Solomon
Brees was born on May 4, 1839 in Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY. He was the son of
John Brees III & Mary Ann Moore
Sarah
Jane Thorn was born on February 19, 1842 in Corning, Steuben Co., NY. She was
the daughter of Lawrence
Thorn & Hannah Van Winkle
THE FAMILY OF SOLOMON E. BREES & SARAH JANE THORN:
 |  | Solomon Brees & Sarah Jane Thorn | Solomon
E. Brees & Sarah Jane Thorn were married October 06, 1865 in Erie, Erie Co.,
PA. They had 9 children, 8 of whom lived to adulthood. At first they farmed
in New York (near Elmira? Horseheads?), but they moved to Steele Co., MN in the
spring of 1866, where Arthur and Fay were born. The family is listed on the 1870
census of Havana, Steele Co., MN. Then they had a claim near Owatonna, MN where
Rubie was born in 1874 - that claim was given up very soon. (Lois Brees thought
that Harry and Rubie were both born in Havana). The family returned to New York
in 1876 with 4 of their children, but didn't farm; Ward was born there. In 1878,
after Ward was born, they returned to Minnesota to farm near Osakis, Douglas Co,
MN. (Cornelia Lunde Brees referred to this farm as English Grove.) Clyde, Claude
and Percy were all born on that farm. The family is listed on the 1880, 1885,
1895 & 1900 censuses of Orange, Douglas Co., MN. In 1901 they moved to the
farm outside Grey Eagle, Todd Co., MN. The family is listed on the 1905, 1910
& 1920 censuses of Birchdale Twp., Todd Co., MN. Solomon died on April
08, 1921 in Grey Eagle, Todd Co., MN, and Sarah Jane died on January 06, 1922
in Osakis, Douglas Co., MN. They are both buried at the English Grove Cemetery,
Osakis, Douglas Co., MN. Their farm in Todd Co., MN was later worked by Arthur
Brees. |
The children of Solomon & Sarah Jane Brees:
 | 1. Arthur Brees | Arthur Philetus Brees was born January
19, 1867 in Havana, Steele Co., MN. He is listed with his parents at age 3
on the 1870 census of Havana, Steele Co., MN. His parents moved briefly to Owatonna,
MN, and then went to New York from 1876 to 1878; Arthur wrote some of his memories
of that trip in letters. The family returned to Minnesota in 1878 when Arthur
was 11, and he is listed with his parents on the 1880, 1885, 1895 & 1900 censuses
of Orange, Douglas Co., MN. Arthur never married. He moved with his parents in
1901 from Douglas Co. to Todd Co., MN, and is listed with his parents on the 1910
& 1920 censuses of Birchdale Twp., Todd Co., MN. Arthur's parents died in
1921 & 1922, and he worked their farm in Todd Co., MN. Arthur cared for his
brother Claude after Claude was injured and confined to a wheelchair and later
completely bedridden. Brothers Arthur, Claude & Rufus W. (Ward) are listed
as living together on the 1930 census of Birchdale Twp, Todd Co., MN. Arthur lived
a few years in Ward Springs, MN after selling the home farm. Arthur died June
13, 1961 in Grey Eagle, Todd Co., MN. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Grey
Eagle, MN. Arthur's correspondence, records and pictures were a main source for
Lois Brees' history of the Brees family |
 | 2. Fay Brees | Zelotus Fayette Brees was born
July 23, 1869 in Havana, Steele Co., MN. Fay is listed on early records as
Zelotus (various spellings!) Fay was named for his uncle, Fayette Thorn. He is
listed with his parents at age 1 on the 1870 census of Havana, Steele Co., MN.
