Seth S. Washburn, one of the old settlers of Udolpho, was born in Vermont June 16, 1826. His boyhood's work was tilling a rough New England farm and helping his father in a saw mill. He received a common school education. He married in 1853 and three years later came to Wisconsin. Finding no government land there he pushed on to Minnesota. Mrs. Washburn's brother having previously taken up land in Udolpho, thither he came. Many would not settle there because the land was so wet. Breaking was slow and cultivation difficult.

Mr. Washburn frequently went to Mitchell, Iowa, with an ox team to mill. Produce had to be hauled to Winona, and on one trip Mr. Washburn was gone eleven days. Udolpho contained in 1856, one of those town site enterprises so abundant in the west before the railroads came through and fixed permanent station, thus destroying many a fondly anticipated town in the future years.

Mr. Washburn has always taken a great interest in politics and is a stanch Republican. Although he commenced with small means he has won a pleasant home for himself in his declining years. He has a fine farm and 220 acres, well subdued and well stocked. He has given each of his four children a college education. Sanford is now Judge of Probate of this county.

Mrs. Jennie M. Adams is wife of the station agent at Randall, Minn. Hattie W. Keeps house for her father, and Emma H. is a successful physician in Austin. Mr. Washburn's wife died June 14, 1881. Mr. Washburn's father was a Wig and Washburn cast his first vote for President for Zachary Taylor in 1848, in accordance with the political faith in which he was raised. He voted for Scott in 1852 and for Fremont in 1856 and for every Republican in turn since.

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Darrel K. Waters