Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/895

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNT! 773 went to Sheridan, 111., where tie engaged in the .same business four years. It was in August of 1880 that he decided to try his fortunes as a merchant in Zumbrota. His efforts met with success, and not only has his business prospered, but lie himself lias attained a position of honor and trust in the community. His home on Fifth street is the center of many social gatherings, and his voice on the school board and village council, of which he has been a member, was always listened to with respect and consideration. He has been a member of the state militia twenty- two years, and is now the commissary of the Third regiment. Fraternally, he is known throughout the state, being a member in high standing in the Masons, the Modern "Woodmen, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the .Modern Samaritans. A Eepublican in politics, he nevertheless exercises his own judgment in voting, and docs not always follow the party leaders when his own conscience dictates otherwise. Mr. Sig- mond was married January 8, 1879, to Sarah Nelson, of Sheridan, 111., daughter of Peter I '. and Signa (Danielson) Nelson, both natives of the United States and both now deceased. The fruits of this union are — Roy E., born October 14, 1879, is in partnership with his father; Lloyd E., born December 9, 1884, is an attorney-at-law in American Falls, Idaho, while Luverne N., born October 31, 1886, is a vocal and band instructor at Shoshone, Idaho. The family stands high in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and generously assist in many pub- lic movements. Herman H. Palmer, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the industrial and business life of Zumbrota. A native of New Hampshire, he early engaged in the manufactur- ing business in Worcester, Mass., and came to Zumbrota in 1860. He was one of the three men who built the Forest mills, but later he opened a general store and conducted it aloug progressive •lines until failing health necessitated his retirement in 1898. He served as president of the city council and of the school board, and as a member of the library committee. In fraternal and re- ligious circles he was no less prominent, having gone through thirty-two degrees of Masonry and served many years as trusted of the Congregational church. Mr. Palmer was married in No- vember, 1862, to Adelaide Ilalbert. daughter of John and Mary A. (Turner) Halbert, natives of New York state and early set- tlers of Zumbrota. The father died in Memphis. Tenn., and the mother in Zumbrota. Mr. Palmer died in June, 1904. and his widow still lives in the old homestead erected in 1868. The sub- ject of this sketch was a man of kindly nature, one who had a faculty of bringing out the best in the characters of those with whom he was associated, and his death was a distinct loss to the