His parents moved briefly to Owatonna, MN, and then went to New York from 1876
to 1878. The family returned to Minnesota in 1878 when Fay was age 9, and he is
listed with his parents on the 1880, 1885, 1895 & 1900 censuses of Orange,
Douglas Co., MN. He homesteaded in Canada sometime after 1900. Fay married Irene
Wickwire about 1905 and they had 5 children. They had a son born in 1906 in
Mortelack, Saskatchewan, Canada. The family is listed on the 1911 census of Moosejaw,
Saskatchewan, Canada. Fay & Irene had children born in 1912 & 1917 in
Canada. They are on the 1916 census of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Fay's
brothers Claude & Clyde became Canadian citizens for awhile to try homesteading
in Canda, but both later returned to the USA. On both Clyde's application to reenter
the USA at Portal, ND in May 1914 and Claude's first application to reenter in
September 1917, Fay is listed as being their brother, living in Mower, (Sask.)
Canada. When Claude appled again to reenter in October 1918, Fay is listed as
living in Riverhurst, Sask., Canada. Fay is listed on an October 1920 list of
aliens applying to reenter the USA at Sweet Grass, MT. At that time he was age
50, a Canadian citizen, and his last residence was Riverhurst, Sask., Canada.
He listed his race as being Dutch. I assume Irene & the children returned
to the USA at the same time, although they are not listed on the immigration paperwork.
Fay does state that he has no living relatives remainng in Canada, and Irene's
obituary states that she came to Libby in 1920. Fay is listed as living in Libby,
MT in the 1921 obituary of his father Solomon. The family is listed on the 1930
census of Libby, Lincoln Co., MT. Fay Brees died on December 06, 1963 in Libby,
Hill Co., MT. Irene died in February 1983 in Missoula, MT. Children of Fay
Brees & Isophene "Irene" Wickwire are Lester (1906), twins Earl
& Merl (who were probably born between 1907& 1912 and died young), Inise
(1913) & Chester (1917). Notes for Fay Brees Photos & records for Fay Brees |
 | 3. Harry Brees | Harry Brees was born August
27, 1872 in Havana, Steele Co., MN. His parents moved briefly to Owatonna,
MN, and then went to New York from 1876 to 1878. The family returned to Minnesota
in 1878 when Harry was age 6, and he is listed with his parents on the 1880 &
1885 censuses of Orange, Douglas Co., MN. Harry married Jeffrey (Jaffrey) Craig
about 1894 and they had 8 children. They are listed on the 1895 state census of
Orange, Douglas Co., MN. This photo belongs to their daughter Marion. I think
this photo was taken about 1910. Harry farmed at English Grove, near Osakis, Douglas
Co., MN. The family is listed on the 1900, 1910, 1920 & 1930 censuses of Orange
Twp., Douglas Co., MN. In 1910 Jeffrey is listed as having 6 births with 4 surviving
children at that time. Harry died September 28, 1944 and is buried at Villard,
Pope Co., MN. Jeffrey died on April 21, 1957 in Douglas Co., MN. Children
of Harry Brees & Jeffrey Craig are Myrtle (1895), Ralph (1898), Gordon (1901),
Mildred (1904), Melvin (1906), Marion (1908), Marvin "Bill" (1911) &
Merlund "Bud" (1921) |
 | 4. Rubie Brees | Rubie Mabel Brees was born September 14,
1874 in Havana, Steele Co., MN. She was the only sister of Percy Brees. Rubie
is listed with her parents on the 1880, 1885 & 1895 censuses of Orange Twp.,
Douglas Co., MN. Rubie married Charles C. Cannon on December 06, 1895,
and they had 2 children. The family is listed on the 1900 census of Orange, Douglas
Co., MN, living next to Rubie's parents. This photo was taken in Alexandria, MN
