17, Saratoga Twp [W 1/2 SE 1/4 Sec 17, patented 3 Jy 1863, in tract book of US Dist Land Office, 1887; Tom's notes]. Member of No. 46 lodge of Masons (Evergreen) at Troy, MN. Democrat, was twp supervisor a number of years. [Oaka adds: served 2 20 yrs as sec. of Saratoga Cemetery, later his son Edward had it a long time.][notes recd by Tom from Oaka 1-10-1965, from book in St Charles library.] per letter Winona Area Genealogy Roundtable 6 Nov 1995, listed in Saratoga cemetery book #15, p. 25, a buried row 15, stone 22; date of death on stone given as 1923! Family notes say marriage at Saratoga performed by P. F. Thurber.
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