about 1902 with children Floyd & Fern. Charles & Rubie divorced sometime
between 1900-1905. Rubie is listed as head of household on the 1905 state census
of Alexandria, Douglas, Minnesota. Rubie remarried Elbert Leroy Arnold
on September 10, 1905 in Alexandria, Douglas, MN, and they had 2 children. They
are listed on the 1910 census of Alexandria, Douglas Co., MN. Elbert died on October
17, 1914 in Douglas Co., Minnesota. He is listed on the Minnesota Death Index
under the name Albert L. Arnold. In 1914 (probably because of Elbert's death),
Rubie moved with the children to Seattle, Washington. Family story is that she
moved there so that the two older children would be closer to their father Charles
Cannon, and also to be near sister-in-law Olive Vanloon Cannon, who was very close
to Rubie. Rubie moved with the children from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA in
1917. Rubie is listed as head of household and widowed on the 1920 & 1930
censues of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA. In 1930 she is living in same house
with married daughter Fern and family. Rubie Mabel Brees Cannon Arnold died
on November 21, 1942 in Los Angeles Co., CA. I have seen her name spelled
on various records as Ruby and also Rubie. She is listed on the California Death
Index as Ruby, but Percy Brees always spelled her name Rubie, and her granddaughter's
middle name is spelled Rubie, so I think it was Rubie. Children of Rubie Brees
& Charles Cannon are Fern (1897) & Floyd (1899). Children of Rubie Brees
& Elbert Arnold are Roy (1910) & Dorothy (1913). Photos & Records for Rubie Brees Cannon Arnold Notes for Rubie Brees Cannon Arnold |
 | 5. Ward Brees | Rufus Ward Brees was born May 30, 1877 in
Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY. His parents returned to MN in 1878 when he was
about age 1. He is listed with his parents on the 1880, 1885, 1895 & 1900
censuses of Orange, Douglas Co., MN. I am guessing he is age 20 in this photo,
which would be about 1897. According to Lois Brees, Ward was married for a short
time to "Dot" Clark. He is listed on the 1910 census of Villard,
Pope Co., MN with wife Cleo E.; at that time they had been married about
5 years, so they married about 1905, probably in MN. I am assuming at this time
that Cleo and "Dot" are the same person, but it is not confirmed. They
separated at some point before 1920. Ward spent some time in Montana with his
brother Percy, but returned to MN by January 1920 when he is listed as being single,
and living with his parents & some of his brothers on the family farm He is
also listed as living with brothers Arthur & Claude on the 1930 census; both
the 1920 & 1930 censuses were in Birchdale Twp., Todd Co., MN. According to
the Minnesota Death Index, . Ward Brees died on June 01, 1956 in Todd Co.,
Minnesota. He is buried in the English Grove Cemetery, Osakis, Douglas Co.,
MN. Photos & Records for Ward Brees Notes for Ward Brees |
 | 6. Roy Brees | Roy Brees was born July 04, 1880 in Orange Twp., Douglas Co., MN. He is not listed on the 1880 census with the family. He was only about 8 1/2 months old when he died. Roy died March 31, 1881 in Douglas Co., MN. |
 | 7. Claude Brees | Claude Brees was born May 24, 1882 in
Orange Twp., Douglas Co., MN. He is listed with his parents on the 1885, 1895
& 1900 censuses of Orange Twp., Douglas Co., MN I'm guessing this is photo
is for HS graduation, age 18, about that time. I have not found Claude on the
1910 census at this time - he was probably in Canada. Claude's back was injured
when some logs fell on him when he was working in the logging camps in Canada.
He was in a wheelchair for a while but later in life was bedridden.Claude appllied
to return to USA from Canada through Portal, ND in August & September of 1917,
but apparently he was not approved. At that time he was age 35, and he listed
his last permanent residence as being Mower, Sask., Canada, where his brother
Fay also lived. He applied again to reenter through Portal, ND in October 1918,
when he was age 36, and at that time he listed his residence as Riverhurst, Sask.,
Canada, where his brother Fay was also living. On all imigratioin papers Claude
listed his race as German. Claude is listed on the 1920 & 1930 censuses of
the family farm in Birchdale Twp., Todd Co., MN, first with his parents and later
with his brother Arthur as head of household. Atlanta Brees said when her family
visited MN in the summer of 1934 that Claude could not even sit up in bed, and
that his brother Arthur took care of him. Claude Brees died later that same
year, in December 1934 in Todd Co., MN. Photos & Records for Claude Brees Notes for Claude Brees |
 | 8. Clyde Brees | Clyde Brees was born May
22, 1886 in Orange Twp., Douglas Co., MN. Clyde's daughter Lois V. Brees was
very interested in the family history, and she collected and wrote down much of
the information that I have on the Brees family. Clyde is listed with his parents
on the 1895 & 1900 censuses of Orange Twp., Douglas Co., MN. His parents moved
from Douglas to Todd Co., MN in 1901, and Clyde is listed with them on the 1905
state census of Birchdale, Todd Co., MN. I think this photo was take at about
age 18, which would be 1904. I have not found him on the 1910 census at this time.
According to Lois, Clyde homesteaded in Sask., Canada with his brother Claude
in early 1900's; he worked as a farmer, gardener, & laborer. Clyde returned
to the USA from Canada in May 1914. At that time he was age 28, and he listed
his last permanent residence as being Mower, Sask., Canada, where his brother
Fay also lived. Clyde listed his race as Dutch. (He is also listed as Clyde Euincerson
Brees on the index of Minnesota Naturalization records for Todd Co., MN 1914-1917.)
Clyde married Laura Edna Osborn on June 02, 1915, and they had one daughter.
Clyde & Laura are listed on the 1920 census of Alexandria, Douglas Co., MN;
Lois was born in January of that same year. I have not found Clyde on the 1930
census, but Lois wrote that Clyde farmed in Deadlake Twp, Otter Tail, MN from
1926-1930. From 1930-1934 the family moved several times, living in Great Falls,
MT, Spokane, WA, Los Angeles, CA before returning to MN. They then farmed in Amor
Twp, Otter Tail Co., MN from 1935 - 1960. Clyde moved to Pelican Rapids,
MN in 1960. Clyde Brees died July 17, 1965 in Pelican Rapids, MN. He is
buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Grey Eagle, MN. Child of Clyde Brees & Laura
Osborn is Lois (1920) |
 | 9. Percy Brees | Percy Elwood Brees was
born July 20, 1888 in Osakis, Douglas Co., MN. He is listed with his parents
on the 1895 & 1900 censuses of Orange Twp., Douglas Co., MN. His parents moved
from Douglas Co. to Todd Co., MN in 1901 when Percy was 13, and he is listed with
them on the 1905 & 1910 censuses of Birchdale Twp., Todd Co., MN. Percy went
to Montana in 1913 to help a family friend ("Grandpa" James McLain)
move his furniture there. Percy liked it there, and stayed; his brother Ward also
lived with him there for a few years between 1913 & 1920. On June 5, 1917,
Percy filled out his WWI Draft Registration Card; at that time he was age 28,
single, medium height, medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was living
in Choteau, Teton Co., MT, and working as a clerk for Joseph Hirshberg & Co.
Percy married Cornelia Lunde July 12, 1917 in Great Falls, Cascade Co.,
MT, and they had 6 children. I have not found them on the 1920 census -
their house on their homestead was briefly a United States Post Office, so I think
they were not in the census districts of any of the bigger offices that took the
census counts. The family moved to Great Falls MT in 1921. They are listed on
the 1930 census Great Falls, Cascade Co., MT, with Percy's occupation listed as
laborer, smelter. Percy worked 28 years for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company
in Great Falls. His children all had fond memories of his gentleness, sense of
humor, even temper, and of what a hard worker he was. Percy Brees died June
14, 1951 in Great Falls, Cascade Co., MT. Cornelia died on November 02, 1980
in Denver, CO, and they are both buried in the Highland Cemetery in Great Falls,
MT. Children of Percy Brees & Cornelia Lunde are: Elwood (1919), Phyllis
(1920), John "Jack" (1921), Atlanta (1924), Virginia (1928) and Duane
(1931). |
